May God grant eternal rest to his faithful servant and priest, Fr. Naji Kiwan. Born in Freidis, Lebanon on December 12, 1972, he was the son of Jalil and Chalabieh (Haddad) Kiwan. Fr. Naji is predeceased by his mother Chalabieh, and survived by his father, Jalil, his brother Michel, and sisters Nisrine and Karine.
There is an upcoming Workshop led by Fr. Neemtallah Oneissy on Maronite Music. We hope you can encourage your choir members and interested parishioners to join in this Workshop.
Chorbishop Joseph Lahoud entered peacefully into eternal life on July 16, 2025, after a long life of service and dedication to the Church and her people. May God grant eternal rest to his faithful servant and priest.
Are you a young adult between the ages of 18 and finished high school, and 35? Are you looking to deepen your faith and connect with other like-minded young adults from your culture and faith? Join our MYA family September 19-21,2025 at the Sonesta Rittenhouse Square in Philadelphia, PA. The theme will focus on a journey into faith, purpose, and belonging. The conference will include meals, breakouts, adoration, confession, fellowship and more.
Hello everyone. Bishop Gregory here. It’s been on my heart, especially this month of November, to remember those who have died. I ask you to join me praying the rosary every Thursday at 5:00 pm. With Father Vincent and Our Lady of Purgatory parish.
We have received the sad news that Mr. Mansour Youssef, the father of Father Tony Youssef, passed away recently away in Syria.
Mr Youssef is survived by his first wife Aziza and his present wife Georgette, along with his children to Aziza : Sawssan, Fadi, Kamil, Elham, Father Tony, Father Jihad and Élie.
We ask your prayers and extend our heartfelt condolences to Father Tony and his family. May Mansour’s soul Rest in Peace.
EWTN “WOMEN OF GRACE” AIRING
The Eastern Churches, and in particular, our Maronite Church has been featured in four shows on the Catholic cable channel EWTN on Women of Grace, hosted by Johnnette Williams. Chorbishop Michael was her guest for those four-half hour shows which aired Monday October 24 – Thursday October 27 at 1:00 pm. Click “Read more” for links to the shows.
Circular #22.74
Dear Brother Priests, Deacons & Subdeacons, Consecrated Men & Women,
Attached please find a letter from Bishop A. Elias Zaidan informing us of the passing of Chorbishop William Leser. I am saddened by this loss, for he has been a great help to the Maronite Church over the years. May God rest his good servant in peace.
+ Gregory
Attachment (Letter)
We received the sad news of the passing of Father Abdallah H. Ramy at the age of 97.surrounded by his family, Fr. Abdallah Habib Ramy passed away on August 1, 2022.
Born in Terbol, Lebanon, Fr. Ramy was ordained a priest in 1961. A priest of 62 years, Fr. Ramy served in Lebanon and in the United States at Lawrence, Brockton, Fall River and Springfield, MA, and in Dover, NH.
Reverend and Dear Monsignors and Fathers, Deacons and Subdeacons, Brothers, and Sisters;
I am sorry that I have more sad news to share with you today: Subdeacon Oliver Crosby Sparks III, 80, of Wilkes-Barre, passed away peacefully Friday, June 10, 2022.
Crosby was born in Sikeston, Missouri, moving to Wilkes-Barre at age 5. He graduated from GAR Memorial High School in 1959, lettering in football, wrestling and track and field. He was a District II wrestling champion, student council president and Gentleman Scholar Athlete Award winner. He earned the rank of Eagle Scout in 1958. After attending Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, he transferred to King's College. He graduated in 1964, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology. He began teaching biology later that year in New Castle, Delaware. In 1967, he returned home to Wilkes-Barre to teach biology and environmental sciences at GAR. Over the next 34 years, he taught, advised and coached thousands of students. He retired after the 2000-2001 school year, having spent 40 years at GAR as a student and teacher. He earned two Master of Science degrees. In 2006, he was ordained a subdeacon in our Maronite Church.
He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Jacqueline; his son, Travis and his wife Jennifer, and their twin daughters. He is also survived by his brother and many other relatives.
His wake will be held at St. Anthony + St. George Church in Wilkes-Barre from 4 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday. The Funeral Divine Liturgy will be held at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, with the interment to follow at Mount Olivet Cemetery, Carverton. Condolences may be sent by visiting Crosby's obituary at the following website: www.natandgawlas.com.
On behalf of Bishop Gregory and all of our Eparchy, I extend sincere condolences to Jacqueline, and to all of Crosby’s family and friends. We also offer our sympathy to Father Adib and all of the parishioners of St. Anthony + St. George Church. May Crosby rest in peace!
Sincerely yours in Christ,
Chorbishop Michael G. Thomas,
Vicar General
Reverend and Dear Monsignors and Fathers, Deacons and Subdeacons, Brothers and Sisters;
I am so sorry to inform you of the passing of Subdeacon Ronald Foster.
Ernest “Ron” Ronald Foster, Sr., 76, passed away on Wednesday, June 8 in Fayetteville, NC. He was preceded in death by his mother, Verona Earl Dixon. He is survived by his wife, Wanda; sons, Ron, Jr., Randal, Ryan, and Robin; many grandchildren, and a great granddaughter.
Ron served 5 years in the US Army with one of those years in Vietnam. He graduated from the Physician Assistant school in 1978 and practiced in the Fayetteville area for many years. He founded the Methodist University PA program in 1993. In 2013, Ron was ordained as a subdeacon in our Maronite Church.
A Visitation will be held at Rogers and Breece Funeral Home on Sunday, June 12, 2022, at 6 to 8 PM. A Funeral Divine Liturgy will be held at 1:30 PM on Monday, June 13, at St. Michael the Archangel Church. Burial will follow at Lafayette Memorial Park.
Condolences may be sent to his wife Wanda: 3572 Gables Drive, Fayetteville, NC 28311.
On behalf of Bishop Gregory and all of our Eparchy, I extend sincere condolences to Wanda, their children, and to all of Ron’s family and friends. We also express our sympathy to Father Paul Damien and the parishioners of St. Michael’s Church. May Ron rest in peace.
Sincerely tours in Christ,
Chorbishop Michael G. Thomas,
Vicar General
The Maronite Servants of Christ the Light will be hosting Dr. Jeanne-Nicole Mellon Saint-Laurent, Associate Professor of Historical Theology and Syriac Patristics at Marquette University for a Zoom talk this Thursday May 19th at 8:00pm EST on Syriac Female Saints & Mary.
If you are interested in joining for this inspiring talk please click on the Zoom link below: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87090206476
No registration is required for this event. First-in-first serve basis. As we have a 100 person limit with the zoom account. Thank you.
Reach out to the sisters if you if you have any questions at maroniteservants.org.
Join us as we pray the rosary every 2nd Monday of the month at 8pm ET. To build a culture of life & to overcome evil in the world.
Led by Bishop Elias Zaidan, Bishop Gregory Mansour or their representative.
April 27 & 28
Our Lady of Lebanon Maronite Seminary
Join us for two days of talks related to Syriac theology, spirituality, and liturgy.
The Divine Liturgy for the Consecration of the Chrism and Holy Oils will be celebrated on Tuesday, April 5th at 12 noon at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Lebanon in Brooklyn, New York. A Lenten luncheon follow in the hall.
RSVP by email cathrectory@verizon.net
Please join
For this important fundraising event
As the Eparchy continues to serve its people
Our Maronite Seminarians on Hosanna Sunday, 2022, with Bishop Gregory and Clergy at Our Lady of Lebanon Cathedral
We look forward to this first
in-person gathering in three years.
The Water Club
New York, NY
Cir. 22.23 Dear Brother Priests, Deacons and Subdeacons, Consecrated Men and Women,
The MYA Conference in Boston is looking good so far, we have about 70 people registered, and the numbers keep climbing. The deadline for registration has been extended, please see the new details below. Attached please find again the flyer and schedule.
The price is $100 and until March 6, 2022, one can sign up on this website https://www.maroniteyoungadults.org/eparchy-st-maron
After March 6, the registration is $125. The Conference deadline is March 11 for both the Hotel discounted rate and the Conference registration fee. For any questions, please email the Conference coordinators at mya.eparchystmaron@gmail.com
+ Gregory
| Time | Activity | |
|---|---|---|
| 6:45 | Arrival to Our Lady of the Cedars of Lebanon, 61 Rockwood St, Jamaica Plain, MA 02130 | |
| 7:00 | Welcome from Bishop Gregory and MYA Board | |
| 7;30 | Dinner | |
| 8:30 | Rosary |
| Time | Activity | |
|---|---|---|
| 8:45 | Arrival at Our Lady of the Cedards of Lebanon | |
| 9:00 | Morning Prayer | |
| 9:30 | Breakfast | |
| 10:00 | Introductions / icebreaker | |
| 10:30 | Speaker — Lauren Gentry | |
| 11:00 | Breakout Session #1 | |
| 12:00 | Adoration/Confession - Worship leader Gilbert Rodriguez | |
| 1:00 | Lunch | |
| 2:00 | Speaker & Prayer Experience — Lauren Gentry | |
| 2:30 | Breakout Session #2 | |
| 3:15 | Witness & Vocation Panel | |
| 4:00 | Stations of the Cross | |
| 4:30 | Icebreaker / Re-energizer | |
| 5:00 | Divine Liturgy / Closing / Group Photo |
| Time | Activity | |
|---|---|---|
| 7:00 | Dinner & Dancing at Byblos Restaurant – Norwood |
| Time | Activity | |
|---|---|---|
| 11:00 | Divine Liturgy at Our Lady of the Cedars of Lebanon Church followed by brunch with the parish | |
| Optional: Tour Boston! |
