Our Sister Parish

About St. Therese

Beginning in 2015, our parish has committed to supporting and praying for St. Therese of the Child Jesus parish in Gonaives, Haiti. Their pastor, Father Paul Dorlean, has an incredible reputation in his diocese for establishing schools anywhere he is assigned, and St. Therese is his most recent assignment.

Gonaives, a city on the coast, is badly deforested and therefore has few natural resources. Because most children in his parish never attend school, Father Paul wanted to use the church building to begin a small school. However, his church is located partway up a mountain, away from the floodplain. Therefore it is too difficult of a journey for small children to make on a daily basis. His ultimate goal is to establish a school closer to the town. The new school opened its doors in September of 2017.

Father Paul’s Visit

Father Paul first came to visit us in October of 2015. He spent a week touring Dubuque, meeting parishioners, and saying all the weekend Masses in his native French. Assisted by translator Cinera, he also spent many hours talking to our staff, parishioners, and religious education families about his home and the needs of the Haitian people.

After his first visit, St. Joseph the Worker raised $13,000 for Father Paul to use on construction costs for a rectory where he can host visitors. Because of everyone’s generosity, progress is ongoing, and the rectory has electricity, a septic system, and plumbing! The school is now open and serving the children of Gonaives!