Celebration Of the Mass of the Holy Spirit
Opening of the 35th Academic Year at Bethlehem University

13 September 2007

With a record high enrollment of 2,785 students enrolled in classes at Bethlehem University for the Fall 2007 semester, the Mass of the Holy Spirit was celebrated today, 13 September 2007, in the Chapel of the Divine Child with His Excellency Archbishop Fouad Twal, President of Bethlehem University, presiding and Father Jamal Khader, the Cardinal Hume and Cardinal de Ferstenburg Endowed Chair of the Religious Department, and Father Peter DuBrul, former Chair of the Religious Studies Department, concelebrating. 

Brother Daniel Casey, FSC, Vice Chancellor, called the University community to prayer by asking the Holy Spirit to “breathe new life and hope in us as we begin a new academic year.”  Wishing to proclaim a special word to the students of the University, Brother Daniel reminded them that “you carry the future of Palestine within you and with the guidance of the Holy Spirit and a quality education from your faculty, you can make all things new.”

The student choir, under the direction of Sister Patricia Crockford, enlivened the liturgy with their songs of praise to the Lord.   The University Community presented a variety of diverse symbolic gifts during the offertory procession to remind us all of the inclusive nature of the University community.  Sister Raymonde Cobien prepared the altar and sanctuary with a beautiful array of flowers and candles to signify the dignity and beauty of the Mass.