My thanks to those who have commented favorably about the report of our recent trip to Haiti. A
number of parishioners commented about how they were looking forward to learning more and so here it is.
When we met with the group of parish representatives while at St. Paul, it was clear that they are delighted
to have been raised to the status of parish with their own pastor. Originally, St. Paul was a mission of St.
Michel, one of twelve missions of that parish, in the Diocese of Gonaives which is 75 miles north of Port Au
Prince. As a parish in her own right, St. Paul was assigned Fr. Theo as the first pastor. Additionally, it was
very clear to us that the parishioners have a deep love and respect for their pastor. In Haitian communities
the priest is often called into various matters—he can be a mediator, counselor, justice, transport (as he may
be the only one who has a vehicle for medical emergencies) and so on. The parishioners at St. Paul were
clear that their number one need is to have their pastor living in the local community. You may have
remembered last week that I mentioned that Fr. Theo lives in the rectory at St. Michel as there is no rectory
at St. Paul. The process of building a rectory has begun. Please keep in mind that what we are used to as a
house/rectory for the pastor is far from the rectory that Fr. Theo would live in. It is basically concrete walls,
with a roof and minimal necessities. While the parishioners have started the process of the building, due to
their limited means, it will take a long time to complete. In our meeting with them they asked that we help
with the 3 specific projects: 1)The completion of the place for Fr. Theo to live in. 2)The restructuring of the
church walls and the replacement of the tin roof. 3)There is a water pump which needs to be replaced which
would be a gift to the local community for better access to water.
Fr. Theo provided plans and costs for the rectory and church. To complete the rectory the costs
estimated are at $30,000, the church $60,000 and the pump he will send information about to me soon.
The bonus to the local economy is that if the materials and labor come from the local area it will provide
work to those in need. This is essential in any mission that we could be involved in. Creating work
opportunities for locals is a plus to any local community. During the course of the year, it is my hope that we
will have fundraising opportunities to assist the community of St. Paul with these projects. However, if any
parishioner is compelled to respond immediately please feel free to do so and we can start the ball rolling in
getting things started. Checks may be made payable to St. Vincent de Paul with Haiti Project listed in the
memo line. I am eager to assist this parish as soon a possible with these projects.
In Haiti, as here, the Patronal Feast of a parish is an important celebration. I have the insight that
they celebrate it with great festivity. Before we left, Fr. Theo asked if I would return for the Feast of the
Parish of St. Paul which is January 25th. I responded that I would hope to and then asked that he come visit
us for the Feast of St. Vincent de Paul which, as you know, is September 27th. This we are working on now.
It is also an important aspect of the twinning that we visit and offer solidarity by our presence to each
parish. It is practically an opportunity in a return visit to see that progress is being made on specific
projects.
When we left the parish of St. Paul and then the parish of St. Michal to return to Port Au Prince we
visited a clinic where a community of Sisters from India care for the local children with orthopedic needs.
They also feed an average of 800 women and children daily. We also visited an orphanage for abandoned
children where every bed was filled. The Sister in that place was ministering as the sole member of her
community with the assistance of local volunteers. It was easy to be moved to tears at the plight of the
children but also to be mindful of how different their lives would be if it were not for those who were
ministering to and caring for them. There is so much to be done but while we cannot solve it all we each can
participate in some way. I am reminded of the story of the man who, one morning, was walking along the
shore after a big storm had passed and found the vast beach littered with starfish as far as the eye could
see. Off in the distance the old man noticed a small boy approaching. As the boy walked he paused every so
often, and as he grew closer the man could see that he was occasionally bending down to pick up an object
and throw it into the sea. The boy came closer still and the man called out, “Good morning! May I ask what
it is that you are doing?” The young boy paused, looked up, and replied “Throwing starfish into the ocean.
The tide has washed them up onto the beach and they can’t return to the sea by themselves,” the youth
replied. “When the sun gets high, they will die, unless I throw them back into the water.” The old man
replied, “But there must be tens of thousands of starfish on this beach. I’m afraid you won’t really be able to
make much of a difference.” The boy bent down, picked up yet another starfish and threw it as far as he
could into the ocean. Then he turned, smiled and said, “It made a difference to that one!” Like that young
boy we can make a difference if we choose to. Please pray daily for the parishioners and Fr. Theo at St. Paul Parish, Nanpol, Haiti.
Peace, Fr. Richard