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2026 - Haitian Proverbs Series

Thanks, Gratitude & Haitian Proverbs

On behalf of the Haiti Ministry and all who enjoyed a tasty treat during the bake sale, "thank you" and "mesi anpil" to everyone who supported this successful event!

The October bake sale brought in just under $1,500 that will directly serve the needs of our brothers and sisters in Haiti. Special thanks to Anita, Lianna, Kristin, Jan, Sara, Patti, Ellen, Pam, Carleen, Jessica, Claire, Patricia, Vada, Isaiah, Noah, Janie and all CCS Bakers.

Our ministry team is gratefully reflecting on the Haitian proverb, "When your garden is far away, you're not wasteful with your food" because these bake sale funds will help families in Haiti access nourishment and care more easily.

We also wish to thank you - each of you - for engaging the mission of our Haiti Ministry by reading these flock note updates and visiting our website. This summer we began messaging you more often. We hope you've seen us! We also re-launched a new webpage to make sure the congregation knows what we're up to, how to get involved, and how to see the results of your generosity.

What’s next?

• Incarnation's Haiti Ministry began in the 1990s. That's more than thirty years of impact! We look forward to sharing pictures, stories, and insights from ministry members of today and from our ministry archives online soon.

• Advent Coffee Sale the first weekend of December.

• Save our webpage on your phone or web browser to stay informed.

All are invited to engage in this work. We are incredibly thankful for you!

Sweet Treats! Visit the Haiti Bake Sale October 17-18 🥐 Every delicious treat you purchase directly benefits the Incarnation Haiti Ministry mission. You can turn a simple Sunday treat into life-changing support for our brothers and sisters in Haiti.

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Haitian Proverbs & The Joy of Doing Good 🍂

As the October leaves turn, we are reminded of the beautiful seasons of learning and transformation in our lives. The Haitian proverb, “When you do good, time passes quickly,” captures the truth that living a life of generosity and service brings a joyful fulfillment that transcends our daily routines.

When we open our hearts to help others, our own lives are enriched with purpose. This month, experience fulfillment and joy by offering your baking talents to our upcoming Haiti Ministry Bake Sale! All proceeds from the sale will directly support the Incarnation Haiti Ministry mission, fueling vital educational programs, community growth and medical care. Sign up to bake:

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E0E4BACAC29A4FD0-65086230-sign#/

Whether your specialty is baking cookies, pies, cupcakes or bread, your time in the kitchen will provide sweet treats for us after Mass, as well as feed hope to our neighbors in Haiti.

To learn more or sign up, please visit our new Haiti Ministry webpage. There, you’ll find the Baker Sign-Up link to volunteer for our October 17–18 bake sale after all masses, and more about our ministry and members!

Faith & Wisdom in Haitian Proverbs

Every gift matters. The Haitian proverb, “little pots get the big pot filled,” reminds us that big impacts are made up of small, faithful actions.

In the first part of this year, Incarnation donations funded for our brothers and sisters in Haiti: classroom and cleaning supplies, camp for 1,200 students, vital training for 30 teachers, direct medical care, essential equipment and facility repair, new laboratory supplies and community-wide school and agricultural improvements.

When we each contribute what we can, our collective effort overflows to make a life-changing difference that your continued support can carry forward.

Today, please consider supporting the mission of Incarnation’s Haiti Ministry. Every donation, no matter the size, helps fill the pot of hope, education, and medical care.

We invite you to visit our new ministry webpage to make a donation and find other ways to get involved: https://www.incarnationparish.org/haiti-ministry

For your generosity and continuous prayers, thank you!

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Faith & Wisdom in Haitian Proverbs

The rush of a new season brings full schedules, heavy demands, and unexpected storms. The Haitian proverb, “The house that leaks can fool the sun, but it can’t fool the rain,” has a lighthearted way of reminding us that the rainy days of life reveal our true need for shelter, rest, and community.

In this sometimes daunting season, do not try to weather the rain alone or hide the leaks. Be gentle with yourself and those around you. Remember that our faith community is here to offer shelter and support on the brightest of days, but especially on the days when your roof is heavy.

If you are able to help provide shelter, care, and hope for others through our global community, please consider a gift to the Incarnation Haiti Ministry's mission. Together, we can help mend the leaks and bring safety to those facing life's heaviest storms. To share your blessings, please visit our new Haiti Ministry webpage: https://www.incarnationparish.org/haiti-ministry

2026 - Language of the Heart Series

July: Love in Action

Theological Theme: The Theology of Encounter.

Pope Francis often spoke of the "Culture of Encounter"—the call to go beyond simple charity and truly see the person in front of us. Pope Leo teaches that contact with the needy is a “revelation” rather than just an ethical obligation. That faith is rooted in a personal, transforming relationship with Christ, which naturally overflows into concrete solidarity with the marginalized.

To "Renmen vwazen w" (Love your neighbor) requires us to step out of our comfort zone. Our "Priyè" (prayer) is not just a silent act, but a bridge. When we welcome someone "ak lanmou" (with love), we are encountering the face of Christ in the poor.

Love: Lanmou (Lahn-moo)

Love your neighbor: Renmen vwazen w. (Rehn-mehn vwah-zehn-w)

We welcome you with love: Nou akeyi w ak lanmou. (Noo ah-kay-ee-w ahk lahn-moo)

Daily prayer: Priyè chak jou. (Pree-yehr shahk joo)

Reflect: Charity without encounter is just a transaction. This month, let your "Priyè chak jou" be for the grace to see every neighbor not as a recipient of help, but as a beloved child of God.

We hope you’ve found meaning in this encounter with Incarnation’s Haiti Ministry, bringing you closer to the Haitian community our parish serves through Creole words and phrases. If you wish to contribute to the Haiti ministry, please donate by envelope or online. If you wish to learn more, contact a Haiti ministry member or look for our new webpage on the Incarnation website later this summer.

For ongoing reflection, we invite you to print and carry this card to reflect on over time.

COTI Haiti Ministry Encounter Card

HAITIAN CREOLE QUICK GUIDE PRONUNCIATION

Renmen vwazen w (Love your neighbor) Rehn-mehn vwah-zehn-w

Nou akeyi w ak lanmou (We welcome you with love) Noo ah-kay-ee-w ahk lahn-moo

Bondye beni w (God bless you) Bohn-dye beh-nee-w

Mwen apresye w (I appreciate you) Mway ah-press-yay-w

Priyè (Prayer) Pree-yehr

Quick Tips: OU = "oo" (food) | AN = "ahn" (swan) | È = "eh" (bed)

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June: A Nation of Many Voices

Theological Theme: Subsidiarity and the Common Good.

As we approach the 250th anniversary of our nation, we reflect on the Catholic Social Teaching of the "Common Good"— the idea that society should be organized so that every person can reach their full potential. We are "Yon nasyon, anba Bondye" (One nation, under God). Like our Catholic brothers and sisters in Haiti, our faith teaches us that while we are citizens of a country, our primary citizenship is in the Kingdom of God, where no one is a stranger. When we share language, we share understanding:

Two-hundred and fifty: De san senkant (Day sahn sehn-kahnt)

America is 250 years old: Amerik la gen de san senkant an. (Ah-meh-reek lah gehn day sahn sehn-kahnt ahn)

One nation, under God: Yon nasyon, anba Bondye. (Yohn nah-syohn, ahn-bah Bohn-dye)

Reflect: St. Paul reminds us that there is "neither Greek nor Jew." When we use "De san senkant" to mark this milestone, we acknowledge that God's power transcends borders and invites every "nasyon" into His peace.

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May: The Language of the Heart

Theological Theme: Mary as the Model of the Domestic Church

As we celebrate the month of Mary, we honor her "Fiat" - her "Yes" to God that brought Love into the world. In the Catholic tradition, the family is the "Domestic Church," and the mother is often its beating heart. Many of the families we serve through Incarnation's Haiti Ministry are led by resilient mothers who, like Mary, sacrifice everything for their children.

By learning their language, we honor the dignity of their motherhood.

Mother: Manman (MAHN-mahn)

I appreciate my mother: Mwen apresye manman m. (Mway ah-press-yay MAHN-mahn)

Mary, blessed mother: Mari, Manman Beni. (Mah-ree, MAHN-mahn Beh-nee)

Reflect: In the Magnificat, Mary speaks of God lifting up the lowly. When we speak to a "Manman" in her own tongue, we participate in that lifting up, recognizing her as a sister in Christ.

Creole Translations by: Ansno Moise of Anse-à-Galets, Haiti.