Peace prize awarded to Holy Family Parish Gaza

(L to R) Sr Maria Cónsul du Sagrat Cor, Sr Maria Aurora de Esperanza, Andrea Nenzel, CSJP, Mother Mary Our Lady of Ostrabrama, and Katrina Alton, CSJP.

During their recent Chapter, the Sisters of St Joseph of Peace Congregation presented the 2026 CSJP Peacemaker Award to Holy Family Parish in Gaza. Given every six years, the award recognizes those who embody the peacemaking spirit of founder Mother Francis Clare (Margaret Anna Cusack).

Amidst relentless violence, the small community, sustained by Sisters and Fathers of the Incarnate Word, Missionaries of Charity, and parish priest Rev Gabriel Romanelli, has become a sanctuary of life. Their refusal to evacuate embodies the CSJP commitment to presence and nonviolence.

Introducing the award, Sr Katrina Alton, CSJP, called the community a "living parable" of steadfast resilience: "They embody our commitment to 'presence', the conviction that sometimes the most radical thing we can do is simply 'to be.'

They are not simply telling us what Gospel nonviolence means. They are showing us. They are not speaking about hope. They are bearing it."

Accepting the award on behalf of the parish were Sisters of the Incarnate Word Mother Mary Our Lady of Ostrabrama, Sr Maria Aurora de Esperanza, and Sr Maria Cónsul du Sagrat Cor, presented by Congregation Leadership Team President Sr Andrea Nenzel.

Reflecting on the decision of the religious community to remain in Gaza, Mother Ostrabrama shared: "We can't leave our people now. This is the moment that they most need us... to be Christ among his suffering people."