St. Mary's Haiti Committee Update

Thanks to your generosity, St. Mary Parish continued to support our sister parish, St. Michel, in Roche-auBateau, even during the COVID pandemic. The $1,450 monthly support has allowed the parish canteen to provide subsidized meals ($300), paid for crucial parish expenses ($400), and salaries for 11 teachers ($550). Additionally, we were able to send $200 for basic operating expenses to St. Joseph School, which, although not directly affiliated with the St. Michel, is run by Haitian nuns living and working in Roche-au-Bateau.

We’ve learned from St. Michel’s Pastor, Fr. Bernard, that in addition to grappling with COVID 19, the community of Roche-au-Bateau is currently facing political instability, skyrocketing prices for food and other necessities, and the August arrival of Hurricane Laura which caused the loss of houses, livestock and crops. These challenges caused a pause in the Sunday liturgy, limited days on which the canteen could open, and temporarily closed the schools. The final two months of the 2019-2020 school year took place in August and September, and the students and staff are now looking forward to beginning the 2020-2021 year on November 3rd.

A special project we were able to fund in 2020 was an $8000 school expansion which supported a growing St. Joseph school population and helped repair some of the damage left by Hurricane Matthew in 2016. As the project took shape, we received frequent photographs of the emerging classroom, computer lab and staffing office from the school principal, Sister Anosta.

Your generosity also enabled the community to hire an additional Restavac teacher. The name Restavac refers to Haitian children sent by their financially struggling parents to live with other families where, in exchange for food and shelter, they work as domestic servants. These children are often mistreated and rarely have the opportunity to attend school. A Restavec teacher is in a position to provide a rudimentary education.

For nearly 25 years your support of our covenant with St. Michel’s has been steadfast. We look forward to not only continuing, but strengthening this relationship. With mass attendance here at St. Mary’s just 25% of normal levels, our funding opportunity is greatly diminished, while the need in Haiti is greater than ever.

If your circumstances permit, please consider supporting our sister parish by dropping a marked envelope in a basket at church, mailing a contribution to the Parish Center, or contributing on online via WeShare.

Lastly, if you are interested in joining the Haiti Committee please email Charlie Eisenmann at [email protected].