ASIA/HOLY LAND - Marian Center in Tel Aviv: an oasis for migrants

Monday, 18 April 2016 minors   local churches   migrants  

Centro Notre-Dame de Valeur

Tel Aviv (Agenzia Fides) - It is a place where migrant communities get together to practice their faith and participate in the numerous pastoral activities organized: the pastoral center dedicated to "Our Lady Woman of Valor " in Tel Aviv, opened its doors in February 2014, wants to be "an oasis of spiritual comfort, formation and support ", explains father David Neuhaus, SJ, Coordinator of the Pastoral Care for Migrants in the Latin Patriarchate.
As reported in a note of the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem, the Centre is in the heart of a neighborhood around the central bus station in Tel Aviv, and has a building and a church, which is also a parish, at the service of the spiritual, sacramental and social life of thousands of people of different nationalities. Between Friday evening and Sunday morning seven masses are celebrated, each attended by about 400 faithful. After Mass the faithful gather to share their daily life with friends and community members. There are Filipinos, Indians, Sri Lankans, Eritreans, Ethiopians, Sudanese or from other countries: all come to find a place of spiritual comfort. The Center also offers the possibility to give religious formation and education for children, so they can prepare to receive the sacraments.
"The Centre is primarily a place that allows migrants to find a more dignified life", explains David Neuhaus, who has involved various NGOs to work in a coordinated manner in the pastoral care of migrants. Through this collaboration, structures that provide day care for children under three years and a room to accommodate convalescent patients, given the frequent cases of migrants in need of medical care, but lacking security and medical care have been open.
Fr. Michael Grospe is the current pastor, and coordinates the various programs and pastoral activities: all with the spirit of teaching onmercy, proposed by Pope Francis and soul of the year the Jubilee. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 18/04/2016)


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