Pope Francis visits Hospital of St. Francis of Assisi

Pope offers drug addicts an embrace and a challenge


Pope Francis greets a young man as he meets with patients, family, and staff at St. Francis of Assisi Hospital in Rio de Janeiro July 24. CNS photo / Paul Haring.

A story from Catholic News Service by Francis X. Rocca reported that Pope Francis visited the Hospital of St. Francis of Assisi. He inaugurated a new wing dedicated to treating users of crack cocaine while he was there.

Pope Francis addressed a group of recovering drug addicts in a working-class neighbourhood of Rio, offering them a message of compassion and hope as well as a call to self-determination.

At the Hospital of St. Francis of Assisi, which he called a "shrine of human suffering," he told patients they were the "flesh of Christ," like the leper embraced by the institution's patron saint in a crucial step toward his conversion. He also said those struggling with drug dependency deserve the "closeness, affection, and love" of all society.

Yet the Pope also stressed the necessity of personal will in recovering from addiction.

Full article available here.


A nun wearing a clown nose smiles as Pope Francis meets with patients. CNS photo / Paul Haring.

Pope visits Marian shrine, entrusts WYD to Mary's care

Pilgrims receive a blessing from Pope Francis with statue of Our Lady of Aparecida

YouTube credit: CNS / Robert Duncan.



Catholic News Service reporter Cindy Wooden wrote that Pope Francis received a copy of the statue of Our Lady of Aparecida from Cardinal Raymundo Damasceno Assis at a Mass in the Basilica of Aparecida. He then used it to give the final blessing to the people inside and to the crowds outside.

Comfortable in the presence of Mary and at a shrine that symbolizes one of his most important experiences as a member of the Latin American bishops' council, Pope Francis kicked off five days of intense activity with an act of devotion.

Visiting the Basilica of the National Shrine of Our Lady of Aparecida July 24, the Pope entrusted World Youth Day to Mary's maternal protection. He challenged parents, priests, and other adult Catholics to give the young people things that the world, with all its wealth, cannot: faith and values.

Full story available here.

400,000 brave wind, rain on Copacabana beach

Pilgrims gather for WYD's opening ceremony

Young people carry the World Youth Day cross during the event's opening ceremony on Copacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro July 23. CNS Photo / Paul Haring.

Police watch over the crowd as pilgrims gather on the beach. A Brazilian navy vessel can be seen in the distance. CNS. Photo / Ricardo Moraes, Reuters.

A story from Catholic News Service by Lise Alves reported that World Youth Day officially opened with a Mass celebrated by Rio Archbishop Orani Joao Tempesta. Despite the rain and cold winds, youths were enthusiastic to see the pilgrim cross carried to the main stage by other young people.

 

The mosaic of hundreds of national flags waving in the cold wind on Copacabana beach was symbolic, as pilgrims from all backgrounds, driven by a single faith, participated in the opening Mass for World Youth Day.

"We come from different cultures, speak different languages, but we sing the same songs and have the same faith," said Nancy Issa of Ramallah, West Bank. Issa and 20 other Palestinians came to Brazil for the July 23-28 events.

Full article available here.


Brazilian soccer team gives Pope personalized jersey

Supporters chant song written for 1980 papal visit

Pope Francis receives a soccer jersey from the Fluminense Football Club. Photo credit / Nelson Perez - Fluminense F.C.

Catholic News Agency reported that during his visit to Laranjeiras Stadium, Pope Francis received a personalized jersey from Alexey Dantas, the vice president of the Fluminense Soccer Club. Fans of the team are known for chanting "À Benção João de Deus," or "A Blessing, John of God," written during Pope John Paul II's 1980 visit to Brazil. A video of the song can be found here.

After arriving last night by helicopter at Laranjeiras Stadium, the home of the Fluminense Soccer Club, Pope Francis received a personalized jersey and blessed the famous Brazilian soccer team.

The Pope, in Rio de Janeiro for World Youth Day and on his way to Guanabara Palace yesterday to meet with President Dilma Rousseff, received the jersey from team vice president Alexey Dantas. A smiling Pope Francis thanked him in Spanish for the gift.

Full article available here.

Spirit of WYD experienced from home

Salt and Light offer free coverage to Canadians

Youths celebrate the impending WYD. Salt and Light Photo.

Canadians will be able to join youths in Rio and experience the many events and activities taking place without leaving their homes. Salt and Light Media Foundation is providing exclusive coverage on the different events live on location at World Youth Day (WYD) Rio 2013 free to Canadians.

"I'm happy to say that we will have the most extensive and exclusive coverage of the events, more than any other English media outlet attending the events," said Noel A. Ocol, director of marketing and communications.

Seven distributors supply free channels

Salt and Light Television is free for the week of July 22 to customers across Canada. The distributors are as follows:

Shaw Direct 558 (classic), 293 (advanced)

Shaw Cable 160

Bell Fibe 654

Rogers 240

Sogetel 28, 851

Telus 159

Videotron 242

"Just an inside piece of info..."

"Just an inside piece of info," Ocol added, "we just got word that Father Tom Rosica (our CEO), and Salt and Light producer Sebastian Gomes will be accompanying Pope Francis as he visits the slums of Rio on Thursday." Only 40 accredited registered English journalists of over 600 were chosen to accompany the Pope.

Although cameras are not allowed at this particular event, "Father Rosica and Gomes will be tweeting live, from what promises to be a truly emotional and touching event," Ocol said.

Schedule - Pacific Daylight Time

Monday, July 22

11:00 a.m. - Who is Pope Francis? (Documentary)

12:00 p.m. - Pope Francis Arrives in Rio de Janeiro LIVE

8:00 p.m. - Who is Pope Francis? (Documentary)

9:00 p.m. - Pope Francis Arrives in Rio de Janeiro (repeat)

Tuesday, July 23

10:30 a.m. - Perspectives Weekly (A look at the Church in Brazil)

11:00 a.m. - Pope Francis Arrives in Rio de Janeiro

1:30 p.m. - WYD Central LIVE

2:00 p.m. - Opening Mass for WYD Rio LIVE

5:00 p.m. - WYD Central (repeat)

5:30 p.m. - Opening Mass for WYD Rio (repeat) 

Wednesday, July 24

6:00 a.m. - Catechesis Session with Cardinal Timothy Dolan LIVE

9:00 a.m. - Pope Francis visits Aparecida

1:30  p.m. - WYD Central LIVE

2:00 p.m. - American National Gathering LIVE

4:00 p.m. - Youth Festival LIVE

8:30 p.m. - Perspectives Weekly (A look at the Church in Brazil)

9:00 p.m. - Pope Francis visits Aparecida (repeat)  

Thursday, July 25

6:00 a.m. - Catechesis Session with Archbishop Mark Coleridge LIVE

9:00 a.m. - Pope Francis Visits St. Francis of Assisi Hospital

10:30 a.m. - Pope Francis Visits the Community of Varginha

1:30 p.m. - WYD Central LIVE

2:00 p.m. - Papal Welcome Ceremony LIVE

4:00 p.m. - Youth Festival LIVE

9:00 p.m. - WYD Central (repeat)

9:30 p.m. - Papal Welcome Ceremony (repeat) 

Friday, July 26

6:00 a.m. - Catechesis Session with Cardinal Sean O'Malley LIVE

10:00 a.m. - youth Festival LIVE

1:30 p.m. - WYD Central LIVE

2:00 p.m. - Way of the Cross with Pope Francis LIVE

7:00 p.m. - Who is Pope Francis? (Documentary)

9:00 p.m. - WYD Central (repeat)

9:30 p.m. - Way of the Cross with Pope Francis (repeat) 

Saturday, July 27

5:00 a.m. - Mass with Clergy and Religious LIVE

7:30 a.m. - Pope Francis Meets with Brazil's Leaders LIVE

8:30 a.m. - Canadian National Gathering

10:00 a.m. - Australian National Gathering

1:00 p.m. - Who is Pope Francis? (Documentary)

3:00 p.m. - WYD Central LIVE

3:30 p.m. - Vigil with Pope Francis LIVE

9:30 p.m. - WYD Central (repeat)

10:00 p.m. - Vigil with Pope Francis (repeat)

Sunday, July 28 

5:30 a.m. - WYD Central LIVE

6:00 a.m. - Closing Mass LIVE

8:30 a.m. - Who is Pope Francis? (Documentary)

2:30 p.m. - Papal Farewell LIVE

5:00 p.m. - WYD Central Wrap-up Show

6:00 p.m. - Closing Mass (repeat)

9:00 p.m. - WYD Central Wrap-up Show (repeat)

10:00 p.m. - Closing Mass (repeat)

Note: All times are subject to change.

Pope Francis is scheduled to visit the National Shrine of Our Lady of Aparecida at 9:00 a.m. on July 24 in Guaratinqueta, Brazil. Our Lady of Aparecida is the patroness of Brazil and is connected to a miracle in Guaratinqueta with catching fish. Salt and Light Photo.

Small acts of faith vital, say Christian families in Israeli village

Muslims from Muqeibleh celebrate with their Christian neighbours when church is built

Fuad Shunnara and his wife, Sohad, kneel and read the Bible and pray with their sons in their living room in Muqeibleh, Israel, June 22. The family belongs to the Church of the Transfiguration in the village and prays with their children every night at home. CNS photo / Debbie Hill

Catholic News Service posted a story by Judith Sudilovsky about how Christian families in an Israeli village and their Muslim friends and neighbours have mutual respect. But to establish their identity, small acts of faith are vital. Muqeibleh is a small village between the city of Lod and Nazareth. When a church was built in Muqeibleh in 2006, the Christians were not the only ones to celebrate. Muslim religious leaders and neighbours also joined in celebration with the community. Sudilovsky reported that Muslims and Christians are on good standing with one another.

Every evening Suhad Shunnara, 32, reads the Bible to her three sons and kneels with them to say the rosary. On Friday, she and her husband, Fuad, 40, send the children to religion class, and on Saturday, after Mass, they all watch a Christian TV channel together.

In this small village of 4,000, where the Christian community totals 135 people, these small acts of faith are not only a statement of their own beliefs but also an important way to instill in their children a love and understanding of the importance of their religious traditions to their own identities.

"There are a lot of things which we do differently than our Muslim neighbours," Fuad said, noting that most of his friends are Muslim, "but the atmosphere here is very good; there is a lot of Muslim-Christian respect as well as Christian-Christian respect."

Full story available here.

Single-child families becoming the norm

Birth rate declines for women aged 20 to 24

For the third year in a row, birth rates have declined. Couples are no longer having the typical 2.5 children. According to an article in the National Post, single-child families are becoming increasingly common. Also, people are having children later in life. Studies have shown that women between the ages of 35 and 39 are having more births than women from 20 to 24.

The “white picket fence and 2.5 children” that long signalled the domestic dream isn’t just outdated because our architectural tastes have evolved. According to new figures from Statistics Canada, women, on average, haven’t had families that large since 1968 — nor do they appear to be headed that way any time soon.

On Tuesday, the agency reported that the total fertility rate in Canada has declined for a third year in a row, falling to just 1.61 children per woman in 2011. And while that represents an increase over a decade earlier, when the rate plummeted to a historic low of 1.51, it’s nonetheless consistent with the long-term trend.

In fact, Statistics Canada shows we haven’t met the population replacement level of roughly 2.1 children per woman since 1971.

Full article available here.

WYD coordinator prepares for arrival of Canadian pilgrims in Rio

 New centre to welcome English-speaking pilgrims in Rio

A letter from Msgr. Patrick Powers, the General Secretary of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB), has announced that Father Thomas Rosica, CSB, will assist the CCCB as the World Youth Day (WYD) 2013 coordinator. Father Rosica is the CEO of Salt and Light Catholic Media Foundation. In 2011, he coordinated the Canadian delegation to Madrid's WYD, and over the last year he has represented the CCCB at WYD meetings in Rome and Rio.

Father Rosica has informed the CCCB that there will be a Welcome Centre for English-speaking pilgrims at Vivo Rio, a performing arts facility in the eastern Flamengo area of Rio. The letter says the Centre will feature:

Experiences of prayer and worship, music, media and videos, motivational speakers, cultural presentations, and networking activities.

The letter adds:

The Canadian government representation in Rio has worked closely with Father Rosica over the past months in preparing for WYD 2013 and the arrival and care of Canadian pilgrims.

Papal encyclical by four hands

Faith: a pathway to God

Canadian Cardinal Marc Ouellet, prefect of the Congregation for Bishops, holds a copy of Pope Francis's first encyclical, "Lumen Fidei" ("The Light of Faith"), during a news conference for its release at the Vatican July 5. CNS photo / Paul Haring.

Father Thomas Rosica, CSB, shared his insight on Pope Francis's first encyclical, "Lumen Fidei," describing how the encyclical is a reflection on the gift and meaning of faith. "Lumen Fidei" is the last of three papal teachings on the three theological virtues. The first two, on hope and love, were written by Pope Benedict XVI. This last document was started by Pope Benedict XVI, but completed by Pope Francis. "Lumen Fidei" explains that faith is a light of guidance which paves a pathway to God.

The "Light of Faith" by Four Hands:

In order to begin to understand the magnitude of Pope Francis's first Encyclical, "Lumen Fidei," we must take into consideration a scene in the Vatican Gardens early this morning which preceded the unveiling of this great papal teaching prepared by "four hands." Pope Francis went to the Vatican Gardens to bless a new statue of St. Michael the Archangel and to consecrate the Vatican to the Archangel's protection. To the delight of hundreds of employees of the Vatican City State, he was accompanied by Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, who joined Pope Francis in the blessing. It was a fitting, simple gesture to begin an historic day at the Vatican and for the Church. St. Michael was blessed by four hands.

Later this morning in the Vatican Press Centre, Cardinal Marc Ouellet, Prefect of the Congregation for Bishops; Archbishop Gerhard Müller, Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith; and Archbishop Rino Fisichella, President of the Pontifical Council for the New Evangelization; presented Pope Francis’s first encyclical letter, “Lumen Fidei,” the final document of a trilogy of papal teachings long desired by Pope Benedict XVI.  Benedict had written the first two documents on hope (Spe Salvi, 2007) and love (Deus Caritas Est, 2005), but his resignation in February left the task unfinished.  Today the circle is complete.  While many are claiming today’s work a “first” in recent Church history, in fact Pope Benedict’s first encyclical, “Deus Caritas Est,” was thought to have been based on a draft encyclical John Paul II had been planning to issue prior to his death in 2005.

Complete encyclical available here.

Beatification of Archbishop Andrey Sheptytsky may be completed in 2015

Metropolitan Sheptytsky led Ukrainian Church through two world wars

The Religious Information Service of Ukraine reported July 1 about the beatification of Metropolitan Archbishop Andrey Sheptytsky, OSBM, of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church (UGCC).  Metropolitan Andrey was the Metropolitan Archbishop of Lviv from 1901 until his death in 1944, and during that time he led the Ukrainian Church through two world wars. The cause for beatification of Metropolitan Andrey is expected to be completed in two years.

“Therefore, I think, that the process of his beatification will be completed by 2015. I expect that in two years we will be praising him as Blessed Metropolitan Andrey,” stated Major Archbishop Sviatoslav Shevchuk, head of the UGCC during a pilgrimage to Stradch, Ukraine.

Full story available here.

Archbishops sign declaration of reconciliation

Polish and Ukrainian Catholics commemorate the anniversary of Volyn


Archbishop Sviatoslav Shevchuk of Ukraine (left) and Archbishop Jozef Michalik (right) of Poland signed joint declaration of reconciliation.



The Major Archbishop of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, Archbishop Sviatoslav Shevchuk paid an official visit to the Republic of Poland to sign a declaration of reconciliation with the leader of the Polish Roman Catholic Episcopate, Archbishop Jozef Michalik. On June 27 the two archbishops participated in a memorial service to mark the 70th anniversary of the Volyn massacres.

“We are aware that only the truth can set us free, the truth, which does not beautify and does not omit, which does not pass over in silence, but leads to forgiveness,” today's statement reads.

“As leader of the Polish Episcopate, I carry the request for forgiveness from our Ukrainian brothers,” Archbishop Michalik stressed.

Full story available on the Religious Information Service of Ukraine.

Praying for an end to abortion

Taking of innocent life a violation of God's law

 Pro-life Mass and Prayer Vigil – Holy Family  Parish, Sechelt, September 2009.

As harm continues to be inflicted on human beings, pro-lifers will continue to protest and speak for those who can't raise their own voices. Archbishop J. Michael Miller, CSB, gave a homily to encourage the people to defend life  at the first Saturday Mass, Jan. 5, 2013:

Like the first fratricide (when Cain murdered Abel), every murder, every deliberate taking of innocent human life, is a violation of the spiritual relationship uniting humankind in one great family.

St. Luke's Parish will respond to abortion with prayer on Saturday, July 6. A Mass will be said at 9 a.m. in the Church, 20285 Dewdney Trunk Road, Maple Ridge, and will be followed by a peaceful and prayerful vigil for unborn children and their parents. The vigil will be at Ridge Meadows Hospital, where the rosary will be prayed.

More information available here.

Yaz and Yasmin suspected in 23 deaths

Birth control pills cause blood clots in women

Yaz and Yasmin, the only birth control pills that contain progestin drospirenone. (CBC)

According to CBC News, the birth control pills Yaz and Yasmin are suspected of being the cause of death for 23 Canadian women. These pills have a risk of blood clots 1.5 to 3 times as high as other birth controls because they contain the progestin drospirenone. Action has been taken against the maker of the birth-control pills, Bayer. However the company stands firmly behind its products.

At least 23 Canadian women who were taking two of the most commonly prescribed birth control pills in the world have died, CBC News has learned.

According to documents obtained from Health Canada, doctors and pharmacists say Yaz and Yasmin are suspected in the deaths of the women, most of whom died suddenly from blood clots.

One of the women, 18-year-old Miranda Scott, was working out on an elliptical machine at the Okanagan gym at the University of British Columbia when she collapsed and died three years ago, said her mother, Chip McClaughry, who is involved in a class-action lawsuit against Bayer, the maker of the birth-control pills.

"She fell backwards into the person behind her and then, I guess, when she was on the ground she said, 'I can't breathe,' and then, you know, she was gone," McClaughry said at her home in Delta, B.C.

Full story available here.

Benedict XVI: "I read, I pray. I'm fine."

Italian site may be looking for controversy

Retired Pope Benedict greets Pope Francis at the Vatican. Benedict now lives in a monastery in the Vatican Gardens. CNS photo / L'Ossevatore Romano via Reuters.

An article in the Catholic World News reported that Pope Benedict XVI looked to be more stooped and physically weaker than he had a few months ago according to his old friend, Manfred Lutz, however he remains mentally sound. Lutz informed the Bild Zeitung that Benedict was in full agreement with Pope Francis's theological views. The Italian site, Libero, took this to mean that Benedict was suggesting that he disagrees with Pope Francis on other issues.

“I’m fine. I live like a monk,” Benedict XVI told an old German friend who visited him recently at his new residence in the Mater Ecclesiae monastery on the Vatican grounds. 

Manfred Lutz, a German scholar who is a member of the Pontifical Council for the Laity and the Pontifical Academy for Life, told Bild Zeitung that he found the retired Pontiff “physically weaker and a bit more stooped” than a few months earlier, but still mentally alert and cheerful. He said that the Pope-emeritus found himself thoroughly in accord with the theological statements of Pope Francis. 

Full story available here.

Pope Francis explains the strength of God's love

God shows His love with closeness and tenderness

Pope Francis says that closeness is the relationship we have with Jesus, Who is physically present to watch over us; tenderness is Jesus caring and looking after our well-being. Together, closeness and tenderness reveal the strength of God's love. According to Pope Francis, both closeness and tenderness are the pillars that represent God's relationship with us. Vatican Radio reports:

It's harder to open our hearts and let God love us than to love God in return. But the only way to really love Him is to love others, especially the poor. God is an expert in the science of tenderness, and we should allow ourselves to be loved by Him. This was Pope Francis's message at morning Mass Friday on the Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus.

Pope Francis said:

"A God who draws near out of love, walks with His people – and this walk comes to an unimaginable point – we could never have imagined that the same Lord would become one of us and walk with us, be present with us, present in His Church, present in the Eucharist, present in His Word, present in the poor. He is present, walking with us. And this is closeness: the shepherd close to His flock, close to His sheep, whom He knows, one by one."

Full story available here.

Sixteen Jesuit priests to be ordained in the U.S.

First ordinations into Society of Jesus since election of Jesuit Pope

The National Jesuit News released an article on the upcoming ordination of 16 Jesuit priests barely three months after the election of the first Jesuit Pope in history. The new priests will be ordained this month in the United States. Although they all hail from the U.S., each has served and studied in several countries around the world.

Three months after the historic election of the first Jesuit Pope, the Society of Jesus, the largest order of priests and brothers in the Catholic Church, is ordaining 16 new Jesuit priests this month in the United States.

Ordination ceremonies are being held at Fordham University in the Bronx, N.Y.; Holy Name of Jesus Church in New Orleans; Church of the Blessed Sacrament in Los Angeles; and Madonna della Strada Chapel at Loyola University Chicago.

More information available here.

Ancient art form called 'Scripture in paint'

Iconographer visualizes stories of saints

Teresa Foley writes detail on her icon of the Mother of God of the Sign at the home of iconographer Veronica Royal. CNS / Nancy Phelan Wiechec.

Betty Ellen Walter wrote an interesting story for CNS on iconographer Veronica Royal. Iconography is the visual images or symbols that represent the story of a person or movement. Royal often writes icons of saints who are not very well known or popular. She has received many commissions for her talent.

ANNANDALE, Va. (CNS) -- Veronica "Ronnie" Royal of Virginia has been an iconographer since 1998, working diligently to hone her craft and encourage the use of icons in contemplation and prayer.

Born in Nancy, France, she was raised in the Ukrainian Catholic Church by her Russian mother and Ukranian father. Icons were very much a part of her church and family life.

She is often commissioned to paint saints who are not particularly popular or are obscure, like St. Andrew Kim Taegon, namesake of a couple's adopted son. His grandmother commissioned Royal to paint the icon as a gift to her son and daughter-in-law in celebration of their new child, Taegon.

"You have to remember that the Church continues to declare saints, and yet iconography originated from the early Church," Royal said. "So there is a place for present-day iconographers to bring Catholic saints to life through this ancient tradition."

Full story here.

UGCC confirms absence of religious conflicts

 National churches work together in Galicia

An interesting article published on the website RISU has stated that the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church and the Ukrainian Orthodox church have reached an agreement to cooperate with one another. Although there are still many unresolved issues between the two religions, tension has decreased.

The statement by Metropolitan Anthony (Pakanych) is a true, realistic assessment of the current situation of the relations between our two national churches. Finally, the tension and false beliefs are fading. The Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church is open to cooperation, and we are pleased that this is reciprocated by the hierarchy of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church-MP, Fr. Dr. Ihor Shaban, the head of the UGCC Commission for Christian Unity, told the Information Department of the UGCC in response to Metropolitan Anthony's statement.

At the same time, Fr. Shaban said that there still remain many unresolved issues, especially historical ones. 

Full article here.

Jesuit Scholastic speaks at Vancouver Catholic forum

What does Pope Francis expect from us?

Pope Francis waves as he leaves his general audience in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican March 27. CNS photo / Paul Haring.

Corpus Christi College instructor and Jesuit scholastic John O'Brien will discuss the topic "What does Pope Francis expect from us?" at a forum on Tuesday, June 4. At the end of the presentation, O'Brien will answer questions from the audience.

"I expect a very interesting presentation from O'Brien," said Paul Ungar, the forum organizer. 

The forum will start at 7 p.m. at St. Mary's Church, 5251 Joyce St., Vancouver; attendance by donation.

More information here.

Museum dedicated to Christianity

Terra Sancta Museum to open in 2015

Model of the Terra Sancta Museum. (PRWeb)

An article in PRWeb reports that the Terra Sancta Museum is set to open in the Old City of Jerusalem in 2015. It will be the first museum dedicated to the history and origins of Christianity. The museum is expected to be divided into three sections: archeological, multimedia, and historical. The third section is most important as it will help Christians have a better understanding of who they are and increase world awareness of the history of Christian presence in the Holy Land.

The Franciscan order of Friars Minor, the Franciscans who are the Custodians of the Holy Land, has been working for many years to lay the groundwork for a museum right in the heart of the Old City that will display the roots and substance of Christianity and its holy places.

Fr. Pierbattista Pizzaballa, OFM, Custos of the Holy Land, is extremely pleased and excited about this new museum. He states that Christians have always been here in the Holy Land and are still here today, but their numbers are dwindling, and the Christian presence needs to be shown and better known.

More information is available here.