Tuesday morning some of us in Cincinnati woke up much earlier than usual so that we could spend time via Skype with our friends of the Latin Patriarchate Schools. It was a tri-Skype session: Beit Jala (Holy Land), St. Andrew School (East side of Cincinnati) St. Antoninus School (West side of Cincinnati).

On the Beit Jala side there were two Cincinnatians present: Dr. Jim Rigg the Superintendent of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati Schools and Nancy Hemminger, President of HOPE. We smiled as Dr. Rigg talked about the warmth and hospitality of the Palestinian Christians (which IS second to none!).

Although the picture was not so clear from our side, the familiar voices were loud and clear! It warmed our hearts to hear and see our friends who have become more like “family!”

What a great way to start the day! We parted feeling very blessed and filled with HOPE!