Subdeacon Norbert Vogl
Cir 26-46 The passing of Mr. Wafiq Naim Eid. ...

It is our sad duty to announce the passing into Eternal Life in Lebanon today of Mr. Wafiq Naim Eid. Mr. Eid was the Father of Father Ronald Eid, Pastor of St. George Maronite Church, San Antonio, Texas. He is survived by his wife, Najat Eid, his sons, Nasr, Father Ronald, Joseph and their families. The Funeral Service will take place on Sunday afternoon at 4:30 pm at Saint Georges Church, Mtolleh, Lebanon.

Subdeacon Norbert Vogl
Cir 26-45 The passing of Deacon Elias Shami

It is our sad duty to announce the passing of Deacon Elias Shami on Tuesday July 28, 2026, in Jacksonville, Florida. He is survived by his wife Diane, and his four children, Donna, Khalil, Michelle, and Paul. In August 1996, he was ordained a Subdeacon by Chorbishop John Faris, at Christ the King Church in Jacksonville, Florida. In February 2002, Bishop Doueihi ordained him a Deacon at Saint Maron Church in Jacksonville, Florida. he has served with much love and generosity at Saint Maron Church, and will be greatly missed.

Cir 26-45 The passing of Deacon Elias Shami
Subdeacon Norbert Vogl
Cir 26-44 November Conference on Natural Family ...

As we celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Creighton FertilityCare™ System, all are invited to participate in a special one-day Conference dedicated to promoting the beauty of Catholic marriage, the gift of human life, and the Church's vision for Natural Family Planning.

Cir 26-44 November Conference on Natural Family Planning
Subdeacon Norbert Vogl
Cir 26-42 Blessed Patriarch Elias Howayek

This week Patriarch Elias Howayek will be beatified in the Patriarchal Residence in Diman, Lebanon. There is something special about our Maronite Patriarchs. In particular, Blessed Estephan Douaihy and soon-to-be Blessed Elias Howayek.

Cir 26-42 Blessed Patriarch Elias Howayek
Subdeacon Norbert Vogl
Cir 26.36 The passing of Mr. Gerald (Jerry) ...

We are sorry to announce the passing of Bishop Gregory Mansour's uncle, Gerald (Jerry) James Mansour Sr., at the age of 96 on Friday, July 10, 2026, in Fenton, Michigan. Gerald was born in Flint, Michigan, on December 6, 1929, to Najib and Nahil Mansour. He was the fifth of seven children. He was preceded in death by his wife, Frances. He was also preceded in death by his parents as well as his siblings, Albert, Elizabeth, Anthony, Esther, George, and Georgette.

Cir 26.36 The passing of Mr. Gerald (Jerry) James Mansour Sr, the uncle of Bishop Gregory Mansour

Passing of Father Tony Youssef's Father, Mr Mansour Youssef

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.

Maronite Rite featured on EWTN's Women of Grace television series

Maronite Rite featured on EWTN's Women of Grace television series

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.

Passing of Subdeacon Oliver Crosby Sparks III

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

Passing of Subdeacon Ronald Foster

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

Syriac Female Saints & Mary

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

Join Via Zoom

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.