2013 Kaytana in south Tel Aviv


More than 40 children of Filipino migrant workers took part in a children's summer camp in south Tel Aviv – five days of fun in a church atmosphere and in Hebrew.

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For the past four years, the Saint James Vicariate for Hebrew Speaking Catholics in Israel has been working with the team of priests, sisters and lay people that minister to the community of Filipino migrant workers. The Vicariate has been working to promote the religious education of the children of the migrant workers, who are integrated in the secular Israeli Jewish school system.

The summer camp took place at the Divine Mercy Chapel on Levanda Street in south Tel Aviv from August 12 to 16, 2013. The Chapel opened its doors each day at 7.00 to welcome the children who were left there by their parents on their way to work. Activities began at 8.30 and ran to 15.00. The directors of the camp were Father David, Father Piotr, Father Roman, Claudia and Tiago, assisted by Father Roch, Barbara, Shahaf, Davide and the three sisters who live in the chapel, Sisters Rebecca, Regina and Aurelia and the tireless Ms. Bhea.

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It is fitting to point out that of the more than 40 children, the majority were newcomers to the catechetical activities in the Chapel. All the children, without exception, were born in Israel and speak Hebrew as their primary language. They are all Catholic and all express full identity with their country of adoption and its people.

The daily program included: morning prayer, a religion class focused on the Holy Spirit, singing, art, games, daily mass, lunch and a movie. The children participated in all the activities with great enthusiasm.

On Thursday, everyone set off for a day trip to Ein Karem. As the trip took place on the day of the Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, it was appropriate to begin with the Church of the Visitation. This was followed by the Church of Saint John the Baptist and then a beautiful mass in the convent of the Sisters of Sion followed by a picnic lunch.

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On the last day, the children sang their gratitude in a festive mass and the counselors also gave thanks for a wonderful "kaytana". We are already preparing for the next camp in the hope of bringing together even more children, and reaching out to the other Catholic children in the neighborhood.

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