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| Sydney Bids Farewell to Maurice Shalala in a Solemn Funeral: Ninety Years of Faith, Sacrifice and Love |
** “His hands became instruments of love, and every task he carried out was
a silent message of devotion to providing his family with a dignified
life.”
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Sydney Bids Farewell to Maurice Shalala in a Solemn Funeral: Ninety Years of Faith, Sacrifice and Love
30/07/2026
(See translation in Arabic section)
Sydney- Middle East Times Int’l: Sydney has bid farewell to the late Maurice Youssef “Moussa” Shalala, a native of Beit Shalala in northern Lebanon, during a solemn funeral held at Our Lady of Lebanon Cathedral, amid an atmosphere of deep sorrow and emotion and with the participation of a large gathering from the Lebanese community.
The funeral prayers and Divine Liturgy were celebrated by Father Youssef Abou Zeid, together with Monsignor Beshara Choura, Father Danny Nouh and a number of priests. The funeral was attended by members of the deceased’s family, relatives and friends, as well as many members of the community and people from his hometown of Beit Shalala, who came to pay their final respects to a man known for his faith, humility and devotion to his family.
Following the reading of the Holy Gospel, Father Abou Zeid delivered a moving eulogy in which he said that, despite the sorrow of separation, Christians face death with the hope of resurrection. According to the Christian faith, death is not the end of life, but a passage into eternal life in the presence of God.
Father Abou Zeid quoted the words of Saint Paul: “We know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will also raise us with Jesus,” explaining that these words form the foundation of Christian hope in the face of grief and loss. He added that while the human body may weaken and perish, the inner person is renewed day by day, and that Maurice’s long life was a testimony to steadfast faith and patience through life’s many changes.
** Father Abou Zeid reflected on the late Maurice’s ninety-year journey, describing it as an extraordinary life filled with joy, challenges and sacrifice. He noted that Maurice was born in Beit Shalala and carried with him the values of faith, family, dignity and hard work before migrating to Australia in 1966 in search of a better future for his loved ones.
He said Maurice faced the difficulties of migration with courage and determination, at a time when beginning again required great patience and strength. He left behind his homeland, memories, family and familiar language, but brought with him hope, resilience and trust in God. Through tireless effort, he worked to build a stable and dignified life for his family.
Maurice never considered any honest job beneath him. He worked in maintenance, tiling, plastering and several other trades, carrying out every duty with integrity and dignity. He believed that honest work becomes sacred when it is performed in service of one’s family. Every task he completed was a practical expression of his love and responsibility towards his wife and children.
The eulogy also highlighted the remarkable married life Maurice shared with his wife, Nadia, since their marriage in 1963. Together, they built not merely a house, but a warm and welcoming home founded on faith, generosity, hospitality and love. They raised four children who, in turn, became witnesses to the values their parents lived by each day. Their home became a gathering place for family, relatives and friends, marked by warmth, affection and mutual respect.
Father Abou Zeid also praised the exceptional care Nadia gave her husband during his final years, together with the support of their children and their families. He said that every visit, every meal, every gentle touch and every sleepless night became a silent prayer and a living expression of loyalty, gratitude and love.
At the conclusion of the funeral, the family received condolences, while the memory of the late Maurice remained deeply present in the hearts of all who knew him. He will be remembered as a devoted father, a faithful husband and a man who expressed his love through actions and sacrifice, leaving his family a rich legacy of faith, dignity and loyalty.
The Editorial Board of “Middle East Times Int’l” and its Editor-in-Chief, Camil Shalala, extend their deepest and most heartfelt condolences to all members of the family, particularly his wife, Nadia, as well as to all relatives and friends.
We pray that Almighty God will embrace the late Maurice Shalala in His infinite mercy, grant him eternal rest in His heavenly kingdom. |
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