I pray that this newsletter reaches your hands in good health, spirit and body. February 9th is a very special day in our community as we celebrate the 120th Anniversary of the birth of Saint Maron of Minneapolis. It was on February 9,1903 when the first Maronite Liturgy ever was celebrated in the Midwest of the United States. We can imagine Father Antoun Sleiman gathering with a group of the first pioneers who came to this land of freedom celebrating the Liturgy on Main Street a few blocks from the present location. I can even imagine the isolation that the first group felt as they were sheep without a shepherd. But God sent them a spiritual leader to gather them and to plant together the seed of the Maronite church in Minnesota, being the oldest parish in our eparchy of Our Lady of Lebanon and west of the east coast. Over a period of 12 decades our community has grown and given birth to so many great miracles through the dedication and diligence of the amazing parishioners who work so hard for their community. They put their faith in action to remove mountains and build a strong community centered on the love of Jesus and inspired by the great faith of Saint Maron whose 1,612 death anniversary we are celebrating (410 AD). Our ancestors came to this great land very poor but were very rich in faith and in love for God and one another. They never turned their backs or disconnected themselves from their roots, they wanted to present to this part of the world the beautiful Maronite and Antiochene Syriac tradition. Like every other community, ours had its ups and downs for many reasons, but it continued to persevere and strive in faith, hoping in God, and depending on the unity and dedications of its members to grow spiritually and physically. We are here today because of our ancestors, and the future generations after us depend on what we present and preserve for them. Let us unite our hearts, minds, and hands to continue working on the building of our community and the glory of God. I urge all of you to increase your efforts to connect to your spiritual home and to lead and guide your children to be faithful to their roots. Come worship and walk with them this spiritual journey. During this month we also begin our Lenten journey on the 20th of February with Ash Monday. I hope you intensify your prayer life and almsgiving as we join our Lord on his fast and prayer, So that we may happily celebrate the glorious Feast of Resurrection on April 9th.

Please feel free to reach me if I can be of any help at any time. Wishing you God’s choicest blessings. I remain,
Devotedly Yours,