Father Roman’s first mass

At 19.30 in the evening on Sunday, members of the Haifa community, Hebrew, Polish and Russian speakers, gathered in the community house on the occasion of Father Roman's first mass after his ordination on Saturday. Among the guests who had come especially for the occasion were Roman's parents and members of his family. Also present were Father Yuhanna Bishouti of the Greek Catholic Church and his wife Nadira and representatives from the Shalom community and the Focolari. The mass was in Hebrew and Polish.

The Vicar for the Hebrew Speaking Catholic communities, Father David Neuhaus, who arrived late because he had participated in the procession of Our Lady of Mount Carmel with the heads of the Catholic Church, preached on the centrality of breaking bread in the life of the priest and the community. The new priest added some moving words about the importance of the day and his joy to celebrate this occasion in the Haifa community where he has been living since October and where he will now serve.

At the end of the prayer, the new priest laid his hands, first, on Father David and, then, on the members of his family and the priests present blessing them. Then all those who so wished came to receive the traditional blessing from the new priest.

Martha, from the Haifa community, spoke in the name of all the members in welcoming the new priest: "I was filled with pride yesterday (may God forgive me) and today I am trembling all over from emotion... thank you to your parents for this precious gift that they have given us... We are not a simple bunch and the road ahead will not be an easy one but know that we are with you..." Martha then proposed that we sing together Hanna Senesz's song "My God, my God, let it never end". Roman responded, asking the community to be a witness with him to love and pardon. Roman's father, with a father's pride, spoke next, wishing his son well as he had arrived to the point where he had always wanted to be.

The celebration continued around cakes and soft drinks in a spirit of joy and thanksgiving.