Christmas was not once and far from here and now, Christmas IS forever, if God becomes a child in you. Should this be so difficult? – God reveals in you His radiant glow across your smiling face!

By Deacon Donat Davatz, St. Paul Co-Cathedral, Saskatoon

At the convent of the Good Shepherd Sisters in Jérémie, in Haiti, days are hectic and filled with the realities of life: the joys and personal dramas of the poor and suffering.

Many people of the Grand’Anse are small farmers who struggle to make a living on their meagre, rocky land. Survival is often the greatest challenge people face on a daily basis. Many times, the Good Shepherd Sisters are the last hope in their misery. Sr. Mathilde, acting superior, knows many of the distressed people and she knows of their circumstances and fears and worries.

At breakfast on Aug. 3, 2006, Sr. Mathilde informed the sisters that the gardener told her that Samantha had abandoned the baby she had delivered three days earlier. Since his birth on July 31, the baby had neither been fed nor bathed and had been left abandoned clad only in a t-shirt. No action had been taken so far to save him. It was clear the baby would not survive the ensuing hours.

Moved with compassion, Sr. Monica, the Regional Director of Christian Child Care International in Haiti (now known as Chalice), called me and explained in no uncertain terms that she was determined to rescue the boy and keep him in the community until she could find a good home for the baby.

Who would not concur with Sr. Monica’s plan to save the baby? She said yes to the Lord’s call. Her love and resolve were contagious and I found gratitude and joy in the release of the necessary funds on behalf of the baby’s needs.

Surrounded by the love and care of a dozen religious sisters, the baby not only became the centre of attention but grew healthier day by day.

Not too long after this occurrence in the community of the sisters, a group of parishioners from a church at Dawson Creek, BC, arrived in Jérémie. David, one of the visitors, soon caught sight of the sleeping baby and learned of the captivating story of the little boy.

In a subsequent telephone conversation with his wife Catherine at Dawson Creek, David related the events of the day, and also sent her a few pictures of the baby. On the following day, when he spoke to his wife, she told him of her dream that night, in which they were encouraged to adopt the baby and name him Gabriel.

Some months later, with all the needed documents in hand, Gabriel traveled in the company of his happy adoptive parents to Canada.

Gabriel grew up in ideal circumstances surrounded by a caring family. Today, Gabriel is a wonderful young man who excels not only in school but also in playing hockey and soccer and has been serving the Lord at Holy Mass as an altar server throughout his years in school. Those who know him see him as an individual with great potential who has now been accepted to a pre-University school. May the newborn King continue to bless and protect him and his loving family.

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 Presently serving as a Permanent Deacon at St. Paul Co-Cathedral in Saskatoon, Deacon Donat Davatz spent a number of years working for the international aid organization Chalice (chalice.ca).

Communications and Saskatoon Catholic News are supported by gifts to the Bishop’s Annual Appeal: dscf.ca/baa.