Holy Land Sister Parishes

Since Covid, the October 7 Gaza War, and continuing regional conflicts, the Holy Land has fallen into severe economic hardship. Beyond the destruction in Gaza, perhaps no area is more affected than the West Bank. Where many historic and spiritual sites of the Gospels are located, few tourists and Pilgrim trips are currently traveling. Many West Bank towns are greatly suffering from mass unemployment, especially in Bethlehem, site of Jesus’ birth, where 70% of the economy
is tourist-based.

Image Credit LPJ.org

The EOHSJ Western Lieutenancy recognizes the plight of our Christian brothers and Sisters who often feel isolated and abandoned.  An assistance program – Holy Land Sister Parish Program – has been established to directly aid Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem (LPJ) parishes.  Most of the aid funding will come from sister parish relationships between U.S. Western Lieutenancy parishes and LPJ parishes.    

Our inaugural Sister Parish program will pair St. Monica Catholic Church in Santa Moncia, CA with Annunciation Catholic Church in Beit Jala, West Bank. Beit Jala is a neighboring town of Bethlehem and where the LPJ Seminary is also located.  St. Monica’s and Annunciation parishes will pray for and find ways to learn more about each other. St. Monica’s will lead parish fund raising efforts to support vital aid needs of families who attend Annunciation, many of whom are living off savings and family support from abroad.  Funding will help families obtain food, medical assistance, pay rent and be able to afford tuition for their children attending the parish school and university.  We anticipate further funding will be generously contributed by EOHSJ members.