Today, Saturday, June 9th, a new sports center was inaugurated in Bethlehem in the presence of a numerous crowd. It was built through the initiative of the Custody of the Holy Land on a part of the property of Catholic Action, which is the first office in the territories of the Palestinian Authority to correspond to international norms.
“For some time we have had this project” – recounted Fr. Amjad Sabbara, O.F.M., pastor of the parish – “because of the situation of immobility that the people of Bethlehem know, we have tried to multiply activities available to the faithful, and in this way help them to be more active. The Catholic Action center (managed by lay faithful who are members of the parish) already participates in this effort. The new building’s principle objective is to encourage the meeting of the families and of the youth around sports and its values, as a place of growth and socialization…after the visit to Catholic Action of Delfina Gomez Perez, a Spanish benefactress of the Holy Land enamored with Bethlehem, I suggested this project. Enthusiastically, she decided to finance 50% of the project! From then on, encouraged by this providential gift and helped by other benefactors, the Custody did the rest. Work began in November of 2004, six months after the visit of Mrs. Gomez Perez, and finished this past April 10th. The inauguration date was chosen in order to permit the Franciscans of the Holy Land, gathered at the Chapter in Bethlehem since June 3rd, to take part in it. It is an occasion for the faithful of the city to discover the solidarity, closeness, and solicitude of all of the Friars of the Custody, which is a part of their mission commitment, regardless of where they reside in the world. It is also an opportunity for the Friars who aren’t involved in a direct apostolate towards the local community to see one of the realizations of the Custody, and to unite themselves with the joy of those to whom this project is dedicated. The center is opened to Christians of all confessions in the town, but also to those of nearby towns, including Beit Sahur and Beit Jala. Currently there are 280 members of the gym and 350 members of other sports activities at the center. For the inauguration, the Father Custos, after uncovering the traditional plaque, blessed the building by walking throughout the center.
For those who participated in this it was a splendid occasion to discover the excellent sports equipment, and even to try some of it out. Then, in the gym there was a speech of thanksgiving, as well as other speeches, given by the president of Catholic Action, by the pastor, by the Treasurer of the Custody, and by the Sports Minister of the Palestinian Authority, representing the Bethlehem government. Then a basketball game was played between the “De la Salle” team of Jerusalem and the Catholic Action’s Bethlehem team. It was notable that the Bethlehem team made the first basket. The youth remained at the center late into the afternoon, and even then wanted to remain longer. Catholic Action is already for them a meeting place. They say that the sports center is “A dream that has become reality. Custody of the Holy Land, thank you.”
The new building, which was inaugurated today on the property that has already been dedicated to Catholic Action and to parish activities, is a three story structure on 1,300 square meters, where several different kinds of sports are played. This new building comes out of the necessity to reinforce the Christian presence in Bethlehem, Beit Jala, and Beit Sahur, especially as a consequence of the uncertainties resulting from the construction of the wall, totally closing the Territories.
Mab
Structure de l’édifice :
Under ground : parking pour 50 véhicules
Ground floor: Gymnase de 340 mètres carrés aménagé pour les diverses activités gymniques; Salle de Ping pong de 128 mètres carrés; Salle de 225 mètres carrés pour les diverses activités (danse, escrime, karaté etc.); Cafeteria et bureau pour l’équipe d’animation.
First floor : Terrain de Basket et Volley aux normes internationales; Gradins pouvant accueillir 600 spectateurs.
“For some time we have had this project” – recounted Fr. Amjad Sabbara, O.F.M., pastor of the parish – “because of the situation of immobility that the people of Bethlehem know, we have tried to multiply activities available to the faithful, and in this way help them to be more active. The Catholic Action center (managed by lay faithful who are members of the parish) already participates in this effort. The new building’s principle objective is to encourage the meeting of the families and of the youth around sports and its values, as a place of growth and socialization…after the visit to Catholic Action of Delfina Gomez Perez, a Spanish benefactress of the Holy Land enamored with Bethlehem, I suggested this project. Enthusiastically, she decided to finance 50% of the project! From then on, encouraged by this providential gift and helped by other benefactors, the Custody did the rest. Work began in November of 2004, six months after the visit of Mrs. Gomez Perez, and finished this past April 10th. The inauguration date was chosen in order to permit the Franciscans of the Holy Land, gathered at the Chapter in Bethlehem since June 3rd, to take part in it. It is an occasion for the faithful of the city to discover the solidarity, closeness, and solicitude of all of the Friars of the Custody, which is a part of their mission commitment, regardless of where they reside in the world. It is also an opportunity for the Friars who aren’t involved in a direct apostolate towards the local community to see one of the realizations of the Custody, and to unite themselves with the joy of those to whom this project is dedicated. The center is opened to Christians of all confessions in the town, but also to those of nearby towns, including Beit Sahur and Beit Jala. Currently there are 280 members of the gym and 350 members of other sports activities at the center. For the inauguration, the Father Custos, after uncovering the traditional plaque, blessed the building by walking throughout the center.
For those who participated in this it was a splendid occasion to discover the excellent sports equipment, and even to try some of it out. Then, in the gym there was a speech of thanksgiving, as well as other speeches, given by the president of Catholic Action, by the pastor, by the Treasurer of the Custody, and by the Sports Minister of the Palestinian Authority, representing the Bethlehem government. Then a basketball game was played between the “De la Salle” team of Jerusalem and the Catholic Action’s Bethlehem team. It was notable that the Bethlehem team made the first basket. The youth remained at the center late into the afternoon, and even then wanted to remain longer. Catholic Action is already for them a meeting place. They say that the sports center is “A dream that has become reality. Custody of the Holy Land, thank you.”
The new building, which was inaugurated today on the property that has already been dedicated to Catholic Action and to parish activities, is a three story structure on 1,300 square meters, where several different kinds of sports are played. This new building comes out of the necessity to reinforce the Christian presence in Bethlehem, Beit Jala, and Beit Sahur, especially as a consequence of the uncertainties resulting from the construction of the wall, totally closing the Territories.
Mab
Structure de l’édifice :
Under ground : parking pour 50 véhicules
Ground floor: Gymnase de 340 mètres carrés aménagé pour les diverses activités gymniques; Salle de Ping pong de 128 mètres carrés; Salle de 225 mètres carrés pour les diverses activités (danse, escrime, karaté etc.); Cafeteria et bureau pour l’équipe d’animation.
First floor : Terrain de Basket et Volley aux normes internationales; Gradins pouvant accueillir 600 spectateurs.