The clergy and parishioners of Saint Maron Church in Youngstown, Ohio were extremely happy to welcome Most Reverend Robert J. Shaheen, Bishop of the Eparchy of Our Lady of Lebanon for their centennial celebration as a Maronite church. A number of local clergy and friends as well as Chorsbishop Dominic Ashkar and Father Anthony Salim, previous pastors of Saint Maron church, joined over 500 parishioners for the special dinner on Saturday December 3, 2011. The attendees enjoyed a variety of delicious Mediterranean and American food and delighted in the special presentations and brief speeches prepared for the evening. Also, a special corner was set up to display antique items that belong to the church as well as old records, pictures and valuable information gathered by the students of the Maronite Christian Formation (MCF)program. On Sunday morning, the Bishop celebrated Divine Liturgy in an atmosphere of piety and joy. Saint Maron's choir, comprised of the adult and youth choir as well as the Antonine Sisters, contributed greatly to the joy of the celebration with their musical selection. At the end of liturgy, the parishioners released 100 balloons symbolizing the love and prayers of the people sent up to God in heaven. A delicious home-prepared brunch followed to end this historical celebration.
