NORTH CAPE MAY — As the Advent season begins and Catholics prepare to welcome the coming of Christ, parishioners at Saint John Neumann Parish are answering a call to help children and families in the land of Jesus’ birth.
On the weekend of Nov. 30 and Dec. 1, representatives from the Bethlehem Holy Child Program visited the parish to share their mission of bringing hope and healing to children in the Holy Land. This nonprofit organization addresses the mental health and behavioral challenges faced by young people impacted by the region’s persistent violent conflicts, fostering unity and resilience in a divided land.
“These children are traumatized; they have seen their parents shot and killed, and their neighborhoods raided. They need healing,” explained Sister Monica of the Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist, whose order began the Palestine-based program in 1996, to help students grow emotionally, socially, and educationally, while fostering positive self-esteem and dignity.
The school, located in Beit Sahour—just three miles from Bethlehem and 12 miles from Jerusalem—serves 35 students aged 5 to 15 from both Christian and Muslim backgrounds, creating a unique environment of mutual respect and harmony. With a dedicated team of teachers, maintaining a ratio of one educator for every five students, the school offers both therapy and education, reflecting the diverse heritages of its staff. The program also benefits from the spiritual guidance and administrative support of the Franciscan Sisters, who ensure its mission aligns with the beliefs and teachings of the Roman Catholic Church.
The youth learn together “in a spirit of togetherness, respecting each other’s faith, and knowing they are children of the same God,” said Sister Monica, a Franciscan Sister of the Eucharist who addressed the Saint John Neumann Parish community.
Sister Monica shared a powerful example of the harmony fostered by the Holy Child Program. After the tragic accidental death of an Israeli boy, his liver was donated to a Muslim boy in desperate need of a transplant. However, the recipient faced bullying at his school due to the origins of the organ, leading his parents to seek a more supportive environment for him at Holy Child.
When the boy’s parents realized they couldn’t afford the transportation costs to enroll him, the family of the deceased Israeli boy stepped in, generously funding two years of his education at Holy Child. This act of compassion, Sister Monica explained, exemplifies the program’s mission of healing and unity in a region often marked by division.
“We’re instilling hope through one child, one family, one community at a time,” she said.
Sister Monica highlighted the challenges faced by many families during the ongoing Israel-Palestinian conflict, noting that many parents, once employed as day laborers or in the Holy Land’s tourism industry, are now unable to work and earn an income. To address these hardships, the Holy Child Program’s social workers assist students in securing employment after graduation, guiding them toward careers in trades such as wood-carving. She proudly added that other graduates have successfully entered professions in culinary arts and law enforcement.
The program tailors its approach to the unique strengths of each child, incorporating the rich history of the Holy Land into activities like food preparation, nutrition, music, and cultural celebrations. Beyond the classroom, Holy Child extends its support to families and children through services such as counseling, parent education, home visits, medical monitoring, and follow-up support for graduates, ensuring a holistic and lasting impact.
“This school is the anchor of the community, and we’re bringing a sense of normalcy,” Sister Monica said.
Joining Sister Monica in North Cape May was Francis Barillaro, Treasurer of the Holy Child Program, who spoke of the organization’s need for funds to support the school and its students, and the program’s goal of purchasing the school building by early next year, “to sustain and increase our service to children and families in Palestine,” he emphasized.
Father James King, pastor of Saint John Neumann Parish, called the visit a vital opportunity for his parishioners to hear of the positive things happening in the Holy Land amidst the violence.
“Every day we see something happening in Israel, something happening in Gaza, but often I think that we forget that there are children in need, and people who are continuing to live their lives- Christians, Muslims, and Jews who are trying to do the best they can to love their God, and work together.”
To find out more about the Holy Child Program, visit holychildbethlehem.org.
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