JUST A FEW MORE DAYS

Visit the Home of Peace Orphanage in Jerusalem

Only a few days remain for us pilgrims here in the Holy Land. Fr. Fuller has emphasized to us not to check out of the pilgrimage and to remain a pilgrim because God still wants to give us grace in these final days.  Many of the men who have done the eight day silent retreat through IPF can testify to this reality. On Thursday we will have a day of recollection in order to thank God for this privileged opportunity.  

In our final days, the schedule affords us many open days for us to be able to visit any of the sites we have visited.  Some people returned to Yad Vashem in order to take in more of the exhibits. Others went to Ein Karem where John the Baptist was born and the Church of the Visitation. Another group went up to the Temple Mount. There are surely many places one can visit. 

A group of 11 seminarians climbed the Mount of Olives to visit the Home of Peace Orphanage and present a donation from Mundelein Seminary. Throughout the year at Mundelein, various social events serve as fundraisers for different charities. This year 3 North's Casino Night elected to donate money to the Polish Sisters of St. Joseph who run an orphanage in Bethlehem and Jerusalem. The children enjoyed a break from their studies to interact with the seminarians.  This was indeed a rewarding experience for all involved.  

On a closing note, yesterday was also the observance of Purim here in Jerusalem. In our class on the Five Jewish Scrolls we learned about this feast found in the Book of Esther.  It is a day where people dress up in costumes and celebrate.  It is much like our celebration of Halloween.