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Newsletter - Spring 2020

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At the IDC Conference – Washington D.C.

The Maronite Servants participated in the 6^thannual In Defense of Christians (IDC) Conference in Washington, D.C. on September 10-11.  IDC was founded in 2014 in response to the tidal wave of violence towards Christians in the Middle East. One of the main goals of IDC is to advocate for policies that preserve Christianity in its ancient homeland.

The IDC Leadership Conference commenced on the evening of September 10^thwith the Solidarity Dinner featuring a number of congressmen, ambassadors, dignitaries and religious leaders, among them our own Bishop, His Excellency Gregory Mansour. We heard from Mr. Samuel Brownback, the Ambassador at Large for International Religious Freedom. Mr. Brownback encouraged all participants to keep up the fight for religious freedom, predominantly through constant prayer, as God is the source of all freedom and unity. 

Towards the close of the evening, we heard a moving and poignant testimonial by Mrs. Mona Rizk Rowan who shared her harrowing story of surviving the Damour Massacre in Lebanon 1976. 

The next day on September 11, the sisters joined Mr. Steven Howard from IDC and the Massachusetts constituents, among them were Mrs. Rowan and her family, to advocate for the Coptic Christians in Egypt and recognition of the Armenian Genocide.  We visited the offices of Congressmen William Keating, and Joseph Kennedy, as well as, the office of Senator Elizabeth Warren.  

These were two very grace-filled days for us, as we witnessed to the importance of religious freedom in the Middle East and provided a voice for the voiceless. We are grateful to the President of IDC, Mr. Toufic Baaklini and his dedicated Board of Directors for their ongoing efforts of fighting for equality, freedom and security for religious minorities in the Middle East. 

Annual NAM Convention 2019 – Miami, Florida

By Sr. Natalie Sayde Salameh, MSCL

We attended the National Apostolate of Maronites (NAM) Convention in Miami, Florida from June 26^th to June 30th, 2019 and were blessed to be with over 1,000 of our Maronites who attended from across the US. We had an evangelization table in the exhibitors area which gave us the opportunity to share the faith and meet with many of the people.  

Some highlights: we attended a Theology on Tap, hosted by Fr. Tony Massad and Sister Therese Maria. An outdoor venue was also booked where the young adults had a BBQ and a vocation panel. 

We also attended the Bishops’ Panel Commission on the affairs of Lebanon in its current political and economic state, we listened to the many concerns and issues currently affecting Lebanon. The evangelical concert of Lebanon’s Christian singer, Carla Ramia, who moved the audience to tears by her strong faith, radiant joy and sweet angelic voice.

Bishops Elias and Gregory also made themselves available for all the conventioneers in a Q&A discussion, where they could be asked on any matter of faith. The Bishops were very engaging, and at times quite humorous, as they also fielded personal questions relating to their lives as Bishops.    

 

In addition to the activities, the sisters enjoyed praying with the clergy and the faithful every morning and evening, and each day’s Divine Liturgy, with included a unique message from each of the Bishops. 

May God bless the efforts and work of all those involved in this year’s Convention. It was a great success. We look forward to attending next year in Cincinnati, Ohio, God willing.  

Formation Studies at Magdala Apostolate

Among the many things that our sisters here at the Maronite Servants have been involved in, We wanted to let you know about one in particular, the Magdala Apostolate. You may not have heard of the Magdala Apostolate or realized the need that it addresses, but it is certainly a gift from God.

The Magdala Apostolate was founded in 2014 by the Institute of Catholic Culture (check them out online at www.instituteofcatholicculture.org) to offer sound doctrinal formation, both initial and ongoing, for women religious and novices in accord with the Church’s call for a new evangelization and at no charge to the sisters or communities they serve. 

While we are very dedicated to our community’s mission and life of prayer, intellectual formation for the sisters is not always easy to provide. Through the Magdala Apostolate, our sisters have access to the highest-level scholars who are faithful to the magisterium of the Church. We are able to take classes in theology, philosophy, history, scripture, catechetics, and spirituality through a webinar format that allows our sisters to stay dedicated to our mission and remain in our convent. 

Even though the Magdala Apostolate is offered to our sisters for free, there is a significant cost in providing this education. The Magdala Apostolate relies upon the charity of generous benefactors to continue their mission. We highly recommend the Magdala Apostolate for consideration in your charitable support. For more information, please visit www.magdalaapostolate.org. Please pray for our sisters are we continue to learn more about our Savior.

NAM Convention 2018 – Houston, Texas

By Sr. Natalie Sayde Salameh, MSCL

The Maronite Servants of Christ the Light attended this year’s National Apostolate of Maronites (NAM) Convention in Houston, Texas from July 11^thto July 15th, 2018. We were blessed with the opportunity to meet and mingle with over 1,000 of our Maronite parishioners who attended from all over the US to meet and greet, his Eminence Cardinal Leonardi Sandri, Prefect to His Holiness, Pope Francis, for the Eastern Catholic Churches. Cardinal Sandri was very active throughout the Convention, attending all prayer services, Divine Liturgies, banquets, conferences, and even facilitating a special Q&A breakfast with the MYA, with both myself and Sr. Therese Maria in attendance.

We had a table in the exhibitors area where we met so many new people and were able to speak to them one on one. In addition to the selling of our baby items, we also had a prayer corner, in which many people unburdened themselves and prayed with a sister for their needs and intentions.

There were a number of highlights: we attended a Theology on Tap with both Bishops Gregory Mansour and Elias Zaidan, held at St. Arnold’s brewery in downtown Houston. We were able to listen to a number of talks on a wide variety of topics including “How to have a Happy Marriage” delivered by Dominic Albano from Dynamic Catholic and the “Catholic/Orthodox Unity” delivered by Chorbishop John Faris.

We attended the Panel Commission on the affairs of Lebanon in its current political and economic state, where we were able to listen to the many concerns and issues plaguing Lebanon at the moment. Cardinal Sandri was on the panel, in addition to Mr. Gabriel Issa, Ambassador to Lebanon.  

Also, we were interviewed by Telelumiere on a number of occasions and were asked about the foundation of our community, to give a vocation witness and what we find most fulfilling in our role as the spiritual mothers of the parish. We attended the evangelical concert of Lebanon’s Christian singer, Ghada Chbeir, who moved the audience to tears by her strong faith, radiant joy and sweet angelic voice

May God bless the efforts and work of all those involved in this year’s Convention. It was a great success. We look forward to attending next year in Miami, Florida, God willing.  

Save the Date for Our Anniversary Events

Save the Date for Our Anniversary Events 

In the coming months, we will be hosting a few events to include you in the celebration of God’s providence and blessing during these first ten years of the foundation of the Maronite Servants.

● Open House on September 8 at the Convent in Dartmouth MA 

● Banquet on October 13 at Our Lady of the Cedars, Boston, MA 

● Liturgy of Thanksgiving on November 16 at 

St. George, Cranston RI

LEBANESE CITIZENSHIP AND CHRISTIANITY IN LEBANON

 LEBANESE CITIZENSHIP AND CHRISTIANITY IN LEBANON 

As many of you know, at this moment in history the status of Christians and the very presence of Christianity in Lebanon and throughout the Middle East is under great pressure. It is important for Lebanon, with the largest percentage of Christians of any country in the Middle East, to maintain a vibrant and significant Christian presence and witness. Our Maronite Patriarch, Cardinal Bechara Peter Rai, is asking those in a position to do so, to step forward and make a difference by helping to secure the role that Christians can play. 

On 24 November 2015, the Lebanese Parliament ratified the Lebanese Nationality Law which gives descendants of Lebanese immigrants the right to acquire or reacquire their Lebanese citizenship. “The Lebanese Nationality Program” is an initiative launched by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants for people of Lebanese heritage around the world in order to apply for Lebanese Citizenship and to benefit from their business, financial, consular, personal, social and political rights as Lebanese, wherever they are. In particular, this initiative is relevant for the large Lebanese communities in different countries all over the world. Through this law you can now find your story, connect to your roots, and claim you Lebanese citizenship. 

Among other advantages of acquiring or reacquiring your Lebanese citizenship and registering marriages and births in Lebanon, you will be able to vote for your preferred Lebanese politician, inherit property, reclaim any inheritances due you, and be exempt from the payment of taxes to Lebanon. More importantly, by obtaining your Lebanese citizenship, you will be helping to preserve both Christianity in Lebanon and the true cultural diversity that has always been a source Lebanese pride. Obtaining your Lebanese citizenship will not compromise or jeopardize in any way your American citizenship. 

This law is in effect for only 10 years and expires in 2025. 

You are eligible to participate in this program if your name or the name of any of your male ancestors is registered on the 1921-1924 emigrants’ or residents’ census or on the 1932 emigrants’ census. The 

application process has been simplified and can be started by checking your eligibility and completing and submitting the form found at the link, http://lebanity.gov.lb. To apply and check your eligibility, start by filling in the online application. A professional team will review your application and will notify you within 5 business day of your eligibility. Once you are considered eligible for Lebanese citizenship you will be asked to submit supporting documents such as Lebanese civil registry extract of your ancestors and marriage and birth certificates. Once your application is submitted you will be able to track your application through a mobile app. You will be notified about the status of your application at each step of the process. The process is free of charge and requires 6 to 12 months to be finalized. 

If you need assistance in applying and completing the forms, contact your pastor or the Project Roots coordinator in your parish or contact the Christian Lebanese Foundation in the World/Project Roots through their email, info@projectroots.net, or via telephone 917-755-0499. Help with applying for citizenship can be obtained through the following site, http://www.projectroots.net/registration-requests.html. 

As descendants of Lebanese immigrants, it is your right to claim your Lebanese citizenship and we encourage you to do so. We must work hand-in-hand to connect with our homeland and preserve our heritage. Let us step forward and make a difference. 

Sincerely yours in Christ, 

+ Gregory Mansour 

Bishop of the Eparchy of St. Maron of Brooklyn 

+ A. Elias Zaidan 

Bishop of the Eparchy of Our Lady of Lebanon of Los Angeles 

A Weekend of Blessings Our Patriarch

By Sr. Natalie Sayde Salameh

The Maronite Servants of Christ the Light spent three joy-filled days (Friday, October 27 – 29^th) in attendance at the pastoral visits of His Eminence and Beatitude, Bechara Peter Cardinal Rai, head of the Maronite Church. 

His Eminence came to visit Our Lady of the Cedars Church in Boston on Friday, October 27, following his participation in Washington D.C in the 4^th Annual Summit of “In Defence of Christians (IDC)”. During his homily on Friday’s Divine Liturgy in Boston, the Patriarch informed the congregation of the progress and deliberations of the three-day IDC Summit.

His Eminence mentioned that the Church leaders are looking to the U.S. for leadership to obtain peace in the Middle East, especially to help Lebanon in its current humanitarian crisis. The small country of Lebanon now holds 1.7 million Syrian refugees, almost half the size of its own population, not to mention half a million Palestinian refugees, and many Iraqi refugees, which are putting a severe strain on the country’s already unstable economy and tenuous demographic balance. Patriarch Rai is calling for their peaceful and dignified re-establishment back in those areas of their own homes where peace now resides again.

On Saturday, October 28, a historic event took place at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City.  Patriarch Rai inaugurated, blessed and dedicated a new chapel in honor of St. Charbel at the Cathedral, in the presence of His Eminence, Cardinal Timothy Dolan, Archbishop of New York, and many dignitaries, bishops, and clergy. The chapel is the first of its kind outside of Lebanon, made with stunning Italian mosaics, generously donated by the Shnaoui family.

“St. Charbel is a sign of hope for Christianity and for all the people of the Middle East who suffer in difficult circumstances,” Cardinal Rai said in his homily during the prayer service at the Cathedral. 

The artistic mosaic sanctuary depicts St. Charbel wrapped in a luminous halo in the Lebanese mountain, near the St. Maron monastery in Annaya, Lebanon, where his tomb is located. The saint is surrounded by flourishing cedars and crystalline waters of the Mediterranean.

We were blessed to participate in this event, and to pray before this beautiful shrine with our Maronite faithful, who filled St. Patrick’s Cathedral to the brim.

On Sunday, October 29, Patriarch Rai celebrated the Pontifical Divine Liturgy at our Maronite Cathedral of Our Lady of Lebanon in Brooklyn, after which he met and greeted the faithful (including the Maronite Servants) at the Brooklyn Historical Museum.

In the afternoon, we were blessed to participate in a historic meeting between, Patriarch Rai and His Beatitude, Patriarch John X, head of the Orthodox Antiochene Church. This was a beautiful day of ecumenism where Catholic East shared an unbelievable sense of camaraderie and fellowship with Orthodox East. These two Patriarchs spoke before dignitaries, bishops, clergy, and faithful of both Churches. They reaffirmed their commitment to work together to bring about sustained peace in the Middle East. 

The Patriarch, now back in Lebanon, his Patriarchal See, continues his efforts on the home front, having voiced his approval and approbation of all his pastoral visits in the U.S. God be with you Sayedna, our prayers are with you!

  

Our Lady of Purgatory Church Celebrates 100 years

By Sr. Natalie Sayde Salameh

Over the weekend of September 29 – October 1, the sisters had the great privilege of participating in the Our Lady of Purgatory (OLOP) Church parish centennial celebrations.

On Friday, September 29, Divine Liturgy was offered for the sisters at the Mother of Light Convent by Bishop Gregory Mansour of the Eparchy of St. Maron, Brooklyn, and Bishop Michel Aoun of the Eparchy of Jbeil, Lebanon, and Fr. Fadi Rouhana, Administrator of OLOP. This was the first time in Maronite Servant history that we hosted two bishops at the Convent. On Friday evening, we attended “100 years of sights and sounds” hosted by the OLOP parish at the historic New Bedford Whaling Museum. This multimedia presentation gave us a beautiful snapshot of the history of the parish, including its trials, joys, sorrows, and vocational fruits. In addition, all parishioners over the age of 75 were honored. This was followed by a social hour in the Observation Deck.

On Saturday, September 30, the sisters were blessed yet again with Divine Liturgy at the Convent offered by the two bishops, Chorbishop Kaddo of St. Anthony of the Desert, Fall River and Frs. Fadi and Herbert Nicholls, our chaplain. We had in attendance other parishioners of OLOP. This was followed by breakfast in our sunroom. At 12.30PM, the sisters were invited to attend lunch with the bishops, Maronite and Latin Rite priests of the Diocese of Fall River, and a number of parishioners at the OLOP Rectory. Following lunch, Bishop Gregory and Sr. Therese Maria engaged the children of the parish with games, dance, and song, and a Q & A. At 5PM, the sisters attended a special hour of adoration at the parish with Exposition and Benediction, with the bishops and priests in attendance, to ask God’s continued blessings on the parish for another 100 years. The evening concluded with the Grand Hafle Banquet of celebration at the Venus de Milo Restaurant in Somerset.

 

On Sunday, October 1^st, the Church was beaming and well attended as Bishop Gregory Mansour celebrated the Pontifical Liturgy of Thanksgiving. Chorbishop Michael Thomas, Vicar General of the Eparchy, who was born and raised in the OLOP parish, gave a beautiful homily on why the Church was (and is) called Our Lady of Purgatory. The only Church in the world, outside of France, to hold this name. Simply put, the Church was so called because of our deep reverence for the Mother of God and our belief in her intercessory power for the dead. Divine Liturgy was followed by a parish-wide brunch at the Century House in Acushnet, where all were able to celebrate the establishment of the Maronite faith in New Bedford for the last 100 years. May God grant the parish another 100 years!