Since the Caring Fund’s establishment in 2004, parishioners of St. Brendan the Navigator have made a profound difference in the lives of thousands of our needy brothers and sisters who live in Haiti, Brazil, India, El Salvador and Maine.

Currently the fund is on a three-year cycle working with: Window Dressers of Maine to help keep Maine families warm during the winter; our sister parish/community in San Ramon, El Salvador; and new next year will be the support of projects in Cameroon (Fr. Hyacinth’s home country).

In keeping with St. Brendan’s Mission Statement —“we are called to follow in Christ’s footsteps…serving the human and spiritual needs of others…(and) sharing our gifts…” — let us truly celebrate what our parishioners and visitors, through their generosity, have been able to accomplish.

Haiti – After the devastating 2010 earthquake when 220,000 people died and 1.5 million were left homeless in a country where the average daily income was $0.25-$1.00 US/day. St. Brendan’s collected $32,000 and partnered with the Haitian Health Foundation to help with rebuilding lives, jobs and a future. This was a one-time project.

Brazil – Sao Pedro, the sister parish of St. Bernard’s in Baia Formosa. Starting in 1997 with assistance for funding the construction of a new church (which parishioners built) and 10 years later a new Social and Crafts Center where textile and craft skills are taught allowing women to earn a livelihood instead of resorting to prostitution. Currently the community is not in need of our assistance. Sr. Priscille Roy is our contact.

India – In collaboration with the AHM Memorial Trust in the village/region of Dharmathupatti the Caring Fund established a $25,000 micro-loan Seed Capital Fund that helped hundreds of women start small businesses, contribute to family income, gain respect and a voice which also resulted in a decline of spousal abuse and domestic violence. The loan project continues successfully. Also $20,000 was raised for the training of unemployed carpenters, electricians & computer technicians. A third collection helped in the construction of a home for the elderly. Currently the AHM Trust has acquired additional sources for funding and is no longer dependent on St. Brendan’s support for their numerous health, sanitation, education & microloan projects.

El Salvador – El Pueblo de Dios en Camino, in San Ramon is the sister parish/community of OLGH since 1999. In 2011 we sent $10,000 as an endowment for a very successful microcredit lending fund and $5,000 for 2 large water storage tanks. Our last fundraiser focused on sanitation and shelter with funds for latrine builds & lamina sheets for roofing.

Maine – Through the efforts of St. Francis Church a local need was identified and we have had 2 fundraisers for the purchase of inserts from the Window Dressers program to help keep needy Maine families warm during the winter. Home visits are made to measure windows and local workshops set up for volunteers to build the window inserts.

Cameroon – The Caring Fund Committee is currently investigating what projects will fit our requirements. This will be an exciting fundraiser next summer!!

CURRENT PROJECT 2019 – Three projects in El Salvador: additional water storage tanks, job skills classes for unemployed & underemployed adults and support for students (books, transportation, etc.). More to come in June!