The Work of the Sisters of St. Margaret in Haiti Holy Trinity School "The journey of one thousand miles begins with a single step." Sister Marjorie Raphael snd Sister Marie Margaret. In 1927 the Sisters of St. Margaret went to Haiti at the invitation of the Bishop of Haiti, Bishop Harry Roberts Carson. Shortly after arriving they took over a small school on the grounds of Holy Trinity Cathedral. The Sisters directed the school until the death of Sr. Anne Marie in 1995. During the years Holy Trinity School expanded to include a music school, a philharmonic orchestra, a trade school, and a craft shop. Each of these became large enough to be an institution in its own right. The number of students in the primary school alone is now over 1300. Sr.Marie Therese with students. Holy Trinity School, always a diocesan school, even when the Sisters were running it, is now under the direction of the bishop of Haiti. The Sisters continue to teach in the School and take part in its life. They give religious instruction and prepare the children for Confirmation. They are particularly interested in finding funds so that children who would otherwise not attend any school, may receive an education. Many cannot afford books, uniforms and other fees. Financial assistance is a necessity. Scholarship Students Nelson Rachelle The Holy Trinity Craft/Gift Shop provides some some funds for scholarship aid and some income for the workers. Sister Claire Marie is in charge of an outlet for the Gift Shop at the Convent in Boston and many things can be ordered through her. St. Vincent's School In 1944, Sr. Joan Margaret established Ecole St. Vincent for handicapped children. The Center now includes the School with approximately 327 children. At present 218 are crippled, 78 are blind and 109 are deaf-mute. St. Vincent's also has a physical therapy program, a Brace and Prosthetics clinic and a medical clinic. Sr. Joan administered the continuously expanding school/center for 49 years until her retirement in 1993. This program has also been turned over to the Haitian people and is under the direction of Bishop J. Zachee Duracin, the present Bishop of Haiti. Boy Student St. Vincent's School Girl Student St. Vincent's School Foyer Notre Dame Sr.Marie Margaret with a Resident. a In 1962 Sister Marjorie Raphael established the Foyer Notre Dame, home for indigent elderly people who are alone. These persons have no home, no support, and cannot take care of themselves. There are many of these people in Haiti. Sister Marie Margaret is the director of the home. The Foyer Notre Dame presently houses 9 women and some of the helpers. The new wing with kitchen and dining room is now finished. The old wing badly needs repairs such as the roof and bath.We are hoping for some funds to accomplish these badly needed repairs.The community would very much like to continue to expand this home in order to house more people. Frederique Foyer Notre Dame Merilia Foyer Notre Dame Kenscoff In 1961 a property was given to the Sisters as a holiday and retreat house in cool, mountainous Kenscoff, 4,500 feet above tropical and very noisy Port-au-Prince. We hope to be able to develop this place for the use of volunteers, as well as a place of quiet and renewal for the Haitian people, young and old, Religious and lay, seeking to deepen their Christian life. Lack of funds for major structural repairs is the one thing preventing the fulfillment of this dream, a dream shared by Sister Joan and Sister Anne Marie in their time and held dear to this day by the Sisters currently living in Haiti. The Sisters would like to make this a Memorial to all of the Sisters who have lived and worked in Haiti. The Community St. Margaret's Convent in Port au Prince. The convent in Haiti is a mission house of the convent in Boston and the Sisters belong to the American Convent of the Society of St. Margaret. Four Haitian professed Religious form the nucleus of the convent with other Sisters joining in from time to time.This year one of the Haitian Sisters is studying in Boston and a Sister from the USA is in Port-au-Prince.We also serve on the board of some of the diocesan institutions and are members of some of the diocesan committees. We are involved with the ecumenical movement such as the World Day of Prayer. We have been ministering in Haiti for 75 years.Each house of the Society of St. Margaret is financially independent of the Convent in Boston and maintains its own works. A Visiting Superior Shares News from the Convent. The Sisters direct a Church Linens Project. They buy pure imported linen from Belgium. Hand-embroidered and hand-hemmed purificators, corporals, and larger linens are shipped to parishes in the USA and Canada. This is a source of income for themselves and for the women who help them. A brochure with designs and prices is available upon request. We use a missionary flight for this and any other mail. TO GET IN TOUCH WITH US IN HAITI write to: St. Margaret's Convent, PauP c/o Agape Flights, Inc. 100 Airport Avenue Venice FL 34285-3901 From the Holy Trinity Gift Shop.