Vigil, mass remember 4 in Haiti crash

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) - As most of the mission members to Haiti returned to West Michigan on Saturday, mourners gathered at Holy Spirit Catholic Church to remember four who lost their lives in a traffic crash early Friday.

Matt Kutsche, Mary LaPonsie and Jim and Rita Cwengros traveled to Haiti on a mission trip when the brakes in the vehicle they were in failed. The vehicle crashed down a ravine on a winding road near the southern coastal town of Jacmel.

There were 18 people in the medical mission group, including Kutsche's father, Dr. David Kutsche.

Most of the other missionaries arrived back in West Michigan Saturday in time for a prayer service at the parish, but two stayed behind to make arrangements to bring the bodies back to their families.

The congregation of Parish of the Holy Spirit, where three of the victims attended church, came together Sunday morning for mass.
 
"We come somewhat sad because our parish mission trip this past week began and on Friday four people on that trip died. Three from our parish. Very active people," said Father John Vallier at the Sunday service.

"That's sort of what we highlight today, is that there is always hope, and we bring hope to others because God has blessed us in many ways," Vallier continued.

Parishioners were deeply moved by the selfless sacrifice of the fallen.  

"I think it speaks volumes of their character and the people that would go over there to possibly put themselves at risk to help other people. So I think it's very inspirational and very moving to think about that," said parishioner Marie Matuszak.

The owner of a Hatian newspaper told 24 Hour News 8 the bishop of the city, as well as many parish priests, went to the morgue to pay tribute to the victims.