Support Training for Catechists in Haiti
Thursday, December 17, 2009

Project Code: 224-07-49

Two years ago, Father Charles Faubert was entrusted by his bishop with the task of building up the newly founded Parish of Villard in the north of Haiti. It was far from an easy task, since the Diocese of Les Gonaives, to which the parish belongs, is located in one of the poorest regions of this already impoverished country. Poverty, AIDS, youth crime, illiteracy – all these things and many more make it difficult to build anything up. Many young people have lost all hope and try to blot out their suffering through alcohol, drugs and sexual promiscuity.

On top of this there is the political unrest and a frequent succession of natural disasters – such as the devastating cyclones Jeanne, in the year 2004 and Hanna, in 2008, both of which caused widespread devastation. Moreover, the parish is vast, with a population of some 40,000 people. Sometimes visiting Holy Ghost Fathers (Spiritans) come from another town to help the parish priest, but they themselves are few and already have too many faithful of their own to be able to help build up the pastoral ministry from nothing in this newly established parish.

Father Faubert is not a man to be discouraged, and quickly set to work. Soon after his arrival he began visiting local villages in order to find out what was needed to revive the life of the parish. These villages, four of which actually have a chapel of their own, are not very far from the center of the parish, but during the rainy season they are almost inaccessible. The parish priest also quickly discovered that, although many people have a deep sense of faith, there were still many catechetical and liturgical problems to be tackled – in short, people had not truly understood much of what belongs to the Catholic Faith. In Haiti, especially, whose inhabitants consist for the most part of the descendants of African slaves, there is still a widespread belief in the 'magic' rituals of the voodoo cult – and often even among practicing Catholics. Yet the Church is dedicated to conveying the Catholic faith to the people in all its purity, and there are many very lively parishes where the faithful live their faith with great devotion and deep piety.

This is the kind of parish that Father Faubert is determined to establish. In order to implement this objective, his idea is to find catechists who can help the faithful to correctly understand the teachings of the Church and live their faith accordingly. These lay catechists would then be able to help the people in the villages when the priest is unable to reach them, since they would already be living in the midst of the people.

There are indeed such Catholics, committed heart and soul to building up the life of their parishes. All that is required is for these future catechists to be fully trained, and it is in this that Father Faubert is hoping for our help. Starting from the basis of the Catholic Catechism, they need to learn the significance of the seven Sacraments, where they originate from, the effects they have on those receiving them, among other topics; they also need to learn more about the Liturgy. Funding is needed to provide this formation, and we have promised $5,900 to this devoted priest, who in his letter tells us of his constant trust in divine Providence – and in ACN, too. Can you help Father Faubert train these catechists in Haiti?

Progress: 6% Raised: $ 325     Goal: $ 5900

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