Where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.
For twenty years, St. Margaret Mary has journeyed together with parishes in Haiti with the theme “You can do it. We can help.” Our mission focuses on projects which provide a sustaining impact and crisis funding is sometimes provided as natural disasters have required. Subcommittees coordinate with committees in Haiti to plan and implement projects in economic empowerment, education, faith and worship, health, peacebuilding, and parish capital improvements.
Latest News
St. Michael Parish — SMM’s Partner in Haiti
At the end of 2025, the Bishop of the Diocese of Jacmel asked St. Margaret Mary to partner with St. Michael Parish, a newly established parish serving approximately 1,600 people in rural Haiti. The parish brings together six existing chapels: St. Michael, St. Mary Magdalen, St. Charles, Sacred Heart, St. Alphonse, and Altagrace.
The bishop appointed Fr. Guy Belange as pastor, someone SMM has known and worked with for nearly 15 years through previous partnerships in Haiti. This longstanding relationship gives us a strong foundation as we begin this new partnership.
St. Michael Parish is located in a mountainous farming region where most families rely on subsistence agriculture. Transportation is primarily by foot or motorbike, and in some areas materials must be carried by mule. Education is deeply valued, but distance prevents some children from attending public schools. At St. Charles Chapel, parents responded by establishing a school for their children right in the chapel.
Faith is at the heart of these communities. Local Catholics form fraternities, build gathering places, and work together to establish chapels. Because one priest cannot reach all six chapels every week, trained chapel directors lead weekly services and funerals when a priest is unavailable.
Our Partnership at Work
SMM continues to focus on sustainable programs, education, and community development. Projects already underway include:
- First Aid Program
- Commercial Loan Program
- Chapel Director Training
- Agriculture and Livestock Programs
- Fraternity Cows Program
- Senior Food Relief Program
- Music Camp
- Teacher Training
- Construction of a Parish Center and Warehouse
It has already been a busy beginning at St. Michael, with even more projects being planned. Through this partnership, SMM will continue walking alongside the people of St. Michael as they strengthen their parish and build a more sustainable future for their community.
What has our Ministry sponsored recently at OLA Parish?
- Domestic Violence training for couples (Fall 2024 & Spring 2025)
- Teachers Nutrition Curriculum Workshop with SMM Dietitian (April 2025)
- Student Program in Nutrition and Gardening with May Day ‘Stone Soup’ Celebration for 4 schools (April-June 2025)
- First Aid Training & instruction on essential care during childbirth and for newborns (June 2025)
- Pentecost Youth Retreat (June 6-8, 2025)
- First Communion Preparation Retreat (July 2025)
- Chapel Directors Training (July 17-19, 2025)
- Youth Music Camp and Parish Concert (July 39-August 3, 2025)
- Addressing Violence at School, in the Home and in Society (Peace training for teachers) (August 25-27, 2025)
Construction Completed at OLA Parish (2020-2025)
- Our Lady of the Assumption Church
- Parish Life Center (includes meeting rooms, dormitory, pastor’s living quarters, outdoor meeting pavilion)
- Luke’s Chapel
- Our Lady of Fatima Chapel
- Parish Warehouses (at OLA and OLM) (for food staples for wholesale and emergency food stores use) and Event Space/Function Room
- Our Lady of Mercy School (6 classrooms, administrative office/conference room, cistern, bathrooms)
Our Lady of the Assumption Church
December 5th was a special occasion for our sister congregation in Haiti. This day was when the newly built Our Lady of the Assumption Church was dedicated. We are grateful for your prayers and financial support and ask you to continue to make the programs of our various Haiti committees possible.
View the video:
The Program
The program is based on 4 principles:
- Haitian Self-Determination: Haitian needs are diverse and the most successful projects are identified and designed by our Haitian partners. They can do it, we can help!
- Sustainability: The projects we co-create with our Haitian brothers and sisters are designed to be self-sufficient and sustainable long after our season with a particular parish comes to an end.
- Transparency: Any exchange of money or remuneration of any kind is transparent and well known to all participants. Each person's role is clearly defined and expectations outlined.
- Clear Exit Time: The Haitian parish knows that our active involvement with their community is for a 5 year term. "If you stay too long, you become part of the problem, not the solution."
The Committees
Economic Empowerment
Livestock, village banking and agriculture.
Health
Disease prevention, water accessibility and purity, and supporting destitute seniors
Education
Teacher development and livestock bonus programs, student enrichment opportunities, and curricular and facilities support.
Faith and Worship
Training for chapel leaders to conduct services, music and sacrament preparation. Extra support for couples getting married
Peace Program
Youth program focusing on leadership training and promoting peace through conflict resolution and mediation skills
Videos about the Haiti Ministry
If you are interested in starting a mission program at your parish, we can help you get it off the ground using "Ken's Model" for Haiti. If you have a current mission program, regardless of location, these methods can be implemented.
Contact us and we will set you up with a member from our ministry!