History
St. Francis Xavier began a parish twinning relationship with St. Albert the Great Parish in 1984. The approach of St. Francis Xavier for the first 25 plus years was to take up an extra collection once per year at Masses and send the money to Haiti to support their needs. This relationship has changed dramatically over the years. A 2010 earthquake in Haiti's southern region, highlighted the country's severe poverty and invigorated St. Francis Xavier parishioners. Following a visit to St. Albert the Great in 2012, St. Francis Xavier parishioners recognized many opportunities to serve the community. Funds were solicited and aid was sent to help develop a medical dispensary, construct a water filtration system and find reliable transportation for the pastor. In 2013, the Haitian government stopped funding the Catholic schools' daily food program. St. Francis Xavier stepped in to help.
The first collaboration between St. Francis Xavier and Sts. Peter and Paul occurred in 2014 when more than $11,000 was raised at Sts. Peter and Paul Die Kirche Auction to support the school food program. The 2015 Auction raised more than $22,000 to help launch, Helping Haiti Help Themselves. Funding for Helping Haiti Help Themselves has provided yam plants to 25 families from St. Albert the Great Parish to start yam food plots that can be used for family food or to sell for income. This pay-it-forward program requires the original farmers to provide yam plans for 25 additional worthy families to start their food plot.
The first collaboration between St. Francis Xavier and Sts. Peter and Paul occurred in 2014 when more than $11,000 was raised at Sts. Peter and Paul Die Kirche Auction to support the school food program. The 2015 Auction raised more than $22,000 to help launch, Helping Haiti Help Themselves. Funding for Helping Haiti Help Themselves has provided yam plants to 25 families from St. Albert the Great Parish to start yam food plots that can be used for family food or to sell for income. This pay-it-forward program requires the original farmers to provide yam plans for 25 additional worthy families to start their food plot.
Success
St. Francis Xavier accomplishments in 2011-2015:
St. Francis Xavier and Sts Peter and Paul accomplishments in 2014-current:
- New water purification system providing the only clean water that is available in the community
- Daily school food program supporting 925 students
- Medical dispensary with a doctor, nurse and pharmacist
- New Toyota SUV for the parish, which is the only transportation available
- New roof for the St Albert the Great Church
- New chairs and supplies for the schools
- New computers and monitors for St. Albert the Great
St. Francis Xavier and Sts Peter and Paul accomplishments in 2014-current:
- Daily school food program supporting 925 students
- Medical supplies for the medical dispensary
- Helping Haiti Help Themselves programs, including yam co-operative and livestock pay-it-forward program
- Room and board financial assistance for St. Cyprien middle school students to attend St Albert the Great
- Financial Audits: Many impoverished nations, especially Haiti, are plagued with corruption and theft. St Francis Xavier and Sts. Peter and Paul have established a financial audit system with Father Marcel in Haiti to record and verify all financial resources are used for the intended purposes. Only known and guaranteed shipping methods are used.
Past Mission Trips
June 2018:
The June 2018 mission trip to St. Albert the Great and St. Cyprian in Haiti was another huge success. The sights, sounds, aromas and tastes were all wrapped in the warm hugs, kindness, and the tremendous hospitality of all the Haitians. The mission team consisted of 12 volunteers with ages ranging from 12 years old to senior citizens. Volunteers included 2 from St. Francis Xavier, 3 from St. Wendel, and 7 from Sts. Peter & Paul.
The June 2018 mission trip to St. Albert the Great and St. Cyprian in Haiti was another huge success. The sights, sounds, aromas and tastes were all wrapped in the warm hugs, kindness, and the tremendous hospitality of all the Haitians. The mission team consisted of 12 volunteers with ages ranging from 12 years old to senior citizens. Volunteers included 2 from St. Francis Xavier, 3 from St. Wendel, and 7 from Sts. Peter & Paul.
- The men concentrated on installing the second phase of solar panels to provide electricity to the school and water system. The women focused on the clinic and the school with a new blood machine being installed and craft projects with the young children.
- The yam and livestock pay-it-forward programs are also doing well.
