All Diocesan Articles

 

 

 

Parish Twinning and the Connection with Faith

Posted on April 14, 2019 in: News, Outreach to Haiti

Parish Twinning and the Connection with Faith

By Father Frank Rouleau

Parish Twinning is about building relationships and solidarity with Catholic parishes in other places. “We are members of a universal Church that transcends national boundaries and calls us to live in solidarity and justice with the peoples of the world” (US Council of Catholic Bishops, 1997).

“Sacred Scripture continually speaks to us of an active commitment to our neighbors and demands of us a shared responsibility for all of humanity. This duty is not limited to one’s own family, nation or state, but extends progressively to all… so no one can consider himself extraneous or indifferent to the lot of another member of the human family” St Pope John Paul II, Centesimus Annus, #51. 

In Parish Twinning the community develops a Christ centered, mission-oriented collaboration with a Parish in Haiti. “A true partnership involves the building and nurturing of a relationship over time, that transcends one act of working together (such as a project), or of sending a series of checks… When the relationship is itself highly valued, it allows for mutual participation and transformation, as all are invited to participate equally, and we all have the ability to love, pray and our faith to be present to one another.” (CRS, Parish Partnership Manual) It helps us to better understand the “One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic” faith that is shared by people throughout the world.

In 1985 the Diocese of Norwich responded to requests of lay people from the Diocese who asked what we, as a Diocese, could do to help the people of Haiti. A delegation of lay people went to Haiti to find out. As a result of that visit, we have had a partnership with the Port au Prince Archdiocese for over 30 years; our two Dioceses are twinned. Diocese of Norwich Outreach to Haiti has:Twinning, Education Scholarships, Nutritional and Medical Clinic in the Christ Roi section of Port au Prince. Our philosophy is Helping Haitians Help Haitians.

“All the poor – as Blessed Paul VI loved to say – belong to the Church by ‘evangelical right’. Blessed are the open hands that embrace the poor and help them: they are hands that bring hope. Blessed are the hands that reach beyond every barrier of culture, religion and nationality, and pour the balm of consolation over the wounds of humanity. Blessed are the open hands that ask nothing in exchange, with no “ifs” or “buts” or “maybes”: they are hands that call down God’s blessing upon their brothers and sisters.” Pope Francis, Message on the First World Day of the Poor, 13 June 2017

Haiti is the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere. The Church in Haiti is as poor as the people. The Faith is strong in Haiti and 70% of the people are Catholic. Their gift is the witness of their Faith, trusting in God, despite all the turmoil and poverty in their lives. As the Bishop of Norwich, Most Reverend Michael R. Cote, has stated “we get more out of Haiti spiritually than we put into the country materially”.

By building bridges of faith, Catholics link together mutual sharing of resources in Jesus’ Name. This involves going outside of one’s comfort zone, crossing over into another culture, into another economic, linguistic & political system. Parish Twinning is truly an outreach to our sisters and brothers who share our faith, but not all the material blessings we enjoy.

Parish Twinning starts with a Parish discerning if God is calling them to reach out to help build up the Church beyond the boundaries of the Parish. God has led the Diocese of Norwich to twin with the Archdiocese of Port au Prince, Haiti. There are many poor parishes in the Archdiocese that could use assistance. What a difference help can make! Twinned parishes support teachers’ salaries, scholarships, nutrition and other programs to break the cycle of poverty.

Diocese of Norwich Outreach to Haiti has parishes twinned through us from the following areas: Dioceses of Norwich, CT; Superior, WI; Archdiocese of Hartford, CT; Milwaukee, WI & Seattle, WA.

The needs are great in Haiti, the resources not so much. Is God calling your parish to enter into a faith-filled growth experience? Please speak with your Pastor and investigate the possibilities.

Visit Outreachtohaiti.org or call 860-800-3601 to find out more.


Most Viewed Articles of the Last 30 Days

Employment Opportunities in the Diocese of Norwich
Looking for a job? We have a number of open positions that can be found at  NorwichDiocese.org/Employment.   The updated page includes listings for several employment opportunities within the diocese.         School job postings are online as well   Be sure to keep the link to NorwichDiocese.org/Employment handy  

Read More

Norwich, Catholic
Our Lady of Perpetual Help – Patroness of Haiti
“Make her known throughout the world” The month of May is devoted to Our Blessed Mother Mary, who is honored under many titles including Our Lady of Perpetual Help. Mary holds a special place in the hearts of Haitians and is honored by the people of Haiti and our local Haitian population under the name Notre-Dame du Perpètuel Secours. Many Catholic Churches throughout the United States, including the Catholic Church in Quaker Hill (part of Divine Mercy Parish), also honor our Blessed Mother under this title and contain the icon of Our Lady of Perpetual Help...

Read More

Deacon William McGann, III - 1944~2023

Posted on June 01, 2023 in: News

1108

Deacon William McGann, III - 1944~2023
Commander William H. (Bill) McGann III, 79, of Gales Ferry, Bill passed away peacefully of natural causes at Yale New Haven Hospital on May 30, 2023. He was visited in his final hours by his daughters Sarah and Amy and was attended by a Catholic chaplain.  Bill was born on March 20, 1944, in Cincinnati, Ohio to William H. McGann Jr. and Mary Ann Fritz McGann. A graduate of Saint Augustine High School in San Diego, California, Bill went on to matriculate in the Class of 1966 at the University of Notre Dame, where he had a distinguished academic career in the School o...

Read More

Bankruptcy Court Approves Auction Procedures
The Diocese of Norwich has received approval from the U.S. Bankruptcy Court to auction 113.19 acres of its property in Montville, which includes Saint Bernard School, on June 2. The property to be auctioned by Norwich Roman Catholic Diocesan Corporation comprises the real estate and all of its improvements located at 1593 Route 32, Montville. The Diocese requested the court order in April. Interested bidders have until 4 p.m. May 26 to submit written bids that satisfy all requirements detailed in the court’s sale procedures. If one or more qualified bids i...

Read More

Reverend George J. Richards Jr. - Obituary
The Reverend George Richards Jr., JCL, of Middletown, passed away at St Joseph's Living Center in Windham, Thursday, May 11, 2023, at the age of 69. Born at the Naval Hospital in Groton, he was the beloved son of the late Margaret and George Richards Sr. Father George is a graduate of St. Michael's Parochial School, Pawcatuck. He graduated from Saint Bernard School, Montville, in 1972, and Saint Anselm College in Manchester, N.H., in 1976. He earned his Licentiate in Canon Law (J.C.L.) degree from the Catholic University of America, Washington, D.C., in 2000. ...

Read More

U.S. Bishops’ Migration Chairman Urges Representatives to Oppose Sweeping Immigration Bill
WASHINGTON - As the U.S. House of Representatives prepares to vote on H.R. 2, the Secure the Border Act of 2023, Bishop Mark J. Seitz of El Paso, chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ (USCCB) Committee on Migration, sent a letter urging members of Congress to oppose the bill and “to support the drafting of bipartisan legislation that is more in keeping with our nation’s rich tradition of welcome.” Bishop Seitz expressed concern that the bill would fundamentally weaken the decades-long commitment to humanitarian protection that the U...

Read More

Annual Catholic Appeal

ACA DONATE

English

 

Español

 

 
Signup for Weekly Newsletter


    Recently Added Galleries
    Click to view album: Rite of Election
    Click to view album: Mass of Ordination  for Fr. Jacob Ramos
    Click to view album: Mass of Ordination for Father Lawrence Barile
    Click to view album: Palm Sunday
    Latest Articles
    Diocese to Recognize Anniversary Couples
    Calendar of Events
    Deacon William McGann, III - 1944~2023
    St. Bernard, Mercy High Schools Hold Graduations
    Mercy Chamber Choir Wins Contest, Will Open for Foreigner During Their Farewell Tour
    We Can Help. Promise to Protect-Pledge to Heal
    Why is June the Month of the Sacred Heart of Jesus?
    Memorial Day Masses Honor Sacrifices of Service Members

    Roman Catholic Diocese of Norwich
    201 Broadway
    Norwich, CT 06360-4328
    Phone: 860-887-9294