Sister Noel Marie Sleiman Saadeh... A Nun of Prayer and Meekness in the House of the Father
6/06/2026
(See translation in Arabic section)
Sydney-Middle East Times Int'l: Businessmen John and George Dib held a Mass and funeral service for the repose of the soul of Sister Noel Marie Sleiman Saadeh, who passed away in Lebanon. The Mass was held at St. Charbel Church in Sydney, attended by a large congregation of the faithful, relatives, several monks and nuns of the Maronite Holy Family, and members of the community.
The Divine Liturgy was presided over by the Abbot, Father Asaad Lahoud, assisted by several monks. Following the Mass and funeral service, Abbot Asaad Lahoud delivered a homily, the following:
Father Lahoud began his homily by quoting the Gospel: “Whoever loves me will keep my commandments, and whoever loves me will be loved by my Father.”
He said that these Gospel words invite us to reflect on the life of Sister Noel Marie, who lived her love for Christ not only in words, but also in daily faithfulness, obedience, prayer, service, and love. From the moment she dedicated her life to the Lord, she walked with simplicity of heart and purity of intention, so that her presence became a sign of peace and joy to all who knew her.
He added, “Today we pray for her, along with her fellow nuns, her family, and all who loved her and served with her, raising our hearts to the Lord, asking Him to grant her His abundant mercy and reward her for all the love, generosity, obedience, and noble spirit she offered throughout her life.”
Father Lahoud noted that Sister Noel Marie was a devout nun, devoted to prayer, and deeply connected to the Virgin Mary, to whom she turned in every difficulty. She would often repeat her beloved phrase, “My beloved Virgin,” an expression of the heartfelt trust that accompanied her throughout her religious life.
A part of the faithful He continued, saying that the departed sister drew her strength from prayer, and from it she received hope, wisdom, and inner peace. She was known for her kindness, refinement, and good treatment of her fellow nuns. She was a peaceful, wise, and generous soul, beloved by the nuns wherever she served, and by all who knew her. He noted that she carried the joys, sorrows, and worries of others in her heart and was close to everyone, especially the poor, whom she loved and gave generously to. Following the example of the Virgin Mary, she served with the compassionate spirit of a mother in social institutions and schools. She also loved the priests, seminarians, and nuns with whom she served in the house of the Lord and near the holy altar.
Father Lahoud affirmed that Sister Noel Marie was “the watchful eye and the prayerful nun,” carrying in her heart the concerns of vocations and the mission of the Church. In her final days, her fellow nuns and doctors bore witness to her, calling her “the gentle breeze,” the grateful and smiling nun, the patient who surrendered to the Lord’s will. The peace of Christ, who said to his disciples, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you,” was manifest in her. Although Sister Noel Marie's passing came as a surprise, faith, as Father Lahoud said, "makes us look beyond the pain of illness and separation." He recalled that, not long before, she had stood before the tomb of Blessed Patriarch Elias Howayek, founder of the Congregation of the Sisters of the Holy Family, moved by a mixture of joy and awe.
Father Asaad Lahoud concluded his homily by saying, "Today, Sister Noel Marie has gone to the house of the Father whom she loved and served, to join her holy brothers and sisters who have gone before us to eternal glory. We thank the Lord for the gift of her life, and for the witness of love, gentleness, and faithfulness she left in this world."
He added, "We pray to the Lord that He may grant us also to keep His commandments and remain steadfast in His love, so that we may one day meet in the Kingdom of Heaven. Amen."
Christ is risen… He is risen indeed. |
