The Sister Parish team invites your continued financial and spiritual support of our sister parish of St. Genevieve, especially during our 2023 “Christmas in July” program. Starting next weekend July 8 & 9, and throughout July masses, you can visit the Sister Parish Christmas Tree, choose a tag, and learn more from a committee member in-person.
As Fr. Gaby has written to us, our covenant relationship and the funds we raise, enables them to “feed students, teachers, and kitchen staff, pay our teachers, purchase school materials, and make repairs to student chairs, and benches, and provide general maintenance”
We will continue to update you on the dire situation in Haiti and our sister parishioners and Pastor Gaby. This week, for your reflection, we share with you the moving words of Francis Rago, a parishioner who wrote several poems after returning from a visit to St. Genevieve.
Bon swa, good people of St. Genevieve
I extended my hand;
You offered your cheeks for me to kiss,
and warmly did your kind eyes smile.
You prepared your simple food
And presented it with care.
You welcomed me to your council meeting,
hugged me your Sign of Peace at Mass.
You fill your irons every day
with clumps of charcoal made red hot
to send your children off to school
with uniforms always sharply pressed.
Their bright little faces can melt a heart.
They smile and play and eagerly learn.
They are like children everywhere.
Not likely will you own a car.
A toaster doesn’t brown your bread.
But should we measure spiritual wealth,
yours are the souls that are truly rich.
I bask in your shared humanity,
am humbled by your faith.
In hopes and dreams,
you are like people everywhere.
We are the same.
We are one.
Francis Rago
