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Conferring the Sacrament of Priesthood to the deacon Johnny Abu Khalil |
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Wednesday, 15 October 2008 |
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On Saturday, September 27th 2008, many groups of faithful gathered at the Latin Patriarchate Concathedral to celebrate the Priesthood Ordination of the deacon Johnny Assad Abu Khalil, during a pontifical mass, presided by his Beatitude Patriarch Fouad Twal, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem.
Bishop Salim Sayegh, the Latin Patriarchal Vicar of Jordan concelebrated the mass together with Bishop Kamal Bathish, the Latin Patriarchal Vicar of Jerusalem, as well as Bishop Boulos Marcuzzo, the Latin Patriarchal Vicar of Israel, and a group of priests. The candidate's family also attended the mass with his relatives, and different faithful who came from different regions to witness the joy of the celebration, in addition to deacons, priests and sisters, as well as Johnny's colleagues from the Latin Patriarchate Seminary and students.The mass started with the Solemn Entrance and Procession of the Patriarch accompanied by bishops, priests and deacon Johnny Abu Khalil. In his homily, the Patriarch asserted that the Holy Order of Priesthood is a sacrament in which the deacon Johnny will serve God in love and sincerity, and being a good model as the good Shepherd. The ordination continued, when the deacon Johnny gave his response to the Patriarch's question, expressing his willingness to take this sacred duty.This was followed by laying the deacon down on his face, a sign of modesty, and then the Patriarch put his hands on his head, according to tradition. Prayers of dedication followed, and then the new priest wore his new mass habit, and his hands were anointed by the Holy Oil.It should be worth mentioned that the deacon Johnny has chosen his title of ordination, which is:" In the heart of my mother church, I will be love", as an emblem to witness his service all the time.At the end, Joy filled the atmosphere, as the new priest received congratulations and blessings accompanied by popular songs. SundayThe new priest, Fr. Johnny Abu Khalil, presided his first celebrating mass in the parish church of the Holy Family in Ramallah on Sunday, September 28th 2008, accompanied by Bishop Kamal Bathish, the Patriarch Vicar of Jerusalem and a number of priests.Fr. Aktham Hijazin, the parish priest of Ramallah, welcomed the Bishop Bathish and gave his blessings and congratulations to the new priest, as well as the Church, Family, and the Seminary too.At the end of the mass, Fr. Johnny addressed a thanksgiving word, paying tribute to everyone who stood beside him on the way of achieving the sacrament of priesthood of his family, and his Beatitude Patriarch Fouad Twal, and Fr. William Shomali, the rector of the Seminary.He also thanked in particular Bishop Maroun Lahham, Fr. Francis Shahin, Fr. Faisal Hijazin, and Fr. Ibrahim Hijazin. In addition to Fr. Sami Toutah who is resident at the USA, and the priest of the Seminary who supported him to continue to walk on the way of the Lord Jesus.Our Hearty Congratulations are extended to Fr. Johnny Abu Khalil. May God grant him the strength to continue serving the church. |
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