The pastor, Father Tony Leolien, ordained six years ago, was installed as pastor in September, 1998, replacing Father Michael Lachance who died at age 41 two months later.
The parish has a small parish center and 7 chapels, 6 of them with small schools that have no walls and few supplies. Three more chapels are under construction. One primary school is served by the Good Shepherd Sisters; one secondary school is run by the Marist Brothers. The parish also has a dispensary.
According to Father Tony Leolien, there is a great need for a community building large enough to serve as a center for formation and community development.
| When was your parish established? |
1956 |
| Who was the previous pastor? |
Fr. Michael Lachance (deceased) |
| When did you arrive in the parish as pastor? |
September 7, 1998 |
| What is the date of your birth? |
April 4 |
| Where were you born? |
Hannotte (Moron) |
| When were you ordained? |
June 6, 1993 |
| What parish did you work in before coming to your present parish? |
Rector of the Minor Seminary (Jeremie) |
| What is the population of your parish? |
15,000 people |
| What is the estimated number of Catholics? |
13,000 Catholics |
| What is the estimated number of practicing Catholics? |
10,000 practicing Catholics |
| What is the distance from Port-au-Prince and/or the next largest city? |
It is 9 or 10 kilometers from Jeremie. |
| How many chapels are there in the parish? |
We have seven (7) chapels; Chapelle Christ-Roi, Labastille, Chonel, Tibelon, Ranja, Boyer, and Campeche |
| Are they accessible by jeep or car? |
3 are accessible by jeep. |
| How many schools are in the parish? |
4 schools (center) and the 7 chapel schools |
| How many schools are in the presbytere? |
One |
| How many schools are in the chapels? |
Seven |
| What is the salary of the teachers? |
$45 Haitian Dollars = $12 US Dollars per month. The teachers are paid over 8 months. |
| Are you responsible for paying the salaries of the teachers? |
Yes |
| Is there a need to increase the salaries of the teachers? |
Yes, if only we had means. The recommended amount for Catholic Teachers in Haiti is between $200 and $300 Haitian Dollars per month ($53 and $64 US Dollars per month) |
| Is there a need for additional classrooms and schools? |
Yes, we lack space. |
| How many catechists are there in the center? |
10, and others to be trained. |
| How many are in the chapels? |
7 Directors and other teachers. |
| Do you presently pay them a salary? |
Those outside the schools receive nothing. I have no means to pay them at the present time. Volunteers help because we do not have the means. |
| Do you wish to pay them a salary? |
Yes. It would be good to pay them $60 Haitian Dollars per month. |
| Do you need materials for catechists (e.g. songbooks, etc.)? |
Yes. We need bibles, hymnals, rosaries, notebooks, pens, paper and ink. |
| Is there a dispensary in the center of the parish, or in any of the chapels? |
There is a dispensary in the parish but not in the chapels. |
| Who is responsible for the dispensary? |
Sr. Helene Mercier (A Good Shepherd Sister) runs the dispensary. She has 6 employees (4 are paid by the government, 2 are paid by the Good Shepherd Sisters) |
| Are you financially responsible for the dispensary in any way? |
No. |
| Is the dispensary in need of medicine and/or equipment? |
Yes. |
| Is there a congregation of sisters working in your parish? |
Yes.
- The Good Shepherd Sisters (Soeurs du Bon Pasteur) are responsible for school, dispensary, education, health and catechesis;
- The Les Freres Maristes are responsible for the secondary school and catechesis.
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| Please list the needs of your parish in order of importance. |
- BUILDING: Completion of 3 chapel schools and a multi-purpose hall.
- COMMUNITY: Maintenance and improvement of the cistern for portable water.
- EDUCATION: Arrange for the teachers to receive good financial support.
- PARISH: There are many, many needs! Most of them are beyond our means.
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| Please add anything else you can about the life and the needs of your parish. |
These are the other needs of my parish:
- Tuition assistance for our students
- Nutrional needs of the people
- School supplies
- Benches for school and church
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