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October 16, 2017

Westfield parish adopts Puerto Rican parish impacted by Hurricane Maria

REGIONAL
By Kathleen Harrington

Workers clear debris in Yabucoa, Puerto Rico.   (IObserve photos/courtesy of 190th Engineer Battalion of the Puerto Rico Army National Guard)

 

WESTFIELD- “They have no power, they have no internet, nothing.”

That is how Zoria Santos describes Santos Angeles Custodios in Yabucoa, Puerto Rico in the wake of Hurricane Maria. The category 4 hurricane made landfall on Sept. 20 striking the island from the southeast with 155-mile-an-hour winds. The eye of the storm passed over the city of Yabucoa and its 38,000 residents.

In Maria’s wake, residents were left without electricity, with impassable roads, and no access to food and water supplies. Even three weeks later, only 15 percent of the island has electricity. Communications have been difficult as there are few working cell towers and limited options for charging cellphones. Santos’ family lives in Yabucoa. On Wednesday, she will travel home to check on her mother and sisters.

On this trip, Santos is traveling alone, but she will arrive with the support of St. Mary Parish in Westfield where she works as the sacristan. Earlier this month, Father Frank Lawlor, pastor of St. Mary’s, asked parishioners to show their support for the predominately-Catholic population of Puerto Rico by adopting a parish there. Santos Angeles Custodios was chosen because of its direct ties to parishioners in Westfield.

“We have more connection to this parish. We have sent people to Yabucoa for retreats,” explained Deacon Pedro Rivera. “And people from Yabucoa have come to Westfield for retreats.”

“Santos Angeles Custodios” translates to “Guardian Angels” in English. St. Mary Parish is proving to be just that. Santos will carry donated emergency supplies in her suitcases and a check for $10,262. That’s the amount collected so far by the people of St. Mary’s.

“This is just the beginning,” said Father Lawlor. “We will continue to raise money for Yabucoa. There is so much they need and we can directly assist the people most impacted by the hurricane.”

“Father Miguel welcomed the help from St. Mary’s,” said Santos on Monday. The pastor of Santos Angeles Custodios continues to offer daily Masses. “There is no electricity, so Masses are during the day,” Santos explained. She is eager to see for herself what the community needs.

While in Yabucoa, Santos will be staying with her mother. ”Her house is fine. She had some flooding, but it’s fine.”

Most homes do not have running water, but Santos says her mother has access to clean water. “She is a diabetic and needs insulin,” said Santos. “A neighbor has a generator and every day makes ice for my mother.” In turn, Santos says her mother makes food and shares it with the people in her neighborhood.

Santos plans to remain in Yabucoa for two weeks.
 

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