On Wednesday morning,  Father Faysal and Saad Rahhal were warmly welcomed to Cincinnati by Bishop Binzer of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, employees of the AOC and members of the HOPE board at the office of the AOC.

The meeting began as all Catholic gatherings do in prayer.

Fr. Faysal expressed his gratitude to the AOC and especially HOPE for the gift of Talents Unlimited. “Our teachers are happy and they feel better about teaching. They have discovered their students many abilities and talents through this program.”

Fr. Faysal hopes to expand Talents Unlimited to all of the Latin Patriarchate Schools in Palestine, Israel and Jordan.

Bishop Binzer, recognizing  the feast of Our Lady of the Rosary, said, “Mary was hope filled as she held baby Jesus. That is what you (Fr. Faysal) are doing for the children of your school. The hope, love and assurance your schools give to the students are a great gift.”

Saad Rahhal talked about the recent difficulties faced by the  Latin Patriarchate Schools in Israel. Over the past year and a half their budget has been cut drastically.  They were almost forced to turn their schools over to public schools, but they fought back and even began the school year with a strike. Although the strike was very difficult for everyone, it was a success and in late September their doors opened to begin the school year.

After an exchange of gifts, a skype session was held with Steve Colecchi, Director of the USCCB Office of International Justice and Peace. Steve, who has been to the Holy Land a few times,  praised Fr. Faysal for the great work the schools are doing in the West Bank and Gaza.  Steve also said that the HOPE program is a model that should be spread throughout the U.S.  In fact, he asked for a description of it  to be sent to him so that he can share it with others.   He also suggested that presentations  be made about it at the NCEA (National Catholic Educational Association.)”