Bishop of Trenton and Knights and Ladies of the Holy Sepulcher – USA Eastern Lieutenancy visits Bethlehem University

5 November 2007

The Bishop of the Diocese of Trenton, John Smith, together with a group of Knights of the Holy Sepulcher from the USA Eastern Lieutenancy visited Bethlehem University on Friday, November 2 during a pilgrimage to the Holy Land. While at the University, the pilgrims had an opportunity to speak to students, tour the campus and its Chapel and have lunch in the University’s Institute for Hotel Management and Tourism.

Brother Cyril Litecky, Assistant Vice Chancellor of Bethlehem University, welcomed the group and thanked them for their support of the only Christian university in the Holy Land. He said that “despite all the difficulties surrounding us, we are doing extremely well. Especially this year with a record high enrollment of 2,788 students. That all would be impossible without the precious help of our many generous supporters around the globe and especially the Knights and Ladies of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulcher of Jerusalem.” The visitors were also welcomed by Brother Jack Curran, Vice President for Development and Brother Joseph Loewenstein, the Director of the Christian Brothers’ Community, who both expressed their deep gratitude to them.

Moreover, the group was also greeted by five Bethlehem University students:  Marian Saadeh, a second year Social Sciences major, Razan Wazwaz and Dana Bannoura, both second year English majors, Elias Kattou’a,  who is studying Accounting as a major in his third year and Rawan Abu Hanak, a third year Education major. Rawan is one of two Bethlehem University students who receive financial aid through the Cardinal Eagan Endowed Scholarship which is generously supported by the USA Eastern Lieutenancy of the Equestrian Order. Also, on behalf of her fellow student Raneen AlArja, who studies Business Administration in her fourth year and unfortunately could not be present during the visit, she expressed her deep appreciation for the scholarship. “I am very thankful for this support, as it helps me to proceed with my studies and to achieve my aim to become a teacher in Arabic, despite the difficult economic situation my family lives in.”, Rawan said.

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

The students, faculty and administration of Bethlehem University were delighted to host:

His Excellency, Bishop John Smith
Sister Anne Powers
Mrs. Phyllis Blaine
Mrs. Patricia and Mr. John Clearwater
Mrs. Anne and Mr. Anthony Coloa
Mrs. Phyllis and Mr. William Coyer
Mr. Patrick Dolan
Mrs. Caterina and Mr. Guiseppe Garruzzo
Mr. J. Norris Harding
Mrs. Elizabeth Kilkenny
Mrs. Donna Marie O’Connor
Mrs. Therese and Mr. Robert O’Rourke
Mrs. Barbara Warner