A group of Dominicans in New York, is using the occasion of the country’s 34th anniversary of indepedence to help raise funds for the construction of the Portsmouth Catholic Church.
The New York Portsmouth Roman Catholic Church Rebuilding Initiative (NYPRCCRI) will, on October 13, host a Creole Dinner and Dance in the Bronx which they say, will also be used as an opportunity to celebrate the island’s independence.
Organizers say since its inception in 2008, the NYPRCCRI has held a number of fundraising events in New York to assist with the construction of the Catholic Church in Portsmouth which was damaged by an earthquake in November, 2004.
In 2011 the Organization held its first Independence Dinner and Dance to commemorate Dominica’s Independence and has decided to make it an annual event.
The organization is appealing to all Dominicans living in the New York area to attend the event and experience a piece of Dominica away from home. “There are several Dominicans who are unable to go home every year to celebrate the Independence season, and as such, they will get a taste of it here in New York. We will have cultural performances, Dominican Dishes, Dominican music, and a night filled with socializing and good time,” organizers said in a release.
NYPRCCRI said recently, parish priest, Father Herman Shaplis, visited New York and met with the group to give an update on construction at the church and was pleased with the outcome.
“We had a very informative meeting, and committed to working even harder to see this project through to completion,” the group said. “We regard the Catholic Church not only as a place of worship, but as a National Monument for the town of Portsmouth. It has served as a great shelter to many of us and other citizens, during natural disasters such as hurricanes. It is considered a land mark by many and we are very proud to be a part of it.”
Fr. Sharplis told DNO that the group was formed following a meeting which he had in 2008 with Dr. Montgomery Douglas, a Dominican living in New York. He says since then they’ve been working in various ways to contribute to the development of the Portsmouth community with assistance from groups like the Knights of Columbus, a catholic organization based in Long Island.
The NYPRCCRI event will be held at 3985 Bronxwood Avenue, Bronx, NY 10469 from 8pm – 2am.
Some thing missing, good cause, I have suported it in the past but no mention was made as to how much money has been raised and how much has been alocated to the rebuilding of the Church. Dominicans do not read any negative thing, but accountability is necessary it shows that openness and trust, just throw a figure at us, after all we are all in this together. And I spend hundreds of my dollars but I need some up date re the fund raising efforts, which by the way i intend to attend. No name no warrant???????”SMFH”
I endorse what you stated. It is fair that more than one person should be responsible. Those on the committee should prepare a statement, have a meeting and divulge the amount which was raised. It is helpful to know. You could suggest it.
I, personally, do not want to give to a cause or participate in it and I do not know where the funds went. Too often this occurs. Accountability is absolutely necessary.
It would be a wise idea to have everyone who participated in the fundraising write their names in a book when they enter the all so that in future they could be contacted and also for meetings. These organizations need people of integrity. Otherwise no one will be interested to attend. In the end they will fail. United we stand, divided we fall.
WOW has the construction of that church building started already? The church have enough real estate in Portsmouth they can sell to help build the church. A simple building like that built by the Methodists in Zicack could be built to keep down the cost of construction. I understand the architectural design is very elaborate. If this is so then the Parish Priest and his church reconstruction committee should reconsider. The only help I can give now is to encourage the VATICAN to authorise the sale of some church lands to help raise funds for the construction of the Roman Catholic Church building…
Since 2004 this catholic church has been down, you mean to tell me all that collection, all those building funds, all the fund raising initiatives in nyc and dca and not a steel that going up. Man! something wrong!
So you mean to tell me soh long dat church was demolished Vatican City doh get d news yet???
I thought dey say mista dem own Bank of America,,,
Wishing you every success. Didn’t realise that the church was not yet rebuilt.
Who are you going to put on those jets? Rocks? We can barely full the eagle. All the other islands are operating their international airport at a loss……about the dinner I have been going every year but will not go this year. They talk too much. Way too much talking and not enough dancing. Not me again.
@ NYC
Look at it this way. It is for a good cause, for the P.C.C. You should know that when islanders get together, they have not seen for months, some for years, it is like a get together. They renew acquaintances and old talk. They have much to say to each other. This should not bother you. Consider too that some of them may already be in their middle age or older.
I reside in Toronto and the same thing, usually, occurs. I have been to New York for functions. At any of the functions, it does not bother me that they talk more than they dance. After a long, busy day people are just happy to relax, also sit, chat and socialize. The idea is to raise funds for the Church. For the love of God, of your Church, why not go and do not let the talking bother you. Just socialize; have fun. Who knows? This time you may have a better time.
I’ve spoken to many individuals about purchasing tickets for this function and the response is that”the catholic church have money, let them rebuild it”. I would like to let everyone know that this group is focused on not only building the church, but building our community.This church has been a staple in our community. It has held many event from out first communion, confirmation and many of us our weddings.One of the main use of this church was as a Hurricane shelter during hurricane season. I understand how everyone feels about the Catholic church having money, but we need to be our brothers keeper. Lets rebuild our church that that we have created great memories in. Just sit back and reminisce on the days that you would pull up under bellfree during mass and take a kicks, the days when you would come to Choir Practice and Mr Peter & Miss Paul (Moy) was there with an open arms willing to help in what every way he can. I remember those day. So please come out and support the cause.
I am a dominican who can go home and i am going home.i go. home twice a year evry year. Sometimes we just blame everything on tickets. I bought my ticket for 600 dollars round trip. That is not expensive. Some people wait last minute to buy tickets then they use the price as an excuse. If u can’t afford it or u can’t go is fine but to always use ticket as an excuse is annoying. And what does international airport has to do with u not going home? Cause ticket can be expensive during peak season with or without international airport. Buy ur ticket early next year. Say around march april. That was when i bought mine and it was cheap until july august. Is in september the price went up so stop blaming tickets
$600 US may not be much to you but it’s a lot to many.
well i`m a dominican that can go home but will not be this year due to tickets so expensive so i will be taking it with u all in the big apple.
donot want to bring politic in this but we need an international airport.
What happened to the Intenational Airport you used when you left Dominica for the big apple? Did they move it to the big apple with you?
We have a long time to wait for this, if ever. Dominica is mountainous. I would like an international airport and also for tourist purposes. Aside from funding, the area where the airport could be built is a major problem. Let us make use of what we have since for now we cannot do better. The airport is being expanded. This is the best that can be done for now.