Todd Holmes had no sooner left his hometown of North Attleboro three weeks ago to return to his current home in Haiti, when long-simmering violence erupted in that Caribbean nation.

Holmes expected to go back to his office in Port-au-Prince, where he works for Catholic Relief Services, and he did return briefly after his January visit here.

But now he is in the neighboring Dominican Republic, and has been there for about a week, said his mother, Suzanne Holmes of North Attleboro.

`` I know he is safe,'' she said Wednesday.

Most of the Catholic Relief workers in Haiti have been temporarily relocated elsewhere to continue coordinating efforts to bring food and medical supplies and other things to a country in turmoil. Armed rebels looking to oust President Jean-Bertrand Aristide are taking over the northern parts of the country, and are now reportedly blocking a road that leads into the Dominican, which shares the same island.

Trip canceled

The spread of violence on the island nation has led a mission team from Original Congregational Church in Wrentham to cancel a planned trip next month, said its pastor, the Rev. Carol Brink.

Ten church members, including several high school students, were scheduled to leave March 19 for a week of volunteer work at Hospital Albert Schweitzer in Deschapelles, where mission teams from the church have been volunteering almost annually since 1998.

Just a month ago, the news out of Haiti made it seem as though the March trip would still be possible, Brin k said, because conditions beyond Port-au-Prince were relatively stable.

But a week ago, rebels torched a police station in Saint-Marc, she said, and the mission team would have to pass through there to get to the hospital, about three hours north of Port-au-Prince.

The news since then has caused even more concern, she said.

`` I'm afraid it is only going to get worse,'' Brink said.

She has been to Haiti twice with the mission teams, and relates to the country and its people, who are trying to live decent lives despite the lack of adequate infrastructure, resources, jobs, housing, police protection and medical care.

Now, widespread violence has been added to the mix. `` For most people, it is just a place on a map,'' she said. `` When you've been there and know the people, it does just break your heart.''

GLORIA LaBOUNTY can be reached at 508-236-0333 or at glabounty(at)thesunchronicle.com.