I share with the entire community of St.Vincent's the photos that give you an idea of Christmas in Nanpol. Before The Christmas Eve Mass, we had organized a mini-concert under the direction of Géranel Charles, our seminarian and Miss Rose Kendy Joseph. The various groups of the parish Young Christians on the March (JCM), Missionary Children (TM/EM) and the Parish Choir Friends of St Paul (CPASP), as well as other faithful participated to brighten up Christmas Eve. Immediately after the mini-concert it was Christmas Mass. And the next morning around 8:30 a.m. we celebrated Christmas Day Mass. We give thanks to God for these wonders. There were a lot of people - and especially catechized children - in both Masses. Usually people don't come to vesperal celebrations. But this year there were many. Thank God. I hope you had some beautiful celebrations also at St Vincent's that help us raise our souls to Heaven. There is not a way of not celebrating Christmas without meeting Christ. We prayed for our sisters and brothers at St Vincent's. Thank you also for your prayers for us in Nanpol, but also and especially for Haiti, which has been living through trouble for more than three months. But we are also sure that the Christmas celebration will be an opportunity for the country to regain peace and justice. In the meantime, there has been an apparent calm since the beginning of December all over the country. Just a truce. But armed gangs continue activity in the country, everywhere. Fear ... My greetings and blessings to all of you at St Vincent's. Let us remain united in prayer. Your brother in Christ from Nanpol, Haiti.

Dear brothers and sisters, The situation in Haiti today is very tense and widespread. Today October 17, 2019 is reminiscent of the 213th anniversary of the death of Dessalines, founder of our homeland. However, in all the cities of the country the demonstrators march on the streets to demand the departure, the resignation of the president who resists, because according to him it would be irresponsible on his part. Even though his silence annoys the people as much as his tardy speech ignites anger. Because of it the country is stuck. It's dangerous to get out. When I returned to Nanpol on Saturday, I did not take the time to stock up properly for the presbytery. Because, I was expecting the situation to change. But it's going from bad to worse. I look with pity on those people in the village who can not even go about their customary business, out of fear. They can no longer go to the market in Marchand, Saint Michel, Cap-Haitien ... If there are any who try to go there they are ransomed en route. All this only increases the despair in the country. It looks like a cursed country! The political opposition, including parliamentarians (Senators and MPs) do not support the executive branch (the president). In fact, it is difficult to believe in one camp or another. Their wives and children live in the United States of America. Therefore, they do not care if the schools are closed and the children of the poor deprived of education. Their strength is in keeping the people in misery and poverty. The people are hungry, the people are thirsty. Nanpol screams his desolation. Looking at the reality of today, I want to cry like the psalmist: “where will the help come for us? But I know in whom I put my faith: help will come to us from the Lord who made Heaven and Earth.” For all things are possible to the Most High God. Pray for us We pray for you too.

Dear brothers and sisters, The situation in Haiti today is very tense and widespread. Today October 17, 2019 is reminiscent of the 213th anniversary of the death of Dessalines, founder of our homeland. However, in all the cities of the country the demonstrators march on the streets to demand the departure, the resignation of the president who resists, because according to him it would be irresponsible on his part. Even though his silence annoys the people as much as his tardy speech ignites anger. Because of it the country is stuck. It's dangerous to get out. When I returned to Nanpol on Saturday, I did not take the time to stock up properly for the presbytery. Because, I was expecting the situation to change. But it's going from bad to worse. I look with pity on those people in the village who can not even go about their customary business, out of fear. They can no longer go to the market in Marchand, Saint Michel, Cap-Haitien ... If there are any who try to go there they are ransomed en route. All this only increases the despair in the country. It looks like a cursed country! The political opposition, including parliamentarians (Senators and MPs) do not support the executive branch (the president). In fact, it is difficult to believe in one camp or another. Their wives and children live in the United States of America. Therefore, they do not care if the schools are closed and the children of the poor deprived of education. Their strength is in keeping the people in misery and poverty. The people are hungry, the people are thirsty. Nanpol screams his desolation. Looking at the reality of today, I want to cry like the psalmist: “where will the help come for us? But I know in whom I put my faith: help will come to us from the Lord who made Heaven and Earth.” For all things are possible to the Most High God. Pray for us We pray for you too.

When the community of believers gather to celebrate Sunday Mass at our sister parish it is also an opportunity for the parish to provide them with food. For some it might be the only substantial meal they will eat that week. It is the generosity of our parishioners that assist in making this happen. Look at the pictures and realize that you are involved in the feeding of the poor as Jesus invites us to. God bless all those who support our mission in Haiti.

These are pictures of a delegation from St. Paul who participated in a Missionary Congress held in Gonaives with the Bishop from July 18 to 21, 2019. They left Thursday, July 18, after a time of prayer by motorcycle.They learned a lot with the different lectures by bishops, priests, lay people too. Hopefully, they will be of benefit to others in living the life of faith. In one of the photos, in the white shirt, is a new seminarian from the parish of St. Paul who will begin with the philosophical studies in September 2019. This is Géranel Charles. Pray for him please. Fr. Theo

Click here to view the photos

The water filtration system is finally up and running in Nanpol, Haiti. There were production delays, shipping delays, customs delays and many other obstacles but at last it is in and of great benefit to our sisters and brothers there. Fr. Theo expressed it best in his own words: It is no longer a dream, but it is real: NOU GEN DLO trete NANPOL KOULYE (we have purified water in Nanpol now). I said it in Creole. You know what: to express his deepest feelings, no better than when we speak in our native language. Here is! In February, after your second visit Nanpol, your eighth in Haiti, you started a campaign among your parishioners so that a water system installed for water treated in Nanpol for the good not only of parishioners but also of the whole village. If the Word became flesh and dwelt among us for our salvation; today mobilization and the generosity of your parishioners is Treated Water to restore some dignity to the villager of Nanpol. GLORY TO GOD IN THE HIGHEST OF HEAVEN! The parishioners and I are grateful to you all. God will repay all this a hundredfold. We pray for you. May God complete in you what He Himself has begun. Thank you to all who participated to make this happen, especially to Kevin Dempsey who oversaw the project from start to finish. It is so often the nature of the world we live in where profound good changes lives for the better and then sadly the evil actions of others destroys lives. Let us strive for the good in word and action as God has always willed. May we be consciously aware of the good we do and give God the glory for it is the same God who holds us up when the good is eclipsed by the obstacles and struggles of this world. Let us continue to pray for one another. Peace, Fr. Richard

The food was purchased from monies donated through this parish as we continue to assist our mission in Haiti. It was received as a great gift by the people there and was also an encouraging reminder to them that in the trials and tribulations they face daily there is a community who cares for them.

Solar panels purchased

Read about Fr Richard's January visit to Haiti

It is something that I do several times a day. I do not always give it sufficient reflection. I guess it is because I get so used to something until it is not there and even then have other options. I am referring to the action of water flowing from faucets.

Updates from Fr Theo at St Paul's Parish

Message from Fr Theo during his visit to Stirling.