Our Haiti Connection

Saint Bridget & the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart share a twinning relationship with the Chapel of Carissade in Haiti. Together we have helped the people of Carissade build a church, a school, a corn mill & a cafeteria. We fund a school lunch program for approximately 500 children who might otherwise go hungry & we pay the salaries for eleven teachers & a principal at the school. In addition, we support a Sewing Certificate program which will enable graduates to obtain work as seamstress & tailors. We also support a clinic at the school.

Carissade is located in the Diocese of Hinche, on the central plateau of Haiti. We travel there once a year to spend time with the children & the people there. We have the opportunity to see our donations in action. Every fall the pastor of the Chapel at Carissade travels to Richmond to meet with us & bring us news of the school & the people. We benefit from our spiritual relationship with these deeply devout people of Haiti.

LATEST NEWS:
HAITI COMMITTEE MEETING
The joint Haiti committee of St. Bridget and Sacred Heart meets the fourth Monday of each month, in the Parish Center Meeting Room. Come meet with parishioners of both parishes that chose to walk in solidarity with our brothers and sisters in Haiti and plan the ministry’s next steps.


Our sister community in Haiti has apparently begun to feel the effects of the cholera epidemic. You can visit our joint committee website here for the latest news and updates. 

The Joint Haiti Committee of Cathedral of the Sacred Heart & St. Bridget Church is proud to report that our 1 st annual gala/student sponsorship program has netted $50,000+ to benefit the children of our twin parish in Carissade, Haiti! We wish to express our sincere THANKS to all of our wonderful parishioners, corporate sponsors, & the restaurants that helped make our gala an amazing success. If you have sponsored a child, but not yet received your receipt and/or picture, please e-mail Joan DeBiasi.

GENERAL NEWS:
Secondary Education
The students at our Carissade Primary School are progressing well, improving each year. Providing secondary education in Carissade is not practical. Pere Bourdeau recommended sending children to a secondary school in Hinche to continue the education for the most promising of the children, and so this year two of the students who passed their CEP (a government exam at the end of sixth grade) have been sent to seventh grade at St. Martin de Porres Secondary School in Hinche on scholarship.

We believe that better educated students will make better citizens now & as adults. It is our hope that some parishioners will want to sponsor a child & be able to continue this support for the entire seven years. (Their secondary education goes through grade 13.) Over that time we anticipate a relationship will grow with that student through correspondence. There is the opportunity to form your own “education support group” to sponsor a child (several families, boy scout troop, girl scout troop, etc.) Of course, you are welcome to give any amount monthly or annually to help support students.

The Haiti Committee gratefully acknowledges all your support for the people of Carissade, especially the students. Their situation is now much more hopeful because of your caring and generosity. We thank you and pray for God’s blessing upon you! --Gail Rilee

Check out our website to learn more. The Joint Committee meets the fourth Monday of every month at 7:00 p.m. If you are interested in joining us, contact Paul Amhrein.

SPONSOR A HATIAN CHILD


The Haiti Committee is currently involved in a sponsorship drive for our students at Carissade School. Carissade students need your help. For only $150 over one year, your sponsorship will provide the supplies needed to be successful in Carissade School, help pay for teachers salaries, & offer a hearty lunch--usually the only nutritious meal eaten each day. Please give prayerful consideration to providing help to our twin parish in Haiti. If you wish to sponsor a child, please click on this link: Sponsor a Student 2011!

NEED A GIFT FOR SOMEONE WHO HAS EVERYTHING?
Consider giving a year of education & a daily, hearty meal to a Carissade student in honor of that lucky person on your list!

Mail your check for $150 to:
ML Applegate
Haiti School Sponsorship
3002 Springhill Avenue
Richmond , VA 23225
OR
Go here & pay through E-Giving.

A sponsorship website where you may view the children & choose the ones you would like to support can be found at: Sponsor a Student Today!

HOW TO DONATE
There are 2 ways to sponsor a child:
1) Visit the sponsorship website: Sponsor a Student Today! When you find a student you'd like to sponsor, write down their name & ID number, then select the link to register & pay for your sponsorship. You can mail your form & donation to the address specified or you can place it in the collection basket at church. OR,
2) Visit the St. Bridget Parish E-Giving websit here. Once there, select the category, “Sponsor a Child: Elementary School in Carissade Haiti.” Type in an amount you'd like to go toward the student sponsorship drive. Online giving through St. Bridget Church is secure and convenient. You may use debit cards, credit cards or electronic funds transfer for your contribution. Online giving allows you to give while away from home and also helps earn extra reward points.