The headlines and accompanying images sent shock and sadness across the globe. On Aug. 14 of this year, Haiti suffered another devastating earthquake. This natural disaster came on the heels of the assassination of the struggling nation’s president, Jovenel Moise. Many in the Diocese of Central Florida have a strong connection with Haiti and offered prayer and financial support, but the need continues long past the initial event.
The Rev. Pierre Auguste oversees the parish of St. Saveur, which encompasses four churches and three schools, all under his leadership and all of which sustained major damage from the earthquake:
- The primary church, St. Sauver in Les Cayes, has 350 parishioners and a school of 197 students for 2020-2021.
- St. Croiz in Ravine a l’Anse has 200 members and a school of more than 300 students for 2020-2021.
- St. Esprit in Cavaillon has 150 members and a school with 199 students for 2020-2021.
- St. Dominique in Rambo has 50 members.
Two of these churches, St. Croix and St. Esprit, have partners in the U.S. who are working with them to help rebuild, Auguste said. However, the St. Sauver Church and school as well as the rectory have been completely destroyed; repair work is not possible because of the extent of the damage.
But God’s grace triumphs over circumstances. One of the partners from the school affiliated with St. Esprit sent money to build a temporary school where the rectory was located in Les Cayes; this has been accomplished, and school began Nov. 3. The dean of the Business and Technology Institute, part of the Episcopal University of Haiti, offered Auguste a classroom in Les Cayes where he is now holding worship services each Sunday.
Auguste recently wrote to The Rt. Rev. Gregory O. Brewer to thank him and the Diocese of Central Florida for responding to his parish’s need through a previous announcement in the CFE Digital Digest. He put the $4,777.05 received toward the building of a security wall to help protect the temporary school.
But the need continues. Auguste is requesting partners for the two churches, St. Saveur and St. Dominique, who lack them, as well as prayer toward his efforts to rebuild the school, the churches and the rectory. Because he no longer has a place to live in St. Cayes, he travels each Friday from Port-au-Prince to St. Cayes for ministry, a distance of 124 miles one way.
“The partners of the other churches have promised to help me to build a temporary room to live in the existing property of the school,” Auguste said. “However, it is important for me to buy new land for the permanent rectory of the church. Then in the future, we can rebuild the rectory, the church and the school. …. I stay faithful and hope that God will provide some help to me.”
To support these continuing needs in Haiti, please pray and give as follows:
- Online via credit/debit card or bank account – Click here to donate at CFDiocese.org. Click on “select a fund” and scroll down to “Haiti Relief.”
- Check made payable to “Diocese of Central Florida,” Memo “Haiti Relief.” Mail to: Diocese of Central Florida, 1017 E. Robinson St., Orlando, FL 32801
One hundred percent of your donation will go directly to Auguste to support these needs.