Patriarch visits Haifa
Haifa – His Beatitude, Patriarch Fouad Twal, accompanied by his Vicar in Israel, Bishop Giacinto-Boulos Marcuzzo and Chancellor Father George Ayoub, made several visits to Haifa on August 19th for specific and special reasons.
Best wishes for Archbishop Elias Chacour
The Patriarch visited Archbishop Elias Chacour of the Melkites of Acre, to wish him a speedy recovery and to express his fraternal “Al-hamdu lillah as-Salameh.” The Archbishop was grateful for the visit. He is recovering well from a leg problem. He was hospitalized and confined in bed for a week. He has now started to walk with great caution. The conversation between the Bishops and priests was pastoral which included discussions and news of the appointment of the new Nuncio in Israel and the upcoming visit of the Holy Father to Beirut, Islamic-Christian relations in the context of Ramadan, and present situation in the Arab countries.
‘Mabrouk’ to the Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth
The Sisters have taken over the operations of the school of Nazareth for two years now. The Patriarch had previously met them. During this visit, he wanted to continually encourage them in their efforts of adapting to their new mission.
The community presently has four members and awaiting for the arrival of a fifth Sister. The Sisters have just completed the renovation of their private chapel and repairs are ongoing for the school chapel. Sister Magdalena, superior of the community and Sister Joanna, school principal shared with the Patriarch their satisfaction with the success of their integration, despite the challenges inherent in the early stages of transition.
Condolences to the Franciscan Sisters CIM
The Patriarch also visited the Franciscan Sisters CIM at the Italian hospital expressing condolences for their losses in recent months.
A member of the community, Sister Anne, 86 years, died a month ago in Haifa. The older brother of Sister Emmanuela (superior of the community), a Salesian, died at 80 in Civitavecchia. The mother of Sister Rosanna Nava, Provincial Superior, also died at the age of 90 in her hometown in Italy. The Patriarch assured the community of the Latin Patriarchate family’s prayers, sympathy and spiritual support in their time of bereavement.
The Provincial Superior informed the Patriarch of some changes occurring in the community: the full “Iraqization” of their community in Karakosh (Northern Iraq) and the transfer of the provincial house from Aida (Bethlehem) to the Saint Anthony residence in Jerusalem where restructuring work has already begun.
Text from our correspondent in Haifa. Photos by GA
