Serving The Poor Since 1998
Nativity Catholic Church’s Operation Starfish® and its subsidiary ministries, Fish4Hope and Stella Marina, provide opportunities for encountering the poor of Haiti, Jamaica and Honduras. Through community development, small business and safe childbirth projects, we make a difference one person at a time.
Our Story
Operation Starfish® began in 1998 when Father Dick Martin invited parishioners to save just 50 cents a day—making small sacrifices to create meaningful change in the lives of the poor in Haiti.
Learn MoreMission Trip
Thank you for keeping our Operation Starfish missionaries in your prayers as they traveled and missioned in Honduras July 12-18, 2026. Read about our 2026 mission trip:
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- Day 1 | Sunday, July 12
- Day 2 | Monday, July 13
- Day 3 | Tuesday, July 14
- Day 4 | Wednesday, July 15
- Day 5 | Thursday, July 16
- Day 6 | Friday, July 17
- Day 7 | Saturday, July 18
- Till We Meet Again, Honduras
Growth and Expansion
JAMAICA – Operation Starfish has expanded its reach to Jamaica, where our Nativity mission teams have built homes and visited orphanages and senior care facilities. Operation Starfish has also partnered with Food For The Poor and the University of the West Indies to provide full medical school scholarships to promising future physicians. To date, three students have earned their M.D., and our fourth scholar, Keonie White, is set to graduate in 2025.
HAITI – Father Martin often said that when you look into the eyes of the Haitian people, you see the face of Jesus. Those who have traveled and served in Haiti have witnessed this truth firsthand, along with one constant that remains despite countless struggles and challenges: Hope. Today, work is underway on the 15th village development project—Nativity Village at Bois Lourou—and construction has begun on a standby power system for New Hope Hospital in Cap-Haïtien. Check the Haiti map to see our projects.
HONDURAS – In 2023, Operation Starfish built the first medical clinic in El Colirio. Nativity mission teams traveled in 2024, 2025, and 2026 to support the development of a second clinic in Monte Verde, additional clinics in Guaimaca and San Juan, and other project.
Impact
16 “Nativity Villages” with more than 1,500 homes, providing essential needs such as shelter, sanitation, clean drinking water, schools, clinics, businesses, and jobs.
Full medical school scholarships for students in Jamaica.
Four health clinics in Honduras
Today, Msgr. Bob Cilinski continues Fr. Martin’s legacy by leading the Lenten sacrifice and supporting Nativity mission trips, allowing parishioners to witness firsthand the difference their generosity makes.
Since 1998:
$9.8 million in cash.
$3 million in goods.
Projects in Haiti, Dominican Republic, Jamaica and Honduras.
How to Donate
Thank you for considering making a Donation to Operation Starfish®
Online Giving | Visit the Nativity online giving platform and donate to the ‘Starfish’ fund. You can create an account or donate as ‘guest’.
Check | Make check payable to “Operation Starfish” and use the memo line or include a note if you have a special intention for your gift. Please send your check to:
Church of the Nativity
6400 Nativity Lane
Burke, VA 22015
Attention: Operation Starfish
Nativity Awarded the Cornerstone Award
In January 2026, Food For The Poor (FFTP) presented its prestigious Cornerstone Award to Nativity Catholic Church, honoring nearly three decades of extraordinary partnership through the parish’s Operation Starfish® ministry.
Contact
If you have any questions, please contact
Jim McDaniel
Coordinator, Operation Starfish
operationstarfish@nativityburke.org
