Founder of UCS

Rev. Marcel St. Jean

I was born in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. As a young man after completing a year of civil engineering and a year with the Redemptorists Congregation, I came to the United States and went to Immaculate Conception Seminary in New Jersey where I continued my studies for the priesthood. I think about the many poor children of Haiti who are less fortunate than others with no food on their table and no facilities for learning. I imagine how many would love to go to school and not have to suffer from hunger. Today I want to share my vision and blessings with these underprivileged children by opening a center where they can be fed and acquire knowledge.

I was ordained at St. Augustine Cathedral by Bishop Edward M. Egan, the former Bishop of the Diocese of Bridgeport and now Cardinal of the Arch Diocese of New York. After serving three years at St. Charles, a multi-cultural parish - Haitian, Spanish and American in Bridgeport, I was assigned to St. Catherine's Parish in Greenwich, Connecticut. By establishing UCS, my intention is to help many. I have been inspired by the examples of some great people that I know such as, Rev. Joseph Classen, of St. Gerard parish in Port-au-Prince, who did so much to help the people of Haiti. Other inspirations are St. John Bosco, Mother Cabrini, Father Laurent Bohnen, and Mother Theresa of Calcutta. I decided to put into action my goal for children, "to improve the lives and conditions of all children." Since I was a young man living in Haiti, I have always wanted to help poor families. During a trip to Haiti in August 2000, while visiting several orphanages and seeing the living conditions of the children, the desire to make a difference in their lives was revived within me.

Today with a good team of qualified teachers, family, friends and people who care, I am able to make that dream come true. On September 9, 2002, children who passed the age of starting school, attended classes for the first time at UCS.

Dear Brothers and Sisters, the Lord tells us in Matthew 25, 40, "Whatsoever you do for the least of my brothers, you did it for me." I wish that through Union Center Samaiti, you would join us in becoming Samaritans who will bring hope and joy in the lives of these children.