Friar Suppliers

06/10/2026

I will be catching up on posting reflection and newsletters!

06/10/2026

2026 HAITI MISSION PROJECTS
Each year in December I talk about the Projects that id like to accomplish in Riviere Friode Haiti, This yearv is no different but the projects are different. One big and 3 small:

BUILDING A TRADE SCHOOL_Im sure you have read about the gangs in Haiti. They are everywhere. Even one our workers brothers was kidnapped by the gangs. Recently the gangs have started to infiltrate the youth. They are taking young boys 11-12-13 years old and giving them GUNS so they join them. So I had my men in Haiti interview 10 12 years that are part of the gangs and asked them- “WHAT WOULD MAKE YOU LEAVE THYE GANGS” . Most of them said if they had a safe and secure place to live, food, school and a trade that they can learn from. Carpentry is a very useful occupation and everyone should know how to build how to repair and fix things but you don’t learn this in school!

For over 20 years the man who has always been in charge iof our building programs has been BOSS GESNER., He has a building that he used to teach young men how to do all sorts of carpentry work. But since the gangs have into the country his building has fallen into disrepair. So I asked him if he would like to PARTNER with FRIAR SUPPLIERS. We would repair the building, there is a building next door to him that could house up to 20 people. The Our Lady of Fatima school is only about 15 minute walk. Boss Gesner already operates the Bakery thar Friar Suppliers owns. Each day he makes 750 pieces of bread for our program., he could even train some of the teens to work in the bakery. We would also need to buy enough tools so that each student has the proper tools, the tools would not go home with the students, they could use them and sign them out. To fix the building will cost a]bout $45,000, to purchase the piece of property next door would be another $20,000 . For us to have enough tools for all is approximately $35,000US, The ownership of the property would be the LITTLE BROTHERS OF ST THERESE the community we work with. When I buy anything in Haiti it is always in the Little Brothers name, So the total cost is about $100,000. After that we can figure out the yearly operating cost but until it is operational I cant figure it out, One step at a time!

06/10/2026

Early one Saturday morning in January, I showed up at Charlie's in Lindenhurst. There was a UHaul van filled with groceries and supplies ready for delivery. Friar Suppliers had rented the van, shopped and loaded the van. This was food and supplies for the friars and sisters for 1 month. The food is delivered to St. Crispin's in the Bronx, about an hour from Lindenhurst. Then the food is divided up for the 4 friaries and convents and delivered.

My small task was to drive the van to St. Crispin's Friary. There was no traffic at all! I forgot the EZ Pass, only made 1 wrong turn and think I missed the red light cameras. Brother Yan saved a parking spot right in front of the Friary. Since my parking skills were not up to UHaul level, Brother Yan expertly took over. When I said my parking skills were not so good, Chris said " you are perfect just as you are." Queue child-like smile on my face, heart filled! All my fears were relieved. And I remembered that God takes care of all. "Do not let your hearts be troubled"

The sisters and friars and helpers unloaded the van quickly and efficiently with joyful smiles on their faces. I was on my way home in no time at all. As I sat eating lunch, I absorbed the warm feeling of joy I felt. Trusting in God is a life long challenge for me. I was so grateful for Him asking me to do this small task for my friend. He used me with all my reservations. You can't out give God.

06/10/2026

Its a labor of love. Since Charlie is decommissioned from driving, Eric Hansen,Paul Brady and Terri Burtner and I have been helping to drive to pick up donations from the parishes around the Island. We get food, peanut butter and supplies for Haiti and adult incontinence wear for St. Joseph's Home. Any cereal or glass items are used for the Friaries and convents. Its a great time for Charlie to visit the Outreach Programs. Its not too bad for us either. It is amazing to see the Outreach staff supporting those in need.

06/10/2026

St. Raphael Outreach in East Meadow loads us up with food for Haiti. Thank you to Ann and all the wonderful staff that work at Outreach.

06/10/2026

Delivery of incontinence supplies to St. Joseph's Home in Huntington. These are picked up from various Outreach programs across Long Island and delivered to the Benedictine sisters that run the facility. Srs. Mataya and Rita with Charlie.

06/10/2026

Ken and Mary did the grocery shopping for the Friars and Sisters in February. They fill up the van. The next day I drive it to St. Crispin's. I meet Chris there, who does the meat shopping. Then we unload. From there the food is sorted and then delivered to the other Friaries and convents. This happens every month, Charlie is hoping to take a ride with me in March to visit the Friars.

You can never out give God. I even got a blessing from Fr. Terry before I left. I feel like I have no idea what I am supposed to be doing, but then God smiles and tells me "It's THIS. Nothing complicated. Just drive." God IS good all the time!

06/10/2026

On April 4th Troop 1 and the Moran grandchildren packed rice into containers to be shipped to Haiti. Friar Suppliers which provides food and resources to the poor in Haiti. The rice was donated by the Order of Malta.

06/10/2026

Friars Suppliers recycles and reuses host containers and candles. We have parishes around Long Island that collect empty host containers. We use them to pack rice and ship it to Haiti. We also get used candles that are sent to the parish in Haiti. The wax is melted and used to refill the candles.

04/16/2026