Gena sends message of thanks to home parish in Mayo

A MESSAGE of thanks from Gena Heraty was shared with Massgoers in her home parish at the weekend.

The Westport native, recovering from her kidnapping ordeal in Haiti, spoke about how prayer had supported her and her fellow captives during their ordeal.

Fr. John Kenny, Adm., Westport Parish, shared Gena's message which was announced at Masses over the weekend across the parish.

Gena wrote: Hello Father Britus, Father Kenny, and all the people of Cushlough, Aughagower, Westport, Fahy, Kilmeena. I hope you are all doing well. For myself, I am doing very well, TG.

I am fast recovering my strength and I am feeling good, TG. It was a horrible, terrifying experience but thankfully we all got out safe and sound.

I want to thank you all most sincerely for all your fantastic support. Even though we were locked inside a small dirty room, I knew in my heart that everyone was praying for us.

We also prayed for all of you that were worrying about us. We prayed and prayed and prayed - for so many people. We knew that even though we were having a horrible time, many more people all around the world had far more suffering than us. So we prayed and prayed for everyone suffering.

And we all know that our strength came from all the prayers offered for us.

Please do keep praying - for people suffering everywhere. The world needs our prayers. Pray for the gangs also - it was heartbreaking to see so many young men and women, all stuck in this violent way of life and no way out. They need our prayers.

Anyway, I wanted to reach out to send this message of thanks. My colleagues also send their thanks. They are all recovering and getting there!

Our little boy was an inspiration to us while in captivity. On several occasions he told us 'mother Mary is here'. He even ask me to tell her to come closer as he beckoned with his hand for her to come. And he told us Jesus was at the door. It was amazing. We felt very reassured.

So anyway, all the best to all of you and I feel very lucky to have so many people sending love and light my way.

Love, Gena Heraty.