Lesly Condé, the Consul General of Haiti in Chicago, formulates its wishes of Merry Christmas 2013 and Happy New Year 2014 and reminds to the compatriots of Chicago and throughout the Midwest, as well as friends of Haiti, that the 1st and 2 January, 2014 bring respectively the 210th anniversary of our National Independence and the Ancestors' Day.

"On this occasion the Haitian Catholic Mission of the Archdiocese of Chicago invites the brothers and sisters of the community in a solemn mass to be celebrated Wednesday January 1 at 5:30 pm at the Church of Our Lady of Peace, located at 7801 South Jeffery, Chicago. After Mass, a reception will be held in the basement of the Church. This invitation extends to followers of all religious sensibilities.

Furthermore, Saturday, Jan. 18, the Haitian Congress to Fortify Haiti, the Consular Mission and other local organizations, invite all compatriots to a large community meeting to be held from 6:00 pm at the Levy Center at 300 Dodge Ave., Evanston. In the program: different speakers, songs, poems, musical entertainment etc... Giraumon traditional soup will be served and a memory of Haiti will be provided to all attendees. It will be also an opportunity to honor the memory of the victims of the earthquake of January 2010.

To mark this important date, the Mission will also present a special program Sunday, 5 January on 1590AM and www.1590wcgo.com from 7:00 p.m. to 8h00 p.m.

The Consulate General of Haiti in Chicago encourages members of our large family to come numerous demonstrate their national pride and solidarity, by welcoming the new year in harmony and respect."

HL/ HaitiLibre