Uncategorized
Update December-January 2022-2023
WHAT IS TWINNING AND WHY WE DO TWINNING AT ST. FRANCES CABRINI?
The October 12, 2022 issue of the Catholic Herald answered those two questions. The article featured Cabrini Haiti Ministry as well as answering the above questions. The following is a short synopsis of that article. I encourage you to look it up on the World Mission web site. I thought it might be a good idea to share a little of this history with our supporters.
As a reminder of Jesus’ call to justice, twinning expands a parish and parishioners self-identity and reflects the Vatican II definition of mission. This also demonstrates appreciation for the universality of the church. For a parish to enter an ongoing relationship with another country, i.e. Haiti, that ministry has chosen to embrace a new way of being a parish. Several years ago, Fr. Nathan referred to Haiti Outreach Twinning ministry as establishing a beachhead for evangelization in Jacmel. That is what we have become to the community of Jacmel. Each year that passes, our families become a force for Jesus in the community. Contractors that come to work on the building experience a peacefulness and enjoy coming to work at the Cabrini Community Center.
Sixty-three parishes twin in the archdiocese of Milwaukee. Through the 34 years, Cabrini’s Haiti Twinning has helped several other parishes start their own program in the Global Community. Therefore, we at Cabrini continue outreach in the US as well as with fellow missionaries in Haiti. Being involved in outreach should reflect on your personal life. This is PART OF THE REST OF THE STORY!
FOOD DISTRIBUTION AND WATER SYSTEM TESTING AND MAINTENACE CONTINUES. THESE MINISTRY – OUTREACHES HAVE A PRICE TAG OF $5,000 EACH TIME WE SERVE THE FAMILIES. During the political strife in Haiti, these services are lifesaving. Thank you for your support but we can only be the hands and feet of Jesus through your support.
HAITI OUTREACH MEDICAL MINISTRY
Medical care for the poor is nonexistent in Haiti. The Cabrini Community Center has a special fund to reach out to our families. One of our moms recently was suffering from severe anemia. She has seven children between 12 – 3 years of age. During the food crisis, she was giving her portion of food to her children. Something most mothers would do. Due to her sacrifice, she passed out one day. She went to the clinic for help. The best they could do was to provide an IV and testing which showed severe anemia. The treatment was iron shots, which she received from a nurse who came to her house to administer the three shots. The cost for this treatment was $110.00 US dollars. We have included a picture of her in the hospital and a month later at our weekly prayer meeting at the center. Without our help who knows what would have happened to her and her family. We are making a difference with lifesaving ministries to the body as well as the spirit.
THANKFULNESS TO ALL WHO SUPPORTED THE HAITI OUTREACH THIS YEAR THROUGH THE SEPTEMBER MISSION APPEAL, THE LOVE ONE ANOTHER APPEAL AND SUPPORT FROM NON-PRISHIONERS WHO FOUND OUR OUTREACH TO BE AN EXAMPLE OF BEING JESUS’ HANDS AND FEET. We know you have many great choices for investing your hard-earned money and we hope you will continue to consider Haiti Outreach WORTHY OF YOUR GIVING. We continue to pray for monthly giving so we can increase our ministries in the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere. We provide much needed hope and dignity to the poor. With each small and large step we take.
Please pray for the Haitian government as well as for our leaders in the US. What happens in the US effects Haiti as well?
2021 – October Update
By Marianne Boehme
Haiti Outreach Ministry
Updates: October 2021
September 18 & 19 – Haiti Outreach Mission Appeal
We shared with the parish this year’s video “Do Life With God.” In the video our friends and supporters saw how the Holy Spirit directs the ministries in Haiti to bring people to salvation. In addition, through the power of the Holy Spirit, families’ lives were changed because of Cabrini’s years of faithful support. We believe that the Lord will continue to provide the financial support needed going forward with the Cabrini Community Center and to maintain and grow the ministry programs that bless the poorest of the poor.
We have come to understand that giving to others means we treat everyone with dignity and give them hope for a future. Many little miracles happened during this mission appeal weekend. One is a note we received from a visitor to Cabrini. “We were delighted by the welcoming community and the work that the Haiti Outreach is doing. One day we might be able to join in a trip to Haiti as we are looking to relocate to the West Bend area.” What an encouragement and affirming sharing to all of us.
You might have noticed members from Cabrini Outreach Committees handing out giving envelopes as you exited the church. Praise the Lord for their dedication that weekend. Each member was present at ALL the masses on the weekend, to staff the doorways and spread the spirit of Haiti to all.
THANK YOU TO ALL OUR SUPPORTERS AND THOSE WHO WILL JOIN US THIS YEAR. THE VIDEO WAS MADE NOT JUST FOR INFORMATION BUT ALSO FOR THE REVELATION OF THE LORD’S SERVICE.
SPAGETTII DINNER SEPTEMBER 25, 2021 – An evening of community and fellowship
Every other year Haiti Outreach does a community gathering of Haiti Supporters with a spaghetti dinner and raffle baskets. Most years, our Haitian brothers Bill Nathan and Walnes Cangas do a presentation but this year they were not able to get their renewable Visas to enter the United States from the American Embassy in Haiti. However, Walnes was able to do a face time visit. Which was a great celebration to see and hear him share!
The dinner was sold out as almost 200 people attended or took carryout. We ran out of food. Our Chef James Jones once again made the best food ever. We had many new volunteers as well and a few of our old faithful servants. A great group of people attending, helping and especially the young school families that volunteer for set up, to clean up and anything they could help with. These volunteers gave me and a few of our long-term committee people inspiration for the future of the Haiti Outreach Ministry. The best part was the sharing of the winners of their gift baskets. Paying the basket forward when they saw someone who would have liked the basket more than they did. Christianity is action paying it forward. We had eight wonderful baskets valued at $100.00 or more donated as well. Start thinking about the next dinner in 2023 unless the Lord moves to make it an annual affair. We ended the evening singing “Let There Be Peace on Earth” and a few tears were shed. GOD IS SO GOOD.
PLEASE CONTINUE MONTHLY TO CHECK OUT OUR WEB SITE FOR ARTICLES AND PRINTED COPIES IN THE NARTHEX. YOU CAN DONATE ALL YEAR LONG. HAITI ENVELOPES ARE LOCATED IN THE NARTHEX DISPLAY OR FIND THE “THREE WAYS TO GIVE” LISTED ON THE WEBSITE. HAITI IS A BLESSING TO CABRINI, AS WELL AS CABRINI IS TO HAITI.
December 2020 – March 2021
By Marianne Boehme
Partnership Empowers Someone To Dream
Updates: December 2020 – March 2021
Uncertainty is something that the peoples of our world have found themselves dealing with this past year. Even the poorest of the poor in third world countries. But, we as Christians know that God is still in charge and we continue to move forward in doing His work.
The Haiti Outreach has been blessed with prayers, faithfulness, and funding during this difficult time. As our moto says “The Lord Will Provide”. Our faithful partners have empowered us to feed 36 families with our food distribution programs, (each feeding costs $3,000 US), in early December and now again in March 2021. We have also been able to continue our Water Systems inspections every 3 months and provided the mothers with bleach, detergent and sponges to keep their water system clean. In April we will be testing each of the 36 filters for E-coli. We do that twice yearly. That testing program is $200.00 each time. The testing kits are sent to Haiti by team members or when Bill and Walnes return in September.
We are hopeful that Bill & Walnes be with us this coming September once again. When we know for certain we hope to gather in the Cabrini Church Hall for a spaghetti dinner on September 25. Please save the date. Volunteers call Marianne at 262-338-8845.
We also have great news to share. On March 9, 10, 11 all the windows at the Cabrini Community Center were installed. The Singing Moms of Jacmel met on March 10th and were very happy to see the windows. When they see progress on the building, they are thankful because it gives them a sense of security that they have a gathering place. Within the month of April, we hope all the doors will be installed as well. Then we will be able to secure the building and not have to move things back into to the containers for safe storage after the meetings. Partnership makes this all possible. Remember, there is a Haiti Display in the Narthex of church. Check it out. Donation envelopes and hard copies of articles to (take home) are available there.
On April 16th- 24th I am traveling to Jacmel with my traveling companion Jesus, to continue to put in place a strong leadership program that will continue to grow in stature. Prayers are very much appreciated!!!
The Bible studies and Singing Moms of Jacmel will have finished their first 10 week term. The second term will begin in April through the end of May. The ministries do not meet during the hot summer months of June, July, and August.
If you find value in what the Haiti Outreach does and you want to change peoples’ lives here are 3 ways to partner with us. We thank our partners that continue to collect quarters for Mission Quarters. We have collected about $4,000 during the past 5 years.
2020 – November & December
By Marianne Boehme
Thank you For Being
“The Blessing For The Haiti Outreach Ministry”
Update – November & December 2020
After the weekend mission appeal on September 19 & 20, we began a time of waiting. Waiting to see the response to the video. Waiting to see if Fr. Nathan’s words reached the people at the masses that weekend. Mass attendance was much lower than we have ever seen due to the virus. So we prayed and trusted God that we had followed His directions and we would accept God’s will.
We didn’t have to wait too long, the week after the appeal we had a contact from a family that was very touched by the video. They stepped up and gave a large donation that would allow us to distribute food to 36 of our families on Oct. 9 & 10th in Jacmel. Because of our wonderful leaders in the US and Haiti we were able to put the food distribution together very quickly which was another miracle.
As the weeks passed we were so grateful that many of the Cabrini parishioners also stepped up and gave from their hearts so we can begin our ministries once again in Haiti. We will be starting with Bible classes before the Christmas season. The other classes will begin in January if the Covid 19 virus and the political situation remains under control in Haiti. So please continue to pray for the government in Haiti. Below are the words of gratitude and thanksgiving that come from just a few of our mothers. Written as spoken to us.
“My idea is that Cabrini Mission never forget about us in the hard time. Now life is really difficult. So many problems but GOD will never forsaken his kids. Thank you again.” Marie Jeanette Lubain
“Thank you so much because each time I see Mr. Carmelo and Mr. Eral carry these food on their shoulders my family is happy. Thank you again I will continue to pray for you.” Roselaure Boyechio
The mission appeal goals were met but the Haitian needs are ongoing during the year. We cannot survive only on the appeal. We pray that the Cabrini parishioners will continue to give from the heart during the year. Now without bulletin articles it is more difficult to get the updates out. The web site will be updated each month, or hit click in the e-bulletin article to connect to the web site. Hard copies will be available in the Narthex Haiti Outreach Display. If you have any questions email Marianne at marianne@.mboehme.com or call 262-338-8845.
Thank you, “YOU ARE THE BLESSING” REMEMBER JESUS LOOKS AT THE HEART.
He understands the commitment and sacrifice that your gift represents. THAT IS WHAT TOUCHES HIS HEART.
2020 – June/July
UPDATE ON THE
CABRINI COMMUNITY CENTER
By Marianne Boehme – June/July 2020
Watch It Again! Get Inspired! Get Invoved!
Invest in people by paying it forard.
2020 – May 4
UPDATE ON THE CABRINI COMMUNITY CENTER IN JACMEL, HAITI
By Marianne Boehme – Update-May 4, 2020
FOOD DELIEVERY COMPLETED BEFORE EASTER
The leadership servants delivering the food to the mother’s houses found a warm reception. Mr. Carmelo hand delivered the food to them for their safety and to ease the physical strength that it takes to deliver this amount of food. Some of the mothers live in the hills surrounding Jacmel and the pathways are very difficult to climb.
MOM’S TESTIMONIES
(The broken English are their direct quotes)
Jesusla commented, “You guys always do good actions in the community. Mr. Carmelo, (our leader) seems never to be tired. I know the presence of GOD is with you. Thank you for blessings us. “
Jolicoeur shared with the leaders, “I pray and thank God to watch over the Cabrini Team members. A big gallon of oil with the sardines is great. We do not have the funds to afford all these food from the main market. We all love you and we are sure that God will continue to bless you.” (She is one of the assistants in the bible study now.)
Benita Tiblan comments, “Cabrini continues thinking about us, Cabrini always show us a good sign of love. The Cabrini mission is about treating us with love and compassion. God bless you all.” (Benita’s husband is Patrick, one of the construction workers that helped us in the Feb. construction).
I think you can feel the moms’ gratitude through their own words.
“WHATEVER YOU DO, WORK AT IT WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AS WORKING FOR THE LORD, NOT FOR MEN. IT IS THE LORD CHRIST YOU ARE SERVING” – COL. 3: 23-24
CABRINI COMMUNITY CENTER – THE VISION BECOMES CLEAR
Cabrini Community Center is being used at this time, 4 days per week. It has no doors, windows, septic or electricity yet but with the concrete flooring we were able to hold our first celebration of thanksgiving this past February. There were between 60 -70 people in attendance. Our moms, their families and 3 of the 5 fathers that work with the construction team also blessed us with words of praise and thanksgiving for the opportunity to work. We also had some teenage young men from a local nearby church come to help us with kite flying at the end of the celebration.
Ministry groups that meet weekly at the Cabrini Community Center in Jamel, Haiti are:
- Two groups of bible study/prayer for moms – 40 members meet on Thursday and Friday afternoons.
- Singing Moms of Jacmel – 25 members meet on Wednesday afternoon for practice and prayer.
- Adult Education class, 2 groups – 6 members meet on Thursday and Friday afternoons.
- Children’s ESL classes – 25 students meet on Saturday afternoons.
- Food Distribution Center – 30 families (200 persons). Storage, packing and sorting.
What a miracle this all is and we are all thankful to watch God’s plan unfold.
CORVID 19 COMES TO HAITI
HAITI FIGHTS BACK WITH THE FOLLOWING RESTRICTIONS
Haiti has shut down their airports to all flights including the US leaving hundreds of travelers stranded on April 24th 2020. They have closed the land border with the Dominican Republic as well. American Airlines will be selling one-way tickets for April 27th and 28th, to ferry out US Citizens and permanent residents.
PRAYERS, PRAYERS ARE NEEDED
Haiti has 60 ventilators for 11 million people. Some countries will struggle but Haiti might never recover from Corvid 19, so their only hope is to enforce restrictions to stop the spread.
As of April 20, 57 people have tested positive with 5 deaths. There is a curfew in place. Markets are only open 3 days a week. Haitians are encouraged to use face masks, and to limit gatherings to 10 people. Churches are shut down as well as restaurants. Hand washing and social distancing are in place. But most of the people don’t understand the situation.
Cabrini Community Center Leadership Team
We need to believe that the Lord will Provide and will provide an answer to the world situation.
God knows the end from the beginning and if we ask for forgiveness of our sins and pray he will restore our land. As the Haitians always tell me, “GOD IS IN CONTROL, HAVE FAITH! “ This Is Something We All Need To Remember
Invest in people by paying it forward.
2020 – April 3
By Marianne Boehme
Chairperson
Corona Virus Comes To Haiti
Food Program Goes Forward
Update-April 3, 2020
As of March 26th Haiti now has 6 confirmed cases of the virus but those of us that have served in Haiti know that many more of the population probably already has been exposed. It is the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere and struggles with food instability. Remember several weeks ago the terror we all felt when the virus hit our population. Educating the population in Haiti and how they can help themselves by hand washing and social distancing will be a big step. Most of Haiti has no running water. But the people are doing the best they can with what they have. The picture below shows the Haitian way of running water. Our servant leaders at the Cabrini Community Center have been proactive. They set up a 5-gallon bucket, with a nozzle, soap, and bleach for the families that use the center each day. They did their due diligence by acquiring food before the boarder was closed at the Dominican Republic. This allowed the 4th food distribution to go forward on April 3 & 4 to our thirty families. Timing is everything and everyone at Cabrini moved the finances forward and our Haitian team completed the process in Haiti to make it happen. Once again the Holy Spirit led all of us with the right timing and resources. Thank you all for your support. Please continue to give to these vital programs, without resources none of this could happen.
The Cabrini Community Center in Jacmel has made the difference between life and death among our families. Just like Jesus reached out to the poorest of the poor we too continue to represent Cabrini parishioners in this mission of giving hope and dignity for the poor.
More information available www.haitianmission.com web site and the Haiti Outreach display in the Narthex. Please continue to pray for the world. And remember Jesus is with us. He never leaves us or forsakes us!! Look toward the Light so we can be the Light for others.
January 2020
BIBLE STUDY MOMS MEET AFTER A 3 MONTH ABSENCE BECAUSE OF POLITICAL UNREST
By Marianne Boehme
Chairperson
Update-January 2020
On December 20, 2019 the Cabrini Bible study groups met together in front of the Cabrini Community Center for a prayer meeting. They celebrated and gave thanks that they were together again. All five members of the leadership teams that serve the Bible Studies Groups, Literacy program, Water Project, Chorus and Food Program shared with the mothers how important it is to continue to pray for each other and the Cabrini Community Ministries.
I would like to share with you the program they planned for this prayer meeting.
My only regret is that I can’t share the video with you, so you could hear their worship. The mothers greeted each other with hugs and gave a “bravo“ to the leaders for planning the meeting. They were so happy to be together again.
This was the LEADER’S plan for December 20, 2019 prayer meeting. (As written in their second Language- Bravo to them.)
- We are going to start with a nice song in chant D’esperance.
- Opening prayer by Marie Jeanette Lubain
- Words of welcome by Carmelo
- Songs in chant D’esperance #74
- Teaching by Eral in Matt 1: verse 18 -24
- Words by the mothers to explain how they understand the situation of our country and Cabrini support in their life.
- Emmanuel will share first than the mothers started to share.
- Motivational speech by Mackendy.
- Special prayer for Cabrini by all of us.
- Snack together
I am so proud of them and all of you should be too. This is one sign of the fruit of our labors these many years. I hope the pictures will show that we are making a difference. We are restoring the families, we are giving them a hand up by building up the community and showing we care. The families saw their faithfulness in action. The desperation is still so great because of the complete shutdown of Haiti for three months. One of our contacts told me on the phone during those weeks, “The country can’t take it much longer.“ Prayers were answered the week after Thanksgiving. The gangs left the streets, road blocks were gone and people slowly came out of their shelters. Gasoline became available and the electric power was restored for a few hours each evening.
Cabrini’s five-member team is heading for Haiti on Feb. 6th. Please pray for our safety and that everything remains peaceful so that the cement floor can be poured and that the exterior of the building can be completed. Watch the bulletin, website and Facebook for news in February. We will have a daily mission work schedule published for the February News and updates.
Thank you to all who give over and over to this ministry. With God’s grace we will finish what we started. We are encouraged by your giving. Cabrini is a light in the darkness.
PLEASE CONTINUE TO PRAY FOR HAITI. PRAYER CARDS ARE AVAILABLE IN THE NARTHEX INFORMATION CENTER PLEASE TAKE ONE AND SHARE WITH YOUR FAMILIES.
Ways to Give
• Digitally via the SFC website-OSV Online Giving
• Cash/Check via Envelopes in the Narthex
• Automatic Deduction from your bank account. Contact the SFC Office
For more information or to volunteer, please contact Marianne Boehme:
Email: marianne@mboehme.com
Phone: 262-338-8845
Elementor #419
By Marianne Boehme
Update – December 2019
THANK YOU FOR GIVING TO THE LORD! I AM SO GLAD YOU GAVE.
Thank you for giving to the Lord. I am a life that was changed.
Thank you for giving to the Lord. I am so glad you gave!
Several years ago we made a video titled “THANK YOU FOR GIVING TO THE LORD“ Below are several expressions of thankfulness from three of our Mothers for the Food program. We began this outreach in late 2019 because of the political unrest in Haiti. The lack of the rule of law has made their lives more difficult than before. Many of them were just making it and with the rising fuel and food prices. Starvation and diseases lurk on the horizon.
Micie Zidor shared this. “This is amazing to receive this food from Cabrini. Cabrini people really care for us. Now we go through a hard situation in our country and our government isn’t concerned for us. But the Cabrini members show that they care. We love Cabrini and we appreciate it. “
Thelima Rosaline is a 55 year old grandmother raising her two grandchildren after their parents were killed in the earthquake in 2010. She shared with Carmelo when he brought the food, “Words cannot explain my happiness because Cabrini does a lot of great things in my life. Thank you again for this food. We all hope that God will continue to bless all of you
Ania Vital is a mother of 5 children. They live in a little house on the main road to Cabrini Community Center. She keeps her house very clean and does the best she can. Ania says “Thank you so much, we really know this food is a gift from God. We continue to pray for the Cabrini people who help us and care for us.”
A VULNERABLE CHILD IN HAITI IS BEST SERVED IN A FAMILY STRUCTURE
We are supporting the families, giving them a hand up through the development of their community. In spite of the difficulties within the government, Cabrini continues to work on the completion of the Cabrini Community Center while serving the basic needs of the families. Monthly, we distribute food and maintain the water filters. Strong families mean strong healthy children that grow up to be stable adults who can support and care for their own children. We believe that increasing community stability will be passed on to future generations.
FACTS AND FIGURES – WHY THE NEEDS ARE SO GREAT!
- Haiti has a population of 11 million people. Half are under the age of 18.
- 6 million of those people do not have enough to eat.
- 67 million people desperately need food assistance (35% of the population).
- 140,000 households still require shelters – since 2 hurricanes hit the island within 2 years.
- 1 million people still need humanitarian assistance.
“THANK YOU FOR GIVING TO THE LORD! WE ARE SO GLAD YOU DID GIVE!”
-THE FAMILIES IN JACMEL
PLEASE CONTINUE TO PRAY FOR HAITI. PRAYER CARDS ARE AVAILABLE IN THE NARTHEX INFORMATION CENTER PLEASE TAKE ONE AND SHARE WITH YOU FAMILIES.
Ways to Give
• Digitally via the SFC website-OSV Online Giving
• Cash/Check via Envelopes in the Narthex
• Automatic Deduction from your bank account. Contact the SFC Office
For more information or to volunteer, please contact Marianne Boehme:
Email: marianne@mboehme.com
Phone: 262-338-8845