This weekend, we highlight our twinning ministry with St. John the Baptist parish in Haiti.  Our support and sponsorship of the students in St. John the Baptist School help the children there gain a better education.  They provide jobs to the staff of the school which includes a school nurse, caretaker and cooks, as well as the principal and the teachers.  And perhaps most importantly, our support and sponsorships provide a steady source of food for the children, almost 2,000 meals each week!  The effects are most visible in the youngest children, who often enter the school at ages ranging from three to five.  Some of those children show obvious signs of malnutrition.  But, with our support, by the time they are enter first grade, they are visibly healthier.  As I have said many times, our involvement, particularly with the school, has undoubtedly saved many lives over the years.  Meanwhile the school nurse watches over the children to maintain them in better health.
 
I know that there are so many needs all over the world—so much hunger, so much sickness.  Why do we do so much in Dos Palais?  Because we have decided to make a real difference.  Too often people go to Haiti (or other places around the world) to do something good, but then they move on after their visit.  By sticking with this one parish community, we are following in the footsteps of people like the Little Sisters of the Poor here in Richmond, whose ministry is one of presence.  We are maintaining a presence in Dos Palais and truly changing lives.  This is our Mission as a parish—To Be the Presence of Christ!