How Gaza prepares for Christmas

GAZA – Traditionally, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, His Beatitude Fouad Twal, visits the parish of the Holy Family in Gaza before Christmas.  He did this year on the third Sunday of Advent and celebrated Christmas Mass for the faithful in Gaza.  The communications team of the Latin Patriarchate was in Gaza three days early and met with the parishioners in anticipation of this visit.

Testimonials and letters from the parish of Gaza during the offensive "pillar of defense" - Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem

Gaza, Sunday, November 18, lives five days under the bombs. The priest of Gaza, Father Jorge Hernandez who was in Argentina for family reasons this morning rejoined his parish and his parishioners “not to leave them alone for one more day.” Testimony of Father Pablo De Santo, Institute of Incarnate Word. 

1. Gaza – The Latin Parish on the fifth day of the offensive

GAZA – On the sixth day of the military operation launched by Israel against the Gaza Strip, the pastor of the Latin Parish, Father Jorge Hernandez (IVE), now back among his parishioners, recounts the continuing and growing fear that everyone is living with.
November 20, 2012

2. Gaza – Update on the offensive: Day 6

 


GAZA – The pastor of Gaza continues to share with us the testimony of the day to day life of his parishioners. This story was written this morning (Tuesday, 20 November) but it did not reach us until this afternoon.
Tuesday, November 20, 2012

3. Gaza – The pastor continues to lift up his voice 

 


GAZA – Initially announced for midnight on Tuesday, November 21, it is being negotiated. Meanwhile, the intense bombardment lasted through the night until 2 in the morning. For now, the hostility and violence continue.
Wednesday, November 21, 2012

4. GAZA – The parish awaits the truce

 


GAZA – The truce is observed today Thursday, November 22 in the Gaza Strip one day after the agreement was reached between Israel and the Palestinian Hamas in power in Gaza, ending a week of armed confrontation that claimed the lives of 155 Palestinians and five Israelis. Father Jorge Hernandez celebrates with his parishioners. 
From Gaza, Holy Land! Thursday, November 22, 2012

5. "Let’s hope that this peace is really stable and sustainable"

 

 

Children of Gaza greet the Patriarch - Christmas 2011

His Beatitude Fouad Twal, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem visited the Latin parish in Gaza on Sunday, December 18th for an early Christmas celebration. Some children received the sacraments of Confirmation and First Communion.

Meeting with the auxiliary bishop Msgr. Shomali

This November we had our annual meeting with the Patriarch or one of the bishops. We - br Andrea, Sr. Susan and Fr. Thomas- were delighted to have a visit and to be able to explain to our new bishop, Msgr. Somali, our ministry to the poor in Gaza. In the picture shown, regretfully Br. Joe was missing for this visit.

For some time we have not kept our friends up on our activities in Gaza. All has been progressing well. Br. Andres who is our technician has been asked by his community to study for the priesthood. We are very proud of him; he is in his second year of studies already. Recently he has found time to add our pictures and the stories with each.

Christmas in Gaza 2010

Videocustodiae

His Beatitude, Fouad Twal, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem went to Gaza on Wednesday, December 22nd, to visit the small Catholic community and celebrate Christmas a few days in advance.

A full delegation from the Latin Patriarchate, crossed the walls surrounding the Gaza Strip, to meet with the Christian community and celebrate the Christmas Mass.

Christmas in Gaza: a visitation

Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem - Christmastime in Gaza, celebrated, as is now the custom, in the last week of advent, was really beautiful. The Gospel of Luke for this Fourth Sunday of Advent tells the story of Mary rising and going quickly to see her old and pregnant cousin Elizabeth who lives in the hill country of Judea. The meeting and the greeting of the two women lets loose the joy of the babies they carry in their wombs. That is just the way it was for this visit of our Patriarch Fouad, pastor of the Mother Church of Jerusalem and representing the whole Church.