Parishioners donate papal gift to help fellow residents of Gaza Strip

Published: 2006-11-17

JERUSALEM (CNS) -- A Catholic parish in the Gaza Strip opted to donate $2,000 earmarked for them by Pope Benedict XVI to help the residents of Beit Hanoun following Israel's weeklong incursion into the area in early November. "It is of great importance for Christians when they see a difficult situation to give everything," said Father Manuel Musallam of Holy Family Parish in the Gaza Strip, which passed along the papal donation. The priest said that besides the donation of the papal money, after he spoke to parishioners about the situation in Beit Hanoun, the weekly offering, which normally amounts to about $25, was increased fivefold as parishioners reached deep into their pockets to help their fellow Gaza residents whose homes and roads had been destroyed by Israeli missiles. The money was used to prepare 100 food baskets which also included about $25 in cash for needy families in Beit Hanoun, Father Musallam said in a telephone interview. Inside each basket parishioners inserted a note, telling the recipients that Gaza Christians supported them and were willing to help them, he said.

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