Migrants event

Barbecue and mooncakes

The chinese community gathered on Friday evening to celebrated a belated Mid-autumn festival. It was not easy for the workers to come from various parts of the country especially the north because of the war. Still about 20 managed to come. They prepared meat for barbecue and I brought mooncakes which they were homesick for. It was also a good break for some of them who live daily and nightly under missile attacks. That night they could sleep in peace.

Migrant Day Mass

The next morning there was the Mass for Migrants Day [resided by the auxiliary bishop Rafic of Galilee. Several hundred migrant catholics from over a dozen countries gathered for the Mass, each in their national costumes. After Mass there was a cultural show and pot luck lunch from each nationality. It was very enjoyable and for a few hours, everyone forgot there was a war going on. 

The regional events the past few days were quick and unexpected. Jerusalem is still calm and safe though security has been stepped up. Families from the north especially Haifa and Akko have moved down south.  Our Sunday Masses were more crowded as a result for these Christian families displaced by the war.