Thanking Australia for opening its arms and heart to receive the sons of the community and wishing to be a blessed country

Bishop Maroun AL-Ammar celebrating Sunday Mass in St. Charbel Church in Sydney

22/5/2016

(Translation of this article appears in Arabic section)

The Patriarchal Vicar General for Jebbe-Bchare area, Bishop Maroun al-Ammar, celebrates the Divine Liturgy at St. Charbel Church in Sydney, assisted by the Superior of the Saint Charbel monastery Father Joseph Sleiman, the Congregationalists priest Khalil Arab, Father Tony Khawli, Father Antoine Tohme and Father Elie Rahme.

A large crowd of faithful participated in the liturgy, including Michel Doueihi the regional head of the World Lebanese Cultural Union, Joe Khattar President of the Lebanese Australian Chamber of Commerce, Anwar Harb the Editor in Chief of (AnNahar), Dr. Jean Tarabay head of the center of the Maronite studies, Camil Shalala President of the Australo-Lebanese Christian Council, as well as social, religious and media figures.

Father Sleiman

After the holy gospel, the Superior of Saint Charbel monastery Father Joseph Sleiman, made a valuable and expressive word. He talked about the meanings of Sunday Holy Trinity, welcoming Bishop Maroun al-Ammar, who is visiting Australia currently, stressing that his presence in Australia will strengthen the faith and confidence in the church generally, Maronite especially and homeland Lebanon, for the qualities of spirituality, faith and paternalistic.

He also welcomed the father Khalil Arab, who is characterized by tireless and relentless permanent service and Father Tony Khawli, who answered the call of the Holy Spirit, to make art more than a faithful, spiritual, human and social trait.

Bishop Al-Ammar

Then Bishop Maroun al-Ammar, gave a word in which he thanked the patron of the Maronite diocese in Australia, Bishop Antoine Charbel Tarabay, the head of the monastery of Saint Charbel Father Joseph Sleiman, for what they are doing of sacrifice, service and cooperation for the sake of members of the community.

Bishop Al-Ammar talked about the qualities of Saint Charbel and his image which always showing eyes closed, because he wants the human heart and not his face, religion, color or nationality in belief of what the Lord said in the Bible (Do not look at the face and height, but to the heart).

"St- Charbel is characterized from all the saints in the world, given the numbers of people who visit him in Lebanon, and from all countries of the world, stressing that no one went to Saint Charbel with great confidence and a large heart, but his request received from God through the intercession of Saint Charbel, whom we always see eyes closed, because he wants to see what the is in our hearts, not our minds ", Bishop Al-Ammar said.

Bishop Al-Ammar called "to look to Lebanon, with eyes closed, so that we do not see the many mistakes that cripple the mind and restrain the thought "as seen by Saint Charbel eyes-closed, to see the heart of the civilization of Lebanon ... and the heart of the Church of Lebanon ... and the heart of our people who have lived in Lebanon, then our view of Lebanon our civilization, church and family will change radically. "

Bishop Al-Ammar concluded his speech, praising the Lebanese Lebanese Maronite Orderand its great achievements in Australia which is characterized by great success and importance. "

He also thanked Australia that had opened its arms and heart to receive the sons of the Lebanese community and provided them with prospects, decent livelihood and all services, security and peace, wishing to be always a the blessed country.