Jerusalem calling………………the last week!
We ended last week by meeting Archbishop Aris Shirvanian at the Armenian Cathedral of St James on Friday and then a day of reflection in Ein Karem (the place of the ‘Visitation’) on the Saturday.

Sunday saw me (together with 5 others from Tantur) at my last Mass in the Melkite Church, followed by a visit to the Holy Sepulchre (with time to go into the Edicule) and then coffee at Rimon’s just inside the Damascus Gate.

Students in the Foyer in Bethlehem University

We had an evening ‘conversation’ with Mohammad Abu Samra on the reality of Islam and interfaith living, and then on Tuesday morning a talk by Dr Samuel Pagan (from Porto Rica) on the development of Liberation Theology in South America. I presided at Mass in Bethlehem University and returned on Wednesday evening to say a Mass with the community (De La Salle) and join them for their evening meal.

Presiding at Mass in Bethlehem University on the 1st December.

On Wednesday I spent the day in Jerusalem: wandering around the north-western end of the city (outside the Old City). I visited the Ethiopian Compound (their round church [round so the devil has no corner to hide behind!] is in the centre and a large community live around it within the compound), had a look at the house Holman Hunt lived in (famous for ‘The Light of the World’ painting in St Paul’s Cathedral) and various other historic places. I popped into ‘The Garden Tomb’ (thought by some in the 19th century to be the actual tomb of Jesus) and then said ‘farewell’ to Sister Felicity Reeves (whose sister Dorothy lived in Basingstoke until her death a few years ago). I ended up having probably my last coffee (Arab of course) at Rimon’s! Walked back to Tantur via the Hebron Road (3 miles or so).

My last visit to Jerusalem on the 2nd December and the Arab Bus station (taken from the Garden Tomb).
The Arab buses were the buses we used most of the time. There are 'Arab' buses and 'Israeli' buses!!

On Thursday we are all doing our own thing and then ending with a party to say ‘farewell’ to everyone. As part of the party those of us who have taken cameras are entering 5 photos under 5 categories for all to see!! If I am able they will be on the blog!!

PS: your correspondent has just walked back through the ‘check point’ (which needed a bit of a rattle and shout to ‘wake up’) after Mass with the De La Salle Brothers in Bethlehem………had to wear pullover and fleece!!!! Not -5 but cold for Israel/Palestine!

Goodbye………………….and hello!! Vincent