In 1998, it was suggested the parish start a foreign mission. After an exploratory trip to South Africa, it was decided a mission closer to home would be better. At the suggestion of a parishioner, Mary Ann DeMaioribus, we went to Leogane, Haiti, to the parish of St. Rose of Lima. The desperate poverty of the country was evident the moment we stepped foot out of the airport.
The parish priest at St. Rose of Lima was responsible for 15 satellite chapels over a vast area, administering to 50,000 people. The church chapel in Leogane had no roof; Mass was celebrated under canvas in the court yard. Yet the devotion of the people was outstanding, especially in the face of their poverty. After viewing the needs of the parish, and there were many, we decided that the best project for the newly formed Holy Spirit Haiti Mission was to help with the schools. We added 6 classrooms, in addition to collecting and donating clothes and school supplies.
Another early project of the Holy Spirit Haiti Mission was aiding a medical mission in Palmiste-au-Vin, a clinic in the mountains run by monks. Though primitive, it provided for the needs of the mountain people. A project was started to upgrade the clinic. Thanks to the generosity of the parish, a large generator was purchased and the upper part of the clinic finished, giving the clinic electricity, indoor plumbing, and additional rooms for patients and visiting medical teams. In 2000, a medical team of 6 doctors, nurses and team members carried medical supplies and assisted about 1,200 patients in three days. The people so needed help that, when we opened the clinic at 8 am, the people had been waiting in line since 4 in the morning.
The beginnings of Holy Spirit Haiti Mission were very humble, but thanks to the generosity, prayers, and effort of Holy Spirit Catholic Church, we accomplished God’s work and laid the foundation for the mission as we know it today.