Catholic Action Cultural Center

The Catholic Action Center is a non profit institute that was established in 1952, as part of the Catholic activities of the Franciscan Custody of the Holy land. Since its establishment, this institute has served the social and recreational needs of the community, without prejudice to race or race, and is managed by a board of directors who are members of the local community.

The Catholic Action Center has many goals they want to achieve, and they are mostly targeted at young children and youths of the community. They provide these youths with a venue for educational, recreational and other extra curricular activities. They also provide the whole community with cultural and entertainment activities through film showings, theatre, and folklore dancing. The catholic Action Center finds an essential need to education the youths of the Palestine, and therefore provides them with the opportunities to learn and acquire different skills, such as computer and internet skills, basic life skills, and leadership seminars.

The Center houses a theater, swimming pool, teaching classrooms, a computer lab, dining facilities, offices and a new physical fitness room. In the last few years a conference center was added for adult education and catechesis in addition to a new sports center where local Christian youth play soccer and basketball.

The Center is a place for all ages to gather. It is a place of friendship, community and fellowship as well as learning. One Palestinian lady organized community dinners on the center’s outdoor patio in the summer with music and food.

Every year the Center organizes a summer camp for children. This is a necessity for the families remaining in Bethlehem because with schools out, there is nowhere for the children to go and nothing for them to do at home. The camps are run by the Franciscans, religious sisters and many volunteers.