Priests' meeting with Archbishop Pizzaballa – March 31, 2017

Present at the meeting were all twelve of the Vicariate priests, including the priests responsible for the communities in Jerusalem, Jaffa, Haifa, Nazareth, Tiberias and Beer Sheba, and both priests working with the Russian-speaking communities. Archbishop Pizzaballa, Apostolic Administrator of the Latin Patriarchate, attended the meeting.

The meeting began with a short address by the Archbishop, who gave a brief update on what is happening in the diocese. He pointed out the significance of the Hebrew speaking Catholic communities in Israel and his role to be a unifier of the various elements in the territories of the Patriarchate. He encouraged the priests of the Vicariate by showing great interest in the ways the Hebrew speaking communities live their witness to the Gospel at the heart of Israeli society.

This was followed by news from the different communities. In addition the following subjects were also discussed:
- final preparations for the Easter children’s camp and family weekend
- the retreat for priests in October
- the preparation of Old Testament readings for Easter time
- new projects for the children

In the second part of the meeting, Dima, a member of the Vicariate community, presented a talk on service in the Israeli army. It is important that the priests that serve the Hebrew speaking Catholics understand the role army service plays in the life of the Hebrew speaking Catholic young people. Dima’s well prepared presentation was very enlightening.

The meeting concluded with lunch together.