Thanks from Haiti

Monsignor Gervasio recently received the missive below from Fr. Mehu Charles Joseph, pastor of Mary Immaculate parish in Platon, Haiti. Your generous donations during this year’s Lenten Work of Love benefited Mary Immaculate School’s expansion.

May God in his goodness and love during this time of health crisis due to Covid-19 keep showing us his face of mercy, watching our paths and showering upon us his blessings in order to become more effective in the field of your mission!

By this virtue of this letter, I want to inform you about the money deposited to our account in Haiti for the benefit of Mary Immaculate School. In fact, I have verified with the bank and the money has been cleared. I was not able to do that earlier due to sickness. Therefore, I apologize for the delay to keep you informed.

On behalf of the kids at Mary Immaculate School of Platon/Haiti, I would like to praise God for the generosity and solidarity of all the faithful of Our Lady of Sorrows—Saint Anthony. This is the second time that the parishioners conducted a fundraising campaign to benefit Mary Immaculate School. We express our gratitude for your love and that we really appreciate all that you have done to support us. Monsignor, I personally cannot find adequate words to express myself to you and the parishioners of Our Lady of Sorrows—St Anthony. However, with a simple word the whole community of Platon/Haiti wants to thank you from the bottom of our heart and assure you that the money donated for our school will be used adequately for the purpose given.

A detailed report will be communicated to you at an appropriate time. With this note, I renew my best wishes to you and all the faithful of Our Lady of Sorrows—Saint Anthony and I assure you my communion in prayer.

This year's Lenten Project

Construction of the Parochial School
Marie Immaculée of Platon
in the Diocese of Gonaives/Haiti.

Our Lenten Work of Love realized a total of $11,000 for the building of the new Mary Immaculate School in Haiti. Thanks to all who generously contributed to this appeal—extraordinary results in a time of pandemic!


A Message from Fr. Mehue Charles

I would like first to thank Msgr Thomas Gervasio and the parishioners of Our Lady of Sorrows-Saint Anthony for your willingness to provide financial assistance for the construction of the parish school of Marie Immaculée.

Your Lenten contribution this year will help provide many children of Platon a place they can learn about the Catholic faith and eventually make a difference in our society. As Our Lord challenges us in the Gospel, “Whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.” Anytime we help others, we help Christ. In other words, we are Christ’s hands to others, especially the children whom Our Lord shows great concern. In fact, children around the world and Haiti in particular struggle in many ways. They face so many challenges in their lives such as the lack of schooling, to have one meal per day, and the lack of drinking water to name a few.

I am especially grateful, aware that it is a challenging time due to Covid which has affected the financial condition of so many people of the parish. But the little we have can make a difference.

The project is to rebuild the parochial school of Marie Immaculée which was in awful shape. We already began the groundwork and hopefully the Lenten financial support provided will allow the construction to continue on its path of progress. Your gift will help us purchase the various construction materials needed for the work.

These photos show our progress thus far. Your generosity will spur us on: