Saint Patrick’s Parish from Canada visits Bethlehem University

20 October 2007

During a pilgrimage in October 2007 to the Holy Land, members of Saint Patrick’s Parish of Vancouver, British Columbia, visited Bethlehem University. The group, who visited on October 18, was lead by Mrs. Elisabeth and Mr. Joseph Tan. In a discussion with Bethlehem University students, a tour of the University’s campus and during lunch at the Institute for Hotel Management and Tourism, the visitors learned about the work of the University and the daily life of the students.

Brother Jack Curran, the Vice President for Development, welcomed the group and thanked them for their interest in Bethlehem University. “Your visit is an important sign for our students, faculty and staff. It shows them that they are not forgotten and motivates them not to give up working for a better future”, he said. The visitors also received a cheerful welcome from Finance Officer Sister Ruby Abellana and Development Officer Ms. Meliza Panes, both of whom are from the Philippines.

The parish members were also greeted by six Bethlehem University students:  Mai Neiroukh, a fourth year English Literature major, Marian Saadeh, a second year Sociology student, Bassil Mansour and Muhammed Karjawally, both second year Accounting students, Al-Mutaz Salem, a second year Computer and Information Systems student and Elias Kattou’a, who is studying Accounting as a major in his third year.   

Having lunch together with the students at the Institute for Hotel Management and Tourism, the visitors from St Patrick’s Parish had the opportunity to learn more about the daily life of young Palestinians. These young men and women shared with them their experiences with the Occupation through the Israeli Military and the humiliations they face almost everyday, but they also told them how their studies at Bethlehem University motivate them not to give up their hope for a better and more peaceful future.