Gaza – On Sunday December 20th, 2015, His Beatitude Fouad Twal, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, presided over a Christmas mass in The Latin Parish of Gaza. The mass intentions were dedicated to the parishioners and benefactors of the parish.

Just days before Christmas, HB opened the Jubilee year of Mercy in the Holy Family Church in Gaza, where he was welcomed by Fr Mario da Silva parish priest of Gaza, his parishioners and the local community.  In his homily, Patriarch Fouad talked about the year of Mercy and the Mercifulness of Jesus Christ. He told Gaza Christians to have hope and patience despite all the difficult circumstances that they live.

After the mass, HB attended a Christmas children play at the new parish hall.

Moreover, HB visited the projects that were inaugurated in 2015. Among the LPJ and visitors who were present during the visit of His Beatitude, were Mgr. Boulos Marcuzzo, the Latin Vicar in Nazareth; the delegation of the priests of the Latin Patriarchate; the parishioners of Gaza; the local Government representatives; the donors and benefactors of the parish and the staff of engineers and professionals responsible for the works conducted  in the Compound during 2015.
The five projects at the compound  were financed by World Vision, the General Consulate of France in Jerusalem, Kirche in Not, Catholic Relief Services and The Pontifical Mission.

Saher Kawas
Pictures from Andrea Krogmann

Source: Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem