Father Jean Wilner is delighted with his new all-terrain vehicle, which we were able to provide thanks to the 26,300 Euros given by our generous friends and supporters. Until now he had to visit the various settlements in his parish of St Bernadette Soubirous of La Visite either on foot or by moped, travelling on the appallingly bad roads. «The people are thirsting for the Word of God. Thanks to your help, I can now visit them regularly. The presence of the priest is important for evangelization. Often I am called out, even at night, to visit the sick and dying and administer the Sacrament of the Sick», Father Wilner writes. And he also uses the vehicle as an ambulance, to ferry people to the hospital.
The diocese of Port-de Paix, to which his parish belongs – a very young parish founded only in 2018 – is one of the poorest and remotest in this already desperately poor country. Many people have to walk long distances merely in order to collect drinking water, and diseases such as cholera are rampant.
Nevertheless, his parish, which has around 8700 Catholics, is very active. There are four youth groups and an adult parish group. And there are many opportunities for deepening people‘s faith, all well attended. The number of baptisms, First Holy Communions and Confirmations is happily very high. Now the new vehicle will make it possible for Father Jean to still further intensify this pastoral outreach.
“Please be assured of our gratitude and our fervent prayers”, he writes. And a heartfelt thank you to all of you who have helped!