Desert Flower at Deir Rafat

The meeting of the youth group of the Saint James Vicariate for two days at the shrine of Our Lady of Palestine at Deir Rafat, near Beit Shemesh, had three principal goals:

- Bring to a head the final preparations for the pilgrimage to Italy, in the footsteps of Saints Peter and Paul,

- Deepen the study of the Acts of the Apostles, a study carried out through the year of a book that has major implications for the identity and mission of the disciples of Jesus,

- Help prepare for the ten days of children’s summer camp that begin on July 17.

Twenty young people participated in the two day meeting. The meeting was animated by Father Apolinary and Benny and joining for the first time was also Claudia, who will work with the group next year. Father David was invited to deepen the study of the Acts of the Apostles and discuss with the group its own identity and mission.

The group was welcomed by the Sisters and volunteers in Deir Rafat and spent two intense days deepening friendships and faith. The members of the group also set in place the infrastructure for the children’s camps that will take place here from July 17 to July 26.

At the end of the meeting, instructions were given where and when to meet for the departure to Italy.