Remarks by Remy GouraigeMass to Begin Novena for Haitian Earthquake Victims The Catholic University of AmericaCaldwell ChapelJan. 14, 2010
My name is Remy Gouraige. I am a sophomore economics major here at the Catholic University of America. I am from Miami, but my heritage and the majority of my family are from Haiti. I have never been very involved in a disaster like this before, but for my family, me, and for countless other Americans, this disaster is hitting very close to home. I have aunts, cousins, and several other relatives who we haven't heard from, and they are only a few of the hundreds of thousands of people who are being affected.The damage from this earthquake has destroyed homes, buildings, and all of the fundamental necessities for the basic operation of the country, but the damage goes beyond the pictures you see on the news. It has affected families, destroyed the places where they have created their memories, and taken away from them the place that they call home. In Haiti, family is everything. This is a situation that the Haitian peoples cannot recover from on their own: we need the help of our world family to provide relief, support, and hope for any kind of a future for the country.Here at the Catholic University of America, we're starting our own efforts for the Haitian people today. We as students will have the opportunity to donate money to the relief cause, as well as to gather in prayer in a Novena for the country's people. I ask that my fellow students, as well as my fellow Americans, participate in sending relief to Haiti in any way possible. Every little bit will help, both to establish relief for the people of Haiti now and to give them a glimmer of hope for the future.
Editor's note: After his reflection at the Mass, Remy Gouraige learned that several of his relatives in Haiti had died in the earthquake.