Double celebration in Haifa

This first week of Advent in the Haifa kehilla was already filled with the joy of life as we celebrated the birthday of two very special friends, both Polish, both with a very loving and Israeli heart: Stella, an icon of the community, who turned 86 on the 29th, and Fr. Roman who turned 35 on the 30th of November.

Stella is in a rehabilitation hospital recovering from a fall from a ladder that left her with 9 broken ribs. Thanks be to God she is doing very well and keeps her spirit more alive than ever, expanding even more where she is now, one of the most precious talents God gave her: the gift of making friends. She was given three balloons that made her day as she said it was the first time in her entire life that she received such a present! In the picture we confirm how delighted she was. Many friends went to the hospital to visit and hug Stella and her phone was busy all day and night long. We bless her with our prayers and count the days to see her back at the kehilla.

Fr. Roman, who is like a grandson to Stella, after visiting her as he has been doing everyday, even sometimes twice a day, since the accident, when he got back home, had the surprise of many friends arriving to join him for the celebration of the Eucharist. At the end we shared a special cake, some wine, as the weather is perfect for that and we expressed to Roman our gratitude for his brotherly and fatherly presence in the kehilla and in our lives. He also got a present and a surprise: a balloon written happy birthday! He seemed to be as happy as Stella the day before!

May the Lord keep them holy and firm in His ways. May they continue to be a witness of Jesus' presence to all who meet them. Mazal tov Stella! Mazal tov Roman!