OLIVE WOOD
​RELIGIOUS CARVINGS SALE
(BENEFITING CHRISTIANS IN THE HOLY LAND)
JUSTICE, PEACE, AND INTEGRITY OF CREATION (JPIC)

Thank you to everyone who supported "The Good Shepherd of Bethlehem's" most recent visit to our parish. The Awaad family and all the families they help support are truly thankful for your patronage and generosity. We look forward to welcoming them back to our parish again next year! 

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Each year, Immaculate Conception Catholic Church's Justice, Peace, and Integrity of Creation (JPIC) welcomes George and Katherine Awwad, joined by their two young daughters, from the “The Good Shepherds of Bethlehem.” The Good Shepherds of Bethlehem is dedicated to supporting the Christian community in Bethlehem who create beautiful olive wood religious carvings that have long provided a living for those families who live in the town of our Savior’s birth. 

The city of Bethlehem and the Nativity Church were closed during COVID and continue to struggle due to the conflicts, violence, and war in the Holy Land. This has created a burden on the local Christian families who depend greatly on tourism and the olive wood sales. The decline in tourism has made it difficult for families to survive. Our JPIC is grateful the Awwad family has accepted our parish's invitation to sell these olive wood religious carvings made by Christian families in the Holy Land to support these families most in need. ​

You can visit their website by clicking the adjacent "The Good Shepherds of Bethlehem" logo.

Thank you again for helping support Christian families in the Holy Land. ​

If you have any questions, please contact:
Ken Chiha, Director of Justice, Peace, and Integrity of Creation (JPIC)

The Good Shepherds of Bethlehem Website Link

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WHY SUPPORT THE "GOOD SHEPHERDS OF BETHLEHEM?"

UNDERSTANDING THE PLIGHT OF CHRISTIANS IN THE HOLY LAND

"The Good Shepherds of Bethlehem" webpage explains:

• ​"Christians in the Holy Land mostly live in the controlled territory of the West Bank, mainly in Bethlehem, Beit Sahour, and Beit Jala. Here lays a number of olive-wood souvenirs shops, restaurants, lodging, and historical sites that caters to Western Christians who come here to visit, that have to enter through one of the many highly monitored security checkpoints.

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• "Bethlehem, the birthplace of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is the main historical site that attracts Christians from all over the world. Beyond tourism and pilgrims to Bethlehem, life for the local Christians is hard and difficult beyond any imagination."

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• "According to the National Catholic report, in 1950 Christians in Bethlehem and in the surrounding villages (Beit Sahour and Beit Jala) were 86 percent of their population, but by 2016, the Christian population plummeted to a shocking 12 percent according to the mayor of Bethlehem at the time, Vera Baboun. ​The percentage of Christians currently today in the West Bank account for less than 2 percent of the population."

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• "Christians here find it increasingly difficult to live due to the many challenges and unfair treatment they have to face due to their ethnic background and beliefs."

 

• ​"Olive-wood carving is a trade that is passed down from one generation to another and it is the foundation for their income that many rely on to support their families."

These images, courtesy of "The Good Shepherds of Bethlehem" website, are the actual pictures of the wall that separates Bethlehem and the West Bank from the rest of the world.

Image by Johannes Shenk, courtesy of "The Good Shepherds of Bethlehem"

Image by Levar Travel, courtesy of "The Good Shepherds of Bethlehem"

George and Katherine Awwad, tell us:
"Every purchase you make represents hope and progress for the Christian community in the Holy Land... As you bring a piece of the Holy Land into your home, you also carry the spirit of empowerment and unity that fuels our mission. Welcome to our family, and together, let us build a brighter future for the Christian and Catholic community in the Holy Land." 

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JPIC OLIVE WOOD RELIGIOUS CARVINGS SALE IMAGES/SLIDESHOWS

I have included below three slideshows featuring photos of their amazing carvings and our parishioners supporting "The Good Shepherd of Bethlehem" at our JPIC event. I took most of these photos during their recent visits to our parish.  You can learn more on their website through the link above.

• Slideshow I: Immaculate Conception parishioners supporting the Awaad family and the Christian families in Bethlehem through our JPIC Good Shepherds of Bethlehem Olive Wood Religious Carving Sale!
• Slideshow II: Statues and manger carvings
• Slideshow III: Icons, crosses, crucifixes, rosaries, and additional miscellaneous items​

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© All rights reserved.
​If you have questions regarding our various JPIC ministries, please contact:
Kennith M. Chiha, Director of Justice, Peace, and Integrity of Creation (JPIC)
Immaculate Conception Catholic Church - 901-A West Chapel Hill Street, Durham, NC 27701
(919) 682-3449 Ext. 293 - [email protected]