Week of June 25

06-25-2017All

At Notre Dame de la Merci the Preschool option and Kindergarten option enroll about 52% of the children in the area. The Primary Grades or Fundamental level makes up grades 1-6. It is mandatory that every child from age 6 to 11 go to school. Some children go to the public school or others private schools. However, the reality is only 50% go as far as 6th grade. The children drop out due to the need to take care of younger siblings. Or, because the tuition and uniforms are too expensive. Others may drop out one year and return the next year. It is not unusual for a 16 year old to be in 6th grade. A National Test is given at the end of 6th grade. In the past 7 years, EVERY CHILD in 6th grade at Notre Dame de la Merci has passed the National Test.

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Week of June 18

06-18-2017AllFr. Andre

Dear brothers and sisters of Saint Rose, I hope this will find all the parishioners of Saint Rose well. I am writing on behalf of all my parishioners. I want to tell you that your prayers and your financial support have made a great difference in the lives of the people of Robillard. I cannot imagine the survival of the parish of Robillard without your support. We are very grateful to you. There are a lot of things that we are grateful for:

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Week of June 11

06-11-2017All

Imagine it is the Spring of 2003. Five Saint Rose parishioners arrive in Haiti to meet the community of Notre Dame de la Merci. There has been sporadic communication for the past ten months. No pictures have been exchanged. Most of the correspondence has been about needs under a list heading "WE HAVE NOTHING; WE NEED ANYTHING". The correspondence is full of gratitude to God and our shared faith. The 5 member team feels awe that they are on the brink of knowing God in another world very foreign to what they know. Even well-meaning family members have expressed caution about the team even going to this country known as the poorest country in the western hemisphere. Even the recommended vaccines and precautions raise warnings.

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