Christmas in the Hebrew speaking parishes

Jerusalem
In Jerusalem, the faithful gathered at 21.00 on Christmas eve for a mass celebrated by Father David, responsible for the Hebrew speaking Catholics in Israel. The small chapel in the Vicariate was packed to capacity and among those present were also many Jewish friends including the rabbis of Kol HaNeshama and Zion kehillot together with some of their congregants. On Friday, at 17.00, Father Rafic, responsible for the Jerusalem kehilla, celebrated the Christmas mass and a large number of children and their parents attended. After the mass and a sumptuous reception, the children presented a Christmas pageant with songs, dance and a reenacting of the story of the shepherds who receive the good news of Jesus’ birth.

Straight after the Christmas pageant, the chapel was used again for a Filipino mass and the following day the Korean community held their Christmas mass there too.

Jaffa

In Jaffa, the faithful gathered at 19.00 in Saint Peter’s church for mass in Hebrew and again the following day. Father Apolinary, responsible for the kehilla, injected much cheer into the celebration of the mass. Even those who attend church rarely came to join in the prayers and celebration. After, mass, the reception included much food, song and the viewing of clips from the children’s Hannuka camp.

Haifa

In Haifa, Christmas eve mass attracted many people. Father Roman celebrated the mass and afterwards the faithful gathered for a time of sharing and good food.

Beer Sheba

This year's celebration of Christmas started with the evening Hebrew Mass on December 24. The Eucharist was preceded by the Hour of Vigil during which the most important Advent readings were read together with the singing of Christmas songs in various languages (Hebrew, Arabic, French, Italian, Catalonian, Polish, Malayalam). The mass was presided by the parish priest, Father Piotr, and concelebrated by the former parish priest, Father Paul Colin, and Father Pierre, a guest from France. Absent was Father Alberto, resident in Beer Sheba, as he had gone to Arad to celebrate Christmas mass for the Sudanese community.

In his homily Father Piotr recalled all the stations of this year's Great Advent and their meaning for our celebration of the Solemnity of the Birth of Christ. Relating to the words of the angel to the shepherds "Do not be afraid" he called the faithful to be more hopeful as they look to the future. "Do not say to God how big are your problems. Stand in front of your problems and tell them how great is your God!" said Father Piotr.

The reception after Mass was joyful and lasted until late into the night. Very meaningful was the presence of Rabbi Jonatan, a friend of Father Piotr, who came with a few members of his synagogue to be present and pray together on this important feast.

The next day in Beer Sheba, the Sri Lanka community celebrated its Christmas mass. Sister Clarice, from Our Lady Woman of Valor Pastoral Centre in Tel Aviv came with Father Yohan, a priest visiting from Sri Lanka with the goal of saying mass in Sinhala for his compatriots. More than thirty people participated in this festive event and after it there was a reception with lots of spicy Sri Lankan food.

The chapel then filled with faithful from the Filipino community and an English language mass was presided by Father Piotr. Tagalog and English Christmas songs sounded out loud and happily. This time the after-mass reception was marked by the traditional food from the Philippines.

On Saturday evening, mass will be celebrated in English with overseas students from the Ben Gurion University as well as Indian migrants.

Tiberias

The Christmas eve mass brought together members of the Hebrew speaking kehilla with many migrant workers who came from far and near. Mass was celebrated by the parish priest, Father Giuseppe, assisted by Father Giacomo, and the liturgy was in Hebrew and English. After Mass all the participants gathered together for the Christmas greetings, to share some excellent and abundant food, play games and sing and dance. We thank the Lord for the gift of celebrating his birth together and for the joy of the feast that leads us expectantly into the Jubilee.

Latroun

Christmas mass in the Russian language kehila of Latroun was especially joyful this year. The mass was celebrated in the chapel at the Beit Jemal Salesian monastery by Father Wieslaw, responsible for the community. This year, Christmas also marked the baptism of a new baby, the first born of his parents who waited fifteen years before God granted them a child. Many came to celebrate this important mile stone!