St. James Church in Beit Hanina

Dear friends, today was a beautiful day in the 70s, with a bright sun. Judd, our driver, took us to St. James Church in Beit Hanina, a newer quarter for families who had lived in the old city. We joined the parish there for Mass. Nick Manica read the second reading; Steve Blaxton led us in the Regina Coeli. The rest of the Mass was in Arabic. The singing of the congregation was as good as any place I have ever been. It was very inspiring. As Father Battersby says, parishes are the same the world over. There is a last minute scrambling. There is forgetting who is doing what. There is joy in people's faces. There is deep sorrow on peoples faces. There is the chance to sing to God. There's a chance to hear him speak, and to receive him. What a grace.

After Turkish coffee and cookies with the parishioners, we drove to the old city, to the new gate. We then went to the church of Saint Savior, a beautiful Franciscan church where we prayed for everybody. We gave our intentions, and then Fadie and Bardy chanted the Hail Mary for us in Chaldean. This is only fair, since I have inflicted much Latin upon them.

We then split up for lunch in various cafs in the Muristan neighborhood. I got a quick haircut at my favorite barber near the Holy Sepulcher. We met up again at the citadel of David. We then visited the museum there which has excellent exhibits on the periods of Jerusalem's history. This was finished with excellent coffee and/or ice cream at the coffee bar. We then drove to Ein Kerem to visit St. John's Church, which commemorates the birthplace of John the Baptist. We prayed the Benedictus there, had some time in the beautiful church, shopped, and came home. Theological reflection tonight.

Praying for you and your intentions, Monsignor Trapp and the Sacred Heart pilgrims.