Home/Stay Informed/All Diocesan Articles

All Diocesan Articles

 

 

 

The True Sense of Life

Posted on March 15, 2023 in: News, Outreach to Haiti

The True Sense of Life

I am Sherley Saintervé, a young woman and medical doctor who is 31 years old. As I have matured and faced the challenges that come with living on this earth, I have learned “the urgent necessity to refocus my life on Jesus.”

Born in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, I grew up in the Tabarre Section and lived with my mother Jeanne, my father Syrhilhomme and my two little sisters, Monica and Shlaydine. Growing up, we didn’t have much money because there are limited opportunities in Haiti due in part to earthquakes, hurricanes, tropical storms and political unrest. My dad is disabled, but my mom worked really, really hard to put food on the table, a roof over our heads and keep us clothed. As with any first-born in my community, big expectations were placed on my shoulders, even though educational opportunities were few.

From a very young age, I have been grateful to my parents for giving me life and raising me in a Christian family. I began attending Sainte Claire Catholic Church in Petit Place Cazeau with my parents, and because I naturally like to sing, I was a member of the children’s choir and then an active member of the Lamercie Choir for many years.

As a teenager, I learned the importance and beauty of music and service to others, including caring for those who are sick, which gave me true happiness in being able to share my gifts with others. I joined the Mouvement Eucharistique des Jeunes, a group of young people serving the church in all areas, from cleaning and supervising the youngest to organizing activities for the young in and outside the church.

With the help of the Diocese of Norwich Outreach to Haiti Education Sponsorship Program that provides scholarships to students, I graduated from high school, passed the state exam in 2011 and realized my biggest dream, to study medicine, when I was admitted to one of the top three medical schools in Haiti. As a young, female medical student, I sent a great positive message to the young people of my neighborhood: If I could go to college, they could too. In 2017, I was able to graduate from the Faculty of Medicine at Quisqueya University. I am very lucky. God does lots of miracles in my life, especially through Outreach to Haiti, which has contributed considerably to who I am today.

I have a lot of overambitious projects and dreams because I want to contribute more to the sustainable development of my country. I began working as a doctor in a private clinic in Canaan, Croix-des-Bouquets. In 2021, I worked for a non-governmental organization (NGO) in Les Cayes in a management position. Les Cayes was one of the areas impacted by the Aug. 14 earthquake. I was under lots of pressure to attain performance indicators and specified results. The pressure grew and became intense to the point of my not having enough time to eat, which completely unbalanced my health system. One day, faced with my critical health situation, I began questioning myself about the true sense of life. This self-doubt made me realize I had completely forgotten the divine part of my life by working to excess in order to succeed in my material life.

This experience has changed my life and opened my eyes to the urgent necessity to refocus on Jesus. While my faith has always played an integral role in my life, I now strive to see God in all aspects of my daily life and place Him at the center of everything I do at work and at home. For me, it is the best way to dedicate my life to God and be closer to Him. Every single activity in which I take part helps me to experience God through the people I serve and to consolidate my relationship with Him.

I was raised Catholic and did my primary and secondary classes at Catholic schools. I love the Catholic faith, the operating principles at the base of Catholicism and the solidarity and sense of sharing animating the Catholic community in Haiti and around the world.

Today, I would like to tell my younger self that it is very important to always have big dreams, but never forget to put God at the center of your life because He will never abandon you in times of sorrow, difficulties and failure. When I lost my good health, I was devastated and felt life had no meaning, that it had collapsed.

In dealing with the illness facing me while I was working in Les Cayes in 2021, I quickly realized that life is priceless, and the greatest gift that God has given me is health. And this disease inspired me to review my dreams so I can refocus my life on God. And now, I consider this disease an opportunity God gave me to grow spiritually. It is a second chance to reconnect myself to God and to strengthen my relationship with Him.

Each new day, I ask myself, when will I completely recover my health so I can return to finalizing my studies and continue with my projects and dreams? I believe God will help me to achieve these goals. My faith is in God. I know He is at the center of my life and that He will help me at the right time. I now know to take care of my body and, most importantly, my soul. Each day, I pray and thank God for His many blessings. I want people everywhere to know God is our Savior, our Redeemer, the only way that leads to Truth and Love. The true sense of life can be found in God.

 


Most Viewed Articles of the Last 30 Days

RSVP: Diocese of Norwich Outreach to Haiti Annual Fundraiser
Diocese of Norwich Outreach to Haiti will host its 15th annual For the Love of a Child Charity Gala, Saturday, April 29, 2023 at A Villa Louisa, 60 Villa Louisa Rd., Bolton, CT.  The Most Reverend Michael R. Cote, D.D., Bishop of the Diocese of Norwich, invites you to join him. Cocktails are at 6:30, followed by dinner.  The price is $100 per person.  Please RSVP on-line www.outreachtohaiti.org or call the Outreach office at 860-800-3601.    For nearly 40 years, Outreach has been helping our Haitian brothers and sisters throughout the Ar...

Read More

St. Patrick's Day Lenten Dispensation

Posted on March 16, 2023 in: News, Lent

1085

St. Patrick's Day Lenten Dispensation
Whereas, the disciplinary practice of abstaining from meat on the Fridays in Lent is an important dimension of the penitential nature of the season and applies to all Catholics who have reached the age of fourteen (canons 1251 and 1252); Whereas, this year the Feast of St. Patrick, March 17, falls on a Friday in Lent; Now therefore, in accord with canon 87 §1 of the Code of Canon Law, given the many celebrations that occur on this day in commemoration of St. Patrick, Principal Patron of the Diocese of Norwich and titular of the Cathedral, I hereby grant to all Ca...

Read More

‘God Protected Me & the Virgin Mary Did Not Leave Me’
Mar 1, 2023 Only a few hours after Bassel Habkouk, a young Lebanese Catholic and father of two, arrived for a visit in Turkey on Feb. 6, a 7.8-magnitude earthquake struck the country and nearby Syria. Habkouk found himself trapped underneath the rubble of fallen buildings for 52 hours as a result of the devastating earthquake, which killed more than 50,000 people and injured many more with tens of thousands still missing and hundreds of thousands homeless, according to the Associated Press. Miraculously, Habkouk survived, and he recently shared with ACI MENA, ...

Read More

Employment Opportunity for an Executive Assistant
Xavier High School in Middletown is looking for the right person to fill the position of Executive Assistant to the Headmaster and Principal. Details can be found HERE.   To view other job opportunities Click Here

Read More

Continuing a Journey of Faith - The Rite of Election
The Rite of Election, held Feb. 26 at the Cathedral of St. Patrick, takes place each year on the first Sunday of Lent in churches and cathedrals throughout the world. During this rite, upon the witness of Godparents, sponsors and catechists, those gathered affirm their intention to join the Church as well as become full members of the Church.  Bishop Michel Cote accepts the elect on behalf of the whole diocese and affirms their desire to be members of the Church.  A celebration of faith in word and song took place to support the newe...

Read More

Forgive them-The Video

Posted on March 21, 2023 in: News, Vocations

434

Forgive them-The Video
Here is the video of how a misplaced homily created ripples that went on to work a miracle of God's grace for at least one family. Hopefully, sharing this will lead to more people realizing that life is too short to not forgive. If you haven't read the article in the Winter 2023 issue of the Four County Catholic magazine, we've included it below. The video can be found after the article. Forgive them, they know not what they do The words below are an edited transcript of a sermon given recently in the diocese. Whenever I’m giving a homi...

Read More

Annual Catholic Appeal

ACA DONATE

English

 

Español

 

 
Signup for Weekly Newsletter


    Recently Added Galleries
    Click to view album: Rite of Election
    Click to view album: Mass of Ordination  for Fr. Jacob Ramos
    Click to view album: Mass of Ordination for Father Lawrence Barile
    Click to view album: Palm Sunday
    Latest Articles
    Watch: Full Remarks from the 2023 CT March for Life
    With Much Gratitude, 2022 Annual Catholic Appeal Surpasses Goal for Second Year
    Love of the Eucharist - Hope & Faith Video Series
    Forgive them-The Video
    With A Father's Heart: Celebrating the Feast of Saint Joseph
    Come Pray For Vocations
    RSVP: Diocese of Norwich Outreach to Haiti Annual Fundraiser
    Calendar of Events

    Roman Catholic Diocese of Norwich
    201 Broadway
    Norwich, CT 06360-4328
    Phone: 860-887-9294