Eighteenth meeting of the CPAM

Present at the meeting were members of the Filipino, Indian, Sri Lankan and Ge’ez rite chaplaincies, priests and sisters, a representative of the Sudanese community, a representative of the prison ministry team and those working with the Israeli NGOs and the Bedouin. The opening prayer was read and included a special prayer for Father David, Coordinator of the Pastoral among Migrants, who celebrated the 15th anniversary of his priestly ordination.

Among the many topics discussed at the meeting, were the following:
- feedback about the weekly petitions sent out by the CPAM which touch on the local Church and situation
- the expansion of the Our Lady Woman of Valor Pastoral Center in South Tel Aviv
- a report on the summer programs for children and the great increase in the number of participants
- the Pastoral Letter, written by Father David to celebrate the 60 years since the establishment of the Hebrew speaking Catholic communities in Israel was distributed and all were invited to the jubilee celebration.
- a workshop for Pastoral Agents was set up with the staff from the Gesher Clinic in order to receive some training in mental health issues
- more coordination is needed in the choice of where to hold celebrations and who to invite to preside these celebration
- a day of recollection was decided on that would include a spiritual aspect, focusing on the Year of Mercy, and an information aspect that would focus on getting to know better the local Church
- planning began for the World Day of Migrants to be held in January 2016
- the CPAM has been awarded the prestigious Mount Zion Award and all are invited to attend
- planning begins for a financial literacy seminar to be directed by Sister Monica.

At the end of the meeting, the date of the next meeting was agreed upon.