Ambassadors of Peace and Justice

At this particular period of division in the Middle East, we come as ambassadors of peace and provide opportunities to meet the local Moslem and Christian Arabs in Palestine and Jewish Israeli families in Tiberias and Jerusalem.  Our program seeks to support the diminishing Catholic communities in the Holy Land.   Therefore our travel agent there is an involved Catholic, Yvonne Zamot, whose brother is the Dean of the Seminary in Bethlehem.  Our agent in Toronto, Joseph Gideon is also a Catholic Palestinian.

As a social justice component, we visit the Holy Family Orphanage in Bethlehem and support the orphaned babies there under the care of Sister Sophie Boueri and sponsor education programs for the children in the Patriarchate schools in Beit Sahour. Below is a letter from Sr. Sophie expressing appreciation for the contributions from the Faith Journeys pilgrims to the Orphanage. Dear Kitty, Deeply touched by your continuing kindness.  I thank you for your kind gestures which help us in our mission.  Without this support, it is impossible for us to continue our mission towards the abandoned children of the creche.  Really, you are a great lady with the heart of a true mother.  Regardless of the economic crisis, you continue your tremendous effort to help us. We are living in a terrible situation surrounded by this huge wall that separates two peoples.  Yet it is by love, and only love, that the lord will grant us peace. The little infants send you their love and I thank you from the depth of my heart for your continuous effort to come to help us. Joy and Peace, Sr. Sophie Boueri Daughter of Charity Bethlehem   2009