Bishop
Frade asks for Easter offering for Diocese of Haiti
March 31, 2004
Dear Sisters and
Brothers in Christ,
Over
the past few months we have been watching with anxiety and sorrow
the suffering brought about by the political turmoil in Haiti.
I know
that many of you have been asking what we can do to help our neighbors
in that troubled nation, especially our brothers and sisters in the
Diocese of Haiti. Their ministries--and indeed, their very lives--have
been devastated by violence and the breakdown of social structures
in their country.
The simplest
answer to that question is the one I have received from my brother
bishop in Haiti, Jean Zaché Duracin: Send money!
In a
message to me and to several other bishops, Bishop Duracin said that
to meet immediate needs in the most affected areas of his country
would take close to four million dollars.
“The rate of poverty is at an all
time high in Haiti,” he said. “Half of the population can not afford
one meal per day and almost as [many] do not have access to potable
water, education, and health care...the church would need approximately
an amount of $3,000,000 to feed a population of about 130,000 people
in the affected areas during two weeks. It would need $800,000 to
help rebuild the homes of 400 families, and $325,000 to acquire the
needed equipment, plus gas and labor to deliver the goods to the
needy…”
To help
the Diocese of Haiti meet these overwhelming needs, I am asking that
each of our parishes take a special Easter offering designated for
this purpose. As we celebrate the resurrection of our Lord Jesus
Christ, let us do what we can for the resurrection of Haiti!
I believe
that if we could have a donation of one dollar from each person--
children included--in each of our congregations, we could make a
real difference in this situation of great need. I assure you that
every dollar you contribute will be sent directly to Bishop Duracin
to help his diocese minister to the needs of its people.
Make your checks payable to Diocese
of Southeast Florida, marked for “Easter offering for Haiti”, and
mail to 525 NE 15 St., Miami, FL 33132. Donations may also be made
online: Go to www.diosef.org and click on “Donations”. Be sure to
indicate that your donation is for Haiti.
Equally
important, please continue to pray without ceasing for the people
of Haiti, for their interim government, and for the clergy and people
of the Diocese of Haiti. They need to know that they have our support,
and that with our prayers and our pocketbooks we are expressing our
confidence that our Risen Lord will bring about a resurrection for
their country.
Blessings,
+Leo Frade
