April 2005 - Eparchy of Saint Maron of Brooklyn

The
Maronite Voice
A Publication of the Maronite Eparchies in the USA
Volume 1
Issue No. 4
April 2005
A Brief Reflection on The Visit of Maronite Catholic Patriarch
Nasrallah Peter Cardinal Sfeir To the United States,
March 14-21, 2005
By The Most Reverend Gregory Mansour
here is a difference between a man of God, and a
man after his own gain. Before coming to the United
States to see President [George W.] Bush and U.N.
Secretary General Kofi Annan, Maronite Patriarch
Nasrallah Peter Cardinal Sfeir sent an envoy to other
religious leaders in Lebanon in order to tell them this visit
is not “my visit but ours.”
The man of God thinks of others and builds bridges.
The man after his own gain, on the other hand, does what
he wants, demands what he wants, and cares for no one
else.
The man of God is non-violent, but the man after his
own gain will use any means to obtain what he wants. He
readily uses violence, destruction, humiliation, lies and
half-truths. On the contrary, the man of God uses dialogue,
truth, respect for others and love as a way of life. This way
is eminently human, eminently just and eminently noble.
Patriarch Sfeir is all this and more.
His visit was not for Lebanese politics. Nonetheless,
His Beatitude has had the courage to stand before the
powers of this world, but as a man of God, not as a seeker
of fame or selfish political advantage for his own
community.
He came to the United States and to the United Nations
to seek justice. The man after his own gain obtains for
himself alone. The man of God obtains the good of others.
Anybody can destroy or criticize, but not everybody
can build and speak the truth with love. Patriarch Sfeir
seeks to build the civilization of love; he criticizes only
those actions that belittle the respect and dignity due to the
human person. He has a bright vision for Lebanon, one
that is true to Lebanon’s very nature: free, democratic,
independent, sovereign, and inclusive of its diverse
cultures, religions and inhabitants. This is the beauty of
Lebanon, and hopefully always will be so. Patriarch Sfeir
also knows the way of the world and cautions that
Lebanon’s true nature is at risk; the Lebanese citizen and
the friend of Lebanon must be vigilant in this present crisis.
Patriarch Sfeir also has a bright vision for the Church,
On March 17, 2005, His Beatitude Patriarch Sfeir held a press
one that is also true to its nature: one, holy, catholic and
conference at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C.
apostolic. (Continues On Page 9)
T
Eparchial Assignment
The Maronite Voice
4611 Sadler Road
Glen Allen, VA 23060
Phone: 804/270-7234
Fax: 804/273-9914
E-Mail: [email protected]
http://www.stm aron.org
http://www.usam aronite.org
The Maronite Voice, (ISSN 10809880) 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
$15.00 per year. Advertising rates
are available upon request.
is Excellency Bishop Gregory Mansour, Bishop of the Eparchy of Saint
Maron of Brooklyn, appointed Fr. John Morrison, Pastor of St. Michael
the Archangel Maronite Church in Fayetteville, N.C., as Director of the
Office of Ministries effective on December 25, 2004. ”
H
Eparchial Condolences
Attorney Fred M. Thomas, uncle and godfather of Reverend Monsignor
Michael Thomas, Vicar General, passed away on Saturday, March
19, 2005. The Funeral Liturgy took place on Wednesday, March
23, at our Lady of Purgatory Church in New Bedford,
Massachusetts.
His Excellency Bishop Gregory Mansour joins the clergy and
faithful of the Eparchy of Saint Maron of Brooklyn in extending
heartfelt sympathy and the promise of our prayers to Msgr. M ichael and the
Thomas family. May Almighty God grant His servant Fred eternal rest.
Mrs. Patricia Khoury Murphy, sister of Monsignor James Khoury passed
away. Mrs Murphy is survived by her husband, Kevin, son Kevin, Jr., and daughter
Erin. Condolences can be sent to Msgr. James Khoury, 125 Goodhue Road, Derry,
NH 03821- 2210.
His Excellency Bishop Gregory Mansour joins the clergy and faithful of the
Eparchy of Saint Maron of Brooklyn in extending heartfelt sympathy and the
promise of our prayers to Msgr. James and the Khoury and Murphy families. May
Almighty God grant His servant Patricia eternal rest. ”
Publishers
• Most Reverend Bishops Robert J.
Shaheen
• Most Reverend Gregory John
Mansour
Editor
Msgr. George M. Sebaali
Consultor Fr. Abdullah Zaidan
Editing and proofreading
Mary Shaia
Anne- Marie Condlin
Michael Maynes
Printed in Richmond, Virginia.
April 10, 2005
First Communion at St. Raymond Cathedral, St. Louis, Mo.
April 17, 2005
Confirmation at St. Raymond Cathedral, St. Louis, Mo.
April 22-24, 2005
St. Peter & Paul Mission, St. Dimas and Los Angeles, Calif.
April 30- May 1, 2005
Our Lady of the Cedars, Akron, Oh.
May 12-17, 2005
Danbury, Ct.
Schedule of Bishop Gregory Mansour
Future Column
In the near future, The Maronite Voice
will include a new column entitled,
“ASK THE EXPERT.” We encourage
everyone to send in questions relating
to the Maronite faith, spirituality and
theology. The questions will be
answered by experts in the fields
relative to the questions. Questions in
connection with specific events, people
or situations in individual parishes will
be discarded.
Please send your questions to The
Maronite Voice, 4611 Sadler Rd., Glen
Allen, VA 23060. ”
The Maronite Voice
Schedule of Bishop Robert Shaheen
Volume 1
April 10, 2005
Our Lady of Lebanon Cathedral, Brooklyn, N.Y.
April 12-14, 2005
Visit to the Holy Trinity Monastery, Petersham, Mass.
April 15, 2005
St. Anthony Maronite Church, Lawrence, Mass.
April 16-17, 2005
Our Lady of the Cedars, Boston, Mass.
April 19, 2005
Stewardship Council Meeting, Brooklyn, N.Y.
May 1-2, 2005
Bishop Stephen Doueihi 50 th Anniversary celebration, Our Lady of
Lebanon Cathedral, Brooklyn, N.Y.
May 5, 2005
Ascension Thursday, Our Lady of Lebanon Cathedral, Brooklyn, N.Y.
May 8, 2005
Our Lady of Lebanon Cathedral, Brooklyn, N.Y.
Issue No. 4
Page 2
April 2005
Patriarch Sfeir Comes to Washington, D.C.,
Meets with President George W. Bush
By
Chorbishop Seely Beggiani
Left to right: Bishop Robert Shaheen, Patriarch Sfeir and Bishop Gregory
Mansour celebrated the Divine Liturgy at Our Lady of Lebanon Church in
Washington, D.C. on March 15, 2005.
n response to an invitation from
President George W. Bush, His
Beatitude and H is Eminence
Patriarch Nasrallah Peter Cardinal Sfeir
arrived in Washington, D.C., on March
14, 2005. He was welcomed warmly
and enthusiastically at the airport by a
large crowd including Bishops Gregory
Mansour, Robert Shaheen and Stephen
Hector Doueihi, the Ambassador of
Lebanon, Farid A bboud, former
Lebanese Ambassador to the Vatican
Ghazi Chidiac, and a cross-section of
Maronite clergy and laity from around
the country.
Accompanying the
Patriarch from Lebanon were Bishop
Roland Aboujaoude, his Vicar-General,
and the Very Rev. Khalil Alwan,
Superior-General of the Order of
Lebanese Missionaries.
In a brief
statement at the airport, Patriarch Sfeir
stated that he appreciated the invitation
of the American President and would
take the opportunity to present the
cause of a free, independent, and
sovereign Lebanon. He declared that
Lebanon can achieve its role as a
democratic nation only with the
I
The Maronite Voice
solidarity with him and the Catholic
Patriarchs and Bishops of the Middle
East. He noted that the Catholics of
Lebanon are deeply rooted in the East
with which they have a common
destiny, while needing solidarity with
the West. He stated: “It is important
that we Christians of the Middle East be
part of the East yet also receive the
support and solidarity with the West.”
He went on to say that the Christians of
the Middle East are a valuable bridge
between East and West, between
Christians and Muslims, between
ancient and new cultures and societies.
Patriarch Sfeir noted that the Holy
Father had convoked a Synod of
Bishops uniquely for Lebanon in order
to strengthen the different Catholic
communities there with the vision of
establishing a more fruitful “koinonia”
or communal fellowship for the good of
the Christians in the Middle East.
Bishop John Ricard, the Chairman of
the Bishops’ Committee on Social
Development and World Peace, hosted
Patriarch Sfeir at a luncheon where he
and his staff at the Conference
discussed the present situation in
Lebanon and how the Bishops’
Conference might more effectively
support the people of Lebanon.
Also on March 15, Patriarch Sfeir
was honored by Catholic University of
complete withdrawal of Syrian forces.
His Beatitude stressed the necessity that
there be parliamentary elections free
from all outside pressure. The airport
crowd responded with loud cheers and
slogans. In response, the Patriarch
joked that after a 13-hour flight, he
found himself still in Lebanon.
On March 15,
Patriarch Sfeir was
invited to address the
Administrative Board
of Bishops of the
United
States
Catholic Conference
of Bishops. He was
welcomed by Bishop
W illiam S kylstad ,
P resid en t o f th e
Conference, and was
introduced by His
Eminence, Theodore
Cardinal McCarrick,
Archbishop
of
W a s h i n g t o n .
Patriarch
Sfeir
thanked the Bishops
for their efforts of Administration of Catholic University honors Patriarch Sfeir
with the Degree of Doctor of Humane Letters, honoris causa.
Volume 1
Issue No. 4
Page 3
April 2005
America with the conferral of the
Degree of Doctor of Humane Letters,
honoris causa. In the citation, the
University recognized Patriarch Sfeir as
“a powerful voice not only for his
Church but for the nation of Lebanon,
challenging the world community to
guarantee its independence and
sovereignty.”
It went on to say
“Patriarch Sfeir has exercised his
ministry as shepherd with a powerful
eloquence and personal courage. He
has become the conscience of the
nation. At great personal risk, he has
questioned the presence of foreign
occupiers in the country and has sought
to solidify the bonds between all
Lebanese and improve relations with all
the religious communities in Lebanon.”
The citation also took note of the
h istoric ties b etw een C ath o lic
University and Our Lady of Lebanon
Maronite Seminary in Washington,
D.C.
Patriarch Sfeir was invited to meet
at the State Department with the
Deputy Secretary of State Robert B.
Zoellick, in the absence of Secretary of
State Rice who was in Asia. His
Beatitude took the occasion to express
his views on the situation in Lebanon
and the support Lebanon needed to
achieve its freedom and independence.
Deputy Secretary of Defense Paul W olfowitz (center) was among the guests at
a banquet honoring Patriarch Sfeir at the Fairmont Hotel in Washington, D.C.
The banquet was arranged by Our Lady of Lebanon Church.
On the evening of March 15,
Patriarch Sfeir was honored by a
banquet at the Fairmont Hotel, arranged
by Our Lady of Lebanon parish, with
an overflow crowd of almost 500
persons in attendance. Among the
guests were Deputy Secretary of
Defense Paul Wolfowitz, the Lebanese
Prior to his meeting with Patriarch Sfeir, President George W. Bush sent with
White House delegation a two volume picturesque History of the United States
dating back to the 18 th century. Patriarch Sfeir presented the President with a
handmade flatware set made in Lebanon. The gift exchange took place at Our Lady
of Lebanon Church following the Divine Liturgy.
The Maronite Voice
Volume 1
Issue No. 4
Page 4
Ambassador, and representatives from
the White House and the State
Department. Patriarch Sfeir praised the
values of democracy, liberty, justice,
and equal opportunity which mark
American society and hoped that they
will also mark Lebanese society. His
Beatitude commended the leaders of the
Lebanese American community for
their efforts in making the American
administration sensitive to the Lebanese
crisis. He urged them to continue their
efforts.
Patriarch Sfeir met with President
George Bush at the White House on
March 16. Also attending the meeting
were Deputy Secretary of State Robert
B. Zoellick, National Security Adviser
Stephen J. Hadley, his deputy for
Mideast affairs, Elliot Abrams, and
Dina Habib Powell, nominated to be
Assistant Secretary of State for
educational and cultural affairs and
Deputy Undersecretary of State for
public diplomacy. The President’s
Chief of Staff, Andrew Card, and Press
Secretary Scott McClellan were also
present. Accompanying Patriarch Sfeir
were: Bishops Roland Aboujaoude,
Gregory Mansour, and Robert Shaheen,
Monsignors Faouzi Elia, Michael
Thomas, and Seely Beggiani, and the
Very Rev. Khalil Alwan.
President Bush opened the meeting
by warmly welcoming Patriarch Sfeir
as a leader in the cause of liberty and
sovereignty for Lebanon. President
Bush noted Lebanon’s history as a
April 2005
democracy and declared that he is
committed to make every effort to get
Syria’s army and intelligence apparatus
out of Lebanon completely. He stated
that he would continue to pressure
Syria to fulfill its obligations. President
Bush noted that he has taken a very
public stand on Lebanon’s freedom and
sovereignty and has spoken about
Lebanon several times. President Bush
stated that he is prepared to support
Lebanon in conducting free elections
and that the support of the United
States would continue after the
elections.
He believes that the
restoration of freedom in Lebanon will
be a major factor in the spreading of
democracy in the Middle East.
Patriarch Sfeir thanked President
Bush both for his invitation and for all
the efforts that he and the United States
are taking regarding Lebanon’s
freedom and independence. He stated
that he is very aware of the many public
positions that the President has taken on
behalf of Lebanon. Patriarch Sfeir
noted that Lebanon has a long history
of democracy and that Lebanon’s
problems and instability have been due
mainly to interventions from the
outside. He declared that Lebanon
cannot be free unless all Syrian
elements are removed from Lebanon.
He stated that the Lebanese people,
Christians and Muslims, have had a
history of living together in conviviality
and that they will continue to do so,
On March 16, 2005, Ambassador and Mrs. Farid Abboud hosted a reception for
Patriarch Sfeir at the Embassy of Lebanon. It was attended by nearly four
hundred people. Following the reception Ambassador Abboud held a private
dinner for the Patriarch and a few select guests.
especially if they are freed from outside
elements. He is committed to working
for a Lebanon where all peoples and
religions enjoy the same rights.
Patriarch Sfeir made a special point
regarding the departure of many
educated young people, Christians and
Muslims, from Lebanon because of
Left to right: Bishop Gregory Mansour, Patriarch Sfeir and Senator
Rick Santorum at a reception in Capitol Hill on March 16, 2005.
The Maronite Voice
Volume 1
Issue No. 4
Page 5
lack of job opportunities and freedom
of action. He asked the aid of the
United States to improve the situation
in Lebanon so that the youth would not
leave and that other emigrated
Lebanese would return.
After the formal meeting and in the
presence of the press in the Oval Office,
President Bush stated that the Patriarch
and he had discussed Lebanon and
“their deep desire that Lebanon be a
truly free country – free where people
can worship the way they choose to,
free where people can speak their mind,
free where political parties can flourish,
a country based on free elections.” The
President went on to say that “he
assured His Eminence that United
States policy is to work with friends
and allies to insist that Syria completely
leave Lebanon, Syria take her troops
out of Lebanon, Syria take her
intelligence services out of Lebanon, so
that the election process will be free
and fair.” President Bush concluded by
saying that the Patriarch is a man of
God who brings great prestige of the
Church to the Oval Office.
Patriarch Sfeir responded by
thanking the President for his warm
reception and expressed his deep
gratitude for President Bush’s sincere
interest in Lebanon, in the freedom of
its people, and in peace in Lebanon and
April 2005
the world.
He welcomed the
opportunity to exchange views on the
situation in Lebanon, the views and
aspirations of its people, and on
questions of freedom and democracy in
the region. He reiterated his concern
regarding the continuing migration of
Christian and M uslim youth due to the
lack of job opportunities and the
suffocating political conditions at
home. He emphasized that Lebanon
was the first democratic country in the
region, and remains the role model and
point of departure for the spread of
democracy in the region. He concluded
his remarks by stating: “We are hopeful
that the Lebanese, with the support of
their friends around the world, will be
able to build a better future in a free,
independent, pluralistic and sovereign
Lebanon.”
After the formal meeting, President
Bush invited Patriarch Sfeir to a “one
on one” private meeting for some
minutes.
Following his W hite House visit,
Patriarch Sfeir attended a reception on
Capitol Hill which was hosted by
Senators Rick Santorum and Edward
Kennedy and Congressmen Nick Rahall
and Ray LaHood. Among those who
attended in addition to the above were:
Senator Richard Lugar, Chairman of
th e S e n a te F o r e ig n R e l a tio n s
C o m m itte e , an d S en ators S a m
Brownback, Richard Durbin, Mel
Martinez, Lincoln Chafee,
John
Ensign, Debbie Stabenow, and John
Sununu.
Among the Congressmen
who attended were: Rush Holt, Mark
Foley, Marcy Kaptur, Connie Mack IV,
Eliot Engel, and Ilena Ros-Lehtinen.
That evening a reception was held
in honor of the Patriarch at the
Lebanese Ambassador’s residence and
was attended by hundreds of guests
from around the country
This was
followed by a private dinner hosted by
Ambassador and Mrs. Farid Abboud.
Among the guests were the Papal
Nuncio, Archbishop Gabriel Montalvo,
and Congressmen Rahall, LaHood, and
Charles Boustany, and representatives
from the State Department.
On Thursday, March 17, Patriarch
Sfeir consecrated the altar of the new
Our Lady of Lebanon Church which is
nearing completion. He also took the
opportunity to meet with the large
number of Maronite clergy who came
from all parts of the United States to
welcome him.
The Maronite Voice
Patriarch Sfeir leads the procession for the Divine Liturgy at the National Shrine
of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C., on March 17, 2005.
That evening the Patriarch’s visit to
Washington was concluded with the
celebration of Divine Liturgy in the
upper Church of the Basilica of the
National Shrine of the Immaculate
Conception.
Over fifteen hundred
Maronite clergy and laity from around
the country were in attendance. Among
the Maronite hierarchy concelebrating
with the Patriarch were Bishops
Shaheen and Mansour, and retired
Archbishop Francis Zayek and Bishops
John Chedid and Stephen Doueihi.
Also in attendance were Cardinal
McCarrick, Cardinal Justin Rigali of
Philiadelphia, the Papal Nuncio, and
Bishop Paul Loverde of Arlington,
Virginia. Reflecting on the occasion of
worshiping in a basilica dedicated to
Our Lady, His Beatitude delivered a
homily on the significance of Mary
through the ages. In applying the
model of Mary to Lebanon, the
P atriarch d escrib e d h e r as a
“representative of all the silenced
witnesses and members of the exploited
class.” He noted, “M ary lived in an
occupied territory. She knew in her
days what the Lebanese know today.
She knew segregation, she knew a
minority place; she knew what it was
like to be under the hegemony of
another power. She had to keep her
mouth shut while Herod killed the
innocent children of Bethlehem.
Volume 1
Issue No. 4
Page 6
…Those who are oppressed and cannot
speak out because they’ll be imprisoned
or shot, or because retribution will be
made against their families, they
understand Mary. And she understands
them.”
The Divine Liturgy was followed
by a reception at the Pope John Paul II
Cultural Center and was attended by
hundreds of people. In response to
sh o u ts of “ u n ity, so v er eig n ty,
independence” and “Syria out” His
Beatitude stated that what the audience
was calling for, has been desired for a
long time. What they wish for can be
achieved only by quiet action which is
more fruitful than loud words. A
Lebanon where Muslims, Druzes and
Christians are united can achieve this
goal.
If each community wants
Lebanon for itself, nothing will be
achieved. “It is necessary during this
difficult stage in the history of our
nation to unify our ranks … to reach
out and to open our hearts and
consciences to one another and march
together in the interest of our nation to
gain what you are calling for:
independence, sovereignty and free
decision.” Patriarch Sfeir declared that
we do not want to revisit the hardships
of the past. Liberty, sovereignty and
independence can only be achieved
through toil and the willingness to
sacrifice to preserve them. ”
April 2005
After Washington, Patriarch Sfeir Visits New York
March 18 – 21, 2005
Patriarch thanked Mr. Assaf for the University. Rev. Joseph McShane, S.J.,
gracious invitation stating, “We value President of Fordham University,
the work of the Mission to the United delivered an eloquent speech from the
Nations… . and the joint efforts of all altar outlining Fordham’s purpose and
Lebanese to bring Lebanon to the requirements of this honor and then
harbor of true peace and safety.”
explained why Fordham was honored to
At four o’clock that day Patriarch bestow this degree upon our Patriarch,
Sfeir went to the United Nations recognizing his accomplishments.
building itself and met with Secretary
In his address, the Patriarch
General Kofi Annan along with Mr. thanked the President, faculty and staff
Larson and their assistants. A brief of Fordham University and dedicated
press conference followed the visit.
this honor to the Holy Father, “wishing
On Friday evening, the Patriarch him full recovery and continued life in
led the Service of the Cross at Our God’s service.” He went on to “also
Lady of Lebanon Cathedral with dedicate it to the people of Lebanon,
Bishops Aboujaoude, Mansour and
who in the midst of struggle seem
Doueihi. Also in attendance were His determined to change the course of
Eminence Avery Cardinal Dulles, history with their unity and their love
Monsignor Michael G. Thomas, Vicar for their homeland.” Following this
General, Msgr. Ignace Sadek, Cathedral historic event, all those present were
Rector, and many other clergy members invited to dinner in the church hall
who traveled from the surrounding hosted by the Cathedral parish.
Patriarch Sfeir makes a statement to the parishes. Hundreds of worshippers
On Saturday, March 19, Feast of
press following his meeting at the United filled the cathedral church hours before Saint Joseph, after interviews with
Nations on March 18, 2005.
their arrival, coming from the states of Vatican Radio, BBC, Al Hura and
New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, others, the Patriarch celebrated an
By Mary Asmar Smith
Connecticut, Massachusetts, and other evening Divine Liturgy with Bishops
states as well. Following the service, Aboujaoude, Mansour and Doueihi, the
Patriarch Sfeir received an Honorary Most Reverend Nicholas DiMarzio,
nown to many as a champion of
human rights, His Beatitude Doctorate Degree from Fordham
Bishop of Brooklyn, and Father John
Maronite Patriarch Nasrallah
Peter Cardinal Sfeir arrived in New
York City on Friday, March 18 th.
Wasting no time, he proceeded directly
for meetings at the United Nations. His
Excellency has revolutionized the
Office of the Patriarch by taking his
mission around the globe. Reaching out
and pushing back the boundaries has
led to extraordinary accomplishments,
and his visit to New York was no
exception.
Accompanied by Archbishop
Roland Aboujaoude, Bishop Gregory
Mansour and Bishop Stephen Hector
Doueihi, Patriarch Sfeir met with
United Nations Special Envoy, Mr.
Terry Rod Larson at the residence of
the Papal Representative to the U.N.,
Archbishop Migliore. These meetings
were followed by a reception at the
Lebanese Embassy to the United
Nations hosted by His Excellency
Ibrahim Assaf, Charge D’Affaire.
Numerous Ambassadors and guests
from the Arab countries and throughout
Rev. Joseph McShane, S.J., President of Fordham University congratulates
the world were in attendance. The
Patriarch Sfeir as he conferred on him an Honorary Doctorate Degree.
K
The Maronite Voice
Volume 1
Issue No. 4
Page 7
April 2005
Faraj, Pastor of the Virgin Mary
M elkite C h u rch in B rooklyn
representing His Excellency Bishop
Cyril Salim Bustros, along with Msgr.
Michael Thomas, Msgr. Ignace Sadek
and many other members of clergy. In
his homily, Patriarch Sfeir said, “To
Saint Joseph we entrust America and
Lebanon, especially Lebanon who lives
critical moments in its history, but yet
full of hope.”
The Divine Liturgy was followed
by a banquet held at the New York
Marriott at Brooklyn Bridge. It began
with the Invocation by Archbishop
Aboujaoude, Patriarchal Vicar-General
and was followed by the singing of the
Lebanese and American National
Anthems. Msgr. Michael Thomas,
Vicar General and Chancellor of the
Eparchy of Saint Maron served as
Master of Ceremonies and introduced
the honored guests. New York City
Councilman David Yassky presented
the Patriarch with a Proclamation
welcoming him to New York on behalf
of the New York City Council.
The Honorable Mohammed ElHarake, Consul General of Lebanon in
New York, spoke of the Patriarch as
Patriarch of all. He was interrupted with
applause and standing ovations as he
backed efforts of the Patriarch toward
Lebanese unity and sovereignty. He
said, “We all recognize that Lebanon is
going through a difficult period of its
Patriarch Sfeir signs the Guest Book at Fordham University on March 20, 2005.
history, that the current circumstances
require your laudable action, and
everyone’s effort, each one at his own
level, to counter the negative impact of
events on our country. If in a time of
need, a person discovers his true
friends, it is in time of trouble that a
country recognizes its true daughters
and sons.”
Mr. Sam Ibrahim, General Manager
of the Marriott, addressed the crowd,
Patriarch Sfeir with members of Our Lady of Lebanon Cathedral, Knights of St.
Maron.
The Maronite Voice
Volume 1
Issue No. 4
Page 8
praised and thanked the Patriarch for
his commitment to a free and
democratic Lebanon. H.E. Bishop
DiMarzio of Brooklyn then spoke and
welcomed the Patriarch on behalf of the
Diocese of Brooklyn. He commended
the Patriarch on his untiring efforts to
respect and honor the people of
Lebanon and expressed his full support.
His talk was followed by H.E. Bishop
Gregory Mansour who gave a powerful
and moving speech on the vital role that
Patriarch Sfeir has played in the Church
and in society.
History, indeed, is made up of
significant events which shape our
future and outstanding leaders who
influence our destiny. Bishop Gregory
explained how instrumental Patriarch
Sfeir has been, the contributions he has
made including helping to unite all
Lebanese and leading them toward
achieving independence in a nonviolent manner. He said that the
significant qualities of this special man
cannot be underestimated.
He mentioned that, “There is a
difference between a man of God, and
a man after his own interests. A man of
God builds bridges to others, the man
after his own interests thinks only of
himself. The man of God is for others,
and he lives in respect, love and
dialogue. The man after his own
interest uses any means, even violence,
humiliation and lies to accomplish what
he wants. A man of God is a man of
action and a man of peace.”
April 2005
Bishop Gregory then thanked the
Patriarch for leading Lebanon to greater
heights through love and peace and
expressed the full support of the
American Lebanese community here.
Before a standing ovation, the
Patriarch then gave his speech thanking
all those present saying,“I am so glad to
see that Maronite people have such
great devotion to Our Lord, to the
country of our ancestors and to the
great land of America.” He went on to
say “I came to the United States to say
clearly, the oldest Democracy in the
Middle East is fully capable of
renewing itself w ithout the
guardianship of another state”… “For
this purpose I have come to advocate
non-violent, non-military solutions to
the problems facing Lebanon. We long
to take our proper place among the
nations of the world.” His Beatitude
captivated the audience and electrified
the crowd as they continued to cheer
him throughout the entire speech. The
sound of their voices was a form of
“people power”. It was a clear sense of
the “unifying power of love” and a
reawakening of a kind of national pride
around the church.
The program concluded with a
Benediction given by Msgr. Ignace
Sadek, Rector of Our Lady of Lebanon
Cathedral.
On Palm Sunday, March 20, at the
Cathedral of Our Lady of Lebanon the
Patriarch celebrated Divine Liturgy
with Bishops Aboujoude, Mansour and
Doueihi and Monsignors Thomas and
Sadek as well as 1,500 people. As part
of his homily, Patriarch Sfeir addressed
the many children and youth present
stating: “I ask the Lord to bless and
safeguard you. Please know that
Lebanon, your mother country is
awaiting your return, or your visit,
hoping that as Jesus entered Jerusalem
to free it from sin, in the same way I am
confident that we will see Lebanon a
free and sovereign country.”
On Monday, M arch 21, the
Patriarch met with Cardinal Egan,
Monsignor Stern, and members of the
Catholic Near East Welfare Association
(CNEWA) for a press conference and
luncheon. He thanked Cardinal Egan
and his associates for the invitation to
CNEWA headquarters, an association
dedicated to charitable outreach for
Eastern Christians. During the press
conference Patriarch Sfeir expressed his
appreciation to Cardinal Egan and said
“their work makes a tremendous
The Maronite Voice
difference in the lives of so many of the
faithful in lands where being Christian
may be difficult.”
The visit of the Maronite Patriarch
to Washington, D.C. and New York
created memories and goodwill that
will last a lifetime. He was a bridgebuilder between East and West,
Christian and Muslim, America,
Lebanon and the world. He came as a
man of God and made our world better.
He inspired us to do the same. ”
April 22-24, 2005
NAM Will Host A Retreat
At
The Vallombrosa Center
Menlo Park, California
(near Millbrae, San Francisco)
Retreat Master
Fr. Abdullah Zaidan
Brief Reflection
On The Visit of The
Maronite Catholic
Patriarch,
Nasrallah Sfeir,
To The United States
The Retreat Theme will center
around the Eucharist.
For further information call:
NAM Office at (718) 630-5868
or
by email: [email protected]
Website: www.namnews.org. ”
Continued From Page 1
For the Church to be “one” she must
include all her members and be open to
others, for her to be “holy” she must
live according to the gospel she
preaches, for her to be “catholic” means
she must be willing to include Catholics
of other cultures and nations, and for
her to be “apostolic” means that she
must be faithful to her ancient roots, her
origins and traditions, and be attached
to the See of Peter.
Patriarch Sfeir, leading his
Maronite Church, makes all of us more
one, holy, catholic and apostolic. His
visit to the United States has reminded
us of what is important in life: our
relationship with God, our family
relations, our respect for the country in
which we live, and our respect for the
country of our ancestry.
Bishop Shaheen and I have had the
great honor to welcome with respect
and esteem the man of God, the Father
and Head of the Maronite Catholic
Church, Patriarch Nasrallah Peter
Cardinal Sfeir. ”
Volume 1
Issue No. 4
Page 9
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:
Fr. Sharbel Maroun, Director
Eparchy of Our Lady of Lebanon
Office of Vocations
c/o St. Maron Church
600 University Ave. NE
Minneapolis, MN 55413
Or
Fr. James Root, Director
Eparchy of Saint Maron
Office of Vocations
c/o Our Lady of Victory Church
1000 Lindsay Road
Carnegie, PA 15106
April 2005
Patriarch Sfeir’s Message to Lebanese-Americans
During his visit to the United States of America, His Beatitude Patriarch Nasrallah Peter Cardinal Sfeir, Maronite Patriarch
of Antioch and All the East entrusted the Lebanese- Americans with two important messages: 1) Lebanon has been moving
towards true reconciliation, independence, peace, dialogue and unity; and 2) Let people of good will join hands to bring
about positive change, and shape a better future for Lebanon. Following are some highlights of his various speeches.
From his speech at the
Welcome Ceremony at Dulles
International Airport on
Monday March 14, 2005
From his speech at the banquet
at the Fairmont Hotel in
Washington, D.C., on March
15, 2005
thank President George W. Bush for
his kind invitation to visit the United
States of America. I should thank
also Archbishop Montalvo, Apostolic
N u n c io , L e b a n e s e A m b assa d o r
Abboud, my brother Bishops Doueihi,
Shaheen and Mansour, all
Civil
dignitaries, and all of you who have
come, from far and near, to welcome
me at this airport. May God Bless you
all!
I come as a pilgrim of peace and a
friend of democracy. I come from a
country, described by Pope John Paul II
as “more than a country, a Message of
fraternity and conviviality for the entire
world.”
I come to this world-leading
democracy to strengthen the ties of
friendship between Lebanon and the
United States of America and the links
of brotherhood between the Lebanese
people, Muslim and Christians, and the
citizens of this great and noble Nation.
I should tell you, we have
experienced wars, conflicts, and
divisions for seventeen years. But,
thanks be to God, we have been moving
towards true reconciliation, tolerance,
peace, dialogue and unity. We want
Lebanon peaceful, united, free,
sovereign and independent, a home for
all her citizens, without exception. Let
us give Lebanon a chance to take back
its proper place in the community of
nations. . . .
I am proud of the people of
Lebanon for their determination to live,
side by side, and work together for a
better tomorrow.
I thank God that I can stand this
day before the nations of the world and
say that “God who gave us life, gave
us liberty at the sam e,” as Thomas
Jefferson said, and to our liberty we
shall always remain attached. God bless
Lebanon. May God bless America!
come to W ashington, the capital and
the political center of the American
life that was built on freedom,
democracy and equal opportunity for
all. These are the values that we long to
see in our own beloved Lebanon so that
it can grow and prosper.
... The Lebanon we want is free,
independent, sovereign, democratic and
inclusive to its entire people. We want
the full withdrawal of the Syrian troops
and Intelligence, according to UN
resolution 1559 and the Taef Accord.
Our beloved Lebanon is at a
crossroads at this time of its history. It
is so refreshing to see the Lebanese
from different faiths come together to
request the full sovereignty and
freedom of Lebanon. There is a need to
foster that unity and channel the efforts
to rebuild the true Lebanon so it can
take its proper place in the community
of Nations. It is not an easy process but
it is not impossible if we join our hands
together for the sake of Lebanon who
needs everyone’s help and participation
in the political process and the
rebuilding project.
I
The Maronite Voice
I
From his address at Catholic
University of America on
March 15, 2005
am honored to find myself at the
heart of Christ’s Church here in
America, and more precisely in the
midst of the Teaching Church; and the
learning Church; and as a Maronite, I
would add the Praying Church.
I dedicate this honor to the Holy
Father, and to the citizens of Lebanon,
Christians and Moslems alike, who are
determined to chart a new course, far
from terrorism, sectarian hatred and
injustice...
So as the Catholic University of
America teaches, learns and prays,
please keep in mind, at this particular
time, the Christians of the Middle East.
I
Volume 1
Issue No. 4
Page 10
The vital role in exposing the love of
Christ and honoring it in the land of His
birth must be protected and promoted.
I feel that when you honor me, you are
honoring all the Lebanese communities,
Christian and Moslem, and for this, I
thank you again.
From his remarks at the United
States Conference of Catholic
Bishops on March 15, 2005
s Christians from the land where
Christ once walked we feel a
great pride yet also vulnerability.
As the world received Our Lord
and did with Him what they wanted, so
does our world receive us and at times
treat us the same. Our neighbors are
not convinced we are truly of the East
and have a shared destiny. It is a must
that we remain part of the East where
we are deeply rooted. We therefore
need now, more than ever, the
solidarity of the West. It is important
that we Christians of the Middle East be
part of the East yet also receive the
support and solidarity with the West.
Christians of the Middle East are a
valuable bridge between East and West,
between Christians and Muslims,
between ancient and new cultures and
societies.
I come today at your invitation to
share with you the struggles we have
and hopefully to share in your struggles
as well.
A
Remarks by His Beatitude
Nasrallah Cardinal Sfeir
The White House March 16,
2005
came today at the grateful invitation
of President George W. Bush to
speak with him about Lebanon, its
hopes, its fears, and its prayers for a
better tomorrow. The Lebanese people
are determined to live in a respectful
inter-cultural dialogue. We have known
war on our soil - part of it was our fault,
because we were one against the other;
part of it was the fault of other nations
I
April 2005
whose unresolved conflicts boiled over
on our soil. Today is a new day.
We, Lebanese, wish the best for
Syria in Syria, but we want them to
withdraw all their troops and their
intelligence agents completely from
Lebanon as soon as possible so that our
parliamentary elections in May will be
free and internationally monitored.
We want ambassadors between our
two countries, and we want our
Lebanese government to be inclusive,
responsive, and fully responsible for all
Lebanese and their communities,
Christian, Sunni, Shiite and Druze.
We want all militias on our soil,
according to United Nations Resolution
1559, to disarm and disband, and
engage in the national dialogue for
reconciliation. We want the Syrian and
Leb ane se a u th orities to give
information and immediate release to
all those Lebanese nationals who have
been imprisoned in Syria.
Lastly we want the United States
and the other countries of the world
community to stand by Lebanon, not
because it is now popular, and not
because it serves the interest of the
region alone, but because it is right and
proper to support a Lebanon that is free,
democratic, inclusive, sovereign,
against all forms of terrorism, and is
willing to take its proper place among
the proud nations of the world.
Thank you, President Bush for your
kind invitation, and for your strong and
ongoing commitment to Lebanon. We
appreciate your support to our efforts to
restore full sovereignty and democracy
to Lebanon.
We thank the United States of
America, which has embraced so many
Lebanese over the past two centuries,
who have become good and faithful
citizens of this great land, and who still
love Lebanon, the land of their
ancestors.
Our prayers are with the American
people, and with Lebanon. May God
bless Lebanon and may God bless
America.
From his remarks at Capitol
Hill at a reception sponsored by
Senators Kennedy and
Santorum and Congressmen
Rahal and LaHood on March
16, 2005
G
athered today are lawmakers and
clergy. Lawmakers have the
God given task of faithfully
The Maronite Voice
protecting and supporting the Godgiven rights of man to “life, liberty and
the pursuit of happiness.” Clergy have
the task of helping others and
themselves to live in a communion with
God and a fruitful conviviality with
others. I come to you today as a
clergyman who longs for all people, of
every faith, culture and nationality, to
affirm their God given right to worship
God freely and to live in harmony with
others. Thank you for receiving me
today.
Foremost on my mind and heart
today is Lebanon – a fragile democracy,
a consensual society made up of
Christians and Muslims, which strives
to be inclusive of each of its eighteen
communities.
... Lebanon is a most remarkable
and balanced society, one well worth
preserving as a model for our world.
Lebanon is a democracy, the oldest
in the Middle East. However, our
democracy is fragile. This is the case
not only because of the different
communities that all deserve a share in
its government, but also because of the
many conflicts in the region that have
left us even more vulnerable.
We ask your support as we
Lebanese are determined to live in a
better tomorrow. Syria must withdraw
her troops and intelligence agents from
Lebanon very soon so that our
Parliamentary elections in May can be
free and internationally monitored. The
two states must establish diplomatic
ties – embassies, order patrols, and
proper relations.
We want all militias on our soil,
according to UN Resolution 1559, to
disarm and disband, and engage in the
national dialogue for reconciliation.
We want the Syrian and Lebanese
authorities to give information and
immediate release to all those Lebanese
nationals who have been imprisoned in
Syria.
We hope also that the
international body will find a proper
solution for the Palestinians in
Lebanon. It is not fair for Lebanon to
carry the burden of their settlement, the
fact that could upset the delicate
balance in Lebanon and would then
alter its peaceful existence and
domestic conviviality.
Lastly we appeal to the United
States and other countries of the world
community to stand by Lebanon, not
because it is now popular, and not
because it serves the interest of the
region alone, but because it is right and
Volume 1
Issue No. 4
Page 11
proper to support a Lebanon that is free,
dem ocratic, inclusive, sovereign,
against all forms of terrorism and is
willing to take its proper place among
the proud nations of the world.
From his remarks at a Press
Conference held on March
21,2005 at the Catholic Near
East Welfare Association
(CNEWA) in New York
am grateful that I have been so
graciously received by officials of
the United States Government and
the United Nations. I believe that the
reason for this kind of welcome is that
we share common values of freedom,
democracy, inclusiveness, and mutual
r e s p o n sib ility o f c itiz e n s a n d
governments alike. These are the hopes
of the people of Lebanon, and I share in
their determination for the dawn of a
new day for Lebanon.
I ask that the world community
keep her promises to Lebanon and
stand by her during this crisis. Dialogue
between East and West is so very
important for our world. I ask that the
Lebanese enter a national dialogue; one
that can include all of the Lebanese
regardless of their religions or political
views; and one that can see the goal of
the nation, its unity, freedom, and
peaceful co-existence as the foundation
of a bright tomorrow.
I insist that the Syrian government
remove her troops and intelligence from
Lebanon in a swift but unequivocal
manner and that they establish proper
diplomatic ties befitting of two nations.
This is necessary so that Lebanon can
regain its noble place among the
nations of the world.
The Lebanese do not need to hate
anyone – neither Syria, nor Israel - to
identify themselves as Lebanese. There
is no need to hate Christians or
Muslims.
Hatred is foreign to
Lebanon’s way of life.
We pray that a new day is coming
for Lebanon. There is no way to shake
the determination of the people of
Lebanon for a free, sovereign,
independent and inclusive Lebanon. ”
I
April 2005
“Christ Has Been Raised From the Dead, He Truly Has
Been Raised”(Mt.28:7)
Easter Message of His Beatitude Patriarch Nasrallah Peter
Cardinal Sfeir
ere comes the Feast of the
Resurrection of Christ, let us
celebrate it. A lthough
circumstances this year are different
than previous years’, the fact of the
Resurrection does not change. Christ
endured the suffering of humiliation,
degradation, flogging, crowning with
thorns and death on the cross. But it
was not long before He was raised from
the dead, as He had promised His
disciples, and ascended to heaven
where He sits in glory at the right of
His heavenly Father.
As Christ rose from the dead, He
did not do so only for Himself but for
all people, especially those who believe
in Him, in H is teaching and
resurrection, as Saint Paul says: "if then
we have died with Christ, we believe
that we shall live with Him" (Rom 6-8).
As Christ was raised from the dead, so
shall we one day, after having gone
through the unavoidable sleep in earth
like every living creature. This is our
last comfort in the difficulties, troubles
and tribulations we endure in this life.
If Christ was raised from the dead, we
shall be raised with him. "But, if Christ
had not been raised, we are the most
pitiable people of all" (1Cor 15:17-19)
as Saint Paul says.
We are not the most pitiable people
of all, for the light of Resurrection
accompanies us in all the stages of life
and lights the way we must follow to
dodge stumbling blocks. This light
disperses the darkness which, in some
stages of our existence, becomes so
intense before us, that we can neither
walk nor go back. We stay where we
are not daring to move ahead. We feel
as if we were prisoners turning around
in the void. Only our faith in Christ,
who experienced what man experiences
on earth, whether disappointments or
sometimes, achievements, can save us
from this void. Such a man would not
let disappointment lead him to despair,
nor success to arrogance. He stays near
Christ following His example when He
was acclaimed King by His admirers or
hanged on the cross by His enemies.
H
The Maronite Voice
For Christ remained Himself in both
situations. This is the greatest lesson we
can learn from the example of Christ
Whose Resurrection we celebrate
today.
The Resurrection Feast goes by this
year while we are fluctuating between a
great hope which shows its dawn and a
great disappointment which might wipe
it out. The circumstances we are living
might be favorable for the better future
we are seeking or they might be
disappointing given the pertaining
problem and apprehensions. It is up to
us to decide to move along the way we
choose in total freedom and sure
determination even if it is surrounded
with dangers.
The stage we have reached is
decisive. It may bring us the expected
relief if we know how to join hands,
unify the view and move towards the
future with sure steps, alert minds and
hearts filled with tranquility. National
unity remains the greatest proof of our
ability to overcome the ordeal.
L e b an e se o f all co m m u n itie s ,
confessions and tendencies are called
upon, in this period of their long
homeland history, to demonstrate to the
whole world that they have come out of
tutelage and that they are able to rebuild
their homeland on solid bases. This is
possible, if they do not give in to
selfishness which caused division
among them. This phase requires,
perhaps more than any time in the past,
to press ranks and accept the other as he
is in order to build a new Lebanon
together in cooperation and union.
Volume 1
Issue No. 4
Page 12
Those who say that the Lebanese
will soon be divided and bet upon their
division are wrong, unless someone
divides them and makes them disrupt
their unity, planting bombs in their land
and in front of their houses and shops to
frighten and scare them.
Nevertheless, if we want to get
through this phase peacefully, it must
differ totally from preceding ones. It
must have for title: clean hands,
devotion to public affairs, abstention
fro m seeking p rivate in teres t,
contenting oneself with what laws have
allotted to the civil servant and
politician, no rackets, no fictitious
projects, no laying hands upon public
money, which is the money of the
people, no dubious transactions. If
those who want to run public affairs are
not convinced that they must be
adorned with this virtue, there is no
hope for a better future.
We call upon those who doubt the
ability of the Lebanese to discipline
themselves within this frame of moral
and national values, to consider what
some Lebanese youth have achieved in
their emigration countries. Some of
them have reached distinguished
positions in various official and nonofficial sections. They have won the
respect of people in the countries where
they settled, accomplishing great
services and enjoying the highest
esteem.
Whilst we hope to see in the light
of Christ's Resurrection, the way that
must be followed to bring our country
out of its fall, strengthen affection
among us, and establish the sincerest
relations with our neighbors, especially
Syria, on bases of equivalence and
equality, we ask Christ in the name of
His glorious Resurrection, and with the
intercession of His virgin Mother, to
direct our steps towards the glory of
our homeland Lebanon, enable us to
always walk in the light of His glorious
Resurrection and work to obtain His
blessings and contentment. ”
April 2005
Bishop Robert Shaheen Dedicates Maronite Community Center
In San Antonio, Texas
Bishop Shaheen spoke of the
importance of the Order of Saint
Sharbel, a service organization whose
objectives are to promote and preserve
the traditions of the Maronite Church
in the United States by providing
assistance to the Maronite Seminary
and retirement benefits to the retired
clergy. St. George was pleased to have
seven new members inducted into the
Order. They included Jo Ann Andera,
Robert Beathe, Tim O’Connor, Jo Ann
and Curtis Reed, and Ted and Cathy
Van Delden. Fr. John also announced
the recipients of the Massabki Medal,
Miriam W ells, and the Faith of the
Mountain Award, Alana Wells.
After Mass, parishioners and
guests were led by the 100 piece
Alamo Community Marching Band to
the Maronite Community Center where
Bishop Shaheen formally dedicated the
facility. During the reception that
Bishop Shaheen with Maronite clergy and Latin dignitaries at the dedication ceremony followed, various local dignitaries took
of St. George’s Maronite Community Center in San Antonio, Texas.
turns congratulating the community of
St. George on its achievement.
By Robert Beathe
Archbishop Flores, a great friend to the
The bishop began his visit by Maronite community in San Antonio,
attending a reception held in his honor reminisced with the guests recalling
that he could remember when not so
n Friday, February 4, 2005, in the Silver Banquet Hall on the parish
Bishop Robert Shaheen of the grounds. In addition to Fr. John Nahal, long ago the Maronites were saying
Eparchy of Our Lady of Lebanon, Pastor of St. George and Fr. Fadi Mass in a small church in the inner city.
accom p anied b y V icar G eneral Helwanji, Associate Pastor, those Now St. George is located on some 21
attending included the Parish Council, acres which includes not only a place of
Chorbishop Faouzi Elia, arrived in San
Antonio, Texas, to begin his second Stewardship Committee, contributors to worship but two hotel-style grand
pastoral visit to the city’s growing the MCC’s capital campaign, and local banquet halls, a modern office building
Maronite parish and to dedicate St. dignitaries. The diners were treated to and now a 42,000 square foot
George’s new Maronite Community the culinary talents of St. George’s community center. From the stage of
the gym he looked around at the
Center (MCC). The dedication of the newest associate, Executive Chef Josh
Paprocki
who
prepared
a
seven
course
magnificent structure and brought the
MCC was the culmination of a desire to
meal
for
the
event.
house down with the line, “You’ve
“nourish and support the essence of
On Saturday morning, the bishop
come a long way, baby.” Truer words
Maronite life.” The finished product is a
42,000 square-foot facility that is attended a business meeting with the St. were never spoken. ”
designed to service both the parishioners George’s clergy, the Parish Council and
of St. George and the greater San the Stewardship Committee. This was
Antonio community. The MCC consists followed by lunch with the parish
of a gymnasium with locker rooms, youth. The day’s events concluded with
showers, and a weight room. The gym is almost 700 parishioners and guests
designed to function as a performance joining the bishop to celebrate the Feast
auditorium as well. Also included in the of St. Maron at the annual Hafli.
After a continental breakfast with
structure is a multi-media library, club
the
seniors of the parish, Bishop
rooms for both the men and the women
of the parish, a media room, professional Shaheen celebrated Sunday Liturgy
kitchen and dining facilities, and assisted by Latin Archbishop Emeritus
classrooms. This facility will certainly of San Antonio, Patricio Flores, his
live up to its motto to evangelize, Auxiliary Bishop Patrick Zurek, Fr.
John Nahal, Fr. Fadi Helwanji, and
educate, and entertain.
Msgr. Faouzi.
During the liturgy
O
The Maronite Voice
Volume 1
Issue No. 4
Page 13
April 2005
Williamsville, N.Y.
St. John Maron’s Holy Name
Society Sponsors A Family Prayer
Night
Uniontown, Penn.
St. George MYO HOLD LENTEN
RETREAT
By Dr. Felix Labaki
n Tuesday evening, March 1, the Holy Name Society
of St. John Maron Parish in Williamsville, N.Y.
sponsored a Family Prayer Night. Many men, women,
and young adults braved winter storm conditions to attend.
The theme of the evening was “A Spiritual Lenten Experience
In The Year of The Eucharist”. In addition to the poignant
hymns and chants of the Eucharistic exposition and
benediction conducted by Fr. Georges El-Khalli, Pastor, the
faithful enjoyed an inspiring address by a guest homilist, Rev.
Mark Wolski, Pastor of a nearby Latin parish. Fr. Wolski
spoke on “Eucharist: the Ultimate Sign of God’s Presence.”
The service included a quiet period of meditation with
background Eucharistic hymns, during which Fr. Wolski and
Fr. El-Khalli offered the Sacrament of Reconciliation for
those individuals desiring to satisfy their Easter Duty.
A Communion Service ended the formal portion of the
evening. The participants then adjourned to the Education
Center for informal conversation with the priests and
refreshments provided by the ladies of the Altar and Rosary
Society. After responding to questions from the group, Fr.
Wolski entertained the participants with stories from his rich
experiences. Participants were spiritually enriched and
strengthened by the evening’s activities. ”
O
Golden Jubilee of Father Mahfoud
n Sunday, April 24, 2005 the Parishioners of Saint
George Maronite Catholic Church, Uniontown, Penn.,
and their pastor, Fr. Joseph David, will celebrate the
Golden Jubilee of Fr. Peter J. Mahfoud, J.C.D. Fr. Mahfoud
has served God and His Church for fifty years.
The Divine Liturgy will be concelebrated by Bishop
Gregory J. Mansour, Bishop of the Eparchy of Saint Maron
of Brooklyn; Bishop Joseph F. Mahfouz of Brazil; and all
priests present. Breakfast and reception will follow at the
Parish Social Hall.
O
Holy Order of Deacon
n Thursday, April 7, 2005, Subdeacon Gaby Y. Hoyek
will be raised to the Holy Order of Deacons by the
imposition of hands of His Excellency Bishop Robert
J. Shaheen, Bishop of the Eparchy of Our Lady of Lebanon.
The Solemn Pontifical Liturgy will take place at 7:00 p.m., at
St. Raymond ’s Maronite Cathedral in St. Louis, Mo. ”
O
Left to right: David Macar, Jim Jenkins, Anthony Howard,
Courtney Sanner, Emily Brower and Sandy Risha.
Second row: Doogie Sanner, Anna Hoawd, Mallory Sanner,
Sara Brower and Brandy Risha.
Standing: Matthew Macar and Nicole Nestor.
he Maronite Youth Organization of St. George Maronite
Church, Uniontown, Penn., held a one day Lenten
Retreat on Sunday, March 13, 2005. Thirteen youths
participated and spent the day in prayer and meditation. All
members attending received purple t-shirts which they wore
throughout the day.
The youths began their day with Divine Liturgy followed
by a spaghetti luncheon in the church hall. Mrs. Barbara
George, a local educator, was the guest speaker. After lunch,
she held an “interact session” with them. Her topic, prepared
by her daughter, Mrs. Rebecca Zwack, a teacher at Wheeling
Jesuit College in Wheeling, W.Va., was “Count It All Joy.”
The youths also worked on a puzzle of the Last Supper
while having a Bible Study on the subject. Later, the group
prepared a skit to be shown to their parents in the evening.
Entitled, “The Agony of Mary,” the skit focused on the
sufferings of Mary as she watched her son dying on the cross.
Their advisors, Mrs. Joanne John and Mr. and Mrs.
Robert Sante, served the youths a Lebanese supper as they
listened to guest speaker Mr. Francis Lemansky, a retired
educator who has experienced blessings from God through
the intercession of Padre Pio.
Their day ended with the presentation of their skit and a
candlelight service. ”
T
Deadline for next month’s issue of The
Maronite Voice is AprilMarch 25, 2005.
Pictures have to be original and
preferably in black and white. Digital
pictures must be in “JPG” format. ”
The Maronite Voice
Volume 1
Issue No. 4
Page 14
April 2005
Newtown Square, Penn.
St. Maron’s Feast Day Celebration
n February 6, 2005, St. Sharbel’s Church in Newtown
Square, Penn., celebrated the Feast of St. Maron. The
Children’s Choir sang during the Divine Liturgy.
A reception followed in the Church Hall where the
Children’s Dance Troupe entertained the parishioners with
traditional folk dances. ”
Minneapolis, Minn.
Parish Award
O
Minneapolis, Minn.
Silver Massabki Award
ovita Awaijane received the Silver Massabki Award. She
has served St. Maron Maronite Church in Minneapolis,
Minn., as MYO Director, Religious Education Teacher,
Member of the Ladies’ Society, Decoration committee and
much more. ”
J
The Maronite Voice
Volume 1
alake Kozah received The Parish Award for her
contributions to the well-being of St. Maron
Maronite Church in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Malake
is a member of the Altar Society and St. Anne’s Club and has
helped in numerous events in the parish and served with
much dedication. ”
M
ary Podein also received the Parish Award of St.
Maron Maronite Church in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
She has taught the First Communion Class for the
last eighteen years and contributed in many ways for the
success of the parish. ”
M
Issue No. 4
Page 15
April 2005
Washington, D.C.
Consecration of Altar at Our Lady of Lebanon
Church
THE ORDER
OF
SAINT SHARBEL
NEW MEMBERS
Annual Members
iMrs. Donna Harrison
Mary, Mother of Light Mission
West Palm Beach, Fla.
i Mr. Raymond Dupere
St. Michael the Archangel
Church
Fayetteville, N.C.
Assisted by Chorbishop Dominic Ashkar, Pastor, (left) and Msgr. Michael Thomas,
Vicar General, Patriarch Sfeir anoints the four corners of the altar with the Holy Oil
of Chrism.
(Mr. Dupere just reactivated his
membership in the Order)
***
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 Maronites 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, 11201
Or
Eparchy of Our Lady of Lebanon
Order of Saint Sharbel
1021 South Street
St. Louis, MO 63104
The Maronite Voice
n Thursday, March 17, 2005, His Beatitude Patriarch Nasrallah Peter
Cardinal Sfeir consecrated the altar of the new Our Lady of Lebanon Church,
which is nearing completion, in Washington, D.C. Chorbishop Dominic
Ashkar, Pastor, assisted. Archbishop Roland Abu-Jaoude, Patriarchal Vicar
General, Bishops Robert Shaheen, Gregory Mansour and Stephen Hector Doueihi,
Archbishop Francis M. Zayek, and a large number of Maronite Clergy present for
the Patriarch’s visit attended the consecration.
In preparation for the dedication of the altar, construction workers worked all
night Wednesday and into Thursday morning in order to have the altar completed
for the ceremony.
The plain massive rectangular Our Lady of Lebanon Church features a massive
vaulted narthex with a heavy stone vaulted nave that draws the attention toward the
altar.
The half-lit interior expresses the mystery of holiness. The Baptistery is in the
form of an eggshell, symbol of rebirth in Christ. This symbol goes back to the
Phoenicians, then to the Eastern Christian tradition. The Baptistery and the
confessional are located in the back of the church as symbols of purification before
entering the sacred space.
The overall expression of the space is massive and suggestive, favoring piety
as in old Maronite vaulted churches, yet being interpreted in a totally new abstract
fashion.
Although the new building is not yet finished, Chorbishop Ashkar took
advantage of the Patriarch’s visit to have the altar consecrated. The official
dedication of the church will be performed once the church is completed. For more
information about the new Our Lady of Lebanon Church, check their website at
www.ourladyoflebanon-dc.org .”
O
Volume 1
Issue No. 4
Page 16
April 2005
Birmingham Alabama
St. Elias Lebanese And Cultural
Festival
Come and study with us
in a truly American School
in
Lebanon
Sagesse High School
Mary Mother of Wisdom
Ain Saadeh, Metn, Lebanon.
By Wanda Elkourie, Publicity Co-Coordinator
he St. Elias Maronite Church in Birmingham, Alabama,
is having its Seventh Annual Lebanese Food and
Cultural Festival on April 15-16, 2005. The public will
have an opportunity to taste the food and experience the
atmosphere of this Lebanese Maronite Catholic Church – the
only one in the State of Alabama. Many cultural events
explaining the rich history and tradition of the Maronite
Catholic Church will be held during the two-day event.
Some of the cultural events will include a Heritage Room
explaining the history of the Birmingham Lebanese
Community and cultural displays from Lebanon. Daytime
tours of the church will include a discussion of the famous
stained glass windows surrounding the church. Nightly
entertainment featuring the Lebanese Band of Amin Sultan
from New York, will take place outside in a tent. Inside the
main hall, youth in traditional outfits will perform traditional
Lebanese dances. During the festival a Silent Auction will
take place featuring art work, vacation trips, unique Middle
Eastern goods and jewelry. Twenty-five percent of all
proceeds from the festival will go to local and national
charities other than St. Elias. Over the last five years St.
Elias has donated over $84,500 to other charities from
festival proceeds. ”
T
42 nd Annual NAM Convention
July 20-24, 2005, San Diego, California
For hotel reservations call the Town and Country
Resort & Convention Center at 1-800-77-ATLAS or
directly at (619) 291-7131, or visit their website at
www.towncountry.com (Attendee Code: NAM).
Special NAM Convention rates are $118.00
(single/double/triple/quad). Deadline for this special
rate is July 1, 2005.
Visit the Church Website (www.stephrem.org) for more
information or call (619) 337-1350.
For NAM information visit www.namnews.org or call
(718) 630-5868. ”
The Maronite Voice
Volume 1
Only Private Catholic School
offering
Day and Boarding
K to 12 American School Diploma
&
st
1 authorized School offering
International Baccalaureate
Diploma
In Lebanon
Issue No. 4
Tel: 961 1 872145-6-7
Fax: 961 1 872149
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.sagesse.com
Page 17
April 2005
Visiting South of the Border During NAM Convention!
“The Good, The Bad, And The Ugly”
By Rima Abi-Najm
The Good
here else can you attend a
NAM Convention and visit
another country just twenty
miles away all in the same day? World
renowned as "the world's most visited
border city," Tijuana, Mexico, is a one
hour trolley ride from the host hotel.
Although it would be quicker to drive a
car into Mexico, I recommend against
that for several reasons. Heavy traffic
at the border and special insurance
required to enter makes crossing into
Mexico by car a risky business.
Additionally, driving rules and roads
are very different. However, if you do
decide to drive into Mexico, invest in
auto insurance, which can be had for as
little as $10 per day in San Ysidro.
Dollars are accepted as readily as pesos,
so there is no need to change money,
though prices are better if you do.
Shopping is perhaps Tijuana's
major tourist attraction. The city is a
duty-free zone, and it is truly a “shop til
you drop” experience, with an
impressive and astounding variety of
merchandise. Just over the border you
can either catch a bus or simply walk
across the bridge to the shopping
venues. A 10-minute stroll through
stalls filled with woven blankets,
baskets, pottery, hand-carved trinkets,
blown glass, and leather goods takes
you from the border itself to Avenida
Revolucion, the world's most-shopped
street. You'll find an eight-block strip
of stores , s ta lls , a r ca d e s an d
underground passageways filled with
W
The Maronite Voice
bargains from all over the world. The
atmosphere on the street is always
hustling in high gear, but ignore the
hawkers trying to lure you into their
shops. Browse at your own pace and
places, and be sure to know good or
bad quality when you see it. From the
finest Austrian crystal in sedately
elegant stores to Indian women selling
trinkets for pennies from sidewalk
blankets, you'll be able to graze the
gamut of Mexican bargains here.
Another popular shopping venue is
Mercado Hidalgo, a colorful and
authentic Mexican market where the
local residents buy their specialty items
and produce. This large and impressive
Mexican municipal market features
Mexican cooking utensils, housewares,
numerous varieties of chilies, spices
and specialty Mexican food items, as
well as candies, produce, flowers,
crafts, and more.
Plaza Rio, another shopping venue,
resembles a U.S.-type indoor mall with
a large department store and numerous
duty-free stores and upscale boutiques
specializing in consumer electronic
products, leather goods, watches, and
jewelry selling at bargain prices.
Other major attractions include
Tijuana Cultural Center (Centro
Cultural Tijuana), which houses a
magnificent IMAX theatre where
visitors can view films about Mexico's
history and heritage. The Center also
features a space theater, a museum with
a permanent collection of Mexican
artifacts, a performing arts theater with
excellent acoustics, and several
restaurants.
The Tijuana W ax
Sculptures Museum (Museo de Cera de
Tijuana) located downtown features
numerous, very realistic looking, wax
Volume 1
Issue No. 4
Page 18
sculptures of famous world figures,
Hollywood stars, artists, politicians and
scary characters. Here you can meet the
likes of Elvis Presley, John Lennon,
Marilyn Monroe, John F. Kennedy, and
many more. The Mexitlan Park, a large
cultural theme park, displays over 150
precise scale miniature replicas of
Mexico's famous sites, buildings, and
historical monuments. Additionally,
there are regular performances of
Mexican folk dances, several quaint
restaurants, and a number of handicraft
shops featuring items made by local
artisans.
A n other
attraction
worth
mentioning and only eighteen miles
from the border, is Rosarito which has
long been a favorite of visitors looking
for a getaway with an international
difference. Rosarito is known for its
endless beaches and desert hills.
Unpack and enjoy the region's warm
hospitality and M exican flair. It's an
ideal setting for large get-togethers.
Rosarito has an 18-hole course just
north of town and miles of horseback
riding trails to please the most avid
wanderer. And when you're through,
cool off with a refreshing dip in the
surf, a leisurely walk on the beach, or
just lie back and sink your fingers and
toes in the warm sand.
The Bad
mmigration procedures are stringent
-even joking about smuggling
weapons or illegal drugs can bring
a humiliating interrogation, so be wary
of saying or doing anything foolish. At
night, the action mostly consists of
inebriated youths dancing themselves
I
April 2005
silly in flashy discos and rowdy rock'n'roll bars.
Extreme caution is suggested for those youths attending
the convention who are considering the same. As you
were for warned, you risk being a guest of the San
Diego Police Department upon your return to the border.
The Ugly
lthough not as serious as a travel warning, on
Wednesday, January 26, 2005, the Department of
State issued a public announcement warning
U.S. citizens of the dangers of travelling to Mexico. In
the announcement, the State Department said foreign
visitors, including Americans, have been among the
victims of recent increased criminal activity plaguing
the border region. The warning announcement expires
April 25, 2005, and is used to inform citizens of
conditions that pose a serious and usually short-term
threat to the security of American travellers.
Youth and young adults who are lured to Mexico by
lax alcohol laws and cheap drink specials should be
aware of the risks involved in such actions. Antonio
Graza, U.S. Ambassador in Mexico City, stated that, “It
is our responsibility to alert citizens to the enhanced
risks and to provide guidance on how best to protect
themselves.”
It is my hope that in writing this article I have done
that for our fellow brothers and sisters attending the
convention this summer. Remember, travelling can be
safe if you go with a big group during the day and avoid
red-light districts and questionable neighborhoods. ”
A
Maronite Census
he Most Reverend Bishops
Robert Shaheen, Bishop of the
Eparchy of O ur Lady of
Lebanon, and Gregory Mansour,
Bishop of the Eparchy of Saint Maron
of Brooklyn, are asking that all
Maronites register with the Maronite Census. The
purpose of this census is threefold: “First, we have been
asked by the Holy See to compile a census of Maronites
within our Eparchies. This request stems from years of
religious persecution in Lebanon and the fleeing of
Christians to other countries, searching for a better life.
Secondly, this census is to make the Eparchy aware of
Maronites in areas in which we now have no presence.
Third, the database will help the local parish/mission
with better outreach and communication with Maronites
within their area who are not yet involved with parish
life and who would like to be.”
If you are active in your Maronite parish, check with
your pastor for registration forms. If you live in a city
where there is no Maronite parish, a separate website
has been set up for this purpose. To register with the
Maronite
Census
online,
go
to
www.m aronitecensus.net or call the Eparchy of Our
Lady of Lebanon at 1-314-231-1021 or the Eparchy of
Saint Maron of Brooklyn at 1-718-237-9913 to receive
a census form by mail. For more information email the
census office at [email protected]. ”
T
The Maronite Voice
Volume 1
Issue No. 4
Page 19
April 2005
The Maronite Voice
St. Anthony’s Maronite Catholic Church
4611 Sadler Road
Glen Allen, Virginia 23060-6108
NON-PROFIT ORG.
U.S. POSTAGE PAID
PERM IT NO. 1370
GLEN ALLEN, VIRGINIA
Pope Elevates Syro-Malankara Church to
Major Archbishopric
Land. It is estimated that over the past
few days, some 15,000 pilgrims visited
the land of Jesus. ”
March 27, 2005 (Zenit.org).
by Cindy Wooden
Catholic News Service
ope John Paul II has elevated
India’s Syro-Malankara Catholic
Church to a major archbishopric,
a move that gives the 450,000 members
church greater status and autonomy.
Raising the Eastern church’s status,
the Pope also promoted Archbishop
Cyril Malancharuvil of Trivandrum to
the rank of Major Archbishop.
The Pope’s move announced
February 10, 2005 at the Vatican,
makes the Syro-Malankara Church the
third major archbishopric in the
Catholic Church.
The Ukrainian Catholic Church
gained the status in 1963, and India’
Syro-Malabar Church was granted the
status in 1992.
A major archbishopric has authority
similar to that of the Eastern Catholic
Patriarchs and the key decisions of their
churches, including the election of
bishops in their home territories, is
made by their synods of bishops.
The main difference between an
Eastern church led by a patriarch and
one led by a major archbishop is that
the election of a new major archbishop
must be confirmed by the Pope. When
a new patriarch is elected, he requests
communion with the Pope.
P
The Maronite Voice
The Syro-Malankara Catholic
Church has five dioceses, all of which
are in India. Although there is an
apostolic visitor and at least fifteen
missions in North America.
According to the Vatican statistics,
the church’s 450,000 members are
served by 632 priests. The church’s
five seminaries have a combined
enrollment of 643 men. In addition,
there are 17 orders of religious women
with a total of 2,030 members. ”
Jerusalem Patriarch
Sounds A Plea For
Peace
atin Patriarch Michel Sabbah of
Jerusalem proclaimed a message
of peace for the region when he
celebrated Easter Mass in the Church of
the Holy Sepulcher. "Christ has truly
risen! Rejoice!" the Patriarch exhorted
the faithful.
During Holy Week, especially for
Good Friday's Stations of the Cross on
the Via Dolorosa, the Old City
witnessed the return of tourists and
pilgrims to the sites of the Passion,
Death and Resurrection of Christ.
For the past four years, since the
start of the second intifada, few
foreigners have been seen in the Holy
L
Volume 1
Issue No. 4
Page 20
U.S. Bishops to
Launch Campaign to
End Death Penalty
.S. Bishops, seeing a "dramatic
rise in Catholic opposition" to
the death penalty, are launching
a campaign to end capital punishment.
The "Catholic Campaign to End the
Use of the Death Penalty" will be
launched Monday [March 21, 2005].
Among those scheduled to help launch
the event are Cardinal Theodore
McCarrick of Washington, D.C., and
John Zogby, who conducted the survey
that showed U.S. Catholics' opposition
to the death penalty.
In a statement the Bishops'
Conference said the new campaign will
include new teaching and educational
resources, a Web site, continuing legal
action, ongoing legislative advocacy at
state and federal levels, and links to the
C h u rch 's p ro-life an d "faith fu l
citizenship" efforts.
"The campaign is being launched at the
beginning of Holy Week, a time when
Christians mark the execution of Jesus
Christ nearly 2,000 years ago," added
the conference. ”
U
March 18, 2005 (Zenit.org).
April 2005