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.

REGIONAL HAITI GATHERING: Nov. 7, 2008 at Blessed Sacrament
A gathering of Haiti twin parish ministries representing the northwest region of the diocese will be hosted at Blessed Sacrament on Nov. 7 from 8:30am-1:30pm.  All interested persons are welcome.  There is a $10 registration fee to provide materials and lunch. For registration information (helps with planning), please contact: Patrice Schwermer pschwermer@richmonddiocese.org. or Claudia Pascarella pedsptcp@comcast.net.  Scholarships are available

TWIN PARISH TRIP TO HAITI REPORT (click here)

SPONSORSHIP PROGRAM

Sponsorships are available to provide student tuitions ($20/mo.), teacher salaries ($100/mo.), and monthly food stipends for identified families ($30-$50/mo.).  If you would like more information on this program please contact Marilyn Turner @564-6065 or marilyntturner@gmail.com.

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

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).