Matching Gift Campaign: Every dollar raised, up to $40,000 will be matched by Catholic World Mission, doubling your impact for the people of Haiti

Overview

Each Sunday in Bassin-Zim, a remote village nestled in the mountains of Haiti, hundreds of faithful Catholics make the long journey to encounter Christ in the celebration of the Holy Mass. They gather in a humble church with aging walls and a rusting tin roof, a sanctuary that has faithfully served the community for many years but can no longer adequately accommodate or protect the growing parish. Despite these conditions, the faith of the people remains unwavering. Their love for Christ, devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary, and commitment to the Catholic Church continue to inspire all who witness their perseverance.

More than twenty years ago, the parishioners of St. Brendan the Navigator Catholic Church embraced the people of Bassin-Zim as an extension of their own parish family. What began as a mission of charity has grown into a lasting partnership rooted in faith, solidarity, and shared purpose. Through the extraordinary generosity of St. Brendan's parishioners and supporters, a Catholic school has been built, children have received a Catholic education, families have gained access to economic opportunities, and countless lives have been transformed through agricultural development, nutrition programs, and ongoing pastoral ministry. These investments have not simply met immediate needs; they have laid the foundation for a thriving Catholic community whose faith continues to flourish despite immense economic challenges.

Today, Catholic World Mission is honored to stand alongside St. Brendan’s HaitiReach ministry in carrying this mission forward. Together, we are working to complete a new sanctuary for Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church while sustaining the educational and economic development programs that have become the cornerstone of community life in Bassin-Zim. The new church will provide a worthy home for the Eucharist, strengthen parish life, and ensure that future generations have a sacred place to worship, celebrate the sacraments, and grow in their faith.

Sustaining Our Current Ministry

• Fund the current School - The Catholic school at Our Lady of Fatima is one of the most important ministries serving the children and families of Bassin-Zim. In a community where educational opportunities are limited and economic hardship often prevents children from attending school, the school provides not only a quality Catholic education but also a safe, nurturing environment where students are formed academically, spiritually, and morally. Funding will ensure that qualified teachers receive fair salaries, classrooms remain equipped with essential learning materials and supplies, and students continue to receive nutritious daily meals that enable them to learn and thrive. By investing in the ongoing operation of the school, donors are helping to break the cycle of poverty, strengthen the local Church, and raise a generation of young people rooted in faith, knowledge, and hope for the future.

• Support economic transformation - Supporting economic transformation through agricultural and goat breeding programs provides families in Bassin-Zim with sustainable opportunities to lift themselves out of poverty while remaining rooted in their community. Rather than offering temporary assistance, these programs equip participants with the training, resources, and livestock needed to generate reliable income, improve household nutrition, and build long-term financial stability. Agricultural initiatives increase food production and strengthen local food security, while goat breeding creates a renewable source of income through the sale of offspring, milk, and other products. Together, these programs empower families to become self-sufficient, reduce dependence on outside aid, and create a stronger economic foundation that enables parents to better provide for their children, invest in education, and contribute to the flourishing of the parish and the broader community.

Next Phase: Completion of Our Lady of Fatima Church

• A Worthy Home for the Eucharist - The construction of a new sanctuary will provide the faithful of Our Lady of Fatima with a sacred and dignified place in which to celebrate the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass and receive the sacraments. The existing church has deteriorated to the point that it no longer adequately serves the growing parish community or reflects the reverence due to the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist. A new sanctuary will create a permanent spiritual home where generations of Catholics can gather to worship, celebrate baptisms, marriages, and funerals, and deepen their relationship with Christ through prayer and the sacramental life. This investment will strengthen the Church's presence in Bassin-Zim for decades to come.

• A Center for Faith and Community - In rural Haiti, the parish church serves as far more than a place of worship. It is the heart of community life, where families come together in times of joy and hardship, children receive catechesis, youth participate in faith formation programs, and parish organizations carry out works of charity and evangelization. A new sanctuary will provide a safe and welcoming gathering place that reinforces the unity of the parish while supporting the Church's broader mission of forming disciples and serving those most in need. As the community continues to grow, the new church will become a lasting symbol of hope, stability, and the enduring presence of the Catholic faith.

• A Legacy of Hope - Completing the new Our Lady of Fatima Church is an investment that will continue bearing fruit long after construction is finished. While educational and economic development programs transform lives from one generation to the next, the church provides the spiritual foundation that sustains every aspect of community life. It will stand as a visible witness to God's faithfulness and to the generosity of donors who chose to invest in both the material and spiritual well-being of the people of Bassin-Zim. For countless future generations, this sanctuary will be the place where children encounter Christ, families are strengthened through the sacraments, vocations are nurtured, and the Gospel continues to be proclaimed.

An Opportunity to Make a Real Difference

• Bring Hope - Something as simple as providing running water to school children brings us all closer to God. Every mission project is a tangible expression of Christ's love, meeting physical needs while strengthening the dignity of every person. These initiatives build lasting bridges across language and cultural barriers, uniting parish communities through a shared commitment to living the Gospel and bearing witness to the profound beauty of our Catholic faith.

• Evangelize- As compassionate and faithful stewards of God's Kingdom, we are called to proclaim the Good News to all nations. Through HaitiReach, this mission extends far beyond constructing buildings by strengthening parish life, expanding opportunities for worship, deepening catechesis, and providing Catholic education that forms young disciples. Together, we are helping the Church in Bassin-Zim grow in faith while inspiring renewed missionary zeal within our own parish community.

• Transform Lives - When you partner with HaitiReach, you help transform lives in Haiti while enriching the spiritual lives of the faithful at home. Families in Bassin-Zim gain access to education, economic opportunity, and a vibrant parish community, while supporters experience the joy of living their faith through service and solidarity. This partnership reminds us that the Body of Christ knows no borders, drawing both communities closer to one another and closer to God through a shared mission of hope, charity, and evangelization.

• Maximize Your Impact - To encourage broad participation in this effort, Catholic World Mission has committed to matching every dollar donated, dollar-for-dollar, up to the first $40,000 raised for this campaign. Every contribution made during the matching period will immediately double in impact, allowing donors to provide twice the support for the construction of the new church and the continuation of these life-changing ministries. This matching gift presents a unique opportunity for every donor to maximize the reach of their generosity while helping secure a stronger future for the people of Bassin-Zim.

"O God, bless the people of our sister parish, Our Lady of Fatima in Haiti, with courage to stand in love, walk in friendship and share struggles, until the world is transformed into a land according to your vision of peace and justice.

Watch over us and give us hearts that are bold and loving.

Amen."

- St. Brendan the Navigator Catholic Church