On Saturday 2 November, in the chapel of the Notre Dame Institute in Jerusalem, the Saint James Vicariate for Hebrew-speaking Catholics organised an evening of prayer around the Eucharist, opening the new pastoral year. Fr PIOTR ZELASKO Patriarchal Vicar of the Hebrew-speaking Catholic Community This is the new pastoral year. I was thinking how war weary we all really are. We need hope. So this Holy Eucharist, with the Pontifical Mass celebrated by His Eminence Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, is really to highlight how much we need hope. The celebration was concelebrated by the bishops and priests of the diocese, who were present in large numbers. The faithful who came from various parts packed the small chapel. The liturgy of the word was introduced by the ‘Shema Yisrael’, one of the most important passages in Judaism and the core of Jesus' teaching. H B Card PIERBATTISTA PIZZABALLA Patriarch of Jerusalem of the Latins Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and your neighbour as yourself, are one commandment. That is what we need, first and foremost as a church. With all our differences, which run the risk of making us each go our own way, especially at this time of great hatred and division. And what Jesus left us, his commandment that brings everything together in our lives, in our hearts and in our communities. That is what this country needs! That is, to be able, each with our own history, our own identity, to love one another! We have room for everyone, there is room for everyone, what is missing is the place of the heart. Father Piotr, tells us that the musical parts of the mass are new, written by Father Benedict and the young people of the community. Fr PIOTR ZELASKO Patriarchal Vicar of the Hebrew-speaking Catholic Community This is very interesting, because for the first time, I think, there will be parts in Hebrew and Arabic in the same prayers. There is a choir from the Magnificat Institute of the Franciscans, and there are also our young people and children from the Vicariate, and they will do this together with Father Benedict, in both Hebrew and Arabic. Fr BENEDETTO DI BITONTO Head of Kehilla in Jerusalem The idea of celebrating a mass in three languages, of composing a mass on the theme of hope, came to us a few months ago. We thought about this atmosphere in which the terrible conflict that we are experiencing not only involves Israelis and Palestinians, Jews and Muslims, but also passes through the Church. So we thought that perhaps the Church itself could be an example. A starting point to show that coexistence is possible, reconciliation is possible. And nothing can achieve this better than music, to bring different people together and build a harmony from which everyone benefits. EREZ ENTE Musician I am very very happy to be able to offer my talent to play and give all I can for the community. Of course, this involves a lot of preparation time, but I did it willingly because I feel that the community is part of me and I wouldn't go anywhere without it. I am participating in the life of the community thanks to Father Benedict and I have also worked with him on the Mass songs by writing one of them. I am very, very excited to present it, especially in front of the Patriarch and I am really happy to be part of the concert as well. After the celebration, the participants went to the auditorium for a concert on hope. On this long night, the children and young people wanted to express how light never fails, and colours always shine through art and songs. DANIELLE MAMAN Youth coordinator for SJV, Jerusalem We wanted to do something different, with new music. And we also wanted people to take part in it, and we hope we succeeded. Through an activity shared with all the guests, everyone earned a card as a token of hope exchanged among all those present. DANIELLE MAMAN Coordinator of young people In this way, we thought we would spread the word to more people, so that everyone could be a sign of hope for someone else, pray, reflect, and maybe share this small sign with others. Fr PIOTR ZELASKO Patriarchal Vicar of the Hebrew-speaking Catholic Community In the darkness of war, in times of violence, beauty can save us, because beauty leads us to God. This event is special, I am very happy because the children and young people at this concert today are our hope.