Reflections on Middle East & ACN support

This morning I visited 5 of the 50 families around Bethlehem who make and handcraft wooden crosses, rosaries & Christmas decorations for the Tabash family & for ACN. The oldest person was Joan aged 101 years...who loves to put the wooden roasaries into pouch packets! I assured them of our prayers. It was a privilege to meet young & old alike on behalf of ACN. At 6am Mass in the Holy Grotto priests from Wonersh Seminary celebrated the hope of the Incarnation - & I led the singing of the Salve Regina with the seminarians for the suffering Church. The hope of Christ is alive - the Hope born for us in Bethlehem. Pope Benedict reflected on the situation in the Holy Land & one of the priests reflected on his words and said: "We are asked to nurture & care for Christians in the Holy Land & Middle East, just as we would care for the baby Jesus Himself." In the midst of worry, fear, violence & suffering your help through ACN sustains hope Himself born for us. Thank you. Neville, Jerusalem, 18 05,11