Dear Fellow Parishioners, With the special collection for the Sisters of Christ the Light in India, the overwhelming attention to the situation in Afghanistan, hurricanes Henri and Ida; the earthquake in Haiti for many has slipped into the background and off the radar. The situation is dire and the needs overwhelming. I am asking us all to consider how you can help, a one-time gift through the special collection we are taking up here at Sacred Heart this weekend September 4-5 and next weekend September 11-12. Maybe some of you are in a position to join several of us in making a monthly pledge to assist our sister parish, St. Gerard’s as they try to rebuild their church and their community after the earthquake.
The monies we collect over the next two weekends will be pooled with the collections of all the parishes in our Diocese and distributed to the people of Haiti through Catholic Relief Services (CRS). I have worked personally with CRS Haiti and trust their use of funding. There is a CRS Office in all 10 Dioceses in Haiti with staff that work with the communities all year long. They provide all the food for lunch programs in all the schools, (not just Catholic), and provide assistance to all the parish clinics to assist with health care in Haiti. USAid, our government Aid program works directly with CRS in Haiti as a trusted partner in the distribution of assistance to those in need. Many of the 196 Catholic Diocese in the US are also collecting relief funds for Haiti that will be distributed through CRS.
As you may know from the pictures we posted on our website, St. Gerard’s Church was totally destroyed by the earthquake of August 14, 2021. We do not know the condition of the other 4 chapels Fr. Elysee has responsibility. We do know that their needs will continue, not just the immediate emergency needs for food and shelter. Are you able to make a monthly pledge to St. Gerard’s? Currently we have parishioners who pledge monthly so that we can send $900.00 per month to pay teachers salaries so that the children can get a free education. Pamphlets for that purpose will be available at the end of the pews if you wish to join in this ongoing effort. Any amount per month is greatly appreciated.