Phone: (615) 298-3002 Parish Twinning Program TheThe ConnectionConnection Fax: (615) 298-2253 Theresa Patterson E-Mail: [email protected] 309 Windemere Woods Dr. Web Site: www.parishprogram.org Nashville, TN 37215 U.S.A. Newsletter of Parish Twinning Program of the Americas A 501(c)(3) Non-Profit Organization
Vol. 11, No. 1 Building Sister Parish Relationships Since 1978 FALL 2013
Inserts in This Issue Donation Envelope
Inside This Issue Pg Tribute Article 1-2 Matthew 25 House 2 Latin Am. Program 3 TRIBUTE TO FOUR HOLY SPIRIT PARISHIONERS Sea Container 3 Parish Highlights 4-6 Twinnings Needed 6 “I have received more than I have given. I have been blessed to work with a wonderful, Construction 6 giving and talented team of people. I have had an unforgettable and amazing experience. I Recommendations left part of my heart in Haiti.” Those were profound words spoken by Rita Cwengros after Advocacy Article 6 accompanying a medical mission after the 2010 earthquake. On January 11, 2013, Rita and Resources 7 her husband Jim, Mary LaPonsie and Matt Kutsche died when the brakes of the vehicle in Fonkoze Bank 8 which they were traveling failed, resulting in the vehicle crashing through an iron barrier and Sr. Mary Alban 8 down a ravine. The driver, Martin Glisil, survived the crash and is recuperating from his injuries. The group was traveling in a convoy of five vehicles with 14 other persons on a th medical mission to St. Christopher Parish in Seguin, Haiti. This was the 11 mission Upcoming organized by Tim Ryan of “Haiti Needs You” and Holy Spirit Church of Grand Rapids, MI. PTPA National In an interview, Mary LaPonsie, age 54, told television station News 8 “There is something Conference very special there. We know that whatever situation we are - Fall 2014 - put in, we are put in for a reason and we will have the strength to get through it.” For the LaPonsies, Haiti was a family affair. Each had made several trips, and daughter Reminder: Debbie found comfort in remembering her first trip on the Send an email to the same road where her mom lost her life. “I was so scared bishop of your diocese and my mom was holding my hand and I remember exactly each time that your U.S. what she said to me. She said, ‘Debbie, if anything parish sends funds to your happens, we are doing what we love.’ ” sister parish in Haiti. The Eric, Laura, and Andy Cwengros said their parents, Jim dioceses in Haiti are trying to create more transparen- and Rita Cwengros, ages 54 and 53, had fallen in love with cy between them and their Haiti. Jim quoted on a blog after a January 2012 medical Haitian parishes. mission trip that “I’ve been on a number of trips to Haiti now, and I never cease to be amazed at how a group of strangers can come together to serve others. The team Fonkoze—New Fees came together this week to share their talents and to serve in any way that was needed -- a great team. I also never Many twin parishes use cease to be amazed at the beautiful people of Haiti who Fonkoze Bank to wire Memorial cross made by Mark welcome us each year. These people have so little material funds directly from them Glover and sent to Holy Spirit possessions, but they are rich beyond our understanding. I to their twin parish’s Parish’s sister parish of Seguin encourage others to serve. It’s an amazing experience.” Fonkoze bank account. Matt Kutsche, 24 years old, was excited about his first Fonkoze has changed trip to Haiti. His father, Dr. David Kutsche, had traveled to Haiti on a previous medical their fees. A schedule of mission trip in January 2011 and was accompanying Matt for his first visit. Matt graduated the new fees can be from East Grand Rapids High School and Grand Valley State University and was working for found on page 8 of this
Staffing, Inc. He was engaged to be married to Carly Andrews. (Continued Page 2) newsletter. The Connection - Newsletter of the Parish Twinning Program (615) 298-3002 [email protected] FALL 2013 Pg. 2 of 8 The Connection Newsletter of the Parish Twinning Program (615) 298 3002 [email protected] FALL 2013 Pg. 3 of 8
TRIBUTE TO FOUR HOLY SPIRIT PARISHIONERS (Continued)
Giving of himself to serve others was not new to Matt. He helped to rebuild from a hurricane in Port Charlotte, FL with his Park Church Youth group, to coach Special Olympics basketball and a team from Palmer Elementary School, to work with Project Barc through the Kent County Juvenile system, and to organize teams through work for charity runs. Jim and Rita Cwengros and Mary LaPonsie led the same exemplary lives of always thinking of others first. Besides their involvement with medical missions, Jim and Rita also served as Scoutmasters with the Boy Scouts of America for many years. Passionate about Catholic education, they served in numerous West Catholic and Holy Spirit events, committees, and most notably, the West Catholic Bank Boosters. Mary was very committed to her work at the Parish of the Holy Spirit, the YMCA, and Saint Mary’s/Advantage Health Medical Group. Mary spent the last decade inspiring others with her passion and commitment to the people of Haiti and the Dominican Republic. The January 2013 medical mission was Mary’s 10th trip accompanying Holy Spirit’s medical team. Bishop Guy Sansaricq, Auxiliary Bishop of the Diocese of Brooklyn, New York, wrote to me following the tragedy, “My heart goes out to the families of the deceased. I deeply share their sorrow. I know how painful it must have been for you too and all those involved in the Twinning Program. When involved in mission, we know that tremendous sacrifices are demanded from us. The gift of one’s life is the supreme sacrifice. Some are called to do it -- not to intimidate others, but rather to stir renewed Cross at the accident site commitment. Receive my heartfelt condolences and convey them to the families built by the people of Seguin and the Diocese of Jacmel affected. As for these admirable witnesses of God’s love, my prayers will assist them to the gates of heaven where they will have a hero’s welcome.”
Jim & Rita, Mary and Matt You have indeed made the ultimate sacrifice. It is only fitting to honor you for the tremendous gift that you gave to us and to so many -- the gift of love. May your lives inspire us with a renewed commitment to embrace the people of Haiti as you did so lovingly. Whether it was extending a hand to a neighbor or friend, to a crying Haitian child or parent hurting or in pain, your lives were a personification of goodness, kindness, and compassion. We will remember you always in our hearts and in our prayers.
Matthew 25 House Matthew 25 House E-Mail: [email protected] Our Hospitality House in Port-au-Prince, Haiti House Phone (011)(509)(4) 272-9166 Phone – Bertony Domond’s Cell: (011)(509)(3) 726-4472 or (3) 224-1263 We have had a busy year with 3,715 guests staying at Matthew 25 House from January 1 to August 31, 2013. Again, Matthew 25 Hospitality House Address: we would like to extend our thanks to all the volunteers who so #6, Rue A. Martial & Jean-Baptiste lovingly gave of their time to help out. Delmas 33 In July, we welcomed a new associate at Matthew 25 House, Port-au-Prince, Haiti W.I. Michelle Curran. Michelle recently completed her Masters Degree in Educational Leadership and Administration at Ball For those of you who travel frequently, we would be State University in Muncie, IN and has previously been a K-4 grateful if you could save the unopened small soaps Resource Teacher at Cedar Elementary in the Avon Community offered by hotels and motels for use at Matthew 25 Schools. From September through December 2012, Michelle House. If you will not personally be traveling to Haiti also did an internship at St. Antoine parish in Petite Rivière de and don’t know anyone who will be, you may send them Nippes, Haiti. to: Theresa Patterson, 309 Windemere Woods Drive, We are blessed to have Michelle with us at Matthew 25. Nashville, TN 37215. Thanks in advance for your help. The Connection Newsletter of the Parish Twinning Program (615) 298 3002 [email protected] FALL 2013 Pg. 2 of 8 The Connection - Newsletter of the Parish Twinning Program (615) 298-3002 [email protected] FALL 2013 Pg. 3 of 8
Latin American Program Latin American Program (Continued)
Central & South America, Mexico, Philippines, St. Monica Catholic Church - Indianapolis, IN: - Spanish-Speaking Caribbean St. Monica will celebrate their 10th twinning anniversary this year with Santiago Apóstol parish in Lepaterique,
COORDINATOR Honduras. His Eminence, Cardinal Oscar Andrés - Frances Sosadeeter Phone: (941) 921 3368 Rodriguez Maradia, plus all the priests from Santiago - 4048 Olive Ave. E mail: [email protected] Apóstol during these 10 years, have been invited to their
Sarasota, FL 34231 celebration in Indianapolis. The 10th year anniversary - Programa de Hermanamiento de Parroquias de Las Americas coincided with their first trip with a By Frances Sosadeeter youth group. Kevin Holy Spirit - Indianapolis, IN: Parishioners John and Corydon from St. Kathy Evans, Associate Pastor Fr. Chris Wadelton, and Monica shares: “It others from Holy Spirit parish in Indianapolis have been took ten years to get visiting San Francisco de Asís parish in Texiguat, Honduras it off the ground, but bi-annually since 2010. In the last two years they began a we had the first “vision mission” as a youth trip, and it response to a local request. was fantastic!” In Patients wait in line to see the doctors John shares that the team addition, they have has been trained in a had several medical missions. Congratulations to St. Mon- unique computerized ica for 10 years of exemplary service! system for remote areas. “We dispense sun glasses Sea Container - April / May 2013 to prevent cataracts and macular degeneration...” Using the auto-refractometer They also help those that April 2013 Shipment Released Quickly complain of problems The five separate forty-foot containers which we organized when reading or sewing or with distant vision. “They then in Nashville/Smyrna, TN arrived in Haiti on June 2 and have their eyes measured using a hand-held device called an were unloaded two weeks from the date of their arrival. auto-refractometer. The readings are sent to a computer with A million thanks, once again, to Coordinator Pat Rehovsky their prescription. The computer sorts through an inventory for doing a tremendous job receiving, marking, organizing of 2000+ glasses” to find the best fit for each patient. These and loading all of your goods, and to Bertony Domond for missions are fairly inexpensive. If a parish is interested in his doggedness and persistence in getting the containers more information, please e-mail PTPA’s Latin American released from the Haitian government in record time. There Program at [email protected] . were approximately 60 participants/parishes taking part in this year’s Sea Container shipment, and a total of about St. Peter Catholic Church - DeLand, FL: Since 2012, St. 3,403 items were shipped to various needy parishes. Peter Catholic Church in DeLand is successfully sponsoring their micro-credit loan program in Nuestra Señora del Rosario parish in Sabanagrande, Honduras. The Mission Medical Mission News Circle of St. Peter thought they would only be able to sponsor Med Teams to Continue Bringing Own Meds one group of 15 wom- en. Today they have We have been given no new changes from the Ministry of sponsored 244 women. Health; therefore, the medical teams should continue The Opimuca Group bringing all their own meds into the country. My only (pictured) is the largest suggestion is to contact Bertony Domond within a few group participating in weeks before the planned arrival if you have a large group. the Micro-credit Loan Let him know the date and time you will arrive. Some Program with 40 women. The Program expands to more smaller teams have recommended using old suitcases rather women in different parish communities annually. So far, than tubs or duffel bags. They reported fewer difficulties 100% of the women have paid the interest, met their savings from Customs when using such suitcases. goal, and repaid their first loan. The Connection - Newsletter of the Parish Twinning Program (615) 298-3002 [email protected] FALL 2013 Pg. 4 of 8 The Connection Newsletter of the Parish Twinning Program (615) 298 3002 [email protected] FALL 2013 Pg. 5 of 8
Parish Highlights Parish Highlights (Continued)
Twin Parishes in Haiti (Haïti / Ayiti) Partners with Haiti - St. Petersburg, FL: Partners with Haiti (PWH) is a non-profit founded by St. Paul’s TOTAL HAITI Please send us stories, photos, and Church in St. Petersburg, FL. Their mission is to provide feedback from your trips to possibly TWINNINGS: use here. 300 (newly revised figure) support to their sister parish, St. Isadore Church, in La Gonâve, Haiti. They have been twinned through the Parish Saint Bernard Parish - Crawfordsville, IN: St. Bernard Twinning Program since 1999. They have many projects Parish has been twinned with Saint Francois Xavier in that they are working on to better the lives of their sister Carrefour-Sanon since 1989. Two of their current initiatives parish -- some that have been ongoing for many years. are making a big impact and greatly improving the quality of Their medical missions started in 2005, and dental missions life for residents of the Carrefour-Sanon community. started in 2007. They have successfully started 3 new The first initiative seeks to provide concrete floors in projects in the past 3 years. They have opened a medical family homes since dirt floors are common in Haiti, and clinic, begun a clean water program, and started an econom- they pose a great health hazard for the children living there. ic development mission. Infants and young children in frequent contact with the rough On September 27, and often muddy floors can contract pinworms and 2010, after six years of respiratory infections. When it rains and the floor is wet, planning, Partners with they may have nowhere to sleep. St. Bernard Church, led by Haiti opened their medi- parishioner Ron Hess, is working to eliminate this problem. cal clinic. The clinic fea- Through individual sponsorships and fundraisers, St. tured a new roof, a solar Bernard has been able to pour concrete floors for more than power system, a satellite 100 families in the phone, an internet Carrefour-Sanon area. connection, plumbing The floors cost about and a water supply system, and a six-month inventory of $330, but for just a $250 medicines and supplies. The clinic employs 9 people, donation, they will build including several nurses and a clinic supervisor. It has been that floor in honor of the a blessing to the rural community. donor. The work is done In January 2011, PWH began a new clean water by local Haitians, but the program. Poor water quality is one of the biggest problems families receiving the in Haiti. With the cholera epidemic that followed the 2010 floors must work on the earthquake, the situation became critical. Through the new project, carrying concrete and water and breaking up rocks PWH program, families are given a “Gift of Water” for gravel. When the floors are complete, they take a picture filtration system. They have hired a water technician who of the receiving family and send it to the donating family. trains the families in how to use the system. In March The results are notable. The families with the new floors 2012, many of the families who have received the water take pride in them, and doctors who have visited have filtration systems were surveyed, and they all reported being noticed that the health of the children is improving. pleased with the systems, and they reported that their health St. Bernard has also taken on the challenge of creating had improved since receiving it. small businesses. They have hired an agronomist, a local The newest project for St. Paul’s is their first ever Haitian, who is helping to create and grow businesses. One “economic develop- example of the kinds of businesses being created is a farm to ment” mission. In raise chickens and sell the eggs. Haiti imports many of their October 2011, a group eggs. This farm will help lower the cost of eggs, making of six parishioners them a more affordable source of protein for the community. traveled to La Gonâve Further, as this business grows it stimulates more businesses, to deliver and set up a building chicken coops, making chicken feed and so on. The diesel-powered corn agronomist also has several greenhouses, orchards and many grinder. The grinder is gardens operating throughout the mountain. There are other located near the clinic businesses like rabbit farming and beekeeping in develop- in an agricultural ment. The program has been so successful that the agrono- co-op. mist has been able to take on several interns to assist him. On November 9th, Partners with Haiti will hold their 8th If you are interested in learning more about any of these Annual “Walk for Hope in Haiti.” The event is a two-mile programs, you can e-mail Ron Hess at [email protected] or walk, and it raises funds to support the “Partners with Haiti” call (765) 401-1165. mission in Haiti. The Connection Newsletter of the Parish Twinning Program (615) 298 3002 [email protected] FALL 2013 Pg. 4 of 8 The Connection - Newsletter of the Parish Twinning Program (615) 298-3002 [email protected] FALL 2013 Pg. 5 of 8
Parish Highlights (Continued) Parish Highlights (Continued)
Twin Parishes in Haiti (Haïti / Ayiti) Sacred Heart Church - Winnetka, IL: The potable water system in the parish of Sassier was substantially ruined Saint Margaret Mary Catholic Church - Winter Park, in 2008 by four storms that swept across Haiti in just three FL: Saint Margaret Mary Parish has a strong emphasis on weeks. As a result, a 28-member Project Steering Committee three major projects in the parish of Coq Chante in the was established to oversee a massive water system Diocese of Jacmel: a trees project, a hen project, and a Peace rehabilitation and expansion project that would provide Program. They have made a commitment to work in that potable (safe) drinking water to about 7,000 people in the parish for 5 years only, and in order to assure that the whole Sassier area. They first met with leaders from 14 outcome of their projects will be successful, they have hired villages in the area that would be affected by the project. The an experienced and capable agronomist. Committee also scheduled a training session that would help The trees project has been in operation since early 2012. them learn to manage and operate the system successfully Local farmers have been attending classes to learn better once the rehabilitation and expansion were complete. In ways of farming. They have December 2012, meetings were held with DINEPA, the learned to diversify their Haitian Government’s public water agency in both Jérémie crops, plant tree breaks to and Port-au-Prince, who gave their assurance of support. improve the soil and protect Sacred Heart Church received Confirmation from DINEPA their plants, and have learned in February 2012 that the Sas- the benefits of growing crops sier water project was on their for sale instead of cutting list of 2012 projects. That down trees for firewood. At meant that DINEPA would the same time, they have provide all the engineering and been planting and maintaining nurseries for new trees. technical studies, including the After hundreds of years of cutting down trees, local farmers cost estimates for construction, are learning about the impact this practice has on water and at no cost to the Sassier com- their own crops. This year, farmers will plant 50,000 seeds munity. The Haitian group Gerry Keenan (2nd from right) in the nurseries and out-plant 25,000 trees onto their own Oganizasyon Zanmi Sasye and parishioners of Sacred and common lands. (OZS) would need to provide Heart - Winnetka, IL After nearly a year of dreaming and planning, a hen a topographical study and facility was made fully mapping, which DINEPA’s engineers would use as the basis functional in February for the engineering and technical work. Funds for this were 2013, when 700 hens provided by Catholic Relief Services (when they had their arrived. The aim of the former grant program in 2011) and by Sacred Heart Parish’s hen project was to pro- 2010 Lenten Mission Collection. vide jobs and to return As of June 2013, when the engineering work was profit to support parish completed by DINEPA and the plans were reviewed by the and school life. It will Project Steering Committee, some adjustments were made, also allow the parish to and the plans were finalized and accepted. The draft bid provide nourishment for package and cost estimate has now been received. Late in the school children. This September, they will be meeting with the Director General of project is a totally Haitian enterprise and a source of pride to DINEPA about developing a funding package to seek funds local inhabitants. Over the long run, this facility should from international organizations, including the World Bank significantly improve the health of the residents and provide and the Inter-American Bank. They hope that construction an opportunity to learn how to run a business. can begin by early 2014 and be completed by the end of that Funds provided by St. Margaret Mary also support a year. Peace Program that has involved 300 young people. They Another recent highlight that occurred in Sassier was the gather to create a culture of peace through study, discussion, construction of three schools that were funded by the German creative activities, and community involvement. organization Association for Schools in Hispaniola. Nine Participants develop leadership skills and take the program years ago, there was no school building for the parish in the to small chapels in the area. The youth are now raising ani- center. Now, there are two school buildings with more than mals to meet the expenses of their program. 30 classrooms. Sacred Heart’s teens helped to enhance the For information regarding any of these projects, you may appearance of the school by painting some of the classrooms. e-mail Ken Firling at [email protected] . The Connection - Newsletter of the Parish Twinning Program (615) 298-3002 [email protected] FALL 2013 Pg. 6 of 8 The Connection Newsletter of the Parish Twinning Program (615) 298 3002 [email protected] FALL 2013 Pg. 7 of 8
Parish Highlights (Continued) PTPA Construction Recommendations Two new efforts in the works for Sacred Heart are to If you have been asked by your twin parish to support develop a hen business to produce eggs and to construct and one of their construction projects, there are a few operate a clinic. Their agronomist visited the hen project at guidelines that would be worth considering. Most Gros-Morne, and they now hope to have their first location importantly, you should ask for a copy of an estimate with about 1,500 chickens in operation in the first half of 2014. (“devis”) from the contractor/engineer. (Builders in Haiti Local jobs would be created, and a portion of the profits would are usually referred to as engineers). The devis generally go towards scholarships, the school lunch program, and other gives the project cost in gourdes and also in US dollars. education-related needs in Sassier. Support of Sassier has been Secondly, you should consider contributing towards the spearheaded by Sacred Heart parishioner Gerry Keenan, who overall cost of the project in certain increments; for can be e-mailed at [email protected] . example, you might send the amount needed to build the foundation, then the walls and roof, and lastly, the amount Haitian Parishes Need Your Help! for the finishes. Ask for electronic photos after each step. There are over 40 parishes in Haiti on a waiting list for a There will be instances when you can choose to sister parish. This is mainly due to an increase in ordinations deviate from the above conditions. If the project involves and numerous parishes being created in all of the dioceses in a relatively small amount of funds (e.g $10,000-$20,000), Haiti. Because chapels suddenly become a parish and new, you may want to give the entire amount after receiving young priests are assigned to the parish, they have almost the devis and photos during the construction. The decision nothing. Often, they have no financial support for teacher about giving larger amounts, such as for the foundation, salaries or maintenance, no vehicle, no rectory, and a church walls & roof at the same time, would depend entirely on that needs to be rebuilt or renovated, plus the need for schools your relationship with the pastor -- whether you know him and clinics to be built. well and have total confidence in him. If you have never If you have a friend, a personally met the pastor, I strongly urge you instead to relative, or a connection follow the recommendations for sending funds in in another parish in your incremental gifts, requiring photo evidence of city or in another state or construction stages, etc. diocese that might con- sider a twinning relation- Advocate for Haiti ship or be interested in Chapel of Mannack in Baille Tourible a third-world outreach, By: Fran Quigley, Clinical Professor please let me know. I will send them a packet of general info. Health and Human Rights Clinic Thanks for any help you can give. Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law Baille Tourible & Holy Savior Church So many of us already share our time and treasure I often hear from priests that their parish is the poorest in with our brothers and sisters in Haiti. But, sometimes, their diocese and in Haiti. I would like to share with you a we can help just as much by raising our voices. little information on a parish in the Diocese of Hinche that I Decisions made in Washington, DC and in the inter- personally consider to truly be one of the poorest. The center national community have great impact on Haitians and of Baille Tourible and all of its chapels are located on remote their struggle for adequate food, clean water, housing, mountain tops. With the exception of the center, all six chapels health care, and education. The Parish Twinning Pro- are accessible only on foot or by mule. The pastor, Fr. Ketnet gram is in the early stages of a collaboration with the Deus, says they have no drinking water, no good health care, Institute for Justice and Democracy in Haiti (IJDH) and and a great need to both build schools and churches and to other organizations and volunteers to create free train & pay teachers. The people would profit tremendously resources we can all use, individually or in groups, to from help with agricultural and livestock production. Père learn more about these issues. Deus says, however, This new collaboration also plans to issue monthly that the local popula- alerts of opportunities for us to advocate to local, tion of about 30,000 is national, and international lawmakers and opinion very proud of their new leaders on behalf of our Haitian friends and colleagues. parish and that their Your voice can make a difference. faith is very lively in For more information about this developing program, spite of their extreme e-mail Fran Quigley at [email protected] . We’ll - poverty. Chapel of Bois Joly have more details to share soon! in the parish of Baille Tourible