A fund dedicated to supporting the neediest families in the Latin parish of Jerusalem, funded by the parishioners themselves: a real sign of hope, despite the great difficulties that the Coronavirus pandemic is leaving behind. It is the "Charity Fund", established by the parish priest Br. Amjad Sabbara to help families who find themselves in a particular situation of need and who often, because of dignity, do not ask for help. Br AMJAD SABBARA, ofm Priest of the Latin Parish in Jerusalem "At this time we have to help each other. Usually, the parish receives important support from the Custody of the Holy Land and other donors from abroad. But in this time of the pandemic, the whole world is going through a difficult time, and donors cannot think also about the needs of people living out of their countries." The idea is inspired by the Bible and in particular by the experience of the prophet Elijah with the widow of Sarepta of Sidon. When Elijah asked her for some water and a piece of bread, she said to him: "I have only a handful of flour and some oil, then I will go and bake it for myself and my son: we will eat it and then we will die". The Prophet Elijah said to her, "Prepare a little focaccia for me first and bring it to me. The flour from the jar will not run out and the jar of oil will not empty." She believed him and this is what actually happened. Elijah would then bring the widow's son back to life. Br AMJAD SABBARA, ofm Priest of the Latin Parish in Jerusalem "The message is that if we do the right thing, the lack of something will turn into a miracle. This is why the Charity Fund was created. We are all in need of help at this time, but if we work together we will work real miracles for each other." Each parishioner undertakes to bring three Shekels a day, which is a small amount, like the flour and oil of Sarepta's widow. Then, at the end of the month, the whole amount is allocated to the needs of needy families and university students, who have to pay tuition fees to complete their studies. Br AMJAD SABBARA, ofm Priest of the Latin Parish in Jerusalem "Three Shekels is a small sum, but when they are offered to a person in the name of God the person will receive a blessing: that is what we need at this time. I did not expect an answer from such a large number of people, and that really impressed me. More than a hundred families have joined the initiative." The creation of the "Charity Fund" during the Marian month is not accidental. It recalls what Mary did during the wedding at Cana in Galilee, when she wisely recognized that there was a lack of wine in that house and was able to anticipate Jesus' intervention in the life of that family. Br AMJAD SABBARA, ofm Priest of the Latin Parish in Jerusalem "The Virgin said: "Do what He tells you". What did Christ ask of them? Water, which represents the simplest things we have. Then, with Jesus' blessing, water was transformed into wine: so the little things we offer will be a source of happiness in our lives." The Coronavirus epidemic has brought anguish, pain and much need. But a new strength, and above all a new way of thinking, has made its way into the Latin parish of Jerusalem. Br AMJAD SABBARA, ofm Priest of the Latin Parish in Jerusalem "The aspect we have to work on is: how do we make the parish able to help itself? Only a mature Church can accomplish this mission. On the other hand, the Acts of the Apostles tell us that no one remained in need among the Apostles, because the help of one alleviated the difficulties of the other." Read More