Father Stanley

“Our parish is deprived of everything. Especially after Hurricane Matthew who left us with empty hands. I share what I have with the people. When I have no more things to share, I talk with them, pray with them, sing with them, and am present in their lives.”

Ste Anne's Church, Basse Voldrogue, Haiti

Father Stanley was not what I was expecting. The joyful man who bounded out to greet us at the dispensary / rectory / community center / parish office / food distribution center was so…. young. He made us hand printed welcome signs and offered us coca cola. Shouldn’t he be an associate pastor or a youth minister? How could he have responsibility for one of the poorest parishes in the Jeremie, Haiti, diocese where sadly the 130-year-old church AND the rectory were ruined by Hurricane Matthew in October, 2016?

The main occupation of his parishioners? Charcoal making and subsistence farming

Do you get support from the diocese? Sometimes

Do you get support from the government? Ha ha ha!

“I trust God, God will provide.”

Fr. Stanley's well tended garden

And God provides…through Fr. Stanley,

·      Education for over 200 kids ages 3-8^th grade.

·      A thriving garden and chicken coop

·      Food for the community

·      Medical dispensary

·      Daily mass wherever they can find space (in classrooms or on the narrow school porch)

·      Visits when possible at 2 outreach chapels. One is only accessible by foot. It’s a 5-hour round trip for Father Stanley. The other is accessible by moto – not car

·      Saturday afternoon choir rehearsals and community gathering time complete with candy for the kids (I really want to visit sometime on a Saturday!)

·      A place for the community to gather and watch futbol – via Fr. Stanley’s technological expertise with antennas and Natcom internet stick

We brought gifts – vestments and a Holy Water sprinkler. Baby blankets and rosaries. We promised to share his story, do what we can, pray.

My sister Ann and I told Fr. Stanley that his name was special to us because he shares the same name as our dad, Stanley Leger. Smiles, connections, relationship building and finding ways that we can walk together in service to our amazing God….

Bless you, Father Stanley Fleuriot!

Peace,

Joyce Getchell