Edith and Eden and many others say farewell to Miriam

The church was filled with her friends and her acquaintances from all communities and religions in Israel. Particularly noticeable was the presence of her sisters from the Congregation of Saint Joseph of the Apparition, the members of the Hebrew speaking Catholic communities in Israel, which she had helped to develop and nurture, members of the local Arabic speaking church, who knew her well, members of the African and Filipino communities, who had confided to Miriam their children, she the experienced teacher who prepared them for the sacraments: first communion and confirmation, and many friends from different religions and different communities who have lost in Miriam a listening ear, a helping hand, an open heart and a partner in building a better world.

The mass was celebrated by Father David Neuhaus, Latin Patriarchal Vicar, who collaborated with Miriam in different ways, and beside him were Father Ramzi, parish priest of Jaffa, Father Apolinary, responsible for the Jaffa Hebrew speaking kehilla, Fathers Gregor, Paul and Roman from the Hebrew speaking communities, Father Angelo, responsible for the Filipino community, five African priests who work with the migrant workers and asylum seekers and a handful of Franciscans. The mass was celebrated in Hebrew, Arabic and French with songs sung in Arabic, animated by the choir of Saint Anthony, and in Hebrew, animated by Benedetto and Magali from the Saint James Vicariate community and brother Alberto from the Jaffa kehilla.

At the end of the mass, those attending made their way to the cemetry and there, after the traditional prayers, Father David read letters that had been written by two girls who had been prepared for confirmation by Miriam (the attached picture is from the day of the confirmation). Edith and Eden, twin sisters whose parents are migrant workers from Ghana, are pupils in an Israeli, Hebrew language school in Tel Aviv. Guided by Miriam, they participated in the summer camp of the Hebrew speaking Catholic community last summer. In their letter, they wrote: Miriam, we love you. How will we manage without you because you are like our family, Thank you that you taught us Bible.. you will be with us always".

Indeed, Miriam, we thank God for all we received through you.