Walking in the Footsteps of Fr. Vidal- A Reflection from Our Director
“Whoever believes in Christ, even though he dies, shall live.”
In 2008, I was serving as parochial vicar at Our Lady of the Assumption Parish in Petit-Goâve. One Monday morning, after celebrating the 6:30 a.m. Mass, the church sacristan came to tell me, “Father, there are three people here asking for you.”
I thought perhaps it was the Trinity—the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit!
Instead, the three visitors were Fr. Vidal Martinez, Sister Noël, and Mrs. Morancy. They came to ask if I would help them in their efforts to support a small school created for children in need—children from families experiencing poverty who otherwise might not have the opportunity to attend school.
Without hesitation, I said yes. I would collaborate.
That moment began a journey that has now lasted 18 years, from 2008 to 2026—a journey of service, collaboration, and commitment to Child Jesus School.
Even when I traveled to the United States for vacation, Fr. Vidal would find an opportunity for us to meet as a steering committee to discuss the needs and future of Child Jesus School. We would gather at the home of Mrs. Raymond Milien, affectionately known as “Manmie Dedette,” the mother of Sabine Milien, along with other members committed to the school.
Today, we are proud to continue walking in the footsteps of our beloved founder, Fr. Vidal Martinez, and those who worked alongside him.
His legacy reaches beyond the school itself. Fr. Vidal encouraged a spirit of faith and service among teachers, parents, employees, students, and the wider community. I also remember accompanying him on a visit to Hospice Saint Jean in Petit-Goâve, a home serving elderly people and others in great need. These experiences remind us that his concern was always for the dignity and well-being of others.
As we continue the mission of Child Jesus School, we remember where this journey began and the people who gave themselves to it. We honor that legacy by continuing to serve the children and families of Petit-Goâve with faith, compassion, and hope.
I leave you with two thoughts that continue to encourage us:
“Courage! Do all that you can, and obtain from the Blessed Virgin Mary all that you cannot.”— Sister Délia Tétreault, Foundress of the Missionary Sisters of the Immaculate Conception
“True wealth is not what you possess, but the goodness you offer to others.”— attributed to St. Louis-Marie de Montfort
Fr. Marc Claudy Magloire
Director, Child Jesus School
Petit-Goâve, Haiti