Parishioners welcomed a Catholic from Bethlehem to the parish at Sunday Mass on 8 February 2026. He told us of the difficulties of life there, including how hard it is for Christian families to support themselves amid a drop in the number of pilgrims and widespread unemployment. Many are emigrating, leaving a dwindling Christian presence in the Holy Land.
He reminded us of the words of Pope Francis, who warned that without the presence of local Christians in the Holy Land, sacred sites risk becoming merely museums.
To help support Christians in Bethlehem, he brought for sale hand-crafted olive wood carvings. (These are also available from The Bethlehem Nativity Group.)
He kindly donated a cross to the parish, which at each point includes earth, rocks, flowers and frankincense.
(Photo: Fr Mark receives the gift of the cross)
Our Lady of the Rosary, Hayes, Kent 