2017 Summer camp at OLWV in Tel Aviv

Over fifty children from the Filipino, Indian and Eritrean community registered for the camp that began each morning at 8.30 and ran until about 16.00. Most of the children are parishioners at the Center and they were aged from 5 to 11. A group of about seven over 12 year olds helped each day with the running of the camp.

The activities in the camp included daily morning prayer and a noon time prayer (or mass), a catechism class on Jesus as our peace, an art class, sport and games. The children ate lunch together and then quiet time was enabled by watching a movie. After that the children enjoyed the swimming pools that had been set up in the courtyard.

The camp was directed by Patriarchal Vicar Father David, director of the center, Father Michael, responsible for the Haifa kehilla, Father Roman, Betharam Father Jos, seminarians Benedetto (from the Saint James Vicariate), Juan and Paolo (from the Neo-Catechumenal Way), Katrin, the Center’s social worker, Benedikt, a volunteer from Germany and two young women from the Jaffa kehilla, Laura and Matti. Sisters Lerma and Clarice from the center also gave a hand as did the center’s lay worker, Daniel. This year, again, Ms. Bhea kept everything going from start to finish, registering the children, providing refreshment and food and dealing with the parents.

On Thursday, the children went on an outing to the beach and this was a time of great fun. The sea was very stormy on that day but the children enjoyed every moment in the water and playing in the sand.

This is always a blessed time to integrate the children more fully into the life of the Church. We are deeply grateful to Church in Need and Pontifical Mission for their generous aid in subsidizing this camp.