By Tina Lampe

This year’s Lenten Alms theme is an excerpt from Isaiah 43 and is a perfect description for how I got involved.

Several years ago, I showed up to a Haiti Committee meeting, thinking it was a parish council meeting. Some of the same people were around the table, so I didn’t realize it until they passed out the agenda. I later told the group I hoped to join someday. Maybe it was fate. That “someday” was in 2018, when my daughter and I traveled to Haiti during her senior year in high school. I continued supporting the mission and began attending regular meetings. I went to Haiti again the following year, and I can’t wait to go back when it’s safe.

Being part of this “new thing” has positively affected many areas of my life. I met new friends, both All Saints parishioners and Haitians. I learned to appreciate things I take for granted, like access to clean water, food, employment, transportation, government, church, education, and more. But most of all, I was inspired by the friendly, generous, resilient, hope-filled people at our sister parish.

The parishioners at Notre Dame de Lourdes also want to “do new things,” and our educational funding, prayers and presence (when possible) give them hope. The children at our sister parish look forward to going to school. The teachers are dedicated and enjoy their ability to work and support their own families. And communities benefit from the injection of funds into their economy.

Haitians are plagued with civil unrest, political instability and natural disasters. But we can’t lose hope – because they don’t. They are proud of their heritage. They celebrate mass with beautiful music and dancing. And they treasure education, with the hope it will lead them to a life of independence and the ability to “do new things” themselves.

We invite you to “do a new thing” this Lent. Join us in supporting Haiti or choose another way to get involved in the parish. As always, we appreciate your ongoing prayers and contributions.

Your contribution of $150 (the annual cost to educate one child), or whatever you are able to give, is greatly appreciated.

Be sure to use the drop-down menu and select “Haiti Lenten Alms”
or
send a check to the parish office with “Haiti Lenten Alms” in the memo.

Renmen Bondye, Sèvi Lòt Moun, Fòm Disip
Love God, Serve Others, Form Disciples.