tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-55688216347799081982024-03-13T14:05:52.422-04:00Bethlehem12This Blog chronicles the adventures of Manhattan College (NY) students and their professors as they journey to Behtlehem as part of a Kappa Delta Pi service-learning trip, as well as a cultural and educational exchange.KDP Visits BUhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12608858090071809935noreply@blogger.comBlogger20125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5568821634779908198.post-75717598084572599562012-07-11T19:31:00.000-04:002012-07-11T19:31:22.650-04:00An Amazing Experience<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:DocumentProperties> <o:Template>Normal.dotm</o:Template> <o:Revision>0</o:Revision> <o:TotalTime>0</o:TotalTime> <o:Pages>1</o:Pages> <o:Words>548</o:Words> <o:Characters>3126</o:Characters> <o:Company>Manhattan College</o:Company> <o:Lines>26</o:Lines> <o:Paragraphs>6</o:Paragraphs> <o:CharactersWithSpaces>3838</o:CharactersWithSpaces> <o:Version>12.0</o:Version> </o:DocumentProperties> <o:OfficeDocumentSettings> <o:AllowPNG/> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:TrackMoves>false</w:TrackMoves> <w:TrackFormatting/> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing> <w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing> <w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery> <w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> <w:DontAutofitConstrainedTables/> <w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/> </w:Compatibility> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="276"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--> <!--[if gte mso 10]> <style>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f3f3f3;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 17px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 17px;">My journey to Israel and Palestine was an experience that I would</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f3f3f3;">never have imagined going on. When the trip was first announced I<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f3f3f3;">immediately said “yes”. I couldn’t explain why my response was so<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f3f3f3;">immediate. However, looking back to my time in Palestine, I wouldn’t<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f3f3f3;">change a thing. This trip took me not only literally out of the<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f3f3f3;">country but it took me out of my comfort zone. Now that I find myself<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f3f3f3;">telling people about my trip, I see how much I have learned. I learned<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f3f3f3;">about the culture, the people and even got the opportunity to learn a<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f3f3f3;">few Arabic words that I use since I got back.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f3f3f3;">Before embarking on this trip, I wasn’t completely aware of the<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f3f3f3;">political conflict. While there I learned so much about the situation and<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f3f3f3;">the different events throughout history that have shaped what<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f3f3f3;">Palestine is today. At first the stories were overwhelming. I<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f3f3f3;">couldn’t understand why there is so much hatred and so much conflict.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f3f3f3;">While going to the schools and meeting the different people and<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f3f3f3;">Children, I was amazed at how peaceful and hopeful these people are<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f3f3f3;">despite the political conflict. I admire the hope that they have for<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f3f3f3;">their future. This really put things into perspective for me about how<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f3f3f3;">many times I find myself complaining about small things when in<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f3f3f3;">reality these people have much greater problems than I do.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f3f3f3;"> The highlight of my trip was definitely meeting the children in Palestine.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f3f3f3;"> Like people say, children are always the most innocent in any situation. </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f3f3f3;">These children were so happy and playful. The children that we met in the </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f3f3f3;">SOS Children’s Village were very welcoming despite the language barrier. </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f3f3f3;">Being in that classroom with Michael showed me how difficult it is to </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f3f3f3;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 17px;">communicate with a student that may speak a different language as </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 17px;">their </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f3f3f3;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 17px;">primary language. While we were there I knew one thing that was </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 17px;">universal-</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 17px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f3f3f3;"> a smile and that was the way we communicated.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f3f3f3;"> The culture and people that we met in the streets were all so<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f3f3f3;">welcoming and eager to help. Meeting with my pen pal was definitely a<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f3f3f3;">great experience. It was a great idea to be set up with someone prior<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f3f3f3;">to our trip so that way we could talk before going to Palestine. While<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f3f3f3;">at lunch with my pen pal, I learned so much and got to meet other<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f3f3f3;">Bethlehem University students. Now I can say that I have many friends<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f3f3f3;">in Bethlehem. The trips to the different refugee camps were very<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f3f3f3;">emotional and overwhelming. It is one thing to read about than to go<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f3f3f3;">personally and hear these peoples’ testimonies. At times, I found myself<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f3f3f3;">being upset because I felt that the situation that they are in isn’t<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f3f3f3;">fair and shouldn’t be going on. I would tell my peers that I wish I<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f3f3f3;">could just bring everyone with me back home. But after reflecting and<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f3f3f3;">looking at the situation, I saw how these people were happy and always<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f3f3f3;">found the positive. I wish I could apply that to my everyday life.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f3f3f3;"> When I came back from my trip I took on a permanent substitute<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f3f3f3;">position with fourth graders. One day I decided to do a lesson on<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f3f3f3;">travelling the world and challenged them to think of places that they<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f3f3f3;">wish they could visit. I told them about my experiences and taught<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f3f3f3;">them different Arabic phrases such as “thank you” “you’re welcome” and<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f3f3f3;">“how are you”. The students were all very interested and wanted to<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f3f3f3;">learn more. I showed them different pictures of the different sites we<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f3f3f3;">visited. My objective was to teach them that they could go to any<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f3f3f3;">place in the world and learn about different cultures. I wanted<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f3f3f3;">to tell them how children, even across the Atlantic Ocean, are the same<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f3f3f3;">as they are. My journey to Israel and Palestine was a once in a<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f3f3f3;">lifetime experience that I will always cherish and that has opened my<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f3f3f3;">mind to thinking outside of my own comfort zone. I will continue to<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f3f3f3;">share my story with everyone I meet.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f3f3f3;">-Maxiel P.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #1a1a1a;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><!--EndFragment--></div>KDP Visits BUhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12608858090071809935noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5568821634779908198.post-45631121195828648792012-07-11T11:11:00.000-04:002012-07-11T11:11:20.683-04:00REFLECTION: June 24, 2012<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:DocumentProperties> <o:Template>Normal.dotm</o:Template> <o:Revision>0</o:Revision> <o:TotalTime>0</o:TotalTime> <o:Pages>1</o:Pages> <o:Words>653</o:Words> <o:Characters>3724</o:Characters> <o:Company>Manhattan College</o:Company> <o:Lines>31</o:Lines> <o:Paragraphs>7</o:Paragraphs> <o:CharactersWithSpaces>4573</o:CharactersWithSpaces> <o:Version>12.0</o:Version> </o:DocumentProperties> <o:OfficeDocumentSettings> <o:AllowPNG/> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:TrackMoves>false</w:TrackMoves> <w:TrackFormatting/> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing> <w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing> <w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery> <w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> <w:DontAutofitConstrainedTables/> <w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/> </w:Compatibility> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="276"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--> <!--[if gte mso 10]> <style>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 17px;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f3f3f3;">"DARE TO REACH OUT YOUR HAND INTO THE DARKNESS...<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f3f3f3;"> ...<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f3f3f3;">TO PULL ANOTHER HAND INTO THE LIGHT."<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in;"> <div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; mso-pagination: none; padding: 0in; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f3f3f3;"> Norman B. Rice<o:p></o:p></span></span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f3f3f3;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;"> Today we celebrate the birth of St. John the Baptist. At Mass </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 17px;">this morning, I was thinking of all of you and how excited we were a few weeks ago at our "re-baptismal experience" in the Jordan River - the same place where John the Baptist baptized Jesus Christ. I believe this was not just a "special" moment, but that God had a very important message for each of us.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f3f3f3;"> The Message: each of us was born into this world with a "spark"<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f3f3f3;">of goodness within us. We may have lost sight of this wonderful gift, but our experience in the Jordan River is a reminder that we need to find that "spark" - "fan it into flame" - and continue to "nurture" it every day. We need to be beacons of hope for others. We need to make our world a better place. We can all do better. I know I can. We need to "DARE TO REACH OUT OUR HAND INTO THE DARKNESS ...... TO PULL ANOTHER HAND INTO THE LIGHT."<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f3f3f3;"> We have returned from a country that is caught in the middle of a sad reality of injustice, violence, intolerance, and fear. Why so much conflict and tension in the birthplace of Jesus - a land that should be a place of faith, peace, and hope? Why does God permit all this "stuff" to happen? Why doesn't He do something about it? God would tell us "I certainly did do something. I MADE YOU!" Our Creator has given us everything we need to make a difference. He is with us all the time - we are always in His presence. He gives us the courage and strength to help us make things happen. We are actually doing His Work!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f3f3f3;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;"> For example, I'm sure we are accepting of the fact that we will </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 17px;">not be able to DIRECTLY help the Palestinian people to achieve justice and peace, but our journey certainly has opened our eyes, hearts, and brains as to what they are experiencing. We are hoping that this "global adventure" has impacted your life, will impact the lives of your future students, and the schools where you will be teaching. Your horizons have been broadened and this should promote within you a sense of global awareness and global thinking - skills needed in this 21st century.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f3f3f3;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;"> BUT what can we do to INDIRECTLY help the Palestinian people? </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 17px;">What can we do in our "sphere of influence" to make a positive impact? How can we – as students and teachers - contribute to a better and more peaceful world?</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f3f3f3;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;"> First, we should be INSTRUMENTS OF PEACE through daily acts of kindness and gestures of care toward peers, friends, students, family members, and colleagues. It is easy for us now to care about the people we met in Palestine but probably harder to care about some of the people </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 17px;">we walk next to every day here at home. We should SAY something or DO something that will, make a difference to someone who is hurting or discouraged or left out or lonely. Share the love, the joy, and peace in your own life. Be Reflectors of the LIGHT! LET US DARE TO REACH OUT OUR HANDS INTO THE DARKNESS ...... TO PULL ANOTHER HAND INTO THE</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f3f3f3;">LIGHT.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f3f3f3;"> Second, have stimulating conversations with friends, family members, teachers, and students about WORLD PEACE. Shake things up! Embrace every opportunity! Share your experiences - your new way of looking at the world! This will also give you a unique opportunity to further your understanding of the global issues you learned about from your journey.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f3f3f3;"> Has this journey been a "live-changing" experience for you?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f3f3f3;">When one talks about life-changing experiences, some just put new wrapping paper on their outside. There is no internal change - it's the same person with a new covering. Others superficially change some of the contents and add new wrapping paper - leaving the internal contents unchanged. It's the same person. We have faith that each of YOU are opening up your minds and hearts to take a good look at your life - doing some major redesigning that you find consistent with "who" you are NOW after this extraordinary experience - that you are developing a new way of seeing yourselves, a more caring way of doing things, and a different way of viewing our world.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f3f3f3;"> LET US CELEBRATE THE POWER WITHIN US ALL<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f3f3f3;"> TO MAKE THE DIFFERENCE<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f3f3f3;"> TO CHANGE THE WORLD!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f3f3f3;">Brother Ray</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #1a1a1a;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><!--EndFragment--></div>KDP Visits BUhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12608858090071809935noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5568821634779908198.post-27733466742293595732012-07-03T10:36:00.000-04:002012-07-03T10:36:22.106-04:00Christina's Reflection<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #eeeeee;"> It is still hard for me to put the whole experience of the trip into words but I will try my best to do so. Br. Ray is 100% correct when he says that you do not come back the same person. Never in my life have I seen such beautiful places or met such incredible people. The entire trip was breathtaking; the sites, the food, the history. However, I would have to say that my favorite part of the trip was just getting to know the Palestinian people along with the Palestinian culture. Another aspect of the trip that I found life changing was learning about the political situation in Palestine. Before departing on our trip to the Holy Land, I knew some basic information about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict but I found it incredibly confusing. While in the Holy Land, I gained so much perspective and knowledge on the political situation in both Israel and Palestine. Our group was lucky enough to meet with Bethlehem University students, professors, political prisoners, refugees, and an incredibly welcoming Bedouin (nomadic) family. Each person that I met buried a piece of themselves within my heart. These are people and stories that I will never forget. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #eeeeee;"><span> </span>When our Mu Sigma group visited the Political Prisoners' Society in Bethlehem, I was at a loss for words.<span> </span>The director of the program was nice enough to share his own story with us.<span> </span>He was imprisoned in an Israel jail for twelve years simply for stating the fact that as a Palestinian, he deserved his freedom.<span> </span>That is twelve years of his life that he will never get back.<span> </span>While he was explaining the situation to us, he stated that he would continue to state the fact that he deserved freedom, even if it meant spending another twelve years in prison.<span> </span>I couldn't stop the tears that were beginning to well up within my eyes.<span> </span>I have never met someone with such drive and passion.<span> </span>When we think of prisoners, we think of hard, violent individuals.<span> </span>This man, however, had compassion.<span> </span>He was calm and optimistic while sharing his story.<span> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #eeeeee;"><span> </span>All of the people that I met while I was in and around Bethlehem had two things in common.<span> </span>These people were all extremely peaceful and positive.<span> </span>I couldn't understand how a group of people that had been so oppressed and misunderstood for so long could remain so peaceful and optimistic. I couldn't imagine how Mohammed, a 22 year old Palestinian living within the walls of the Aida Refugee Camp didn't wake up every morning filled with animosity.<span> </span>I couldn't understand how he didn't explode with anger because of the fact that his family never knew if they were going to have enough water for the day, week, or month.<span> </span>This is because while most of the water that supplies Israel is found within the West Bank, the Israeli Government has control over it.<span> </span>This means that the West Bank is only provided with THEIR water every few weeks.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #eeeeee;"><span> </span>While hearing the Palestinian peoples’ stories, I found myself growing angry and hurt for them.<span> </span>I noticed these feelings growing within me until I asked a student at Bethlehem University how he dealt with the situations and oppressions that surrounded him every single day.<span> </span>The student responded by saying that he just had to accept certain things and hope for the best.<span> </span>He said that it wouldn't be possible to be angry and upset every single day.<span> </span>As Danny Vinyard from the movie <i>American History X</i> stated, "Hate is baggage.<span> </span>Life is too short to be pissed off all the time".<span> </span>The student's words really resonated with me.<span> </span>All of the individuals that I met, the prisoners, the students, the families, the children; they all made me realize that the best way to help improve the current situation in Palestine is not by becoming angry.<span> </span>We can make the biggest difference simply by sharing.<span> </span>We can share the stories of the people that we met while we were in Palestine.<span> </span>We can share by educating those around us, be it our families, friends, or students.<span> </span>This trip has made me realize that our strongest weapons aren't tanks, machine guns, or missiles.<span> </span>Our greatest weapons are our words.<span> </span>We (as students) are lucky to live in this current time.<span> </span>Our generation has more power than we even realize.<span> </span>We have the ability to change the world through our words, through our experiences.<span> </span>I have been so completely changed by this trip.<span> </span>It is more than I could ever have asked for.<span> </span>It has inspired me in numerous ways.<span> </span>I hope to incorporate my experiences and the stories I heard while in Palestine into my involvement with the United Nations in some way.<span> </span>I hope to teach my future students about the conflicts and different forms of oppression going on throughout the world.<span> </span>I have fallen completely in love with the Middle East and I know that I will return there within the next few years.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #eeeeee;"><span> </span><span> </span>I urge you all to move outside of your comfort zones, to hear different sides of situations and conflicts, to keep an open mind, and to give your words the power that they deserve!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #eeeeee;"><span> </span>I hope that I have not rambled on for too long!<span> </span>I hope that you are all having an amazing summer and are enjoying yourselves and I am sure I will see most of you very soon.<span> </span>Thank you for bearing with me!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #eeeeee;"><br />
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</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #eeeeee;">Love, Christina</span></div></div>KDP Visits BUhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12608858090071809935noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5568821634779908198.post-6024795080628340572012-06-28T10:35:00.002-04:002012-06-28T10:35:48.004-04:00Casey Burns Reflection<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:DocumentProperties> <o:Template>Normal.dotm</o:Template> <o:Revision>0</o:Revision> <o:TotalTime>0</o:TotalTime> <o:Pages>1</o:Pages> <o:Words>255</o:Words> <o:Characters>1457</o:Characters> <o:Company>Manhattan College</o:Company> <o:Lines>12</o:Lines> <o:Paragraphs>2</o:Paragraphs> <o:CharactersWithSpaces>1789</o:CharactersWithSpaces> <o:Version>12.0</o:Version> </o:DocumentProperties> <o:OfficeDocumentSettings> <o:AllowPNG/> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:TrackMoves>false</w:TrackMoves> <w:TrackFormatting/> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing> <w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing> <w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery> <w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> <w:DontAutofitConstrainedTables/> <w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/> </w:Compatibility> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="276"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--> <!--[if gte mso 10]> <style>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #eeeeee;">Coming back home I am definitely a different person than I was before.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #eeeeee;">Whenever I am telling people about my trip I make sure to tell the the<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #eeeeee;">stories that we heard from the Palestinians, but not everyone agrees<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #eeeeee;">with me. It makes me sad that Americans have so much hate towards<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #eeeeee;">Muslims because not all of them are the way that Muslims are portrayed<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #eeeeee;">in the media. And to be honest, the people in Palestine were the<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #eeeeee;">nicest people I have ever met, and I wish I could say that Americans<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #eeeeee;">treated others as kindly. The Palestinians have a right to be mad at<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #eeeeee;">Americans because the United States is funding Israel, but they are<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #eeeeee;">not. These people have truly inspired me to be a better person.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #eeeeee;">Hearing all of the horrible stories of what is going on in this<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #eeeeee;">country makes me upset, but I am happy to know that I can help by<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #eeeeee;">spreading the word for them. I now realize that I should not take<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #eeeeee;">anything for granted because I am able to live freely, unlike the<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #eeeeee;">Palestinians.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #eeeeee;">Another thing that disturbed me was that there is only one special<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #eeeeee;">education school in that area. I cannot believe that there are no<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #eeeeee;">schools to help children with difficulties. Though the school that we<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #eeeeee;">visited was absolutely wonderful, it can't hold every single student<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #eeeeee;">in the country with special needs. That school is also just for<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #eeeeee;">children with ADD or dyslexia. What about the children with Down’s<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #eeeeee;">Syndrome? It is very sad that special needs children do not have the<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #eeeeee;">same educational opportunities as students without disabilities.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #eeeeee;">All in all, this was an amazing trip and I am so sad that it is over.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #eeeeee;">I'm not sure how any other trip will be able to beat this one, but we<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #eeeeee;">will see! I honestly am a changed person and extremely thankful<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #eeeeee;">for everything that I have and the opportunities given to me.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #1a1a1a;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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</div><!--EndFragment--></div>KDP Visits BUhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12608858090071809935noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5568821634779908198.post-31938115463819233692012-06-28T10:34:00.002-04:002012-06-28T10:34:51.022-04:00To my fellow Pilgrims, Members of Mu Sigma Council, Parents, & Friends,<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:DocumentProperties> <o:Template>Normal.dotm</o:Template> <o:Revision>0</o:Revision> <o:TotalTime>0</o:TotalTime> <o:Pages>1</o:Pages> <o:Words>496</o:Words> <o:Characters>2829</o:Characters> <o:Company>Manhattan College</o:Company> <o:Lines>23</o:Lines> <o:Paragraphs>5</o:Paragraphs> <o:CharactersWithSpaces>3474</o:CharactersWithSpaces> <o:Version>12.0</o:Version> </o:DocumentProperties> <o:OfficeDocumentSettings> <o:AllowPNG/> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:TrackMoves>false</w:TrackMoves> <w:TrackFormatting/> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing> <w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing> <w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery> <w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> <w:DontAutofitConstrainedTables/> <w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/> </w:Compatibility> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="276"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--> <!--[if gte mso 10]> <style>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 17px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f3f3f3;">There is a wonderful phrase that is used in Buddhism that means a</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f3f3f3;">"beginners mind." I love the term because it means that such a person<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f3f3f3;">has an attitude of openness and an eagerness to learn. The person is<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f3f3f3;">full of curiosity, wonder, and amazement.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f3f3f3;">What made our journey so great was that each of you had this<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f3f3f3;">"beginners mind." I could see it in your eyes, hear it in your voices,<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f3f3f3;">and observe it in your interactions with each other, the Palestinian<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f3f3f3;">people, and the elders {who are they?}.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f3f3f3;">I especially saw this attitude of "openness" when we talked about<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f3f3f3;">Baptism at the Jordan River. You were all so excited to participate<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f3f3f3;">in the Re-Baptismal Experience at one of the most important sites of<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f3f3f3;">Christianity - the place where Jesus Christ was baptized by John<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f3f3f3;">the Baptist.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f3f3f3;">I was honored to be able to bless each of you with the water from the<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f3f3f3;">Jordan River in the name of the Holy Trinity. This was a very "special"<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f3f3f3;">moment for me - not just because there is so much history related to this<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f3f3f3;">area and experience, but because it was clear that this event meant<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f3f3f3;">a lot to so many of you, including myself. I'm sure that it touched<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f3f3f3;">some inner feelings. This was a WOW experience - We were actually<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f3f3f3;">at the same river where Jesus was baptized. I thank the Dean for<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f3f3f3;">re-baptizing me and I thank you for asking me to re-baptize you<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f3f3f3;">in the Jordan River.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f3f3f3;">I have a REQUEST for each of you. We need to hear from you. HOW<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f3f3f3;">ARE YOU DIFFERENT OR NOT DIFFERENT TODAY, THEN YOU<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f3f3f3;">WERE BEFORE WE LEFT FOR PALESTINE?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f3f3f3;">There is so much we can learn from each other. I would also like<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f3f3f3;">the new members of our Council to learn from these experiences.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f3f3f3;">As you know, "The owl of Minerva spreads its wings ONLY at dusk."<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f3f3f3;">We gain wisdom from reflecting upon our experiences. PLEASE -<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f3f3f3;">take some time to reflect upon your particular experiences and share<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f3f3f3;">them with us. If you think it or feel it, say it! Why? Because it is<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f3f3f3;">important! Why? Because you are important. LETS PASS IT<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f3f3f3;">FORWARD!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f3f3f3;">Something you experienced on our "once in a lifetime" trip to the<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f3f3f3;">HOLY LAND - may have sparked and idea or feeling that you can<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f3f3f3;">apply to your life now or in the future as a teacher? You traveled over<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f3f3f3;">11,000 miles to another part of the world, met the Palestinian people,<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f3f3f3;">learned about their culture, and, the problems they face. How do you<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f3f3f3;">relate to these experiences? Most of us would love to hear about<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f3f3f3;">your feelings about meeting your Pen Pals. How were they? Have<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f3f3f3;">the relationships strengthened and will they continue beyond this journey?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f3f3f3;">Should we continue this experience with the students at B.U. or<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f3f3f3;">wherever we go next year?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f3f3f3;">I CELEBRATE you for breaking out of your familiar routine and<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f3f3f3;">going half way around the world. I have always found that ROUTINE<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f3f3f3;">is the enemy of individual growth and progress. Seeking out new<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f3f3f3;">experiences has always unleashed my creative juices and I am<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f3f3f3;">sure it has done the same for you. Yes?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f3f3f3;">Lets make this trip a valuable experience for ourselves and for<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f3f3f3;">others - especially the members of our Chapter. SHARE YOUR<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f3f3f3;">EXPERIENCES - let us learn from each other. YOU need to bring<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f3f3f3;">your experiences, ideas, opinions, and feelings into the light of day<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f3f3f3;">- your story needs to be told. The longer we put it off, the less likely<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f3f3f3;">we will hear about it. This is the best time to do it!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f3f3f3;">You can MAKE THE DIFFERENCE for all of is!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f3f3f3;">THANKS!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f3f3f3;">Brother Ray</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #1a1a1a;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><!--EndFragment--></div>KDP Visits BUhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12608858090071809935noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5568821634779908198.post-69668756844246205742012-06-19T12:43:00.000-04:002012-06-19T12:43:36.529-04:00To my fellow Pilgrims, Members of Mu Sigma Council, Parents, & Friends<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #eeeeee;">There is a wonderful phrase that is used in Buddhism that means a<br />
"beginners mind." I love the term because it means that such a person<br />
has an attitude of openness and an eagerness to learn. The person is<br />
full of curiosity, wonder, and amazement.<br />
<br />
What made our journey so great was that each of you had this<br />
"beginners mind." I could see it in your eyes, hear it in your voices,<br />
and observe it in your interactions with each other, the Palestinian<br />
people, and the elders {who are they?}.<br />
<br />
I especially saw this attitude of "openness" when we talked about<br />
Baptism at the Jordan River. You were all so excited to participate<br />
in the Re-Baptismal Experience at one of the most important sites of<br />
Christianity - the place where Jesus Christ was baptized by John<br />
the Baptist.<br />
<br />
I was honored to be able to bless each of you with the water from the<br />
Jordan River in the name of the Holy Trinity. This was a very "special"<br />
moment for me - not just because there is so much history related to this<br />
area and experience, but because it was clear that this event meant<br />
a lot to so many of you, including myself. I'm sure that it touched<br />
some inner feelings. This was a WOW experience - We were actually<br />
at the same river where Jesus was baptized. I thank the Dean for<br />
re-baptizing me and I thank you for asking me to re-baptize you<br />
in the Jordan River.<br />
<br />
<br />
I have a REQUEST for each of you. We need to hear from you. HOW<br />
ARE YOU DIFFERENT OR NOT DIFFERENT TODAY, THEN YOU<br />
WERE BEFORE WE LEFT FOR PALESTINE?<br />
<br />
There is so much we can learn from each other. I would also like<br />
the new members of our Council to learn from these experiences.<br />
<br />
As you know, "The owl of Minerva spreads its wings ONLY at dusk."<br />
We gain wisdom from reflecting upon our experiences. PLEASE -<br />
take some time to reflect upon your particular experiences and share<br />
them with us. If you think it or feel it, say it! Why? Because it is<br />
important! Why? Because you are important. LETS PASS IT<br />
FORWARD!<br />
<br />
Something you experienced on our "once in a lifetime" trip to the<br />
HOLY LAND - may have sparked and idea or feeling that you can<br />
apply to your life now or in the future as a teacher? You traveled over<br />
11,000 miles to another part of the world, met the Palestinian people,<br />
learned about their culture, and, the problems they face. How do you<br />
relate to these experiences? Most of us would love to hear about<br />
your feelings about meeting your Pen Pals. How were they? Have<br />
the relationships strengthened and will they continue beyond this journey?<br />
Should we continue this experience with the students at B.U. or<br />
wherever we go next year?<br />
<br />
I CELEBRATE you for breaking out of your familiar routine and<br />
going half way around the world. I have always found that ROUTINE<br />
is the enemy of individual growth and progress. Seeking out new<br />
experiences has always unleashed my creative juices and I am<br />
sure it has done the same for you. Yes?<br />
<br />
Lets make this trip a valuable experience for ourselves and for<br />
others - especially the members of our Chapter. SHARE YOUR<br />
EXPERIENCES - let us learn from each other. YOU need to bring<br />
your experiences, ideas, opinions, and feelings into the light of day<br />
- your story needs to be told. The longer we put it off, the less likely<br />
we will hear about it. This is the best time to do it!<br />
<br />
You can MAKE THE DIFFERENCE for all of is!<br />
<br />
THANKS!<br />
<br />
Brother Ray</span></b></span></div>KDP Visits BUhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12608858090071809935noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5568821634779908198.post-55688309237012556762012-06-15T12:11:00.002-04:002012-06-15T12:19:00.961-04:00Fellow Pilgrims to the Holy Land, New Members of Mu Sigma Council, Parents, & Friends,<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div class="adn ads" style="border-left-color: transparent; border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 20px; padding-left: 8px;"><div class="gs" style="margin-left: 44px;"><div class="ii gt adP adO" id=":53" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 15px; margin-top: 5px; padding-bottom: 5px; position: relative; z-index: 2;"><div id=":54"><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #eeeeee;">We came back to a good week. The New York Yankees swept the New York Mets in three straight games. On the same weekend the Boston Red Sox were swept by the Washington Nationals. Sorry Casey! There is always next year. One of my all-time favorite Broadway plays {Once} won 8 out of 11 Tony Awards - including the Best Musical of 2012. And to top it off, I went on a wonderful boat ride {Klondike out of New Rochelle} with my colleagues from the School of Education & Health. Dean Merriman and Dr. Karen Nicholson were telling everyone about our journey to Palestine. We not only had a great get together and meal, but we witnessed two beautiful rainbows on the way down to the Statue of Liberty. Symbols? As I reflected on the week, the one thing I thanked God for was the freedom I can experience in our country. I'm sure you can all relate after returning from the Middle East.</span></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #eeeeee;"><br />
</span></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #eeeeee;"><b>One week ago yesterday, we returned from Palestine. Our journey was not only an exciting </b><b>adventure, but a life-changing experience! YOU ARE NO LONGER THE PERSON YOU WERE BEFORE THE TRIP! You have changed in so many ways. Like I said in my previous message: You are no longer hopeless pebbles that are pushed and pulled around by ripples in a stream. You learned a lot about life, the world, and yourself on this trip. You have a much better idea of' "who" you are and you now know that you can make a difference in our world.</b></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #eeeeee;"><br />
</span></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #eeeeee;"><b>We met some incredible people on our adventure - From Ramsey and Dimitri to Johnny and </b><b>the staff at St. Vincent's Hospitality House (Peter, Ben, Nazem, etc.), to the faculty members </b><b>of B.U. (Dean of School, Sami, Rima, Hiam, etc.), to the Brothers (Peter, Jack, Henry, Peter {V-C}, Robert, Cyril, etc.), to the people at SOS, SIRA {Laurette), and the CRECHE, to the professor of Palestinian studies (Mazin -who is now sending us daily emails), to Tamara and Moi'ed at the Dheisha refugee camp, to the people at the Aida refugee camp, to the elders at the Village, to the Olive Oil person (Nadi) who took us into the desert for our lunch, to Cima {lunch at the cafe} and her brother (Jasper), her Mom and her Dad (Jerusalem), to your Pen Pals, and to the Bedouin family (lunch in the desert).</b></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #eeeeee;"><br />
</span></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #eeeeee;">One of the major highlights of the trip for me was our Lunch in the Desert with the BEDOUIN family, a predominantly desert-dwelling Arabian group. I would like to share some thoughts I have about that experience. I was a bit nervous and uncomfortable - especially when I had to remove my shoes and sit on the ground for the meal. And I always had the question in my mind - where did this food come from? Certainly not the local food store. I had some sheep butter and actually liked it.</span></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #eeeeee;"><br />
</span></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #eeeeee;">BUT, what struck me so clearly was how each of you seized this wonderful moment and opened yourselves up in such a loving way to this entire family. The Chinese philosopher Confucius once said, "... wherever you go, go with all your heart." Each of you went into that experience "with all your heart" - and got involved with this family. It was so obvious that communication was taking place, even though you spoke two different languages {except for Katie}. I am so proud of all of you because the "life-blood" of your relationships with students will be communication. You were not able to listen with your ears or talk with your mouth, but you certainly listened and communicated with your eyes and heart. This is such an important skill for a teacher. No matter where we went or what we did on our journey, you went into it "with all your heart."</span></b></div></div><div id=":54"><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #eeeeee;"><br />
</span></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #eeeeee;">On my last visit to Palestine, I asked some of the young Palestinians "What do you think about Americans?" The simple answer was "All we ask of you is to come and visit with us - listen to our stories - and then, you can judge us." I always tell you {my students} that once you hear a person's story you cannot NOT like them. It is so true! I hope you agree with me after this experience. We have listened to the stories of the Palestinian people we met - and I believe we can all agree that they are incredible, good, and welcoming people. The author of "Out of Africa" once said, "All sorrows can be borne if we put them in a story or tell a story about them." What apowerful statement! We listened to their stories. I know that hearing their stories has changed my life - certainly opened my eyes and my brain. I learned a lot about them and about myself. I hoped it helped them feel somewhat better that we do care about their plight.</span></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #eeeeee;"><br />
</span></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #eeeeee;">My message to all students at Manhattan College: GET A PASSPORT and SEE THE WORLD! We need a new generation of LEADERS and INNOVATORS in an ever more globalized world. The program in our Honor Society, "STUDENTS ACROSS BORDERS", which is taking students to live and learn in different cultures and places around the world is no longer a luxury - it is a NECESSITY. Students need to have an understanding of global issues, be able to develop a broad and sophisticated worldview, and know how to effectively engage themselves with people in this world who are very different from themselves.</span></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #eeeeee;"><br />
</span></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #eeeeee;">I want to THANK each of you for having the courage to make your own personal commitment to come to Palestine with us. This was not an easy decision considering what was happening in that part of the world. I had many sleepless nights since we made the decision in February. I was questioned and challenged many times about taking this particular trip to Palestine. I read the papers every day and many well intentioned adults sent me articles, etc. Sadly, many of thestudents who stated they wanted to go dropped out. We carefully monitored the situation every day - because we would never put students in any danger. I am glad that we remained strongand did not cave in with the pressure. I thank you for your courage and for believing in what we wanted to do. I deeply appreciate the incredible support and encouragement of Dean WilliamMerriman, Dr. Karen Nicholson, and your parents.</span></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #eeeeee;"><br />
</span></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #eeeeee;">I hope that each of you have the opportunity to reflect upon your "once-in-a-lifetime" experience and share it with our family. As the great educator John Dewey once said, "You don't learn from an experience, but rather, you learn from your reflection upon that experience." You now have time to reflect. I can't wait to read your reflections.</span></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #eeeeee;"><br />
</span></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #eeeeee;">You have become very "special people" to me! Thanks for letting me get to know you a little</span></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #eeeeee;">bit better.We are given a handful of people to be part of OUR lives who shape us during the course of our short lifetimes. I am thankful that all of you landed in my handful. Life is too short to risk letting anyone slip through our fingers like grains of sand. Our handful of people were given to us for a reason. Thank you for being part of my handful. I will be there if you need me.</span></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #eeeeee;"><br />
</span></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #eeeeee;"><br />
</span></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #eeeeee;">-Brother Ray</span></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 13pt;"> This trip to the Middle East has left me questioning many things that once looked familiar to me in my daily routine. Any given day in America, a family member would forget or lose various objects, such as house keys without much concern. Where we are from that is something that can be replaced and really doesn't hold much value. Palestine has had the ability to take something as simple as a house key and symbolize the struggle, passion, and hope of the people it inhabits. First of all, I'd like to state that I have never met such welcoming and beautiful people in my entire life. Whether it was walking aimlessly into a shop or organizing a dinner, the Palestinian people welcomed us with open arms and solidarity. Yesterday on our shopping trip, we met a man who has owned a carpentry shop for the past several decades. He told us that his grandfather and great grandfather owned the shop before his father and him, resulting in great pride in the work he does every day. The markets in Palestine are similar in pace to that of Canal Street. You have millions of people trying to sell you quite similar things with a fast explanation as to why you should. However, this man was invested in enriching our minds and hearts on the background and tradition that is Palestine. He welcomed us into his shop and offered us juice, which he told us was free of charge. Then, took us into the back of his shop to show us exactly how all the beautiful figurines were made using all the tools his workers use on a regular basis. Afterwards, he told us that he would let us in on a beautiful secret if we were to be careful. We walked up very steep stairs onto the roof and were awestricken the moment the last foot touched the uneven cobblestone. We had a view of all of Bethlehem, which was too beautiful to even record. This man had opened his heart to us and really showed us what a true Palestinian was: caring, genuine, hopeful, and proud. Throughout all the anguish of the occupation, this man stuck by the tradition of his family and continued passing the keys to the shop down through generations. One of the seminars we had attended later on had informed us about the importance of the keys to Palestinian people. On our way into the occupied territory, we had passed a large statue of a golden key. This symbol represents the hope that is instilled in all the people here. When the thousands of families were kicked out of their homes they were told that it would only be a few days until they were able to return. With decades passing and the political issues remaining unsolved, Palestinians, as most know, are still facing a conflict with Israel. It was told to us, that the original house keys of these oppressed people have been passed down to each generation in hopes of returning one day to their land. The same keys that we lose carelessly are seen as a representation of much more to the Palestinians. In fact, even after tens of years, the newer generations still know exactly where their family's original houses are located. After learning about these people, the keys do not only represent a taken home to me. The holding onto these keys directly reflect the people we have been lucky enough to be surrounded by on this trip. The hopefulness of these people is one which to be honored and respected throughout the world. I am so lucky to have been chosen for this trip in order to have the opportunity to learn about this rich and beautiful culture. It is my only hope to continue educating myself and eventually others on the people in the occupied territories and help spread the faith and love that the Palestinians have shown us. I also have hope for peace and a safe return home for these magnificent people.</span><br />
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<span style="color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 13pt;">-Giuliana Addesso<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;"><br />
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</div></div>KDP Visits BUhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12608858090071809935noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5568821634779908198.post-43208711174022979682012-06-03T06:08:00.001-04:002012-06-03T06:08:47.373-04:00GROUP NICKNAMES!!!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;"><b><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 81pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: -81pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;"><b>Christina: ONE-WAY TICKET TO PALESTINE</b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;"><b>Mike: FIRST TRIP INTO SPACE</b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;"><b>Colleen: HEALS LIKE THE DEAD SEA</b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;"><b>Mary: WHAT COUNTRY WILL SHE CONQUER NEXT?</b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;"><b>Casey: FALLING FOR PALESTINE</b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;"><b>Katie: WOMAN OF MANY HATS</b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;"><b>Giuls: DON’T CRY FOR ME PALESTINE</b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;"><b>Ana: DESERT TRAIL BLAZER</b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;"><b>Maxiel: FROM THE #(1) TRAIN TO THE CAMEL</b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;"><b>Rachel: PALESTINIAN PAPARAZZI</b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;"><b>Laura: HOOKAH GIRL</b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;"><b>Dr. Nicholson: HUMUS QUEEN</b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;"><b>Dr. Merriman: COOL DAD</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5str8dj5r2w/T8s2zGW60fI/AAAAAAAAAEE/rfaojvsqIoI/s1600/IMG_0627.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;"><b><img border="0" height="205" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5str8dj5r2w/T8s2zGW60fI/AAAAAAAAAEE/rfaojvsqIoI/s320/IMG_0627.JPG" width="320" /></b></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;"><b><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JFg6QF0M_AQ/T8s3WDs5ZBI/AAAAAAAAAEQ/EUL1oWxWlDk/s1600/IMG_0639.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;"><b><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JFg6QF0M_AQ/T8s3WDs5ZBI/AAAAAAAAAEQ/EUL1oWxWlDk/s320/IMG_0639.JPG" width="320" /></b></span></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Brother Ray: THE BAPTIZER {JORDAN RIVER}</div></div>KDP Visits BUhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12608858090071809935noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5568821634779908198.post-58684919423902681072012-06-03T05:54:00.003-04:002012-06-15T10:19:39.420-04:00Reflection – by BROTHER RAY<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span style="color: #eeeeee; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">GREETINGS FROM PALESTINE! We are visiting a land extremely rich in history that is 5,713 miles from New York. Palestine has been a meeting point for diverse cultures since prehistoric times. It is a most sacred place to the three major religions around the world {Christianity, Islam, and Judaism}. Palestine lies between the Mediterranean Coast and the Jordan River, at the crossroads between Africa and the Middle East.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #eeeeee;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span style="color: #eeeeee; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> Our trip to the Holy Land has been a spectacular experience. The Mu Sigma Chapter of Kappa Delta Pi, the International Honor Society for Educators, felt it was important to engage members in interesting and exciting trips around the world. The purpose of these trips is to help students understand that they are ‘ global citizens’ and that they should be aware of and informed about the issues and situations that are taking place on our planet. We are hoping that they become more personally invested with the enormous problems in the areas of education, politics, and the global economy. Understanding how these issues affect all of us should motivate them, as future teachers, to do something – to take some form of action.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #eeeeee;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span style="color: #eeeeee; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> BE NOT AFRAID! What has impressed me most about our students, who volunteered to come to Palestine, is that they are unafraid to try new things, to explore the world, and to have the courage to face unexpected situations and problems. Setting up the trip to the Holy Land was not an easy task. We faced many major obstacles and challenges: the expense of the trip; fears about coming to a country in the Middle East that could be affected by the “Israel – Iran” problem; and fears of personal safely. Due to the cooperation, collaboration, sensitivity to each other, and multiple, multiple meetings, this trip became a reality. The students raised over $18,000 through some of the most creative and innovative fund-raising activities possible. Would you sell grilled cheese sandwiches from 11:00pm until 3:00am in the dorms? I celebrate then for stepping out of their comfort zone and entering their courage zone.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #eeeeee;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span style="color: #eeeeee; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> Our students came here with open minds and a positive attitude. They came to meet the Palestinian people, listen to their stories, and learn from them – to see deeply, see differently, and see together. One student stated to me “ I didn’t realize how much I don’t know about the world. I am learning a lot and will bring back the messages to share with others. I hope I can make things better.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #eeeeee;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span style="color: #eeeeee; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> Let me tell you about the Palestinian people. Before you judge someone - get to know their story from their point of view. It will definitely change you. The media in the United States paints a biased picture that all Palestinians should be feared because they are dangerous. Not true! We have found them to be warm, compassionate, and hospitable. Once you meet with them and listen to their stories you change the way you view them and their lives. The best way to describe the Palestinian people is by the way of the Cactus plant, the symbol of patience. There are many similarities between the stories of the Palestinian people and the qualities of the cactus plant. The cactus can live and survive without water and will endure the heat and the wind, like the strength of the Palestinians in spite of pain. They stand firm, survive, and continue to live through all the injustices, hardships and difficulties they need to overcome.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #eeeeee;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span style="color: #eeeeee; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> Let me tell you about the Manhattan College people. Each of us WILL NOT BE COMING BACK AS THE SAME PERSONS WE WERE before this amazing trip. We have changed in many ways. You will see! This little story is the best way to describe our evolution:<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #eeeeee;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span style="color: #eeeeee; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> Before this journey we were like pebbles in a stream - with ripples moving us here and there. During this incredible experience we said to ourselves, “NO, We are no longer pebbles. We are now the stream! Being a stream, we can influence the ripples. Everyone should feel like a stream. We know who we are and we know that we can create change. We are no longer hopeless pebbles that are pushed and pulled around by the ripples. We will now make a difference!” <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #eeeeee;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #eeeeee;">TOP 5 HIGHLIGHTS!!!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #eeeeee;">#5. Lunch with a Bedouin Family in the desert.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #eeeeee;">#4. Re-baptizing the group at the Jordan River. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #eeeeee;">#3. Meeting the pen- pal students from Bethlehem University. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #eeeeee;">#2. Meeting the Palestinian people and listening to their stories </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #eeeeee;">#1. Spending quality time, building community, with an incredible group of inspiring and energizing people. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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</div>KDP Visits BUhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12608858090071809935noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5568821634779908198.post-68499520485341926972012-05-31T10:48:00.000-04:002012-05-31T10:48:52.288-04:00Nail Polish by Rachel Swartz<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Fpa3AJTTkLM/T8eEAjdCZ9I/AAAAAAAAADk/3xG_oCceWHA/s1600/P5290842.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Fpa3AJTTkLM/T8eEAjdCZ9I/AAAAAAAAADk/3xG_oCceWHA/s320/P5290842.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-e_781tzZvDY/T8eEskKfIlI/AAAAAAAAADs/k0sPETSK86w/s1600/P5290859.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-e_781tzZvDY/T8eEskKfIlI/AAAAAAAAADs/k0sPETSK86w/s320/P5290859.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><!--StartFragment--> <br />
<div class="MsoNormal"> When hearing the word orphanage, most people think of <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman Italic";"><i>Annie</i></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman Italic";">. </span>But actually seeing one, the preconceived notion dissipates into a faint memory. This week we had the pleasure of working with a variety of children in Palestine. We had volunteered at schools, and today, for the first time, a type of orphanage or group home for young children. The experience is one that surely shook my foundation and broadened my views on foreign education systems. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Much to my delight, it seems that all the schools we visited really value children so much. They strive to see the individual and foster creativity rather than stick to rigid curriculum standards. They encourage exploration and freedom, letting children do as they please instead of constantly reprimanding them. There is a sense of ease within the classroom, completely contrasting that of the country’s political situation; school is a safe and happy place that shelters children with walls of knowledge. And you know what they say, “Knowledge is power,” power, perhaps, strong enough to fight oppression. The Palestinian people believe the minds of the future need to be intellectual and educated if they are to ever overcome the country’s occupation. They hold hope that when their freedom comes, these young people will be highly influential in rebuilding an independent nation. This view has been consistent in each school we visited, and it is clear education is valued in this society, one in which many children are forced to drop out to help support their families. When they children are in the comfort of the classroom, they seem like regular, ever day kids. It is almost as though their innocence has been preserved to some extent that they can still get excited about things; their knowledge of the political conflict falls to the backburner, as they instead focus on the book their teacher reads to them, or another classroom task. They are also quite accepting, not wondering what nationality or religion we were, but instead embracing us as a friend. If only the Israelis and Palestinians could follow their example. Sometimes children teach us more about society, and ourselves, than we realize. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>At the orphanage today, I worked with a class of three year olds. The children can reside there from birth to age six, when they will be forced to move on to another facility or back with family, if they have any. The orphanage allows children to be dropped off by their parents for preschool each day and then picked up, or to be permanent residents. Residential children are those with no family to take care of them, of single mothers who gave them up (which is common because there is a stigma attached to single motherhood here), or for those whose families could not afford to care for them. There is no such thing as adoption in Palestine, so for many this is their only hope. Most children come from extreme situations of abuse, neglect, or in hiding for other reasons (which is why the name of the institution nor pictures of the children are disclosed in this post). The idea of being an orphan alone is heartbreaking, whatever the reason, but the school strives to provide children with stable caregivers and attention. My class only had one residential child, who was the shiest and most misbehaving of the bunch. He threw things at me when he did not get his way, and ran away from me when I tried to help him. The other children climbed on my back, played with my hair, eager to be with me, but not him. I decided I was not going to force myself on him, but let him come to me. And that is exactly what I did. And that is exactly what happened. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>As the hours passed, his behavior continued. He cried often and did not get along well with the other children. At lunch, he refused to eat most of his meal, and as I was busy helping the other children, I noticed his hand outstretched. I paused, taken aback, and put out mine. He motioned for me to sit next to him, and took my hand in his. Smiling for one of the first times, he closely examined my fingers, spreading them apart, crunching them up, feeling their texture. “He likes your nail polish,” his teacher said. He grinned as if he understood her English and reached his arms up as if to be held. Before I knew it, I had been holding him in my arms and showing him various things around the room for minutes. The teacher said it was time for his nap and told me I could accompany him to his room- it is in a separate room for only the residential children. Leading me to his bed, I pulled back the blanket and gently covered him with it. He motioned for me to sit down with him, grabbing my arm. After sitting for a while, I was told our volunteer shift had ended and I needed to leave…but he still had not fallen asleep. He kept opening his eyes, making sure I was there, but this time I actually did need to go. I blew him kisses and rubbed his had, whispering, “Al salama” or good-bye in Arabic. He shot up, arms outstretched for me with a face drooped in sadness; all I could do was look back and wave. I could not help but wonder who would be there for him tomorrow. The children all attached to me so easily, but he was different. How many other people were going to be able to understand that? Understand him? How many more times would he be able to endure attaching to someone only to have them ripped out of his life? What will become of him when he turns six and has to leave? Maybe this facility did not seem anything like <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman Italic";"><i>Annie</i></span>, but it sounds to me that he surely has “A hard knock life.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><!--EndFragment--> </div>KDP Visits BUhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12608858090071809935noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5568821634779908198.post-42379400742500006252012-05-30T15:32:00.001-04:002012-05-30T15:37:26.906-04:00From the Bronx to the Holy Land<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EQVyLEqqZzU/T8Z0F6hjpXI/AAAAAAAAADU/77ci9fCzMAc/s1600/IMG_1012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EQVyLEqqZzU/T8Z0F6hjpXI/AAAAAAAAADU/77ci9fCzMAc/s320/IMG_1012.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
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Having grown up in the Bronx my whole life I would have never expected to be travelling </span></b></div></div><div class="postContents" style="margin-left: 23px;"><div class="entirePost" style="background-color: white; display: inline;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">internationally especially not to the Holy Land. When the idea was proposed to me I don't </span></b></div></div><div class="postContents" style="margin-left: 23px;"><div class="entirePost" style="background-color: white; display: inline;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">know why but I answered "yes" immediately without a hesitation. Somehow I knew that this</span></b></div></div><div class="postContents" style="margin-left: 23px;"><div class="entirePost" style="background-color: white; display: inline;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"> was what I wanted. Every site we have visited from the Sea of Galilee to the Jordan River </span></b></div></div><div class="postContents" style="margin-left: 23px;"><div class="entirePost" style="background-color: white; display: inline;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">down to the Dead Sea have all been breathtaking. Standing in Nazareth and seeing the ruins </span></b></div></div><div class="postContents" style="margin-left: 23px;"><div class="entirePost" style="background-color: white; display: inline;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">of the temples just left me with a sense of amazement. As I am experiencing these first few </span></b></div></div><div class="postContents" style="margin-left: 23px;"><div class="entirePost" style="background-color: white; display: inline;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">days of my trip I find myself looking around just letting the moment sink in. There are many </span></b></div></div><div class="postContents" style="margin-left: 23px;"><div class="entirePost" style="background-color: white; display: inline;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">times when I catch myself telling everyone around "I can't believe we're actually here". By</span></b></div></div><div class="postContents" style="margin-left: 23px;"><div class="entirePost" style="background-color: white; display: inline;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"> visiting all of these sites and embarking on this journey I feel that many think things have</span></b></div></div><div class="postContents" style="margin-left: 23px;"><div class="entirePost" style="background-color: white; display: inline;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"> been put into perspective. For example, growing up I attended a Catholic school and did </span></b></div></div><div class="postContents" style="margin-left: 23px;"><div class="entirePost" style="background-color: white; display: inline;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">all of my sacraments. As a child I would have hear all of these stories about these foreign </span></b></div></div><div class="postContents" style="margin-left: 23px;"><div class="entirePost" style="background-color: white; display: inline;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">places called Jerusalem, Israel, and Dead Sea just to name a few. However, I would always just </span></b></div></div><div class="postContents" style="margin-left: 23px;"><div class="entirePost" style="background-color: white; display: inline;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">hear the stories and never thought about where these places were or what they look like. I </span></b></div></div><div class="postContents" style="margin-left: 23px;"><div class="entirePost" style="background-color: white; display: inline;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">remember always thinking that these places were just deserts. And these past few days I was definitely</span></b></div></div><div class="postContents" style="margin-left: 23px;"><div class="entirePost" style="background-color: white; display: inline;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"> proven wrong. Going to these places and experiencing stepping into the Mediterranean and floating</span></b></div></div><div class="postContents" style="margin-left: 23px;"><div class="entirePost" style="background-color: white; display: inline;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"> in the Dead Sea, getting water from the Jordan river allowed me to connect and see how much more </span></b></div></div><div class="postContents" style="margin-left: 23px;"><div class="entirePost" style="background-color: white; display: inline;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">real these places are. This experience of visiting Holy sites have allowed me to see everything in</span></b></div></div><div class="postContents" style="margin-left: 23px;"><div class="entirePost" style="background-color: white; display: inline;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"> different perspectives and to think outside of the world that I live in and start seeing what is out there.</span></b></div></div><div class="postContents" style="margin-left: 23px;"><div class="entirePost" style="background-color: white; display: inline;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><br />
</span></b></div></div><div class="postContents" style="margin-left: 23px;"><div class="entirePost" style="background-color: white; display: inline;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">Love,<br />
Maxiel</span></b></div></div></td></tr>
</tbody></table></span></div></div>KDP Visits BUhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12608858090071809935noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5568821634779908198.post-10477880588294123992012-05-29T11:44:00.001-04:002012-05-29T14:17:33.465-04:00The Palestinian Flowers By Rachel Swartz<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BwvSYBDcwJg/T8TuBEHtMLI/AAAAAAAAADA/GNfTp46dNQw/s1600/P5240126.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BwvSYBDcwJg/T8TuBEHtMLI/AAAAAAAAADA/GNfTp46dNQw/s320/P5240126.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_uqpSMNbUZA/T8TuwG4TZbI/AAAAAAAAADI/9E29ud4Dl48/s1600/P5240172.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_uqpSMNbUZA/T8TuwG4TZbI/AAAAAAAAADI/9E29ud4Dl48/s320/P5240172.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"> When I first heard we were traveling to the Middle East, I imagined a place straight out of the Disney film <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Aladdin</i>. I thought it would be a vast land caked over with dust, and sand dunes in the foothills; I expected no vegetation could survive at all in these conditions. However, upon our arrival, that concept completely blew away with the sandy wind. I found flowers everywhere- growing out of dry earth, in a place where water is so scarce and limited, flowers blossomed and overtook the fields. How do they do it? </div><div class="MsoNormal"> </div><div class="MsoNormal"> We visited a refugee camp today for the first time and I felt as if I stepped into a time warp or some sort of war movie. There were armed guards everywhere and loud speakers to project government messages to the Palestinian refugees. Yes, they are Palestinian citizens living on Palestinian land, but they are considered refugees. Riddle me that. They were forced out of their old homes and to reside in these buildings, funded by the UN, yet they are considered refugees; today a majority of Palestinian citizens are refugees. If you don’t belong in your own homeland then where do you belong? These buildings were supposed to be temporary but have lasted since 1948. In an extremely cramped area, built around an Israeli military base and the infamous “wall,” the camp originally housed only 150 people. Today that number has peaked to almost 5,000. When hearing just the facts, it seems almost inconceivable, right? </div><div class="MsoNormal"> </div><div class="MsoNormal"> Despite crowded and unsanitary conditions, the biggest problem refugees face is a massive water shortage. Actually, massive isn’t a strong enough word… more like astronomical. When the Israelis began bulldozing Palestinian land and creating their own settlements upon it, they also gained control of the Palestinian water supplies. To this day, they control the amount of water Palestinians and Israelis get; those in the camps, a majority of Palestinian people, remember, only receive 17 % of this water. Water comes every few weeks or few days, and the people must collect it in jugs and save it. Today, alone, we saw many children travel to a pipe in the street where they gathered water for their families, filing dirty bottles with all their little hands could carry. The times when there is no water, filthy clothes and dishes pile high in the house, and the people go without bathing or drinking clean water for lengths of time. If this is not the definition of a human rights issue, I do not know what is. The human body is composed of 75% water. If one cannot give themselves that water, what becomes of him? </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"> The more I learn about this land, the more I seem to be amazed. Under such harsh conditions and adversity, the Palestinians band together and remain strong; without water, land, a place to call their own, they thrive. They find some good in life, something to live for, a reason to hope. I was not expecting to learn any of this when coming on this trip, just like I was clueless to Palestine’s flourishing vegetation. I have come to realize these are just like their flowers- with little water, during hardships, they survive. They thrive. They come together to form something beautiful, the Palestinian culture. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"> At a shop in the camp today, a few of us wanted to purchase a shirt that read, “Free the Palestinians.” I immediately grabbed in it my size, by one of the girls said it could be really controversial in America, meaning it might not be safe to wear. Dropping my shirt in the realization that they world is not on the same page as us, I sighed, wishing there was something more I could do. America was helping to fund the Israeli army after all, in turn supporting this kind of living for refugees. I wonder if anyone went around with anti-holocaust items before or during WWII? I changed my mind. I think I should have bought a shirt. </div></div>KDP Visits BUhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12608858090071809935noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5568821634779908198.post-73937025929909038522012-05-27T14:40:00.000-04:002012-05-27T14:40:26.559-04:00Witnessing Injustice in the Holiest Place on Earth by Rachel Swartz<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><!--StartFragment--> <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qzec2mDk26U/T8J0PYKc1sI/AAAAAAAAACs/jOWw3A9JyYw/s1600/156574_4098855796487_449971279_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="227" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qzec2mDk26U/T8J0PYKc1sI/AAAAAAAAACs/jOWw3A9JyYw/s320/156574_4098855796487_449971279_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-g0s_h9DSmoI/T8J0zrNVipI/AAAAAAAAAC0/q-YGO_wyAyk/s1600/P5250188.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-g0s_h9DSmoI/T8J0zrNVipI/AAAAAAAAAC0/q-YGO_wyAyk/s320/P5250188.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> Today is our fourth day on the trip, but marks our first full day in Palestine; we crossed the border yesterday. We have seen so many miraculous sights, between the Dead Sea, the Church of Annunciation, the Jordan River (in which we were “rebaptized” as Christians), the Church of the Nativity, among countless others. Yet, nothing has struck me quite so deeply as learning about the conflict between the Israelis and Palestinians. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>We recently watched a film at Bethlehem University about the history of both Israel and Palestine, and just what led up to the conflict existing today. From what I could gather, certain Jews who moved to and lived in Israel wanted to create a state purely for Jewish people. These people were called Zions, who took any means to move Palestinians, or any one who was not of the Jewish faith, off of their land. Even though Jews from other countries did not support this, the Zions continued to violently force people out of their homes and land, into refugee camps. With strong and constant military presence, these camps were only supposed to be temporary, but decades later these displaced people still reside in these poor conditions, in the midst of hostility, merely because of their religious affiliation; I cannot wrap my head around it. Did the Holocaust teach us nothing? One of the brothers told us that some of these people had owned their homes for generations and held on to their house keys, thinking they would soon be able to return. Especially years later, I cannot imagine the lives of those residing there today, like the children and young adults. What must it be like to feel out of place and unwanted in the only place you can now call home? To not have witnessed or partaken in the creation of this religious rift, yet to have to suffer from the repercussions must be a difficult way to live; it sounds confusing, and its like these people are told they are “bad” when really, at this point, they have done nothing wrong. At least this is my opinion- the innocent are now held captive. It makes me so angry, but that anger empowers me to do more, to want to help, to take action. I am eager to visit the refugee camps in a few days to have some of my questions answered. It is so ironic that such violence has occurred in the places where Jesus was born and lived, scared to those across the globe. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>At mass today, which we attended in the Church of the Nativity, there was a young boy of about eight or nine who acted as an altar server especially for this mass. He had cancer, and his family and he traveled to this specific church purposely in hopes of curing him. From the altar, the boy’s face was illuminated with happiness like one of the bright candles sitting before him, as he clearly loved his special job. One of his family members displayed a cross made out of tape upon his head, which I took to be his way of supporting the boy, who had lost his hair. The family could not take their eyes off of the boy, taking pictures of him, smiling humbly and in some instances, crying. I noticed especially his younger sister, who did not look older than five or six, breaking into sobs throughout the mass; yet, the family stuck together, supporting one another and not letting themselves emotionally break down. I thought to myself how mature this little girl must have been, to know so much about the fate of her brother that it brought her to tears. She prayed intensely and behaved well throughout the entire mass, something that is can be difficult for children of that age. I was in awe. But that must be how many of the children living in this area are; you grow up fast when you live amongst political turmoil. I learned a lot about the family unit in the area of the world, specifically Palestinians. Despite injustices or hardships placed before them, they are people are of strong constitution, maintain pride in their race and a deep faith in God. It is inspiring, really.<o:p></o:p></span></div><!--EndFragment--> </div>KDP Visits BUhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12608858090071809935noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5568821634779908198.post-84359129294876916672012-05-19T07:38:00.004-04:002012-05-19T07:38:57.863-04:00Great video to introduce our tripThank you for the video, really enjoyed seeing it. Dr. Nicholsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11355193543936244116noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5568821634779908198.post-19499789343310105912012-05-18T15:42:00.000-04:002012-05-18T15:42:20.465-04:005 DAYS!!!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwmNcSWqIKR92VPW8eKqcnx52RduwYs-1AaiV7qvQMSPd-CYy3mvzSEXzEUMs2QSMJT3UJJ4Q_hl0PpssjLIQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br />
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EVERYONE GET EXCITED! </div>KDP Visits BUhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12608858090071809935noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5568821634779908198.post-36185130769382941502012-05-18T13:30:00.000-04:002012-05-18T13:30:21.346-04:00Bible References<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3yidchZ8dqA/T7aGokrBEnI/AAAAAAAAACA/_faZsAVl1jI/s1600/Screen+shot+2012-05-18+at+1.24.04+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="249" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3yidchZ8dqA/T7aGokrBEnI/AAAAAAAAACA/_faZsAVl1jI/s320/Screen+shot+2012-05-18+at+1.24.04+PM.png" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-j18cWn_kdpw/T7aGuTdkYLI/AAAAAAAAACI/MG0yl0vHBsk/s1600/Screen+shot+2012-05-18+at+1.23.54+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-j18cWn_kdpw/T7aGuTdkYLI/AAAAAAAAACI/MG0yl0vHBsk/s320/Screen+shot+2012-05-18+at+1.23.54+PM.png" width="243" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZRRei9e0q4Y/T7aGwL2ISBI/AAAAAAAAACQ/mnNQQwvcfOk/s1600/Screen+shot+2012-05-18+at+1.24.10+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZRRei9e0q4Y/T7aGwL2ISBI/AAAAAAAAACQ/mnNQQwvcfOk/s320/Screen+shot+2012-05-18+at+1.24.10+PM.png" width="248" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OrI_YWResAw/T7aGyDGIP4I/AAAAAAAAACY/1sqQ2-BMcsI/s1600/Screen+shot+2012-05-18+at+1.24.16+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OrI_YWResAw/T7aGyDGIP4I/AAAAAAAAACY/1sqQ2-BMcsI/s320/Screen+shot+2012-05-18+at+1.24.16+PM.png" width="243" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ej82i2R6OvA/T7aGzlokkgI/AAAAAAAAACg/kZaEZzvhMd0/s1600/Screen+shot+2012-05-18+at+1.24.22+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="156" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ej82i2R6OvA/T7aGzlokkgI/AAAAAAAAACg/kZaEZzvhMd0/s320/Screen+shot+2012-05-18+at+1.24.22+PM.png" width="320" /></a></div><br />
</div>KDP Visits BUhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12608858090071809935noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5568821634779908198.post-82257246089058650052012-05-18T13:21:00.000-04:002012-05-18T13:21:03.887-04:00Itinerary!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:DocumentProperties> <o:Template>Normal.dotm</o:Template> <o:Revision>0</o:Revision> <o:TotalTime>0</o:TotalTime> <o:Pages>1</o:Pages> <o:Words>1274</o:Words> <o:Characters>7266</o:Characters> <o:Company>Manhattan College</o:Company> <o:Lines>60</o:Lines> <o:Paragraphs>14</o:Paragraphs> <o:CharactersWithSpaces>8923</o:CharactersWithSpaces> <o:Version>12.0</o:Version> </o:DocumentProperties> <o:OfficeDocumentSettings> <o:AllowPNG/> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:TrackMoves>false</w:TrackMoves> <w:TrackFormatting/> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing> <w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing> <w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery> <w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> <w:DontAutofitConstrainedTables/> <w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/> </w:Compatibility> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="276"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--> <!--[if gte mso 10]> <style>
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<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">Bethlehem12<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">Manhattan College Students and Faculty <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Day 01: May 23, 2012</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> – Travel from Newark to Tel Aviv<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">DAY 02: May 24, 2012</span></b><span style="font-size: 13pt;"> Thursday ARRIVAL TEL AVIV - CAESAREA/HAIFA/TIBERIAS (D)<br />
</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Morning arrival in Tel Aviv, Israel's modern-day metropolis. Your flight with United Airlines (#84) lands at Ben Gurion Airport at 9:25 in the morning. Our representative will be at hand to welcome your arrival with a sign:</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span></span><b><span style="background: yellow; color: #222222; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">“Nicholson Group / Manhattan College”</span></b><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">and will be waiting for you at United’s / Continental custom’s arrival. Begin your drive north towards</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span><b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Caesarea.</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">This city was named in honor of Caesar Augustus and became the seat of the Roman procurators of Judea. Visit the Crusader fortifications, moat, amphitheater and aqueduct. Continue along the Mediterranean to</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span><b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Haifa</span></b><b><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">on the slopes of</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span><b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Mt Carmel</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">. We stop for a spectacular view over the city and bay, past the majestic gold-domed</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span><b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Bahai Temple</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">and Persian Gardens. It is near here that</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span><b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Elijah challenged the priests</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">of Baal.<b>Visit the Stella Maris Church</b></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">.</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Travel through</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span><b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Megiddo</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">before descending 636 feet below sea level, arrive in Tiberias, on the shore of the Sea of Galilee arriving at the hotel by early evening in time for dinner and overnight.</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 7pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><br />
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<tr style="mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-yfti-irow: 0;"> <td style="padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;"> <div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;"><span style="mso-field-code: "HYPERLINK \0022http\:\/\/www\.israelhotels\.org\.il\/DetailsHotel\.aspx?id=328\0022 \\t \0022_blank\0022";"><b><u><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;">Astoria Hotel, Tiberias</span></u></b></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div></td> </tr>
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<tr style="mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-yfti-irow: 0;"> <td style="padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;"> <div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Address:</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div></td> <td style="padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;"> <div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">13</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 7.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 7.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">hel Yaakov St., Tiberias</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div></td> </tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 1;"> <td style="padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;"> <div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Phone:</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div></td> <td style="padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;"> <div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> 972-4-6722351</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div></td> </tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 2;"> <td style="padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;"> <div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Fax:</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div></td> <td style="padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;"> <div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> 972-4-6725108</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div></td> </tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 3;"> <td style="padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;"> <div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Email:</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div></td> <td style="padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;"> <div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;"><span style="mso-field-code: "HYPERLINK \0022mailto\:hotel\@astoria\.co\.il\0022 \\t \0022_blank\0022";"><u><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">hotel@astoria.co.il</span></u></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div></td> </tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 4; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes;"> <td style="padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;"> <div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Internet Address:</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div></td> <td style="padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;"> <div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;"><span style="mso-field-code: "HYPERLINK \0022http\:\/\/www\.astoria\.co\.il\/\0022 \\t \0022_blank\0022";"><u><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">www.astoria.co.il</span></u></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div></td> </tr>
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</tbody></table></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">DAY 03: May 25, 2012</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> Friday SEA OF GALILEE / NAZARETH / TIBERIAS (B, L, D)<br />
After a good night's sleep and a hearty breakfast, Our day begins with a visit to</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span><b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Mount Beatitudes</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">, revered by Christians as the site where Jesus preached his immortal Sermon on the Mount and</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span><b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Tabgha,</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">the location dedicated to the feeding of the multitude. A short drive takes you to</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span><b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Capernaum</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">visiting the area where Jesus lived, the House of Simon Peter and the Synagogue. At Tiberias visit the city before boarding a launch</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span><b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">cruise</span></b><b><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">that will take you across the tranquil Sea of Galilee. This afternoon, we visit<b>Cana</b></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">where the first miracle took place – the transformation of water into wine. We continue our way towards</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span><b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Nazareth</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">, the boyhood home of Jesus. Visit the</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span><b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Church of the Annunciation</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">, The</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span><b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Synagogue,</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">the market place and</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span><b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Mary's Well.</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">We visit the Museum type</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span><b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">“Nazareth Village”</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">depicting scenes of life as it was in the days of Christ. (A special</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span><b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">lunch</span></b><b><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">will be included for you either in Cana or at Kibbutz Ein Gev). At the end of the day, we Return to Tiberias for dinner and overnight at the hotel.</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">DAY 04: May 26, 2012</b> Saturday JORDAN VALLEY /DEAD SEA/JERUSALEM (B)<br />
Drive to the southern end of the Sea of Galilee and stop at the River Jordan then continue through the Jordan Valley, via</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span><b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Beth Shean</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">which is the best preserved Roman city of the Decapolis; and going through the Jordan Valley, descending 850 feet below sea level to one of the oldest cities in the world,</span><b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Jericho </span></b><b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">with its Canaanite ruins</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">. To the west of</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> Jericho </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">stands</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span><b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Mt. of Temptation</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">. Visit Elisha's Fountain and stop to see an old</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span><b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">sycamore</span></b><b><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">tree dedicated to Zacchaeus. Your afternoon sightseeing includes the salt encrusted Dead Sea, the lowest spot on earth and the excavations of</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span><b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Qumran</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">where in 1947 the first of the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered. Visit the 2000 year old Essenes Community Center and the Caves of the Scrolls. Drive into the wilderness of Judea, stopping briefly at the Inn of the Good Samaritan, and on to Bethany before arriving into Bethlehem in time for dinner. (Lunch in</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> Jericho </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">is included). </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 7pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;"><b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Overnight at St. Vincent Guesthouse</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">, John Paul II St. | Bethlehem, Via Israel | Phone: (02) 276-0967 | Fax: (02) 276-0970 | E-mail:</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="mso-field-code: "HYPERLINK \0022mailto\:svincent\@p-ol\.com\0022 \\t \0022_blank\0022";"><u><span style="font-size: 14pt;">svincent@p-ol.com</span></u></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">May 26 – June 1 Bethlehem – Visit Bethlehem University, Refugee Camps, Schools. </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 7pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">DAY 10: June 2, 2012</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> Saturday JERUSALEM OLD CITY<br />
By bus we begin at the Dung Gate located near the City of David Excavations. This is your introduction to the Jewish Quarter and your visit to the “Wailing Wall” (Western Wall) built with huge Herodian stone blocks. From here drive around the pinnacle of the Temple and the city walls of Jerusalem towards the Lion’s Gate (Gate of the Tribes). Crusader times are best reflected in the simple strength and design of St. Anne's Basilica (AD 1140). According to Byzantine tradition this crypt enshrines the home of the Virgin Mary with her parents, Joachim and Anne. Next to it are the miraculous medicinal baths of (Bethsaida) where Jesus cured a man who had been ill for 38 years (John 5:1). Our walking path this morning will begin at the headquarters of the Roman Procurator Pontius Pilate right next to the Ecce Homo arch and the famous under-ground street for the "Lithostrotos". Here lies the pavement where Pontius Pilate stood on the steps of the Praetorium and washed his hands of finding any guilt in the arrest of Jesus. From here we follow the Via Dolorosa directly to the Basilica of the Holy Sepulchre . . . Mount Calvary and the tomb for the Resurrection of Jesus from the dead. As we return to visit the Mountain of Zion and the Cenacle, we pass through the Armenian quarter, and visit in the Church of Dormition. With a pause for reflection on the peaceful slumber of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the form of a sleeping statue. We then go next door to the Cenacle. This is the "Upper Room" to mark the place for Celebration of the Last Supper. Thus, our gathering for Eucharist in this beautiful chapel will be the highlight of our day. It is clear from archeology and paleontology that this house for the Last Supper was originally a Church/Synagogue for the first Judeo Christians until the time of Constantine and then the Roman occupation by Gentile Christians. At that time, it was known as the 'Upper Room' Mount Zion & the 'Cenacle / 'Chapel of the Holy Ghost'. On March 26th 1936, Franciscans bought an old family bakery which held the Cenacle. Now it is named as the Convent of St. Francis / 'Church ad Caeneculum' located near the Zion Gate. After our visit we return by bus to the hotel in Bethlehem for dinner and overnight.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">DAY 11: June 3, 2012</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> SUNDAY RAMALLAH </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 7pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Be prepared to start early. Today, we will spend some time visiting Ramallah the de facto capital of the Palestine authority. Since 1995 the summer resort of Palestine has become another Metropolis amongst the Palestinian Cities of the West Bank. Yasser Arafat is buried here. El Bireh (Beeroth) is adjacent to Ramallah and it is “one day’s journey from Jerusalem” (Luke 2:44) on the way to Lebonah. Beeroth is believed to be the place where Mary and Joseph discovered that Jesus was with neither of them. When they did not find him they returned to Jerusalem, and found him three days later sitting in the midst of the teachers and the elders. Near here is Bethel, Shiloh, Anathoth, Gibeah the city of Benjamin, Ramah and Mizpah where Saul was chosen king. On the way back one may visit Gibeon where the sun and the moon stood still, and Qbeibeh where one school of thought places Emmaus where Jesus appears to two disciples (Luke 24:13-25) on the road to Emmaus. Our tour today will end around 1:00 pm returning to Bethlehem </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 7pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">DAY 12: June 4, 2012 MONDAY</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> MOUNT OF OLIVES/GETHSEMANE/MOUNT ZION</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 7pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">This morning, drive to the Mount of Olives for an unforgettable panoramic view of the Old City of Jerusalem, with the Temple Mount just before us. Next we visit the</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span><b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Chapel of Ascension </span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">commemorating the ascension of our Lord 40 days after his resurrection. <b>Pater Noster</b></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">is where Jesus taught his disciples to pray. Begin our decent by foot down the</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span><b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Palm Sunday Road</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">, visiting along the way <b>Dominus Flevit</b></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Chapel where Jesus wept over the city of Jerusalem, and the</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span><b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Church of All Nations standing in the Garden of Gethsemane</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">where Jesus prayed "not my will, but Thine be done." After lunch, our driver will take us to the</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span><b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Church of Saint Peter Gallicantu.</span></b><b><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> This is the traditional site for the<b>Residence of the High Priest</b></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">(Caiphas) who had Jesus arrested and put into confinement. There is an adjacent courtyard in which Jesus was betrayed by his entrusted friend, Peter. Excavations also have brought to light some ancient Roman steps here from the 1st century BC. These were very likely used by our Lord on Holy Thursday night and Good Friday. He walked from this site thru the</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span><b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Kidron Valley</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">over to the Garden of Gethsemane and then back to the High Priest residence after his arrest. Time permitting, we will also visit</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span><b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Ein karem and Yad Vashem</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">if desired. Return to Bethlehem in time for dinner and overnight at your hotel.</span></span><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"> </span><span style="background: yellow; color: #222222; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">(Note: Yad Vashem needs advance reservation for group visit)</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 7.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><!--EndFragment--></div>KDP Visits BUhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12608858090071809935noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5568821634779908198.post-33469178418514463552012-05-11T22:05:00.002-04:002012-05-11T22:12:41.594-04:00GROUP<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zsDakEHjb2c/T63Fb6CAHUI/AAAAAAAAABc/RgUA75sL20Y/s1600/523670_4009893011559_1408255431_3725328_1353755691_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="245" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zsDakEHjb2c/T63Fb6CAHUI/AAAAAAAAABc/RgUA75sL20Y/s320/523670_4009893011559_1408255431_3725328_1353755691_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; white-space: nowrap;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f3f3f3; font-size: x-large;"> Giuliana Addesso<br />
Casey Burns </span></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; white-space: nowrap;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f3f3f3; font-size: x-large;">Christina Ferrari<br />
Maxiel Peralta<br />
Mary Beierle </span></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; white-space: nowrap;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f3f3f3; font-size: x-large;">Michael Dugan<br />
Ana Diaz<br />
Colleen Fallon<br />
Rachel Swartz </span></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f3f3f3; font-size: x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; white-space: nowrap;"> Laura Pattavina </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; white-space: nowrap;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; white-space: nowrap;"> Dr. Karen Nicholson </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; white-space: nowrap;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; white-space: nowrap;"> Br. Raymond Meagher</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; white-space: nowrap;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; white-space: nowrap;"> Dean William Merriman </span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; white-space: nowrap;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; white-space: nowrap;"><br />
</span></div>KDP Visits BUhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12608858090071809935noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5568821634779908198.post-62124389886621335732012-05-11T17:58:00.000-04:002012-05-11T17:58:47.916-04:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6EKIQ7YUczc/T62IzdX5M_I/AAAAAAAAAAY/ywkcByzRCoY/s1600/world-map-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="190" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6EKIQ7YUczc/T62IzdX5M_I/AAAAAAAAAAY/ywkcByzRCoY/s320/world-map-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:DocumentProperties> <o:Template>Normal.dotm</o:Template> <o:Revision>0</o:Revision> <o:TotalTime>0</o:TotalTime> <o:Pages>1</o:Pages> <o:Words>77</o:Words> <o:Characters>443</o:Characters> <o:Company>Manhattan College</o:Company> <o:Lines>3</o:Lines> <o:Paragraphs>1</o:Paragraphs> <o:CharactersWithSpaces>544</o:CharactersWithSpaces> <o:Version>12.0</o:Version> </o:DocumentProperties> <o:OfficeDocumentSettings> <o:AllowPNG/> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:TrackMoves>false</w:TrackMoves> <w:TrackFormatting/> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing> <w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing> <w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery> <w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> <w:DontAutofitConstrainedTables/> <w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/> </w:Compatibility> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="276"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--> <!--[if gte mso 10]> <style>
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<div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">It doesn’t seem real that we will all be off to Bethlehem University in less then two weeks! This blog is to document and share the experiences that the students and faculty members of Kappa Delta Pi will have while visiting Israel and Palestine. Although we may not all be looking forward to the 14 hour plane ride, we are certain that the 12 day trip will be amazing and life changing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are excited not only for the trip, but to be able to contribute to this blog so everyone who was not able to go can see what we do and encounter.</span></div><!--EndFragment-->KDP Visits BUhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12608858090071809935noreply@blogger.com0