Placetas: A Light of Hope Through Solar Energy

Placetas: A Light of Hope Through Solar Energy

For several months now, Cuba has been facing a severe energy crisis. The shortage of electricity produced by the state has turned a temporary difficulty into a lasting reality.

This shortage weighs heavily on daily life: gas cylinders now cost nearly 60 dollars, while the average monthly salary does not exceed 12 dollars (around 6,000 pesos).

Without stable energy, life unfolds according to the rhythm of power cuts. Household appliances, lighting, and phone charging all depend on the return of electricity. As soon as the power comes back, many leave their work to cook, disrupting both professional and family life.

In response to this situation, some Cubans who are fortunate enough to receive financial help from abroad invest in batteries or, for the wealthier, in solar panels.

From Batteries to Solar Independence

In January, our parish was able to acquire its first Ecoflow battery. Then, in May, thanks to a fundraising campaign in the United States, we equipped our living spaces with more powerful models.
But one challenge remained: to produce our own energy.

Our needs are significant — about 30 kW in Placetas and 20 kW in Cienfuegos — far more than what two solar panels can supply. Without having planned or budgeted for it, we therefore launched a solar installation project.

The beginnings were difficult: three attempts with local companies failed due to a lack of reliability and resources.
But through a wonderful providence, some encounters in Havana opened a new path forward.

A Light in the Night

In June, a concrete opportunity arose: to install 54 solar panels and 3 batteries in Placetas — enough to ensure almost complete energy autonomy, except during long cloudy periods.

On September 1, 2025, the parish house regained a stable source of energy. As evening fell, the bell tower shone once again in the darkness of the city — a sign of hope and renewed life.

A Mission That Continues

Now, our wish is to open our parish spaces even more to welcome parishioners — a place where they can recharge their batteries, work or study in an atmosphere that is bright, peaceful, and fraternal.

A Deacon “Made in Cuba”

Un diacre « made in Cuba »

What joy for our community!

After three years with the Saint Martin Community in Placetas, followed by the completion of his seminary formation in Évron (France), Delvis Heguy, a native of Placetas and a former student of our boarding school, has become the first Cuban ever ordained a deacon within the Saint Martin Community.

On June 20, the ordination ceremony took place at 10 a.m. in France… but at 4 a.m. in Placetas!
Several parishioners rose before dawn to follow the ordination live. A few hours later, a local Mass brought together the entire parish to share in this immense joy.

During the summer, we had the grace of welcoming our new Deacon Delvis during his visit to Cuba. The young people, especially, were happy and proud to celebrate with him this important step before his departure for his new mission at the Sanctuary of Lourdes.

To accompany Delvis in this great moment, two of his Cuban friends, José Carlos and Ernesto, had the joy of attending his ordination in person in France.

Their month of travel was filled with discoveries: Mont-Saint-Michel, the Alps, Rome, and even the Saint Martin Junior Route, alongside other young people from the Saint Martin Community.

They returned overflowing with joy and inspiration, bringing back fresh ideas to help our youth groups and parish life grow.

A true breath of hope and renewal for our entire community!

The Cycling Club of Placetas and Cienfuegos: Pedaling for Faith

The Cycling Club of Placetas and Cienfuegos: Pedaling for Faith

Throughout the year, the two cycling clubs of Placetas and Cienfuegos train every Saturday morning in their respective towns, in a spirit of fraternity, self-improvement, and joy.
Founded about twenty years ago, the club — originally from Placetas — brings together participants aged 12 to 50, united by a shared passion for sport and a desire to grow in faith. To be part of the club, members commit to attending catechism, participating in Mass.

Two Major “Vueltas” Each Year

Every year, two major cycling events are organized: the Winter Vuelta and the Summer Vuelta.
The route crosses several emblematic Cuban cities: Placetas, Sancti Spíritus, Trinidad, Topes de Collantes, El Nicho, and Cienfuegos, before returning to Placetas.
These five days on the road, when both clubs come together to cross the Cuban countryside and mountains, are a true time of encounter and prayer.

Pedaling to Grow in Faith

Over the many kilometers, the cyclists cultivate not only physical endurance but also spiritual strength. Each day is marked by Mass and times of prayer (rosary, lauds, vespers…).
In this way, sport becomes a genuine means of evangelization, a space for encounter and witness of faith.

Cycling, still uncommon in Cuba, requires great creativity: the lack of equipment and spare parts challenges everyone to show ingenuity. The damaged roads add another layer of difficulty, but also give a unique flavor to this journey of faith and effort.

In union of prayer for the victims of Tropical Storm Melissa

In union of prayer for the victims of Tropical Storm Melissa

Formed on October 13 off the coast of Cape Verde, Tropical Storm Melissa crossed the Atlantic, traveling more than 7,000 kilometers before reaching the Caribbean.
On October 28, it struck Jamaica with devastating force, bringing winds of up to 280 km/h and gusts reaching 345 km/h — an intensity never before recorded on the island. The following day, Cuba was also hit: gusts of over 240 km/h swept across the country, leaving behind grieving families, destroyed homes, and a landscape deeply scarred by the hurricane’s power.

In our missions of Placetas and Cienfuegos, we barely felt Melissa’s passage — no strong winds, no heavy rain. Only the unusual stillness of those suspended days reminded us of the gravity of what was happening elsewhere. Activities came to a halt, schools remained closed all week, and a few power outages marked our evenings. In this atmosphere of waiting and reflection, we gathered together in prayer.

In the face of this trial, our community united in faith, praying the Rosary together to Our Lady of Charity of El Cobre, the patroness of Cuba. With trust and hope, we entrusted to her intercession the victims, the affected families, and all those working toward rebuilding.

“Lord, in the storm, be our refuge; in sorrow, be our hope.”

Youth Gathering: A Summer Camp Full of Hope

Youth Gathering: A Summer Camp Full of Hope

This summer, 120 young people from the parishes of Placetas, Falcón, Fomento, Báez, Cabaiguán, Guayos, and Cienfuegos came together for a week-long parish camp in Camagüey, hosted at the diocesan house.
After Matanzas last year, this new edition of the Convivencia once again brought together a youth filled with energy and faith.

An Experience Lived to the Full

Despite difficult conditions — especially the power cuts, limited to just four hours of electricity per day — the young people were fully active participants in their camp.
Divided into teams mixing middle- and high-school students, they learned team spirit, mutual help, and responsibility, in an atmosphere inspired by scouting.

Three pillars guided the week:

  • Prayer: daily Mass, confessions, times of prayer and praise.

  • Play: moments of creativity, adventure, sports, and discovering everyone’s talents.

  • Fraternity: shared meals, common service, and living together in simplicity.

A Model of Holiness to Guide the Way

Throughout the camp, the young people were accompanied by the figure of Blessed Father José Olallo, a brother of the Hospitaller Order of Saint John of God.
Through his example, they discovered that it is possible to love and serve even in poverty, and that for Cuban youth, holiness can be lived out every day — in charity and faithfulness.

Alejandro, 23, a medical student, shares his testimony:

“This convivencia is one of the most important moments of the year. It’s such a joy to share hope and love, and to forget, for a few days, the difficulties we live with.”

Thank You for Your Support

None of this would have been possible without the generosity of those who support us.
Your donations made it possible to host and feed all these young people, to fund the activities, and to provide the materials needed for the liturgy, games, and community life during these six days of convivencia.

You are not only funding a camp — you are investing in Cuban youth, in their human and spiritual formation, and in a generation called to carry faith and charity throughout our country.

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts!