Feast of St. Stephen

Seminarians encounter

What a storm we had last night .... it was actually a regular shower but by Jerusalem's drought standards, it was a storm. And it was very very cold. I had to go visit a group (the 3rd group this weekend) to share a bible talk. It was a wet cold walk 2 kms to the Rosary Sisters convent where they stayed. Nevertheless it was a nice visit. I brought 2 seminarians from Melbourne to meet with 4 Singaporean seminarians who came with the group. It was a good exchange of experiences. And the meeting room was very warm and dry.

Archbishop Pizzaballa in Bethlehem

Christmas Day was exceptional this year with thousands of foreign visitors entering Bethlehem to celebrate and thousands of Palestinian christians coming into Jerusalem because they received permission from Israel for this festive season. Roads and streets were closed not only in Bethlehem and Jerusalem to facilitate the movement of huge crowds ... but also Jaffa where no religious tourists flock to party out the jewish feast of Hanukkah. It was good to see my old friend and classmate, Pierbattista Pizzaballa, entering Bethlehem as Archbishop of Jerusalem. He was our previous Custos of the Holyland and was consecrated a few months back and assigned as Apostolic Administrator of the Holy Land by the Vatican. A few days back I messaged him to ask if 25 years back when we were classmates he ever thought he'd be an archbishop today. I'm very proud of him.

Poor Haifa ... first torched by the immense forest fire that destroyed hundreds of homes, then inundated by the floods ... now there is a huge fire of its oil refinery plant. It's out of control. Haifa has been having such bad luck recently. The residents can't celebrate a proper Hannukah or Christmas.

Thanks for the lovely gifts, the beanie, clothes, calendars and medicines especially Aunties Yvonne, Mary Patricia Lim, the Caveros, Agnes Lee, Irene Teoh, Marveen and many others. Received everything. Really appreciate your kindness.