Sister Parish: St. Catherine, Bethlehem

Parishioner Leads: Alexandra Tarzikhan & Kholoud Hilaneh

Meetings: For more information about our next meeting, please e-mail Kholoud Hilaneh

 

Overview

St. Catherine’s Parish in Bethlehem serves 1,600+Catholic Palestinian families, offering a range of spiritual and community programs, including youth groups, Sunday school, Catholic Action initiatives, and support networks for women and families. Despite ongoing political and economic challenges, the parish remains a beacon of hope, fostering unity and resilience among Bethlehem’s Christian community.

The worsening social and economic situation—exacerbated by movement restrictions, unemployment, and rising poverty—has led to increased emigration of young Christians. To address this, St. Catherine’s aims to provide direct support that strengthens the community and offers opportunities for a dignified life in Bethlehem.

 

Engagement & Support Initiatives

  1. Humanitarian Assistance
    Based on discussions with the parish, key priorities for financial support include:
  • College Scholarships 
  • Medical Assistance 
  • Food Support
  • Housing Assistance
  1. Scholarship Fund
    To build on successful relationships and impact, we propose supporting outstanding students from St. Catherine’s Secondary School in pursuing higher education. Donors will commit to a four-year sponsorship, with contributions varying based on the school and field of study.

 

Parish Engagement Activities

  • Virtual Faith Discussions for youth– Organize youth meetings to reflect on the Prayer of Examen, led by a Jesuit priest at St. Catherine’s.
  • Community Dialogue – Facilitate virtual gatherings for parishioners of all ages to share experiences and challenges. Sessions to be held any day from Saturday to Wednesday between either at 5:30 pm or 6:30 p.m. local time (7 hours ahead of ET) 
  • Future Pilgrimage Visits – Plan visits to Bethlehem to strengthen parish connections and deepen belief.

 

For Further Reflection

 

  • Film: The People's Patriarch (Patriarch Michel Sabbah: An Arab, Palestinian and Christian believer from Nazareth. In 1987, Pope John Paul II appointed him as the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem in 1987, to be the first Arab Patriarch to hold the office in the Catholic Church's history):