|
|
|
|
First anniversary of the Maronite Foundation in the
World |
|
|
|
|
|
The Maronite Foundation in the
world celebrated its first anniversary on October 4, 2009 in the Lebansese
Maronite Monks monastery of Machmouche - Casa Jezzine, South Lebanon.
A
solemn ceremonial mass was held for the intention of all the founding members
at the historical monastery church, presided by Bishop Roland Abou
Jaoudé who was delegated by H.B Patriarch Mar Nasrallah Boutros Sfeir
and assisted by Bishop Raii of Byblos, Joseph Khoury of Canada, Abbotts Elias
Khalifé, Boulos Naaman and Bassil Hachem, as well as NDU President
father Walid Moussa and Holy spirit - Kaslik President Father Hadi Mahfouz.
The President of the Republic Michel Sleiman was represented by the
Minister of Interior Ziad Baroud. Minister of the environment Tony Karam and
MPs of the region Ziad assouad, Michel Helou, Nehmatallah Abi Nasr; and Former
MPs Samir Azar, Antoine Khoury, Georges Najm as well as ambassadors Bahjat
Lahoud, Simon Karam and Maronite League President Joseph Torbey and members of
his Executive Council and those of the Maronite General Council, and members of
the Board of trustees of the Foundation and staff members were all present.
Monsignor Abou Jaoudé delivered an homelie praising the
Foundation and its president Michel Eddé for their work, and thanked
them for all the efforts made toward advancing the mission of the Foundation.
A lunch hosted by Board of Trustees' member Charles Hage in the premises
of the Monastery followed the mass. 150 people friends of the Foundation
attended the lunch. Vice President Nehmat Frem presented to Mr. Eddé a
memorial shield of recognition as a token of gratitude for his efforts in
making the Foundation a reality.
On the shield was written a personal
note from Patriarch Sfeir stating: "To a great countryman his Excellency Michel
Eddé, who lives his faith in God and Country, by translating them into
actions that will last forever". Michel eddé {Full text of his
speech in
Arabic, and French} thanked all those present and
friends of the Foundation, especially H.B Patriarch Sfeir for his wisdom and
foresight in establishing the Foundation. He emphasized the need to double the
efforts of registering Lebanese abroad especially the Christians who are on the
verge of losing the battle of demography if the trend of birth and emigration
continues the way it is today.
Mr. Eddé stressed that the
essence of the work of the Maronite Foundation resides first in helping the
Lebanese regain their citizenship and preventing the melting of Maronites
abroad in the Latin Church, and second by keeping the balance among the
different Lebanese communities, an essential element for the existence of
Lebanon as a message country. Mr. Eddé concluded by saying that the
objectives of the Foundation are of National nature not of sectarian one;
consequently, the Foundation work will strenghen the coexistence between the
different components of the Lebanese Fabric. |
|
|
|
|
|
The
Maronite Foundation Board of trustees hold its meeting in
Bkerké |
|
|
On February 11, 2009 the
Maronite Foundation Board of trustees held its second meeting in Bkerké
presided by H.B. Patriarch Mar Nasrallah Boutros Sfeir and H.E. Michel
Eddé. Present were two distinguished Guests, minister of the Interior
Ziad Baroud and Judge Chikri Sader. |
|
Mr. Eddé highlighted the
role of the Foundation in helping Lebanese in general and Maronites in special
register their vital records, and thanked his Beatitude for his patronage of
the Foundation. |
|
H. Beatitude welcomed all
present members and reminded them that the Patriarchal see does not belong to
him or to those who preceded him, it belongs to the Maronite community and
shall stay that way, hoping that the Maronites remain an example of patriotism,
freedom, integrity and national belonging |
|
The
Maronite Foundation participates at the First Convention of the Maronite
Bishops of the Americas |
|
On March 4, 2009 the Maronite
Bishops of Canada, Los Angeles, New York, Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, held their
first convention in Sao Paolo – Brazil. Attending the Conference were the
Abbott Generals of the Maronite Monks Orders (Lebanese, Mariamites &
Antonins) as well as the Lebanese Missionaries order. |
|
The Maronite Foundation was
represented by Mr. Youssef Doueihy who addressed the convention explaining the
delicate work of the Foundation, its objectives and goals, pressing all those
concerned to work very hard in order to register as many Lebanese descendants
as possible and promote the idea of the rights of those of Lebanese extraction
to regain their Lebanese citizenships. |
|
Lebanon’s existence rely
on the delicate balance between the different religious communities, if this
balance is tipped either way, Lebanon will lose its real mission of being the
Land where all religious communities can live in harmony in the land that
witnessed the birth of Christianity. |
|
The 4 days conference ended
with a determination to continue this kind of meetings which will strengthen
the ties between the Lebanese spread in the world and their Maronite mother
church and country Lebanon. |
|
A
Brazilian Delegation received by the Maronite Foundation (PALS) |
|
On April 24, 2009 a Brazilian
delegation was the guest at a luncheon held by the Maronite Foundation. |
|
Mrs. Hiam Boustani Director of
the Foundation and the Foreign Relations Director Antonio Andary were present
to greet the Brazilian delegation and discuss the different aspects related to
the Lebanese –Brazilian immigration and the best approach to highlight
the importance of registering their vital events and take advantages of the
rights and privileges, opportunities that the Lebanese citizenship offers
them. |
|
The Brazilian delegations of
Lebanese descendants are members of the PALS (Proto Allegre Lebanese Society)
based in the state of Rio Grande do Sul. The delegation was headed by MP of Rio
Grande Khalil (Sehbe) Saba and members Claudio Sleiman Satte (President of the
club), Antonio Sergio Bonilha, Gabriel Monte Fadel, Halim Aidar (Haidar) and
Cesar Moinho (Dib). |
|
The
Maronite Foundation participates at the NAM 46th Annual Convention in Los
Angeles |
|
A delegation from the Maronite Foundation in
the World participated from July 1-5, 2009 in the National Apostolate of
Maronites 46th Annual Convention. |
|
The delegation included Board members Neamat
Frem, Charles Hage, Gilbert Chaghouri and staff officers Hiam Boustani, Youssef
Douaihy and Antonio Andary. |
|
The NAM convention is an annual
opportunityfor the Maronite church of the USA to gather together for spiritual
renewal, education, socializing and for the first time to discuss with the
Maronite Foundation in the world issues of importance to both Maronites in
Lebanon and abroad. |
|
Many meetings were held between
the NAM leadership and the Maronite Foundation delegation, a workshop was
conducted by the Foundation regarding the mission of the Foundation and its
work in encouraging registration of Lebanese abroad in the Lebanese Embassies
and Consulates. |
|
Board members Hage and Frem
took part in a panel discussion about Lebanon and business opportunities with
Ambassador of Lebanon Antoine Chedid and US secretary of transportation Ray
Lahoud. |
|
Guest speaker of the convention
was Carlos Slim of Mexico who attended the convention with his son
Fabricio. |
|
The Maronite Foundation members
had the opportunity to meet with Mr. Slim and presented him with symbolic gifts
related to Christianity in Lebanon, and discussed with him the objectives of
the Foundation. |
|
|
The convention was a success
thanks to the organization skills of the host pastor of our lady of Lebanon -
St. Peter cathedral father Abdallah Zaidan, M.L.M and the convention committee
chaired by Dr and Mrs. Elie Ayoub. |
|
|
|
|
|
July 1-5, 2009. |
|
|
|
|
|
President Michel
Eddé hosted a lunch in his summer residence in Amchit in honor of Amine
Harb vice president and president elect of NAM, present were Elie Hakmi
President of the WLCU, Anthony Chahine a Brazilian member of the senate, Dr.
Khalil Karam, George Bachir and the Maronite Foundation directrs and board
members. |
|
|
|
|
|
July 28, 2009. |
|
|
|
|
|
A Maronite league
delegation from Australia (Samir Azzi, Fahd Geitani and Boutros Wakim) visited
the Maronite Foundation and discussed issues of common concern. Michel
Eddé the President of the Maronite Foundation hosted a lunch in their
honor |
|
|
|
|
|
July 17, 2009. |
|
|
|
|
|
The Maronite Foundation
sponsored a Piano concert for Lebanese Mexican Pianist Mauricio Nader in
collaboration with the Mexican Embassy in Lebanon and the National
conservatory. 3 concerts were held in Beirut St. Joseph University, the German
Institute in Jounieh, and the Safadi Foundation in Tripoli. |
|
|
|
|
|
June 16th-19th. |
|
|
|
|
|
A business lunch in
honor of the Maronite Bishops in the world was hosted by President Michel
Eddé; present were Dr. Joseph Torbey President of the Maronite League,
Bishops Boulos Mattar of Beirut, George Abi Younis of Mexico, Edgar Madi of
Brazil. Aad Abi karam of Australia, Charbel Merhi of Argentine, Abbott Elie
Madi, Monsignors Camille Zaydan of Beirut, Fawzi Elia of USA, Father Louis
ferkh of Mexico, Richard Abi saleh, Joseph Boueiry. Ambassador Bahjat Lahoud,
Dr. Khalil Karam as well as the Maronite Foundation board of trustees members,
directors, journalists and friends of the Foundation. |
|
|
|
|
|
June 13, 2009. |
|
|
|
|
|
A Brazilian delegation
led by the Mayor of Sao Paolo Roberto Kassab met with the Maronite Foundation
directors and visited with them the Maronite Patriarch in Bkerké. |
|
|
|
|
|
8 March, 2009. |
|
|
|