Journey of Hope in Haifa

Youth from Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, and Haifa gathered for a beautiful weekend of encounter, prayer, and joy. Hosted with incredible warmth and generosity by Fr Igino and the local Parish of St. James Vicariate, the days in Haifa became a radiant chapter in our shared story of faith.

A special moment of stillness and deep connection was the time of adoration with Fr. Igino, where hearts opened in silence and trust. And of course, there was the sea — the sparkling beach of Haifa gave us space to breathe, play, and simply be together.

We were honored to meet with the youth pastoral team from the Galilee and their vibrant leader, Fr. Ramez, whose hospitality and spirit left us speechless. Not only did he open his youth center for us to stay overnight, but he also lit a fire in us by sharing the journey of this young but thriving ministry. His words were like a firework: full of light, energy, and vision. Fr. Ramez will also bring his youth group to the big Youth Festival in July. What a sign of hope of the growing unity across language and communities.

The joy became movement. As always, Dabke brought us all together in a dance of belonging and celebration.

One of the milestones of the journey was the official start of a youth ministry team within St. James. With open hearts and readiness to grow, six young people stepped up to be mentored and guided: Adam, Prince, Izraela, Raven, Reigne, and Katleen. Their courage marks the beginning of something beautiful.

But perhaps the most unforgettable moment was our encounter with Stella, a Holocaust survivor and devoted follower of Jesus. Her life, marked by unimaginable pain and radiant faith, touched everyone in the room. She spoke with honesty, strength, and deep hope. For our young people, it was as if a grandmother of faith had spoken directly into their lives, reminding them that nothing is impossible with God.

The journey concluded with a fully packed Holy Mass. There was not a single empty chair. We sang, we prayed, we gave thanks. And in between: laughter, morning prayers, games, shared meals, and a growing awareness that we are not alone. Jesus is our Good Shepherd.

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who made this journey possible. To the youth who came with open hearts, to the local parish who worked behind the scenes, to Fr. Igino and Fr. Ramez for their spiritual guidance, and to every hand that offered hospitality. You are building something beautiful.

Together, we keep walking. Our next step on the Journey of Hope will be in Jaffa this June and we will carry Haifa in our hearts as we walk on. Together, we look forward to the Youth Festival in July at the monastery in Deir Rafat. The road of faith continues ... and we walk it side by side.