After Two Decades, What’s Next for The Pastoral College?

As Bishop Guy Sansaricq always says: At The Pastoral College, we have to pass from an elementary knowledge of God to a higher level of knowing God. What we also need is a greater recognition of the importance of such a grace-filled program by the spiritual leaders of our community.

The Pastoral College first opened its doors in 1988. The founders of this school of faith were Sister Carmele Nerette and Bishop Sansaricq. The goal was to help leaders of the Haitian Catholic community to achieve greater knowledge of God. The students and former students, the spiritual children of Bishop Sansaricq, consider The Pastoral College as a second family.

The dream that Bishop Sansaricq and Sister Carmele have always nurtured for The Pastoral College is that it would develop an active and articulate lay leadership and hence equip the laity to play an active role in the church and in their community of faith. So The Pastoral College is a school of formation for leaders of our Haitian Catholic community. Former students are already playing significant roles in youth groups, in the charismatic movement, in prayer groups, and in all aspects of parish life. Bishop Sansaricq believes that this well balanced program has identified and helped educate strong Catholic men and women who have authentic leadership ability.

But some observers of the Haitian Catholic community raise this question: "why is it that some spiritual leaders fail to recognize the importance of such a valuable program? Why have they not made a stronger effort to send at least five or ten members of their parish every year to study at the college? Bishop Sansaricq stands ready to meet with spiritual leaders and discuss the college with them, share with them his own experience, and listen to their suggestions. He is also open to having the college adopt programs that have been successful in other dioceses where the Haitian Catholic community is strong.

Now, some details about The Pastoral College. It has an average yearly graduating class of 20. The classes are held 12 Saturdays a year, plus an out of town weekend retreat. The curriculum involves Bible studies, doctrinal studies: mostly the Sacraments and the key church's moral teachings, spirituality, and “Je klere” (eye-Opener), which includes vital information on such subjects as immigration issues, Creole literacy, history, health, social and cultural issues and principles of Christian leadership. On Sunday, June 29, The Pastoral College had a graduation ceremony. The exuberance of the graduates loudly bespoke their deep appreciation of the program. After two years, a certificate is obtained. A diploma is granted after the completion of three years. We urge all priests involved in the Haitian Apostolate to encourage more laypeople to enroll in the program. The goal of the founders was to form the laypeople so they can be of greater assistance in their respective parishes. As one of the former students at The Pastoral College, I can never forget how my feeling of being closer to God was stirred into flame at the Bible classes taught by Bishop Sansaricq in my second year. It made me more determined than ever to avoid sin.

Remembering Prophet Hosea who said: "People perish for lack of knowledge," we strongly urge all Haitian Catholic laypeople to join the ranks of The Pastoral College this coming September. (Simply call 1-718-856-3323) As Father Eden Jean Baptiste, spiritual leader of the Haitian Catholic community of St. Martha’s Parish in Uniondale, said: A well educated Christian layperson is a treasure to the church.

Frère Buteau (Brother Tob)