THANK YOU!

The parish medical mission trip team expresses sincere gratitude to parishioners for the outpouring of prayers, donations and support. The mission team returned home safely from Jamaica on Friday, March 22.

At a Glance:

·  $20,000+ was collected from generous parishioners  for support of the mission site in Maggotty.

·  1,000+ pounds of donations (medicines, sunglasses,  eyeglass frames, PT, OT, podiatry and optometry  supplies) were carried to Maggotty in 20 extra large  suitcases.

·  230 patients were seen in the Eye Clinic over four  days by Drs. Centar and Bartolotta, assisted by Fr.  Alan, Betsy Lehman and Lisa Georgiana. Of the 230  patients, approximately 30 patients were referred to  the Mandeville Eye Clinic for cataract and glaucoma  consults. 130 Jamaicans will receive prescription  eyeglasses in May and 250 pairs of sunglasses were  distributed to protect eyes from the hot UV rays on the  island. Approximately 150 pairs of reader glasses  were distributed. Drs. Centar, Bartolotta and Klingbeil  attended to an emergency, removing a sliver of metal  from a young man’s cornea.

·  About 90 patients were treated by podiatrist, Dr.  Martha Klingbeil. Dr. Klingbeil helped heal sore and  tired feet, along with answering general medical  questions. She provided some ankle support braces  and orthotics to those in need and distributed  antifungal creams and nail clippers.

·  110 patients were seen in the PT and OT Rehab  Clinic by physical therapists Dr. Bill Hanlon, Dr. Alyssa  Arnold and Ms. Lee Farnan, and occupational   therapist Dr. Andrea Wilks. Patients with a variety of  problems including low back pain, neck problems,  knee and hand arthritis, stroke and women’s health  issues and much chronic pain were treated. The  Rehab team also treated staff who work year-round at  the clinic. They also made a home visit and visited a  nursing home run by Mother Teresa’s order,  (Missionaries of Charity) where they saw nursing  home patients who have no access to rehab services.  Dr. Andrea Wilk was the Rehab team’s hand and  women’s health expert.

·  The group participated in Daily Masses and Stations  of the Cross in the Holy Spirit Church.

"I was deeply moved by the mission team who traveled to Maggotty, Jamaica. They were faith filled, professional, and full of life. They represented both St. Mary and St. Michael Parishes and worked together beautifully. 

Not only that, but many parishioners from both parishes were also extraordinarily generous in helping with the trip by offering goods, supplies, money, and especially their prayers.

While in Jamaica, I had the chance to work with the pastor of Holy Spirit Mission Parish, Father Marek Bzinkowski. He is ably assisted by a lay woman, Marta Socha, and three Sister Servant of the Sacred Heart nuns. All are natives of Poland and most have been at the parish for over two decades. In an effort to provide hospitality and decent living arrangements for the mission groups who come to Holy Spirit Parish, both Father Marek and Marta do a great deal of repair and maintenance. Father Marek told me that his dad was a plumber in Poland. He certainly makes good use of what his own father taught him about the trade.

I helped with one project, a small water leak. In Maggotty, the water pipes are for the most part plastic PVC basically lying on top of the ground. Father has installed some galvanized water piping at the parish, but this is an exception to the rule. To fix the leak, we had to purchase some PVC glue at the local Maggotty hardware store. Everything in the store was behind a grill, and you had to tell the clerk what you wanted. She proceeded to sell us two tiny cans of PVC glue. I’d never seen cans as small as what we purchased. Father Marek pulled out a wad of Jamaican cash and completed the purchase. On the way back to the parish compound, he told may that these two little cans represented about $20 American. I couldn’t believe how expensive a little glue was! Moreover, he told me that that’s pretty much the total amount he receives for an entire weekend collection.

I’m so grateful that we could do a little something to aid our brothers and sisters who are in need. What we take for granted, folks in Maggotty may never be able to afford or obtain. 

Thanks again for your help."

- Fr. Alan Thomas

  “This was my second trip to Maggoty. My initial trip was in January 2020. I found both trips to be extremely humbling experiences! The people of Jamaica have very little and their needs are great! They were very appreciative and grateful for all the medical care given them. They are also an extremely patient people sometimes waiting all day for their turn at the clinic. 

From an eye doctor standpoint, I was shocked at the extent of end-stage ocular disease among numerous patients. Many had advanced glaucoma and had already lost their eyesight. Numerous other patients had extremely dense cataracts and others had scar tissue which formed on the cornea (called pterygiums) which are caused by over exposure to ultraviolet light and frequently require surgery! 

We were able to distribute over 250 pairs of sunglasses which were a true God send to these people to protect their eyes from the UV light. ..... In 40 years of practice in the United States I had not seen the extent of end stage eye disease as I saw in Jamaica. This is due to their very limited access to healthcare! If it wasn't for the nuns running this clinic, many of these people would have no healthcare at all. We are truly spoiled in the United States with excellent healthcare, excellent roads, running/clean water, safe food, yet we still complain! ... The people of Maggoty have extremely limited healthcare sometimes no means of transportation, very limited resources, no money for medications, yet never complain!!

Jamaica is a beautiful country with wonderful people! If you ever have the opportunity to do a mission trip to Maggoty, or any other country, please do not hesitate! It Is truly a life changing experience and I do plan on repeat trips in the future!”

– Dr. Rick Centar

“This mission trip was the product of many years of patience! I have felt called for a long time to go on a medical mission trip, and was ecstatic the Holy Spirit finally called me to Jamaica! 

The therapy department had the honor of getting to know many incredible souls over the course of the week and provided a wide array of treatments from the head down to the foot. As a pelvic floor specialist state side, I was able to speak with some incredible women who have given birth to many children over their lifetimes, and due to the conditions in which they labor and recover was able to start a journey of healing they had never known. We were able to discuss various trauma they had not come to terms with and how that can relate to their current ailments. 

One of my favorite women was a beautiful soul who from a young age had been exposed to a very volatile environment (i.e. gun shots around her home). She had various children and was struggling with pelvic pain. We talked about her trauma and relating to her physiological issues as well as working to “give to God” her burdens. She discussed how she enjoyed (when she could get a ride) going down to a local river and just dancing and praying in the water. We discussed how meeting God at the river as well as other solutions would be great drivers on her new journey. She was incredibly appreciative and wanted to spread the knowledge she gained with others suffering as she was. You could tell her shoulders lower and her head was held higher by the end. 

Thank you all for your kind words of support and generous offerings that allowed this amazing interaction and many more to occur. You, nor we, will never know how many lives were touched that week and for years to come!”

Dr. Andrea Wilk

“My fourth trip to Maggotty was one of the best because I was with my fellow parishioners and Fr. Alan. I helped with prescriptions for fitting eye glass frames (I almost was fired because I was not very good at measurements!). I was happy to give out sunglasses (to protect form UV Rays) and reader glasses to many Jamaicans who thought they could never read again!

Helping at the Eye Clinic, I thought of Jesus as he cured the blind man and the doctors helped him to SEE (Matthew 9:27-29). The gift of physical gift of sight is not something to take for granted, nor is the gift of spiritual seeing!

Another highlight was the Sunday Mass where the Holy Spirit Church was full of music… bongo drums, clapping and the great voices of our island friends; the morning Masses where the sun rays came through the stained glass window at the exact time of the Consecration of the Eucharist at 7:30 a.m.; and Stations of the Cross with our friends Fr. Marek, Marta, Sisters Amelia, Rita and Scholastica!

My new favorite friend is Percy, a nearly blind man whom I took care of for an afternoon while he was waiting for his taxi. He reminded me of my father, Jim Lightner who passed away in June 2023. Kind, humble and appreciative like my father Jim. Percy came to the medical clinic with a cane with no rubber on the bottom. We were able to give him a new cane so he would not slip…it was like he was given a golden dollar. He was also hungry and thirsty, waiting patiently all day for his turn at the Eye Clinic and his ride home. We were able to give him food and drink (Matthew 25: 35-40).”

- Lisa Georgiana

“The only word I can use to sum up my time in Maggotty, Jamaica and time spent at Holy Spirit Clinic/Parish is “eye-opening.” This was my first time on a medical mission trip and first time out of the country. That alone was an adventure of seeing how other people live and how different their living conditions are from ours. But for anyone who has been to the resorts of Jamaica, the whole island is not like that. The roads were just barely wide enough for two cars to drive with winding roads and potholes galore. Houses are built but with only the first floor done and uncompleted second floors. There are multiple family members living in houses much smaller than ours. It allows you to become very grateful for what you have.

I wasn’t sure what I would see there as a foot doctor. A lot of things that I see on a day to day basis are not “one time fix” problems or they require x-rays or additional treatments that aren’t readily available down there. Several people I referred out to get imaging or referral to another clinic that has surgical services, but I have no way of knowing if the patient will actually follow through with it.

One encounter really resonated with me:

- Patient has a history of bilateral foot wounds and multiple toe amputations due to diabetes and vascular disease. He was telling me about what has been done, even that a doctor almost cut the whole foot off due to the severity of the infection. None of this comes as a surprise to me since he reminded me of patients that I see weekly in my office. I treated the wounds accordingly and provided some dressing supplies for him until he was able to return to the doctor he previously saw a few towns over. I felt bad there was nothing more I could do. These types of wounds can heal but take several weeks to months and typically require surgery or additional wound care products to get healed. When I was done, I offered to help put his socks back on over the dressings. He stopped me and shook my hand. “In all the years and all the doctors that have treated my feet, you are the first to ever put my socks back on.”

There were several times during the trip that I honestly didn’t feel like I was as helpful as the other parishioners that came. The eye clinic and PT clinic were busy all day long when I would have time to help reorganize drawers or restock the pharmacy. I was honestly humbled by this patient because something so simple can be the nicest gesture that person has had all day.

My long running joke is that Holy Thursday is a podiatrist's favorite holy day, but it really is a lesson of being humble and respectful for others. John 13:14-17. In the fact that this trip happened before Holy Week, I honestly felt like I was seeing Jesus in so many people that week.

Not everyone can go to another country to do mission work. I feel extremely blessed to have had this opportunity and the means with having two small kids at home.

It was truly an experience I’ve never had before and will be excited to return some day. But everyday goodness and kindness can be done in our own backyard. You can make a change in someone's life in a meaningful way and be the face of Jesus for someone who might need to see Him a little bit more. Do to others as you would have them do to you (Luke 6:31).”

- Dr. Martha Klingbeil

  “Thank you for your prayers and support for this mission trip! This was my first mission trip not my last! It was amazing to have this experience to help so many. The Holy Spirit was with us every day. Father Marek and Marta made you feel welcomed and how important are work was needed! The Nuns worked tirelessly in the clinic to help get the patients their proper care. There are so many people that have left lasting memories!

 I feel very blessed to have so much support and prayers for a successful trip! 

Blessings, Joan Bartolotta”

  “This was my third time going to Jamaica for mission work, but my first time as a medical provider and it was an amazing experience! This experience has changed my practice as a neurologic physical therapist already! Being able to work alongside such amazing providers and to provide care for these amazing people was such a blessing!

 I am so thankful to have been welcomed onto this trip as I am from Myerstown, PA and attend Mary Gate of Heaven Catholic Church there. 

Thank you so much to everybody, I can’t wait to go back!” - Alyssa

“Good evening! The glasses have arrived and sisters are about to distribute them. THANK YOU AGAIN! You know, that for many it will be like a new life! God Bless You All!”

 “Frankly I was a little worried about this trip before we traveled to rural Jamaica to serve.  I wasn't  worried about  travel restrictions or safety concerns. I knew it was safe, I had been there many times before.  I know the Pastor there Fr. Marek, and Marta [lay missionary in charge of many programs] and Sister Emilia, Sister Rita, and Sr. Scholastica who work in the clinic. They are all wonderful, caring, hardworking missionaries. So what was my worry?... What if our team doesn't gel and work together well.? What if someone on the team gets sick?  Many of us going on this trip are not spring chickens anymore.  Although we were almost all from St. Mary's/St Michael's, these are big parishes and it's kind of normal not to know everyone well. Before the trip, I  didn't really personally know several members of our team. In the past, I knew everyone on the team prior to going. Only a couple on the team besides me had been to Jamaica before. 

 As we started meeting, one of our team was still waiting for their first passport.  We had many meetings to prep and plan  before we left, but we never had a meeting where everyone on the team was there at the same time. I get it, it's totally normal; everyone has busy lives. I was supposed to be one of the leaders and I couldn't make all of the meetings.. But despite our busyness, Lisa Georgiana held us all together and always emailed us what we missed.  

A couple of our meetings were a frenzied attempt to fit 1500 lbs of donations into 11 suitcases in the Activity building at St. Michaels.  So color me a little apprehensive prior to going.  In the airport they made us all get out of the regular line and get in the line where they check your bags by visual inspection.  They asked me what was in my bag. I told them clothes and donations of PT supplies. "What kind of PT supplies ?" he asked me. I said things like ace wraps and wrist braces. We are donating them to the medical clinic for people I said. "We will have a look he said". The inspector picked out which of my bags he wanted to inspect.  "Lay it up there and open it up, I want to see it," the young inspector stated.  I anxiously wondered, was this the bag I had thrown my underwear in?  Stupid thought I know.  I had packed and repacked my bag so many times to fit donations in, I truthfully didn't really remember which bag had what in it. I fervently hoped that this bag was my medical scrubs  and ace wraps. The extra inspections of many of our teams' bags delayed us by another 45 minutes.  I was worried about the delay....Everyone else from our flight was already through customs.  I knew Fr. Marek would be waiting for us with the van just outside the airport exit door. But we were blessed. We all got through customs and got outside and met Fr. Marek. He was more patient than I. He had a great new 15 passenger van waiting for us that he shares with others in the diocese. And he had another driver with a pickup truck with a five foot bed. Our pickup driver, Nathaniel tied 20 of our bags into a great stack, with very skinny rope that looked like twine to me.  Our bags were piled high like a Disney cartoon. It was kind of comical. It's amazing that on those narrow winding roads that none of our bags fell off!

But all my fears and worries were quelled once we reached Holy Spirit parish in Maggotty.

 The whole team pitched in to get unloaded and we had dinner together.  All of our bags made it.  All those donations, in all of those 50 lb suitcases made it to Maggotty.  The team started to gel with our first meal together. We celebrated a joyful Mass together the next day. Unlike many churches in the US with aging parishioners being the majority, the youngsters dominated most of the pews. The whole Praise band was kids except Marta.  They had three drummers in addition to singers and instrumentalists! The music was lively and joyful!  We helped Dr. Rick Centar set up hundreds of pounds of optometry equipment.. The equipment was so heavy, we had extra help from a couple of Jamaican men [one young, one old]  that Sr. Rita volunteered to help us. We pushed the equipment into place by placing it on cardboard as we could not locate any dollies. Fr. Alan and Dr. Centar blew out a couple of bulbs on the optometry equipment before we figured out that we were plugging the machine into a 220 line. It didn't look like a 220 line to me either. Murphy's law I guess. 

I was able to further let my worries go as we drank in the spirituality of the place. God blesses many people in this holy place. You can literally feel  the Holy Spirit working here. I am humbled by the fact that I get teary eyed just thinking about it... as I write this. It is totally true that we are blessed more than we know. We go to give our service to others but we end up getting so much more than we give. I think everyone on the trip would agree with me. 

Through the week, our  team worked together as if they had known each other for years.. We worked very hard in the  clinic, but with a fullness of joy not typically experienced in the states.  As we served the patients there, the gratefulness was palpable. The joy was visible. Patients recognized the love and caring of our whole team and every one smiled and expressed their thanks, usually multiple times. 

I just want to close by thanking everyone in both parishes that supported us in prayer, in donations, and in sponsoring us. I want to thank each member of our team who worked so hard to make the mission a success.  

 May God Bless each of you in this Easter season,” -  Bill Hanlon

  “ A most gracious thank you to all of our parishioners and other donors for supporting me and the medical mission team on our trip to Maggotty and the Holy Spirit Medical Mission Trip!

This was my first mission trip and I hope not my last! Your generous gifts of money and needed supplies (glasses, medicines and so much more!) were GREATLY needed and much appreciated! Thank you also for your blessed prayers for success and safe travels. I’ll admit I was a bit nervous prior to leaving due to the U.S. travel warnings concerning Jamaica, but we were quite safe and secure at our accommodations. I’m so pleased I was able to travel with the wonderful medical team. This trip was such a blessing to me and while it was difficult to be way from my beautiful family—I feel especially grateful to have served at the medical clinic during the Lenten season, the timing of the trip made it all the more special. 

I enjoyed working in the eye clinic with Lisa Georgiana, Father Alan, Dr. Joan Bartolotta and Dr. Rick Centar. Before we left town, Dr. Center’s staff taught us how to take eye pressure checks and I performed this task each day at the clinic with a handy electronic medical tool.  I recorded the pressure information and any other relevant medical health information or eye issues to be shared next with the doctors as the patients had their eye exams. That was my formal task. 

My informal (sort of self-assigned) task was to greet the patients and invite them into the eye clinic, which happened to be the only medical unit with air conditioning (lucky us!—temp was spicy outside!). Realizing that the patients we saw at the end of the day had waited since 7:30 a.m. or 8:00 a.m. outside in the heat, I did my best to be as welcoming and cheerful in the late day as I was in the beginning. I don’t think too many of us in the U.S. can imagine waiting 8-9 hours to see a doctor in the sweltering heat! 

But that’s what the Jamaicans did.  They carried cardboard boxes, bags, or backpacks with food and water, patiently waiting to be called in next. Some had small children to manage all day too while they waited. They were a joy to our staff with only a few rambunctious ones cruising a bit too fast near the eye equipment. Many days we saw 50 people! Most came dressed in what I would call their “Sunday Best”.  Others were dressed casually, and I distinctly remember one man who did not have shoes and came in barefoot.  ALL Beautiful, kind people. 

When I greeted them and would ask how they were doing, I had several respond with……”I have life, --so I am Good.” Our eyes would lock, and we would nod at each other as if to understand that’s what matters. People were so appreciative and thankful for the help. Some people traveled 40 minutes to get to the clinic. The roads are rough to say the least, and many had to then wait for rides for a long time to pick them up after the appointment. 

Many patients were there for the eye exam and hopeful to be able to receive a pair of prescription glasses (we explained it would take two months for the glasses to come back from the U.S.  most had a cell phone number for clinic staff and the nuns to call. Some had no phone number to give. None had an address like we are accustomed to seeing. No house numbers listed. Many vague at best which was shocking to me.

Some patients were referred to the hospital for urgent treatment by the doctors. The hot sun in Jamaica, while beautiful, projects harmful rays that are very unkind to the Jamaican people’s eyes. Much of the harm could have been prevented with the protective sunglasses we gave away generously to all who entered. We all explained how important sunglasses were to the patients. I told them I wore them even in the winter in Pennsylvania. 

I enjoyed meeting  a woman who was so happy to be recently married. She showed us her beautiful wedding photos. Because we often had two people enter the clinic at a time, I asked her if the woman with her was her mother, she said no and quietly told me that her mother died when she was very young (around 12).  She started to cry as said she had no other family and no one else around to take care of her. She stayed in her home by herself. I asked her how she got food and she really started tearing up. Life was very hard for this child. I can’t imagine. Her face told a million stories of hardship. But now a woman and finding happiness, we all rallied with her joy in the now and present like old schoolmates catching up.  I doubt she had schooling after her mother died. My heart was very heavy for her as my mind went to the rural neighborhoods near the clinic and how primitive and oddly incomplete the house construction was with fences and barbed wire where people could afford it. Many houses were unfinished and had no plumbing or water. We hugged her for her now happiness and amazing survival on her own. 

We had some wonderful conversations with the people. I think they felt the kindness of God with us and us with them. The team met a very proud Olympian’s mom (her Olympian daughter was at the clinic before and had been helped by the school in the past). We had a helper doctor and his son join us to volunteer for two days.  There are many stories to tell. 

But mostly the stories are of gratitude, kindness, and appreciation. The patients truly valued our work with them, and we certainly valued our blessed time with them as well. 

It’s a gift to be able to serve as it is what we are called to do,  but often the many distractions of everyday life get in the way of slowing down to do so. I am so happy to have had this time with my fellow parishioners. It was an honor to serve with them and a joy to get to know everyone on the trip better. At early morning mass, breakfast and dinner, early working lunches, reflections, working, relaxing, and playing cards each day, more and more time shared made the trip a very much bonding experience.

The Holy Spirit certainly guided this group and as we worked to finish up late on our last day…another busy day, a lady came and asked to be seen after we closed up the shop and were preparing to pack equipment. Of course, we opened the door. All a bit tired on this last day, closing up shop once more after the woman left, an emergency situation knocked at the door next. Our hero eye doctors,  Joan and Rick, were greeted by a frantic sister with a young man in need of urgent help---they worked to pull a metal shard from this young man’s eye….welding or scraping metal I think with no protective glasses…he was saved a long trip to the hospital thanks to their knowledge and quick thinking and coordinating with others for tools.  I can’t help but think that doing the right thing and opening our doors to the woman is what saved the young man’s eye troubles from getting worse. Guided, we were. 

We had incredibly fun comradery and amazing lunches and dinners. The nuns who run the clinic are spirited, loving and some of the hardest working people I’ve EVER seen in action.  Floating and flying all over the clinic getting the job done. Ensuring we each took a break to eat and drink at lunch.  Fresh fruits, coconut water, homemade breads and delicious clean eating. (I don’t think I could eat more healthily at a health farm.) Marta and Father Marek joined us each evening and we had much thoughtful discussion and received candid responses regarding the culture and politics that seem to keep poverty prominent in the country. The two were also leaders in song (Marta) and prayer (Father Martek Along w Father Alan) each morning and evening. Marta was our song leader and Holy Spirit School leader who managed many gifts of food and charity for the locals. She had the most beautiful singing voice. Father Martek did an amazing job  managing so much of the church life and community connections.

We had beautiful mornings with sunrises and song at mass at a church that felt like home with the altar beautifully reassembled from a church up the mountain from Hollidaysburg. Singing with locals was my favorite part of the trip. You could hear the belief in their faith in song as they belted the truth about Jesus. It was beautiful and loud. Our mission team also took to the altar to sing and read. It was like home but pumped up a bit. Father Alan and Father Marek joined at the altar daily and lead with his usual meaningful and thoughtful words of inspiration. Especially during the special session, we had for the stations of the cross in the evening when all were welcome to join in the reflections at each station. It was a beautiful and meaningful sharing of faith and promise that Jesus brought to us in everlasting life from his dying on the cross.

There were givers everywhere. People giving their lives to help the people of Maggotty. Beautiful people. The nuns at the nursing home we visited nearby (20 min drive) were so kind. So soft spoken and must have worked all day and night to care for so very many residents. My time there with our Occupational Therapy and Physical Therapy team of four Doctors was the most humbling. I was truly at a loss for words as the residents were taken care of by our amazing team.  Lee helped a man who had a stroke, so he knew what to do about exercises. Had he had this information closer to the time of his stroke, he may have regained the ability to walk. But nonetheless, he was so happy to be shown a few exercises to help him move his legs again. Martha was a saint and worked on a man’s foot with her gifted, blessed Podiatrist hands that no one else could have done so compassionately and professionally as she. My heart beamed as I watched this team…caring and helping….recommending wheelchair mechanical additions in sizing changes for more comfort and so much more. 

I personally was very uncomfortable upon entry into the nursing home. I’m not a doctor and the nursing home was unlike any Blair County nursing home. I was a bit shocked to see so many residents sharing a room and with many beds occupied at what appeared to be nap time.  Some appeared to have mental health issues. Many were older. Some were young in age. When we spent time with the women in their lounge /cafeteria, all I could do was hold hands with a woman and ask her questions or comments that I thought were ones that might elicit an easy response …how are you?….I like your nail polish…how was your lunch today?…as I ran out of chatter…I asked her if she knew any songs….and that was the right chord of question.  She began to sing a beautiful song and another patient joined in and sang songs too. Words of faith in song. It was a very happy shared time for us as visitors with our new friends. Then we offered some songs as well. I know we spread some light in the trip to the nursing home. It was hard. We had to keep in mind the people there were living much better than those in the homes we passed on the road. Safe, clean and with modest meals to eat.

Much love and hugs and well wishes exchanged from all as we departed Father Martek, Marta and the nuns on our final day at the clinic. Their work is beautiful and unlike anything I have seen.  Please keep them all in your prayers. The picture you saw of the bishop with Father Alan was taken on the side of the road as he communicated and raced to meet us on the “highway” as we left for the airport. It was a brief and special meeting of thanks that was kind and meaningful.

Thank you again for sending me. I enjoyed this special time with old friends and new and I learned so much and know we must do more ❤️. - Betsy"