article is copied and presented here with the Editors permission February 1, 2005

One man's efforts lit candles in Bethlehem

By Brian J. Lowney
Visitor Staff

BARRINGTON - W hen William Da Costa discovered late in 2003 that the city of Bethlehem would not be illuminated for Christmas because the municipality could not afford lights, his heart sank. He couldn't understand how this could happen at such an important time of year in the city where Jesus was born.

Da Costa, a Warren resident who works as a caretaker at Shaw's Supermarket on County Road, recalled viewing a television interview featuring Hanna Nasser, the mayor of Bethlehem, who stated that his city was in the midst of a severe economic downturn, brought on by a lack of tourism and high unemployment. Nasser said that the cash-strapped city could not afford the luxury of lighting Manger Square for the Christmas season. This upset the supermarket employee, who immediately started thinking about how he could help.

The man had recently developed a friendship with Carmelite Sister Eileen Nasser , a native of Bethlehem, who regularly shops at the Barrington grocery store for her cloistered community of 14 sisters living in the Barrington Carmel. The two met one day when Da Costa explained the intricacies of operating the supermarket's coffee grinder to the religious sister, and after that, they always exchanged greetings whenever they met in the store.

When he told Sister Nasser about the broadcast, she informed him that the mayor was her cousin. However, they agreed that while Bethlehem's plight was indeed unfortunate, it was too late in the season to raise funds for a lighting project.
"I reminded her that I would keep my promise" to help, Da Costa recalled, adding that the idea to create a fund-raising campaign to provide lighting for Manger Square was firmly rooted in his mind well in advance of Christmas in 2004.

The project, which became known as "Christmas Lights for Bethlehem, Holy Land," began several months later when the store worker was introduced to Sister Nasser's brother Edward, a resident of Bethlehem who was visiting Barrington last spring. A busy community activist, the 47-year old agreed to serve as the liaison between the fund-raisers and municipal officials in the Palestinian city. Shaw's Manager George Pelletier also agreed to let the group set up a table in the supermarket lobby to educate shoppers about the project and raise money.

Sister Nasser aided by helping Da Costa write an appeal letter, which appeared in a community newspaper, The Barrington Times, on Oct. 13. Three days after the letter was published, two secular Carmelites and two community benefactors collected $183. During the rest of the campaign, another $1,000 was raised, as East Bay residents from all walks of life and faiths generously donated to the fund.
After Sister Nasser forwarded the money to her brother, he was able to buy 450 meters of stringed lights, which were used to illuminate the Peace Center, a conference and meeting facility located in Manger Square. The sister, a resident of the Barrington Carmel for five years, said that the lights will remain in place all year, and will be illuminated for special events, such as visits by high-ranking religious or civic leaders.

"The people there cannot afford these things (Christmas lights)," Sister Nasser observed. "The country is a poor one. The riches there are the pilgrims, but they have stopped coming because of the war."
Sister Nasser, who grew up one mile from Manger Square, notes that the city's residents enjoy a "simplicity of life" living in the birthplace of our Lord.

"I think it's the poverty that keeps people down to earth, " she said softly, adding that the conflict between the Israeli government and the Palestinian leaders has led to a sharp decline in the number of pilgrims visiting the area. Without tourism, there are fewer jobs, which has resulted in a high unemployment rate.

To help the residents of Bethlehem, the Carmelites sell rosaries, crèches and ornaments made from olive wood and sent by craftsmen living in the ancient city.

Mayor Nasser acknowledged the efforts of Da Costa, the Carmelite Sisters and area residents in a Dec. 20 letter. "We thank the people of Barrington and all the persons and organizations who carried out this simple but meaningful work. Together, we will remember the night Jesus was born in this town of Bethlehem. We hope that this will be carried out successfully for the joy and the hope of our people and for all Christians in the world celebrating Christmas. May the infant Jesus bless you all."

Noting his success, Da Costa said, "I was very happy. One man can make a difference. It's better to light one candle than to curse the darkness. I apply that to a lot in my life."