News

On Sunday, November 30, 2025, a special meeting took place at the synagogue Moreshet Avraham in Jerusalem to mark the 60th anniversary of Nostra Aetate, the historic declaration of the Second Vatican Council that opened a new chapter in relations between the Catholic Church and the Jewish people.

Last Friday (November 14th) more than one hundred people gathered in the parish hall of Notre Dame of the Champs in Paris for a meeting with fr. Piotr, the Vicar of St. James.

Fr. Piotr Zelazko, the Vicar of St. James Vicariate for Hebrew-speaking Catholics published the following statement on the occasion of 60th Anniversary of the publication by the Second Vatican Council the Declaration on the Relation of the Catholics Church to Non-Christian Religions "Nostra Aetate".

Our exclusive anniversary t-shirt honors the groundbreaking declaration that transformed relations between the Catholic Church and other faiths. Featuring a modern design inspired by dialogue, unity, and mutual respect, this shirt is more than apparel - it’s a statement of commitment to friendship and understanding. Perfect for events, gatherings, or as a meaningful keepsake.

The monthly Newsletter of St. James Vicariate is available in five languages (English, German, Italian, French and Polish). It contains the news from the communities and connects the local, hebrew-speaking Church with all the Catholics of the world. In unity we are strong. Please, subscribe in order to stay in touch with us.

On November 6, 2025, scholars, religious leaders, and interfaith practitioners gathered at Notre Dame of Jerusalem to commemorate the 60th anniversary of Nostra Aetate, the groundbreaking declaration of the Second Vatican Council that transformed Catholic relations with other religions. The event, titled “Reflecting on the Legacy and Contemporary Challenges of Dialogue Across Faiths,” explored both the historical significance and the future of interreligious engagement. The Vicariate of St. James was one of the organizers of the meeting.

On November 1st the Feast of the Communities (Yom HaKehilot) took place in Jerusalem. The holy Mass was celebrated in the Auditorium of Notre dame of Jerusalem, meanwhile the picnic lunch was served by the students of the Collège des Frères (La Salle New Gate Jerusalem).

From November 4–6, 2025, the Association of Catholic Ordinaries of the Holy Land (ACOHL) held its plenary meeting in Nicosia, Cyprus. Hosted by the Latin Vicariate of Cyprus, the gathering brought together bishops, vicars, and religious leaders from across the region, joined by representatives of the Apostolic Nunciatures in Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, Amman, and Nicosia.

From October 24–26, 2025, the “Jubilee of Synodal Teams” took place in Rome, gathering over 2,000 participants from around the world. Representing the Saint James Vicariate were Fr. Piotr, Habib, and Rivka, who joined this inspiring event as part of our local synodal team.

The Youth Festival of St. James Vicariate that took place on October 18th in Deir Rafat. As we informed On Saturday, October 18, nearly two hundred young people from across Israel, from Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, Haifa, Nazareth, and the Galilee, gathered for the Youth Festival organized by the St. James Vicariate for Hebrew-Speaking Catholics.

On the night of October 29, 2025, the streets of Tel Aviv glowed with movement, rhythm, and light as 42 participants from the St. James Vicariate joined the Night Run Tel Aviv among tens of thousands of runners.

The Bishops Conference of Arab Region (CELRA) had its annual meeting in Amman (Jordan) on 21-23 of October. Fr. Piotr, the Vicar of St. James is a member of the Conference.

Youth Festival at Deir Rafat: In a time marked by tension, uncertainty, and grief, the Marian Shrine of Deir Rafat became a place of radiant hope.

On Wednesday, October 8th, members of the Interfaith Initiative in the Negev gathered at the Sukkat Shalom in the Eshel Avraham Conservative Community House in Omer to reflect on interreligious relations. The meeting, held during the Sukkot holiday, was dedicated to the memory of Martin Sessler, a beloved member of the Initiative who passed away shortly before Rosh Hashanah.

Taking up Pope Francis’ desire “that all Christians come to appreciate the close connection between Christ’s love and His summons to care for the poor,” Pope Leo XIV issues his first Apostolic Exhortation, “Dilexi te,” as a call to Christ’s disciples “to recognize him in the poor and the suffering.”

On Tuesday, the first day of Sukkot, members of the community gathered in the Suka at St. Peter’s Church in Jaffa, built by Father Apolinary, to share a festive lunch, pray together, and give thanks to God. It was a joyful and meaningful celebration.

The new Liturgical Calendar for the year 2025/26 is available. The digital version (pdf) may be found on our webpage. The printed edition may be purchased through the priests responsible for the communities.

The St. James Vicariate for Hebrew Speaking Catholics in Israel hosted a special celebration of the Feast of Sukkot on Thursday, October 9th, at Jerusalem Kehilla (HaRav Kook Street 10). The evening brought together members of the community for a joyful gathering of thanksgiving, unity, and reflection.

"Today we are not only celebrating the release of the hostages but also the resurrection of hope": this is how Father Piotr Zelazko, Patriarchal Vicar of the Vicariate of St. James for Hebrew-speaking Catholics, commented to L’Agenzia S.I.R. (Servizio Informazione Religiosa) on the release of the 20 Israeli hostages, still alive, held by Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

The annual retreat for priests of the Vicariate of St. James took place at the Monastery of Montserrat. All priests participated in the spiritual exercises from September 28 to October 3, 2025.