Haiti Twinning Page

Our parish has been linked with St. Anne’s in Maissade, Haiti for 26 years. Even though we recognize that the Church of Haiti is rich in many gifts we know that they are economically poor. We understand that the differences between Haiti and Virginia can provide opportunities for growth for each partner. In that light we have visited our twin and welcome it’s pastor, Father Levéque Bien-Aime, to our parish, every two years. We also support our twin in times of crisis as well as with on-going projects.


The Haiti Twinning Committee said a sad good bye to a longtime friend recently. Pere Leveque, Pastor of our twin at St. Anne’s Parish in Haiti has been reassigned to Mirebalais, a city about one hour from Port-Au-Prince. Father Leveque tells us that our friendship has been a precious treasure that he is happy to carry in his heart to his new parish. He will be sadly missed but we thank him in return for all the wonderful lessons he has taught us.

The Haiti Twinning Committee says hello to a new partner in the journey. Father Robert Michel has been selected to take over the parish of St. Anne. We are happy to say that we already have a working relationship with Father Robert through e-mails. We look forward to having him visit St. Nick’s once he is settled.

The Haiti Twinning committee continues to search for its Haitian Farmer Statue that disappeared from the commons. If you have any information please contact the church office. Perhaps he is lurking in some corner or closet of the building.



Zakari Mayo has donated over $400.00 to the Haiti School Building Fund through his Cans for St. Anne’s Project. WAY TO GO ZAKARI!!!! Keep those cans coming.

July 2011 We celebrated the Feast of St. Anne’s with decorated tables in the Commons … displaying handmade items and artwork from Haiti. Prayers for our sister parish were included in the Prayers of the Faithful and Father Jun included Haiti in his homily. Thanks to the generous support of our parish it was a huge success. Diane Karpie was the proud winner of A Haitian Statue signed and dated by a Haitian Artist. She won the prize following a raffle.




September 2011 Haiti Committee Members participated in Stewardship Weekend. Manning a display table to let parishioners know what the committee is all about and how to get involved. They welcomed newcomer Donna Lang to their group.



Eastern Regional Haiti Gathering November 2011: Twinning Members attended this yearly event held at Scared Heart in Norfolk. The day’s Focus was “Twinning is about Relationship”. The environmentally friendly gathering united local parishes in their quest to partner in solidarity with parishes in Haiti. Each committee was given the opportunity to share what they have been doing to help their twin and have better relationships. It was a very informative and worthwhile event.




Christmas Boards November 2011: Committee members decorated a Christmas Board to be displayed in the social hall during the holidays. Parishioners are asked to take an envelope and donate funds to the Haitian Education Fund which provides scholarships for students and seminarians in Maissade, Haiti.



Welcome to the Village of Maissade



Father Levéqué with Villagers



Eastern Regional Haiti Gathering: October 2010
Twinning Members attended this yearly event held at St. Gregory’s where they had the opportunity to share experiences with other Haiti Twinning Parishes in the diocese. The day’s focus was “A New Spirit For A New Haiti.” Father Levéqué was in town at the time and was able to attend the event as well.

Members of Twinning Committee



Father Levéqué & Nanci Mayo



Thanks to all the wonderful members of our committee and parish who hosted Father during his stay, provided meals, transportation and goods. Father was able to speak to students at 3 different city schools.

Lynnhaven Middle School Presentation



Anniversary of Earthquake: January 2011
The 12th marked the one-year anniversary of the powerful earthquake that devastated Haiti and caused widespread death and destruction. The hurricanes, floods and cholera outbreak that followed caused the rise from the rubble to be painfully slow. Please click on the link below to see a copy of the money that was raised to help our twin parish and Father Levéque’s note of thanks.
Click here to see report

Two Members of the Twinning Committee, Sylvia Notel and Nicole Karlins, were in Haiti during the time of the Earthquake. Their visit included attending the ordination of two of St. Anne’s Seminarians., Dieunot Pierre and Asmith Servil. The Notels have sponsored Asmith throughout his entire journey to becoming a priest.

Photo of Ordination



Fun was had by all at January Social. Haiti Twinning Committee Chairs gathered to get to know each other and share ideas and the latest news to be passed on to their parishes.

January Social



Haiti Solidarity Week: February 2011
This wonderful event gives us the opportunity to pray in solidarity with our brothers and sisters in Haiti, display some beautiful pieces of Haitian Art and hold a second collection. This year generous parish support raised close to $8,000.00.

Shipping Container: February 2011
Haiti committee Members boxed up 10 packages to be shipped to our twin, via a Sea Container Service. Items included a violin, sporting equipment from Lynn Haven Middle School, rosaries for the sacrament of 1st Eucharist, toiletry items and clothing.

Annual Haiti Gathering: March 26 2011
Haiti Committee Members travelled to Richmond to attend the day -long event titled: Rebuilding Hope with Relationships and Resiliency. This year’s keynote speaker was Daniel Tillias a Haitian Peacemaker, Activist and Humanitarian.

ON-GOING PROJECTS
Sustainable Farm Project: St. Nicholas donated land, which is now being used for a sustainable Farm Project in conjunction with Virginia Tech and USAID. The land helped to obtain a $5,000.00 matching grant from the Battaglia Fund.

New School Project: Father Levéque’s passion is education. His dream is to one day have a new school to house his very ambitious students. The Haiti Twinning Committee currently supports two fundraisers to make this dream a reality.

1)Current School


2)Land for New School



Syncalir’s Outdoor Café children’s book: 100% of the profits from the sale of this book is put toward this project. The Christian based story, (written, illustrated, edited and printed by parishioners) helps a young family get back on track and thank God for all the blessings they have. This interactive 48 page colored book can be purchased by contacting Nanci Mayo at peacefulrosepublishing@gmail.com.

1) Synclair’s Outdoor Café


Book Front Cover

Cans for St. Anne’s is a recycling project started by 11 year-old parishioner Zakari Mayo. He collects empty aluminum and tin cans as well as old copper piping, turns them in at the recycling center for cash and gives the money to the school project. Please place your empty aluminum cans and foil in 1 clear plastic bag and your tin veggie and tuna cans in a separate clear plastic bag and drop them off at the church and place the bags in the social hall for pick up. Copper piping is netting a great price now so if you are doing any home improvement projects please drop off the copper as well. Contact Zakari Mayo at 431-1099 if pick up is necessary.