Preparations for Sunday, July 2, the feast of the Holy Hierarch John of Shanghai & San Francisco, mobilized all the parishioners of Paroisse Saint Jean de Shanghai et de San Francisco in Les Cayes, Haiti. The priest, Fr. Pierre Laguerre, held many services throughout the preceding week, and two children and a young adult were baptized the day before the feast.

The feast of St. John was celebrated with more solemnity this year, with Priest Claude Pierre and his family visiting from Jacmel. Fr. Claude celebrated Divine Liturgy on Sunday morning, co-served by Fr. Claude. Fr. Pierre offered a warm welcome to the senior priest and thanked him for his visit, support, and pastoral instruction.

Fr. Claude offered powerful words of advice on this occasion, encouraging all Haitians to come together to make plans for the reconstruction of their beautiful country, which has become unlivable due to sin and selfishness. He ended his sermon by also asking parishioners to pray for our preceptors and benefactors.

After Liturgy, a festal luncheon was served in the school hall, where all were able to share in fellowship for this occasion.