STM students and staff are heartbroken over the suffering and devastation in Haiti, and especially the destruction of St. Joseph's Home for boys.

In true STM tradition, over the course of five days, students, teachers, E.A.s, clericals, custodians and parents came together, putting faith into action to respond as brothers and sisters to the people of Haiti.First and foremost, our prayers have and continue to be with those suffering from the horrific situation, in the belief that God hears our prayer and the cry of those who turn to him in their hour of need. And God's answer has been to stir the hearts and minds of those who are able to lend physical and monetary support.

STM efforts have been tremendous. Our labour has borne fruit. Our Prefects, Utopia team, Me to We group, Student Council and other students have come forward to organize a number of initiatives...Coins for Kids Collection last week ($1500), Hot Chocolate for Haiti ($1000), Staff donations, Hip Hop for Haiti performance during lunch hours, a summer clothing drive and a Change it Up for Haiti Spirit Day all helped to raise over $ 7000 (and still counting). And, of course, we are praying daily for the people of Haiti. All of this as we gear up for qexams next week!

Donations are being accepted at S.T.M. for the rebuilding of St. Joseph Home for Boys in Haiti. The Government of Canada has indicated it will match our donations dollar for dollar. Anyone wishing to make a contribution can make a cheque payable to the Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic District School Board and submit it to the Main Office at S.T.M. Income tax receipts will be issued for donations of $25 or more.

Mrs. S. Fortino-Bozzo
Principal

The Resurrection Dancers from St. Joseph's Home for Boys in Haiti visited our school in October 2007. Our students have been deeply moved by the plight of the boys and the destruction of their orphanage and school.

Last Friday we had a free will offering in first period classes, which raised $1,500.00. Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday of this week we sold Hot Chocolate for Haiti (donated by our Prefects) and donuts (donated by our student Council) during our lunch periods to raise money for Haiti. We sold 23 dozen donuts and ran out for our last lunch period! An educational assistant and her neighbour baked cakes to raffle.

Our Utopia, Prefects and Me to We groups have called Thursday, Change It Up for Haiti, because students were permitted to "change up" their uniform by making a donation to wear, jeans, cords, sweat pants with a Knight Wear, Spirit Wear or Team or Club shirt.

A group of students at our school who are interested in Hip Hop/ Break dancing approached us about having a Hip Hop for Haiti dance show during the lunches. From 11:30-12:00pm and again from 12:30-1:00pm we had Hip Hop for Haiti in our small gym. Students payed $1 to see the performance. This was an idea generated by students, who want to use whatever gifts and talents they have to do something for the boys they met. I think it especially meaningful because they are raising funds through dance, which is what the Resurrection Dancers did when they were here in 2007.

We exceeded our goal by more than a thousand dollars. In just five days our students raised more than $7,000.00 for the St. Joseph's Home for Boys. Congratulations all.

A Message from David McNorgan:

...Broken Wings Mission is a Canadian organization that will get the money to St. Joseph's Family quickly and directly.

I have taken students the past two years to visit St. Joseph's Family in Haiti - a community comprised of two homes for former street boys and one home for physically and developmentally handicapped children. My school and our board have a close friendship with them. We have hosted their Dance Troupe and and have supported their community significantly over the last six years. Now we know that one of their beautiful homes has been destroyed, its house leader - Bill, a former child slave - seriously injured.

Peter Eyvindson, from Saskatchewan is the director of Broken Wings. I am posting a link to his website on ours. You can find <http://www.broken-wings.ca/Earthquake.htm> Peter's updates on St.Joseph's situation here and his website here - <http://www.broken-wings.ca/>

Development and Peace has launched its <http://www.devp.org/devpme/eng/pressroom/2010/comm2010-01-13-eng.html> Haiti Emergency Appeal also. Of course, they are an excellent organization to support and through which we can channel donations.

My students are deeply saddened on hearing the news of their friends in Haiti, as am I. The picture on our CSCO homepage is from last year's visit. Meg, who is holding young Dalmas, supports him with a yearly donation. The boys from St. Joseph's and my students continue to have lots of facebook exchanges. It's a new global village! Please keep the
St. Joseph's Family in your prayers.

Peace,
David McNorgan
Chaplain, Cathedral High School

See the Hamilton Wentworth Catholic District School Board's Site: Orphanage in Haiti destroyed