haiti outreach ministry

Since the early 1980’s, the parish of Blessed Sacrament has shared a special “twinning” relationship with the Catholic Parish of St. Isidore on the small island of LaGonave, Haiti. Today, this growing relationship has allowed the Haiti Outreach Ministry to mature into a vibrant and interactive ministry that offers the opportunity for an exchange of cultures and personal relationships grounded in Christ’s call to love and serve one another.

PARISH TRIP TO HAITI IN 2008

A one week trip to our twin parish in Haiti is being planned for February 2008.  If you are interested in more information regarding this trip please contact Dave (daveicare@comcast.net) and Claudia (pedsptcp@comcast.net) Pascarella or call at 828-4557.  A passport will be required

SPONSORSHIP PROGRAM

The sponsorship program is currently in need of two family food sponsors ($50/monthly). If you, or a group, are interested in more information regarding the sponsorship program, please call Marilyn Turner at 574-6065.

FIRST SUNDAY OF THE MONTH HAITI COLLECTION

Each month Blessed Sacrament sends money to Fr. Antilus to help him serve the needs of St. Isidore's and his chapel parishes. This money, donated by parishioners at Blessed Sacrament, goes to provide the following needs:

1. Operating budget for St. Isidore's (remember, Haitian parishes are unable to receive any financial support from Haitian dioceses due to a lack of money; twinning is the primary form of parish support in Haiti.)
2. Living expenses for Fr. Antilus
3. Social ministry to people who come to the rectory for food, medicine, shelter etc.
4. Salaries for teachers at St. Bernadette's school
5. Food program for the youngest students at St. Bernadette's school
6. Food program for 50 students at St. John Baptiste school (rural chapel school)
7. Maintenance of parish truck & motorcycle

This year, 2006, with additional collected donations from Blessed Sacrament, we were able to provide:
1. 1 new computer to support St. Bernadette’s School
2. 2 printers for St. Bernadette’s School
3. 1 computer for parish based small business loan program that is being directed by the local bank director
4. Money to build a cistern at St. Bernadette’s School
5. Money to support the indigent medical fund at the local Weslyan Hospital
6. Money to provide a garden area for planting moringa, a nutritious, protein-based plant
7. In addition, a private donation provided money to build a cistern at St. John Baptiste school and provide school furniture for the school children.

On behalf of Fr. Antilus, pastor of St. Isidore’s, and the Haiti Outreach Ministry at Blessed Sacrament, we would like to thank the community of Blessed Sacrament and friends of this ministry for their steadfast and generous support of our twin parish in Haiti.

(If you would like more information on the B.S. Haiti Outreach Ministry, please contact Dave & Claudia Pascarella, 828-4557. Any interested person is invited to attend our monthly meeting held on the fourth Wed. of the month at 7:30pm).