The Cathedral of the Assumption and St. Louis parish in Jèrèmie, Haiti, formed a sister parish relationship in November of 2000 through the Parish Twinning Program of the Americas.  The goal of a sister parish relationship is to share the gifts and talents among the members of the two communities while also learning about each other’s cultures and spirituality.  Catholic Social Teaching calls us to live in solidarity with others, and part of the way we live out this principle is to form relationships with our sisters and brothers in Haiti.  The Sister Parish Committee is responsible for maintaining awareness and for keeping the communication flowing between the Cathedral of the Assumption and St. Louis parish.


The following links provide more information about Haiti and about our sister parish:
Facts about Haiti
Facts about St. Louis Cathedral and Jèrèmie
Map of Haiti

Part of our twinning relationship involves visiting one another and forming relationships based in our common Catholic heritage.  In August 2008, Fr. Tony Leolien, pastor of St. Louis, visited the Cathedral of the Assumption.In March 2009, four travelers visited Jèrèmie.


Currently we support St. Louis parish in Jèrèmie in the following ways:

Pew Project: We have raised enough funds to replace the church’s 143 old, termite-ridden pews with new, locally made pews.

École St. Theresè: St. Louis parish runs a Montessori school for 157 children from age 3 to 3rd grade.  The Cathedral of the Assumption provides funds for the schoolchildren and staff to receive a nutritious, filling lunch every school day.  During our March 2009 visit, we also brought donated school supplies and hygiene products for the school children.

Cafeteria and classroom at St. Therese



 
 

Car: Along with a German organization, we have provided funds for a parish car

Laptop: A laptop computer was donated to St. Louis parish by a Cathedral of the Assumption parishioner

Future project possibilities include

• Solar panel/electricity projects
• Water purification systems
• Collaboration with parish artisans
• A sound system for the church
• Technology for the rectory (printer, copier, etc.)
• Pews and possible renovation for a school at Holy Family Chapel

If you would like to be part of any of these projects, please consider joining the Sister Parish Committee.  Monetary donations can be mailed to the Cathedral of the assumption.  For parishioners who receive monthly envelopes, a green envelope for Haiti projects is provided.  For parishioners who contribute through automatic withdrawal, contact the Business Manager, Annette Roberts, to include Haiti in your contribution.

 









Cathedral parishioners in Jeremie, Haiti on a medical mission. 
















Banner in St. Louis Cathedral                                         
Pastor, Fr. Tony Leolien & school children





Installing batteries to store power for the church















Our own Sarah and St. Therese students