Rice And Bean Dinner To Help Broaden Awareness

Mary Beth Davis has a simple goal: to bring people together to serve God.

Davis is hosting the third annual Rice and Bean Dinner at Good Shepherd Parish in Evansville following the 4 p.m. CST Mass on Feb. 25.  The purpose of the dinner is for Diocese of Evansville parishes with projects in Haiti or other third-world countries to meet and share information and education for their groups. Schools are welcome to bring students to broaden their awareness of the huge need for outreach. The simple meal is provided free of charge, a freewill offering is encouraged, and all proceeds will go to Haiti.

Davis, who serves as the Good Shepherd Haiti outreach coordinator, extends an invitation to anyone who has interest in learning about local projects.  At this year’s dinner, Davis will be reporting on her most recent visit to Haiti in January, where she traveled with others from St. Francis Xavier Parish in Poseyville to assist with an eye surgery clinic overseen by See International.

Since 1984, St. Francis Xavier has been twinned with St. Albert the Great Parish in Ravine Trompette, Haiti.  In 2013, the lunch program that fed more than 900 students at Notre Dame de Grace School and St Cyprian School, was halted by the government of Haiti.  For many of these children, the program provided the only meal they would have in a given day.  With the help of St. Wendel Parish in St. Wendel, the group began the to meet the challenge of coming up with the $5,000 per month needed to feed the children.  Sts. Peter and Paul Parish in Haubstadt stepped in, and later Zion Lippe United Church of Christ in Mount Vernon.  This group, collectively known as Hands together for Haiti, has helped with education, health, vocational training, agricultural programs, pure water systems, and infrastructure support.  

Suzanne Dodd, a local volunteer with Hands together for Haiti, has great hopes for the third annual meeting of the minds.  Her wish is that the many groups can work smarter, not harder.  “Let’s get in a position to share how to accomplish these things without reinventing the wheel,” Dodd said.  

Father Tony Ernst, pastor of Sts. Peter and Paul, Holy Cross Parish in Fort Branch and St. Bernard Parish in Snake Run, encourages people from the Diocese of Evansville to attend.  Father Ernst recently visited Haiti, where he saw first-hand the physical needs of the people: food, water and medical assistance.  Equally as important is meeting the spiritual needs of the people.  “The greatest need spiritually might be the same as it is here in the United States, presence,” Father Ernst said. “I experienced how stretched the local priest is in his ministry.  He needs many co-workers in the vineyard, just as we do here.”

For more information about the Rice and Bean Dinner and Sharing, please call the Good Shepherd Parish office at (812) 477-5405.