Fifth anniversary of Holy Family Community in Nazareth

December 17 this year was something special for the members of the Holy Family Filipino Community in Nazareth (HFFCN). It was chosen as the anticipated date for celebrating its patronal feast, the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph of Nazareth. It served also as the community’s anticipated Christmas party since some would go home thereafter to the Philippines for the Christmas holydays. It was also the rest of the community’s despedida (farewell part) for Christopher Garcia, to whom a citation and a blessing were already given at the end of our Advent recollection the previous week.

The 17:00 mass at the Church of Saint Joseph in Nazareth, which was presided by Latin Patriarchal Vicar, Father David Neuhaus SJ, was well attended by members and some friends of the Community. The mass was also attended by men and women religious from Nazareth who were invited to the celebration. At the end of the mass, Father David summoned Chris for a special blessing before the induction ceremony of the newly elected officers of the HFFCN presided by Father Bienvenido in Tagalog.

Then everybody was invited to proceed to Casa Nova Nazareth for dinner, after which those who could still stay on were asked to move to the other building of Casa Nova, the Pilgrims’ Point. A program was held here, during which the clusters presented their corresponding number, some parlor games were conducted, a Christmas lottery took place, awarding cash prizes in US dollars to the three winners, and once more honoring Chris. At the end, each one wished a Blessed Christmas to one another. We wish also that the new set of officers will be true to their service of the community’s purpose.

On behalf of the HFFCN, may I, Father Bienvenido, wish all the readers of the Saint James Vicariate’s website in our native Tagalog language: “Maligaya’t pinagpalang Pasko at mabiyaya’t mapayapang Bagong Taon 2017!”