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Father Sabbara Prays at US Sister Parish: Church of the Nativity in Burke
Sunday, June 08, 2003
Burke, Virginia June 8, 2003 - Father Amjad Sabbara celebrated mass and commemorated the birth of the mother churches of Jerusalem at a sister church, Church of the Nativity, in Burke Virginia.
Father Richard Martin, Pastor of the sister Church of the Nativity in Burke welcomed Father Sabbara and introduced him to over a thousand parishioners who attended mass. "You saw him during the siege of the Church of Nativity, which still holds vivid memories for me and perhaps for you. So, it is my pleasure and privilege that Father will celebrate mass this morning, Father Amjad Sabbara, pastor of our sister Church many many miles away..." Father Martin addressed the eager parishioners.
Father Sabbara preached to the crowd during his homily saying: “We are sisters in churches, and also today we are celebrating the day of Pentecost, the birthday of the Church of Jerusalem, the birthday of all churches that begun 2,000 years ago in which the disciples have done a commitment in front of Jesus, in front of all the world, and that commitment towards the love of everyone.” He added: “And now, 2,000 years after, the church of Bethlehem and Jerusalem are facing a lot of challenges… Many people have left Bethlehem. We are afraid that one day we will find our churches a museum.”
Father Sabbara proceeded to speak about the deteriorating situation of the Christian community in the Middle East. "We have to find our identity as Christians." He said.
After mass, Father Sabbara gave Father Martin a plaque in his appreciation to the hard work that the parish has done to support the Christian community in the Holy Land. "My name is written on this [plaque], but this one is for all of you, for the Church of the Nativity and the hard work you have done to the parish community." Father Martin said to his parishioners.
Father Sabbara greeted the people after mass and talked to them about the situation of his parish. He also celebrated mass at St. Anthony’s in Falls Church yesterday with Father Horace Grinnell.
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