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Fr. Seis, D.R. parish mission offer assistance to neighbors in Haiti

Written by Sam Lucero | The Compass

Friday, 05 February 2010 15:33

Local collections for Haiti earthquake victims top $200,000

GREEN BAY — In the wake of the Jan. 12 earthquake that hit Port-au-Prince, Haiti, members of the Green Bay Diocese's sister parishes, located across the Haitian border in the Dominican Republic, have been assisting in the relief effort.

Fr. Mike Seis, pastor of Santa Teresa Parish in Elias Pina and San Isidro Labrador in El Ilano, reported Jan. 29 that his parishes have been working with the Dominican Army and United Nations troops to bring needed items to the Diocese of Hinche in Haiti.

Fr. Mike Seis, third from left, pastor of Santa Teresa Parish in Elias Pena, and San Isidro Labrador in El Ilano, Dominican Republic, is pictured with parish volunteers who helped bring relief supplies from the D.R. to Haiti. (Courtesy of Fr. Mike Seis | For The Compass)

"The mission here in Elias Pina is only 85 miles as the crow flies from Port-au-Prince," Fr. Seis wrote in an e-mail to The Compass. "Our neighboring Diocese of Hinche has over 70,000 refugees in the city. The Dominican and Haitian dioceses along the frontier have a sister relationship, so our help has been concentrated in helping the Diocese of Hinche."

Elias Pina is located in the Diocese of San Juan de la Maguana, the priest explained, adding that Catholic Charities in Haiti and the Dominican Republic are working closely together. "I've made a number of trips across the border with donated items from Catholic Charities from here to Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Hinche."

Fr. Seis said that weary Haitians are beginning to leave the capital of Port-au-Prince for the countryside.

"The next big crisis is going to be the million-plus displaced Haitians returning to their country homes or trying to enter the Dominican Republic," he added.

Local donations top $200,000

In the Green Bay Diocese, Catholics have contributed more than $200,000 to Catholic Relief Services. According to Margie Sumnicht, coordinator of the Catholic Foundation's World Missions Services, $206,255.38 had been collected as of Feb. 1. The amount includes parish collections as well as individual collections sent directly to the foundation for Haitian earthquake relief.

On Feb. 9, 7 p.m., Fr. Larry Canavera, founder of Friends of Haiti, which began in Green Bay, will be guest speaker at St. Philip Church, 312 Victoria St., Green Bay. He will discuss how Friends of Haiti began in 2000 and his experiences in that country. In addition, contemporary and traditional music will be presented by Mary Ehlinger and Mark Silverberg. Donations will go to Friends of Haiti for future medical mission trips and earthquake relief.