“I am happy for the life I have chosen” – The nuns of “Le Creche,” the only orphanage in Bethlehem, have raised generations of children in this biblical town.
But only four aging nuns remain, down from a dozen 30 years ago, and the Roman Catholic church is struggling to replace them. In the meantime, they have hired a professional staff to do jobs once solely performed by nuns.
“I am happy for the life I have chosen,” said Sister Elisabeth Noirot, 58, of the Company of the Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul, one of the Holy Land’s largest and oldest Catholic orders, which runs the orphanage. “But it is in the hands of God if others will follow.”
AP source Article about declining numbers of religious.
See also
Daughters of Charity in Bethany and Bethlehem – Sr. Laudy and three other Sisters depart from the house in Bethany and move to location in Bethlehem where they have a walk with some children from Lebanon.
Feast of Presentation in the Bethany house – Domestic liturgy held in the Feast of Presentation of Jesus in the Temple.
A Crèche in Bethlehem – A visit to the day care center run by Daughters of Charity in Bethlehem.
Accompanying Daughters of Charity on visit in Gaza
Summer Camp in Gaza for children from care centers run by Daughters of Charity, June 2008
Amagad Kindergarten Project in Gaza – A visit to kindergarten run by Daughters of Charity in Gaza (Narration in Italian)
Visit to kindergarten in Gaza – A report from visit in Gaza few days after exchange of fire and rockets between Gazans and Israelis, March 2008
House repairs in the Bethany house Something odd. How to repair solar boiler?
Orange harvest in Bethany house – Garden is full of fruits ready to be picked up. 15 sacks of oranges and lemon were picked up.
Tags: Bethlehem, Daughters of Charity