Jesus the King

Ontario State Deputy David Gelinas addressed the Jerusalem Students scholarship Sponsors during the Jerusalem Students Annual Mass by saying: “As Nelson Mandela once said (Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world). I would humbly add, education of your faith as a Christian, as Catholics, is the most powerful tool that you can use, along with the gift of the Holy Spirit, to change the hearts of people around the world.”

“To the many sponsors of these Jerusalem students, including those from the past, it is my privilege, on behalf of Supreme Knight Patrick Kelly, State Chaplain Bishop Bryan Bayda and the over 57,000 Knights of Columbus members and their families; I thank you for your generosity. You understand more than most, the importance of protecting and supporting Christians in the Holy Land.”

He added that, this day, also marked an important day in the Catholic faith. Because one hundred years ago, on November 23rd, 1925, Pope Pius XI published his encyclical “Quas Primas” where he introduced the Feast of Christ the King. Brother David had dedicated his tenure as State Deputy of the Ontario Knights of Columbus, to Jesus, the King of kings who should always be our focus and our guide during our lives.

The Jerusalem Students 2025 annual Mass was held in the Cathedral of the Transfiguration, Markham. Monsignor Makarios Wehbi, the pastor of Jesus the King Melkite Catholic Church presided at the mass. The Honour Guard which glorified the celebration was provided by St John Paul II Assembly supported by All Saints of China Assembly.

Thanks to all the scholarship sponsors, so far including this 2025 year, the Jerusalem Students scholarship program has 78 graduates who all went into higher learning. 100 more students are still receiving the scholarship. The ultimate aim is to help create successful Christian families that will grow to populate the area thus strengthening Christianity in the Holy Land.

The Jerusalem Students Mass is celebrated for the Intention of these needy Christian students, and for the intention of The Holy Land and the sponsors of their education scholarships who are spread all over Canada and North America. The mass is done in a different church every year to let more parishioners know about this Award Winning Knights of Columbus program and also to be in the area of the councils who support the students. Join the program and issue your Scholarship donation to: Knights of Columbus Ontario Charity Foundation; specifying Jerusalem Students in the memo section. Include your address and email (tax receipts will be issued). Send your cheque by post to: Brother Hikmat Dandan, Ontario Christian Refugee Relief Director, 6428 Yonge Street, Centerpoint 37150, Toronto, Ontario, M2M 4J8.
Visit www.jerusalemstudents.org or call Bro. Hikmat 416-893 8060 email: [email protected]