Dear Parishioners:
The good news of the release of the 20 Israeli hostages and the historic peace in the Holy Land brokered by President Trump is indeed most welcome news. The many images of Israeli families reuniting with former hostages after two years of captivity by Hamas terrorists were a moving sight to behold.
The Gaza War began after the evil Hamas attack upon Israel on October 7, 2023, which saw the killing of over 1,200 men, women, and children, and kidnapping more than 250 hostages. Now, a peaceful ceasefire and aid are heading into Gaza to the benefit of the whole region. Let us continue to pray that this peace lasts in the Middle East.
Father Gabriel Romanelli at Holy Family Parish in Gaza.
One story not widely reported in the mainstream news media was the Holy Family Catholic Church in Gaza. In addition to the Church, Holy Family Parish has a school built in 1974 by the Latin Patriarchate. The Holy Family School has more than 600 students, both Christian and non-Christian. It was considered the best school in Gaza.
The parish complex became a makeshift home to over 500 people during the war. Most of those taking shelter were Orthodox, Protestant, and Catholic Christians, but also some Muslim families of Gaza, as well as many children with disabilities.
The Pastor of the Holy Family Parish, Father Gabriel Romanelli, is an Argentinian priest of the Institute of the Incarnate Word. In 2023, when war started, he was evacuated to Jerusalem but decided to return to minister to his flock and support the entire local community. He celebrated Mass daily during the entire war.
The Missionaries of Charity, founded by St. Teresa of Calcutta, care for the elderly and disabled at a convent in the parish complex. In December 2023, their convent was hit by rockets, creating a fire that made the convent uninhabitable.
The late Pope Francis called the Holy Family Parish in Gaza every night.
During the war, even after being hospitalized, the late Pope Francis called the Holy Family Parish almost daily. The last call Pope Francis made to the parish was on the Easter Vigil on April 19, just two days before his death. The calls were simple check-ins via WhatsApp with the Pastor. The parish grew to expect the nightly calls, and the children of the parish began to call Pope Francis “Grandfather.”
The Holy Family Parish has come under direct attack during the war, including a bombing that occurred about 1,000 feet away from the Church in March, as well as missile fire, which damaged the Church. In April, Fr. Romanelli called Gaza a “prison” and urged world leaders to seek peace. With the recent Peace Deal, he commented: “May we enjoy a long period of peace between Palestine and Israel, for it is not impossible. But it will take a long time.”
His Beatitude Pierbattista Cardinal Pizzaballa, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, declared: “It is good news, and we are very happy. It is a first step, the first phase. Of course, there are many others, and surely there will be other obstacles. But now we have to rejoice about this important step that will bring a little more trust for the future and also bring new hope, especially to the people, both Israeli and Palestinians.”
Holy Family Church in Gaza after a missile attack.
In July, Archbishop Timothy Broglio, President of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, called upon all American Catholics, Dioceses, and Parishes to donate emergency financial assistance to the Catholic Near East Welfare Association for relief in Gaza. CNEWA was founded in the 1920s to support Catholics in regions where they are a minority of the population, like the Middle East.
Thanks to your generous contribution to the OLM Outreach Collection last year, we were able to donate a $10,000 gift to CNEWA for their Gaza Relief Fund. Let us support the ongoing peace in Gaza with our prayers for a just and lasting peace!
Join us for prayer on Mondays in October at 7:00 pm for Devotions. We pray the Rosary before the Eucharistic Lord and seek the intercession of Mother Mary, Queen of Peace!
Next Sunday at the 5:00 pm Mass, Bishop Evans will confirm 56 young adults. Pray for these candidates, their sponsors, and their families as they prepare for the celebration of Confirmation. It is a joyous occasion for our parish family!
Be well. Do Good. God Bless. Pray for Peace!!