On October 17, 2011 we gladly accepted the invitation of Father Nadim Helou and the Maronite community of Uniontown, PA to join them in welcoming His Beatitude Beshara Peter El-Rai at their parish, Saint George Maronite Church. The celebration of Divine Liturgy was followed by a banquet in honor of His Beatitude. Both clergy and laity expressed joy and excitement at this gathering. May God continue to bless our Church with fervent people and faithful servants.
Our community traveled to Cleveland, Ohio on Monday October 10, 2011 to meet with our beloved Patriarch Bechara Peter El-Rai, during his pastoral visit to Saint Maron Church in Cleveland. This is the Patriarch's first visit to the United States of America since his enthronement as the Patriarch of Antioch and all the East, on Friday March 25, 2011, in Lebanon. During this inaugural visit, the Patriarch is scheduled to visit several parishes and institutions within both Maronite Eparchies: the Eparchy of Our Lady of Lebanon and the Eparchy of Saint Maron. The Patriarch comes with a message of "love and communion" as he himself explains. In his homily during Divine Liturgy as well as his speech at the Banquet that followed, the Patriarch insisted that war and violence can never solve conflicts; only love and peace can build nations, strengthen people and ensure dignified living to all. He asked the faithful to seek unity amidst pluralism, be one in heart and mind, and keep their love for God and their nation above all other interests or personal gain. As he continues this historical visit, we pray that God may give him the strength to continue to lead with compassion and resolve.
