The History of the Diocese of Richmond Haiti Ministry
The Haiti Ministry and Commission
of the Diocese of Richmond had its beginnings with a group of 10 people
who met with Bishop Walter F. Sullivan on July 25, 1983 to strategize
about a possible outreach of the Diocese to the people of Haiti. The 10
were individuals who had participated in retreats to Haiti sponsored by
the National Center for Young Adult Ministry, North Andover,
Massachusetts. Bishop Sullivan made his first visit to Haiti in June of
1984 where he met with the Bishop of the Diocese of Hinche, Haiti.
Six of the 10 began work on a
pastoral plan, which was completed in draft form on September 3, 1984.
The draft was approved by the Diocesan Pastoral Council, the Diocesan
Presbyteral Council, and the bishop. The original group had its first
meeting on December 18, 1984, at which time they proposed that two
groups be established for the implementation of the pastoral plan: (1)
a Task Force on Haitian Ministry to focus on parish outreach, migrant
and refugee ministry, and diocesan action; (2) a Haiti Outreach
Committee to focus on a retreat program and volunteerism.
The Task Force met first on January
30, 1985 and began a program of study and action. They also worked on a
Constitution, and Bishop Sullivan created a Diocesan Commission on June
26, 1985, combining the Task Force and the Outreach Committees. The
Constitution was approved July 25, 1985.
The Richmond Diocesan Haiti
ministry flourished under the leadership of Bishop Sullivan, diocesan
staff and the Haitian Ministry Commission. Over the past 20 years the
Diocesan Haiti Ministry developed many facets of this relationship with
Haiti. The major emphasis and foundation of the Haitian ministry is the
twinning program. In 2007 there were 61 parishes, schools, etc., in
the Diocese of Richmond twined with a parish, organization or group in
Haiti. Primarily the twinning relationships are located in the Diocese
of Hinche but there are also twinning relationships in other parts of
Haiti; on the Island of La Gonave, Pignon, Cap-Haitien, Port-au-Prince
and Jacmel. The twinning program is based on relationship and
solidarity. It is understood that each partner has gifts to share with
the other and that we stand with each other as we journey forward in
faith. The Haiti Solidarity Twinning Committee was formed as a
committee of the Commission to focus on the twinning aspect of the
ministry.
Other areas of ministry have
evolved over the years including three foundations governed by their
own Boards of Directors. The Haitian Education Fund fosters a
relationship between the Diocese of Richmond Education Board and the
Diocese of Hinche Education Office. The Haitian Health Care Foundation,
Inc. (formerly the Klinik Lenkànasyon Foundation) serves as a resource
and coordinating vehicle for twinned parishes involved in health care.
The Maison Fortuné Orphanage Foundation, Inc. supports Maison Fortuné
Orphanage in Hinche.
Additionally, there is a
partnership with the Xaverian Brothers to support their volunteer
program in Haiti. And finally there are three funds held by the Diocese
of Richmond. One fund supports the work of Fonkoze and their micro
credit and literacy programs. The second fund supports a school and
community project in Matabonite, Haiti. And finally, there is a fund to
help support the formation of priests attending the seminary in Haiti.
In 2003 the Diocese saw the
retirement of Bishop Sullivan and in May of 2004 the installation of
Bishop DiLorenzo as Bishop of Richmond. The structure of the Haiti
ministry also underwent transition. In 2004 the diocese decided to
combined the responsibilities of the three part time staff people, Br.
Cosmas Rubencamp, Adele DellaValle-Rauth and Dr. Kathleen Kenney, and
hire one person to staff the Haiti Ministry. This change took place in
March of 2005.
With a the transition of having a
new full time staff person, and given the many facets of the ministry
and the number of people involved in the ministry, it was decided that
a strategic planning retreat would be necessary as a move into the
future. Early in the fall of 2005, 42 people involved in the Richmond
diocesan Haiti ministry gathered to undergo a strategic planning
process. The group celebrated the over 20 years of partnership and
spiritual growth that the ministry has provided and the strong
visionary leadership which brought the ministry to its present state.
The strategic planning retreat participants looked to the future and
how it could modify the organizational structure to meet its goals. The
functions of the Haitian Commission and Haiti Solidarity Twinning
Committee are now integrated into one entity to provide the necessary
coordinated leadership for the diocesan Haiti ministries. The diocesan Haiti ministry stands
at an exciting threshold full of possibilities. Built upon a solid and
faith-filled past, the future is pregnant with limitless possibilities.
The re-organized Haiti Commission had its start-up date on November 4,
2006 and now meets quarterly. All are invited to participate in the
journey.
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