Reflections by Denise Kilker Appearing in her Parish Bulletin

Part 1

My family and I recently returned from a trip to the Holy Land sponsored by the Diocese of Joliet Peace & Social Justice Ministry.  In addition to visiting the biblical sites (incredible) we were also on a peace/fact finding mission.  We met with many organizations (Jewish, Muslim and Palestinian Christians)

to hear their stories.  I am still absorbing all that I heard and saw.  But as we celebrate Christmas with our loved ones (near and far) this year, remember the families living in Bethlehem.  There is a 27 foot high security wall around the West Bank which includes Bethlehem.  The West Bank is occupied by the Israeli military and everyone crossing the border must go thru Israeli checkpoints.  Most of the Palestinian people have not been to Jerusalem (3 miles away) in five years as they do not have permits to go there. They have been cut off from family members and jobs.  Unemployment in Bethlehem is currently 70%. The Church of the Nativity, famous for being the site of Jesus’ birth, basically lies empty.  Five years ago, pilgrims stood in line for hours to visit this holy site; on the day of our visit, we were the only ones there. Everywhere we went we felt safe and we were warmly welcomed, as it has been 5 years since they have seen tourists.  When asked what we (Americans) could do for them, they begged us to tell everyone that it is safe to return!  Next week I will reflect on our meetings with Dahlia Landau, the wife of a Jewish peacemaker and founder of Open House.