Confirmations in the African community in Jaffa

The mass for the Feast of Pentecost was especially joyful this year in the English speaking African community in Saint Anthony’s Church in Jaffa as ten of their young people received confirmation. This community, founded twenty five years ago, is composed of migrant workers from English speaking countries in Africa, Nigeria, Ghana, etc. The ten young people, all born in Israel, are integrated into Israeli, Jewish Hebrew speaking society.

Father David Neuhaus, Latin Patriarchal Vicar, celebrated the mass in English and conferred the sacrament on these young people. Concelebrating were Father Zaher, parish priest of Jaffa and Father Apolinary, responsible for the kehilla in Jaffa and the teacher of these young people.

In his homily, Father David spoke first to the young people in Hebrew, explaining the significance of the Feast of Pentecost and the sacrament of confirmation. The giving of the spirit unites us both with the Lord and with each other so that together we can constitute one body, His body in the world. Addressing the community, especially the parents of these young people, in English, he explained that we, as Church, must find ways to welcome these young people into the Church. We must build a Church that is attractive to these young people, speaks their language, supports them in their day to day lives and provides for their needs. This challenge can only be met if we all work together.