‘Reiser’s Ramblings’ provides relief, outreach to the people of Haiti
ReiserRambling: Rev. Bernard Reiser, the founding pastor of Epiphany Catholic Church, Coon Rapids, has published “Reiser’s Ramblings,” a collection of “the best of letters on Catholic Christian living,” written to the parish from the pastor. All profits from the sale of the book will be used for Haitian relief efforts sponsored by Reiser Relief, Inc. Image courtesy of Epiphany Catholic Church
by Sue Austreng
Staff writer
“He will wipe away all tears from their eyes; there will be no more death, no more mourning or sadness. The world of the past has gone.” Revelation 21:4
Rev. Bernard Reiser, retired founding father of Epiphany Catholic Church, Coon Rapids, clings to those words as he toils to provide relief and outreach to the impoverished people of Haiti.
He’s visited the third-world country dozens of times over the years, administering aid, offering service, ministering to those in need.
The priest’s latest relief effort comes between the covers of his book, “Reiser’s Ramblings,” a collection of “the best of letters” on Catholic Christian living, written to the Epiphany parish from the pastor.
All profits from the sale of the $21.43 paperback book will be used for Haitian relief efforts sponsored by Reiser Relief, Inc.
In “Reiser’s Ramblings,” Reiser invites readers into realistic scenes from his childhood on the farm, relating it to current events and weaving a Christian concept into the tale.
“He injects an idea that makes you ponder, then, with words of love, Reiser shares his trust in God and lets the reader know there is hope for humankind,” said Doug Breezee, Reiser Relief volunteer.
That hope is essential to survival in the earthquake-ravaged and cholera-stricken countryside of Haiti.
Back in 1996, Reiser traveled to the primitive third world country of Haiti and witnessed poverty and sickness, desperate need and despair.
“I had seen slums in China, Egypt and Mexico City,” Reiser said. “None of them compare with the tragic realities of the slum outside Port au Prince.”
Soon after he returned to the United States, Reiser established Reiser Relief, Inc., a volunteer-run, non-profit 501(c)3 organization that funds relief and development projects in Haiti.
Operating with the mission statement “to help the impoverished people of Haiti with a focus on children and families – providing clean water, food, housing and education,” Reiser Relief, Inc. has done just that for more than 15 years.
Donations to Reiser Relief, Inc. help “keep the wheel of life turning” in Haiti by providing fresh water, feeding the hungry, building an orphanage and eldercare facilities and funding primary schools.
“With churches, schools and homes demolished (in the January 2010 earthquake), (Haitian) people have been living in camps and sleeping under makeshift tents surrounded by rubble and sewage,” Reiser says on the Reiser Relief website.
“I think of these people often when I go to bed, which is clean and warm, because the conditions they are surviving under are truly unbelievable. And now, they face the scourge of cholera.”
“With the help of our donors, Reiser Relief can continue to save the lives of these extremely impoverished people. We live among abundance; the Haitians live in extreme poverty. They await your generous response.”
“Reiser’s Ramblings” is available online at www.ReiserRelief.org; at the Epiphany Catholic Church Gift Center, 11001 Hanson Blvd., Coon Rapids; Epiphany Senior Housing and Epiphany Assisted Living, 10955 Hanson Blvd., Coon Rapids; St. George Catholic Books, Blaine; St. Maximilian Catholic Books, Elk River; Heaven Bound Catholic Books, St. Michael; and St. Nicholas Church, New Market.
All donations are 100 percent tax deductible. To learn more about its projects in Haiti, visit www.ReiserRelief.org or call 763-757-2295.
Sue Austreng is at sue.austreng@ecm-inc.com
