Since its construction in 1864, the Latin Patriarchate has not been modernized. H.Em. Cardinal Carlo Furno, Grand Master, after a visit to the LP in 1997, decided that renovation and refurbishment should be carried out. Over five years, all the electrical, mechanical and sewerage systems were overhauled. The terrace was covered with asphalt in order to avoid rain leaking during winter. New doors and windows were installed, rooms restructured and new paving laid. A central heating system was installed for the first time. Also added were a new ecclesiastical court and many offices to meet the increasing administrative needs of the LP. Anew entrance was constructed. These works have resulted in 80% of the Patriarchal House being renovated and modernised. The cost of this whole operation - US$ 2,100,000 - was generously covered by the Grand Magisterium.

The Order made a gift of a second lift to the Latin Patriarchate to aid internal movement of the staff, as well as providing a facility for elderly and handicapped visitors. At the same time, the archives and the surrounding areas were also re-planned and renovated to provide humanitarian help in the form of job creation, assisting the workless Palestinian Christians from the Bethlehem area. Due to the closure of the Palestinian Territories, workers needed to be offered shelter and hospitality whilst working during the long days of curfew in Bethlehem.

Project details:

• Restoration works: US$ 2,100,000

• A new lift: US$ 35,000

• Additional works in the archives rooms: US$ 18,000

Deir Rafat convent lies 35 km west of Jerusalem. It carries the name of the village which was there before 1948. Its 500 inhabitants became refugees when the village fell into the hands of the first Israeli Hagana forces. Many years earlier, during the Arab-Israeli civil war in 1936, Patriarch L. Barlassina built there a Marian shrine, dedicated to Our Lady of Palestine.

Deir Rafat activities comprise the shrine, a residence for the Saint-Dorotea Sisters, a house for the priest, rector of the shrine, an orphanage and youth center. Due to the political situation and the closure of the Palestinian Territories, the orphanage, housing orphan girls mostly from these Territories, was forced to close two years ago. The youth center cannot function because of the bad state of the buildings. An elementary school (grades 1- 6) is still functioning, but will, of necessity, be closed due to a large deficit and because students there, coming from some Bedouin families, can travel to the schools of the neighboring city of Ramleh.

Deficiencies in the foundations of the Church and the youth center were recently encountered, caused by soil movement. It is a soft lime soil which absorbs water and causes land settlement, leading to cracks in the walls. Furthermore, the building is old and needs continuous renovation.

Project details:

• US$ 22,000 for the sewerage renovation

• US$ 27,000 for renovating the electrical plant

• US$ 45,000 for repairing the foundations and thus avoiding the destruction of the building

• US$ 35,000 for the Sisters' House refurbishment and for covering the terrace with asphalt to prevent leaking in winter

• US$ 35,000 for the renovation of a piece of land to provide outside games and entertainment facilities for children

Reneh is a small city near Nazareth with a population of 14,000. Around 2,500 are Christian (Latin, Greek Catholics and Greek Orthodox). For years, the Latin priest served both the Latin and Greek Catholic parishes. However, since last year, the Greek Catholics had their own priest.

In 1968, the church was inaugurated and dedicated to Saint Joseph the Worker. The Order build the priest’s house and the Sisters’ house in 1962.

In 1990, a small elementary school was started and this had developed into what is today a successful high school. The Order donated the original kindergarten and other contributions from the Order have helped towards the development into the present high school.

Project details:

The previous restoration of the parish church was in 1968. Recently, it was restored again with contributions from the parish itself and with a generous donation of $25,000 US from APB.

Fuheis, a predominantly Christian city, is 10 minutes drive from Amman. All the population was Orthodox until the coming of the first missionaries in 1871, when some of them became Catholics according to the Latin rite. The parish was opened by Fr. Gatti in 1874. Fuheis today has 12,000 inhabitants, among whom 3,000 are Latin and the others either Melkite or Orthodox. Most of its population works in trade, agriculture (especially olive trees), the cement works and civil or office jobs.

Seven years ago, the Order built a flourishing school. Near Fuheis were built two houses for the elderly, one run by the Rosary Sisters and the other by the Cross Sisters from Lebanon.

Project details:

US$ 240,000 for the restoration of the church, which was built in 1932. In latter years, it showed signs of deterioration, with water leaking from the ceiling on rainy days. The ceiling, made of asbestos and therefore potentially dangerous, needed to be replaced. Father Hanna Keldani, the former parish priest, desired to have a complete renovation and he started a campaign, locally and abroad, to raise US$ 2400,00 for this purpose. APB contributed US$ 15,000 in 2001, while the rest was collected from past and present Fuheis parishioners.

Bethlehem demography has changed in recent years. From a one time Christian majority, emigration has reduced the Christian community to less than 30%. Bethlehem has many Catholic institutions - the University of Bethlehem, two Catholic hospitals (Baby Caritas, and Maternity) besides the Creche of the Sisters of St Vincent de Paul), as well as a number of Christian schools. In the area of Bethlehem (Bethlehem, Beit-Jala, Beit Sahour) there are 30,000 Christians. This is the highest Christian agglomeration in all Palestine. The last intifada hurt many families, who decided to emigrate. 5% of our community has been lost during the last three years.

Project details:

US$ 32,000 for the rehabilitation, in 2000-2001, of a house owned by the LP for university girl students, which is adjacent to the University. An annex is being built to host more students, the funds emanating from donations towards the jobs' creation program.

Beit Jala was the first parish of the Latin Patriarchate, opened by Fr. J. Moretain in 1853. It was earlier served by the Franciscans. The Sisters of Saint Joseph came to the parish in 1875 and they were replaced by the Rosary Sisters in 1956. Being an architect by profession, Fr. J. Moretain supervised the construction of the church himself - building it in neo-gothic style - and it was dedicated to our Lady of the Annunciation. The picture above the main altar, as well as two other pictures, were gifts from Napoleon III. The altar itself was a gift from Francois Joseph, Emperor of Austria.

Once a totally Christian village, Beit Jala (12,000 inhabitants) is today 60% Christian, mainly Greek Orthodox. The Latin parish counts 1,200.

The parish has a flourishing school. The Government of Navarra, with the mediation of the Association of the Order of the Holy Sepulchre in Pamplona, built a new kindergarten with 4 elementary classrooms dedicated to Saint Francis Xavier, patron of Navarra. The present Parish priest is Fr Yaaqoub Abd-en-Nour.

The Latin Patriarchate Seminary was built in Beit Jala in 1856. Today the Major Seminary can host between 20-25 seminarians, and the Minor Seminary 50-60. The present Rector of the Seminary is Mgr. Maroun Lahham.

Project details:

• It was decided to transfer the printing press from Jerusalem to Beit Jala where the LP owns a big piece of land, in order to enlarge and upgrade it. On another side, this change was to free more space at the Latin Patriarchate for the offices of the General Administration. The new construction cost US$ 222,856.
• US$ 17,000 to renovate the house of the Rosary Sisters
• US$ 81,000 for beautifully restoring the Seminary roof