Looking for a great date night for St. Valentine’s Day?
Look no further than the third annual Hearts for Haiti gala event, hosted by Milford’s St. Mary Parish, taking place at Notre Dame in West Haven on Saturday, Feb. 11.
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The St. Mary Parish Haiti Committee hosts the Valentine’s-themed evening which includes live music from local favorites, The RumRunners, a 50/50 raffle, and a silent auction with great prizes. The event is BYOB and snacks so you can enjoy exactly what you like. Mixers and coffee are provided.
The Hearts for Haiti event is the committee’s largest annual fundraiser. All proceeds will go to support the sixth medical mission to St. Mary’s “twin” parish of Ste. Therese located in the remote mountains of southeast Haiti. The two parishes have been “twinned” since 2007 and work together to develop mutually enriching relationships of sharing, solidarity and understanding. In addition to prayers for each other, the two churches share bonds that include an annual Medical Mission to Ste. Therese, a supply of “Birthing Kits” to help new mothers in Ste. Therese care for their newborns, support of the parish school and a clean water program for the Haitian parish.
This past summer Saint Mary Parish welcomed two Haitian guests in July. Rev. Phanel Chery, pastor of Ste.Therese Parish in Marbial, Haiti, and Domond “Domo” Bertrand, spent four busy days in Milford. Bertrand is the Haitian head of the Tennessee-based Parish Twinning Program of the Americas (PTPA).
Rev. Chery enjoyed his first visit to Milford since he became pastor of Ste. Therese last year. It was also his first time in the United States. Haiti, on the island of Hispaniola where the Dominican Republic is also found, is 700 miles south of Miami in the Caribbean Sea.
The two visitors arrived on July 21 and, during their stay, greeted parishioners after Masses, met with members of the St. Mary Haiti Committee and attended a reception in their honor at a private home on the Gulf Pond. Rev. Aidan Donahue, pastor, and Rev. Chacko Kumplam as well as members of the Twinning Committee and rectory staff also shared meals and fellowship with the two Haitians.
Hearts for Haiti tickets are a $25 each and attendance has grown every year, so get your tickets early to ensure your seat. Tickets are available for sale after all weekend Masses in Father Cronin Hall or please visit the St. Mary Rectory weekdays from 9 – 7 p.m. at 70 Gulf St., Milford, or call 203-878-3571.
Those who wish to support the St. Mary Twinning Committee’s efforts may give online by visiting www.saintmarychurchmilford.org and clicking on “Online Giving” at the top of every page or by writing a check to St. Mary Parish with “Haiti ” in the memo line and mailing it St. Mary, 70 Gulf St., Milford , CT 06460-4811.