By Fr. David Steffy, L.C., Chargé of the Holy See
March 5th, 2025 - Notre Dame of Jerusalem Center
Dear Friends of the Notre Dame of Jerusalem Center,
Greetings from Jerusalem! We are united in our prayers and intentions for peace.
As the month of March begins, we all start to realize that the New Year is not so new anymore, and we may even feel a certain lag in the sense of renewal and fresh beginnings. That is why the Church’s liturgical seasons help keep us on track, drawing us into the rhythm of God’s saving love, which is always new. This is particularly true of Lent, which begins with Ash Wednesday and the powerful reminder:“Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return.”
These words may sound harsh when taken on their own, but within the context of redemption, they remind us that our time is limited and this world is not eternal. With humility, we recognize our human frailty, and at the same time, we rediscover the eternal truth that our lives are rooted in God’s everlasting love — a love that calls us to remain with Him, and with those we love, forever.
This season of Lent offers a valuable opportunity to reflect on what gives meaning to our lives, how we spend our time, what truly matters to us, and how we can love more deeply and generously. Lent invites us to sacrifice — to “offer something up” — but rather than focusing on what is lost, we are invited to grow in gratitude: gratitude for the gift of life itself, and for the hope that flows from loving actions that enrich our lives and the lives of others.
This spirit of hospitality and care is something we strive to live each day here at Notre Dame, and I am deeply grateful for your ongoing prayers and encouragement. Welcoming others, helping them feel appreciated and cared for, is at the heart of our mission. I want to commend our staff for their tireless commitment to making this possible, even under challenging circumstances. Notre Dame continues to be a place where people know they will be welcomed — a place to gather, pray, and share life’s most meaningful moments with those they love.
As Lent remains our main focus during this liturgical season, we also continue preparing for the inauguration of the Pentecost Room — a space dedicated to prayer, reflection, and encounter with the Holy Spirit.
The official inauguration will take place on the Eve of Pentecost, June 7, preceded by a Novena led by the Legionaries of Christ and members of the Regnum Christi family, and the blessing of the room.
We are especially pleased to welcome pilgrims and members of our local community to join us for this celebration, which will take place both in the Pentecost Room and in our chapel, ensuring as many people as possible can participate. For those unable to be with us in person, the Novena will also be livestreamed, allowing our extended Notre Dame family around the world to unite with us in prayer.
This opening marks not only the unveiling of a new space but also the beginning of a Notre Dame Experience invitation — calling pilgrims, guests, and friends to enter, pray, and encounter the living presence of the Holy Spirit.
For those who have previously visited the Holy Land, I encourage you to consider this as a unique opportunity to return and be part of this special moment. While we are not planning additional events around the inauguration, we are offering special room rates and greater access to the Pentecost Room and inaugural celebrations for guests staying at Notre Dame.
If you are interested in joining us, I would be happy to provide more details — please feel free to contact me directly at: dsteffy@notredamecenter.org.
I also ask you to join us in praying for Pope Francis, who continues to face health challenges. May God strengthen him and guide him as he leads the Church with wisdom, courage, and pastoral love during this Jubilee Year.
Thank you once again for your continued support and prayers.
May the Holy Spirit inspire and renew each of your hearts during this blessed season of Lent, and may this Jubilee Year remind us all that:“Hope does not disappoint.”
Sincerely in the Lord,
Fr. David Steffy, LC
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