Gospel Revolution in Haiti!
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I believe that Jesus wants a Gospel Revolution at Mission Cathedral! I was installed pastor at St. Anne's Cathedral in Anse-à-Veau, Haiti on May 22nd, 2016. Despite negative stereotypes about the parish, I was excited that Jesus would choose me to be His collaborator as I shepherd His flock at that parish.
At the end of my installation Mass, I felt led to articulate a mission statement for the cathedral parish: "To be a community of communities of missionary disciples of Jesus Christ that our peoples may have life...abundantly!" (Aparecida Final Document; Joy of the Gospel; John 10:10)
The communities will emulate the first chrisitan community in Acts 2:42 by living into the four pillars to strengthen communion:
1. The Word
2. Fellowship
3. The Eucharist
4. Prayer
This COMMUNION will result in MISSION which has two pillars:
1. Service (Works of Mercy)
2. Proclamation (of the Jesus and His kingdom)
purchased 1000 New Testaments toward that goal.
I have purchased 1000 New Testaments for use by missionary discple communities. I have gathered a small team of missionary disciples at the rectory with me with the permission and blessing of the bishop. There are two families and a couple ofther missionaries who will live out that model of community with me so that others who see how we live can be inspired to do the same.
I will also form a slightly larger group of missionary disciples (12ish) that will meet weekly to be discipled by Jesus in the Scriptures, especially the New Testament, as we read and reread them and commit to obeying His instructions to us as found in His word. I will also lead them through thematic studies using the St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology's Journey through Scripture series. They will be trained in the Catechism of the Catholic Church as we emphasize spirituality and joyful morality.
The disciples in that group will then be facilitators of new communities of missionary disciples raised up within the parish jurisdiction with the end goal being to facilitate those new members to become missionary disciples who can then form new communities around the 4 pillars of Communion and the two pillars of Mission. And so on and so forth. Let the disciple making begin!
BUT, we need help. The parish has no money. I have no money. Actually, I take that back, the parish has about $60 in its accounts, but has over $3,000 in debt! Most parishes in Haiti try to get a sister parish that will help support it; We don't have one yet. The parishioners have done all they can in contributing, but their means are meager.
We need money to:
-Pay for the Bibles and get more.
-Repair and complete a little house for the missionaries who will work with me
-Put in working plumbing system in the rectory
-Put a safe electrical system for the church and the rectory
-EAT!
-Help pay our contibution to get a new 4x4 vehicle that will be subsidized by a The German bishops (Adveniat)
-Launch a strong youth ministry!
-Have more outdoor evangelistic events!
and more... way more.
I really need something like $100,000 to start but am embarassed to ask for that, and I don't want to take away any donation that will go to other worthy causes like Haiti180's campaign to finish the health clinic! Thus I have set the goal at $50,000 to make it more attainable. But please feel free to blow through that goal!!!
I don't want to remain dependent. I am working on a not-for-profit organization to be able to collect donations not just for everyday expenses, but also to help set-up endeavors that will generate funds for the parish; thus, the parish will be more sustainable. In Haiti the priests are not paid any salary! Because of the Concordat, the government is supposed to pay them a small compensation of about $100/month, but they rarely get it. And, I am not signed up for that yet, though I hope to soon. That check comes so inconsistently though that I won't hold my breath.
The need is really urgent. I sometimes feel like I am drowning in it. I appreciate any help you can give. Can you give $10,000, $5,000, $1,000, $5? Whatever it is, it will help. I promise to use your donations wisely and for the kingdom. I will update you as things go along. Thank you for your love and trust.
God bless you!
Let the Gospel Revolution begin!!!
At the end of my installation Mass, I felt led to articulate a mission statement for the cathedral parish: "To be a community of communities of missionary disciples of Jesus Christ that our peoples may have life...abundantly!" (Aparecida Final Document; Joy of the Gospel; John 10:10)
The communities will emulate the first chrisitan community in Acts 2:42 by living into the four pillars to strengthen communion:
1. The Word
2. Fellowship
3. The Eucharist
4. Prayer
This COMMUNION will result in MISSION which has two pillars:
1. Service (Works of Mercy)
2. Proclamation (of the Jesus and His kingdom)
purchased 1000 New Testaments toward that goal.
I have purchased 1000 New Testaments for use by missionary discple communities. I have gathered a small team of missionary disciples at the rectory with me with the permission and blessing of the bishop. There are two families and a couple ofther missionaries who will live out that model of community with me so that others who see how we live can be inspired to do the same.
I will also form a slightly larger group of missionary disciples (12ish) that will meet weekly to be discipled by Jesus in the Scriptures, especially the New Testament, as we read and reread them and commit to obeying His instructions to us as found in His word. I will also lead them through thematic studies using the St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology's Journey through Scripture series. They will be trained in the Catechism of the Catholic Church as we emphasize spirituality and joyful morality.
The disciples in that group will then be facilitators of new communities of missionary disciples raised up within the parish jurisdiction with the end goal being to facilitate those new members to become missionary disciples who can then form new communities around the 4 pillars of Communion and the two pillars of Mission. And so on and so forth. Let the disciple making begin!
BUT, we need help. The parish has no money. I have no money. Actually, I take that back, the parish has about $60 in its accounts, but has over $3,000 in debt! Most parishes in Haiti try to get a sister parish that will help support it; We don't have one yet. The parishioners have done all they can in contributing, but their means are meager.
We need money to:
-Pay for the Bibles and get more.
-Repair and complete a little house for the missionaries who will work with me
-Put in working plumbing system in the rectory
-Put a safe electrical system for the church and the rectory
-EAT!
-Help pay our contibution to get a new 4x4 vehicle that will be subsidized by a The German bishops (Adveniat)
-Launch a strong youth ministry!
-Have more outdoor evangelistic events!
and more... way more.
I really need something like $100,000 to start but am embarassed to ask for that, and I don't want to take away any donation that will go to other worthy causes like Haiti180's campaign to finish the health clinic! Thus I have set the goal at $50,000 to make it more attainable. But please feel free to blow through that goal!!!
I don't want to remain dependent. I am working on a not-for-profit organization to be able to collect donations not just for everyday expenses, but also to help set-up endeavors that will generate funds for the parish; thus, the parish will be more sustainable. In Haiti the priests are not paid any salary! Because of the Concordat, the government is supposed to pay them a small compensation of about $100/month, but they rarely get it. And, I am not signed up for that yet, though I hope to soon. That check comes so inconsistently though that I won't hold my breath.
The need is really urgent. I sometimes feel like I am drowning in it. I appreciate any help you can give. Can you give $10,000, $5,000, $1,000, $5? Whatever it is, it will help. I promise to use your donations wisely and for the kingdom. I will update you as things go along. Thank you for your love and trust.
God bless you!
Let the Gospel Revolution begin!!!
Organizer
Louis Merosne
Organizer
Boston, MA
