Submitted by SK Hikmat Michel DandanJesus The King Council To the Christian Refugee Relief Director Sir Knight Hikmat Dandan and all the councils, the Knights of Columbus members, their Ladies and parishioners in Canada. From the Holy Land, we send you our Greetings, our love, and our best wishes for a Holy Lent. We believe God’s peace is special here. It is the peace that fills the hearts with comfort, trust, and love. It is not like any other peace; it is the peace given by Jesus and sent to all, to comfort and strengthen people through their difficulties, fears, and [...]

Submitted by SK Hikmat Michel DandanJesus The King CouncilAs you know, Beirut suffered a massive explosion on August 4, resulting in devastating destruction to the city and its port. The Rosary Sisters Hospital was severely affected due to its immediate proximity to the Beirut port (less than 500 meters). The hospital suffered extensive structural and equipment damage and became no longer operational in all its medical and administrative units. Unfortunately, they lost a fellow nurse aid while several patients and members of the staff were injured. The Rosary Sisters Hospital is a 200-bed hospital in the Gemmayze neighborhood of Beirut with [...]

Submitted by SK Hikmat Michel DandanJesus The King Council Sir Knight Hikmat Dandan Christian Refugee Relief Director Holy Land and Persecuted Christians Ontario State Council / Knights of Columbus To our very dear Ontario State Director, Sir Knight Hikmat Dandan, and all the sponsors, Councils, the Knights of Columbus members and their Ladies We, at The Melkite Catholic Patriarchate School, would like to thank you for your generous donations that has helped our Christian students greatly over the years. Your donations have allowed our Christian students to keep getting the best education possible in a Christian school in the Holy Land. [...]

Submitted by SK Hikmat Michel DandanJesus The King CouncilCHRISTMAS is the right time to put your HOLY LAND RESOLUTION and FAITH into ACTION. So during the Pandemic, Leave No Christian Refugee Behind. In the 113th Knights of Columbus Ontario State Convention in 2016, I submitted the Holy Land Resolution which was passed with a unanimous vote. The summary is that: as the Holy Land is where our Lord Savior Jesus Christ was born, preached, crucified and rose from the dead and also where the Apostles walked and preached, therefore Ontario State Council encourages all Knights of Columbus councils to annually support [...]

Submitted by SK Hikmat Michel DandanSt. Joseph Syriac CouncilIn front of their St. Joseph Syriac Church on Lakeshore Mississauga, under the rain, full of faith, members of St. Joseph Syriac Council held the signs of their first Life Chain. The Grand Knight SK Raad Bakose who is also a deacon prayed in Arabic for the UNBORN while all the other members recited the verses as well. The Program Director Zaid Rassam, supported by Faith Director Fadi Binno & Life Director Bassam Gago planned the event with Campaign Life Coalition. St. Joseph Syriac Council 17309 was awarded STAR AWARD in their first [...]

Submitted by SK Hikmat Michel DandanJesus The King CouncilFrom: Sawsan Istephan Sent: June 4, 2020 5:16 AM To: 'Knights of Columbus Christian Refugee Relief Director' Cc: 'Yasser Ayyache Archbishop Jerusalem' Subject: Thanks Dear Sir Knight Hikmat, Christian Refugee Relief Director We would like to thank you for the first Jerusalem Students Education Sponsorship payment for 2020 for C$30,000 which we received in US$ 21,881.61 on 3.6.2020. The donation was received at the right time before June 15th which is very important to cover 50% of salaries to help the teachers and employees in this difficult situation. Unfortunately due to the Pandemic, [...]

Submitted by SK Hikmat Michel DandanJesus The King CouncilIt was a beautiful Holy Mass thanks to Rev. Fr. Ed Murphy who at very short notice accepted to celebrate the Jerusalem Students Mass for the intention of the students, sponsors and the Holy Land in Blessed Trinity Church in North York on Sunday 29th December at 10:30 am. Address: 3220 Bayview Ave, North York, ON M2M 3R7 Rev. Fr. Ed welcomed the sponsors, the Ontario State Deputy David Peters, and the Knights of Columbus dignitaries and their Ladies. The Homily was very moving focusing on family unity. Later during Mass Rev. Fr. [...]

Submitted by SK Hikmat Michel DandanJesus The King CouncilDuring the Jerusalem Students Mass in Blessed Trinity Church, Rev. Fr. Ed Murphy asked the sponsors to stand, Blessed them with a special prayer and sprinkled them with Holy Water. After the Mass, the State Deputy SK David Peters addressed the parishioners and sponsors that by supporting the education of a needy Christian student they are also strengthening Christianity and helping the Holy Land to flourish. Later the sponsors received the files of their student, thank you cards, grades, photo, Principal letter, Archbishop letter. It was a beautiful occasion to meet other sponsors [...]

Submitted by SK Hikmat Michel DandanJesus The King CouncilThe Jerusalem Students Mass for the intention of the students, sponsors and the Holy Land in Blessed Trinity Church in North York ended by cutting the ceremonial cakes and taking photos. Ontario State Deputy, Sir Knight David Peters cut the ceremonial cake welcoming the sponsors and Faithful Commander Sir Knight Paul DiPietro cut the ceremonial cake welcoming St. John Paul II Assembly and all the participating Sir Knights in the Honor Guard. Thanks also to Faithful Navigator SK Johnny Lee and SK Henry Tang GK of St Luke Council and PGK Brother Jan [...]

Submitted by SK Hikmat Michel DandanJesus The King CouncilA very successful annual event that has been supported by the Knights of Columbus for many years. The event attended by Ontario State Deputy Sir Knight David Peters and the Christian Refugee Relief Director SK Hikmat Dandan and many other knights, and supporters was organized by CNEWA, a Papal Agency, Catholic Near East Welfare Association and the Archdiocese of Toronto. The keynote speaker was his Eminence Cardinal Thomas Collins. The Archdiocese over the past years has helped the marginalized and largely forgotten Christians in the Middle East through sponsorship and relief funds. The [...]