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The Holy Spirit and the Church Production Coordinator 22 by Fr Volume 16 | Issue 3 | June 2019 His Eminence Nasrallah Peter Cardinal Sfeir Maronite Patriarch of Antioch and All the East 1920-2019 Maronite BISHOP’S MESSAGE Synod on Youth: Young People, the 4 Faith and Vocational Discernment by Bishop A. Elias Zaidan SCHEDULES Bishop Gregory J. Mansour 6 Bishop A. Elias Zaidan Patriarch Sfeir Enters Eternal Life 8 by Suzanne Tavani St. Ephrem the Syrian— 12 “Harp of the Holy Spirit” by Rev. Joseph P. Amar LIVING CHURCH St. Sharbel Church of Clinton, 14 Michigan Celebrates Dedication and Consecration of New Church MYO/MYA Regional Retreat 16 New Jersey 17 Passing of Bishop Roland Abou Jaoudeh WORKER IN THE VINEYARD Deacon Anthony P. Koury 18 by Suzanne Tavani Mary, Mother of A. Fisher 2 | THE MARONITE VOICE THE MARONITE VOICE A bi-monthly publication of Saint Maron Publications under the auspices of the Eparchy of Saint Maron of Brooklyn and Our Lady of Lebanon of Los Angeles. ISSN 1080-9880 Publishers Most Reverend Gregory John Mansour Most Reverend A. Elias Zaidan Editor Chorbishop John D. Faris Deacon Ordination Social Media Editor 20 Tenth Annual October 2018 Rev. Elias Khalil Managing Editor Subeacon Ordination Fr. Gary Geo Rev. Aaron Sandbothe rge.21 Art and Design Director Ms. Glory Rasi The Holy Spirit and the Church Production Coordinator 22 by Fr. David A. Fisher Bethlehem Today Subdeacon Michael Maynes Parish News Editors Dr. Mabel George Howard (Eparchy of Saint Maron) Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit Parish News [email protected] 26 by Jane Brock Rev. Pierre Bassil (Eparchy of Our Lady of Lebanon) [email protected] Parish News Feature Writers 28 Suzanne Tavani Antoinette Zeina GOING DEEPER INTO THE SPIRITUAL LIFE … • In order to be considered for publication, all submissions must be Faithfulness in Marriage in electronic format and signed by 36 by Vivian M. Akel LCSW the author with contact information. Images must be of high resolution and quality (minimal 300 dpi, jpg format). 37 New President for Caritas Lebanon USA • Subscription rates are $25.00/year. Tenth Annual October 2018 • Paid Advertising $150 – Quarter page full color The Choice Made by God $250 – Half page full color $400 – Full page full color 38 by Sr. Natalie Sayde Salameh, MSCLof Our Lady Physi- Additional discounts for six editions cian’s Perspective (one year). All ads must be submitted electronically. High resolution jpg or PDF with From the Editor embedded fonts required. No bleeds. 39 Contact [email protected] Contact Us Phone: 804.762.4301 Email: [email protected] Mailing Address: 4611 Sadler Road Glen Allen, VA 23060 Office Hours Monday – Wednesday – Friday 9 am – 4 pm Printed in Richmond, Virginia JUNE 2019 | 3 SYNOD ON YOUTH: Young People, the Faith and Vocational Discernment by Bishop A. Elias Zaidan his past October, I had the unique On March 25, 2019, the feast of towards human perfection in privilege of being asked by our the Annunciation of the Lord, time and the ultimate destinies Patriarch and Synod to be one of the Holy Father, Pope Francis, of history and of life, the Church the Maronite Bishops to attend the released his Apostolic Exhortation is the real youth of the world.” Synod on Young People, the Faith entitled “Christus Vivit,” Latin for (Closing of the Council, December T and Vocational Discernment. “Christ Lives.” In this document, 8, 1965, Message to Young Men and The Synod met throughout with its nine chapters and 299 Women) the month of October paragraphs, the Holy in small groups and Father summarized From within the Church, Pope in general session. the results of the Francis cites another example for I cherished that synod and laid out a us: the Blessed Mother, “Mary experience since vision forward. shines forth. She is the supreme it gave me an model for a youthful Church opportunity In the document that seeks to follow Christ with to meet and “Christ Lives,” Pope enthusiasm and docility.” The Holy interact with Francis looks at the Father also makes note of many bishops and issue of young people other young saints who can serve representatives in the Church in light as models to us as well. (Par. 43, from different of the Scriptures, Old 49-62) parts of the and New Testaments, world. from the life of Jesus, Regarding our youth, we are called noting that He [Jesus] to always be sensitive to their is “ever young.” needs and open to responding to Finally, the Pope them. An important observation looks at the life and made by Pope Francis is that we experience of the should not just consider the young Church over many as the “future” of the Church, but centuries. Quoting that they are also the “now” as he from the Second says. They have things to offer to Vatican Council, the Church, but often need the Pope Francis opportunity to be heard. notes, “Enriched Of course, the environment by a long and the culture in which we all and living live impacts the young in many history, and significant ways. Of particular advancing note, are the many crises and 4 | THE MARONITE VOICE scandals that confront them, to living a full life, he tells them In short, the Holy Father reminds the digital milieu of their lives, “…don’t take early retirement.” us of many of the means to consumerism, historic migration {Par. 143} The Pope is, of course, attract the young that have been issues, and the advances in urging the young to live a life in successful over the years: sports scientific capabilities that may not imitation of Christ. In paragraph and the arts, prayer experiences, always be a positive contribution 108, the Holy Father also cautions service opportunities and to human development. the young about the implications experiences of nature—God’s of such a commitment. He warns creation. Pope Francis offers the young (and them, “You need to realize one all of us) “a way out” of problems basic truth: being young is not only A theme found often in the writings that confront us. His answer is, about pursuing fleeting pleasures and statements of the Holy Father is as it should be, Jesus. He calls us and superficial achievements. If that of “accompaniment” by adults to depend more deeply on God, the years of your youth are to serve and “openness” to all who come to noting, “You can become what their purpose in life, they must be us. These, I think, are important God your Creator knows you are, a time of generous commitment, parts of the recommendations if only you realize that you are called whole-hearted dedication, and made by the Pope. to something greater.” (Par. 107) sacrifices that are difficult but ultimately fruitful.” Pope Francis calls the young to The Pope calls on the young to seek out their vocation in life. move out into the world and bring But the Holy Father also reminds Realizing that most will follow the the love of Christ to all, young, old, us all that the young can truly path of work, marriage and family, ill, rich and poor alike. In a sense, make a contribution to the Church. he also asks to them to consider he asks them to be missionaries of He notes, “Young people can offer another option stating, “In the Gospel in the environment in the Church the beauty of youth discerning your vocation, do not which they find themselves. by renewing her ability to ‘rejoice dismiss the possibility of devoting with new beginnings, to give yourself to God in the priesthood, Of course, we cannot lose sight unreservedly of herself, to be the religious life, or in other forms that the young do need our renewed and to set out for ever of consecration. Why not?” (Par. guidance and the wisdom that greater accomplishments.’” (Par. 37) 131) I can say the same to our own sometimes only comes with age. youth and to their parents as well, The Holy Father advises the young But the Holy Father also makes “Why not?” to, “Make the most of these years recommendations to the leaders of your youth. Don’t observe life of the Church, and in the parishes. In reflecting on our own response from a balcony. Don’t confuse He highlights “outreach” and to this Synod and the Pope’s happiness with an armchair, or “growth.” “Outreach” to the young Apostolic Exhortation, I propose live your life behind a screen. by pastors and their collaborators; to all the Maronite faithful of our Whatever you do, do not become “growth” once we have reached Eparchies the following points: the sorry sight of an abandoned out to them—helping them to vehicle! Don’t be parked cars, grow into the Faith. They must see but dream freely and make good in us love of God and love of one decisions. And then in reference another. JUNE 2019 | 5 Schedule Bishop A. Elias Zaidan 5-15 June Lebanon | Synod of Maronite Bishops 24-30 June Miami, FL | Clergy Conference and NAM Convention 7-8 July Canton, OH | MYO National Workshop 9-15 July Hosting The Most Reverend Samir Nassar, Archeparch of Damascus, Syria 14 July Los Angeles, CA | Our Lady of Mt. Lebanon-St. Peter Cathedral 17 July Orange, CA | Christ Cathedral | Dedication of Cathedral for the Diocese of Orange 21 July Los Angeles, CA | Our Lady of Mt. Lebanon-St. Peter Cathedral 2-3 August Bkerke, Lebanon | Patriarchal Economic Summit 9-11 August El Paso, TX | St. Sharbel Church | Consecration of New Church SYNOD ON YOUTH Continued from page 5 To our Youth: in their religious education and paragraph of Pope Francis in his • Be proud of your Faith and of spiritual growth as well.
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