Maronite Voice a Publication of the Maronite Eparchies in the USA
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The Maronite Voice A Publication of the Maronite Eparchies in the USA Volume XII Issue No. V May 2016 The Pastoral Letter of Patriarch Bechara Rai on the Economy t is the economy!" This is the famous quote which reminded politicians in 1992 that what "Ipeople want most from their government officials is that they help create good opportunities to help raise themselves out of difficult situations. Patriarch [Bechara Peter Cardina] Rai, after working tirelessly on a political solution for Lebanon, which is still wanting, turned his attention last year to the economy. In his masterful 2015 Pastoral Letter, entitled Economic Memo, he outlined, according to Catholic Social Teaching, a way forward for Lebanon that does not only depend on government officials, but on every person who desires to make a difference. The Patriarch wrote clearly and prophetically about several meaningful themes: a decent wage for employees, fairness in business practices, healthy competition, how to temper individual competitiveness with social compassion, the importance of outreach for the poor and marginalized, the role of the Church and other non-governmental initiatives in society, creative idea sharing between Lebanon and her emigrants, respect for nature and the environment, and respect for basic human rights and values, which help us see one another as we truly are - the children of one God, and brothers and sisters to one another. This Pastoral Letter is one of our Patriarch's finest. It may be read in English on our website (www.stmaron.org/articles). The Patriarch gives us hope in the midst of the political paralysis in Lebanon, and right here in the United States of America as well. He asks us all to make a difference. Patriarch Rai will be here in the United States from the end of June to early July. He most likely will be speaking more about this. In the meantime, we can read his Pastoral Letter and appreciate the human struggle being played out in Lebanon and throughout the world and make it our own to make a difference. + Gregory Mansour Eparchy of Saint Maron of Brooklyn Schedule of Bishop Elias Zaidan May 1, 2016 Pastoral Visit to St. Sharbel Church, Clinton Township, Mich. The Maronite Voice 4611 Sadler Road May 2 - 3, 2016 Glen Allen, VA 23060 USCCB Committee on International Justice and Peace Meeting, Washington, Phone: 804/270-7234 D.C. Fax: 804/273-9914 May 6 - 8, 2016 E-Mail: [email protected] Pastoral Visit to St. Sharbel Church, Las Vegas, Nev. http://www.stmaron.org May 13 - 15, 2016 http://www.usamaronite.org Pastoral Visit to Our Lady of Lebanon Church, Flint, Mich. The Maronite Voice, (ISSN 1080- May 19 - 22, 2016 9880) the official newsletter of the Deacons and Subdeacons Retreat, Saint Louis, Mo. Maronite Eparchies in the U.S.A. May 24 - June 4, 2016 (Eparchy of Our Lady of Lebanon of Year of Mercy Pilgrimage to Italy Los Angeles and Eparchy of Saint June 4 - 20, 2016 Maron of Brooklyn), is published Synod of Maronite Bishops, Bkerke, Lebanon. monthly. Send all changes of address, news, p i c t u r e s a n d p e r s o n a l correspondence to The Maronite Eparchial Appointments Voice at the above captioned address. Subscription rates are is Excellency Bishop Gregory Mansour, Bishop of the Eparchy of Saint $25.00 per year. Advertising rates Maron of Brooklyn, has made the following eparchial assignments effective are available upon request. Hon June 1, 2016: Publishers ! Reverend Joseph Daif Macary from Parochial Vicar at Saint Louis Gonzaga Church in Utica, N.Y., to Administrator of Saint Theresa Church, Brockton, • Most Reverend Bishop Gregory Mass. John Mansour • Most Reverend A. Elias Zaidan, ! Reverend Raymond Khallouf from Administrator of Saint Sharbel Church M.L.M. in Newtown Square, Penn., to Parochial Vicar at Saint Anthony Church, Glen Allen, Va. Editor Msgr. George M. Sebaali ! Reverend Tanios Mouanes from Pastor of Saint Theresa Church in Brockton, Editing and proofreading Mass., to Pastor of Saint Sharbel Church, Newtown Square, Penn. Mary Shaia Printed in Richmond, Virginia. he Miraculous Soil of Saint Rafqa, written and illustrated by Sister Lea Maronite Convention 2016 Lahoud, tells the story of Saint Rafqa, “a little girl who loved Jesus so much Tthat she asked Him to share his pains: “God, why are you distant from me? Our Lady of Lebanon Church Why are you leaving me alone? Why have you spared me any disease? Have you forgotten me, after I adored you?” San Francisco, California The Miraculous Soil of Saint Rafqa makes a perfect First Communion gift or a gift to any young person who wants to learn more about Saint Rafqa. The book is available for $10 plus $3 shipping from Saint Maron Publications, 4611 Sadler July 6 - 10, 2016 Road, Glen Allen, Virginia 23060 or [email protected]. Saint Maron Publications accepts Visa or Master Card. For more information contact the NAM office at (914) 964-3070 Appeal from Caritas Lebanon or visit www.Namnews.org hristians in Lebanon are suffering! If you are able to relieve some of the suffering, please visit Caritas Lebanon at http://www.caritas.org.lb. Thank Cyou for your consideration. The Maronite Voice Volume XII Issue No. V Page 2 May 2016 Visit of the Relics of Saint Sharbel addition to the experience. How many of us have ever Brooklyn, New York witnessed in person a person cured by a saint? Sunday evening we reluctantly gave up the relics, which continued on the trek north to Waterbury, Conn. St. Sharbel is continuing to bless and inspire all people of faith. He left us the better for it. Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania by Salma Vahdat s the relics of St. Sharbel made their way across the country and began their journey north from Florida, Athe community of Our Lady of Lebanon Cathedral in Brooklyn, N.Y., was buzzing with planning for the events on Saturday and Sunday, April 9 -10, 2016. It was especially exciting for those who had never traveled to Lebanon nor visited the Saint's monastery and tomb at Annaya. It was a "once-in-a-lifetime" opportunity to venerate a saint of the Maronite heritage on our own home ground! Despite all the planning, the volunteers marshaled, the liturgies, veneration, benediction, homilies and testimony accomplished, the simple truth of the weekend was that faithful from everywhere poured into the Cathedral over a thirty-six hour period ... near four thousand strong. All of the organizations of the Cathedral community had their n March 15 - 16, 2016, St. Anthony and St. George assignments to keep order and direction, offer refreshments Parish, Wilkes-Barre, Penn., was honored to receive and rest, maintain a vigil and assist in the various rituals Othe St. Sharbel Relics. The Parish reached out to the celebrated. It was an experience of such unity in this one surrounding churches and had a very positive response. thing…welcoming St. Sharbel to Brooklyn to be enjoyed by Mayor Tony George, who is a member of the Order of Saint all who would come. Many Christian denominations (non- Sharbel, joined with the Knights of Lebanon, the Altar and Catholic) attended as well as Haitian, Hispanic, Asian and Rosary Society, St. Louis de Montfort Academy Band, the Eastern European faithful. local Hispanic Community, who came in full historic dress, I attended the evening Divine Liturgy on Saturday. The and many faithful in procession from St. Anthony/St. George Cathedral was packed to the gills with people of every Church to St. George Chapel. The love and respect shown to denomination and color. All were intense, solemn, seeking St. Sharbel was truly heartfelt and appreciated. blessing, healing and peace. We are, I think, trying to make sense of our world, of the upheavals occurring everywhere. Clinton Township, Michigan Peace and safety are the primary concerns of the sane among us. Feeling insignificant and helpless in the struggle we are n the weekend of January 29 - 31, 2016, the facing, the union of people turning to prayer for evil to be community of St. Sharbel Maronite Church in Clinton banished from our midst and compassion to return to Township, Mich., was honored to once again receive humanity is echoed to the heavens through the intercession of O the Relics of Saint Sharbel which we hosted at Our Lady of St. Sharbel. What a moment! Following the Divine Liturgy, Perpetual Help Chaldean Catholic Church in Warren, a healing service of anointing with Holy Oil took place. Michigan. St. Sharbel parishioners are grateful to God for Following veneration, we were very fortunate to enjoy giving them another opportunity to bear witness to His the testimony of Dafne Gutierrez, a young mother from healing love. People young and old, from all backgrounds Phoenix, Ariz., who detailed her journey from total, and religions, including Muslims, came carrying their crosses irreversible blindness to the restoration of her sight after of varying degrees of suffering seeking the comfort and venerating St. Sharbel's Relics at St. Joseph Maronite Church answer to prayers through the intercession of Saint Sharbel in Phoenix in January. The summation of her experience was that only God can provide. "faith and confession." It was an extraordinary, unforgettable The Maronite Voice Volume XII Issue No. V Page 3 May 2016 Brockton, Massachusetts People witnessed a beautiful unity of differences among the Chaldean and the Maronite communities as they prayed and worshiped together in the House of God in many languages. The Holy Rosary, the Chaplet of Divine Mercy, the Chaplet of Saint Sharbel, prayers to the Sacred Heart of Parishioners, guests and visitors gathered with Fr.