January 12, 2010January 12, 2010

( ( ( Earthqua( ( ( Earthquake ! ) ) )ke ! ) ) )

Many parts of the already impoverished country of Haiti Many parts of the already impoverished country of Haiti were devastated on January 12, 2010 by a magnitude 7.0 were devastated on January 12, 2010 by a magnitude 7.0

earthquake. Since then, members of the Episcopal Church earthquake. Since then, members of the Episcopal Church around the world have been giving their prayers, expertise around the world have been giving their prayers, expertise and money to the country so the Haitian people and money to the country so the Haitian people

can rebuild their lives. can rebuild their lives.

One of the first steps in this effort will be the rebuilding of One of the first steps in this effort will be the rebuilding of the Holy Trinity Cathedral complex in Port-au-Prince. The the Holy Trinity Cathedral complex in Port-au-Prince. The

name of this rebuilding campaign is “Bricks for Haiti.” name of this rebuilding campaign is “Bricks for Haiti.”

Holy Trinity Cathedral was once a center of Haitian culture, Holy Trinity Cathedral was once a center of Haitian culture, housing the Holy Trinity Music School, Holy Trinity housing the Holy Trinity Music School, Holy Trinity

Professional School, primary and secondary schools, and a Professional School, primary and secondary schools, and a convent of the Sisters of St. Margaret. Also, many of the convent of the Sisters of St. Margaret. Also, many of the

healthcare services in Haiti were provided by The Episcopal healthcare services in Haiti were provided by The Episcopal Church. Church.

The cathedral contained many world-renowned The cathedral contained many world-renowned murals depicting biblical stories in murals depicting biblical stories in

Haitian motifs, which were crafted Haitian motifs, which were crafted by some of the best-known by some of the best-known

Haitian Haitian painters of the 20th painters of the 20th century.century.

On January 12, 2010, all this was On January 12, 2010, all this was destroyed. A total of 222,570 destroyed. A total of 222,570 people were killed, and many people were killed, and many more were injured and suddenly more were injured and suddenly homeless.homeless.

Since the earthquake hit, the people of Haiti have had to Since the earthquake hit, the people of Haiti have had to live in tents. Volunteer workers have been working to live in tents. Volunteer workers have been working to clear away all the rubble left by the earthquake.clear away all the rubble left by the earthquake.

As they say in Haiti, “As they say in Haiti, “Men anpil chay pa louMen anpil chay pa lou,” or “Many ,” or “Many hands make the load lighter.” Working together, we can hands make the load lighter.” Working together, we can help them rebuild Holy Trinity Cathedral, brick by brick, help them rebuild Holy Trinity Cathedral, brick by brick, and $10 buys a brickand $10 buys a brick. .

By participating in this week’s Free Dress Week, you are By participating in this week’s Free Dress Week, you are helping the 7helping the 7thth Grade Religion Class buy as many “bricks” Grade Religion Class buy as many “bricks” as possible for the people of Haiti. as possible for the people of Haiti.

So far this week, we have raised more So far this week, we have raised more than $1,100.00! That’s 110 bricks! than $1,100.00! That’s 110 bricks!

Thank you so much for helping us help Thank you so much for helping us help them!them!