Haiti

We are Called to Serve

Whoever oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors God. Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and He will reward them for what they have done. The generous will themselves be blessed, for they share their food with the poor. (Proverbs 22:9)

Our Mission

We embrace the Catholic church’s commitment to serve as Christ’s missionary disciples through acts of mercy, compassion and generosity to the underprivileged in Haiti.

We respect and embrace the dignity of the Haitian people and culture by listening and responding to their needs and by fostering relationships with people and organizations that focus on supporting Haitian opportunity, self-sufficiency and sustainability.

Our Values

We support the education and nutritional needs of students who attend the Cecelia Duffy Memorial school in Marfranc, Haiti as well as the sisters who support the needs of the students and the school.

History

In the fall of 2014, parishioners of St. Mary of the Lake partnered with Reiser Relief to offer assistance and hope to the people of Haiti in the form of financial aid, prayerful support, and also in personal presence.

Learn more about Reiser Relief

Founded by Father Bernard Reiser
- 1949 – ordained and assigned to St. Mary’s
- 1969 – became founding pastor of Epiphany in Coon Rapids
- 1996 – travelled to Haiti and felt called to help; formed Reiser Relief
Mission
- To partner with impactful organizations to empower and engage the people of Haiti in Christ’s name
Values
- Education
- Care of the elderly and those with disabilities
- Job creation

Between 2014 and 2019, many parishioners joined Father Talbot in traveling to Haiti, meeting the Haitian people, fostering relationships, listening to their struggles, celebrating their joys, and responding to their needs.

St. Mary’s has focused its support and resources on the village of Marfranc, located in western Haiti, by building and later expanding the Cecelia Duffy Memorial School. In addition, some of the items provided by St. Mary’s by the parish include the following:

Teacher’s salaries
A school lunch program
Food for the sisters
Books and supplies
A well, latrines and a washing station

Learn More About the Relationships Between St. Mary’s and Marfranc

What is Reiser Relief’s role in St. Mary’s mission?

Reiser Relief provides experience, insight, and guidance to St. Mary’s
- Coordinates and leads St. Mary’s trips to Port au Prince and Marfranc, Haiti
- Provides ongoing insight into Haitian organizations
- Brokers our relationships with Haitian organizations and serves as a conduit on the ground
- Provides avenues for partnered financial support to Haitian organizations
- Agriculture

View Marfranc Relationships

Cecelia Duffy Memorial School
- School
- Led by Sister Evelyne – Little Sisters of Therese of the Infant Jesus
- 373 students, there are 3 kindergartens, and up to 5th grade
- Students get one meal a day
- Sisters get 2 meals a day
- Teachers get one meal a day
- Those that stay on the grounds get 2 meals a day
Elder Care facility
- Home for abandoned elderly
- Led by Sister Evelyn – Little Sisters of Therese of the Infant Jesus
- 38 residents – 21 men and 17 women
- Approximately 70 additional local elderly served meals daily
Missionaries of Charity
- Care of sick and dying babies
- Elder care

For more information, please contact Sr. Mary Kerber, [email protected], 651-429-7771 option 1.

Current News

Political Status

President Jovenel Moise was assassinated on July 7, 2021 leading to chronic political and societal instability
This instability is contributing to rising food prices, a surge in hunger, dangerous cholera outbreaks, deepening poverty, a collapsing healthcare system, and the potential for a major migration exodus
Haiti’s police, customs, and coast guard agencies are under-resourced and therefore unable to provide adequate security to the Haitian people

St. Mary of the Lake Projects

Check back for upcoming projects

Success Stories

Cecelia Duffy school, after being closed for several months due to gang activity in the area, has now reopened. 373 students total right now and 11 teachers.

First Communion 2023

Photos of the children who received their First Communion in Marfranc.
Many of you prayed for a particular child. Thank you for your prayers.

HOW TO GET INVOLVED

Pray for the students, teachers, and Sisters of the Cecelia Duffy Memorial School in Marfranc
Volunteer to be on the Haiti Committee
Financially support the St. Mary’s Haiti mission by mailing or dropping in the collection a check earmarked for Haiti

GET INVOLVED

Help End Violence in Haiti

(Posted 5/11/23)

Much of the lawless violence currently ravaging Haiti is the result of actions by various gangs that prey on the people across the country. These gangs, and the powerful people who support them, have seemed to be immune from any attempts at law enforcement.. New legislation in our congress in Washington may be able to change that situation – at least to some degree. The “Haiti Criminal Collusion Act (S.396)” is a bipartisan bill which aims to identify the political and economic elites who are connected to Haitian gangs and to hold them accountable for their actions.

Please write to your senators and representative to express your support for this bill.

(sample letter)

Senator Amy Klobuchar
425 Dirkson Senate Office Bldg
Washington D.C. 20510

Dear Senator Klobuchar,

I am writing to you today to express my strong support for the “Haiti Criminal Collusion Act (S.396)” currently in Congress. Our church community in White Bear Lake has been deeply involved in supporting the people of Haiti for many years. We are saddened and frustrated by the current lawless violence in Haiti and are encouraged by the possibilities offered by this legislation. I urge you to add your support to this bill.

Sincerely,

(other addressees)

Senator Tina Smith
720 Hart Senate Office Bldg.
Washington D.C. 20510

Representative Batty McCollum
2426 Rayburn House Office Bldg.
Washington D.C. 20515

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