Table of Contents
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Welcome To
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Fraternite des Jeunes, Les Cayes, Haiti
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| a twinning project since February 1996 | |
In February, 1996, upon the recommendation of the Youth Ministry Board, the Parish Council agreed that we would enter into a twinning agreement with the Diocesan Haitian Coalition with regard to an orphanage in Les Cayes, Haiti. That agreement continues with our diocesan Haitian Apostolate and beyond our monthly financial commitment has involved a visit by members of our parish every year since January, 2000.
For the last three years, we have brought clothing and shoes to the boys with each winter trip. We have also provided a backboard for their basketball hoop, dishes and silverware, improvements to their cooking facility, furniture for the house, and doors to their showers. As their quality of life at FJ improves, we continue to visit to assess and determine how we can best support their life and help them to get not only a handout, but a hand up for their future in Haiti.
Wherever you travel in Haiti, it is common to see kites flying in the tropical breezes. Most times, they are fashioned from black store shopping bags, remnants of twine and sticks. Other times, they can be beautifully are carefully fashioned from colorful paper. Their beauty and strength are evocative of the people and spirit of Haiti; they call us to lift our eyes, to behold the beauty of God, and to hope in the potential of each person and the love of God.
Links to other pages of interest and more information on our twinning project:
The Boys: comparison pictures from 2003, 2004 and 2006 of the residents at FJ and KPP
FJ: a photo tour of the house that is Fraternite des Juenes
Mission Statement: the Mission Statement of our parish committee and its goals
Winter Tour January 2007: In January of 2007, Joe LaFleche will travel to Les Cayes to bring our support and other items to our boys and other ministries in Haiti.
Summer Tour for July 2006: A group form our parish will be traveling at the end of June to visit the boys and to review the ongoing projects to improve the living conditions of our boys. Please remember to keep our boys and their needs in prayer.
Winter Tour January 2005: In January of 2005, Joe LaFleche made a trip to Les Cayes and spent time with the boys of la Fraternite; these are some of the photos of that trip.
Haitian Visitor at Trinity Catholic Academy: In December of 2004, Oudi, the assistant director of the Mission House in Les Cayes visited our school and shared stories and insights of life in Haiti from a native's perspective with the students who support our twinning project.
Summer Mission Tour August 2004: Photos of our parish team's mission tour in August of 2005 when we celebrated the baptism of Monsieur and Madame Wilnes' son.
Summer Mission Tour July 2003: Photos of our parish's mission tour from June 30, to July 9, 2003, including photos of our painting effort.
Next Parish Mission Tour: Is scheduled for March of 2008. A summer trip is being organized by Father Peter for July 2 to 10, 2008. A commitment for this trip will need to be made by Easter of 2008. The full cost of the trip (including airfare, ground transportation, room and board in Haiti) is around $1,500. Please contact Joe LaFleche at laflechj@ummhc.org.
Fundraisers: On May 22, 2005, our committee held a mini-auction with a raffle of Haitain craft items. It featured a Haitian buffet of roasted suckling pig, rice, and other delicacies and was held at Rom's Restaurant in Sturbridge. With almost eighty people in attendance, the event raised over $7,500 to assist our Haitian effort. This money was sent to Haiti before the end of June to assist the people of Haiti. Our annual Christmas raffle of hand crafted items will take place on the weekends of December 10 & 11, and 16 & 17 after Masses. A Texas Hold 'Em Tournament was held on Saturday, January 19, 2008 at the Mill Street Artist Development Complex. 54 players participated and raised $2,025 toward our needs; in addition another $800 was given in donations because of the information provided.
Please contact the office to participate or for more information: pjoyce@hey.net