NUMBER FORTY MAY 2015 Dallas Fundraising Dinner Sets Record Board of Trustees Board of Trustees scholarships have been provided for Christian Honorary Chairman students in the Holy land. Fr. Peter and Ms. Scalzo Theodore Cardinal McCarrick Special Advisor – FFHL Washington, DC then presented the City of David Award to Msgr. Archbishop Christophe Pierre SpecialApostolic Advisor Numncio to the US Donald F. Zimmerman, Pastor of Christ the King Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganò Church in Dallas, in recognition of his ongoing ApostolicOfficers Nuncio to the U.S. support and dedication in helping the FFHL maintain Ofcers and preserve the Christian presence in the Holy Land. Rev. Francesco Patton, OFM Rev.Chairman Pierbattista Pizzaballa, OFM Also receiving an award was Mr. Arthur J. Chairman Rev. Peter F. Vasko. OFM Dickerson of Ft. Worth, who was presented the Rev.President Peter F. Vasko, OFM Guardian of the Holy Land Award, the highest award President Denise M. Scalzo, OFS given by the FFHL. This award is a “recognition given Vice President Denise M. Scalzo, OFS to individuals who have not only demonstrated an ViceKaren President M. Carroll Four-hundred and sixty guests were in attendance outstanding love of God in their personal lives, but KarenSecretary M. Carroll have held up the truth, the reality, the faith and the SecretaryJames J. Lynagh at a black- tie event benetting the Franciscan JamesTreasurer J. Lynagh Foundation for the Holy Land on September 13th, hopes of the Holy Land. .individuals who have Treasurer 2014 at the Ritz-Carlton Dallas. placed themselves in the hands of God and have Board Members allowed their gifts and energies to be consumed for Board Members Dcn. Kenneth Reisor of St. Thomas Aquinas those in need”. In his noteworthy acceptance remarks, Eugene J. Alfonsi Church served as Master of Ceremonies, opening Eugene J. Alfonsi Mr. Dickerson stated that “the real Guardians of the Dublin,Dublin, OH OH the evening by welcoming everyone on behalf of Holy Land are the Franciscans- Custos Pizzabella, Fr. RaymondRaymond Arroyo Arroyo the Dinner Co-chairs, Tom and Susan Stanzel and Sterling,Sterling, VA VA Peter Vasko and all Franciscans in the Holy Land who Chris and Rachel Trowbridge. The Honored Guests Kathy Assaf are devoting their lives to this cause”. Past recipients Kathy Assaf included Most Rev. Kevin J. Farrell, Bishop of Dallas, ElkBoca Banner, Raton, NC FL of the award who were present for the dinner were Most Rev.Thomas Paprocki, Bishop of Springeld NicholasJames M. J. CorneliusBabiak Dr. Richard F. Toussaint, Jr. and Susan H. Stanzel. Arlington,Zionsville, VA IN in Illinois and Special Guest, Mr. Zaki Sahlia, FFHL JamesJames M. N. Cornelius Corrigan, Jr. University Scholarship Recipient and graduate. As the evening continued, an outstanding six- Zionsville,Washington, IN DC minute video showcased six recipients of FFHL Bishop Farrell gave a warm Texas welcome JamesBishop N. Frank Corrigan, Dewane, Jr. DD university scholarship grants in their respective careers to the members of the FFHL Board of Trustees who Washington,Venice, FL DC in the Holy Land who are deeply grateful and very came from California, Georgia, Pennsylvania, Ohio, BiTimothyshop Frank Cardinal Dewane, Dolan, DD DD appreciative. In addition, the video included remarks Venice,New York, FL NY Virginia, Illinois Washington, D.C. and Jerusalem, from eight Dallasites and Ft. Worthians, both clergy TimothyJoseph CorneliusCardinal Dolan, Donnelly DD as well as to the many attendees who came from and laypersons, who expressed why they support the NewNew York, York, NYNY New York, Illinois, Florida, California, Louisiana and mission of the FFHL. JosephWill F. Cornelius Hartnett Donnelly Oklahoma. Bishop Paprocki gave the invocation. New York, NY Dallas, TX One recent FFHL graduate, Mr. Zaki Sahlia, of After dinner, Fr. Peter Vasko, President, together KarenP. Jewel, M. HurleyNackard Tel Aviv, came in person to express his gratitude for Harrisburg,Flagstaff, AZ PA with Denise Scalzo, Vice-president of FFHL, having received scholarships for an undergraduate BishopBishop Thomas Thomas J. J.Paprocki, Paprocki, DD DD presented awards of appreciation to the Stanzels Springeld,Springfield, IL IL degree in Chemistry and a graduate degree in Law. and Trowbridges for having Co-chaired the Event. StevenSusan Michael H. Stanzel Ramirez He is now employed at a law rm in Tel Aviv. ElkDallas, Grove, TX CA Fr. Peter noted that since 1998 the Dallas-Ft. Worth area has raised substantial funding from the many Later in the evening, FFHL Board Member, Mr. Susan H. Stanzel Dallas, TX benet dinners and scholarship luncheons it has held Steven Ramirez of Sacramento, California introduced Richard F. Toussaint, MD over these many years. So far over 20 university the keynote speaker, Lt. Col. Oliver L. North, USMC Dallas, TX Cont’d on Page 10 The Franciscan Foundation for the Holy Land is a worldwide organization founded in 1994 under the auspices of the Franciscan Custody of the Holy Land. The foundation was created to safeguard the basic human rights and continued presence of the Christian Palestinian minority living in the Holy Land by providing academic scholarships, subsidized housing, and employment opportunities. Letter from the Custos Where Are They Now? Dr. Jack Daoud Sabat Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, Dr. Jack Sabat originates from Beit- chose dentistry because he always liked Jala where he lived with his parents and biology, and the idea that he could help brother. His father is employed at the relieve pain was to be his vocation. Also, “He has given us new Terra Santa School in Bethlehem and his after suffering with difcult complications birth into a living hope mother teaches sports at Good Shepherd with his braces in his youth he decided through the Resurrection School in Bethlehem. He was awarded a to help others by providing low cost of Jesus Christ from the scholarship in 2008 to study Oral and treatments. Dental Medicine and Surgery at Misr dead.” (I Peter 1.3) A favorite past-time of Dr. Sabat is University for Science and Technology. basketball, a game which he has been Fr. Pierbattista He recently completed his intern year playing since the age of ve. He is We send our Easter Pizzaballa, OFM in Bethlehem, working with both the currently playing semi-professionally with Greetings and Blessings to all people everywhere in government and private clinics and is the Orthodox Club and has represented the name of our risen Savior, Jesus Christ. now preparing to work with a well-known Israel in many international competitions; dentist in Bethlehem. He hopes to gain Italy and Jordan to name a few. more experience in order to determine In the face of so much that threatens to devalue whether he will continue his studies or Dr. Sabat has been committed to the or diminish human life, the hope that springs from begin ofcially practicing in his eld. Christian presence in the Holy Land and the Resurrection is rooted here in Jerusalem. The has participated in different national and While at the University, Dr. Sabat was international conventions, traveling to message of Easter has shaped the very identity of an “A” student. He tells us, “I studied Sweden, Japan and Italy. He was proud this Holy City over many centuries. very hard because I was convinced that to represent his community as well as only through education could I achieve representing the Christians of the Holy In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ we urge something, and I also wanted to be Land and their mission as peace makers. worthy of the scholarship given to me people everywhere not to fall into despair. The by my sponsor.” He continues, “Only In the end, Dr. Sabat tells us, he joyful proclamation of the Resurrection at dawn on through hard work could I feel fullled would like to extend a heartfelt thank you Easter Sunday assures us that the last word lies not and successful. I also believe that God to the FFHL and in particular his sponsor for their help and assistance with his with violence but with God’s purpose of love, justice gave me talents to be used, and I should not lose a good opportunity to be in studies. and hope which runs like a thread throughout God’s will and be successful for the His hope for the future is to continue history and will nd its ultimate fulllment in the service of my community”. in his specialization in order to fulll coming fullness of his Kingdom. Dr. Sabat stresses that his family, with his vocation. That future is looking even all their good intentions, would never brighter as he was just recently engaged As you read through these pages, I hope that you have been able to pay for his studies, so to be married. feel a part of our family. The 14 programs that the scholarship was his only hope. He bring hope to Christians in the Holy Land are made possible by your generosity. We will never forget you in our prayers. I remain a servant of God and yours, in the Spirit of St. Francis, Fr. Pierbattista Pizzabala, OFM Chairman, FFHL Custos of the Holy Land FFHL Board Member Spotlight: Mrs. Kathy Assaf NC with her husband, Ron. They have ve Academic Center at Lynn University is named children and 10 grandchildren. Kathy and in honor of Mr. & Mrs. Assaf as is the Assaf Ron were invested in the Equestrian Order of Administration Building and Assaf Hall on the Holy Sepulcher in 2010. She graduated the campus of St. Andrew’s School and from South Broward High School, attended the Assaf Center for Excellence in Nursing Rollins College and graduated from the at Boca Raton Community Hospital.