Founder of Houston-based Nativity Pilgrimage Donates $50,000 to Church Restoration in Sri Lanka, in Memory of Colleague Nicola Al-Shaer
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April 29, 2019
HOUSTON, April 29, 2019 /
Christian Newswire/ -- Khaled Jacoub Bahnan, founder of Nativity Pilgrimage, committed $50,000.00 to church restoration in Sri Lanka to honor the memory of Nicola Al-Shaer, his friend and colleague. Al-Shaer's life ended tragically as a result of an accident on Good Friday, April 19, 2019. As Bahnan contemplated the aftermath of the Easter bombings in Sri Lanka, where Catholics were killed as they were receiving the Holy Eucharist, he was moved to contribute to restore the two Catholic churches in Sri Lanka.
The deadly blasts in the Archdiocese of Colombo, Sri Lanka, devastated St. Anthony's Shrine in Kochchikade, and St. Sebastian's Church in Katuwapitiya. St. Anthony's Shrine attracts thousands of faithful seeking to honor St. Anthony of Padua, and St. Sebastian's Church is a renowned church in an area known as "Little Rome" for its many Catholics and Catholic churches.
"Many people have sent funds to restore Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, but fewer will seek to support Sri Lankan restoration efforts made necessary by the eight explosions on Easter morning," Bahnan said. "I wanted to memorialize my friend and colleague, Nicola, by helping restore the Catholic churches and helping those suffering because of the many deaths and injuries. Nicola was a gifted and talented young man, who tragically died at the age of 26," he continued.
Bahnan said Nicola worked as an engineer and also organized all the Holy Land pilgrimages for Nativity Pilgrimage. "Recently, I set up Nativity Cares Foundation to help Catholic organizations in their mission, including those in Sri Lanka. We hope others may want to give as well. Reflecting on the loss of life and the injuries suffered in Sri Lanka is heart breaking. Our hearts go out to the families of the victims, and we pray that the risen Christ will comfort those in sorrow and heal those who are injured," Bahnan said.
Nativity Pilgrimage
Nativity Pilgrimage is family owned and operated Christian-based travel and tour Company in Houston. The pilgrimage provides life-changing spiritual excursions to the Holy Land, Europe and Mexico.
Nativity Cares Foundation
Nativity Cares, a foundation set up by founder and owner, Khaled Jacoub Bahnan, will contribute to the restoration of the Church of St. Anthony's Shrine and St. Sebastian's Church in Sri Lanka. If you would like to help, please send donations to Nativity Cares Foundation, C/O Nativity Pilgrimage, 1300 N. Sam Houston Pkwy E. Suite 125, Houston, TX 77032 or visit nativitypilgrimage.com
SOURCE Nativity Pilgrimage
CONTACT: Khaled Jacoub Bahnan, 844-400-9559
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