Father Patrice Sabater Pardo, cm provides information about an exchange program for young people 18-30-years-old this summer in the Lebanon (Valley of Qaddisha). This Camp is sponsored by the Lazarists of Middle East, the Province of Barcelona, and the Daughters of Charity of the Province of Middle East.
From the documentaion…. “This PROJECT is not just a holiday or an opportunity to discover Lebanon as a tourist, but rather to get to know the East from a Christian point of view. It is about dialogue giving an opportunity for exchange, with the idea that this may continue and become long-lasting.”
There is a be a second program focused on bringing Lebanese young adults to the West.
INFORMATION
CAMP-MISSION 5 -20 AUGUST 2016
AIM of the PROJECT
This project is called to be renewed every two years. The first year young Lebanese people (and Christians from other Eastern countries) will receive the visit of young people from the West. The second year, those from the West will receive the Lebanese (and Christians from other Eastern countries).
With regard to the Vincentian family… This project corresponds precisely to the ongoing work promoted by the Conference of Visitors in Europe and the Middle East. It is a specific application of the work carried out by MISEVI.
This PROJECT is not just a holiday or an opportunity to discover Lebanon as a tourist, but rather to get to know the East from a Christian point of view. It is about dialogue giving an opportunity for exchange, with the idea that this may continue and become long-lasting.
WHERE ?
Village of BKARKACHA – In the Qaddisha valley (Lebanon)
The possibility of such an undertaking and its implementation were thought out in Lebanon by Fr. Charbel Khoury, cm (Eastern Province) and superior of the Mission House of Medjlaya in coordination with the provincial missionary team, the domestic Council of the House of Medjlaya and the young people of the Missionary team. Work on this project is carried out in constant coordination with Fr. Patrice Sabater, cm (Province of Barcelona) and his association « Béthanie Lumières-d’Orient ». This project was presented in the CEVIM Conference last year, and at The General Vicarior of the CM Father Javier Alvarez, cm.
The Project is also developed and thought out at provincial level via the Provincial Visitators concerned. This Project is also carried and developed in coordination with the Parish priest of BKARKACHA and his Parish Council. It remains a Project to help the poorest people in the village.
WHEN ?
5 – 20 August 2016
REQUIREMENTS
1. Interest in and/or involvement with Christians from the East (whether or not familiar with the Middle East)
2. Desire to know others in Christ to follow ways of peace, justice and solidarity
3. Capacity to speak French, or at least notions of the language…
PARTICIPANTS
1. Young people (male or female)
2. Young French or European Christians aged between 18 and 30 years at the most
a. University students
b. young professionals
3. Young people from Lebanon or other Middle-Eastern countries
FINANCIAL PARTICIPATION
The young people pay for their journey: 595 €
They must check they hold repatriation insurance and may benefit from national Social Security or Student welfare for any medical care.
CONDITIONS…
Transport is arranged from Charles de Gaulle airport (Paris) to the place of the camp.
The journey is managed by ICTUS Voyages. Group departure from Paris.
The Camp organisers provide full board, charitable, spiritual and cultural activities.
Personal expenses will not be paid for.
JOURNEY
The journey is organised by ICTUS Voyages Agency (Saint Cloud – France)
ORGANISERS and PARTNERS OF THE Mission Camp
1. « Béthanie-Lumière d’Orient » association (www.bethanie-lumieresdorient.com)
2. Missionary house of Lazarists (Medjlaya) and missionary teams
3. Eastern Province of Lazarist Priests
4. Eastern Province of Daughters of Charity
5. Vincentian family in the Middle East
6. … European Provinces
A PROPOSITION which is human and ecclesial, spiritual, charitable… and cultural
1. European and Eastern interpersonal contacts
2. Exchange between both sides of the Mediterranean
3. Visits of oriental churches
4. Introduction to the Maronite Church, their saints and historic reality
5. Introduction to the Vincentian Family
6. Opportunities for prayer, spiritual training, vigils
7. Worksite in solidarity with the villages with Lebanese young people
The object of the camp worksite is, in principle, the renovation of a dozen houses in a state of considerable insalubrity (see photos in Annex). This work is aimed to help the poor.
8. Visit of the Valley of Qaddisha and part of Lebanon
9. Meeting with the Patriarch Raï and the Patriarch Lahham, if possible
10. Meetings with the Lazarist Visitator of the East, the archbishop of Tripoli, the bishop of the diocese, the apostolic Vicar or the apostolic Nuncio… if possible
ACCOMMODATION
1. In village homes to encourage contact with the population as during the WYD or Taizé Gatherings (breakfast in the morning and in the evening after a busy day)
2. with the Daughters of Charity in Hasroun
3. in the Lazarist House of Hasroun
