Christmas Banquet and Gift Distribution

Rejoice, for Jesus is born!

We are committed to spreading love, joy and hope for the desperate among us. Saint Rafka Mission of Hope and Mercy strives to exemplify ‘Light of Christ’ and true the ‘Spirit’ of Christmas during these Holy-Days by serving persecuted Christians in the Middle East. Gifts will be distributed to approximately 1060 children under the age of 17 of three nationalities, Iraqis, Syrians and Lebanese, from many sects: Syriac Catholic, Syriac Orthodox, Greek Catholic, Greek Orthodox, Maronite, Chaldean, Assyrian and Armenian.

Iraqi Refugees 0 to 17: Total 808

(As provided by the Syriac Catholic Patriarchate in Beirut)

0 to 5 years= 138

5 to 10 years= 438

11 to 17 years= 232

Syrian refugees 0 to 17: Total 59(As provided by the Syrian Bishop from the Archbishopric)0 to 5 years= 235 to 10 years= 1511 to 17 years= 21Church Affiliation numberSyriac Orthodox 6Syriac Catholic 36Greek Catholic 8Greek Orthodox 9Lebanese in need: Total 170(As provided by the Saint Sacrament sisters of Beit Habbak)0 to 5 years= 425 to 10 years= 11311 to 17 years= 16Church Affiliation numberSyriac Orthodox 1Syriac Catholic 1Greek Catholic 3Greek Orthodox 6Maronite 159An additional 20 gifts should be added to balance any potential marginof error in the data (any other needy children in need of theMiracle of Christmas!)

Syrian refugees 0 to 17: Total 59

(As provided by the Syrian Bishop from the Archbishopric)

0 to 5 years= 23

5 to 10 years= 15

11 to 17 years= 21

Lebanese in need: Total 170

(As provided by the Saint Sacrament sisters of Beit Habbak)

0 to 5 years= 42

5 to 10 years= 113

11 to 17 years= 16

An additional 20 gifts should be added to balance any potential margin

of error in the data (any other needy children in need of the

Miracle of Christmas!)