Maronite Voice. A Publication of the Maronite Eparchies in the USA. Volume V Issue No. I January New Year 2009

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1 The Maronite Voice A Publication of the Maronite Eparchies in the USA Volume V Issue No. I January 2009 New Year 2009 Following Christ in Today s World Costs Us Very Little. It Should Bother All of Us Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, T he beginning of the New Year is a great time for a little soul searching. Combined with winter, it is a natural time to be reflective. There is one question I often think about (as I get older!): If I were hauled into court today and accused of following Christ would there be enough evidence to convict me? St. Paul, the Apostles and early martyrs were sentenced to death when accused of following Christ in today s world, following Christ costs me very little. This very little bothers me, and should bother all of us. So here are some questions for me and for you to think about. Do I believe that Christ loves me? Have I let Him close to me? He said, Behold I stand at the door and knock (Rev 3:20). Have I, with all my sins, allowed Him to love me, abide with me, and dwell with me? It is one thing to love Him, but have I allowed Him who loved us first (1 John 4:19) to love me? Do I love His Church? Do I see myself, sinner that I am, in loving communion with the other sinners who make up His Church? Do I stand with them in frequenting the sacraments especially Penance? Do I stand with them on the tough issues of human dignity such as respect for the child in the womb and defense of the embryo as the beginning of life? Do I honor marriage, work for its good and make the necessary sacrifices to preserve its dignity and beauty? Do I oppose assisted suicide because of the inherent worth of every person, no matter how vulnerable? Do I accept the Church s teaching on contraception, difficult as it may be? Do I desire to learn more about what the Church teaches so clearly on these issues? The Baptism of Jesus in the River Jordan by Fr. Abdo Badwi, University of Holy Spirit, Kaslik, Lebanon (USEK), Department of Sacred Art. Do I forgive or do I seek revenge? Do I live by the Golden Rule, treat others as you would have them treat you (Luke 6:31)? Do I assist others in an altruistic manner, or is life all about me? Do I make room for others? (Continues on page 20)

2 Schedule of Bishop Robert Shaheen January 1, 2009 Morning Liturgy at St. Raymond Cathedral, St. Louis, Mo. Visit to Annunziata Parish with Justin Cardinal Rigali January 4, 2009 Installation of St. Raymond s Ladies Society Officers, St. Raymond Cathedral, St. Louis, Mo. January 10, 2009 Southern Federation 2010 Convention Meeting, St. Louis, Mo. January 16-18, 2009 Order of Saint Sharbel Retreat, West Palm Beach, Fla. February 6-9, 2009 St. Maron Feast Day, Los Angeles, Calif. February 20-21, 2009 Visit to St. Rafka Church, Denver, Col. February 26, 2009 St. Raymond Cathedral, St. Louis, Mo. Eparchial Appointments His Excellency Bishop Robert Shaheen, Bishop of the Eparchy of Our Lady of Lebanon, has made the following eparchial appointments: Fr. Armando El-Khoury has been appointed Associate Vocations Director effective December 4, Fr. El-Khoury will also maintain his office as Pastor of St. Rafka Church in Denver, Colorado. Fr. Jibran BouMerhi has been appointed as Rector of St. Raymond Cathedral, St. Louis, Missouri, effective on December 25, Maronite Servants Visiting Our Parishes by Sister Marla Marie A t the request of Bishop Gregory Mansour, part of my mission in establishing the Maronite Servants of Christ the Light is to visit our parishes to speak on vocations and the mission of this new religious community. The Maronite Servants is a timely response to the pastoral needs of our growing Maronite Catholic community in the United States, and this need has already spoken to the hearts of a few young women who are now in discernment. Since beginning in June, I have traveled to several of our parishes to speak on vocations and the mission of the Maronite Servants. These travels are chronicled on my blog which I update every Friday. Please take a moment to visit RadiateHisLight.blogspot.com and read about my mission efforts. In the coming year, I plan to visit parishes in New York, Florida, California, Connecticut and Sydney, Australia God willing. Also, in March I plan to visit Lebanon to study Maronite religious life at its roots, visit the holy sites of our tradition, meet with the Patriarch, and visit my relatives. As my last visit to Lebanon was in 1968, I will have a lot of catching up to do. The itinerary of my travels is posted on the News link of our website: Maroniteservants.org. Please consider supporting the work of this mission with your financial contribution. Details for sending a donation are on the website. 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 Michael Maynes Printed in Richmond, Virginia. Maronite Convention 2009 Our Lady of Mount Lebanon Cathedral Los Angeles, Calif. July 1-5, 2009 For more information contact the NAM office at (914) or visit The Maronite Voice Volume V Issue No. I Page 2 January 2009

3 The Courage to Love, the Faith to Persevere by Sister Celine Nohra, A.S. H e was very upset when I told him about my decision. He said it was clearly not for me but for girls who were less pretty and less intelligent than I was. He wanted us to get married despite what he said he knew. He was right. I did not love him enough. At seventeen, I had no plans of getting married yet. My dream was to do something good and meaningful with my life. I was actively searching for love and was trying to figure out how to love the most. Being that reading was one of my hobbies, I read all kinds of books from romantic novels to spiritual reflections and was mostly fascinated by saints stories. It seemed to me they were the people who loved the most, as much as is humanly possible, and somehow I began to understand that God was the source of all love. Like most teenagers, I was surrounded by many friends and blessed with a supportive and loving family. I was comfortable with my simple and secure life: I excelled academically, had plenty of fun, enjoyed music, singing and dancing, and certainly relished the beautiful beaches and sunshine of Lebanese summers. Yet, my heart was not completely satisfied. It always felt as if something was missing and I told myself there must be something greater in life. My wonderful mother advised me, Ask Jesus for what you need and He will answer your prayers because He cares and knows what is best for you. So I did. I developed a personal relationship with Jesus. I talked to Him every day and felt that He loved me and understood me deeply, more than anyone else. Through my high school years, I joined the summer retreats and workshops directed by a young group of Antonine nuns. During those retreats, the sisters taught us that we were each given special gifts from God and are called to witness to God s love in our own special way. They suggested that a unique way of witnessing to God s love is through religious life. By spending a few extra days with them, I learned more about the Antonine congregation and charisma. While maintaining a strong spiritual life through daily meditations and communal prayers, the sisters were very active in various ministries in which they focused on helping the poor, the needy, the sick and ensuring a good Christian education to the younger generations. They radiated with joy and peace and simplicity and fun. Something made me wonder whether they had found what I was looking for and if that was the reason for their genuine happiness. That one night when I prayed my heart burned within Sister Celine Nohra with two young people. me. Will you come and follow me? Jesus said. I answered yes and there was complete peace. I left my parents house to follow God s call. I had seen the light and could not turn my face or my heart off than those people were. No one is too smart or too dumb to answer God s call. No one is too pretty or too ugly, too holy or too sinful. A humble and amenable heart is what God looks for. After ten years of religious life, a away. God seduced me. I felt like a permutation of joy and young woman surprised and excited disappointments, of progress and when her beloved proposes to her. I struggles, of spiritual bliss and could say with the apostle Paul Whatever gains I had, these I have come to regard as loss because of Christ Christ Jesus has made me his own (Phil 3:7,12). darkness, I hold on to Him. God still seduces me. Every day I pray and thank God for choosing me. Every day I choose God and choose love, again. I do not count on my own strength for I After two years of intense have perceived my own weakness and reflection, prayer, training in religious life and studies, I professed my first vows. Today I realize that God was both the inspiration and the answer for limitations. I rely solely on Him, the faithful one, knowing that I can do all things through him who strengthens me (Phil. 4:13). my love quest. He who had said There is no greater love than this, to lay down one s life for one s friends (John 15:13). Several times I asked, Why me God? I am not worthy of such a call and may not be capable of such a holy mission. Unmistakably, the answer echoed in my heart, Be not afraid. I am He Have faith. I am with you until the end of time. If one reads the Bible, one will find out that Jesus called men and women, rich and poor, just and sinners, the ignorant and the educated to follow Him. I am not worse or better The Maronite Voice Volume V Issue No. I Page 3 January 2009

4 San Dimas, California Knights of Mary Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania Visit of Sister Marla Marie Knights of Mary with Fr. Samuel Madel. by Mirella Khoury A s the Christmas Season approached, St. Jude Maronite Mission in San Dimas, California, celebrated the coming of the Lord by gathering the members of the "Knights of Mary" and their families for a consecration ceremony. On Sunday, December 14, 2008, the "Knights of Mary" marched with banners towards the altar, prepared to make a special promise to the Virgin Mary. They committed to being good, patriotic citizens while becoming active Catholics who are firmly grounded in the Maronite Faith. After Fr. Samuel Madel, Pastor, blessed them and officially pronounced them "Knights of Mary, each "Knight" received a pin, a scarf with the Virgin Mary logo, a certificate of Consecration, and a special blessed medal engraved with the Virgin Mary and St. Jude. Following their consecration ceremony, the Knights brought gifts to the less fortunate of the community and shared with them the sentiments of the Christmas season. A few weeks earlier, they brought sweets to children in a foster home in San Dimas, showing their love and care for others. After their visit to the foster home, about fifty people had lunch at Cuisine on the Green. At this Christmas and in the New Year, may you and your loved ones know happiness and share it, find peace and live it, understand love and give it. Wishing you the inner peace that is the gift of Christmas. Food for Thought The Lord does us the honor of placing his confidence in us and calling us to the ministry, showing us his mercy. This call is not reserved for a few; it is for everyone, each in his own state of life. Pope John Paul II Sister Marla Marie with children of Maronite Formation Program at St. Anthony and St. George Maronite Church in Wilkes-Barre, Penn. by Anne Kasper Director of Religious Education T he parishioners of St. Anthony and St. George Maronite Catholic Church in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, welcomed Sister Marla Marie Lucas, founder of The Maronite Servants of Christ the Light, from December 12 through December 14, Sister Marla Marie spoke to the religious education children, catechists and parents about the vocation of religious women and their role as Mothers in the Church. She shared with the students the story of her vocation as a young woman and about Bishop Gregory s request that she found a new Maronite religious congregation for women in the United States. Following Sr. Marla Marie s discussion with the children, she joined them in learning about and celebrating the Feast of St. Barbara. Sister Marla Marie also addressed the congregation following the Divine Liturgy on Saturday evening and the two Divine Liturgies on Sunday morning. Sister Marla Marie recounted the history of the foundation of The Maronite Servants of Christ the Light and the focus of the sister s ministry within the Maronite community. She asked for our prayers and financial assistance for the new congregation. She needs help to establish a convent for women who are responding to God s call and to support the ministry she and the future consecrated women will perform. Father Hanna Karam, Administrator, joins the parishioners of St. Anthony and St. George Maronite Church in thanking Sister Marla Marie Lucas for taking the time to visit their parish. The Maronite Voice Volume V Issue No. I Page 4 January 2009

5 Youngstown, Ohio Welcome Back Abouna Eparchy of Our Lady of Lebanon Father Abdallah Zaidan, M.L.M. (Los Angeles, Calif.) Randa Hakim (Tulsa, Okla.) Jeanette Milton Wyrick (Birmingham, Ala.) Joanne Andara (San Antonio, Tex.) Ramona Milfred (St. Louis, Mo.) - Chairperson Eparchy of Saint Maron of Brooklyn Chorbishop Seely Beggiani (Washington D.C.) Louis Ragey (Atlanta, Ga.) Evelyn Karam Small (Philadelphia, Penn.) Anthony Budway (Providence, R.I.) Roseanne Solomon (Boston, Mass.) MCF children wore Welcome Back Abouna T-shirts to welcome back Fr. Gary George. by Sister Celine Nohra, A.S. O n Sunday, December 7, of 2008, the Maronite Catholic Formation (MCF) students of Saint Maron Church in Youngstown, Ohio, welcomed back their priest. Father Gary George had been away for six weeks on a spiritual journey and mission. His lively presence was missed by all, and everyone was looking forward to seeing him back. During the morning liturgy, children of all ages, eighteen months to eighteen years old, wore Welcome Home Abouna T-shirts, donated by a generous parishioner, and filled the front of the church. Their active participation through the reading of the Epistle and the transfer of gifts brought a smile to everyone s face and inspired joy and thanksgiving to everyone s heart. Father Gary was thrilled to see all the children and parishioners gathered to welcome him back and thank God for his safe return. Maronite Historical Committee by Ramona Milford O n November 20, 2008, Bishops Robert Shaheen, Bishop of the Eparchy of Our Lady of Lebanon, and Gregory Mansour, Bishop of the Eparchy of Saint Maron of Brooklyn, agreed to form a national Maronite Historical Committee. The committee has three primary objectives: 1) Prepare histories of every Maronite parish and mission in the United States; 2) Prepare histories of both Eparchies; and 3) Prepare the history of the effort to establish the Maronite hierarchy in the United States. Pictures will be included in this project which will be in an electronic format and in a hard copy as well. The following individuals have accepted the responsibility of moving this project from a wish to a reality and they will need your input and materials to tell this story. The committee includes: Ramona Milford in St. Louis, Mo., will serve as the Chairperson of the committee. Ex Officio members include Archbishop Francis M. Zayek, Bishop John Chedid and Bishop Stephen Hector Doueihi. Each member of this committee is proud to be a part of telling the story of the Maronite Church in the United States, and we hope it becomes the second greatest story ever told with your input. Some facts to consider Our Lady of Lebanon Seminary in Washington, D.C. was established in 1961 thanks to the cooperative efforts of many priests and laity even before the Maronite Church had a bishop. The National Apostolate of Maronites (NAM) did not have an annual convention until At that convention, the first Maronite priest educated at Our Lady of Lebanon Seminary, Bishop Robert J. Shaheen was ordained at the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C. Thirty years later, in 1994, Pope John Paul II established the Eparchy of Our Lady of Lebanon, giving the Maronite Church in the U.S.A. two eparchies (Eparchy of Saint Maron of Brooklyn and Eparchy of Our Lady of Lebanon). If you have any information that you would like to share with the Committee please contact Ramona at ramonamarie26@att.net or at Ext As the committee formulates a working plan and pursues this endeavor we will keep you informed of the progress as we hope that you will keep us in your prayers. Deadline for next month s issue of The Maronite Voice is January 25, Pictures have to be original. Digital pictures must be in JPG format. The Maronite Voice Volume V Issue No. I Page 5 January 2009

6 Minneapolis, Minnesota Food to Africa San Diego, California St. Ephrem Academy by Msgr. sharbel Maroun O ver twenty-five members of the Maronite Youth Organization (MYO) of Saint Maron Church in Minneapolis, Minnesota, spent a few hours volunteering to bag and prepare thousands of meals to be shipped to the poor in Africa. Also the Saint Rafka Club of Minneapolis has been volunteering once a month to feed the poor at the Catholic Charity. th 50 Wedding Anniversary T he Parish of Saint Maron of Minneapolis honored Ronald and Shirley Och on the occasion of their fiftieth wedding anniversary. This special couple was presented with a Papal Blessing imparting the Pope s blessing. S chool children from St. Ephrem Academy in San Diego, California, along with their teachers and Pastor, Fr. Nabil Mouannes, offered the "gift of their voices" by Christmas Caroling to the residents of the Little Flower Haven, Good Samaritan and Nazareth House care facilities for the elderly. This has been an annual event for the school since the year Schedule of Bishop Gregory Mansour January 6, 2009 Epiphany of the Lord, Our Lady of Lebanon Cathedral, Brooklyn, N.Y. January 9-11, 2009 Deacons and Subdeacons Retreat, Our Lady of Florida Retreat House, West Palm Beach, Fla. January 12-16, 2009 Annual Clergy Retreat, Our Lady of Florida, West Palm Beach, Fla. January 16-18, 2009 Order of Saint Sharbel Annual Retreat, West Palm Beach, Fla. January 21-22, 2009 Pro-Life March and Mass, Washington, D.C. January 25, 2009 Our Lady of Lebanon Cathedral, Brooklyn, N.Y. January 30 - February 1, 2009 Pastoral Visit to St. Anthony Church, Lawrence, Mass. February 4-6, 2009 Bermuda Letagus International Conference February 7, 2009 St. Maron Feast Day, Our Lady of Lebanon Cathedral, Brooklyn, N.Y. February 14-15, 2009 Pastoral Visit to Our Lady of the Cedars, Boston, Mass. The Maronite Voice Volume V Issue No. I Page 6 January 2009

7 Glen Allen, Virginia Charitable Drive and Christmas Activities Bishop Stephen Hector Doueihi carries the Baby Jesus in procession during the Christmas Eve Liturgy at St. Anthony Maronite Church in Glen Allen, Va. Parishioners of St. Anthony Church in Glen Allen, Va., donated gifts for less fortunate families in the Richmond metropolitan area. S t. Anthony Maronite Catholic Church in Glen Allen (Richmond), Virginia, began and ended its 2008 charitable and religious activities with children in mind. St. Anthony s Annual Golf Tournament, held on Sunday, September 28 raised $15,000 for orphaned children in Lebanon. The golfers and their supporters enjoyed the day that ended with a Lebanese meal. The annual Benefit Dinner held on December 7, also was widely supported. About three hundred people attended the event raising $14,100 for orphaned children in Lebanon. The money was sent to Bishop Gregory Mansour who then sent it on, earmarked orphaned children, to Patriarch Nasrallah Peter Cardinal Sfeir. The annual Christmas Star program began the Sunday after Thanksgiving. Parishioners chose stars from the tree in the vestibule of the church and brought more than three hundred gifts by December 21, for the elderly at St. Francis Home in Richmond; for participants in Hilliard House, a center for battered women and children; and for disadvantaged families in the Richmond area. Bishop Stephen Hector Doueihi visited the parish during the week of December He presided at the Christmas novena and was the main celebrant for the Christmas Eve, Midnight and Christmas Day Liturgies. To celebrate the Genealogy Sunday and to prepare for the Nativity of the Lord, the teens in the religious education program presented a Nativity play prior to the Divine Liturgy and the Baby Jesus was represented by one of the newest members of the parish. The Sunday School classed sang Christmas carols. Bishop Doueihi marveled at how seriously the teens took their part in the nativity play. During the Liturgy, the high school youth lectored, read the readings and petitions, carried the gifts and ushered. The children of the parish sang during the liturgy. Everyone then had breakfast with Sgt. Santa, a retired police officer of Richmond who runs Sergeant Santa Charities. Sgt. Santa received a small gift from each of the children to give to a needy child on Christmas Day. The proceeds from the breakfast were also donated to Sergeant Santa Charities. Lewisville, Texas Ten Years of Eucharistic Adoration O ur Lady of Lebanon Church in Lewisville, Texas, celebrated its tenth anniversary of Eucharistic Adoration on November 8, Fr. Jose Fetzer, S.J., joined the Parish for a Day of Reflection and a time of spiritual renewal. Fr. Assaad ElBasha, Pastor, celebrated an evening Divine Liturgy followed by Eucharistic procession. A celebration dinner was served afterwards in the Parish Hall. In a letter addressed to Fr. ElBasha and the Parish, Bishop Robert Shaheen said: The Eucharist is nourishment for our soul. We as Catholic would starve without it. th On this the 10 anniversary of our Lady of Lebanon having Eucharistic Adoration on a daily basis is the ultimate act of love for our Lord, Jesus Christ. In the past ten years someone was before the Eucharist continually praying totaling 41,975 hours. It is amazing that something that started small grew to encompass the entire area, bringing those who revere our Lord to Come to Our Lady of Lebanon and find peace and strength. Bishop Shaheen assured the parish of his prayerful remembrance. Our Lady of Lebanon Parish is thankful to the Lord for the people who have committed for Eucharistic Adoration during the hours of 9:00 AM to 8:30 PM every day - except Sunday (Sunday adoration: 2:00 PM to 8:30 PM). A big Thank You to Bishop Robert Shaheen for his letter of congratulation and prayers on this special occasion. The Maronite Voice Volume V Issue No. I Page 7 January 2009

8 Time to Stand Up for Life By Richard M. Doerflinger A t their November 2008 general meeting, the Catholic bishops of the United States congratulated our new President-elect and urged Americans to unite in solidarity at a time of economic crisis, reminding us that we are our brothers and sisters keepers. They also expressed grave concern over a looming pro-abortion agenda that could divide our nation as never before. At the core of that agenda is a radical proposal called the Freedom of Choice Act (FOCA). Despite its name, FOCA would deprive Americans of their freedom to enact almost any restraint on abortion at any stage of pregnancy. It would overturn hundreds of current laws on conscience rights, informed consent, limits on tax-funded abortion, and parental involvement in minors abortion decisions. President-elect Obama has vowed (and recently reaffirmed) that he looks forward to signing it into law. The bishops said with one voice that they will mobilize the Catholic community to oppose this agenda. Catholics whether they voted against Mr. Obama because of his abortion stance, or voted for him despite that stance -- can unite in a massive grassroots campaign against FOCA, urging Congress to retain all existing federal laws that prevent government funding and promotion of abortion. Some may see this as useless, because both chambers of Congress now have pro-abortion majorities, but the same was true in 1993, when Bill Clinton became President. An earlier version of FOCA was steadily moving forward in Congress, when millions of postcards signed by Catholic parishioners landed on Capitol Hill and began convincing members to back off from this radical pro-abortion agenda. FOCA became stalled as members debated whether they really wanted to overturn all longstanding and popular laws placing any limit on abortion. The 1994 election then brought another change in Congress, and the threat was averted for years to come. This can happen again. Ironically, some may think the opposite that there is no need for a campaign, because FOCA (and perhaps the proabortion agenda generally) will be on the back burner for months or years while the economy and health care dominate congressional debate. That, too, would be a mistake. FOCA as a single bill may not come up right away. But extending the appropriations bills that fund all federal programs will be one of Congress s first duties in January, and new funding bills covering the next fiscal year will be written in early spring. Many current laws on taxpayer funding, conscience rights, and other issues exist only as provisions in these bills, and could be eliminated with the stroke of a committee chairman s pen paving the way for the more wholesale assault of FOCA if pro-life Americans do not voice their opposition early and clearly. In this campaign Catholics will be fighting a specific bill, and the overall agenda that it embodies that of knocking down the modest laws that have reduced abortions, and prevented outright government subsidies and mandates for abortion, for thirty-five years. These laws must not be swept away all at once, or one at a time. We will urge Congress not to start down this destructive path, but to serve the life, health and prosperity of all Americans, beginning with the most vulnerable. To help achieve this goal, I hope millions of Catholics will take a minute to sign a postcard to their elected representatives. (Mr. Doerflinger is Associate Director of the Secretariat of Pro-Life Activities, U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. Go to to learn more about the bishops' pro-life activities.) Pro-Life Prayer Vigil and March E very year thousands of young people and families brave the winter cold to pray and march in the annual pro-life demonstration in Washington, D.C. This year s Prayer Vigil and March will take place January 21 and 22, The schedule is as follows as published by Wednesday, January 21, :00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. An Afternoon of Prayerful Remembrance and Intercession at the National Shrine (Crypt Church) Sisters of Life/Archdiocese of New York Respect Life Office 7:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Opening Mass - Great Upper Church (Cardinal Justin F. Rigali, Chairman, USCCB Committee for Pro-Life Activities, is the principal celebrant and homilist) 10:00 p.m. to 12 a.m. Confessions (Our Lady of Hostyn Chapel, to the left of Crypt Church, lower level) 10:15 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. National Rosary for Life (Crypt Church, lower level) 11:00 p.m. to 12 a.m. Night Prayer (Byzantine Rite) - Crypt Church (Most Rev. William Skurla, Byzantine Eparchy of Passaic, with members of Epiphany of our Lord Church, Annandale, Virginia) 12 a.m. to 6:00 a.m. Holy Hours for Life, Crypt Church (Pro-life seminarians from across the country). Thursday, January 22, :30 a.m. Morning Prayer - Crypt Church (Dominican House of Studies) 7:30 a.m. Closing Mass - Great Upper Church (Principal Celebrant and Homilist is to be announced). Noon: The Pro-Life March begins at the Mall, between the Capitol and the Washington Monument. The Maronite Voice Volume V Issue No. I Page 8 January 2009

9 2009 Vocations Awareness Poster Essay & Multimedia Contest S ponsored by the National Apostolate of Maronites (NAM) in conjunction with The Offices of Vocations for the Eparchy of Saint Maron of Brooklyn and for the Eparchy of Our Lady of Lebanon of Los Angeles. The Poster Essay and Multimedia Contest is open to all Maronite Christian Formation (MCF) students in grades K-12. The contest is held to promote vocations awareness among Maronite school children and youth. st nd rd 1, 2, and 3 place prizes will be awarded in each of the following grade categories: Grades K-1, 2-3, 4-6, 7-9 and st 1 Prize $50 (one per grade group) nd 2 Prize $25 (one per grade group) rd 3 Prize Religious Gift (one per grade group) The Contest Deadline is May 15, POSTERS: (Open to all grades) Posters must be on a 14" x 22" poster board or paper (½ standard size piece of poster board). Student s name, grade, Church name and address must be on back of the poster. ESSAYS: (Open to all grades) Essays must be at least 100 words in length. Student s name, grade, Church name and address must be on the essay. MULTIMEDIA: (Open to Grades 7-9 and 10-12) Power Point Presentations: Compose a 3-5 minute PowerPoint or a video presentation that shows a day in the life of a seminarian, subdeacon, priest, bishop or religious. Send all entries to: Kim Richey th Street Washington, DC or For more information, contact your Director of Religious Education or your Pastor. **Please Note: Posters and essays will be returned only upon request. Holy Days Of Obligation For 2009 in the Maronite Eparchies in the USA (January 1 - December 31, 2009) These Feasts cannot be moved to a Sunday or be suppressed January 1, 2009 January 6, 2009 February 9, 2009 May 21, 2009 August 15, 2009 The Circumcision, World Day of Peace, New Year s Day The Epiphany St. Maron November 1, 2009 All Saints The Ascension of Our Lord The Assumption of the Virgin December 8, 2009 The Immaculate Conception December 25, 2009 The Nativity of the Lord Feasts Transferred to the Nearest Sunday With the permission of the Apostolic See and the Maronite Synod June 28, 2009 Sts. Peter & Paul (normally June 29) September 13, 2009 The Holy Cross (normally September 14) The Patron of individual parishes Feasts To Be Celebrated But the Obligation to Participate In the Divine Sacrifice Has Been Suppressed March 19, 2009 April 13, 2009 With the permission of the Maronite Synod St. Joseph the Husband of Mary Easter Monday L ent, the penitential season of the Church year, begins in the Maronite Church on Ash Monday, February 23, 2009, and lasts until Easter. Traditionally, the Lenten season is a time of sacrifices throughout the Universal Church. The Maronite Voice Volume V Issue No. I Page 9 January 2009

10 The Maronite Pontifical by Bishop Stephen Hector Doueihi Bishop Stephen Hector Doueihi On December 8, 2008, Feast of the Immaculate Conception, Saint Maron Publications released The Maronite Pontifical by His Excellency Bishop Stephen Hector Doueihi, Bishop Emeritus of the Eparchy of Saint Maron of Brooklyn. 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, on one hand, the rites of ordination to the priesthood and on the other, the solemn consecrations reserved to the bishop in the Christian worship. The Maronite Voice met Bishop Doueihi over the Christmas holiday and had the following interview with him. Maronite Voice: What is a Pontifical? Bishop Doueihi: The Pontifical is the book reserved to the Bishop as a Pontiff and main celebrant of the Liturgy. It contains all the prayers and rites of Ordination to the orders of priesthood, as well as the rites of the solemn consecrations of Church, Altar, Chrism, Cemetery, etc. For example, when a priest or a subdeacon is ordained, the rites are found in the Pontifical Book, and the ordination follows the instructions strictly indicated in this book. The Bishop, as a pontiff celebrant, follows those rules and makes sure that no foreign or new elements are introduced to them. Maronite Voice: Sayedna? How did you come to write about it, Bishop Doueihi: I was appointed as Director of Liturgy of our Eparchy by Archbishop Francis Zayek. One of my first and urgent duties was to provide the Rites of Ordination in English, the spoken and official language of the Eparchy, because we were having many ordinations in various orders. Regarding the Pontifical, we faced two problems: first, the Maronite Church does not have an official, printed text for the Pontifical; and second, each eparchial bishop has his own Pontifical Text, which is usually a copy of a wellknown manuscript. The existing manuscript used by our Eparchy was not one of the best manuscripts representing the Pontifical. So, I took it upon myself to research the subject. I went especially to Rome, where I gathered, researched and studied the various manuscripts of various times. The project I ended up facing consisted of a radical revision of the Pontifical. This revision required, not simply a translation into English, but a comparison of the different texts, elimination of foreign elements, and a restoration of the original tradition, as much as the texts allowed. It was a long, hard, painful journey, but it was rewarding. Those old th manuscripts (between 13 Century and recent times) open up to you, and if you listen carefully to them, they speak to you and they reveal themselves. Maronite Voice: What is the history of the book and its importance? The cover page of The Maronite Pontifical represents the Cover of the Eparchial Text manuscript of the Ordinations of the Maronite Church in the United States (no date). The Syriac writings at the top of the page read The Pope of Rome, Saint Leon the Great and Saint Peter, Head of the Apostles and at the bottom of the page We begin now with the book of the Ordinations to the Orders of the Priesthood. Bishop Doueihi: The Church of Christ is an apostolic Church. Priesthood is handed on from generation to generation, through an official and solemn act of mission. That is why, from the beginning, guidelines were established in various areas of the Church for the ordinations to the Order The Maronite Voice Volume V Issue No. I Page 10 January 2009

11 of Priesthood. Unfortunately, the Maronite Church was not able to produce an official printed Pontifical Book. The last and most important attempt in that regard was made by Patriarch Estephan Ad-Dwaihy, in He sent to Rome his final text of the Pontifical, asking the Congregation of the Propagation of Faith to publish it. He hoped, in his letter of introduction, that: Our eyes will be shadowed by them before we die. However, the desire of his heart was never fulfilled. And after him, no other serious attempt was made in that regard. All kinds of foreign elements infiltrated within the written texts. They came from two sources: from a Jacobite source, visible especially in the prayers and rubrics; and from a direct Latin influence detected in the introduction of new concepts and terminology. It was highly needed to look into our texts themselves, old and recent, to compare them, and to make the necessary adjustments for them. This is what makes the project important. I hope that this book helps the Church look into the matter and to publish an original, official, revised and printed Pontifical Book, the way she did with the Qurbono and the Mysteries. Maronite Voice: Is there any particular point of interest? Bishop Doueihi: There are many points that could raise interest, even for a layperson. Let me mention the following: The Ordination of the Priest is achieved by the anointing of his hands with Holy Chrism/Myron, after the Prayers of Consecration and Imposition of Hand. This is what happens in the Western Church. The anointing was introduced lately into the Maronite Pontifical. The old manuscripts ignore the anointing, but the new ones have it. This is one example. Another example: the Maronite Bishops, in their ordination rite, receive today the pectoral cross, the miter, and the ring. In times past, according to the old manuscripts, the handing on of those insignia was non-existent. There are other examples that can be found. Maronite Voice: What does this book represent for the Maronite Church in the United States? Bishop Doueihi: First of all, the publication of this book could be considered as a true coming of age of our Church in the U.S.A. This book not only represents the integrity of the various Rites of Ordination, but it is written in English, completely and totally translated into a new language never known before to the Maronite Rite. It means that this is a Church which is able to grasp its true identity and research its true tradition in its own way, according to its own thinking, without wandering from the one Maronite Church. I hope that this book is but only a first of many others regarding the various aspects of Church life. Maronite Voice: Are you completely satisfied with the book and its contents? Bishop Doueihi: This book is but a humble project. It intends to open the way. The topic of the Ordination of the Bishop is ignored here. Beside that, the Ordinations of Periodeut and Chorbishop are not accompanied with the critical analyses and common notes and commentaries. As far as the Ordinations from Minor Orders to Priesthood, I believe that the texts and the notes sufficiently provide the information needed. Maronite Voice: Is this book material reading for laypeople? Bishop Doueihi: This book is an academic book. It is not a beach book or leisure reading. It is composed, on one hand, for the proper rites of ordination, that is: the prayers and the actions and the hymns as performed by the pontiff and the congregation during the ordination. On the other hand, this proper text is accompanied by notes, remarks and comments which explain and justify the texts itself. A Christian, a layperson, is not required perhaps to go into the details and to find out the explanation and to look for justification. However, any layperson can always open the Text and read the prayers and the hymns and the hoosoyos and the diaconal proclamations and the consecration prayers, all this... and find a real and substantial spiritual benefit for his/her soul. At least, the Ordination Rites of his/her Church are not something magic, or mysterious anymore. They are within his/her own reach. He/she can follow them. Maronite Voice: Do you have anything else to say? Bishop Doueihi: I would like to remind you here that this book was written for two reasons: First - this humble project is intended to be an act of thanksgiving to the Lord, in the name of our Maronite Church in the U.S.A.; and second - the book is dedicated to this Beloved Church of ours. The Maronite Pontifical is available from Saint Maron Publications for $20 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) For a complete listing of publications carried by Saint Maron Publications, please visit 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 The Maronite Voice Volume V Issue No. I Page 11 January 2009

12 For it is through the Holy Spirit that this Child has been Conceived in Her (Mt 1:20) Patriarch Sfeir s Christmas 2008 Message Dwells on People s Hopes and Fears His Beatitude Patriarch Nasrallah Peter Cardinal Sfeir said in his Christmas Message on Tuesday, December 23, 2008, that the Lebanese people should support each other before working on relations with other countries. He compared the government to a cart pulled by two horses: one pulling forward and the other backward, and that there are always attempts to sabotage progress. Patriarch Sfeir also said that the world financial crisis affected many Lebanese working in Arab countries and called on everyone to try to solve this without seeking personal gain. He also called upon the politicians to reduce tensions within political speeches. Dear brothers and children, W e are welcoming Christmas this year, with beating hearts and worried thoughts, but at the same time we hear Christ telling us in his Gospel what he told his disciples the day they were taken by the storm in an agitated sea: Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid (Mt 14: 27). He also said: In the world you will have trouble, but take courage, I have conquered the world (Jn 16:33). If we studied the Gospel thoroughly, we would see the signs of tranquility and encouragement and the rejection of fear in each of its pages. **** The best way to tranquilize us is that Christ has wanted to live with us and among us in the holy Eucharist, even more, to make himself our food and his blood our drink, when he said at the Lord s supper: Take and eat; this is my body this is my blood of the covenant, which will be shed on behalf of many for the forgiveness of sins (Mt. 26: 28). He mixed himself in us and became nearer to us than ourselves. **** But with this nearness to Christ we, spiritually, became with him one body. This obliges us to imitate him, as Saint Paul the Apostle said: Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ (1Cor 11: 1). It has become our duty to think the way Christ thinks, also as saint Paul says: Whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence and if there is any thing worthy of praise, think about theses things (Phil 4:8). That s why the feast of Christmas spreads delight in souls, for it is the feast of hope, joy and delight as said the angel to the shepherds the day he was born, and they were shepherding their flocks in the heart of night, in the grotto of Bethlehem, he acclaimed them saying: For today in the city of David a Savior has been born for you who is Messiah and Lord and this will be a sign for you: You will find an infant wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger (Lk 2:11-12). **** The Virgin is, at the same time, a virgin and a mother, for she is the image of the Church and its fullest actualization. The Church becomes, thus, a mother thanks to God s Word which she has accepted in faith: in fact, by preaching and baptism, she begets to a new and immortal life, children conceived through the Holy Spirit and begotten by God. She is virgin also, for having given to her spouse her faith, which she keeps indefectible and pure (St. Augustine, Virginity 3; Catechism of the Catholic Church, N. 507). Dear brothers and children, It is in the nature of Christmas to bring us joy and tranquility, in spite of the apprehensions which assail us, the anxiety we feel and the infringements of familiar customs. This was what the psalmist said: Though an army encamp against me, my heart does not fear; though war be waged against me, even then do I trust (Ps 27:3). This means that we cannot ignore what has happened here. If we were to mention the names of those who were taken away by violence we would have a long list to go. This is a cause of deep sorrow. All we can do is to ask God to bestow upon those who were grieved by their loss, his divine solace. **** We cannot overlook what we are seeing today. The state has become loose and the government is like a cart pulled by two horses, one pulling forward and the second backward. It is the custom throughout the world to have the majority hold the government. If it fails, weakens or is defected then the minority holds the government instead. The causes of conflict are many here. Every work the government wants to undertake, it finds someone against it, who opposes it, and endeavors to thwart it inside itself. Unemployment is increasing; the world crisis has hit our country. (Continues on page 20) The Maronite Voice Volume V Issue No. I Page 12 January 2009

13 "The Grace of God Our Savior Has Appeared to All" (Ti 2:11) I Once More Joyfully Proclaim Christ's Birth Pope Benedict XVI s Christmas Message Here is a Vatican translation of Pope Benedict XVI's Christmas Message, which he delivered from the main balcony of St. Peter's Basilica on December 25, 2008 at noon. Dear brothers and sisters, I n the words of the Apostle Paul, I once more joyfully proclaim Christ's Birth. Today "the grace of God our Savior" has truly "appeared to all!" It appeared! This is what the Church celebrates today. The grace of God, rich in goodness and love, is no longer hidden. It "appeared," it was manifested in the flesh, it showed its face. Where? In Bethlehem. When? Under Caesar Augustus, during the first census, which the Evangelist Luke also mentions. And who is the One who reveals it? A newborn Child, the Son of the Virgin Mary. In him the grace of God our Saviour has appeared. And so that Child is called Jehoshua, Jesus, which means: "God saves." The Grace of God has Appeared. That is why Christmas is a feast of light. Not like the full daylight which illumines everything, but a glimmer beginning in the night and spreading out from a precise point in the universe: from the stable of Bethlehem, where the divine Child was born. Indeed, he is the light itself, which begins to radiate, as portrayed in so many paintings of the Nativity. He is the light whose appearance breaks through the gloom, dispels the darkness and enables us to understand the meaning and the value of our own lives and of all history. Every Christmas crib is a simple yet eloquent invitation to open our hearts and minds to the mystery of life. It is an encounter with the immortal Life which became mortal in the mystic scene of the Nativity: a scene which we can admire here too, in this Square, as in countless churches and chapels throughout the world, and in every house where the name of Jesus is adored. The grace of God has appeared to all. Jesus, the face of the "God who saves," did not show himself only for a certain few, but for everyone. Although it is true that in the simple and lowly dwelling of Bethlehem few persons encountered him, still he came for all: Jews and Gentiles, rich and poor, those near and those far away, believers and non-believers for everyone. Supernatural grace, by God's will, is meant for every creature. Yet each human person needs to accept that grace, to utter his or her own "yes," like Mary, so that his or her heart can be illumined by a ray of that divine light. It was Mary and Joseph, who that night welcomed the incarnate Word, awaiting it with love, along with the shepherds who kept watch over their flocks (cf. Lk 2:1-20). A small community, in other words, which made haste to adore the Child Jesus; a tiny community which represents the Church and all people of good will. Today, too, those who await him, who seek him in their lives, encounter the God who out of love became our brother, all those who Jesus was born for everyone, and just as Mary, in Bethlehem, offered Him to the shepherds, so on this day the Church presents Him to all humanity. turn their hearts to him, who yearn to see his face and to contribute to the coming of his Kingdom. Jesus himself would say this in his preaching: these are the poor in spirit; those who mourn, the meek, those who thirst for justice; the merciful, the pure of heart, the peacemakers, and those persecuted for righteousness' sake (cf. Mt 5:3-10). They are the ones who see in Jesus the face of God and then set out again, like the shepherds of Bethlehem, renewed in heart by the joy of his love. Brothers and sisters, All you who are listening to my words: this proclamation of hope, the heart of the Christmas message, is meant for all men and women. Jesus was born for everyone, and just as Mary, in Bethlehem, offered him to the shepherds, so on this day the Church presents him to all humanity, so that each person and every human situation may come to know the power of God's saving grace, which alone can transform evil into good, which alone can change human hearts, making them oases of peace. May the many people who continue to dwell in darkness and the shadow of death (cf. Lk 1:79) come to know the power of God's saving grace! May the divine Light of Bethlehem radiate throughout the Holy Land, where the horizon seems once again bleak for Israelis and Palestinians. May it spread throughout Lebanon, Iraq and the whole Middle East. May it bring forth rich fruit from the efforts of all those who, rather than resigning themselves to the twisted logic of conflict and violence, prefer instead the path of dialogue and negotiation as the means of resolving tensions within each country and finding just and lasting solutions to the conflicts troubling the region. This light, which brings transformation and renewal, is besought by the people of Zimbabwe, in Africa, trapped for all too long in a political and social crisis which, sadly, keeps worsening, as well as the men and women of the Democratic Republic of Congo, especially in the war-torn region of Kivu, Darfur, in Sudan, and Somalia, whose interminable sufferings are the tragic consequence of the lack of stability and peace. This light is awaited especially by the children living in those countries, and the children of all countries experiencing troubles, so that their future can once more be filled with hope. The Maronite Voice Volume V Issue No. I Page 13 January 2009

14 Wherever the dignity and rights of the human person are trampled upon; wherever the selfishness of individuals and groups prevails over the common good; wherever fratricidal hatred and the exploitation of man by man risk being taken for granted; wherever internecine conflicts divide ethnic and social groups and disrupt peaceful coexistence; wherever terrorism continues to strike; wherever the basics needed for survival are lacking; wherever an increasingly uncertain future is regarded with apprehension, even in affluent nations: in each of these places may the Light of Christmas shine forth and encourage all people to do their part in a spirit of authentic solidarity. If people look only to their own interests, our world will certainly fall apart. Dear brothers and sisters, Today, "the grace of God our Savior has appeared" (Ti 2:11) in this world of ours, with all its potential and its frailty, its advances and crises, its hopes and travails. Today, there shines forth the light of Jesus Christ, the Son of the Most High and the son of the Virgin Mary: "God from God, light from light, true God from true God. For us men, and for our salvation, he came down from heaven." Let us adore him, this very day, in every corner of the world, wrapped in swaddling clothes and laid in a lowly manger. Let us adore him in silence, while he, still a mere infant, seems to comfort us by saying: Do not be afraid, "I am God, and there is no other" (Is 45:22). Come to me, men and women, peoples and nations, come to me. Do not be afraid: I have come to bring you the love of the Father, and to show you the way of peace. Let us go, then, brothers and sisters! Let us make haste, like the shepherds on that Bethlehem night. God has come to meet us; he has shown us his face, full of grace and mercy! May his coming to us not be in vain! Let us seek Jesus, let us be drawn to his light which dispels sadness and fear from every human heart. Let us draw near to him with confidence, and bow down in humility to adore him. Merry Christmas to all! Copyright Libreria Editrice Vaticana (Zenit. Org, Dec. 25, 08) Holy Land Needs Peace, Says Patriarch Archbishop Twal Presides at Midnight Mass T he Holy Land is in need of a lasting solution that doesn't involve war or high security walls, says the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem. That solution, he says, is peace. During Midnight Mass at the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem, Archbishop Fouad Twal affirmed that some 2,000 years ago God designated Bethlehem "his home and his meeting place with men." "Around the star that marks the place of the Nativity of Jesus, a few meters from here, history has inscribed its word: 'Here Christ is born,'" the patriarch said. "Indeed, here in Bethlehem Christ is born, here the angels sang out 'Glory to God in the highest heaven' and they proclaimed to us 'To you is born this day a Savior.' "This is the reason for our great joy. So, like the shepherds, we too go to visit the place of His birth. The Immanuel is with us. He pitched his tent among us. We must belong to him, obey him and adore him. "On this night," he continued, "the silence of the grotto will be even louder than the voice of the canons and submachine guns. The silence of the grotto gives life to those whose voice has been suffocated by tears and who have sought refuge in silence and impotence." Archbishop Twal called Bethlehem a "city of peace, of divine love and of reconciliation," and affirmed that "peace is a right for all men. "It is also the solution for all conflicts and differences," he continued. "War does not produce peace, prisons do not guarantee stability. "The highest of walls do not assure security. Neither the aggressor nor the aggressed enjoy peace. Peace is a gift of God and only God can give that peace." Silence T he Patriarch then addressed a prayer to the Christ child: "Oh Child of Bethlehem, our wait has been long and we are worn out by our situation, we are tired of ourselves too. We seek after everything except you, we cling to everything except you, we listen to everything except to you. "We are taken in by beautiful speeches and promises. The cry of the widows and the children is mixed with the noise of canons and submachine guns, we tear the heart and shatter the silence of the grotto and of the crèche. "We have a great need for calm, for silence! We have a great need for peace! Of that we are sure! However, more than anything else, we need childhood and innocence. You, the poor one, despite your smallness, your weakness and your poverty. "You alone are able to give us what we lack," he added. "O Child of Bethlehem, come so that the feast might be more a feast!" Archbishop Twal concluded with an appeal "for pardon to all nations, all individuals and families. May God who forgives us our sins, give us the courage, the power and the love to pardon those who have trespassed against us." Zenit.org, Dec. 25, If the Lord is Calling You, The Church Needs You! If you feel that you have a vocation to the Priesthood or religious life, please contact your Pastor or write to: Msgr. sharbel Maroun, Director Eparchy of Our Lady of Lebanon Office of Vocations c/o St. Maron Church 600 University Ave. NE Minneapolis, MN Fr. James Root, Director Eparchy of Saint Maron Office of Vocations c/o Our Lady of Lebanon Cathedral 113 Remsen Street Brooklyn, NY The Maronite Voice Volume V Issue No. I Page 14 January 2009

15 Globalization Requires Common Code of Ethics Pope s World Day Message on Seeking Peace by Fighting Poverty G lobalization can build peace, but it must be founded on global solidarity and a common code of ethics, says Pope Benedict XVI. The Holy Father affirmed this in his message for the celebration of the World Day of Peace, marked each January 1, He proposed his reflection on the topic of "Fighting Poverty to Build Peace," focusing on poverty as a cause and effect of conflicts. In particular, he stated that "fighting poverty requires attentive consideration of the complex phenomenon of globalization." It requires reference to economic and sociological research, as well as reflection on spiritual and moral implications. The Pope said that this reflection should urge us, "in our dealings with the poor, to set out from the clear recognition that we all share in a single divine plan: We are called to form one family in which all -- individuals, peoples and nations -- model their behavior according to the principles of fraternity and responsibility." He explained that poverty includes non-material forms, such as "marginalization, as well as affective, moral and spiritual poverty." The Pontiff added, "When man is not considered within the total context of his vocation, and when the demands of a true 'human ecology' are not respected, the cruel forces of poverty are unleashed." Pope Benedict XVI discussed various issues within the context of poverty, including its relation to demographic change, the effect of pandemic diseases, the specific needs of impoverished children, and the current food crisis. He gave specific attention to the relationship between disarmament and development, expressing concern at the "current level of world military expenditure" and resources "diverted from development projects for people." He continued: "What is more, an excessive increase in military expenditure risks accelerating the arms race, producing pockets of underdevelopment and desperation, so that it can paradoxically become a cause of instability, tension and conflict. "States are therefore invited to reflect seriously on the underlying reasons for conflicts, often provoked by injustice, and to practice courageous self-criticism. "If relations can be improved, it should be possible to reduce expenditure on arms. The resources saved could then be earmarked for development projects to assist the poorest and most needy individuals and peoples: Efforts expended in this way would be efforts for peace within the human family." Solidarity P ope Benedict XVI proposed that the fight against poverty "requires cooperation both on the economic level and on the legal level," so as to allow the international community, and especially poorer countries, to identify and implement strategies to deal with problems such as competition in global markets and the issues related to investment and development. "Investing in the formation of people and developing a specific and wellintegrated culture of enterprise would seem at present to be the right approach in the medium and long term," he said. The Pope added, "If the poor are to be given priority, then there has to be enough room for an ethical approach to economics on the part of those active in the international market, an ethical approach to politics on the part of those in public office, and an ethical approach to participation capable of harnessing the contributions of civil society at local and international levels." Citing Pope John Paul II, the German Pontiff said there is a need to "abandon a mentality in which the poor -- as individuals and as peoples -- are considered a burden, as irksome intruders trying to consume what others have produced. He said: "In today's globalized world, it is increasingly evident that peace can be built only if everyone is assured the possibility of reasonable growth: Sooner or later, the distortions produced by unjust systems have to be paid for by everyone. It is utterly foolish to build a luxury home in the midst of desert or decay. "Globalization on its own is incapable of building peace, and in many cases, it actually creates divisions and conflicts. If anything it points to a need: to be oriented toward a goal of profound solidarity that seeks the good of each and all. In this sense, globalization should be seen as a good opportunity to achieve something important in the fight against poverty, and to place at the disposal of justice and peace resources which were scarcely conceivable previously." The Holy Father concluded by making an appeal to the faithful, saying that in following Christ's command, the Christian community "will never fail, then, to assure the entire human family of her support through gestures of creative solidarity, not only by 'giving from one's surplus,' but above all by 'a change of lifestyles, of models of production and consumption, and of the established structures of power which today govern societies.' "At the start of the New Year, then, I extend to every disciple of Christ and to every person of good will a warm invitation to expand their hearts to meet the needs of the poor and to take whatever practical steps are possible in order to help them," he exhorted. "The truth of the axiom cannot be refuted: 'to fight poverty is to build peace.'" Full text can be found at: December 11, 2008 Zenit.org. The Maronite Voice Volume V Issue No. I Page 15 January 2009

16 Ending Poverty, not the Poor by Tom Grenchik Tom Grenchik is Executive Director of the Secretariat of Pro-Life Activities, U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. Go to to learn more about the bishops prolife activities. A s we begin a new year, Pope Benedict XVI challenges each of us to confront the issue of global poverty. In his 2009 World Day of Peace Message, "Fighting Poverty to Build Peace," the Holy Father repeats the observations of his predecessor, Pope John Paul II. Our world, he wrote, shows increasing evidence of another grave threat to peace: many individuals and indeed whole peoples are living today in conditions of extreme poverty. The gap between rich and poor has become more marked, even in the most economically developed nations. This is a problem which the conscience of humanity cannot ignore, since the conditions in which a great number of people are living are an insult to their innate dignity and as a result are a threat to the authentic and harmonious progress of the world community. Pope Benedict then points to misguided ways that some powerful nations and organizations attempt to solve worldwide poverty. He states that: Poverty is often considered a consequence of demographic change. For this reason, there are international campaigns afoot to reduce birth rates, sometimes using methods that respect neither the dignity of the woman, nor the right of parents to choose responsibly how many children to have; graver still, these methods often fail to respect even the right to life. The extermination of millions of unborn children, in the name of the fight against poverty, actually constitutes the destruction of the poorest of all human beings. While this reproach is addressed to the entire world, it also poses a profound challenge to Americans as we prepare for a new Administration and a new Congress. Will America regress to exterminating millions of unborn children, in the name of the fight against poverty? Tragically, there is already great pressure to do so. Currently, the Mexico City policy prevents our taxes from funding non-governmental organizations that perform or promote abortion as a method of family planning abroad. We must urge President-elect Obama to not rescind the Mexico City Policy by executive order, as more than sixty pro-abortion groups are calling him to do. They are also demanding that our new President restore funding to the United Nations Population Fund. Under the Kemp-Kasten Amendment, the President has the authority to deny funding to any organization that he determines is supporting or participating in a program of coercive abortion or involuntary sterilization. Since 1985, all presidents except President Clinton have invoked this policy to deny funding to the UN Population Fund for its support of China s coercive population control program. We must urge President-elect Obama to not fund the UN Population Fund or any program that in the name of the fight against poverty, actually constitutes the destruction of the poorest of all human beings. The Holy Father closes his message on peace by extending to every disciple of Christ and to every person of good will a warm invitation to expand their hearts to meet the needs of the poor and to take whatever practical steps are possible in order to help them. The truth of the axiom cannot be refuted: to fight poverty is to build peace. Let us pray for and encourage our nation s leaders to build peace by fighting poverty, while respecting the lives of the poorest, especially the child in the womb. Bishops Urge Catholics to Act on Pope s World Day of Peace Message T he United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) urges Catholics to follow the call of Pope Benedict XVI in his 2009 World Day of Peace Message, Fighting Poverty to Build Peace. To promote action and awareness, the bishops have made available the text of the pope s message, as well as bulletin inserts and other resources on the USCCB Website at: The bishops want to help people understand the extent of poverty, said Joan Rosenhauer, Associate Director for Education and Outreach of Justice, Peace and Human Development at the USCCB. With ten percent of families in the U.S. living in poverty and 1.4 billion people worldwide living in extreme poverty, the numbers alone express the urgency of this issue and why Pope Benedict would single it out as an essential part of working for peace. World Day of Peace is January 1. In the papal message released December 10, 2008, Pope Benedict said that poverty is often a contributing factor in armed conflicts, which in turn fuel greater poverty. He decried the growing gap between rich and poor, even in the most developed nations. This is a problem which the conscience of humanity cannot ignore, since the conditions in which a great number of people are living are an insult to their innate dignity and as a result are a threat to the authentic and harmonious progress of the world community, he said. Pope Benedict addressed spiritual and moral poverty as well, noting that in advanced wealthy societies, there is evidence of marginalization, as well as affective, moral and spiritual poverty, seen in people whose interior lives are disoriented and who experience various forms of malaise despite their economic prosperity. Addressing other areas of poverty, the pope warned against viewing population as a problem and efforts to reduce birth rates in poor countries. The extermination of millions of unborn children, in the name of the fight against poverty, actually constitutes the destruction of the poorest of all human beings, he said. He also cited the importance of disarmament and moral responses to pandemic diseases and noted that children are the most vulnerable victims of poverty worldwide. The Pope said that globalization should benefit everyone, even the poorest countries, and said financial policies that The Maronite Voice Volume V Issue No. I Page 16 January 2009

17 have lacked any long-term consideration of the common good have hurt everyone. He also called for ethical approaches in market and policy. Building upon the Pope s message on poverty, a full relaunch of USCCB s campaign against global poverty and its Web site is planned for February 23, at the USCCB annual Catholic Social Ministry Gathering. Survey Shows Most U.S. Adults Support Laws Limiting or Regulating Abortion by Don Clemmer, USCCB Department of Communications December 30, 2008 A nationwide survey commissioned by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) has found that four out of five U.S. adults (82 percent) think abortion should either be illegal under all circumstances (11 percent) or would limit its legality. Thirty-eight (38) percent would limit abortion to the narrow circumstances of rape, incest or to save the life of the mother; and an additional 33 percent would limit abortion to either the first three or first six months. Only 9 percent said abortion should be legal for any reason at any time during pregnancy. These findings are remarkable, said Deirdre McQuade, Assistant Director for Policy & Communications at the USCCB s Secretariat of Pro-Life Activities. Fewer than one in ten Americans support legal abortion for any reason at any time during pregnancy. But that is precisely the current state of abortion law under Roe v. Wade and Doe v. Bolton, the 1973 U.S. Supreme Court decisions that made abortion legal throughout the nine months of pregnancy for virtually any reason. The survey of 2,341 adults, conducted online December 10-12, 2008, also found that laws limiting or regulating abortion enjoyed support as high as 95 percent among those expressing support or opposition to the six kinds of laws examined in the survey: 95 percent favor laws ensuring that abortions be performed only by licensed physicians. 88 percent favor informed consent laws (i.e., that require abortion providers to inform women of potential risks to their physical and psychological health and about alternatives to abortion). 76 percent favor laws that protect doctors and nurses from being forced to perform or refer for abortions against their will. 73 percent favor laws that require giving parents the chance to be involved in their minor daughter s abortion decision 68 percent favor laws against partial-birth abortion (i.e., aborting a child already partially delivered from the mother). 63 percent favor laws preventing the use of taxpayer funds for abortions. Support for these measures cuts across pro-life and prochoice positions. Over a third (35 percent) of the small minority who said abortion should be legal for any reason throughout pregnancy nevertheless supported three or more of the six laws presented, McQuade said. This research indicates how out-of- touch pro-abortion groups are with mainstream America, McQuade said. These same widely-supported, constitutionally valid measures, some of which have been proven effective in reducing abortion rates, are now seriously threatened by abortion advocates and their allies in Congress, McQuade said. On behalf of children and their mothers, we will have to fight to keep such laws in place. Pro-abortion groups have already sent a comprehensive 55-page blueprint for their agenda to the incoming Administration, McQuade said. But their agenda including publicly-funded abortions, passage of the so-called Freedom of Choice Act (FOCA), and attacking the Hyde amendment and other longstanding pro-life provisions in appropriations bills won t sell in the general public. Most people agree we should work to reduce abortions, but you can t reduce abortions by promoting abortion and eliminating all the policies that have proven effective in reducing abortions, McQuade said. The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops will oppose all such threats to human life in whatever manner they are proposed. Survey Methodology Harris Interactive fielded the study on behalf of USCCB SM from December 10-12, 2008 via its QuickQuery online omnibus service, interviewing a nationwide sample of 2,341 U.S. adults aged 18 years and older. Data were weighted using propensity score weighting to be representative of the total U.S. adult population on the basis of region, age within gender, education, household income, race/ethnicity, and propensity to be online. No estimates of theoretical sampling error can be calculated; a full methodology is available. 2.2 million Attended Pope Benedict's Public Appearances J ust over 2.2 million people attended audiences with Pope Benedict XVI during 2008, according to official Vatican statistics. Over 500,000 people attended the Pontiff's regular weekly audiences on Wednesdays, and over a million participated in his Angelus audiences on Sundays; the remainder of the 2.2 million attended private audiences or participated in the liturgical ceremonies at which the Holy Father presided. The figures for 2008 are down from 2007, when 2.8 attended papal audiences, and significantly down from the all-time high in 2006, when 3.2 million saw Pope Benedict's public appearances. The figure of 2.2 million this year matches the number that attended appearances of the late Pope John Paul II in 2004, the last full year of his pontificate. The Vatican released the final statistics for the year on December 30 because Pope Benedict has not scheduled any more public appearances for the calendar year. Zenit. Org, December 30, 2008 The Maronite Voice Volume V Issue No. I Page 17 January 2009

18 The following movie has been evaluated by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishop's Office for Film and Broadcasting according to artistic merit and moral suitability. The review includes the USCCB rating, the Motion Picture Association of America rating, and a brief synopsis of the movie. The classifications are as follows: A-I -- general patronage; A-II -- adults and adolescents; A-III -- adults; L -- limited adult audience, films whose problematic content many adults would find troubling. L replaces the previous classification, A-IV; O - morally offensive. Y ou fireproof your home; why not your marriage? Such is the obvious but unobjectionable theme of "Fireproof" (Goldwyn), a modest but heartwarming drama from Sherwood Pictures, the Albany, Georgia, church-based studio that made Flywheel and Facing the Giants, all on remarkably small budgets with a largely volunteer cast and crew. Their latest concerns a small town fire captain, Caleb Holt (Kirk Cameron, the film s only name performer) whose marriage to Catherine (Erin Bethea), the PR director at the local hospital, is on the rocks. They ve lost patience with one another. Catherine accuses him of spending all his time looking at trash (i.e. pornography) on the internet. He, in turn, complains she no longer shops or cooks for him. He s saving up for a boat, she d to use that money to make improvements in the house. Each feels disrespected. Under the guidance of his bornagain father John (Harris Malcom), whose own marriage to Caleb s mother Cheryl (Phyllis Malcom) had once been in trouble, Caleb reluctantly promises his father he ll follow the instructions in a journal that saved the older couple s marriage called The Love Dare to try to rescue his own sevenyear union. Catherine remains obstinately unyielding, and disparages Caleb s sincere proffering of morning coffee, flowers, a candlelight dinner, and sickbed duty, thinking he s merely buttering her up for better divorce terms. She s further reluctant to reconcile, as she s in thrall to the smarmy attentions of Dr. Gavin Keller (Perry Revell) at work. The film is nicely if simply shot by directors Alex and Stephen Kendrick, though their script is not unlike a TV soap opera. The message that marriage is grounded in the knowledge that God loves us with all our faults and so should we love our spouse -- is incontrovertible, but it s clear the story is merely a vehicle for conveying that message. The script would also seem to imply that only committed Christians can have successful marriages, whereas from a Catholic perspective, marriage is a natural union as well as a sacramental one among the baptized. Occasionally, the didactic tone goes over the top, as when Caleb takes to his computer and monitor source of those alluring porno sites -- with a baseball bat, rather than, say, exercising a little self-restraint. This comes on the heels of his father warning him about dangerous parasites gambling and drugs included to which one s heart can become addicted. Caleb gets more reinforcement from Michael (Ken Bevel), his best friend at the firehouse, who stands in contrast to the others there: the unenlightened doubter Terrell (Eric Young), who believes we re all going into the ground, and braggadocious engine driver Wayne (Stephen Dervan). Former Growing Pains star Cameron is fine, while the mostly nonprofessional supporting cast and production values are surprisingly capable. There are even a couple of fairly ambitious action sequences a car stuck on the train tracks with an oncoming train, and of course, a climactic fire both competently executed. Though strongly Evangelical. rather than Catholic, in tone there are no references to the sacramental nature of marriage, and the approach to conversion is shown to be typically instantaneous -- the stress on permanence, fidelity, forgiveness, and reconciliation as well as faith in a loving God, resonates well not only with Catholic belief and teaching but also with the current pro-marriage campaign of the U.S. Catholic Bishops. Details can be found at Predictable though film s outcome is, you ll be forgiven for a lump in the throat by the time of the sentimental fade-out. The film contains domestic discord, extramarital flirtation, and pornography references. The USCCB Office for Film & Broadcasting classification is A-II -- adults and adolescents. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is PG -- parental guidance suggested. Some material may not be suitable for children. The Maronite Voice Volume V Issue No. I Page 18 January 2009

19 2009 is Here and the NAM Convention is Near and proclaimed Cardinal-Deacon of Santi Biagio e Carlo ai Catinari and full Prefect during the consistory of November 24, Concert With Joumana Medawar by Joseph Mouallem O ur Lady of Mt. Lebanon-St. Peter Cathedral in Los Angeles, California, is making all the plans for a great Maronite Convention where memories are made. In addition to the general monthly meeting which is held at the church or sometimes at the hotel, all the designated committees are in contact on a weekly basis in order to add the special touch to each event and activity during the July 1-5, 2009 convention. One of the main objectives of this convention is to build in each and every participant the eagerness to present all his or her ideas and to express all his or her opinion freely so the convention would generate the most positive and productive results. Our priests, Father Abdallah Zaidan and Father Elias Sleiman, along with the chairpersons Dr. & Mrs. Elias Ayoub, are maintaining a policy that everyone is essential to the success of the convention. Plans are being finalized as we are getting commitments from a wide range of dignitaries and celebrities. This month, we would like to focus on the Thursday events and activities. At noon, we will have a luncheon that will highlight the relationship of the Maronite Church with the Vatican. The guest speaker is His Eminence Cardinal Leonardo Sandri, Prefect of the Congregation for the Oriental Churches. Cardinal Sandri was born in Buenos Aires and ordained a priest on December 2, He studied diplomacy at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome. At the Secretariat of State, he received different assignments until his appointment as Sustituto in September At the Secretariat of State, his Cardinal Leonardo Sandri duties included organizing the activities of the Roman Curia and appointments to curial offices, maintaining papal documents, keeping the Papal Seal and the Fisherman s Ring, handling the concerns of embassies to the Holy See, coordinating activities of the Holy See s nuncios, and publishing official communications. On the evening of April 2, 2005, it fell to Cardinal Sandri to tell the world, We all feel like orphans this evening as he made public the news of Pope John Paul II s death. On June 9, 2008 Pope Benedict XVI named Cardinal Sandri as Pro-Prefect of the Congregation of the Oriental Churches, replacing Cardinal Ignace Daoud who resigned for reasons of age. It is his job as Prefect to maintain good relations with the twenty-two million Eastern Catholics who are in full communion with the Holy See. Sandri was made A special performance is planned for the evening of July 2, by the Lebanese Concert singer Joumana Medawar. Joumana is known for her celestial voice. She started singing the songs of the heavenly voiced, Fayrouz, then lately she is more committed to religious songs and Singer Joumana Medawar concerts especially about Lebanese Saints. Joumana performs an average of fifty concerts per year in Lebanon, as well as internationally in France, Canada, Italy, Nigeria, Jordan, Syria, Egypt, Kuwait, Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Qatar. She has received many local and international awards including: Pope Jean-Paul II (Decoration) Award Sa id Akl Award Certificate of Appreciation, House of Common Chamber, Quebec, Canada FIDOF Highest Award No moment in Joumana s life has gone by without singing and worshiping Jesus. It is her primary interest and joy. We encourage you to come and live the moments with the superb angelic voice. During the day, there will be an audition for a Talent Show from all the parishes and missions. Finalists will perform at the concert that evening. We encourage all those with special talents to step forward and make an appearance. We are eagerly awaiting your arrival in Los Angeles and your participation in all the various events of our Convention. Follow the Star to the City of Angels July 1-5, For more information on the Maronite Convention of 2009 and all of NAM s programs and events visit or call (914) or by at NAM@NAMNEWS.org. For more information from the host parish call Our Lady of Mount Lebanon-St. Peter Cathedral at (310) or by at ourladymtlebanon@yahoo.com. The Maronite Voice Volume V Issue No. I Page 19 January 2009