When a group of religious men in St. Lucia learnt of the devastation caused by the passing of Tropical Storm Erika, they knew they had to do something to assist those affected.
On Tuesday morning a small boat with relief supplies, such as water, rice, sugar and other food items, arrived at the port in Roseau, all donated by parishioners of Our Lady of Assumption Parish in Vieux Fort, St. Lucia.
The mission was organized by Fr. Kevin Murray, Fr. Calvin Auguiste from St. Joseph but doing ministry in St. Lucia and Bro. Neville St. Hillaire from Grand Bay and also doing ministry in St. Lucia. They all belong to a Catholic religious order called the Redemptorists.
Murray told DNO that after Erika struck Dominica they thought of doing something for those who were affected and to show solidarity in their time of need.
“So we asked our parishioners to bring contributions,” he said. “We had a prayer service on Friday, a week ago and consciousness was raised of needs. We prayed for everyone…”
He said parishioners were asked to bring in supplies and they responded “in abundance.”
“Everything that you see here has been contributed by parishioners,” Murray noted.
Monetary contributions were also brought in.
As the supplies piled up over a week and a half, the question came up of how to bring them to Dominica.
“There is a friend who has a boat in Vieux Fort and he offered for us to use the boat for free,” Murray explained. “He hooked us up with the captain who offered to help because it was charity and the only thing that is needed was fuel.”
Murray stated that he then approached the Provincial of the Redemptorists, Fr. Paul Borowski based in New York, for assistance and money was wired for the fuel.
He noted that the parishioners were very happy to reach out to those affected by the storm.
“They were really willing to help,” he said.
The supplies were received in Dominica by Frs. Vanty Auguiste and Brancker John and will distributed to those in need in St. Joseph and Grand Bay.
Dominica is blessed indeed. Thanks all for your support, love, and concern. God multiply you all.
I feel the love of our neighbours. God bless them. Thank you.