Priests’ retreat 2016


The priests of the Saint James Vicariate for Hebrew Speaking Catholics in Israel gathered for their annual retreat on Mount Tabor from Tuesday, October 4 until Friday, October 7, 2016.

priests retreat2016

Eleven of the twelve priests of the Vicariate participated in the retreat. Father Alberto was unable to attend because of health reasons. These days of prayer, study, meeting and friendship were blessed by the warm welcome in the Mount Tabor guest house from the Franciscan community that lives in this place and the Mondo X group that runs the guest house. The magnificent surroundings, the atmosphere of quiet and friendship also contributed right from the start. The retreat began on the Feast of Saint Francis and that evening Father Apolinary OFM celebrated the mass in order to commemorate the saintly man of Assisi. Each day, the priests remembered Father Alberto in prayer and prayed also for all the members of the Hebrew speaking communities.

This year the retreat was preached by a laywoman, Dr. Rivka Karplus. The theme was the thought of Cardinal Jean-Marie Lustiger, Jewish Catholic theologian and Cardinal Archbishop of Paris, as contained in his writings in “The Promise”. The contents of this book are derived from a retreat he preached to the contemplative sisters of Saint Francoise Romaine. His reflections revolved around the link between the Church and Israel. Twice a day, Rivka gave a talk on one of the chapters of the book, provoking a discussion among the priests on the theme she had discussed. These themes are closely related to the vocation of the Hebrew speaking Catholic communities in Israel.

At the end of the retreat, the priests met together for the first of the priest council meetings for the new year. Among the themes of the discussion was the setting in place of the program for the year to come.

Again, we thank God for the time of refueling, reflection and deepening of our faith in Him and our relationships with each other.

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