Maronite Voice. A Publication of the Maronite Eparchies in the USA. Volume V Issue No. XI December 2009

Transcription

1 The Maronite Voice A Publication of the Maronite Eparchies in the USA Volume V Issue No. XI December 2009 Christmas 2009 Virgin Who Cared for The Virgin Dear Brother and Sisters in Christ, U sually Christmas brings us close to the Virgin and Child. But in order to round out the picture of the Holy Family, I would like to reflect on the chaste and loving person of Saint Joseph: patron of the Universal Church, friend of open hearts, foster father of Jesus, spouse of the Virgin Mary, and as our liturgy calls him, virgin who cared for the Virgin. Patron of the Universal Church Jesus was not the flesh and blood of Joseph; rather, he belonged to Mary, by the Holy Spirit. Likewise, Mary was not his own, she belonged entirely to God. A psychologist once commented that Joseph s respect and reverence, as well as his strong and loving involvement for a wife not his own, and a son not his own, was the primary human reason why Jesus could preach and live unconditional love. Moreover, Jesus was able to live in this world free from a paralyzing fear of others, or even death itself. In His human nature, Jesus expressed a deep and yet chaste love for others, and a beautiful confidence that enabled Him to refer to the most intimate relation anyone could ever have, that is, to God, as a relationship with Abba/Father. Joseph s respectful and prayerful fathering made humanly possible the inner strength and freedom of Jesus. Joseph is called the patron of the Church because he was first patron, provider, and protector of the Holy Family. He is the faithful steward of all that is entrusted to him. Tradition holds that Mary and Jesus were present when Joseph closed his eyes to this world, thus, Joseph is also called patron of a happy death. Friend of Open Hearts Revelation to Joseph by Fr. Abdo Badwi, University of Holy Spirit, Kaslik, Lebanon (USEK), Department of Sacred Art. Joseph is also referred to as friend of open hearts, because, like the Joseph of the Old Testament, he too learned to listen to God who spoke in a variety of ways, especially in dreams. Some say, with a touch of humor, that men are at their best when they sleep. This was certainly the case with Joseph. He had originally reasoned that to spare Mary shame, because she was pregnant, he would divorce her quietly. This was the honorable thing to do for her sake and for his. But God appeared in a dream and told Joseph to have no fear in taking Mary for his wife. (Continues on page 20)

2 Schedule of Bishop Robert Shaheen December 5-7, 2009 Pastoral Visit to St. Jude Church, West Covina, Calif. December 13, 2009 Children s Liturgy at St. Raymond Cathedral, St. Louis, Mo. December 24-25, 2009 Christmas Liturgy at St. Raymond Cathedral, St. Louis, Mo. January 6, 2010 Epiphany Liturgy at St. Raymond Cathedral, St. Louis, Mo. January 9, 2010 Liturgy Meeting, Belleville, Ill. January 11-16, 2010 Annual Clergy Retreat, Phoenix, Ariz. January 16, 2010 Medical Association Ceremony, St. Louis, Mo. Project Roots P roject Roots is a program initiated by the Maronite Bishops in the United States and is designed to help Maronites, as well as others and without discrimination, to connect with relatives in their homeland of origin in the Middle East. It provides other services such as aiding newer generations in obtaining or regaining the citizenship of their parents or grandparents. For American citizens with Middle Eastern roots, it is patriotic to establish and cement relations with their relatives in their original homeland. It is also being patriotic to America, to obtain or regain that citizenship, since this will further strengthen ties between America and countries of the Middle East by bringing balance to Middle Eastern societies. To that end, those involved with Project Roots will do all they can to help those Americans and those of other nationalities who wish to connect to their roots in the Middle East. Bringing balance back into Middle Eastern societies means that those Americans who obtain or regain such citizenship would have a say in what goes on in their country of origin. They can help foster social justice which is a requirement for those wishing to walk in the footsteps of Christ. Bringing balance back into society will help all their relatives in more than one way: It will usher in moderation, security to individuals and groups, as well as prosperity and a higher quality of life for relatives and all others who call their Middle Eastern country of origin their homeland. Project Roots is ready to help any and all Americans of Middle Eastern origin, from all sectors of society, who wish to obtain citizenship of the country of their roots. The Project s office in the U.S. is available to provide information, help with formalities here and in their country of origin, and help in connecting with relatives there. Contact information by phone is via (310) ; Fax (310) On the internet the is projectroots@live.com. Eparchy of Saint Maron Christmas Directives Christmas Novena: His Excellency Bishop Gregory Mansour has asked that the Maronite Christmas Novena be celebrated in all the parishes of the Eparchy of Saint Maron of Brooklyn from December 15 to December 23, 2009, inclusive. Christmas Eve Liturgy: It is not the custom of the Maronite Church to celebrate Christmas before midnight. However, the Chancery Office is fully aware that in many areas the Christmas Eve Liturgy (around 5:00 P.M.) is very popular. Therefore, pastors are urged to do all they can to maintain the Midnight tradition if at all possible. The Maronite Voice 4611 Sadler Road Glen Allen, VA Phone: 804/ Fax: 804/ gmsebaali@aol.com The Maronite Voice, (ISSN ) the official newsletter of the Maronite Eparchies in the U.S.A. (Eparchy of Our Lady of Lebanon of Los Angeles and Eparchy of Saint Maron of Brooklyn), is published monthly. Send all changes of address, news, pictures and personal correspondence to The Maronite Voice at the above captioned address. Subscription rates are $20.00 per year. Advertising rates are available upon request. Publishers Most Reverend Bishop Robert Joseph Shaheen Most Reverend Bishop Gregory John Mansour Editor Msgr. George M. Sebaali Consultor Fr. Abdallah Zaidan, M.L.M. Editing and proofreading Mary Shaia Anne-Marie Condlin Printed in Richmond, Virginia. Maronite Convention 2010 St. Elias Maronite Church Birmingham, Alabama July 7-11, 2010 For more information contact the NAM office at (914) or visit The Maronite Voice Volume V Issue No. XI Page 2 December 2009

3 Washington, D.C. Ordination and Clergy Day Law of the Eastern Church. On November 19, the vocations team from both eparchies met and discussed ways in reaching men and women from the Maronite Church to embrace and follow God s call to religious life. Vocations directors from both eparchies, Fr. Dominique Hanna, Msgr. sharbel Maroun, Fr. Armando Elkhoury and Fr. Gary George along with Bishop Gregory Mansour and members of the committee discussed many ways to reach our young men and women to this special vocation. This meeting was followed by a talk from Fr. Melvin Blanchette, who is the rector of the Theological College Seminary in Washington, D.C. Lunch was served at Our Lady of Lebanon Maronite Seminary. Atlanta, Georgia Fundraiser Event Assisted by Chorbishop Seely Beggiani and Seminarian Alex Joseph, Bishop Gregory Mansour ordains Subdeacons Vincent Farhat and Dany AbiAkar to the Order of Deacon at Our Lady of Lebanon Church in Washington, D.C. by Deacon Vincent Farhat B ishop Gregory Mansour, Bishop of the Eparchy of Saint Maron of Brooklyn, and Bishop Robert Shaheen, Bishop of the Eparchy of Our Lady of Lebanon, along with clergy from both eparchies gathered together on November 18-19, 2009 to celebrate the ordinations of Dany AbiAkar and Vincent Farhat from the order of Subdeacon to Deacon at Our Lady of Lebanon Church in Washington, D.C. The Bishops and clergy also gathered together for a day of recollection and an alumni association meeting. These two days were filled with much joy and thanks to God as Our Lady of Lebanon Maronite Seminary celebrates the ordination of three Deacons, who with God s help will be ordained to the priesthood in May and June of Tony Massad of the Eparchy of Our Lady of Lebanon was elevated to Order of Deacon on September 13, 2009 at his home parish of Our Lady of Lebanon in Flint, Michigan. Dany and Vincent, who belong to the Eparchy of Saint Maron of Brooklyn, were elevated on November 18, Chorbishop Dominic Ashkar, Pastor, and the community of Our Lady of Lebanon Church hosted the ordinations with their generous hospitality and a dinner that followed liturgy. The choir of Our Lady of Lebanon Church echoed the beautiful music throughout the liturgy making this ordination more special with their talents and sacrifice. With much celebration comes much work. On November 17, Chorbishop Michael Thomas, Vicar General of the Eparchy of Saint Maron, continued the canon law workshop with the seminarians from both eparchies. These workshops are a way for future priests to become familiar with many issues that priests deal with concerning the Code of Canon Cecilia Romero, Sister Marla Marie and Fr. Dominique Hanna. by Cecilia Romero F r. Dominque Hanna, Pastor of St. Joseph Church in Atlanta, Georgia, and the parishioners hosted a fundraiser lunch on November 15, 2009 as a benefit to the Maronite Servants of Christ the Light. Mr. and Mrs. Louis and Reem Ragy coordinated this event with the help of friends, serving a catered Italian meal in the church hall after the Divine Liturgy. The parish was able to present Sister Marla Marie with nearly $4,000 in donations from this event. These funds will be used towards the expenses of maintaining the monastery of the Maronite Servants. Sister Marla Marie explained to the parish that this new congregation will depend upon the donations and charity of the Maronite faithful. She was touched and grateful for the support. I m overwhelmed by the kindness of the people of St. Joseph. They have truly come forward to help in this important mission. The Maronite Voice Volume V Issue No. XI Page 3 December 2009

4 Washington, D.C. Diaconate Ordination San Diego, California Celebrations At St. Ephrem Church Bishop Robert Shaheen, assisted by Chorbishop Faouzi Elia and Fr. Nabil Mouannes, ordains Subdeacon Georges Ghosn to the Order of Deacon. Bishop Gregory Mansour ordains John Jarvis to the Order of Deacon. Chorbishop Dominic Ashkar assisted. by John Jarvis I n a moving and beautiful Divine Liturgy, His Excellency Gregory John Mansour, Bishop of the Eparchy of Saint Maron of Brooklyn, ordained Subdeacon John Jarvis to the sacred Order of Deacon at Our Lady of Lebanon in Washington, D.C., on October 11, Chorbishop Dominic Ashkar, Pastor of Our Lady of Lebanon, served as sponsor and concelebrant. Also concelebrating were Chorbishop Michael Thomas, Vicar General and Chancellor of the Eparchy of Saint Maron; Chorbishop Seely Beggiani, Rector, and Msgr. Ignace Sadak, Vice-Rector, Our Lady of Lebanon Maronite Seminary; and Fr. Jack Morrison, Director of the Eparchial Office of Ministries and Pastor, Our Lady of Purgatory, New Bedford, Mass. Also in attendance were Msgr. Thomas J. Cassidy, Rev. Patrick C. Posey, and Rev. Joseph Elamparyil of the Diocese of Arlington in Virginia, several deacons and subdeacons celebrating the closing of the fall diaconate retreat at Our Lady of Lebanon Maronite Seminary, as well as parishioners, family, and friends. Following the Divine Liturgy, all were invited to the parish hall for a congratulatory reception and delicious meal hosted by the parish social committee. T he weekend of September 26-27, 2009, His Excellency Bishop Robert Shaheen, Bishop of the Eparchy of Our Lady of Lebanon, accompanied by Vicar General Chorbishop Faouzi Elia, visited St. Ephrem Maronite Church in San Diego, California, to celebrate a few milestones in the parish history. This year marked the twentieth anniversary of the establishment of St. Ephrem Church and the tenth anniversary of its Dedication and Consecration. At the same time, the parish celebrated the Silver Anniversary of ordination of its Pastor, Fr. Nabil Mouannes. At the gala banquet on Saturday evening many civic and religious honors were bestowed upon Fr. Mouannes. Several local Maronite clergy as well as clergy from other Rites joined numerous parishioners from Fr. Mouannes s former mission communities of St. Joseph in Phoenix, Arizona; St. Rafka in Denver, Colorado; and St. Sharbel in Las Vegas, Nevada, for the occasion. The evening was a great tribute to a spiritual leader and a dedicated priest. May God continue to bless Fr. Nabil with long life, good health and abundant graces for the continued service that he renders so unselfishly to the people of God entrusted to his care. On Sunday morning, Bishop Shaheen ordained Subdeacon Georges Ghosn to the Order of Deacon. The entire parish turned out to witness the occasion which was reverently and beautifully celebrated. The ordination was followed by a parish luncheon honoring the Bishop s presence and the new deacon. The Maronite Voice Volume V Issue No. XI Page 4 December 2009

5 THE ORDER OF SAINT SHARBEL Annual Members James Maron St. George Church, Lincoln, R.I. The Order of Saint Sharbel is an organization of lay people and clergy who have pledged their spiritual strength and financial support for Our Lady of Lebanon Seminary and the retired Maronite clergy of the Maronite Eparchies in the USA. For more information about the Order, ask your pastor or write to Eparchy of Saint Maron Order of Saint Sharbel 109 Remsen Street Brooklyn, NY Or Eparchy of Our Lady of Lebanon Order of Saint Sharbel th 1021 South 10 Street St. Louis, MO St. Paul, Minnesota Dedication of The Holy Family Church by John Kempe T ravelers to Minnesota d u r i n g November have been known to encounter bone chilling winds and ferocious storms. The infamous nature of Minnesota weather in November can often call to mind the popular folk ballad sung by The Sanctuary of the newly renovated Holy Family Church in Gordon Lightfoot St. Paul, Minn. regarding the wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald. Nevertheless, the parish of Holy Family in St. Paul was bursting with excitement over their recent relocation from an aging and limited facility on the lower west side, and they were anxious to have their Bishop, Robert J. Shaheen [Bishop of the Eparchy of Our Lady of Lebanon], come complete their joy with the dedication of the newly acquired and beautifully remodeled church in the expansive suburb of Mendota Heights, some ten miles southwest of the old church. Under the prayerful guidance of Fr. Rodrigue Constantin, Pastor, the parishioners of Holy Family enthusiastically prepared for the traditional Maronite Dedication Liturgy and subsequent celebration, not knowing what weather would greet the Bishop and those hardy priests who were so willing to venture out into the tundra to concelebrate the Dedication Liturgy. Wondrously, as the weekend of the scheduled Dedication drew near, the entire State of Minnesota enjoyed some of the warmest and most pleasant November weather ever on record! On Saturday evening, November 7, 2009, parishioners and friends of the Holy Family Church were exuberant as Bishop Shaheen led the congregation toward and consecrated the doors of their new church as the traditional Dedication Liturgy unfolded with great beauty and awe. Guests included Monsignor sharbel Maroun, Pastor of St. Maron Church in Minneapolis; Father Elias Abi Sarkis, Pastor of St. Therese Church in Tulsa, Okla.; Father Armando Elkhoury, Pastor of St. Rafka Church in Lakewood [Denver], Cola., Deacon Wissam Akiki from St. Raymond Cathedral in St. Louis, Mo.; Subdeacon James Farhet; several priests from the local Catholic Archdiocese; NAM President, Tommy Tedros; and members of the Order of Saint Sharbel; the Knights of Columbus and city officials. Following the Dedication Liturgy, a celebration was held in the renovated church s social hall. Great food, fellowship and merriment lasted late into the evening. The following day, Sunday, November 8, Bishop Shaheen celebrated the Divine Liturgy which was followed by a brunch sponsored by the Holy Family parish council. Before the breakfast, Bishop Shaheen and Fr. Rodrigue planted a tree in the church s garden which, with God s grace, will grow, prosper and deepen its roots just like our parish. Curiously, shortly after the departure of the Bishop, the sky grew dark with heavy grey hued clouds, the temperature dropped drastically, and a blustery cold wind began to blow. Thank you, Bishop Shaheen, for sharing your warmth with us for a glorious weekend in November! We would love to have you visit us again soon. Would a weekend in February be possible? The Maronite Voice Volume V Issue No. XI Page 5 December 2009

6 Maronite Historical Committee History balances the frustration of "how far we have to go" with the satisfaction of "how far we have come." -Author unknown by Ramona Milford I n the late 19th century a significant wave of Maronites found their way to the United States to escape the famine and oppression taking place in the Middle East. While many of the immigrants did not plan on staying, more than one hundred years later second, third and fourth generations of Maronites and friends find themselves in search of their history and building upon the roots established by those early immigrants. In 2016 we will celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of the establishment of the Maronite Exarchate in Detroit, Michigan, the first time we were given a Maronite Bishop to serve the Church here in the United States. It was in 1966 that Archbishop Francis M. Zayek became our first Maronite Bishop. When he came, he found a vibrant collection of Maronite parishes under the jurisdiction of local Latin bishops. There was already established the National Association (later Apostolate) of Maronites, a National Shrine of Our Lady of Lebanon in Ohio, a Maronite Seminary in Washington D.C., and a desire on the part of many to roll up their sleeves and serve. While many efforts have been made to tell the history of the Maronites in the United States, there is now a Maronite Historical Committee in place that will document the history of the first one hundred plus years and unfold that history not only within the pages of a book format but also in various media formats familiar in today's technical arena. There is also now a website in which we are beginning to post the histories obtained. If you are interested in watching this work in process develop (and add your own stories) check out our site at Because the Church is people this is a story of all who have found their home in the Maronite Church and continue to seek a stronger relationship with God in the beautiful tradition and mysteries of the Maronite Church. The Maronite Historical Committee met recently in St. Louis, Mo., on Saturday, October 16, and charted the next tasks in their mission to tell the story. The Committee agreed upon a Parish History Outline. This outline represents the minimal information sought from each parish/mission. Early history of the parish (Immigration to establishment) Places (villages) of origin of the early immigrants Visiting priests who served First resident priest First places of worship First waves of immigrants Assimilation over the years into the United States Major challenges of parish development Information relative to land/property Clergy chronology and bio of those who served the parish Historical demographics Current parish Recent immigrants and members assimilation into parish community Current clergy bio Parish population Organizations and groups affiliated with parish Significant events in the parish Profile of parish property/complex, including cemeteries (if applicable) Current challenges or opportunities Role of the parish in the larger community Future of parish Plans for renovation or expansion Plans to increase parish interest or expansion Plans for parish outreach Our next big push will be to collect pictures, videos, recordings, etc. that help to tell the story of our Maronite Church within the United States. If you would like to contribute to our efforts by sharing pictures, recordings or anything else you may have of historical value please contact Ramona Milford at ramonamarie@gmail.com. Your original items will be returned to you after copies are made and you will be credited with your contribution. We thank God for the generous time and talents of the Historical Committee made up of members of both eparchies in the United States who have been assigned by Bishops Gregory Mansour and Robert Shaheen: Joanne Andara, Rosanne Solomon, Jeanette Wyrick, Randa Hakim, Evelyn Karam Small, Louis Ragy, Chorbishop Seely Beggiani and Fr. Abdallah Zaidan, M.L.M. Please keep our work and this project in your prayers. Utica, New York Fall Communion Breakfast by Chorbishop John Faris T he Saint Mary s Guild of Saint Louis Gonzaga Church, in Utica, New York, held its annual Fall Communion Breakfast on Sunday, October 25, 2009 at the Club Monarch Restaurant in Yorkville, New York. In the absence of Guild president, Betty Karrat, vice president Mary Zogby, presided. The Breakfast was attended by Chorbishop John D. Faris, Pastor, Deacon Paul A. Salamy, and the members of the Saint Mary s Guild and their families. James P. Salamy, a parishioner and Associate Director of Constituent Relations for the New York State Catholic Conference, was the guest speaker. He spoke about the work of the state s Catholic Conference in the areas of: Respect Life, Family Life, Catholic Health Care, Catholic Education, and Catholic Charities. The Breakfast was preceded by Sunday s Divine Liturgy which was offered for the deceased members of the Saint Mary s Guild. The Saint Mary s Guild is unique to Saint Louis Gonzaga Church. Membership is open to all women in the Parish. Through the hard work and dedication of her members the Saint Mary s Guild continues to provide unwavering support to all the endeavors of Saint Louis Gonzaga Church. The Maronite Voice Volume V Issue No. XI Page 6 December 2009

7 Waterbury, Connecticut Love never fails Fr. Naji Kiwan (center) with Fred and Ethel Haddad. by Father Naji J. Kiwan O n October 21, 2009, surrounded by their family, children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, Fred and Ethel Haddad, who were united in the Holy Sacrament of matrimony, seventy years ago, on October 21, 1939, celebrated their anniversary in the presence of Father Naji J. Kiwan, Pastor of Our Lady of Lebanon Church in Waterbury, Connecticut, who performed the Blessing Ceremony and reminded everyone of the significance of the gift of life, love and sacrifice, the sanctity of marriage and the holiness of the Sacrament of matrimony. The ceremony was an enormous opportunity to thank God for all those years spent together. It was a celebration of Thanksgiving to God for life, love, family, children and friends. Being with Fred and Ethel was such a blessing in my own personal life as well. I thanked God for them, for their family and children, and for their love which is a significant sign of God s presence among us. I am not going to repeat my sermon, but I wanted to share with you a few thoughts pertaining to the importance of this event in Fred and Ethel s life and in the lives of our parishioners as well. Dear Fred and Ethel, Your marriage marked a complete new beginning in your life, and today, after seventy years, you still are able to say to each other: I love you. Your wedding was only one day, but your marriage is for the rest of your lives. For seventy years, you learned to love each other in a deeper way by becoming one as you share your married life together. You are united in Christ, to sanctify yourselves and to sanctify each other. Your vow to each other is still alive today, after seventy years of your marriage. Again today, you renew your word (Yes) to each other (the Covenant) to take each other for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health all the days of your lives. Love is a commitment and a Sacrifice, and that is what you have experienced together. In your marriage you are indeed constantly offering yourselves to God and to each other as true followers of Christ. Saint Paul wrote: Do not model your behavior on the contemporary world, but let the renewing of your minds transform you, so that you may discern for yourselves what is the will of God -- what is good and acceptable and mature (Rom 12:2). Your marriage is a covenant not just between the two of you, but between the two of you and God. That is the ultimate meaning of Covenant. That calls to our minds the words of St. John Chrysostom, one of the earliest Fathers and Doctors of the Church, Let those who take wives now do as they did at Cana in Galilee. Let them have Christ in their midst. Your marriage is to make you holy, so that you may share in Christ s life and His Divinity. Your marriage is your vocation. That is how God has planned for you to become holy. He has planned for you to become holy in your marriage through loving each other. How do we become holy? Saint Paul s famous description of love has the answer: Love is patient; Love is kind. Love is not jealous; Love is not pompous, it is not inflated, it is not rude, it does not seek its own interests, it is not quick-tempered, it does not brood over injury, it does not rejoice over wrongdoing but rejoices with the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, and endures all things. Love never fails (1Corinthians 13:4-8). Schedule of Bishop Gregory Mansour December 5-6, 2009 Pastoral Visit to St. Anthony of the Desert, Fall River, Mass. December 12-13, 2009 Pastoral Visit to St. Sharbel Church, Raleigh, N.C. December 14-15, 2009 Catholic University Board of Trustees, Washington, D.C. December 20-25, 2009 Christmas Novena and Liturgies at Our Lady of Lebanon Cathedral, Brooklyn, N.Y. December 27- January 2, 2010 Pastoral Visit to Our Lady of Lebanon Church, Miami, Fla., and family visit. January 6, 2010 Epiphany Celebration, Our Lady of Lebanon Cathedral, Brooklyn, N.Y. January 9-10, 2010 Pastoral Visit to Sts. Peter and Paul Church, Tampa, Fla. January 11-16, 2010 Annual Clergy Retreat, West Palm Beach, Fla. January 17, 2010 Our Lady of Lebanon Cathedral, Brooklyn, N.Y. January 20-22, 2010 Catholic University Meeting, Pro-Life Liturgy and March, Washington, D.C. The Maronite Voice Volume V Issue No. XI Page 7 December 2009

8 Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania Parade of Saints 8, 2009, with a Parade of Saints. The children dressed up like the saint they had selected from the Maronite Calendar of Saints. They learned about and prepared a mini-report on the life of that saint. Fr. Hanna Karam, Administrator, gave a short lesson on the importance of saints as examples of how to follow Jesus and to live a faith-filled life. He told the children that saints are the heroes of our faith. The children then proceeded to the Altar and spoke about the saint they had studied. The program ended with a spirited rendition of When the Saints Go Marching In, and a Birthday party for the Saints was held in the Church Hall. Light refreshments were served. The children, their families, friends and fellow parishioners had a wonderful religious and community celebration. Parade of Saints at St. Anthony/St. George Church in Wilkes- Barre, Penn. by Anne M. Kasper T he religious Education Program at St. Anthony/St. George Maronite Church, Wilkes-Barre, Penn., celebrated the Feast of All Saints on Sunday, November Deadline for next month s issue of The Maronite Voice is December 26, Send all changes of address, news, pictures and personal correspondence to: The Maronite Voice 4611 Sadler Road Glen Allen, Virginia Phone: (804) ; Fax: (804) Gmsebaali@aol.com Pictures have to be original. Digital pictures must be in JPG format. The Maronite Voice is also available online, in PDF format, at The Maronite Voice Volume V Issue No. XI Page 8 December 2009

9 Lincoln, Rhode Island Bishop s Visit Youngstown, Ohio Halloween Party Bishop Gregory Mansour at St. George Church in Lincoln, Rhode Island. by Catherine Hanni S t. George Maronite Catholic Church in Lincoln (Providence), Rhode Island, excitedly prepared for the honor of hosting Bishop Gregory Mansour of the Eparchy of Saint Maron of Brooklyn on the weekend of October 31-November 1, The Bishop met with church youth on Saturday, and the MYO and Religious Education groups had the opportunity to ask questions about the faith and their spiritual experiences. Special thanks must be given to Janelle Khoury, Vita Osko, Beverly Najjar and the religious education teachers, and all the young people who assisted and participated. Some penetrating questions were asked, all handled beautifully by our Bishop. His warmth and caring was evident, and the young people responded to the insights he shared. At the Sunday Liturgy, members of the Order of Saint Sharbel and the Ladies Sodality formed an Honor Guard procession and carried in a banner of Mary. Each sat together to honor the Bishop and to show solidarity and support of St. George s special events, as they also support weekly, monthly and annual events. Following the Liturgy, Philippe Maatouk and Deeb Tannous organized a catered brunch. Many additional parishioners were involved in making the weekend memorable, although it is not possible to name everyone. Especially significant was the honor bestowed on two of the most active parishioners, Catherine Gergora and Georgeann Thomas, who were inducted into the Order of Saint Sharbel by Bishop Mansour. St. George Parish is deeply grateful to St. Raymond Roman Catholic Church for hosting us since the tragic fire that burned our church to the ground and for making possible the liturgies, brunches and special meetings through the use of their church and hall. by Kamlie Beshara A ntioch Hall at St. Maron Church in Youngstown, Ohio, was transformed into a "spooky" circus-themed Halloween party on Saturday, October 24, MYO had a great time helping to decorate the hall, and everyone who attended had a spooktacular time. Kids of all ages were busy with pumpkin carving, cookie decorating, crafts, lots of games and plenty of great food. San Diego, California Parade of Saints S t. Ephrem Academy in San Diego, California, along with Fr. Nabil Mouannes, Pastor, celebrated the Feast of All Saints on All Hallows Eve (Halloween) by featuring the Parade of Saints as well as presenting to the community various Lives of Saints reports. This has been an annual event celebrated by the Academy since the year 2001 restoring the Feast of Halloween to its Catholic roots. The day also features a small festival as well as lunch for the students and their families and friends. The Maronite Voice Volume V Issue No. XI Page 9 December 2009

10 Eparchy of Saint Maron of Brooklyn Pontifical Honors On Saturday, November 7, 2009, at Our Lady of Lebanon Cathedral, Brooklyn, New York, His Excellency Bishop Gregory Mansour, Bishop of the Eparchy of Saint Maron, conferred the Pontifical Honor of Knights and Dame of the Order of Saint Gregory the Great upon Mrs. Barbara Atkins, Mr. Antoine Azzam, Mr. Anthony Toufic Budway, Mr. Camille Gilbert, Deacon Simon AbiNader, Mrs. Marlene Saad, Mrs. Rosanne Solomon. Dr. and Mrs. Edward Soma were celebrated at an earlier occasion in Washington, D.C. recommendations from the Very Reverend James Root, the Rector of this Cathedral. In consideration of all of these things, Pope Benedict XVI has bestowed upon him the Pontifical Honor of Knight of Saint Gregory the Great. Left to right: Chorbishop Michael Thomas, Mrs. Rosanne Solomon, Mrs. Barbara Atkins, Mr. Antoine Azzam, Bishop Gregory Mansour, Mr. Camille Gilbert, Mr. Anthony Budway, Mrs. Marlene Saad and Deacon Simon AbiNader. M rs. Barbara Atkins has been Mr. Antoine Azzam is the acting an active member of Saint Consul General of Lebanon to New Joseph Maronite Church in York City. He and his lovely wife, Waterville, Maine, all of her life. Mrs. Atkins was a great fundraiser for Boston University Medical Center; Danielle, have two children. He has been at the Lebanese Consulate in New York since Prior to that, he serves on the Board of Trustees of Saint served as First Secretary to the Joseph College in Standish, Maine; on the Board of Directors of Mid-Maine Medical Center in Waterville; as a Foundation Member of the University of Maine; and as First President of Senator George Mitchell Institute in Portland, Maine (she is the sister of former Senator George Mitchell, who is the current Envoy of the United States for peace talks in the Middle East). She Embassy of Lebanon to Italy. In Lebanon, he was a Co-founder and the Administrator of the Cultural Center at Saint Joseph University in Beirut and an Assistant Professor at Saint Joseph University in the Faculty of Human Sciences. Since his childhood, he was active in the Catholic Church as a member of the Scouts du Liban, Le Cercle de Jeunesse Catholique, and contributes her time, talents and later, Caritas International. He was also finances to her parish and to this eparchy. She serves on the Eparchial Capital Campaign Committee as its Vice-president for Regional Activities. Even while on holiday or at her winter home in Miami, Florida, she makes it a point to attend Sunday Mass at the local Maronite Church and to participate in any events that may be taking place there. She has received the highest recommendations from her pastor, a member of the Red Cross for ten years during the difficult war in Lebanon. Mr. Azzam has been a blessing for all of the Lebanese in the New York area with his non-partial and transparent administrative skills. He has been especially helpful to our Maronite eparchy facilitating many diplomatic encounters for our Patriarch, Nasrallah Peter Cardinal Sfeir, during his recent visits to New York. He is greatly Reverend Larry Jensen. In respected by the members of our consideration of all of these things, Pope Benedict XVI has bestowed upon her the Pontifical Honor of Dame of the Order of Saint Gregory the Great. Cathedral parish as a good, practicing Catholic, and by all Lebanese in the region as a just and upright Consul General. He has received the highest Mr. Anthony Toufic Budway has been an active member of Saint George Maronite Church in Providence, Rhode Island, all of his life. He and his dear wife, Helen, have three children. He is employed by the United States Department of the Treasury for Internal Revenue. In his local parish, he has served for many years as the Financial Advisor, a member of the parish Advisory Board and chairman of their yearly, major fundraising event. He has served three bishops of this eparchy as a member of the eparchial Finance Council and has played major roles in the eparchy s lay apostolate, the National Apostolate of Maronites as National President, National Vicepresident, Regional Vice-president and Chairman of the National Convention. He has been an active member of the eparchial Order of Saint Sharbel which pays for the education of our seminarians and the benefits of our retired priests, serving as Vicepresident, President and annual retreat coordinator. He was one of two laypersons, representing our eparchy at the Maronite Patriarchal Synod convoked by His Beatitude and His Eminence, Nasrallah Peter Cardinal Sfeir, held in Lebanon in He has received the highest recommendations from his pastor, Reverend Edward Nedder. In consideration of all of these things, Pope Benedict XVI has bestowed upon him the Pontifical Honor of Knight of Saint Gregory the Great. Mr. Camille Gilbert was born in Ontario, Canada, and moved to Miami, Florida, over fifty years ago. He has been a widower for several years and The Maronite Voice Volume V Issue No. XI Page 10 December 2009

11 has three children. He is retired after having worked for the Miami Herald for more than thirty years. His life as a good husband and father is a beacon of hope in today s society. He was instrumental in the founding of Our Lady of Lebanon Maronite Church in Miami and has been an active member there ever since. For thirty years, that parish has held an annual Lebanese Festival which provided funds for the purchase of property and the building of their beautiful parish complex. For all of these years, without let-up, Mr. Gilbert has been the motivating force behind this fundraiser: organizing, setting up, shopping, cooking, cleaning, etc., many times sacrificing his personal funds to help the church. Besides his hard work, perseverance and generosity, he has never wanted to take any credit or to be in the limelight for all of his efforts. He is truly a model of responsibility and humility. He has faithfully served on the parish Advisory Board for every pastor since the inception of the parish. He has received the highest recommendations from his pastor, Reverend Elie Mikhael. In consideration of all of these things, Pope Benedict XVI has bestowed upon him the Pontifical Honor of Knight of Saint Gregory the Great. Deacon Simon Abi Nader was born in Lebanon, and graduated from Saint Maron College there. He and his charming wife, Frances, have three children. Since 1978, he has been working for the United States Federal Government and is currently the Field Office Director for the United States Office of Homeland Security in Manchester, New Hampshire. Throughout his thirty years of service for the government in various cities, and he and his family always became active members of the local Maronite Parish: Saint Maron in Detroit, Our Lady of the Cedars of Lebanon in Boston, Our Lady of Lebanon in Miami, Saint Jude in Orlando, and now, Saint Anthony in Lawrence, Massachusetts. He was ordained a permanent deacon in 2001 and has served faithfully all the parishes to which he was assigned. He is also a Fourth Degree Member of the Knights of Columbus. Deacon Nader was instrumental in coordinating the last four visits of our Patriarch Nasrallah Peter Cardinal Sfeir, with federal, state and local police. He took personal time off from his job to work full-time on these visits to be sure that the Patriarch would be safe and received well. Not only did he see to the security arrangements, but to the travel and lodging plans as well. He is a faithful deacon and an exemplary Maronite. He has received the highest recommendations from his pastor, Reverend Monsignor Peter Fahed Azar. In consideration of all of these things, Pope Benedict XVI has bestowed upon him the Pontifical Honor of Knight of Saint Gregory the Great. Mrs. Marlene Saad is a founding member of Saint Rafka Maronite Mission in Greenville, South Carolina. She worked tirelessly for many years in trying to organize the Maronite Faithful in her area to persevere in their quest for a Maronite parish. She is a recent widow and has four children. For over twenty-five years she has played major roles in the eparchy s lay apostolate, the National Apostolate of Maronites, as National President, National Vicepresident and Regional Vice-president. Mrs. Saad is an active member of the eparchial Order of Saint Sharbel. She is the Religious Education Coordinator at her parish mission and also President of the mission s Advisory Board. She has received the highest recommendations from her pastor, Rev. Bartholomew Leon. In consideration of all of these things, Pope Benedict XVI has bestowed upon her the Pontifical Honor of Dame of the Order of Saint Gregory the Great. Mrs. Rosanne Solomon has been a lifelong member of Our Lady of the Cedars of Lebanon Maronite Church in Boston, Massachusetts. She has four children and has been a widow for several years. In her parish, she is an active member of the Saint Maron Society, Chairperson of the annual major fundraiser and Administrator and Function Manager of the parish social hall. She directly serves the eparchy as the Assistance Coordinator for victims of sexual abuse as mandated by the United States Conference of Catholics Bishops in the Dallas Charter. She has played major roles in the eparchy s lay apostolate, the National Apostolate of Maronites as National President, National Vice-president, National Secretary, and Chairman of the National Convention. For over twenty years she has been an active member of the eparchial Order of Saint Sharbel. She was one of two lay persons representing our eparchy at the Maronite Patriarchal Synod convoked by His Beatitude and His Eminence, Nasrallah Peter Cardinal Sfeir, held in Lebanon in Mrs. Solomon is also involved in the Guild of Catholic Charities for the Latin Archdiocese of Boston and has served as its Secretary, Board Member, and President. She is also a member of the Arabic American Benevolent Society. She has received the highest recommendations from her pastor, Chorbishop Joseph Lahoud. In consideration of all of these things, Pope Benedict XVI has bestowed upon her the Pontifical Honor of Dame of the Order of Saint Gregory the Great. Dr. Edward Soma and his wife, Mrs. Anne Soma have five children and twelve grandchildren. They are founding members of Our Lady of Lebanon Maronite Church in Washington, D.C., and are founding benefactors of Our Lady of Lebanon Maronite Seminary, also in Washington. When the Holy See established the Maronite Exarchate for the United States in 1966, they were instrumental in assisting and supporting the first Exarch, Bishop Francis Zayek. Even before his arrival, they were among the founders of the National The Maronite Voice Volume V Issue No. XI Page 11 December 2009

12 Apostolate of Maronites who worked tirelessly with the Apostolic Delegate, the Congregation for Eastern Churches and the Maronite Patriarch, for the presence of a Maronite Bishop in the United States. They were both awarded the Gold Medal Award from the John Carroll Society and the Caritas Service Award of the Latin Archdiocese of Washington. Mrs. Soma has always treated the seminarians as her own sons and has served as the parish Treasurer for many years. Dr. Soma is a Knight of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre and a Knight of Malta. He received the Ellis Island Medal of Honor Award in They have received the highest recommendations from their pastor, Chorbishop Dominic Ashkar. In consideration of all these things, Pope Benedict XVI has bestowed upon Dr. Soma the Pontifical Honor of Knight of the Order of Saint Gregory the Great, and upon Mrs. Soma the Pontifical Honor of Dame of the Order of Saint Gregory the Great. The award ceremony for Dr. and Mrs. Soma took place on October 11, 2009 at Our Lady of Lebanon Church in Washington, D.C. History of the Order of Saint Gregory the Great The Holy See has awarded the distinction of knighthood since the early medieval period. Such honors originally conferred nobility, but today, the Papal Orders are a means by which the Holy Father might personally distinguish those who have served the Church and society in a special way. Pope John Paul II extended membership in the Order of Saint Gregory the Great (and the Order of Saint Sylvester), to ladies as well as gentlemen. Nominations for appointment to the Papal Orders are generally made by the local bishop to the Holy See. The Order of Saint Gregory the Great was founded in 1831 by Pope Gregory XVI and has both civil and military divisions. Like all the Papal Orders, it was reformed in 1905 by Pope Pius X, and is given for outstanding service to the Church and society. Each Papal Order has its own particular decorations. For the Order of Saint Gregory, knights and dames wear the cross suspended from a ribbon over the heart. The ribbon is red with a broad orange stripe at either side. The cross of Saint Gregory is an eight pointed "Maltese" cross in gold with red enamel and gold balls on the end of each point. In the center of the cross there is a gold medallion bearing the image of Saint Gregory and the words Pro Deo et Principe on the reverse. The cross of the civil division is surmounted by a green enamel laurel wreath, and the military division by a trophy of arms in gold. The Knights of Saint Gregory also have their own uniform which is dark green, with silver buttons and braiding. Although the Dames of Saint Gregory do not have a specific uniform, they generally wear appropriate formal evening attire. Papal knights and dames do not have any specific obligations by virtue of their having been given the personal honor of membership in these Orders. It is customary, however, for them to be invited to participate in major events of their diocese or eparchy, such as the ordination and enthronement of new Bishops, the ordination of Priests, etc. On such occasions it is recommended that they wear the uniform and the crosses of their respective Order. Eparchial Assignment His Excellency Bishop Gregory Mansour, Bishop of the Eparchy of Saint Maron of Brooklyn made the following assignments: Fr. George BouChaaya, M.L.M., has been assigned as Parochial Vicar at St. Anthony Maronite Church in Glen Allen [Richmond], Va., effective November 18, Fr. Nadim Helou, M.L.M., has been assigned as Parochial Vicar at St. Anthony of the Desert Maronite Church in Fall River, Mass., effective December 1, Maronite Book of Hymns according to the Antiochian Syriac Church, published in 2008 by the Patriarchal Liturgical Commission, contains Maronite Syriac tunes for the Maronite Qurbono; psalms as well as various Maronite and Marian hymns. This 569- page hardcover book is available from Saint Maron Publications for $25 plus $5 shipping. Maronite Syriac Hymns CD of the Maronite Qurbono, prepared by the Patriarchal Liturgical Commission in 2008 with Fathers Nassim Hagge and Youhana Geha, soloists, on a double CD is available from Saint Maron Publications for $25 plus $5 shipping. The Maronite Icons according to the Maronite Liturgical Year and the Feasts of the Saints was prepared by the Icons Workshop at the Maronite Eparchy of Cyprus. It consists of 60 icons (41 for Sundays and Holy Days and 19 for Maronite Saints). This collection of icons (14" x 20") along with a booklet explaining each icon is available from Saint Maron Publications for $100 plus $10 shipping. The Prayer of the Faithful, three volumes of morning and evening prayer of the faithful in English, is available from Saint Maron Publications. Volume One (Sundays of the Church; Season of Announcements; Birth of the Lord and Epiphany) is available for $40 plus $5 shipping. Volume Two (Seasons of Great Lent and Resurrection) is available for $40 plus $5 shipping. Volume Three (Seasons of Pentecost and Holy Cross) is available for $30 plus $5 shipping. To order your copy (ies) please write to: Saint Maron Publications 4611 Sadler Road Glen Allen, Virginia For further information, call (804) , or visit The Maronite Voice Volume V Issue No. XI Page 12 December 2009

13 Introduction Out of the Black Hole was written by Bishop Stephen Hector Doueihi while at the New York Presbyterian Hospital, A.C.E. Unit -10 North, September- October Bishop Doueihi would like to convey the following message to all: From the bottom of my heart. I thank you for your support and your prayers. I feel better now! Sharar. On September 14, 2009, Bishop Stephen Hector Doueihi after returning from Lebanon via Paris took ill. The following are some excerpts from his experience at the New York Presbyterian Hospital. Such experience he calls Black Hole. That evening, Bishop Doueihi wrote, I unpacked my things and went to bed, as normal. Then, in the morning, I struggled on the floor between my bed and the dresser, in the hands of those who tried to help me. I was out, completely out. I was screaming all kinds of names, I was protesting, I was battling for my life. The night before, do not ask me. I do not remember what happened. I was told that I was taken to the hospital nearby, the Long Island College Hospital. But I protested vehemently: No, I don t want to stay here! It seems that I said it. I was told that. But I do not remember at all! Then, I was taken to NY Presbyterian Hospital. I remember the trip. I was with Bishop Gregory and Michelle [my secretary]. But after that, black hole, totally immersed in a black hole situation: I was moved from one place to another; I was examined by a chain of doctors; I was monitored by one nurse after another; I was injected by many injections and so forth! I didn t know; I don t remember a thing. I don t remember my self The only thing, in flashes of clarity, I remember faces, lots of them, young and old faces, surrounding me, talking to me, asking questions I remember voices, and my replies that came out of my own throat. I was mad, I was incoherent; I was saying things in English, in French (mostly in French), in Arabic, in Spanish Then I was admitted to the hospital to be controlled I was under control. Here s what happened at the hospital: Out of the Black Hole! The Hospital A whole complex of pain, regenerated by human spirit. I distinguish here two levels of action: I feel the difference, a clear difference among those two levels. The level of those who stay behind their desks, set out orders, make arrangements. They are not in direct touch with pain; they avoid it in looking at their patients. The second level is composed of the nurses, the aides, the help, the volunteers who are in total physical touch with the patients. They feel, they bear the pain with them. I experience a refusal of the class of level one. I hear frustration caused by this kind of attitude. Through their efficient, human and compassionate direct experience of the pain, the class of nurses, aides, and help redeem in a way the absence of direct involvement of level one. The first level I antagonize, fiercely antagonize, in my dealing with them. the second level, one of the nurses and aides, I feel my pain in their eyes, and in the little gestures they hurry to extend to me. It took me sometime disintoxication from my black hole! to reach the state of level one, they are the monsters and demons that put everything marching toward health, they are, in fact, the true healers processors! Dialysis Plan Here are the choices they are offering to me on a silver platter: 1. Monday/Wednesday/Friday: Three times a week, dialysis! My whole life completely changed. Three days a week, crucified to the chair of dialysis; with its continuous run in your blood, in your chest, and God knows where else. 2. How about Kidney Transplant? Transplant sounds good, it looks good. Until they explain the entire details of the operation. Then a living object inside you that makes your life shared with somebody else! 3. Living accommodations in New York, in Pennsylvania, and elsewhere??? In Lebanon? Are we going to see Lebanon again? Those who I left recently? Was it for good that I left them? My sister-in-law in Lebanon, Antoinette, said it all: I did not think I will be hearing your voice again! 4. Expenses to be incurred by Medicare and Christian Brothers, my two insurers. A lot of expenses are on the way! 5. How about a transport service? Have somebody available to play chauffeur for me, - every day, every time, back and forth. What is a Kidney Failure? Your kidneys fail to function, unexpectedly, without warning. Toxin invades all your blood stream. It poisons your blood. It hits your brain, your whole brain. As a result, there is deconstruction (as contemporary philosophers and artists would rush to say in their semantics). It is total deconstruction within your brain, your mind. Nothing seems to be in its own place. Nothing seems to be at the right place, anymore. All the functions inside you lose their connections. Nothing works anymore. Who are you? Where are you? What year are you in? Intolerable and unanswerable questions that leave you wondering, The Maronite Voice Volume V Issue No. XI Page 13 December 2009

14 confused, anxious, and completely powerless. Your mind is unable to grasp them, to understand them, to answer them. The physical pain (the pain of the body and its various members); the sentimental pain (that of the heart); all kinds of external pain inflicted upon you, compared to such a deconstruction in your brain seem to be nothing. You are not anymore who you are, who you think you are A debris, leftover, without the light of knowledge, without hope, in the midst of a desert ocean, dealing with anxiety, hallucination, confusion and memory loss, of your identity, of the simplest aspect of your humanity. You are, but are not. Nothing to be compared to! It is, as I said, total deconstruction In the dark. Nothing makes sense. You do not make any sense. A Psalm in my Life The words of Psalms 26 (27) kept me company day and night in the dark hours as well as in the moments of light and hope. I would repeat the words, loudly yet silently, in the swirling of my black hole.i would chant them, the same way I learned them according to the musical arrangement made by Fr. Paul Ashkar, some sixty or seventy years ago, when I was still a young seminarian in Ghazir. I would chant them in bed and out of bed, when I was aware of what was happening to me in the hospital or when I was out of it, when everything else was clear or was it simply repetition of what was still functioning without me. Every moment, it was something that comes out of me: In English, they read as follow: My heart speaks of you: My face seeks your Face. Your face, O my Lord, I seek; Do not hide your Face from me; And do not repulse in anger your servant. You are my help. Never leave me, never desert me, You are my Savior. O God of my salvation! Each word in Arabic, as I profess them sounds so clear, so strong, like a trumpet sounding in the middle of the night, my own night! Alienation and Insanity 1. My attitude toward doctors was to antagonize them. I was opposed to their early morning visit, when they would scroll, one after another, all in white like little rabbits -, with an uneasy smile on their faces, and with their cleansed hands, purified at the entrance by Purell at the door of my room, ( Get sanitized, the happy commercial tells them!) I would receive them with a halfopened mind. I would address them in English, in French and in Arabic, not realizing that those languages are so mixed up in me, that I could catapult them one after another, one instead of another just to put them off balance and look, with deep and yet lost eyes, at one another: What is he doing? What is he saying? What language is he speaking? And me, confused as I was, I would claim: Hey! I am an American citizen! And I speak English. And I would confirm what I was saying, in Arabic, or in French, or in another language I was creating. I would laugh at it. 2. This kind of behavior, which would fill me with alienation more than anything else, would throw me into a sense of insanity. Michelle and my nephew Edward, who would extend to me all kinds of help, who would look to the smallest of help to extend to me in these hours in which I could not really see them, would stand aback in from of my repeated protests: Now! You are plotting against me! You are willing not my best. You want to kill me. I would proffer these words, repeat them with diabolic knowledge. I would raise my hands in arguing. Michelle and Edward would look sad. They would listen, completely lost It was insanity in me. It was the darkest of my hours of interim living in the black hole. A Question and a Prayer (To Brother Priests) th On Wednesday, the 7 of October, it was Presbyteral Council Meeting at the Eparchy of Saint Maron at the Chancery in Brooklyn, on Remsen Street. Bishop Gregory invites me to join for lunch the group of ten to fifteen priests who were going to attend the meeting. Anyway, they all wanted to see me, to see how I look after my plunge into New York Presbyterian Hospital during the last three-week long Lazarus Syndrome. At the end of the luncheon, I asked for the floor. I wanted to say something to those who used to be my priests something not for the occasion, but something coming right out of my hospital trial, something hanging at the edge of my throat, running from the heart and from the failing kidneys I was having. I told them (I mumbled my words, then; I am arranging and developing them a little bit, here): First, I want to express openly my gratitude to the Lord for his goodness toward me these last three weeks. God is good to me, truly good! I wonder why He is good to me! It is not my problem. It is His. We figure ourselves wrestling with God, all our life. Maybe He likes my struggling with Him. (He always comes out a winner, a knockout winner.) This is the traditional image we have of God and us in life. I have my own image of such a relationship between God and me. I believe and always said: God is the best soccer player all around. He is the Player. We are the ball. He likes to kick us, to keep kicking us from one place to another, from one age to another, from one situation to another. Maybe God is good to me, because He likes to kick me. He has been kicking me all my life. He does not stop. He seems to like kicking me. (I hope that He scores with me, sometimes!) Fine with me. I am in his hands. Second, let me go back to my address to you, priests. In these times of trial I went through, I was surrounded by the attention and care of my bishop, Gregory, and of my brother priests. Their comfort and their support uplifted me. I felt what real comfort is! And it helped me go through the dark tunnel, through the black hole. Now, my question is: Why do we have to wait for times of sickness to show support and comfort for each other, priests? Why do we have to delay such precious behavior? Why do we have to wait? Why don t we live such showing in good healthy times, when we are totally immersed in our ministry? When we are walking, talking, working, planning, The Maronite Voice Volume V Issue No. XI Page 14 December 2009

15 meeting and exercising in full all our energies for the life God has chosen for us? Why? Now, my prayer to you, my brother priests: I beg you: Support each other when you are in good health! Comfort each other when you face the winds and storms in your ministry and all its rewards! Love each other when you are full of life, which means: Care for each other, Share with each other, And dare for each other. Love one another now! Don t delay! Don t wait! You need it. We all need it. And this is not a mere pious and comfortable advice I am handing you as a former co-worker with you, dear brother priests. This is the talk of a failing kidneys and a brain de-constructed patient, who is looking in your eyes. God bless you all and thank you for listening. Sharar + Bishop Stephen Hector Doueihi (an age partner of Noah and a recent visitor to Lazarus) The Rosary Back to the first things in life. Back to the basics! Like my Mom, like Aunt Sarah, Michelle s mother, like my sister; -all those who passed away; like the old ones, those who never had anything else to pray, In my own darkness, I was able to go back to the Ave Maria the purest, the simplest and the most human prayer of us, humans. I repeated it; I said it, I mumbled it. In the midst of the confusion of my mind, I repeated the words (those I remembered!). I said them with all those who, like me, are not in their best moments. I said them with those who, like me, are not able to grasp the meaning and the hope it shines in them. I said them with fragile faith, in company of all those who are with me, like me. That was all I could do, pray and pray again during my hours of peregrination before the meals, after the time of meals, at midnight, and during the sights and movements at the nurses station. I was able to go back to the basics close to those I venerate in my heart. You must go back to that kind of basics, when everything else is blank in your mind: Say the humble words. And have some peace. Meet Our Seminarians Seminarian George Hajj. Seminarian George Hajj I was born and raised in the heart of a faithful Lebanese extended family, from which seven have received the holy orders, I have felt since my youth that some day I will be a priest. But being the only son, that was a difficult decision to take. I have thought and prayed for the right decision, and talked with many priests about my vocation, I recall the advice that my pastor gave me, he said: "you are still young now, go and discover the world around you, but don't worry, if the seed of a religious life is planted in your heart, it will never die". I took his words seriously. I finished high school, and college with a degree in Archaeology. Then, I came to the United States where I followed a business management degree, and was working successfully. During all this time the feeling of a religious life was never gone from my being. I talked about it to my pastor who directed me to a discernment weekend at Our Lady of Lebanon, Maronite Seminary in Washington, D.C., where I have found that I belong. Today, I thank God for who I am, and I pray for all the young men who are considering the priesthood, may they be generous to the call of God. Brothers in Christ, don't let the thorns of the material world grow up and choke the seed that God had planted in your heart (Based on Matthew 13: 7). People s Prayer for Priests Dear Lord, We pray that the Blessed Mother wrap her mantle around your priests and through her intercession strengthen them for their ministry. We pray that Mary will guide your priests to follow her own words, Do whatever He tells you (Jn 2:5). May your priests have the heart of St. Joseph, Mary s most chaste spouse. May the Blessed Mother s own pierced heart inspire them to embrace all who suffer at the foot of the cross. May your priests be holy, filled with the fire of your love seeking nothing but your greater glory and the salvation of souls. Amen. Saint John Vianney, pray for us United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Washington, D.C. Permission is granted to reproduce this text in whole or in part without adaptation for non-commercial use. Secretariat of Clergy, Consecrated Life and Vocations. The Maronite Voice Volume V Issue No. XI Page 15 December 2009

16 San Francisco, California Maronite Youth Ministry Lawrence, Massachusetts Veterans Honored Fr. John Nahal with youth of Our Lady of Lebanon Church in San Francisco Bay area. by Jackie Kalil T he Maronite Youth Ministry at Our Lady of Lebanon, San Francisco Bay area, California, was initiated October 2008 with the blessings of Fr. John Nahal, Pastor, to provide the youth of the parish the opportunity to participate in the parish community, educate them in the Maronite faith and the values of our ancestors and to strengthen their commitment to the church. Now a year later, we have forty-four youth participants. We encourage the youth to: Participate in liturgy and apply the Maronite faith to their daily lives. Develop a positive self image and a personal relationship with Jesus. Serve those in need and foster social change. Develop a personal spirituality and prayer life with confidence. Develop respect for differences and overcome prejudices. A Liturgy celebrated for the youth is scheduled the last Sunday of every month. Our warm personal greetings to you and your families as we celebrate the Incarnation of the Son of God. We are grateful for the support you have given us during the year. May the Prince of Peace fill your hearts with His Love and Peace at Christmas and in the New Year. From all of us here at The Maronite Voice, Merry Christmas and a Blessed and Joyful by Christine Kattar and Katy Abraham S t. Anthony Maronite Parish in Lawrence, Massachusetts, honored its veterans with an event that lasted well into the evening. Under beautiful sunny skies 150 parishioners gathered at their cemetery in Methuen, Mass., for the dedication of a stone to honor all veterans living and deceased in the parish. Msgr. Peter Azar presided at this very memorable event and the Army Honor Guard was present, dignifying the occasion with the playing of Taps. Many parishioners lingered to take pictures and to reminisce. The evening Liturgy began with the procession of the veterans into the church, led by Msgr. Azar, Pastor. The veterans took up the six front pews. Family and friends of the veterans attended the liturgy with standing room only. At the request of the veterans committee a blessing to the veterans was given followed by a photo with Msgr. Azar. After the Liturgy, the veterans were escorted by Msgr. into the hall for a reception of Lebanese food. The walls of the church hall were decorated with photos of the veterans from all the wars. Along with memorabilia from eras gone by, 134 photos adorned the walls providing the backdrop for many wonderful stories that buzzed throughout the hall for the entire evening. Over 260 guests attended this event and filled the evening with their praises for this opportunity to honor, for the first time in this area, these veterans of Lebanese decent. The speakers for the evening were Francisco Urena, Director of Veterans Affairs in Lawrence, Mass.; Al Farrah, POW from WWII, parishioner; Donald George, Engineer for the Navy during WWII, parishioner; and Christine Kattar, Chairperson of the veterans committee. The event ended with patriotic songs sung by George Kalil and Susan Veilleux. The Wall of Honor will remain up in the church hall until the end of November. Food For Thought O Lord, you probe me; you know when I sit and when I stand. You understand my faults... with all my ways you are familiar (Psalm 139). The Maronite Voice Volume V Issue No. XI Page 16 December 2009

17 Buffalo, New York Parade of Saints volunteers went to jail to help the youth with their annual fund raiser event. Randy Richey, annual Parish Homecoming committee chairman;, Mark John, local sports director; Attorney Simon John and Georgia Mansberry, Ladies Guild President, sat in simulated jail cells until sympathetic parishioners bailed them out. MYO parents sponsored a morning breakfast and sold afternoon specialty sandwiches while the MYO members held game booths and other entertainment for all attending. The event was a success due to the parish participation and the MYO would like to thank everyone, especially Fr. Tony Akoury, Pastor, for his encouragement and support. Danbury, Connecticut Halloween Party P ictured are Fr. Georges El-Khalli, Pastor of St. John Maron Church in Williamsville [Buffalo], New York, and the children in the religious education program (Pre-K through First Grade) who are dressed as their Patron or Favorite Saints on All Saints Day. This annual event allows the children to learn about the Saints and bring the focus from the secular holiday back to the Sacred Holiday of All Saints. Uniontown, Pennsylvania All Saints Day Festival O n October 30, 2009, St. Anthony Church in Danbury, Connecticut, held its annual children s Halloween party. Over twenty-five ghosts, super heroes, princesses, lego men, power rangers, witches, clowns and friends attended. All of the children and their families enjoyed dinner together before the activities began. Everyone had fun painting pumpkins and making an autumn craft. There were also games! The children played musical chairs, pass-the-pumpkin, and the hanging donut eating contest. Then there was the costume parade. Certificates were handed out for cutest costume, scariest costume, most original costume and many certificates for best costume. And, of course, there was lots of candy! Left to right: Randy Richey, Mark John, Attorney Simon John and Georgia Mansberry. by Joanne John T he MYO of St. George Maronite Church in Uniontown, Pennsylvania, held a parish festival on All Saints Day, November 1, Parish children were encouraged to dress as their favorite saints while popular parish adult The Maronite Pontifical by His Excellency Bishop Stephen Hector Doueihi: The Maronite Pontifical contains all rites delegated to the bishop in the liturgical celebrations. It describes the actions which the pontiff, as a celebrant, performs and the prayers he says during these celebrations. It includes mainly the rites of ordination to the priesthood and the solemn consecrations reserved to the bishop in the Christian worship. The Maronite Pontifical is available from saint Maron Publications for $20 plus $5 shipping. The Maronite Voice Volume V Issue No. XI Page 17 December 2009

18 Birmingham, Alabama 47th Annual Convention and Centennial Celebration Chorbishop Richard Saad, Bishop Shaheen and Deacon, Wissam Akiki. by Wanda Elkourie, Public Relations Chairman S t. Elias Church welcomed Bishop Robert Shaheen to Birmingham, Alabama, during the weekend of November 14-15, This was the official Eparchial kickoff of Saint Elias Centennial Celebration, highlighted by th the 47 Annual Convention. (Visit or for convention information.) St. Elias Church has undergone many months of renovations in anticipation and preparation of the upcoming Maronite Convention. With most of the work basically complete, Bishop Shaheen graced us with his presence to dedicate the Northside development and new entrance prior to the Pontifical Liturgy of Thanksgiving on Saturday and to rededicate the church during the 10:30 a.m. Divine Liturgy on Sunday. After a Thanksgiving luncheon in the church hall, highlighted by the recognition of all parishioners aged eighty and over and the unveiling of the Centennial logo which was designed by one of our own parishioners, Gary Bostany, the Bishop broke ground and blessed the site of the future St. Elias Grotto and Columbarium on which construction is planned to start in mid-november. The parishioners of St. th Elias are proud to be hosting the 47 Maronite Convention and are proud to show off the fruits of our labor. The new St. Elias is a must-see for all. After all the celebrations with Bishop Shaheen, the fortyfour chairmen of the St. Elias NAM Convention and their committees returned to their preparations for all of YOU!!. Banquet and Entertainment co-chairs, John and Gina Stewart Henley, and Special Events Chair, Jason Zarzaur, have planned five days of food, entertainment and activities you will not soon forget - and will not want to miss! Your evenings will be filled with unforgettable food and Bishop Shaheen and Chorbishop Richard Saad at the site of future St. Elias Grotto. wonderful entertainment. Wednesday s Evening of Cool Jazz and Hot BBQ, Thursday s A Southern Celebration, Friday s A Mediterranean Evening and Saturday s Puttin on the Glitz, would add a few inches to your waistlines if you weren t dancing those calories away to the very popular Amin Sultan band. Your days will be filled with opportunities to attend fantastic workshops and special events. One very special event, which will require prior sign-up due to limited seating, is to be a member of the studio audience at the Eternal Word Television Network (EWTN) studios during the live interview of our bishops by Father Mitch Pacwa on his internationally acclaimed Wednesday show EWTN Live. There will be a live feed of the interview to the convention hotel for those unable to go to the studio. When EWTN was launched on August 15, 1981, many felt there would be little th demand for a Catholic network. Now, in its 28 year, EWTN has become the largest religious media network in the world, transmitting programming 24 hours a day to more than 148 million homes in 144 countries and territories on more than 4,800 cable systems, wireless cable, Direct Broadcast Satellite (DBS), low power TV and individual satellite users. One of the true highlights will be a visit to the Shrine of the Blessed Sacrament, including a tour, lunch and Divine Liturgy. Located on 400 acres of lush farmland southeast of Cullman, Alabama, the medieval-style monastery and the Shrine itself are a wonder one could hardly expect to experience outside of Old World Europe, much less to find in rural southeastern United States. The Shrine is nothing short of breathtaking: a grand and beautiful place of solemn reverence and contemplation. Home to the Poor Clare Nuns of Perpetual Adoration, a cloistered Franciscan Order, the monastery was built by Mother Angelica, founder of EWTN. Please visit to learn more about the Shrine. The Maronite Voice Volume V Issue No. XI Page 18 December 2009

19 receive registration discounts. For more information about NAM, NAM membership and NAM travel, visit Again, please visit the convention website at Lawrence, Massachetts MYO Activity John and Gina Stewart Henley and Jason Zarzaur. Other events include a trip to the world-renowned Civil Rights Institute, a private tour of the Birmingham Museum of Art, which has the largest Wedgwood collection outside of England, and tours of the newly renovated St. Elias Maronite Catholic Church and neighboring St. George Melkite Catholic Church. Of course, there will be a scheduled day of shopping. Be sure to mark your calendar, July 7 11, 2010, to join us in Birmingham, Alabama. Remember, NAM members by Colette Maksou On Saturday October 19, 2009, the Saint Anthony s MYO of Lawrence, Massachusetts, joined Father Jean Younes in Danbury, Connecticut, for a day of spiritual activities. Father Younes and the Danbury community welcomed us with open arms going beyond what was expected of them. We thank them for their time and generosity. The schedule for the day was very interactive. We watched a movie on being a Maronite, and then had a small discussion on what the teens learned about the movie. Great reflections and observations were acknowledged from the MYO members. Father Jean Younes was impressed with their thoughts and reflections. As the day progressed, the MYO members learned a lot about their heritage and their faith. One of the best activities was called the MASK. We all took a survey and saw how different we are and what kind of personalities each one of us carries. We thank Msgr. Peter Azar and Father Jean Younes for giving us this opportunity to share such an eventful day. The Maronite Voice Volume V Issue No. XI Page 19 December 2009