Haiti Parish Twinning Program

The Haiti Parish Twinning Committee would like to thank the parishioners of St. Thomas More for their continued support through second collection donations and items donated for the recent Sea Container collection. We were are to ship much needed supplies including mosquito netting and repellent, medical supplies, a water purification system, and vestments and liturgical items.
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There has been a recent change in priest at St. Elisabeth. Father Jean Philippe, who visited in September of 2013, has been transferred. Father P. Antoine Elie Macley is the new pastor at St. Elisabeth. There are many events planned at St. Elisabeth, including two pastoral days for the sick, a field day of recreational events for the school children, and November 17th is the feast of Saint Elisabeth.

June 2022

Our Sister Parish Needs Help!

The recent earthquake has brought much devastation to Fond Tortue and our sister parish, Ste Elisabeth’s. Hundreds of homes were destroyed, along with the school (see photo). Education is very important in Haiti as it is one of the only ways out of the extreme poverty. Father John Wesly has requested help in rebuilding the schoolhouse. For the small sum of a little over $12,000 we can help them rebuild the schoolhouse and a toilet.  Here is the translation of a recent email from Father John Wesly:
“We are doing better although the situation for people is very difficult to control in the village at the moment.  Even so I can say that we are trying to maintain. I fully understand the project for housing shelters in the future for which the families can wait however.
That which is most important is to prepare a shelter made of metal and plywood so that the children can return to school before too long. This is what is most difficult for us to make because of the precarious resources of our parish.
The people are trying their hardest to clear the debris, but reconstruction is impossible because the government does not assist Fond Tortue. It is inaccessible from there, to reach here.
Of course, it would be easier to buy the materials from Les Cayes for the construction of the school if we have the financial support. This is the hope of students’ parents each time they ask me if the opening of the classes will be possible. This is what I cannot truly answer always. God will provide.
Thank you to the parish of St Thomas More for giving us concrete hope.”

The Destroyed School

“Here are the materials and the approximate costs of the construction needs required for the building of a school and a toilet:

Haiti Parish Twinning

"Lord... we beg forgiveness for our indifference to so many of our brothers and sisters. Father, we ask your pardon for those who are complacent and closed amid comforts which have deadened their hearts..." (Pope Francis)

What is Parish Twinning?

The Co-Cathedral of St. Thomas More in Tallahassee, FL and Ste. Elisabeth in Fond Tortue, Haiti are sister parishes.  This relationship, established in 1996, engages  us in prayerful fellowship with and encouragement to our Catholic brothers and sisters in a country that has struggled with many problems throughout its history.  We have provided resources and support in religious, educational, medical and economic areas.  Parishioners have made three visits to Haiti and a delegation from Ste. Elisabeth has visited St. Thomas More in Tallahassee.

About St. Elisabeth Parish

The parish was established in 1992 in the village of Fond Tortue, Haiti with Msgr. Yvan  Museau as pastor.  It is a mission parish of St. Peter's in Baraderes, eight miles down the mountain from Fond Tortue.  The current pastor is Father Elie Macley Antoine. Ste. Elisabeth's serves over 20,000 people in a rural area located near the north coast of Haiti's western peninsula.  Seven chapel mission churches, accessible only by donkey or on foot, are a part of the Ste. Elisabeth community. There is a parish school in Fond Tortue, and each of the seven chapels has a rudimentary school.  The chapel schools are simple structures usually made of concrete block or thatch covered with a tin roof but open to the elements.  Education is very important to Haitians and their constitution states that "...every citizen must learn to read and write."

Accomplishments

The generosity of St. Thomas More parishioners through monthly collections and special fund raisers has provided an average of $1,000 per month for the Ste. Elisabeth parish.  These funds have helped support the following:
 

• Teacher salaries in the parish and chapel schools (teachers make only about $40 per month)
• Construction of a new church
• Construction of a new school
• Construction of a dispensary (clinic)
• Roof repairs for the chapel schools

• Salaries for the teachers
• Salary for a clinic nurse
• Equipment for the clinic
• Paint and furnishings for the church
• Restrooms and canteen for the school
• Chapel missions and schools need frequent repair
• More exchange visits to further fellowship between parishes.

• Macy's "Shop for a Cause" 2013, 2014, 2015
• Participation in Alternative Christmas Markets at John Wesley Church 2013, 2014, and Christ Presbyterian Church 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014
• Sea Container Shipment through the Parish Twinning Program of the Americas of wedding clothes, medical and hygiene supplies and toys in 2010, 2014, 2015
• Lenten Lite Meals 2012, 2014, 2015
• Hosting receptions for the parish to meet the Pastor of Ste. Elisabeth's, Father Jean-Philippe Saint Aubin 2013

Support and Guidance

The  St. Thomas More parish twinning committee receives guidance and support from the Parish Twinning Program of the Americas (http://www.parishprogram.org) in  Nashville, TN.  This organization was founded in 1978 and is currently under the leadership of Executive Director Theresa Patterson.

Contact for the Haiti Parish Twinning Committee of the Co-Cathedral of St. Thomas More: 

[email protected]