The 4th graders from our St. Andrew-St. Elizabeth Seton school visited with the 3rd graders from the Latin Patriarchate School in Beit Jala (Bethlehem), Palestine. Speaking with children in Bethlehem right before Christmas – how cool is that! 
These Palestinian children live in Bethlehem. They are Christians – just like us – in a Catholic school – just like ours. 
There is Miss Eman, their teacher. When she was in the classroom with our students at our school in November, her face just lit up. She makes her students smile. 
This is Mr. Waseim, their computer teacher. He is very clever – and very computer savvy. He has been to our school, too. 
They sang “Jingle Bells” in Arabic. We clapped for them. 
We sang “Silent Night” in English. They clapped for us. 
It was a wonderful Christmas gift for me to be able to see and hear my two worlds, my two loves – Milford and Beit Jala – come together at Christmas. 
Mrs. Schweickart is our teacher. Last summer she went to the Beit Jala school, where she met Miss Eman and Mr. Waseim. In November she welcomed them to our school. 
We hope to visit again, by skype and in person. Ensha’allah. God willing. 
With Open Doors 
I bet we were! So exciting! So awesome!!! This sure beats pen pals by snail mail!
YES Fr. ROB its our gift on this spicial Christmas, the student were very happy for this skyping I hope we will continue ti have some HOPE on our life
It was so exciting being with our kids from Palestine and Milford….. Eid milad sa’eed (merry christmas)
God bless you all
So touching. Imiss each one of you in the U.S.A and in Palistine. I hope everyone will have a very blessed merry christmas, and the joy of Jesus in your hearts.
With love: HALA
Such a wonderful Christmas gift!
May the peace of Christ be with all of you this Christmas, and always.
With love,
Karen
Thanks for posting this Fr. Rob. I felt like I was in the classroom with everyone. I am so happy to see this relationship between the two schools continue to grow!
Great idea!
I like the originality and I bet a lot of other people like it as well! Watch this trend!!
What fantastic relationship building and what great memories for the students involved! This raises Christian awareness to a new level; we meet our extended “family” face to face. Just great!