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Fr Elias Chacour 's Visit to St. Albans
Nicholas Breakspear School has begun a partnership with another school more than 8,000 miles away in the Holy Land.
The groundbreaking plans to link Nicholas Breakspear School with
the Mar Elias Educational Institute in
Galilee, were announced at the school presentation evening in September 2005.
Father
Elias Chacour, founder of the Institute, was guest of honour and gave a talk.
The Mar Elias Education Centre is unusual as it caters for students from
nursery to university level. Even more exceptionally it welcomes Muslim,
Christian and Jewish children and staff.
A Palestinian Melkite Christian priest, Fr Elias has dedicated his life to
working for peace. As a child he saw his family home destroyed by Israeli
soldiers. Rather than becoming embittered, he decided the only way forward
was be more compassionate and strive for greater understanding - "to convert
your enemy to a friend, and a friend to a brother or sister" he explained.
Education, he said, has a great role to play in promoting peace. In Galilee,
40 years ago, there were no schools, and thousands of young people were growing
up without any formal education.
Fr Elias started his school with few resources and great opposition from
the authorities. Although he was refused a building permit many times he
persevered
with his plans and opened his school with 80 pupils and four teachers.
His institute now has 4,500 students, 290 staff and is now a recognised university.
Fr Elias, who has now been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize three times,
told the students: "We must live in friendship today, in order to have a
better future tomorrow."
He said: "I travelled 8,000 miles to be with you today because I love you.
I am proud to be with you. I see a people of God. You are beautiful. You
can make a difference. Do not be encapsulated by your well-being. Use the
talents God has given you. If 12 fishermen were able to turn the world upside
down, imagine what you can do."
Fr Elias was welcomed by headteacher Philip Jakszta. Jeremy White, the previous head, also attended.
Fr Elias said: "It is very important for the children in Israel to see a
more human image of the outside world - to break down barriers."
Reproduced from Independent Catholic News, by agreement, with many thanks)
Marshalswick Mass Centre - On
Friday 16th, Fr Chacour came to the Marshaslwick Mass Centre at St.
John Fisher School, where he spoke for over an hour of his life, and the
stories of his struggles in Palestine, and particularly in the context of
his school and university. There are a limited number of tape recordings
of his talk, which you are free to borrow - please contact Tim Stevens on
836236
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Who is Fr. Elias Chacour
As a child, Elias Chacour lived in a small Palestinian village in Galilee.
The townspeople were proud of their ancient Christian heritage and lived
at peace with their Jewish neighbors. But early in 1947, their idyllic lifestyle
was swept away as tens of thousands of Palestinians were killed and nearly
one million forced into refugee camps.
An
exile in his native land, Elias began a years-long struggle with his love
for the Jewish people and the world's misunderstanding of his own people,
the Palestinians. How was he to respond? He found his answer in the simple,
haunting words of the Man of Galilee: "Blessed are the peacemakers."
Books by Fr. Elias Chacour
BLOOD BROTHERS, is the gripping story of a young
man, Elias Chacour, whose Christian family owned an Olive plantation in northern
Palestine when it was first taken over by Israeli troops in the late 1940s,
and how his father "turned the other cheek" as a follower of Jesus Christ.
The
book tells of a ministry of reconciliation among these warring groups over
recent decades and how Elias Chacour has led Arab Christians into a non-violent
and peaceful effort to reach out to the entire nation in the name of Christ.
WE BELONG TO THE LAND goes further. The main thrust of the book is on his work towards reconciliation.
In order for the Palestinians to have self respect, and respect from the
Jews, Chacour realised the need for providing them with educational opportunities.
In 1981, he applied for a building permit for a secondary school which was
to be open to Christians, Jews and Muslims; It was refused for many years.
and he decided to proceed without it.
Fr Elias Chacour had contacts overseas, though the stereotype that all Palestinians
are terrorists proved an obstacle. The final building permit was given after
pressure from US Senator James Baker, and Israeli Foreign Minister Shimon
Peres.
HOW TO PURCHASE THE BOOKS.
There are three easy options
1. St Andrews Bookshop. 97-99 London Road, St Albans, AL1 1LN has copies in stock.
Tel 01727 834 236
(they will also do mail order)
website
2.
By Mail Order from GoodNews Christian Books and Audio, 15 Barking Close,
Luton, Bedfordshire LU4 9HG
Tel 01582 571011
website
3. Through Ss Alban & Stephen Catholic Church - just drop an e-mail to us at books@albanstephen.com or
call Tim on 01727 836 236
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