“ Ut Cognoscant Te” Schools of the Latin Patriarchate of

LPS “Easter is a sign of Peace”

English Issue 18 April - 2015 His Beatitude Fouad Twal: Every day in the Middle East, we are witnesses of tragic...

Our Schools in April

Aboud

Beit Sahour Taybeh

Ramallah Zababdeh

Ein Arik Beit Jala

Bir Zeit

English Issue 18 April - 2015 2 His Beatitude Fouad Twal: Every day in the Middle East, we are witnesses of tragic... with our two holy Palestinian saints: Mariam and Marie- Dear brother Bishops and Priests, Alphonsine. Therefore, let us bury in the tomb of Christ Dear men and women religious, our worldly inclinations, our contradictions, our religious Dear faithful of the Holy Land, divisions, our hostilities, our lack of faith and our fears. Dear pilgrims and faithful from around the world, We must “put away the old self of our former way of life… be renewed in the spirit…and put on the new self, created On this glorious day in this Basilica of the Holy Sepulcher, in God’s way in righteousness and holiness of truth” (Eph we relive the joy of Easter, and the Risen Christ, truly He 4:22-24), believe in good, believe that peace is possible, is risen who, “is going before us to Galilee” (Mt 28:7). that we “may have life and have it more abundantly. (Jn 10:10) I wish you all a beautiful and holy feast of the Resurrec- From this tomb emanated light and peace. And here to- tion! Every day in the Middle East, we are witnesses of day, from this battered Holy Land, light and peace must tragic events that make us even contemporaries of Cal- spring out again. Let us pray for the grace of God for the vary. But our joy and our faith in the Risen Lord, “no one Holy Land and the whole world. will take away”(Jn 16:22), because the Lord invites us Brothers and sisters, let us equip ourselves with faith, today, even in the midst of difficulties that are ours, to courage and joy of our encounter with Jesus, to proclaim taste the first fruits of the Resurrection. His resurrection and His victory. As Christians, we are When the women followers of Jesus went to the Tomb called to the heart of the Middle East, shaken by wars with spices to anoint the body of the crucified Christ (Mk and anguished by violence, to be signs of contradiction, 16: 1-2), they found an open and empty tomb and saw signs of hope beyond everything. Our future in this re- a young man, clothed in a white robe saying “You seek gion and in the world is uncertain and even incomprehen- Jesus of Nazareth, the Crucified. He has risen, he is not sible, but do not be afraid, Christ assured us, He is “with here.” (Mk 16: 6-7) Then they went away quickly from the us always until the end of time”(Mt 28:20). tomb, fearful yet overjoyed, and ran to announce this to Politics and the international community are less con- his disciples. (Mt 28: 8) cerned of our freedom and fate. Personal interests pre- Today thousands of us who seek the face of Christ, His vail over the good will of those who desire and work for Word and His peace. And we struggle to find Him in this peace and justice. world, as nothing seems to quench our thirst, neither po- Nevertheless, contemporary martyrs continue to bear litical discourses, nor the business world, even our sur- witness to the Resurrection of Christ. Processions, the roundings sometimes. Like the women at the tomb, fear stones of Jerusalem, Iraqi and Syrian refugees who have pervades us before this emptiness. Because this tomb, lost everything for their faith, and prisoners in the name of brothers and sisters, where thousands of people are Christ, are signs that our Lord is alive. With the interces- seeking God every day, no longer contains the body of sion of Blessed Mariam and Blessed Marie-Alphonsine, the Crucified. we follow them that we become true witnesses for Christ God is not necessarily where we seek Him. It is not in During this Year of Consecrated Life, dear consecrated obscure and isolated corners, it is right beside us, in our brothers and sisters, let us rekindle the joy of our first call brother and sister, in our neighbor! Just like the disciples, and return to God to be faithful disciples at the service of standing in amazement in front of the empty tomb, we are our Church of Jerusalem and our brothers and sisters. invited to grow in our relationship with Jesus and become Many come to the Holy Land in search for Christ, while heralds and witnesses of the Good News, to finally un- trying to find or rediscover their roots. Our roots are here, derstand that we will find God in our brothers and sisters, in the Mother Church, on Golgotha and this empty Tomb. in spreading and sharing the joy of our salvation. Even For this, we have a great responsibility, that despite the when the darkness of Good Friday and of death over- numerous adversities, we must persevere in hope for a whelm us and darken our hearts and our country, believe life of joy. The living Christ always triumphs over evil. and sing: Christ is risen, Alleluia Dear brothers and sisters; dear friends; the sick; the el- To do this, brothers and sisters, we must live the first derly and the prisoners; to you dear faithful refugees, who miracle of the Resurrection, a radical change of heart, a live a Good Friday with uncertainty for the future because conversion, just as the Roman centurion at the foot of the of injustices and violence; to all who are deprived of the Cross, “who saw how he breathed his last and said, Truly experience of the joy of Easter; to you who have come this man was the Son of God!”(Mk 15:39) There is the to the Holy Sepulcher to share and celebrate with us this conversion of the soldiers, but also of the disciples gath- feast – for you, I raise my prayer, in the hope that you ered in the Upper Room and locked up in fear. The Res- enjoy the peace of the Resurrection. This peace will fill urrection transformed them and they became witnesses, your heart with love, solidarity, by the power of the Risen joyful witnesses in suffering for Christ. Christ who wants us to rise with him. (Phil 3:10-11) One day, we hope to sing our Alleluia and share eternal The Lord is risen! Go and proclaim this Good News to the glory with all the saints, world. Yes, Jesus is truly risen. Amen. Alleluia

English Issue 18 April - 2015 3 Our Schools in April

Extracurricular Activities Aboud The school carried out various extracurricular activities which included a trip to Mahkmas Park, Ori- gami workshops for grades5-9.The students enjoyed A French mobile library visits .this work shop very much the school In cooperation with the French Cultural Centre, a French mobile library, loaded with hundreds of books, visited the school. French books, magazines and posters were given out to the students with the purpose of enhancing reading and learning French

On the other hand, the school, in cooperation with the Wildlife Society and the students’ parents coun- cil, set up a voluntary work day on Saturday April 25. The work included planting flowers in the school garden, cleaning the playgrounds, and whitewashing the outside of the school wall. This was followed by a meeting of the .students’ parents council with the administration

English Issue 18 April - 2015 4 A campaign to Boycott Israeli Products Ramallah On Wednesday March 25, LPS, in cooperation with the society for protecting the Palestinian consumer, and AL A trip to Wadi Qelt Jibrini Dairy Products Company, launched a campaign to LPS Tawjihi students (Twelfth-graders) went on a trip to boycott the Israeli products. Wadi Qelt, near . The trip included a visit to the monastery of Wadi Qelt and a two-hour walk through the Qelt valley to the city of Jericho and Shams resort. This trip comes as a recreational activity for the students be- fore theTawjihi trial exams.

The event was attended by the chairman of the society , a representative of Al Jibrini Company and LPS students and staff. The campaign, which is considered a national obligation and a method of peaceful resistance against the Israeli occupation is intended to encourage the stu- dents and their families to boycott these goods, and to encourage the national products which support the Pal- estinian economy.

At the end of the event, Al Jibrini company representa- tives distributed samples of the company products which included different kinds of juice and dairy products.

English Issue 18 April - 2015 5 LPS hosts the mini volley Lectures about adolescence, ball festival violence and HIV LPS hosted the mini volleyball festival for the students SAWA centre, in cooperation with LPS social worker, from grade one to grade eight in Ramallah governor- concluded a series of weekly lectures about adolescence ate, as this age group is the best age for developing the and the physical, psychological and social changes dur- physical potentials of the students, and to discover ing this period. The lectures also dealt with the subjects their latent talents in this sport, in the hope that they of violence, the internet and HIV. The students were di- might become professionals in this sport on the national vided into two groups: boys and girls, and the lectures and even international levels. were delivered to each group separately. These lectures were directed at acquainting the students with this stage The objective of organizing this festival was to introduce and the changes that accompany it, and the best way to the mini volleyball to the students, enhance the spirit of deal with it. fair competition, cooperation and team work. This series of lectures has also been started with the seventh graders and will be resumed during the coming weeks.

English Issue 18 April - 2015 6 Ahliyyah College comes third A visit to the Hotel in the LPS second Management faculty at the Epis- Annual football tournament copal Technological Centre

Al Ahliyyah College achieved the third position in the LPS ninth-graders paid a visit to the hotel management football annual tournament held for all LPS in Palestine, department at the Episcopal Centre for Technology and at the Patriarchal Seminary playground in Beit Jala on Vocational Training at the Arab Evangelical Episcopal Friday, March 20,2015. Congratulations. School. Mr.Nizar Qassis, director of the hotel manage- ment department, delivered a lecture to the students about the hotel management department. Mr. Qassis elaborated on the meaning of hotel management which includes receiving guests and offering them the best hotel services. He pointed out that the objective of es- tablishing this department was to supply the local labour market with qualified workforce, to meet the requirements of development in tourismand hotel management sector, and to upgrade training in this sector in view of the dearth training offered to the workers in this sector in our touris- tic country. Mr. Qassis added that it is a two-year program of two semesters each, and that the curriculum was ap- proved by the Ministry of Higher Education.

A visit to the Jordan Ahli Bank. On the occasion of the banking week at the school, LPS ninth-graders paid a visit to the Jordan Ahli Bank. They were received by Mrs. Maha Ubeid, the branch manager, who informed the students about the banking services the bank offers.

On the other hand, employees from the Jordan Bank paid a visit to the school. Two visiting bank employees lectured the eighth graders about the banking services offered by the various banks in Palestine.

English Issue 18 April - 2015 7 LPS achieves fourth position in gymnastics Beit Sahour LPS came fourth in the gymnastic competition held on Tuesday, march 24,2015 for all the Ramallah governor- The Student Council stages ate government and private schools. an activity for beautifying the school with murals.

Under the supervision of the art teacher Mr. Samir Ghat- tas, the Student Council set up a voluntary activity to beautify the school by drawing murals on the school wall. The purpose of this activity was to beautify the school on the one hand and to discover the students’ latent talents in drawing on the on the othe hand

A visit to Bir Zeit University

In cooperation with the public relations department at Bir Zeit University, a group of LPS students of the higher classes paid a visit to Bir Zeit University to get acquainted with the facilities, colleges and fields of specialty there.

English Issue 18 April - 2015 8 Ain Arik Jifna Inauguration of the new A trip to Mikhnas park kindergarten playground Jifna LPS arranged a recreational trip to Mikhnas (Fun Land) amusement park. The students had lots of fun and enjoyed the day there.

The new kindergarten playground was formally inaugu- rated. New floor designed especially for the safety of the children and various new, safe games were installed for the children to enjoy.

English Issue 18 April - 2015 9 Land Day observance Nablus LPS students return home after a visit to France The 18 LPS ninth-graders returned home after a one- week visit to France. The group was chaperoned by Fr. Johny Abu Khalil and the French teacher Diana Johari. They were hosted by a French catholic school in Paris and visited various tourist and historical sites. This visit comes within the frame of the twinning relation that links the French Réseau Barnabé institute with the Christian schools in Palestine. This twinning relation was start- ed through skyping communication between LPS stu- Jifna LPS observed the Land Day. Speeches that promoted dents and students of the same age group of the French the patriotic spirit among the students and remind them of the importance of this day for the Palestinians whether in School of St Jianne Elizabeth. Arrangements for this Palestine or in diaspora were delivered. visit were homologated by Fr. Dr. Faysal Hijazen, the Various activities in cooperation with (GBR) LPS school, in cooperation with the Societal Rehabilita- tion Programme, carried out various activities which in- cluded eye examination and a comedy that encouraged cleanliness, public health and nutrition was presented by local actors.

LPS director general. The objective of this visit was to upgrade the level of the students in French, and ac- quaint the French people about the Palestinian problem, and the living conditions we endure. The students said that they benefitted much from this memorable experi- ence. They became more self-reliant and learned about a different culture, new customs and traditions and made new friends. They said that this trip was a dream come true for them as they have never expected to visit places they only read about in books and saw on TV such as the Eifel Tower, the Louvre, Notre-Dame de Paris Cathedral. They also took a boat tour on the Seine and visited the football playground of the famous French team St. Germain. At the end of the visit, they performed a play with their French classmates and a Palestinian folklore dance “Dabkeh” which attracted the liking of all attendants.

English Issue 18 April - 2015 10 A field trip to Haddad park

LPS students of grades 9-12 went on a recreational field trip to Haddad tourist village. The students enjoyed the Taybeh day and relaxed. Taybeh: Second position in folklore dance “Dabkeh”

On Sunday March 22, Taybeh LPS came second in the folklore dance competition for males. The competition was held at Ramallah Girls’ School. Congratulations.

Second place in the football tournament for schools of Ra- mallah governorate

Students from grades 4-6 participated in the football tour- nament for the Ramallah governorate schools. Our team won the second place. Congratulations.

English Issue 18 April - 2015 11 LPS students and teachers re- turn home form France Zababdeh 22 LPS students, chaperoned by four teachers and the parish priest Fr. Nidal, returned home after a short visit to A visit to the municipality and France. This visit comes within the framework of the twin- ning program between LPS school and St. Anne School police station in Trinite-Prohoet, France, and as a return visit to the one- week visit made by 18 French students who were hosted by LPS students last year, The aim of these visits is to build bridges of cooperation and cultural exchange be- tween the two schools.

The second-graders accompanied by the class teacher paid a visit to the police station in Zababdeh. They were received with effusive warmth by the police officers who The students and teachers were hosted by French fami- explained to them the role of the police in keeping peace lies. The visit included tours in the rural areas and vari- and security in the town. Then they paid a visit to the mu- ous surrounding touristic French cities including Rennes, nicipality where they were also received a warm welcome Vanne and Trinite. by the mayor and the members of the municipal council The students were told about the role of the municipality The visit was concluded with a mass officiated by Bishop in keeping the town clean, organized and beautiful. Remon and a farewell lunch at the municipality hall, where some Palestinian and French dishes were served. The Students presented a folk dance “Dabkeh” which met with the liking of the attendants. Gifts were exchanged and an invitation was extended to visit the Holy Land.

English Issue 18 April - 2015 12 Bir Zeit Beit Jala LPS receives a French edu- Mr. Suhail Daibes, the school cational delegation principal, commends math teachers.

A delegation of French teachers headed by a school prin- cipal paid a visit to Bir Zeit LPS. They were received with effusive warmth by Mrs Rawand Musallam, the school principal. During the meeting, views were exchanged about various educational issues. The group, accompa- Mr. Suhail Diabes, the school principal, congratulated nied by Mrs. Musallam, toured the school and the town the ninth and eleventh- graders who participated in the of Bir Zeit. Math Olympic, staged by the Ministry of Education, on the excellent results they achieved in this exam which was held at national level. It is worth mentioning that Beit Jala LPS achieved the second position in this Olympic. Mr. Daibes also commended Mr. Anan Abu Sa’da and Mrs. Christine Bannoura, the math teachers of grades nine, ten and eleven, for their excellent work and said that they teach math not as some esoteric mystery ,but as practical common sense as is obvious in the results the students achieved. A visit to the new Bethlehem governorate commander- in- chief

Mr. Suheil Daibes, the school principal, accompanied by staff members, paid a visit to the governorate military headquarters to congratulate Staff officer Brg.Gen. Said Najjar on the occasion of taking office as commander-in- chief of Bethlehem governorate military forces.

English Issue 18 April - 2015 13 A trip to Wadi Qelt and The constituent assembly of Jericho the advisory board. Invitations were sent out to 17 parents of academically Beit Jala LPS 11th graders went on a trip to Wadi Qelt outstanding students to join the advisory board of the and then made a two-and-a-half hour walk to the city of school. The first meeting with the school principal Mr. Su- Jericho. hail Daibes was held at the end of March .

At the beginning of the meeting the members introduced In Jericho, the students and the accompanying teachers themselves, then Mr. Daibes explained that the role of paid a visit to the Independence Military College. They this board is to support the school and the administration were received with effusive warmth by the officer of pub- through establishing strong relations with the local com- lic affairs Ms Nujud Hilal and Lt. Bashar Michael who wel- munity and with foreign communities. It was unanimously comed them and took them on a tour around the college agreed that this board is not a substitute for the students’ and answered the questions of the students. parents council, but it is rather an advisory board.

Maj.Gen. Khader Ureiqat, commander of the military At the end of the meeting it was agreed that the next school, delivered a lecture to the group about Al Karameh meeting will be held towards the end of the school year. battle, which coincides with Mother’s Day on March 21, its reasons and outcome. He commended the bravery of the Jordanian armed forces who, in cooperation with the Palestinian commandos, inflicted an ignominious defeat Second Position in the Math on the aggressive Israeli army. Then he answered the students’ inquiries and thanked them for their visit. Olympic

Lt. Amir Abedrabbo, from Beit Jala, is a student at this college. He came to meet the group and welcome them.

After lunch, the students went to the and were very astonished about the receding of water of the sea caused by the Israeli diversion of the water

The eleventh-grader Shaima’Azzeh qualified for the Math Olympic which was held for all the private and govern- ment schools in the Bethlehem governorate. Shaima achieved the second position with a score of 19/25(The first position achieved 20/25).

Congratulations Shaima’. We are very proud of you and of your achievement.

English Issue 18 April - 2015 14 Students Achievements A trip to the Biblical Zoo

The kindergarteners, accompanied by their teachers, LPS students Shaima’ Azzeh and Serena Massou were paid a visit to the Biblical Zoo in Malha Village. The chil- awarded the diploma of participating in the 14-week pro- dren enjoyed watching the wild animals which they have gamme of “Application of Scientific Concepts,” which was heard about but never seen before held at Bethlehem University campus. The program in- cluded computerized experiments in physics, chemistry and biology. Congratulations.

On the other hand, the ninth-grader Brigitte Estephan won the first place in the drawing competition. The com- petition was held by the Ecological Education Centre of the Evangelical Lutheran Church at the Catholic Action stage in Bethlehem.

It is worth mentioning that Mr. Michael Farhhoud, The sci- ence teacher for the middle stage in Beit Jala LPS, is a field expert in this Ecological Center. Congratulations

English Issue 18 April - 2015 15 With your help, we can complete projects to renovate buildings, purchase lab equipment, school supplies and furniture, as well as many more necessities. You can even give a poor child the priceless gift of education by providing his or her tuition! If you feel called to help the students in the schools of The Latin Patriarchate of Jerusa- lem, the bank details are below. For our friends in Europe: General Director : Rev Faysal Hijazen - [email protected] www.latin-schools.org ************************************************************ Pax-Bank: Payment Instructions:

Please pay / transfer to our current account at pax-Bank eG in Germany according to the follow- ing instructions

• Beneficiary: Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem Latin Patriarchate Street. BOP 14152 91141- Jerusalem • IBAN (International Bank Account No.) DE 16370601930058029017 • Account with (bank name & address) Pax-Bank eG, Von-Werth-str. 25-27, 50670 Cologne, Germany

Please ask your Bank to directly wire through:

WGZ-Bank, Ludwig-Erhard-Allee 20, 40227 Duesseldorf with SWIFT-code GENODEDO Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem Latin Patriarchate Street. BOP 14152 91141- Jerusalem Israe ************************************************************

•For our friends in the United States: For U.S Dollar currency transfers utilize the following bank address: -Intermediary Bank, -Credit Suisse , Zurich. -Swift Code: CRESCHZZ80A - Favor of:Arab Bank No.49 -Bethlehem Branch No. 853

Director: Fr. Faysal Hijazen Edited by: George Abu Dayyeh Designed by: Waseim Kasabry

English Issue 18 April - 2015 16