We attended and participated in the Mid-Atlantic East Regional
NAM Convention on November 6 -8, 2015. Monsignor James Root and the community
of Our Lady of Lebanon Cathedral in Brooklyn, New York hosted the convention
with the theme of “In His Great Love and Mercy.” The talks were to help prepare for the
Jubilee Year of Mercy called for by His Holiness, Pope Francis, which begins on
December 8, 2015.
Saturday’s schedule began with Safro (morning prayer), followed by a wonderful presentation by
Chorbishop Seely Beggiani, former Rector of Our Lady of Lebanon Seminary,
Washington D.C. Chorbishop Beggiani highlighted how our Maronite prayers and
Liturgies emphasize God’s greatest attribute, his Mercy. This mercy is so
clearly manifested God’s ready willingness to forgive us, and how we, as
Christians, are called to be “God-like”, that is, to show mercy to others in
generously overlooking and forgiving them their shortcomings. Chorbishop
Beggiani also reminded us of what we often forget, that is, we desperately need
the mercy of others to overlook and forgive our failings. “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy” (Mt 5:7).
Following Safro,
Mother Marla Marie facilitated a workshop for the children from ages 5 – 12. The
focus of the workshop was “God’s Great Love for Us”. Mother Marla Marie
highlighted to the children that God’s greatest gift to us, and the best way He
showed us His love, was by sending His only Son, Jesus, to die for us and save
us from sin. The children were encouraged to think about other ways in which God
has shown them His great love. The children were each given their own Frisbee
to decorate, as they “soar high with their Savior”, to always remind them that
God’s love is the only thing they need to help them soar to Heaven.
Sr. Therese Maria shared her vocation story with other 70
teenagers in the MYO Workshop presented by Bishop Gregory Mansour, and
encouraged them to open their hearts to our merciful Savior. Sr. Therese Maria
also spent time with the MYA and Fr. Vincent Farhat, Pastor of St. Maron in
Philadelphia, in a Q&A discussion on some of the faith challenges our young
adults face in our world today.
On Saturday evening, we had a wonderful time mingling with
our people and clergy at the Hafli (banquet).
Sunday morning Divine Liturgy, was celebrated
by his Excellency, Bishop Gregory Mansour who reminded us how it is often
difficult to forgive those who have hurt us, but it becomes easier when we
remember who we are, that we, ourselves, are sinners in need of God’s mercy. Sayedna
quoted an interview from August 2013, when the Pope was asked, “Who are you? Who is Jorge Mario Bergoglio?”
The Pope responded, “I am a sinner who
has been looked upon by God”.