Weekend of Families - A Joyful Jubilee Celebration in Tiberias

On December 19–20, 2025 families from our communities gathered in Tiberias for a special Weekend of Families, celebrating faith, unity, and the 70th anniversary of the Vicariate of St. James. It was a time of prayer, learning, and joy, strengthening the bonds that unite us as one family in Christ.

Friday Evening – Creativity and Reflection

The weekend began on Friday at 18:00 with the arrival of participants. At 18:45, the children enjoyed a delightful activity: building a gingerbread Christmas house, filling the room with laughter and festive spirit. Meanwhile, parents engaged in a game and a short discussion about the role of feast traditions in the religious education of children - a meaningful exchange of ideas and experiences.

The evening concluded with a festive dinner at 20:00, featuring a beautiful Jubilee cake prepared by Paula and Ibrahim from Tiberias. We also celebrated the birthday of Monika, adding even more joy to the gathering.

Saturday – Prayer, Learning, and Renewal

Saturday began with Morning Prayer at 8:45, followed by breakfast at 9:00. At 10:00 families gathered at Yardenit, a place rich in biblical significance. There, we shared three short lessons:

The meaning of Jubilee,
The significance of Baptism,
The history of 70 years of the Vicariate.

This was followed by a renewal of baptismal promises, a deeply moving moment for all. Lunch was served at 13:15. The afternoon continued with family workshops at 15:30, offering creative and meaningful activities for all ages. Katya and Yuri invited the families to create a logo of the Jubilee.

After a coffee break at 17:00, the day concluded with the Holy Mass at 18:00 - a historic moment as Deacon Daniel preached for the first time in Hebrew.