Gathering of Desert Flower in Jaffa

On Friday, April 26, we, members of “Desert Flower” met again in Jaffa in order to continue preparing for our trip to Italy during the coming summer.

ON Friday evening, we gathered in order to continue reading from the Acts of the Apostles. We read from chapter 8 to the middle of chapter 10, the chapters that tell the beginning of the story of Saul/Paul. The first sentence mentions: “Saul was there, giving approval to his death” (Acts 8:1)(this being the death of Stephen).

After this verse, there is the description of the persecution of the Church by Saul until the day that Saul, on his way to Damascus, heard a voice that called out to him “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do” (Acts 9:5-6).

Those around Saul did not understand anything and they did not hear the voice and when Saul got up he could not see. His blindness continued for three days during which he neither ate nor drank. After three day, Jesus sent a disciple by the name of Ananias to heal Saul in Jesus’ name. Ananias laid his hands on Saul and said: “Brother Saul, the Lord-- Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here-- has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit” (Acts 9:17). Saul opened his eyes and he could see.

Thereafter, Saul went to all the synagogues and told of the greatness of Jesus and that he was the Son of God! Indeed everyone was astonished to hear this because only a few days before Saul wanted to destroy the entire Church and now he was praising the name of Jesus?

So begins the story of Saul as one of the apostles…

After we had finished reading from the New Testament, we prayed together.

On Saturday, some of us stayed in Saint Peter’s monastery and then went with Father Apolinary to teach the Filipino and African children catechism, the subject being the coming feast of Pentecost.

After that, we went to celebrate the birthday of Daniele on Palmahim beach, where we joined members of her family and members of the Jaffa kehilla – we had a great time!

Then we returned to the monastery to prepare for mass where we joined the members of the Jaffa kehilla. After mass, we went to a convent of sisters not far away to celebrate together Lag BaOmer.

These were two days of fun, full of celebration and joy. We were once again very happy to be together as a group!

What remains is to wish us all a great trip to Italy that will bring the group even closer together and let us derive much benefit from the trip. We pray for the members of the youth group and for the families that are preparing to host us in Italy who are looking forward to welcoming us.