Goals

• Build a spiritual relationship
  The spiritual link between partner parishes is the primary purpose of this program, increasing the exposure of Catholics in the Archdiocese to the needs of developing countries. This program seeks to provide parishioners with an opportunity to reach out to the poor and needy, fulfilling the missionary mandate of the Universal Church.
• Feed the children
  Students in Haiti go to school first to be fed, and then to learn. Parochial schools often receive little to no support from the diocese so any assistance a parish can offer to feed the children is critical.
• Form parish catechists
  The parish structure in Haiti often consists of one central parish with many mission chapels that can’t regularly receive visits from the pastor. Catechists are critical in these areas to teach the faith and prepare parishioners in rural areas to receive the sacraments.
• Supplement teacher salaries
  Quality teachers are hard to find, especially in rural areas. Being able to provide a steady income to the teachers assists the parish schools in forming their children and empowering them for a brighter future.

The currently partnered parishes are supporting nearly 50 parochial schools and feeding 23,000 school children daily!

History

In 2001, Deacon Rodrigue Mortel, M.D. developed a long-range plan to promote church-to-church solidarity which includes a program whereby each parish in the Diocese of Gonaives will be twinned with a parish in the Archdiocese of Baltimore. To date, 20 Archdiocese of Baltimore parishes have been partnered with 18 of the 36 parishes in the Diocese of Gonaives. In addition, the Diocese of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania and other ecumenical partners are helping parishes and schools in the Diocese of Gonaives.

How to Start a Parish Partnership

• Interested parishioners express a desire to explore a partnership to the Pastor, the Pastoral Council, and/or the Social Justice Committee.
• The interested group contacts other parishes already participating in the program and/or the Missions Office for more information. Someone from the other parish or the Missions Office arranges to make a presentation to either the Pastoral Council or the interested committee.
• If interested, two parishioners selected by the parish are invited to travel to Haiti to visit two or three parishes in the Diocese of Gonaives.
• The travelers return and make recommendations to the parish leadership for a decision.
• Once the US parish has chosen a Haitian parish with which to partner, the Missions Office is to be notified and the relationship starts. Goals and objectives are mutually established and a formal announcement is made to the parish about the partnership.

Participants

Members of the Haiti committees of the various partner parishes host regional meetings to share ideas and projects with other partner parishes. Partner parishes are strongly encouraged to send one or more representatives to those meetings.

The following Baltimore parishes have an active partnership with a Haiti parish: