To participate in mission is an invitation to think as Christ does and to know that each person we meet is our brother or sister. The mission of the Diocese of Norwich (Connecticut) Outreach to Haiti ministry is to share our faith, give witness to God’s love and bring hope to our brothers and sisters in Haiti.
As the late Maurice Blumberg shared in an article in Catholic Exchange, “Hope is faith directed to the future. It’s faith acting on and trusting in the promises God has made. It’s hope that moves us to say ‘yes’ to God, and it’s hope that gives meaning to our trials.”
We know this is true for all who help support the work we do in the Archdiocese of Port-au-Prince, Haiti, both in the neighborhood we serve, Christ the King, and in 14 communities whose parishes are part of our Parish Twinning Program. It is the Holy Spirit that moves us to say “yes” to God, and this same faith and hope allow our Haitian friends to know God is with them, especially during times of trouble.
As Christ’s servants, we create moments of hope for ourselves and others as we direct our faith to the future and say “yes” to God. Through our diocesan ministry, Outreach to Haiti, we experience many moments of hope: Father Berthony, Parish of Sts. Martin and Yves, Delmas: “Thanks to you, I am a priest today! Thank you for the work you do at the Parish of Les Palmes, Our Lady of Présentation.”; Dr. Sherley Sainterve, Hôpital Le Cayes: “My life changed the day I was selected for the Outreach to Haiti Student Sponsorship Program that provided me a scholarship. … I will be forever grateful to Outreach … for helping me realize one of my biggest dreams, which was to be a doctor and serve the poorest community of my country.”; David, a post-secondary student: “I am this young boy you have been helping since I was a kid. …It is this program (Outreach’s education sponsorship program) which has inspired me to dream about a better life. … This education I have been gifted makes me obligated to become all that I can that God, family and country desire of me.”; Lamercie Vancol, a participant in Outreach’s small business development program, FAK: Women Advancing Now, who expanded her peanut butter and jam business thanks to a small loan from Outreach: “I believe my being chosen to participate in FAK is a miracle sent from above!”; Dr. Jacquet, Outreach’s medical director and a pediatrician: “Nelson entered our Food and Nutritional Supplement Program at 13 months with a weight of 8 kilos (17.6 pounds). After six weeks, he moved up to Phase 2 of the treatment and was completely healed after four months and two weeks with a weight of 12 kilos (26.5 pounds). He is just one of the many malnourished children we have brought to full health.”; Jude Cangé, Outreach’s director of operations: “Our staff views their work as a special vocation as they answer God’s call and serve as His instrument of love.”
Outreach to Haiti works throughout the Archdiocese of Port-au-Prince providing life-enhancing and life-saving services through our center in the Christ the King neighborhood, home to 60,000 men, women and children; and through our Parish Twinning Program serving 14 other neighborhoods whose parishes are twinned with parishes in the Diocese of Norwich and in other U.S. dioceses.
Our faith calls us to share the Church’s mission. “It’s hope that moves us to say ‘Yes’ to God, and it’s hope that gives meaning to our trials.” Let us take these words to heart in our faith journey, as we consciously walk more closely with God. Let us take time each day to reflect on Christ’s gifts of faith, hope and love and how we might share these with our brothers and sisters throughout the world.