Visit to Haiti 2015 November, 2015: St. Anthony's Delegate Team, led by our Pastor, Fr. Jack, traveled on its mission to visit Ste. Anne's Parish to maintain and foster the already established relationship with our Haitian Brothers and Sisters. At the Outreach Mission House (Right) St. Anthony's 2015 Delegate Team photo upon arrival at the Outreach Mission House. (Left) Staff at Outreach Mission helped unload boxes of shoes to get them ready to transport to Ste. Anne's Parish for the School Children.
After a long days travel, heavy lifting and sorting, the delegates and outreach staff joined together in song, dance, and play. (Below) Dining area at the Outreach House, where we came together as a family to feast upon the delicious food that was prepared for us.
(Right) In the evening, and at the end of every day, the Delegates would join together and share in a quiet reflection of their own experience in journey of heart and spirit, as we prepare for our departure and journey up to meet Ste. Anne's Parish, Pe Josue, and our Haitian Brothers and Sisters. At Ste. Anne Parish, Shoes for Ste. Anne's children (Above) Jane Wraith and Christine German fit new shoes on the children s feet at Ste. Anne's. (Above) Fr. Jack helps fit new shoes on children's feet.
(Left) Jane Wraith, Gary German, and Dulce Casanova help fit more shoes. (Right) The children gathered to show each other their new shoes and to pose for this photo.
Rice Bowl donations for new Dinnerware for Ste. Anne's Parish School Children Rice Bowl donations made it possible for new dinnerware to be brought for the meals to be served to Ste. Anne's Children. They hadn t had any until then. They would have to bring their own plate or Styrofoam container from home to be served their mid-day meal. (Above) Photo with Pe Josue and the 2015 Delegates holding full dinnerware sets including serving utensils, a blender, large bowls, and pots and pans with lids to prepare and serve the meals for Ste. Anne's school children. God is GOOD!
(Below) Pe Josue holds up the new drinkware provided for the students. (Below) The delegates stand back and watch as the first meal is prepared and served to the school children on their new dishes. What a blessing it was to be a part of this occasion!
(Right) Pe Josue and the school cook dish up the food to serve the children. (Left) After the prayer of blessing and thanksgiving, the children now eat from their new dinnerware.
Mass at Ste. Anne Parish (Left) Fr. Jack gives communion to Ste. Anne's parishioners. (Right) Fr. Jack gives communion to the Delegates. (Left) Immediately after Mass, music and dancing broke out. We danced, we sang, we shared a spiritual celebration of true friendship, all united as one family, one in Christ.
(Right) Delegates and Ste. Anne s parishioners danced. (Left) and danced, (Right)...and danced!!!
After Mass photos of Ste. Anne s Parishioners and their families.
New School for Ste. Anne's Children With many petitions from both St. Anthony Parishioners, Pe Josue, and Ste. Anne's Parish, prayers were answered. They were able to find a way to have a new school built for the children of Ste. Anne. We are blessed to witness this miracle of prayer and to see our Lord's hand at work for Ste. Anne's. To share in their excitement, to share in their joy, is a great blessing to us all. (Right) The delegates are led up a back road that leads to the new school's site. (Below) November 2015, Pe Josue stands at the site of the new school.
(Left) Breaking ground for the foundation of the new school. (Right) Delegates stand with Pe Josue and Gilbert, our new friend from the Outreach Mission House. And in front is Pe Josue's nephew, Oliveton.
(Below) Delegates, Pe Josue, Ste. Anne's school children, Oliveton, Pe Josue's nephew, standing at the school construction site. Yes, God is good! April 2016 Update (Above) Oliveton, Pe Josue's nephew, sent photos of the recent developments in the schools construction.
(Right) Roofing for the school. (Left) School construction continues.
(Right) Oliveton stands in front of the freshly painted school. These are the most recent photos sent by Oliveton, as of June 2016. He wanted to share this beautiful moment for Ste. Anne with the people of St. Anthony Parish. Praise God! To see growth, to be a part of enhancing each other s life, both personally and spiritually, is a wonderful blessing to be a part of!
(Left) At the end of the day, we gather to eat, break bread, and mindful of all we have to be thankful for. (Left) To Celebrate God!!!
With this and with every experience, there is so much we take in to listen, learn, and understand. Improvising every decision we make. Even though we leave a place, the journey is never over. New friends, remaining friends, pastors, parishioners and mentors. All are respected and valued and in our lives forever! Our Delegation and Friends - November 2015 (Above) Our farewell photo at the Mission House, grateful to a new found and deeper relationship with Ste. Anne Parish and the Outreach Mission House.