Maronite Magazine March 2014

M a r o n i t e M aga z i n e
M a r c h 2 014
Maronite
Catholic Chur ch
Our Lady of the Cedars,
Woodmead
The Serenity Prayer
Our Lady of Lebanon,
Mulbarton
God grant me the serenity
to accept the things
I cannot change;
courage to change the
things I can;
and wisdom to know
the difference.
Tel: 011 804 1305
Fax: 011 804 1306
Email: [email protected]
Tel: 011 432 5331
Fax: 011 432 5312
Email: [email protected]
Lebanese Family
Club
dedicated to preserving our
Lebanese heritage through
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family
family
family
family
family
days
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Tel: 011 804 1305
Fax: 08 66 66 5412
Email: [email protected]
Website:
www.lebanesefamilyclub.co.za
Postal Address:
PO Box 76043,
Wendywood, 2144
Office Hours:
8:30-4:30, Mon - Fri.
Family Club:
Editor:
Editors:
LaurenEDos
l i s aSantos
Fincati
Superior: a n d
Fr. BadaouiFaHabib
ther
M.L.M.
Charbel Habchi
Living one day at a time;
enjoying one moment at
a time;
accepting hardships as
the pathway to peace;
taking, as He did,
this sinful world
as it is, not as I
would have it;
trusting that He will make all
things right
if I surrender to His Will;
that I may be reasonably
happy in this life
and supremely happy with
Him forever in the next.
Amen.
ThE Lent
VATICAN CITY, February 04, 2014
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
As Lent draws near, I would like to offer some helpful thoughts on our path
of conversion as individuals and as a community. These insights are inspired
by the words of Saint Paul: “For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ,
that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that by his
poverty you might become rich” (2 Cor 8:9). The Apostle was writing to the
Christians of Corinth to encourage them to be generous in helping the faithful
in Jerusalem who were in need. What do these words of Saint Paul mean for us
Christians today? What does this invitation to poverty, a life of evangelical
poverty, mean to us today?
Christ’s grace
First of all, it shows us how God works. He does not reveal himself cloaked in
worldly power and wealth but rather in weakness and poverty: “though He
was rich, yet for your sake he became poor ...”. Christ, the eternal Son of God,
one with the Father in power and glory, chose to be poor; he came amongst us
and drew near to each of us; he set aside his glory and emptied himself so that
he could be like us in all things (cf. Phil 2:7; Heb 4:15). God’s becoming man is
a great mystery! But the reason for all this is his love, a love which is grace,
generosity, a desire to draw near, a love which does not hesitate to offer
itself in sacrifice for the beloved. Charity, love, is sharing with the one we
love in all things. Love makes us similar, it creates equality, it breaks down
walls and eliminates distances. God did this with us. Indeed, Jesus “worked
with human hands, thought with a human mind, acted by human choice and
loved with a human heart. Born of the Virgin Mary, he truly became one of
us, like us in all things except sin.” (Gaudium et Spes, 22).
Lent by Christina Rossetti
It is good to be last not first,
Pe n d i n g t h e p r e s e n t d i s t r e s s ;
It is good to hunger and thirst,
S o i t b e f o r r i g h t e o u s n e s s.
It i s g o o d t o s pe n d a n d b e s pe n t ,
It is good to watch and to pray:
Life and Death make a goodly Lent
So i t l e a d s u s t o E a s t e r D a y .
By making himself poor, Jesus did not seek poverty for its own sake but, as
Saint Paul says “that by his poverty you might become rich”. This is no mere
play on words or a catch phrase. Rather, it sums up God’s logic, the logic of
love, the logic of the incarnation and the cross. God did not let our salvation
drop down from heaven, like someone who gives alms from their abundance
out of a sense of altruism and piety. Christ’s love is different! When Jesus
stepped into the waters of the Jordan and was baptized by John the Baptist,
he did so not because he was in need of repentance, or conversion; he did it
to be among people who need forgiveness, among us sinners, and to take upon
himself the burden of our sins. In this way he chose to comfort us, to save
us, to free us from our misery. It is striking that the Apostle states that we
were set free, not by Christ’s riches but by his poverty. Yet Saint Paul is well
aware of the “the unsearchable riches of Christ” (Eph 3:8), that he is “heir of
all things” (Heb 1:2).
So what is this poverty by which Christ frees us and enriches us? It is his way
of loving us, his way of being our neighbour, just as the Good Samaritan was
neighbour to the man left half dead by the side of the road (cf. Lk 10:25ff).
What gives us true freedom, true salvation and true happiness is the
compassion, tenderness and solidarity of his love. Christ’s poverty which
enriches us is his taking flesh and bearing our weaknesses and sins as an
expression of God’s infinite mercy to us. Christ’s poverty is the greatest
treasure of all: Jesus wealth is that of his boundless confidence in God the
Father, his constant trust, his desire always and only to do the Father’s will
and give glory to him. Jesus is rich in the same way as a child who feels loved
and who loves its parents, without doubting their love and tenderness for an
instant. Jesus’ wealth lies in his being the Son; his unique relationship with
the Father is the sovereign prerogative of this Messiah who is poor. When
Jesus asks us to take up his “yoke which is easy”, he asks us to be enriched by
his “poverty which is rich” and his “richness which is poor”, to share his filial
and fraternal Spirit, to become sons and daughters in the Son, brothers and
sisters in the firstborn brother (cf. Rom 8:29).
It has been said that the only real regret lies in not being a saint (L. Bloy); we
could also say that there is only one real kind of poverty: not living as
children of God and brothers and sisters of Christ.
Our witness
We might think that this “way” of poverty was Jesus’ way, whereas we who
come after him can save the world with the right kind of human resources.
This is not the case. In every time and place God continues to save mankind
and the world through the poverty of Christ, who makes himself poor in the
sacraments, in his word and in his Church, which is a people of the poor. God’s
wealth passes not through our wealth, but invariably and exclusively through
our personal and communal poverty, enlivened by the Spirit of Christ.
In imitation of our Master, we Christians are called to confront the poverty
of our brothers and sisters, to touch it, to make it our own and to take
practical steps to alleviate it. Destitution is not the same as poverty:
destitution is poverty without faith, without support, without hope. There are
three types of destitution: material, moral and spiritual. Material destitution
is what is normally called poverty, and affects those living in conditions
opposed to human dignity: those who lack basic rights and needs such as food,
water, hygiene, work and the opportunity to develop and grow culturally. In
response to this destitution, the Church offers her help, her diakonia, in
meeting these needs and binding these wounds which disfigure the face of
humanity. In the poor and outcast we see Christ’s face; by loving and helping
the poor, we love and serve Christ. Our efforts are also directed to ending
violations of human dignity, discrimination and abuse in the world, for these
are so often the cause of destitution. When power, luxury and money become
idols, they take priority over the need for a fair distribution of wealth. Our
consciences thus need to be converted to justice, equality, simplicity and
sharing.
O
, Jesus!
... We share
thy agony
No less a concern is moral destitution, which consists in slavery to vice and
sin. How much pain is caused in families because one of their members - often a young person - is in thrall to alcohol, drugs, gambling or pornography!
How many people no longer see meaning in life or prospects for the future,
how many have lost hope! And how many are plunged into this destitution by
unjust social conditions, by unemployment, which takes away their dignity as
breadwinners, and by lack of equal access to education and health care.
In such cases, moral destitution can be considered impending suicide.
This type of destitution, which also causes financial ruin, is invariably linked
to the spiritual destitution which we experience when we turn away from
God and reject his love. If we think we don’t need God who reaches out to us
though Christ, because we believe we can make do on our own, we are headed
for a fall. God alone can truly save and free us.
The Gospel is the real antidote to spiritual destitution: wherever we go, we
are called as Christians to proclaim the liberating news that forgiveness for
sins committed is possible, that God is greater than our sinfulness, that he
freely loves us at all times and that we were made for communion and
eternal life. The Lord asks us to be joyous heralds of this message of mercy
and hope! It is thrilling to experience the joy of spreading this good news,
sharing the treasure entrusted to us, consoling broken hearts and offering
hope to our brothers and sisters experiencing darkness. It means following
and imitating Jesus, who sought out the poor and sinners as a shepherd
lovingly seeks his lost sheep. In union with Jesus, we can courageously open
up new paths of evangelization and human promotion.
Dear brothers and sisters, may this Lenten season find the whole Church
ready to bear witness to all those who live in material, moral and spiritual
destitution the Gospel message of the merciful love of God our Father, who is
ready to embrace everyone in Christ. We can so this to the extent that we
imitate Christ who became poor and enriched us by his poverty. Lent is a
fitting time for self-denial; we would do well to ask ourselves what we can
give up in order to help and enrich others by our own poverty. Let us not
forget that real poverty hurts: no self-denial is real without this dimension
of penance. I distrust a charity that costs nothing and does not hurt.
May the Holy Spirit, through whom we are “as poor, yet making many rich;
as having nothing, and yet possessing everything” (2 Cor 6:10), sustain us in
our resolutions and increase our concern and responsibility for human
destitution, so that we can become merciful and act with mercy. In
expressing this hope, I likewise pray that each individual member of the
faithful and every Church community will undertake a fruitful Lenten
journey. I ask all of you to pray for me.
May the Lord bless you and Our Lady keep you safe.
From the Vatican, 26 December 2013
Feast of Saint Stephen, Deacon and First Martyr
Pope Francis celebrates a Mass in St. Peter’s
Basilica at the Vatican.
ANNUAL LADIES HIGH TEA IN
THE CHURCH VENUE
An extremely wonderful,
entertaining day was had
by all the ladies!
The theme was: movies.
O U R L A DY O F L E B A N O N ,
I nv i t e s t h e yo u t h
t o a m e et i n g eve r y Fri d ay eve n i n g i n t h e c h u rc h
foye r a n d a l l yo u t h a re we l c o m e t o j o i n ! T h e re a re
d i f fe re n t t o p i c s o f d i s c u s s i o n eve r y we e k w i t h b ot h
Father Maurice & Father Jean.
The Congregation of the Maronite sisters of the Holy Family
I s a religious Ap ostol i c Co n gre g ati o n o f Patr i a rch a l r i ght. I t was fo unded o n t he 15t h
o f Au gust 1895 by Pat r i a rch E l i a s H waye k , M o th e r R o sali e Nasr, and Si ster Estep hany
K arddou c h, “ for t he gl or y o f G o d a n d th e s a l vati o n o f so uls”, as well as fo r t he b enef i t
of the C h u rc h a n d t h e co u nt r y. O u r Co n gre g at i o n is deep -rooted in the Antioch
Syr ia c M a ro n i te C h u rc h a n d a i m s to g o d e e p e r in its her mitic and apostolic
spir itualit y. I t i s o p e n e d to t h e U n i ve r s a l C h u rc h , i n an ecumenical spir it, embracing
its missio n , p e rce i v i n g i t s n e e d s, a n d m o b i l i ze d fo r the ser vice of “ the edification of
t he B ody of C hr i st ”. O ur Co n gre g ati o n a i m s towa rd s a li fe o f “ last ing unio n wit h G o d ”
t hrough p raye r a nd wor k , “ fo r th e g l o r y o f th e gre at Divi ne genero sit y ”, in t he ser vi ce
of the Chu rc h , t h e f a m i l y, a n d o u r b re t h re n , “ w i t h n o distinc tion bet ween confessions
an d nat i ona l i t i e s”, i n a cco rd a n ce w i th th e n e cessit ies o f t he t i m e and t he
“requ irem e nt s of t he st ate o f th e co u ntr y ” Pat r i a rc h Elias H wayek along with M other
R osalie N a sr a nd S i ste r Sté p h a n i e K a rd o u ch e fo u nded t he Co ngregat i o n o f t he
M aronite S i s te r s o f t h e H o l y Fa m i l y o n t h e 1 5 t h o f August 1895 “ for the glor y of G od
an d th e sa l vat i on of s o u l s “, “ fo r th e we l fa re o f the Churc h and o f t he co unt r y “.
T h e mo t i vat i n g i n t ui tion
The ide a o f fo u n d i n g a n a u to n o m o u s a n d a p o s to lic religious congregation of
S ister s wa s a l ways p re s e nt i n th e Patr i a rch’s m i n d si nce t he b eginning o f hi s
con se c rate d l i fe. D u r i n g h i s to u rs i n th e v i l l a g es and towns, as a p asto r,
a pr i e st a nd a b i sh o p, h e fe l t a n d u n d e rs to o d t he needs o f t he f am i ly,
t h e s o c i e t y a n d t h e co u nt r y fo r s u c h a Congregation.
The necess i t y o f fo u n d i n g a R e l i gi o u s I n s t i t u te co n s tituted an impor tant solution for
the develop m e nt a nd con s tru c ti o n o f a s o ci e t y th at was wo r n down by t he p lague o f
co r r u ption a nd i gnora nce. Th e Patr i a rch wa s d e e pl y co nvinced t hat t he f ut ure relied
on youn g wome n’s e d uc ati o n . Fo r h i m , th e yo u n g wom an, t he m o t her to b e, was t he
h ear t of t he f a mi l y a s th e fa m i l y, wa s th e ro ck o f s o c iet y. S o want ing to give t he
Leban ese yout h a n e d u cati o n b a s e d o n h u m a n , ci vi c and evangeli c al values, he
ins isted th e m i ssi on of th e n e w Co n gre g ati o n be d i rec ted towards t he c hi ldren, t he
yo ung a nd t he s i ck pe o p l e, w h o we re co n s i d ered hi s m ai n co ncer n.
A p r o vi de n t i a l m e eti ng
Af ter waitin g a nd se a rc hi n g fo r m a ny ye a rs, h i s b e g a n to see t he li ght i n 1893 when he
met, p rov i d e nt i a l l y, at t h e h o u s e o f h i s f r i e n d Cheik h Assaf El Bitar, M other
R osalie Na sr, a Le b a ne s e Si s te r o f th e R o s a r y, w h o c am e to K f i f ane to est ab lish a
missi on w i t h S i ste r Sté p h a n i e K a rd o u ch e. M o t her R o salie, a nat i ve o f
K leiat - Kes s ro u a n , wa s a n u n fo r 2 4 ye a r s w i t h t h e French Sisters of Nazareth and for
1 1 year s wit h t he R osa r y Si s te rs. Patr i a rch H oye k m a d e his p ro jec t k nown to her, whic h
sh e accep te d, p rov i d e d th at th e C h u rch wo u l d a pp rove and vali date her t ransfer.
Af ter accom p l i s h i n g t h e c a n o n i c a l p ro ce d u re s w i t h t he Latin Patr iarch of Jerusalem, in
c ha rge of t he R osa r y S i ste rs’ Co n gre g ati o n , Patr i a rch H wayek sent fo r M o t her R o salie
and addresse d he r w i t h th e s e wo rd s : “ Prov i d e n ce i s calli ng. I t i s t im e to answer G o d ’s
w il l an d to i ni t i ate t he wo r k co n fi d e d to u s by re l e a s ing it f ro m p o tent i ali t y to reali t y.
Let us tak e our st re ngt h fro m th e Al m i g ht y a n d re l y o n H im , He who had no p lace to
rest. Let us d a re to st a r t it w i th o u t re s p i te “. M o th e r R o salie t hen answered: “ We are to
be availabl e ; t he d i v i ne Provi d e n ce s h a l l d i s p o s e a n d t he Alm i ght y shall acco m p li sh.
Whe re coul d we s e ttl e ? Is th e re a pl a ce to s et t le down i m m ediately ?”
The first Home.
The big ordeal
After barely four years of hard work of founding the Congregation, a
s i g n i f i c a n t b l o w o c c u r r e d , w i t h t h e m a r t y r d o m o f t h e f o u n d e r. I t h a p p e n e d o n
the night of the 22nd to 23rd of August 1899 when a young girl, expelled
because of her inability to cope with the religious life, stabbed her to death.
On a hot night of full moon, and knowing the entrances of the small convent,
s h e m a d e h e r w a y t o w a r d s t h e M o t h e r ' s r o o m o n t h e g r o u n d f l o o r, e n t e r e d
t h ro u g h a n o p e n w i n d ow, a p p ro a c h e d h e r b e d a n d s t a b b e d h e r i n t h e h e a r t .
H a l f a n h o u r l a t e r, M o t h e r R o s a l i e p a s s e d a w a y . T h e r e w e r e m a n y w h o t h o u g h t
that her death would be a fatal blow to the young congregation, but divine
providence was look ing mercifully over it. The Founder's mar t yrdom did
nothing but strengthen it through greater riches bestowed upon the mission.
T h e ta k i n g ov e r
"The Congregation is a divine project, not a human one, it is founded on divine
p r o v i d e n c e , i t s h a l l p e r s i s t a s l o n g a s G o d w i s h e s s o ", " i t i s t h e f i e l d h e
cultivates and the edifice he constructs. It is He who made it prosper and He
who preserved it. He shall preserve and bless it. This task is incumbent upon
H im. " With these words, the Founder revived the young Congregation af ter this
distressing ordeal. On the 30th of August 1899, one week after Mother
Rosalie's death, the Founder named as M other G eneral, Sister Stéphanie
Kardouche, her friend and companion. About thirty years of age, Stéphanie,
w h o s e m o t t o w a s " m y G o d a n d m y C o n g r e g a t i o n ", s t a r t e d w o r k i n g , a b s o l u t e l y
certain that neither the farmer nor the waterer could make the young plant
grow but that God alone gives life.
Building the Mother House
The basic objective of Mother Stéphanie was to build the motherhouse. The
decision was taken at once, with the new construction to be built over the
b l o o d o f t h e F o u n d i n g M a r t y r. M o t h e r S t é p h a n i e , h e r s e l f , d i r e c t e d t h e l a b o r
force and the works. The first stone of the chapel was laid in 1907. The Founder
consecrated it in 1913 and the work was completed by 1917. The convent doors
were wide open to accept young girls, according to the main aim, for which the
Congregation had been founded. Mother Stéphanie built a school as well as a
b o a r d i n g h o m e . F o r t i f i e d b y t h e b l o o d o f t h e F o u n d i n g M a r t y r, t h e u n s h a k e a b l e
f a i t h a n d i r o n w i l l o f i t s c o - f o u n d e r, t h e n a s c e n t C o n g r e g a t i o n d e v e l o p e d a n d
e x p a n d e d w i t h a s to n i s h i n g r a p i d i t y, to b e co m e a ve r y h u g e t re e w h e re b i rd s
have come to nest, from having been a mustard seed, as the
Founder witnessed himself.
Since the Foundation...M oved by its faith and hope in Providence, the
Congregation did not stop the foundational task. At each period, it drew its
strength of pursuing its course, thus remembering the words of its Founder
who tirelessly repeated to it with Paul saying: "He who began in you the good
work, will fulfill it to the day of Jesus-Christ" (Ph 1). One quarter of a century
l a t e r, t h e y o u n g H o l y F a m i l y C o n g r e g a t i o n c o u n t e d s e v e n t e e n i n s t i t u t i o n s a n d
o v e r o n e h u n d r e d s i s t e r s . S e v e n t y y e a r s l a t e r, i t s e d u c a t i o n a l a n d h o s p i t a l
institutions amounted to seventy along with eight others in Syria. In the
s e v e n t i e s - n i n e t i e s , c i v i l w a r, w h i c h r a k e d t h e c o u n t r y a n d i t s i n f r a s t r u c t u r e s ,
a l s o h i t t h e C o n g r e g a t i o n , i t s p e r s o n s a n d i n s t i t u t i o n s . A f t e r t h e w a r, t h e
Congregation recovered quickly by rehabilitating its diverse sectors so as to
face the new challenges of the third millennium.
S i n c e t h e F o u n dat i o n . . .
Moved by its faith and hope in Providence, the Congregation did not stop the
foundational task. At each period, it drew its strength of pursuing its course,
thus remembering the words of its Founder who tirelessly repeated to it with
Paul saying: "He who began in you the good work , will fulfill it to the day of
J e s u s - C h r i s t " ( P h 1 ) . O n e q u a r t e r o f a c e n t u r y l a t e r, t h e y o u n g H o l y F a m i l y
Congregation counted seventeen institutions and over one hundred sisters.
S e v e n t y y e a r s l a t e r, i t s e d u c a t i o n a l a n d h o s p i t a l i n s t i t u t i o n s a m o u n t e d t o
seventy along with eight others in Syria.
I n t h e s e v e n t i e s - n i n e t i e s , c i v i l w a r, w h i c h r a k e d t h e c o u n t r y a n d i t s
infrastructures, also hit the Congregation, its persons and institutions.
A f t e r t h e w a r, t h e C o n g r e g a t i o n r e c o v e r e d q u i c k l y b y r e h a b i l i t a t i n g i t s d i v e r s e
sectors so as to face the new challenges of the third millennium.
I n 1 9 9 5 , t h e Co n gre g a t i o n ce l e b r a te d i t s f i r s t ce n te n a r y, re m e m b e r i n g i t s
F o u n d e r ’s w o r d s : “ W e a r e g r a t e f u l t o t h e D i v i n e P r o v i d e n c e , w h i c h w a t c h e s o v e r
the work since its foundation to our days, helping it to develop, to strengthen,
t o f u l f i l l g o o d w o r k s a n d t o s u c c e e d s p i r i t u a l l y w e l l a n d t e m p o r a r i l y ”.
In the beginning of the third millennium, the Congregation started a second
foundation by discovering again its own spirituality by voting in its new
constitutions, and by modernizing its institutions so as to best meet,
t h e m i s s i o n ’s n e e d s .
As the necessary funds were unavailable,
Patriarch Hoyek put at the disposal of the small
community a convent in the plain of Jbeil that a
benefactress of Amchit named Ursula Lahoud had
given to the Church as an entailed estate (wakf ).
I t was the first “home” and Mother Rosalie received
its keys on the 12th of August 1895. On the 15th
of August 1895, the first foundation Mass was held.
Since that date, the Assumption has become the
C o n g r e g a t i o n ’s P a t r o n F e a s t .
The Maronite Patriarch,
Elias El-Hoyek (1899-1931)
A r t G a l l e ry
Lebanese houses
and villages viewed
f ro m b e h i n d o l i v e
a n d p i n e t re e s .
A r t G a l l e ry
Wa t e r c o l o r p a i n t i n g
of a Lebanese house
b e h i n d p i n e t re e s .
A r t G a l l e ry
V i e w o f Q a d i s h a Va l l e y
Beit Chabeb
A r t G a l l e ry
"Cedars of Lebanon"
c o v e r e d w i t h s n o w.
Lebanese Salad
Fo r t h e d re s s i n g :
3 t b l s p e x t r a v i rg i n o l i v e o i l
1 tblsp lemon juice
1 tblsp pomegranate molasses
1.5 tsp honey
1 small clove garlic, crushed coarse salt to taste
Fo r t h e s a l a d :
8 l a rg e s p r i n g o n i o n s , f i n e l y s l i c e d
squeeze of lemon juice
2 5 0 g c h e r r y t o m a t o e s , q u a r t e re d
(or halved if very small)
250g cooked chickpeas (either soak and cook
a p p rox . 1 0 0 g d r i e d c h i c k p e a s o r d r a i n a n d r i n s e
a 400g tin of chickpeas)
1 0 0 g ro a s t e d c h i c k p e a s w i t h s u m a c a n d a l l s p i c e
1 0 0 g s o f t , f re s h g o a t ’ s c h e e s e o r l a b n e h
6 t b l s p c h o p p e d f re s h c o r i a n d e r
3 tblsp chopped flat leaf parsley
coarse salt to taste
f re s h l y g ro u n d b l a c k p e p p e r t o t a s t e
l e a v e s o f b a b y g e m , ro m a i n e o r o t h e r c r u n c h y l e t t u c e
to serve
T h e S t e p s : P re p a re t h e d re s s i n g b y w h i s k i n g t o g e t h e r t h e o l i v e o i l , l e m o n j u i c e , p o m e g r a n a t e
m o l a s s e s , h o n e y, c r u s h e d g a r l i c a n d s a l t t o t a s t e . A d d t h e s p r i n g o n i o n s t o a s a l a d b o w l a n d
sprinkle with a good squeeze of lemon juice. Add the tomatoes, chickpeas (both plain and
r o a s t e d ) , g o a t ’ s c h e e s e , c o r i a n d e r, p a r s l e y a n d d r e s s i n g t o t h e s a l a d b o w l . To s s t o m i x . A d d
c o a r s e s a l t a n d b l a c k p e p p e r t o t a s t e . To s e r v e , s c o o p s p o o n f u l s o f s a l a d o n t o c r u n c h y l e t t u c e
l e a v e s a n d d i g i n . T h e Va r i a t i o n s : Yo u c o u l d r e p l a c e t h e g o a t ’ s c h e e s e h e r e w i t h f e t a c h e e s e a n d ( i f
s o ) re d u c e t h e a m o u n t o f s a l t y o u a d d .
T h e R e s u l t s : S e r v e s a ro u n d 6 - 8 , a l o n g w i t h o t h e r s a l a d d i s h e s & b re a d s
Italian Chicken and Rice Casserole
I n g re d i e n t s :
2-3 cups cooked, chopped chicken
1 cup rice, uncooked
1 r e d b e l l p e p p e r, c h o p p e d
h a n d f u l o f c h o p p e d f re s h p a r s l e y
1 c u p I t a l i a n b l e n d s h re d d e d
cheese
2 c a n s ( 1 5 o z ) c h i c k e n b ro t h
1 c a n c re a m o f c h i c k e n s o u p
1 / 2 - 1 t s p . o re g a n o
1/2-1 tsp. basil
1 garlic clove, minced or crushed
black pepper to taste
Instructions:
1 . P u t t h e c h i c k e n i n t h e b o t t o m o f a 9 × 1 3 c a s s e ro l e d i s h .
2 . S p r i n k l e t h e r i c e , re d p e p p e r a n d p a r s l e y o v e r t h e t o p .
3 . S p re a d t h e c h e e s e e v e n l y o v e r t h e t o p .
4 . I n a s m a l l b o w l , c o m b i n e t h e b r o t h , c h i c k e n s o u p , , o r e g a n o , b a s i l , g a r l i c a n d p e p p e r.
5 . Po u r e v e n l y o v e r t h e t o p o f t h e o t h e r i n g r e d i e n t s .
6 . B a k e a t 3 5 0 d e g re e s f o r 1 h o u r – 1 h o u r a n d 1 5 m i n u t e s . L e t i t s t a n d f o r a f e w
m i n u t e s b e f o re s e r v i n g .
A light and refreshing
desert – for a special
celebration, or just
because!
Lovely, fast and easy to mix, it is baked in a waterbath.
Your tin sits in a bain marie and the steam from the
boiling water (which cannot exceed the boiling point
of 100 C), along with the yogurt, will produce a moist
cake that is sponge on top and custard on the bottom.
Ingredients:
3 large free-range eggs, separated
70g caster sugar
2 vanilla pods, split in half lengthways
350g yogurt, Greek style or low fat as you prefer
finely grated zest of 1 orange
Method
Preheat oven to 180 C and put a bain marie of water in to warm on middle shelf
. A deep
baking tin or a roasting tin will work well. In a bowl beat the egg yolks with ½ of the sugar
until thick and pale. Scrape out the seeds of the vanilla pods and mix into the egg mixture.
Add the yogurt, lemon zest, orange zest, lemon juice and flour and mix well. In a separate
bowl whisk up the egg whites with the remaining sugar until soft peaks form. Gently and evenly
fold in the egg whites into the yoghurt mixture pour into the baking tin
. Place the tin in the
bain-marie, making sure that the boiling water comes halfway up the tin and cook for 20
minutes. Add the chopped pistachios sprinkling them gently on top and continue cooking for
a further 20 mins or until golden brown. The correct consistency of this cake should be a light
sponge on top with a wet custard below. It will set somewhat as it cools.
Chef’s Notes: Serve with fruit for flavour contrast and some colour on the plate. I encourage
you to use vanilla bean pods and not to substitute them with vanilla extract (never vanilla
“flavour” please!). The seeds from the pods will infuse the sugar while baking to produce a
particularly aromatic cake.
Italian Cream Cake
Ingredients
1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened
1/2 cup shortening
2 cups sugar
5 large eggs, separated
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 cup buttermilk
1 cup flaked coconut
Nutty Cream Cheese Frosting
Garnishes: toasted pecan halves,
chopped pecans
Preparation:
Beat butter and shortening at medium speed with an electric mixer until fluffy; gradually add
sugar, beating well. Add egg yolks, 1 at a time, beating until blended after each addition.
Add vanilla, beating until blended. Combine flour and soda; add to butter mixture alternately with
buttermilk, beginning and ending with flour mixture. Beat at low speed until blended after each
addition. Stir in coconut. Beat egg whites until stiff peaks form, and fold into batter. Pour batter
into 3 greased and floured 9-inch round cakepans. Bake at 350° for 25 minutes or until a wooden
pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pans on wire racks 10 minutes; remove from pans,
and cool completely on wire racks. Spread Nutty Cream Cheese Frosting between layers and on top
and sides of cake. Garnish, if desired.
Nutty Cream Cheese Frosting
Ingredients:
1 cup chopped pecans
1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1 (16-ounce) package powdered sugar, sifted
Preparation:
Bake chopped pecans in a shallow baking pan at 350°, stirring occasionally, 5 to 10 minutes or until
toasted. Cool. Beat cream cheese, butter, and vanilla at medium speed with an electric mixer until
creamy. Add powdered sugar, beating at low speed until blended. Beat frosting at high speed until
smooth; stir in pecans.
Senior Citizens lunch held in December 2013
In loving memory of late: Josephine Cowley
T he M aronite M ission in S A d u ring
the mandate of F r . P eter A lam 1 9 2 8 - 1 9 6 2
Sisters Attracta and Agnes with some pupils at the Lebanese
School next to the Maronite church in Fordsburg – 1940s
The following names were supplied by Peter Kalil. Names of those who were either in his
class or at the Lebanese School in Fordsburg: 1- Yvette Sam, Evelyn Sam, Frank Sam, Jewel
Rahme and all her sisters, Moni Farah, George Farah, Yvonne Farah and all the Leicher girls.
2- Vic Leicher (Mike was not at the school), Raymond Moses, Larry and Gerry Anthony, Rhona
Deeb, Alice Maroun, Robert Maroun, Germanus (Mansoor), all the Zoghbys, all the Hannas,
some of the Jaggas, Pidgeon Leicher, Peters family - George, Basil and Theresa Peters, some
of the Solomons - Didah and Ruby Solomon, the Kalils - Gatas, Rose, Raymond and Peter
Kalil. 3- Willie Nassif, the Johns, Romeo Kourie, and the Beyrootis. This is not a
comprehensive list, but the best we could manage.
Logo of the Order of the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy
Peter Kalil says that Father Peter Alam was very proud of his school. He would go up
country and tell the Lebanese communities of the achievements of his school. Donations
and support were always forthcoming. Peter says that the children were very naughty
and the nuns in charge had their hands very full. Sister Agnes was very kind and soft,
unlike Fr Peter Alam who was strict and stern. They complemented each other.
It was no accident that the scholars became successful and famous achievers both nationally
and internationally. Sister Agnes was no ordinary nun. She was highly intelligent and of
Royal aristocratic descent, from a rich European family, she came to Africa to serve in the
Lord’s ministry.
Some pupils after receiving their first Holy Communion
at the entrance of the Maronite Catholic church in Fordsburg – 1940s
Father Peter Alam, the brilliant scholar and academic, was the “pick” of the Lebanese sons
of the mountains. Doctor of Divinity and Theology, he practiced a brand of ministry and
leadership which is still talked about today. Sister Attracta is still alive today and lives at
the Holy Family House in Rosebank. She added to the complement; her love, warmth,
affection, beauty and purity. She displayed a motherly brand of teaching. Lebanese
children would be seen sitting on the floor, polishing the lovely sister’s already
immaculately polished shoes and being taught with love and affection. Peter said that it
was common for Father Peter Alam and the nuns to visit the homes of the pupils, especially
to visit them when they are in hospital or sick.
Maronite Lebanese Scouts with Fr. Alam in Fordsburg, 1946
Maronite Boy Scout doing his oath in front of the Scout Association
and their chief Tony Leicher, Fordsburg 1946
Maronite Girls
Scout with their
chaplain,
Fr. Alam,
Fordsburg
The parish children after their First Holy Communion Mass gathered around Bishop David
O'Leary & Fr Alam at the entrance of the Maronite Catholic church in Fordsburg, 1941
F O U ND A T IO NS O F A COM M UN I TY 1928 TO 1947
The era when Father Peter Alam was laying the foundations of a
community involved in projects, sodalities, school, church,
amateur production societies, sports teams, cubs and scouts,
functions and socials. On his own, Father Peter Alam cares for
the community from the cradle to the grave. He totally
dedicates himself to the care of his flock, never returning to his
beloved Lebanon, serving the community in South Africa until
his death on 13th July 1962. Father Peter Alam's name: The name
“Aram” means “High” that is the dweller of the High Mountain
(Lebanon). The Arameans are called in the Tell-el-Amarna tablets,
“Ahlamui Aramoei”. “Ahlam” is synonymous with “Aramoei” and
means “Dweller of the
Mountain”. “Alam” and “Ahlam” is an old Semitic word which
means mountain. The name Peter was after Jesus’ Apostle.
This is the priestly name chosen by Father Peter Alam.
Fr. Peter Alam (1897-1962)
The Lebanese community, that was found just west of the City
of Johannesburg, wanted to better itself. They had overcome the
initial shock of race persecution and classification. They were
working, had jobs and because they lived in community and
together, had disposable income. Unlike the Eastern Cape where
the decision to move was on religious grounds, the decision of
those in “Malaykamp” was economic.
The Lebanese that moved into the hinterland from the Cape were mainly Maronite Catholic.
Those that remained on the seashore, in East London and the Eastern Cape were in the main,
Orthodox Christian.The migration of the Lebanese from the western area of Johannesbrug
to the north was done by the more successful and affluent families. They settled in areas
such as Observatory, Sydenham and Orange Grove. The less affluent Lebanese moved to the
south. Some moved to the far East Rand, lured by the prospect of business and the flourishing mines, but the majority moved in mass to the west of Johannesburg, to suburbs such as
Fordsburg, Mayfair, Mayfair West and Crosby. This community was to grow in size to about
200 families and was to form the nucleus of one of the finest Lebanese communities in South
Africa.
Map of the region of Johannesburg city – Gauteng Province
Why was this community of Lebanese so prominent and spirited?
There are a number of reasons. Let’s spell out some of them:
*They were, in the main, Maronite Christians.
*They had struggled together.
*They helped and encouraged each other.
*Needed one another.
*They were close to the source of work, the city, the market, and the mines. But most
importantly, the Church moved with them; with the Church they now had everything.
*They were further blessed with one of the greatest leaders of all time; Father Peter Alam.
He was a strong, powerful, highly educated Maronite Catholic Lebanese Missionary from the
Holy Mountains of Lebanon and a true son of the soil, who loved his people with a passion.
He was totally committed to serve his flock. From 1928 to approx. 1946, he ruled supreme.
His achievements are legend. He concentrated his ministry in three areas; namely, religion,
social and educational.
Personally he practiced the liturgy of the hours. His flock followed his spiritual practices with
the seasons of the liturgical year. He bought an old Dutch Reform church in Mint Road,
Fordsburg. He was an outstanding property man. Firstly he purchased a corrugated iron roof
house next door to the church. He immediately converted it into a school, the second
Lebanese school in South Africa, keeping only one small room for himself. He struggled to
improve the lot of the community and sacrificed much.
The story is told that Father Alam had no food, so as not to show the people that he was
hungry, he placed a big pot on his coal stove. He placed one egg in the big pot and
proceeded to boil the egg, giving the impression that he had a lot of food. Such was the
person that is Peter Alam. To teach the Lebanese children, he gathered around him two nuns
of the Convent of Mercy; an Austrian aristocrat and an Irish, Sister Agnes and Sister
Attracta, respectively. The trio was to become the greatest teaching force in the Annals of
Lebanese South African education.
The testimony is born out by the number of professionals in South African society who passed
through the hands of these humble, but exceptional teachers: Doctors, dentists, lawyers,
engineers, businessmen and women, professors and many more. Father Peter Alam’s social
programme was superb. He formed the LAMPS - The Lebanese Amateur Musical Production
Society. For the younger children there were the Cubs and Boys Scouts.
He formed Soccer Clubs, Gym classes, boxing clubs, The Catholic Men’s Society, Legion of
Mary groups, choir groups and Catechism classes. He had socials and parties at his church.
The corrugated iron roof house as Lebanese school next door to the Maronite
church in Fordsburg, 1940s
He tore down the original tin shack and built a four storey complex to house two halls,
school classrooms and a meeting place for the community. He encouraged love affairs and
marriages. There was not one area of human affairs that Father Peter Alam was not involved
in. He cared for his people from the cradle to the grave. He bought adjoining sites that
could house poor people who could not afford huge rentals. He helped the poor and the
needy. He visited the sick. The story is told that if any of his children who attended school
was sick, he would personally visit him.
The four storey complex built by Fr. Alam next door to the Maronite church in 61 Mint Rd,
Fordsburg.
The Maronite church in
61 Mint Rd, Fordsburg.
The nuns surrounding him were the same. They
would visit parents and children in hospital. He had
great visions of a magnificent church. He was very
strict. He ruled the Lebanese with an iron fist.
He tamed a rough community and believed
in their dignity and potential.
Fr Alam with the Toweel Boxers at the
hall in Fordsburg, late 1950's
CEDAR SOCCER TEAM, 1946
Top row L to R: Mihseen Anthony (Selector), Joe Simpson (Manager), Johnny Anthony,
Philip Michael, Joe Warby, Yango John, Alec Anthony, Louis Sardie, Billy Peter (Secretary),
Alex Mansour (Selector)
Second row L to R: Solly Habib (Physical Trainer), Francis Sham, Simon Sham (Captain),
Albert Bakos, Paul Bolus
Bottom row: J. Bowery, Billy Michael (Goalkeeper), and Karam Karam.
MARONITE CEDAR SOCCER TEAM, circa 1946
Back row L to R: Albert Nofal, Raymond Zoghby, Alec Anthony, Billy Sham, Fred Sham, Joe
Cheketri, Emil Emmanuel, Joe Solomon. Front row L to R: Louis Bakos, George Sadie, Jimmy
Sham, Francis Sham, Alan Bakos, Karam Karam, Donald Daly. Mascot: Emil Zoghby
MARONITE SOCCER CLUB – under 14 Team, 1961
Standing L to R: R. Bechus, M. Sham, W. Sham, J. Mustapha, R. Karam, G. Rohana and P. Germanos
Seated L to R: J. Barket, K. Peters (Captain), M. Ansara (Manager), B. Milham (Trainer), M. Rohana
(Vice Captain) and D. Leicher. Front Row L to R: D. Sham, C. Leicher, M. Rohana and F. Harding
Tomb of Father Peter Alam (1897 - 1962) at West Park Cemetery
Ba p t i sm
Name of child:
Santiago Frade
2 3 Fe b r u a r y 2 0 1 4
Ba p t i sm
Name of child:
L o g a n M a s o n Fe r r e i r a
20 October 2013
Baptisms &
Weddings
Congratulations and blessings to the following members who were baptised or married:
O u r L a d y o f C e d a r s - Wo o d m e a d
Baptisms
date
baby name
parents name
09-Mar-14
Jessica Andrea Oosthuizen
Forbes Whitey & Tanya Natalie Oosthuizen
09-Mar-14
Joshua Demitri Georgiades
Jonathan Georgiades & Bianca Fernandes
09-Mar-14
Chayton Paul Karam
Clive John & Jayme Karam
22-Mar-14
Rahul Varghese Thomas
Jainy & Rajeev Thomas
23-Mar-14
Jesse Shaun Pavkovich
Shaun Michael & Michelle Pavkovich
Weddings
groom and bride name (bride maiden surname)
- WEDDING DATE
Charles Rieckhoff & Ashleigh Fourie
11 March 2014
Paul Loots & Loredana Di-Iorio
09 March 2014
Clinton John Verhoog & Juliette Doyle
15 March 2014
Thamsanqa Ndebele & Janelle Majority
15 March 2014
Funerals
† A nna M aria Rufrano: 09 M arch 1956 - 11 M arch 2014
Baptisms &
Weddings
Congratulations and blessings to the following members who were baptised or married:
Our Lady of Lebanon - Mulbar ton
Baptisms
Baptisms
date
baby name
parents name
date
baby name
parents name
16 Feb 2014
Grayson Charles Darlington
Christopher & Amy Darlington nee: Habib 16 Mar 2014 Tshiamo Mokoga
22 Feb 2014
Morgan Klopper
Nicolas & Joanna Klopper nee: Habbard
16 Mar 2014 Reaoboka Lethea
Leonard & Lerato Lethea nee: Mokaleng
22 Feb 2014
Bailey Rex
George Rex
16 Mar 2014 Molemo Lethea
Leonard & Lerato Lethea nee: Mokaleng
23 Feb 2014
Santiago Rodrigues Frade
Michael & Claudia Frade nee: Rodrigues
16 Mar 2014 Siphiwe Thulisile Lunga
Penwell & Gladness Lunga
Ross Fairall & Gabriela Pinto
16 Mar 2014 Vitoria Alexia Medeiros
Vitor & Pamela Medeiros
02 Mar 2014 Luna Scarlett Fortuna Afonso Nuno & Ramona Afonso nee: Afonso
16 Mar 2014 Nicholas Oliver Stevens
Warren & Samantha Stevens nee: Wagener
02 Mar 2014 Riley John Joseph
Craig & Chantelle Joseph nee: Benadie
22 Mar 2014 Tyler Anthony Greaves
Anthony Greaves & Angelique Reeve
09 Mar 2014 Marino Daniel Da Conceicao’
Marcos Da Conceicao’ & Peggy Viegas
22 Mar 2014 Reagile Lengwati
Cavin & Agnes Lengwati nee: Ranoto
09 Mar 2014 Leila - Ann Goncalves
Ryan & Shelley-Ann Goncalves
23 Mar 2014 Joshua Darryl Cowan
Darryl & Laura Cowan nee: White
11 Mar 2014 Kayleigh Dos Santos
Jorge & Heather Dos Santos
23 Mar 2014 Sienna Catherine Toweel
Matthew & Krystal Toweel nee: Bakos
15 Mar 2014 Fabiano Stefano Potgieter
Lisa - Marie Potgieter
29 Mar 2014 Kayla Hart
Duncan Hart & Zancha Steyn
15 Mar 2014 Tianna Malachi Potgieter
Lisa - Marie Potgieter
29 Mar 2014 Khloe Hart
Duncan Hart & Zancha Steyn
15 Mar 2014 Chisom Ebube Onyeka
Tobechukwu & Amanda Onyeka
30 Mar 2014 Makgotso Nkazimulo Motaung
Daniel & Ayanda Motaug nee: Ndlela
30 Mar 2014 Antonio Johnny Zackey
Bullos & Lacrisha Zackey nee: Farrell
01 Mar 2014 Rafael Alberto Fairall
Weddings
groom and bride name (bride maiden surname)
- WEDDING DATE
Faith Jarvis & Lionel Abraham
15 March 2014
Riccardo Goncalves & Michelle Alves
22 March 2014
Bailey Rex & Monique Du Toit
29 March 2014
Teboho Makoga & Palesa Mosala
Funerals
† Theresa Z acki : 24/10/1942 - 02/03/2014
† C herry Powell: 03/03/1943 - 05/03/2014