On This Date in Nativity History
July 2014
In July 2014, work began in Haiti to build a new village, to be called Good Shepherd Village, honoring Father Richard Martin’s favorite image of Christ: as the Good Shepherd who cares for His flock. One of the ways Nativity parishioners honored the memory of Father Martin was through increased giving to build an entire village in Haiti, this one in Dalon, Grand Boulage. Even though the parish had donated more than $380,000 for Operation Starfish the previous Lenten season, after Father Martin’s death, additional giving brought in more than $100,000 in his memory. By the one-year anniversary of his death, 40 of the planned 120 homes had been completed; and on the anniversary weekend alone, parishioners donated another $124,000 to continue the project. The village was completed in 2016, with 120 homes, a new primary school serving 900 children, and community social development programs. The project also included a 150-stall regional market, community center, drinking water distribution system, pre-school program, health clinic and agricultural assistance program.
Fr. Bob Cilinski traveled to Haiti for the inauguration of the village. “I’ve seen firsthand the work of Food For The Poor . . . and I know that they’re going to take the money we contribute to them and really put it into action,” said Fr. Bob. “It was truly overwhelming the welcome we received from the people for their new village in honor of Fr. Martin. He fell in love with the people of Haiti.”
The photo shows two of the new homes built in Good Shepherd Village.
