More funds needed for Portsmouth Catholic Church

The Portsmouth Catholic Church was completely destroyed by earthquake in 2004
The Portsmouth Catholic Church was completely destroyed by earthquake in 2004

Efforts by parishioners and other organisations, notwithstanding, more support is needed towards the construction of the Roman Catholic Church in Portsmouth.

That’s according to Parish Priest, Fr. Herman Sharplis.

The 150-year-old church was destroyed by an earthquake in 2004.

Fr. Sharplis explained that the parish has raised just over $1.3 million, however $2.5 million is required for the successful completion of the project.

The Parish Priest said between $500,000 and $1 million will be needed to finish the job. “As you get to the finishing touches a lot more needs to be done in terms of unforeseen expenses and all of that has to be looked at,” he pointed out.

The groundbreaking ceremony for the new church was held on September 3, 2012 and it was announced that the building would be erected in phases.

“This was decided because $1.3 million would not be sufficient to build the church,” Fr. Sharplis said.

Since the church was destroyed, the Catholic faithful in the second town have had no permanent place to worship.

Shortly after its destruction, the old building was totally demolished and the parishioners had to use the Portsmouth Market as a venue for mass and other religious activities.

A tent was subsequently erected at the site of the old church and worshipers congregated there to celebrate mass.

Since then, several activities have been held to raise funds for the construction of a new place of worship, including a block-a-thon in which people were encouraged to contribute blocks towards the construction.

“You don’t have to be from the parish, anybody from anywhere across Dominica or overseas can donate because the support or assistance will go a long way in bringing this building to completion,” Fr. Sharplis said. “Every cent, every dime counts and wherever it comes from we are willing to accept it.”

A drive to have windows donated will begin when the block-a-thon ends. Those who participate in the windows drive will have the opportunity to have the names of a deceased relative or friend inscribed on the windows they donate.

“That way the name of the person they want to buy that window in honour of will be placed on the window and that way the person’s name can live on in that structure,” the parish priest said.

Fr. Sharplis named two donor agencies in the US that he has targeted to assist in funding raising for the project.

He said efforts were also being made to get used furniture from churches in the US.

However, he expressed praise and gratitude for the efforts to his parishioners. “I must say thanks to the people of the parish because people have been eager to see the new church built and they have shown tremendous enthusiasm towards the project,” he said.

The new church, designed by Bernard Lauwyck, will feature a new design and layout, a baptismal font, vestry, among others.

The priest is requesting that donations be made to the ‘St John and St Lewis Church Building Fund’ and it can be mailed to the Portsmouth Presbytery or made at the Bishop’s Office in an envelope written ‘Portsmouth Parish’.

Direct contact can be made with the parish at telephone number 767-445-5218 for further information.

Fr. Sharplis said the goal set by the building committee is to have the church opened by the end of 2013.

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46 Comments

  1. Anonymous
    March 12, 2013

    the catholic church wants money that’s just crazy. the catholic church has its on bank. and is still sucking its followers dry. A bunch of vampires!

  2. Anonymous
    March 11, 2013

    It would be nice to have some new furnitures instead of used ones. Ask and you shall receive. New furnitures please.

  3. Rose smith
    March 11, 2013

    I can’t believe that the church is asking for money when all the poor people from Portsmouth was giving all there little money th the church. While I know that all that money is going to Rome to the pope . So now they asking for more. Catholic people com on wise up.

  4. as for my house
    March 11, 2013

    so long they cannot build that church.come on people .contribute,contribute,contribute

  5. Fleur Jesi
    March 11, 2013

    I am a catholic who has given and will continue to give my tithe. I would like to encourage working Catholics of the St John church to give their tithes to the building of their church. They will see more rapid progress that way.

  6. Nudibranch
    March 11, 2013

    Apply to the Vatican, let the church pay for the church.

  7. Anonymous
    March 11, 2013

    Options – go red Clinic because the Bishop is our boy or go Rome.

  8. Rome
    March 11, 2013

    Take a loan…all other evangelical churches taking loans to build and fix roofs…take a loan too….a a… and pay back over the years. I cah understand all you…or check Rome…richest organisation in the world is the Roman Catholic organisation…..they should help their own.

    • Justice and Truth
      March 11, 2013

      Leave the name “Rome” out of it. Rome, or the Pope or other Hierarchy of the Catholic Church would never state what you stated. Furthermore, the Bishop knows what to do. He does not have to divulge the personal matters of the Catholic Church to you especially if you are a non-practicing Catholic. He does not need your advice. :twisted: :mrgreen: :twisted: :mrgreen: :twisted: :mrgreen: :twisted: :mrgreen: :twisted: :mrgreen: :twisted: :mrgreen:

  9. Twisted
    March 11, 2013

    LOOK HATERZ 8-O 8-O 8-O My God…

  10. de caribbean change
    March 11, 2013

    Make sure now that all churches today should have a restroom built for both men women somewhere at the front of the building. It is a new practice that I am seeing here in America. Gone are the old days when I was a little boy peeing on the side of the church. We are living in modern times now.

    • Justice and Truth
      March 11, 2013

      I agree with you on this one. Also in Canada. It is only a few years ago that washrooms were installed in those churches. Can you believe that, for such cities where most people travel from afar to church. Even then, some members of the congregation could feel like using the washroom.
      A washroom is necessary especially for those who suffer some sort of illness. Since you have considered this wise idea, you should inform the Bishop about it.
      Only in recent years did the St. Michael Cathedral in downtown Toronto construct a washroom in the lobby of the Church. I understood it is solely for the disabled. This may or may not be true.
      St. Michael’s Cathedral is visited by many tourists. Then aside from daily Masses a few times a day, on special Days of Obligation as Christmas, Easter and New Years the masses are long – a few hours.
      Almost two years ago I attended a funeral of the Archbishop of Toronto, a Cardinal. The Mass was long. This Church holds over 1,000 people. There is a building across the street which belongs to the Archdiocese which has a washroom. Consider if people feel like they are having an accident, if you know what I mean. It is necessary that churches do need to be equipped with a washroom.

    • wells
      March 11, 2013

      you right so all the drunk men can pee their alcohol in the toilet lolololololo

  11. March 11, 2013

    Dint the bible say to come out of her

  12. BADBOY COP
    March 10, 2013

    ask the pope for the money he will be pleased to donate 2 MILION

    • yeah
      March 11, 2013

      I agree with you, they could ask vatican city and the international catholic community for help

  13. Anonymous
    March 10, 2013

    Give us a breakdown of funds since the earth. Quake of 2004

  14. Rastar-Marn
    March 10, 2013

    But wait nuh Vatican renovating a place dere in Italy for d Pardner dat juss retire dere costing 14 million and allyou coming and aks people for donation???

    Garçon all you does so called men-of-god dere not easy nuh!!!

    Go aks D Vatican or Roman Curia for money yeh and leave people alone,,,

    Since long-time allyou collecting offering from people allyou didn’t save up for a rainy day man,,,

    • Justice and Truth
      March 11, 2013

      Some of you make statements without thinking. It takes an enemy and persecutor of the Catholic Church to make such statements. In your ignorance, lack of spiritual enlightenment and wicked minds, you do not realize that when you make such statements against the Catholic Church that you are also an enemy of God.
      Our Lord said, “Whatever you do to others you do to Me.” This includes whatever you say against them, bearing false witness and speaking the untruth as imbedded in your warped mind.
      Beware of your words for Our Lord said, “Every idle word that man shall speak he shall render an account of on Judgment Day. By your words you will be acquitted and by your words you will be condemned”.
      Today it crossed my mind that the Cardinals are in Rome and imagine the cost to get there and back and to feed them while they are in Rome.
      Aside of all other expenses, every year many Bishops and Priests visit Rome. They have an audience with the Pope. Where do you think all the money comes from to house and feed them?
      I wish that every time you people make such derogatory/uncomplimentary statements against the Catholic Church and the Pope, God would shut your mouths once and for all, for good. He will, one day and you will pay the price.
      Read The Power of the Tongue in Holy Scriptures – …Animals can be tamed but no one can tame the tongue…” Our patient God will take care of those tongues, minds and bodies in time.

      • FED UP
        March 11, 2013

        What the heck are you talking about? Please, please, please be quiet with your nonsense.

  15. "O" STRESS"
    March 10, 2013

    Oh! I forgot D.N.O. is off for the weekend. No news is good news and they have a family just like all of us,therefor they deserve all weekends off!!!! I will post my comments Mondays to Fridays. Enjoy your weekends D.N.O.

  16. March 10, 2013

    Touch base with the vatican,there is mocho dinero out there…

  17. lol
    March 10, 2013

    are u kidding? call the rome! so much money the church has paying off molested children? Are u serious?

    Cant rebuild church but started a new high school? serious? and priest got new car? serious?

    shame! enforce 10% offering

    • Justice and Truth
      March 11, 2013

      Yes they did. You know one person heard that there was money involved and all of them came out as droves to get their share even telling lies about some priests, the latter who were acquitted. Those who lied against those priests were not charged – right in Canada. Did you not hear of that? You must think, read and be broadminded.
      Yet, those governments will legalize two men to get married and two women. You do not hear them lambasting them and taking them to Court. Those godless and immoral people. We should take those governments to Court. They are answerable to the people who elected them. God will take good care of them in time including those who practice this abomination and those who support and encourage them. This is our consolation.

      • lol
        March 12, 2013

        and your point is? lol. What does any of what you said has to do with the church project in possie? Dominica is not legalizing gay marriage. If thats an issue for you maybe you should leave Canada and head to Portsmouth and get that church built.

        Church n State is separate, stop trying to merge the two. The bible says the wheat n tiers will grow together. its not your job to separate the wheat from tears.

  18. "O" STRESS"
    March 9, 2013

    Hail Mary full of grace,blessed amongst men and women,lets support a worthy cause,my cheque is in the mail.

  19. new york
    March 9, 2013

    but where the mother church?

    • Justice and Truth
      March 11, 2013

      What do you mean? The Mother Church is you if you are a baptized member of the Catholic Church.

  20. Anonymous
    March 9, 2013

    Any paypal account for the people living outside of Dominica and no time to go to the post office to mail a letter?

    • Justice and Truth
      March 11, 2013

      Post Offices are opened 7 days a week. Where do you reside? If you are in Canada Shoppers Drug Mart and other areas that sell stamps are opened early morning to approximately 8:00 pm.
      We are not living in the ancient days when they were opened 5 days a week until 6:00 pm. Check around.
      If you reside in the U.S. especially N.Y., I would not be surprised that they are opened 24/7. :lol:
      Liquor can be purchased at any time even on Sundays. Why not stamps? :)

  21. BRAIN DAMAGE
    March 9, 2013

    The catholic church raises the most money in the world. Where is that money going to. Check the Vatican they have enough dinero there.

    • Justice and Truth
      March 11, 2013

      And you are indeed brain damaged if you do not know where the money is going to. How do you think they pay for everything possible and feed and house their resident members as Cardinals, Bishops and Priests including their employees? They also have other expenses. Do you know how much it costs in utilities and repairs to maintain the buildings in Rome? The Catholic Church, no exception in Rome assists the poor in the third world countries. It is called Share Life which every Catholic (also) in specifically Canada contribute to. They also have other expenses. Do you know how much it costs for utilities and repairs to maintain the buildings in Rome?
      The Catholic Church, no exception in Rome assists the poor in the third world countries. It is called “Share Life” which every practicing Catholic (also) in specifically Canada contribute to.
      Some of you really do not utilize your common sense. You will answer to God for that for He gave you intelligence and you do not utilize it wisely and lovingly; only in futility, idle and unbecoming statements.
      Bad enough for those who have renounced their Catholic faith and the fallen away ones who do not practice It as some of them speak evil about It. You are being warned that you will have much to answer to God for. Your thumbs down will not make a difference or exonerate you :twisted: :mrgreen: :twisted: :mrgreen:

      • not d truth
        March 12, 2013

        way papa.

  22. Laplaine RC
    March 9, 2013

    Parish Priest, Fr. Herman Sharplis the $500,000 and $1 million needed to finish the job. I suggest that you contact the Holy See immediately.
    The Vatican (Holy See) has large investments with the Rothschilds of Britain, France and America, with the Hambros Bank, with the Credit Suisse in London and Zurich.
    In the United States it has large investments with the Morgan Bank, the Chase-Manhattan Bank, the First National Bank of New York, the Bankers Trust Company, and others. The Vatican has billions of shares in the most powerful international corporations such as Gulf Oil, Shell, General Motors, Bethlehem Steel, General Electric, International Business Machines, T.W.A., etc. At a conservative estimate, these amount to more than 500 trillion dollars in the U.S.A. alone.

    Now you do the math. Way too much in my estimation.

    EDIT NOTE: “The Vatican’s treasure of solid gold has been estimated by the United Nations World Magazine to amount to several trillion dollars. A large bulk of this is stored in gold ingots with the U.S. Federal Reserve Bank, while banks in England and Switzerland hold the rest.
    But this is just a small portion of the wealth of the Vatican, which is in the U.S. alone, it is greater than that of the five wealthiest giant corporations of the country.

    Then to add all the real estate, property, stocks and shares abroad.

    “The Catholic church is the biggest financial power, wealth accumulator and property owner in existence. She is a greater possessor of material riches than any other single institution, corporation, bank, giant trust, government or state of the whole globe.

    The pope, as the visible ruler of this immense amassment of wealth, is consequently the richest individual of the twentieth century. No one can realistically assess how much he is worth in terms of billions of dollars.

    So Father Sharplis i challenge beg of you to show documentation that you thru protocol have reached out to the Holy See for help. The RC in my view have drained the parishes of all monies.

    To me its like bieng a child of trillionaires and you fraid to ask your parents for money to build a shack…

    • Justice and Truth
      March 11, 2013

      Who are you an enemy of the Catholic Church? There must have been a time that you were a fervent practicing Catholic. What happened to you? How did you stoop so low and to question the Priest and make such remarks? It appears that the devil has your soul. He is waiting for you when you die. :twisted: :twisted: :twisted: :twisted: :twisted: :twisted: :twisted: :twisted: :twisted: :mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen:

      • not d truth
        March 12, 2013

        justice n truth? behave, you got issues, alas, you you don’t agree that with the statements above? do your research. simply google it!!

  23. Malgraysa partner
    March 9, 2013

    Malgraysa, what are ur thoughts? No more Chavez money clinic close long time and remain funds went into the preservation of Chavez’s caderva
    advise us.

  24. MIA
    March 9, 2013

    You mean to tell me, the church raised $1.3 million already and they still there begging for more money? Awah wi!! Why not ask your parishioners to do volunteer service to build the church, yes, give their labour free.
    The time when people used to just give all you their money, that finish. The people need their money to feed themselves & family, and things hard nowadays. Oh! one more thing,….why not ask the Vatican/Rome for money,….but…then again, Vatican in problems too because the pope just called it a day, he resigned. And what happen to all the money from the collection plates you all passed in front of people every mass over the past how many years? What happen, all you didn’t put money aside for wet days man!!

    • "O" STRESS"
      March 11, 2013

      Lord forgive them for they know not what they`re saying. We are in big trouble so is some of the souls posting their ignorant and utter rubbish on D.N.O. When job lost all what God had bestowed on him. His selfish, and selfless,wife of no faith told him curse God and die. But job being the man of faith said to his wife” The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away” And job was given ten times waht he had before, The last days are coming our people are rebeling against God`s servants and God`s messengers. Repent! Repent! my people the end is drawing near where there will be gnashing of teeth, and wailing continually,I pray for those who allow ignorant and lack of God`s love to guide them throughout their life. Remember God gave his beloved son to die on the cross for us sinners.Food for thoughts, people, regardless, God still love you.Amem!

  25. Potance
    March 9, 2013

    Time the corrupt and enabling lawyers, Doctors, engineers ej those who benefit directly from passport sales etc to make their contributions to the church they show up at for Sunday serviced X-mas New yrs funerals evever so often prior to it being destroyed.
    At sunday services they give /gave 10 bucks
    if they up it to equate 10% of 1 passport sold to the number of families and individuals for 100 & 75K US they church will be renovated over a week with surplus funds.
    The problem is these parishoner/political operatives are greedy they have paid for their houses x10 their back surgeries etc and are living high on/off the hug.

  26. Be Real!
    March 9, 2013

    There is a Dominican group in New York who have been holding several “fund raising activities, claiming that the proceeds will go to build the Portsmouth Catholic church. This has been going on for a number of years.
    I will not name , names now but have yet to hear from them as to how much money they have contributed to that cause, or if any. I know that people have donated generously to them in hopes that the money will go to the church.
    Let us hear from you organizers , you know who you are.

    • March 11, 2013

      To Be Real:
      Yes we have raised money for the church and we will continue to do so. We have sent cheques to the church and we are in the process of sending down down another cheque to the church real soon. We as Dominicans/ Portsmouth people are comitted to the rebuilding of the church and we will continue to do so though matter how much negativity that is being dished at us. We do not use the money for our personal gain for we ar all sacrificing our time and effort to raise and attend fucntions for the church. You do not have to name names for we all know ourselves. We will not depend on Rome we will depend on the Genuine friends of Dominica to participate and contribute to our fund raising efforts to help rebuild the Church in Portsmouth. The saying goes start to build it and it will finish. By the grace of God it will finish and we all in New York will be in Portsmouth to celebrate the opening and blessing of our new church. You are hearing from me for I am a member of the group. Do you know that in 2011 we gave a cheque to the church during the Parish Reunion. Do you know last year another check was given to the church from the group. Were you at mass during the ceremony. I will not mention how much. That is for you to research. We will continue to do our best and we will rise above the ashes of negativity.

      • Justice and Truth
        March 11, 2013

        God will immensely bless you and the group for your faithfulness and generosity for God loves a cheerful giver also, specifically to His Church. You cannot go wrong.

  27. Fleur Jesi
    March 9, 2013

    Tithes go a long way. Encourage it.

  28. SS
    March 9, 2013

    I really have to ask, the money which is contributed every sunday in all catholic churches in Dominica and the world where does it go to? Isn’t it the Vatican who is responsible for allocating monies to fix the church? So if is the Vatican, are they using this money to cover up their pedophilia scandals and expensive Gucci shoes? Furthermore if it doesn’t go to the Vatican from 2004 to now this church is collecting funds to rebuild their church… Up to now you all have not arrived at a 2mil range??? Strange….

    • Justice and Truth
      March 11, 2013

      Use your head. Ask yourself, how much does each parishioner give especially in Dominica?

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