Family Rosary International
HAITI
Ministry produces positive impact on family life
Country Demographics/Culture
More than anywhere else perhaps, Haiti is where three worlds have met. The conquest of Amerindian peoples in the Caribbean by European powers was quickly followed by the arrival of hundreds of thousands of Africans, brought in as slaves to work on sugar plantations. Haitian art, music, dance, and visual arts reflect the lasting influence of African patterns.
History of Ministry in Country
In 1998 in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Bishop Yves-Marie Pean, CSC, founded the Communauté Chrétienne Famille-Espoir, an organization based on promoting moral spirituality and family values. After meeting with Father Hugh Cleary, CSC, superior general of the Congregation of Holy Cross, Father Pean was introduced to Father John Phalen, CSC, president of Holy Cross Family Ministries. Since both organizations have a common goal of supporting the spirituality of the family, collaboration was established between CCFE and Family Rosary, with a sharing of their efforts to renew families in their relationship to God with the assistance of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The Haiti office of Family Rosary International was founded in 2001.
Ministry Today
The Director, Bishop Yves-Marie Péan, CSC, a Holy Cross bishop, runs the office, and the ministry’s usual activities include family retreats and meetings for prayer, particularly Rosary prayer. Materials – Rosaries, audio and video products as well as print materials – are distributed to support and encourage families. Radio interviews are conducted regularly to raise awareness of the ministry. Family networks have been established and meetings take place in family homes to create fraternity and ensure solidarity within the community. In Port-au-Prince, about 100 families are involved in the ministry and about 20 families in Cap-Haitien and Pilate.
Bishop Pean’s goal is to build strong families for the regeneration of the Haitian society by promoting moral spiritual and family values, and has developed several programs, including Family retreats and monthly meetings for prayer and reflection on the Bible. Family visits by mission assistants provide additional support and motivation for families to gather for Rosary prayer. In addition, hundreds of Rosaries have been given away.
Participating families praise the work of Bishop Pean, reporting the positive impact it has had on their family life. The regularity of daily prayer within their families has impacted the way they interact as a family. As Servant of God Father Patrick Peyton, CSC, knew so well, sustaining a viable prayer life is as important as securing a temporal life. Prayer is needed for safety, food and shelter, as well as faith, hope and love.
Disaster Relief
Holy Cross Family Ministries helped assist Bishop Pean, now the Ordinary of the Diocese of Gonaive, with funding for the relief of families victimized by the recent flooding. Donations to this effort can be made through our Development office {bcorcoran@hcfm.org}.