|
1973 |
|
August 26 |
Monsignor Elias
El-Hayek celebrated the first Maronite Liturgy at St. Francis of Assisi. |
|
September 23 |
Monsignor Elias
El-Hayek officially became the first pastor of the new Maronite Mission. |
|
October |
A dinner dance was held
at St. Francis of Assisi to solicit pledges for the new church. |
|
October 7 |
The first baptism at
Our Lady of Lebanon was held and Daniel Christopher Smithingell was
baptized. |
|
November 4 |
Marty Rachid and Gloria
Mansour organized the first religious education classes. |
|
December 2 |
Monsignor El-Hayek and
Bishop Zayek celebrated a Pontifical Mass at St. Leo’s Church and Mayor
Paul Visser presented the keys to the city to His Excellency. |
|
December 8 |
The first Maronite
marriage was celebrated for David A. Shaw and Mary K. Rashid. |
| |
The choir was organized
by Anne Shaheen. |
| |
First “roving reporter” and bulletin
coordinator Muriel Mansour was appointed. |
| |
Liturgies were held at Powers Catholic
High School. |
|
1974 |
|
January 7 |
The First Altar
Society meeting was held at home of Marty and Nina Rachid. |
|
January 17 |
The first
Maronite funeral was held for George S. Joseph. |
|
Early 1974 |
American
Lebanese Morningstar Society purchased eight acres of land. |
|
August 15 |
Father Ronald
Beshara appointed to succeed Monsignor El-Hayek. |
|
August 26 |
Fr. Ronald
Beshara and Bishop Francis Zayek concelebrated Mass for the Fist
Anniversary of Our Lady of Lebanon at the place we called “The Pit”.
Bishop Zayek told the congregation on the first anniversary to resolve
to go forward with the building of a permanent church and hall. |
|
September |
Formation of
Maronite Youth Organization (MYO). |
|
October |
Formal
initiation of MYO. |
| |
Liturgies were
held in a store front, which we called “The Pit.” |
|
1975 |
|
January |
Beacon William
Bartoul joins the parish family prior to ordination to the priesthood. |
|
February 2 |
Announcement of
purchase of rectory and three acres of land with a pond. |
|
February 10 |
First St. Maron
Feast Day Celebration. |
|
Spring |
Our Lease
expired at “The Pit” and we relocated to Dye Elementary School. |
|
June 23 |
Resolution #183
was issued by the Michigan Senate...”the highest accolade be accorded to
the parishioners of Our Lady of Lebanon…upon the occasion of ground
breaking ceremonies for a permanent church building…as a token of the
highest esteem in which they are held by this legislative body. |
|
June 29 |
Bishop Francis
Zayek presided over the Divine Liturgy and broke ground on the site of
our new church and hall complex. |
|
June 29 |
Proclamation
issued by Mayor Paul Visser of Flint, proclaimed the week of June
29-July 5 as Our Lady of Lebanon Week. |
|
August |
Development of
directive for Mercy Meals. |
|
Autumn |
We watched from
Dye Elementary school as our long awaited church complex began to rise
fulfilling our dream. |
|
1976 |
|
June 30 |
Resolution #522
was issued by the Michigan Senate…”the highest accolade be accorded to
the parishioners of Our Lady of Lebanon…as they prepare to dedicate the
first church of the parish…in testimony to the esteem held for them by
this legislative body.” |
|
July 12 |
Resolution
issued by the Flint City Council that July 16, 17, & 18 are hereby
proclaimed “Our Lady of Lebanon Days.” |
|
July 12 |
Proclamation
issued by Mayor James W. Rutherford of Flint that July 16, 17 & 18 to be
“Our Lady of Lebanon Days.” |
|
July 14 |
Special tribute
issued by the House of Representatives…”to extend their sincere wishes
for a most successful festival and for continued good fortune in the
years ahead. |
|
July 16, 17 & 18 |
Proclaimed
“Mid-East Festival Days” in Genesee County by Michael J. Carr, Chairman,
Board of Commissioners, Genesee County , Michigan. |
|
July 16, 17, & 18 |
The First
Mid-East Festival took place on the parish grounds.
Co-Chairpersons were Michael Rizik and Norman Asher. The money from the
festival was applied towards the mortgage. |
|
August 1-8-4 |
1st Eucharistic
Congress was held in Philadelphia, PA. The choir from Our Lady of
Lebanon and Powers Catholic High School sang the hymns during liturgy.
This provided the inspiration to fashion our altar as a symbol of the
chalice. |
|
November 20 & 21 |
Dedication of
Our Lady of Lebanon Church and Sharbel Center. |
|
1977 |
|
April 8 |
MYO presented a
dramatization of the events of Good Friday. |
|
July 5 |
Proclamation
issued by Mayor James Rutherford of Flint that the week of July 8th, be
proclaimed the “Mid-East Festival Week”. |
|
July 8, 9, & 10 |
Second Mid-Eat
Festival. |
|
August |
Task Force was
formed to define a “Declaration of Purpose”. It was to define our roots,
journey and aspirations. |
|
October 9 |
Pope Paul VI
Canonized St. Sharbel. Twenty parishioners journeyed to Rome. |
|
November 19 |
50th
Anniversary celebration of the American Lebanese Morningstar Society. |
|
November 20 |
Charles Rossie
ordained Sub-Deacon. |
|
December |
“Declaration of
Purpose” was presented to the parish. |
|
1978 |
|
June 27 |
MYO prepares
for rehearsal of Passion Play to be presented at NAM convention. |
|
July 14, 15, &16 |
Third Mid-East
Festival. |
|
July 28, 29, & 30 |
15th Annual NAM
Convention was held at Our Lady of Lebanon and Powers Catholic High
School. Program included religious and social workshops, displays and
activities for adults and youths. |
|
August 11 |
Youngtown and
Flint held the First teenage Encounter Youth Retreat at the barn near
the Shrine in North Jackson, Ohio. This retreat was under the guidance
of Father Dominic Ashkar and Father Ronald Bashara. This was the
beginning of the annual gathering of Maronite youth (MYO) across the
nation. |
|
August |
Father Ron
appointed Diocesan Chancellor. |
|
August 27 |
Parishioners
gather for a picnic honoring Father Ron. |
|
August 30 |
Father David
George became our third pastor. |
| |
Silver Massabki
Medal awarded to Mr. Paul Koscielniak, music minister of Luke M. Powers
Catholic High School and the NAM convention. |
|
1979 |
|
July 10 |
Proclamation
issued by John H. Trecha, Chairman of the Genesee County Road
Commissioners, that the days of July 13, 14, & 15, be observed as
“Mid-East Festival Days” in Genesee County. |
|
July 13, 14, & 15 |
Fourth Mid-East
Festival. |
|
Fall |
Fr. Dave
initiates “Fireside chats”. |
|
1980 |
|
July 11, 12, & 13 |
Fifth Mid-East
Festival |
|
1981 |
|
June 29 |
Fifth
anniversary of groundbreaking. Celebration of the Divine Liturgy outside
by the pond. |
|
July 10, 11, & 12 |
Sixth Mid-East
Festival. |
|
November |
Fifth
Anniversary of the Dedication of Our Lady of Lebanon Church and Sharbel
Center. |
|
1982 |
|
June 7 |
First ever
Blood Mobile at Our Lady of Lebanon. |
|
July 9, 10, & 11 |
Seventh
Mid-East Festival |
|
September 18 |
Gregory John
Mansour, first parishioner from Our Lady of Lebanon to be ordained a
Maronite priest at St. Michael Church in downtown Flint, by Bishop John
Chedid. |
|
September 19 |
Father Gregory
celebrates First Liturgy of Thanksgiving at Our Lady of Lebanon. |
|
October 30 |
Father Anthony
Salim becomes our fourth pastor. |
|
October 31 |
Celebration of
the Divine Liturgy for Father Dave as he leaves and Father Anthony as he
arrives. |
|
1983 |
|
July 8, 9, & 10 |
Eighth Mid-East
Festival |
|
1984 |
|
June 24 |
Father Anthony
Salim tenth anniversary of ordination as priest of the eparchy of St.
Maron. |
|
July 13, 14, & 15 |
Ninth Mid-East
Festival |
|
September 23-30 |
Renew program
starts. Renew is a parish program carefully designed to help people
follow Christ more closely. |
| |
Silver Massabki
Medal awarded to Mr. Norman Abdella. |
|
1985 |
|
January 27-February 3 |
2nd Semester of
Renew. |
|
July 12, 13, & 14 |
Tenth Mid-East
Festival |
|
Summer |
Up-stairs
classrooms and library added in memory of Gloria Mansour. |
|
September 21 & 22 |
3rd Semester of
Renew. |
|
November 17 |
Beatification
of Sister Rafka Al-Rayes by Pope John Paul II. Our liturgy on this day
was for Blessed Rafka and all Christians in the Middle East. |
| |
Silver Massabki
Medal presented to Don Paliani. |
|
1986 |
|
March 15 |
Fourth Semester
of Renew. |
|
July 11, 12, & 13 |
Eleventh
Mid-East Festival |
|
September 20 & 21 |
Fifth Semester
of Renew |
|
October 16 |
House of
Representatives Washington D.C.-Honorable Dale E. Kildee of Michigan
pays tribute to Our Lady of Lebanon Maronite Catholic Church on the
Tenth Anniversary of its consecration and dedication. |
|
November 7, 8, & 9 |
Tenth
Anniversary of Dedication of Our Lady of Lebanon Church and Sharbel
Center. |
| |
Silver Massabki
Medal awarded to Mrs. Shirley Gazell. |
|
1987 |
|
July 10, 11, & 12 |
Twelfth
Mid-East Festival. |
|
September 19 |
Papal Liturgy
at Silverdome, Pontiac, Michigan by Pope John Paul II. |
| |
Silver Massabki
Medal awarded to Mrs. Sue Adado. |
|
1988 |
|
July 8, 9, & 10 |
Thirteenth
Mid-East Festival |
|
November 3 |
Father Anthony
Spinosa becomes the fifth pastor of our parish. |
|
1989 |
|
April 14 |
Certificate of
Appreciation issued by Clara Barton Terrace Convalescent Home to Our
Lady of Lebanon for valuable contribution. |
|
April 14, 15, & 16 |
Regional NAM
Convention held at Our Lady of Lebanon. |
|
July 14, 15, & 16 |
Fourteenth
Mid-East Festival |
|
December 24 |
Dedication of
Our Lady of Lebanon Shrine in the mediation garden. |
| |
Silver Massabki
Medal awarded to Mrs. Mary Ann Sheehan. |
|
1990 |
|
May 20 |
Archbishop
Zayek celebrated First Communion with our children. |
|
July 13, 14, & 15 |
Fifteenth
Mid-East Festival. |
|
August 26 |
First outdoor
liturgy celebrated at our Shrine |
| |
Groundbreaking
ceremony for our new rectory. |
| |
Hall
improvements made. |
|
1991 |
|
July |
No festival due
to Desert Shield and trouble in the Middle East. |
|
October |
Parish Mission
with Father David Prezweicki of Michigan. |
|
November |
Operation
Desert Storm supplies collected and sent to soldiers in Saudi Arabia. |
| |
Electronic
Carillon Bells installed. |
|
1992 |
|
July 10, 11, & 12 |
Sixteenth
Mid-East Festival |
|
October 11 |
Certificate of
Recognition given to Our Lady of Lebanon for ten years of outstanding
volunteer service to the North End Soup Kitchen. |
| |
Franciscans of
Mary Immaculate was given permission by Archbishop Zayedk to teach
religious education at Our Lady of Lebanon. |
|
1993 |
|
February 6 |
St. Maron Day.
Opening of the 20th Anniversary Celebration of our parish. |
|
May |
Eastern
Catholic Church Youth Rally, Immaculate Conception in Hamtramack
Michigan attended by MYO youth. |
|
July 9, 10, & 11 |
Seventeenth
Mid-East Festival. |
|
August 11-15 |
World Youth Day
in Denver. MYO youth attended with two adults. |
|
September 14 |
Exaltation of
the Holy Cross—Blessing of the Icons of Archangel Michael and Gabriel. |
|
October 29, 30 & 31 |
NAM Regional
Convention held at Our Lady of Lebanon. |
|
1994 |
|
March 6 |
Middle East
Memorial Service held at Our Lady of Lebanon and attended by Catholics,
Jews, and Muslims. This was the first memorial service of this kind to
be held in Flint. |
|
March 6-10 |
Father Bill
Casey, C.P.M.(Fathers of Mercy) conducted the Parish Lenten Mission and
Retreat. |
|
Spring |
Eastern
Catholic Church Youth Rally, Sacred Heart Church in Livonia Michigan
attended by our MYO youth. |
|
June 23 |
Eparchy of Our
Lady of Lebanon of Los Angles established with the enthronement of
Bishop John Chedid. Our parish now belongs to this Eparchy witch extends
fro California eastward to Ohio/Pennsylvania state lines. |
|
July 8, 9, & 10 |
Eighteenth
Mid-East Festival. |
|
November |
New sign
installed by the roadside. |
|
1995 |
|
January |
Replaced
heating and cooling system in church and office area. |
|
February |
Father Anthony
Spinosa named head of the Office for Ecumenical and Inter-Faith Affairs
for the Eparchy of Our Lady of Lebanon of Los Angeles. |
|
February 12 |
Martin John
Rachid ordained Subdeacon by ChorBishop Robert Shaheen at 10 a.m.
Liturgy. Reception followed. |
|
March 19-26 |
Maronite
vocation Awareness Week. A Vocation Cross available for families on a
weekly basis to pray for vocations to the priesthood and religious life. |
|
May |
Father Gregory
Mansour named Chancellor of the Eparchy of Our Lady of Lebanon of Los
Angeles. |
|
May 14 |
Bishop John
Chedid visited our parish for First Communion, May Crowning and Mother’s
Day |
|
Spring |
Eastern
Catholic Church Youth Rally, St. Basil, Sterling Heights Michigan,
attended by MYO youth. |
|
July 28, 29, & 30 |
Nineteenth
Mid-East Festival |
|
Autumn |
Bishop John
Chedid consecrates the new tabernacle and altar for the Blessed
Sacrament. |
|
1996 |
|
January 21 |
-Father Gregory
John Mansour ordained ChorBishop by His Excellency John Chedid at the
Cathedral of Our Lady of Lebanon of Los Angeles. |
|
January |
Improvements
made to parish center kitchen. |
|
February 18 |
Right to Life
Celebration at 10 a.m. Liturgy. The Honorable Dale Kildee, U.S.
Congressman addressed parishioners. |
|
May |
First group of
young men invested as Knight of the Altar: Jonathon Hearsch, Tony Massad,
Joseph Moghaizel, Bret Marshall, Ronny Solomon and John Solomon. |
|
Spring |
Eastern
Catholic Church Youth Rally, St. Sharbel in Warren Michigan. Attended by
MYO youth. |
|
July |
Premiere Issue
of “MARONITE TODAY” a newsletter for the Eparchy of Our Lady of Lebanon
of Los Angeles. |
|
July 3 |
Gold Massabki
Medal awarded to Mary Ann Sheehan at the NAM convention in Rhode Island.
Given by the National Apostolate of Maronites for her work with the
National Maronite Youth workshop. Gold Massabki Medals are presented
only to one person in each Eparchy each year for his/her service to that
Maronite Eparchy. |
|
July 12, 13, & 14 |
Twentieth
Mid-East Festival |
|
Fall |
Subdeacon Marty
Rachid accepted by Bishop Chedid to begin studies for Permanent
Deaconate. |
|
Fall |
Father Anthony
Spinosa to head efforts of the Eparchy in preparation for the
Celebration of the Third Millennium. He will serve as liaison for the
Eparchy with the National Conference of Catholic Bishops. He will seek
ways to inform and assist pastors in the local and Eparchial
preparations for this celebration. |
|
1997 |
|
July 11, 12, &13 |
Twenty-first
Mid-East Festival |
|
Summer |
Replacement of
the west parking lot and floors in the kitchen and hall. |
|
1998 |
|
February 7 |
Kick-off
Celebration of our 25th jubilee on St. Maron Day. Bishop Nicholas Samra
of Detroit and Bishop Carl Mengling of the Diocese of Lansing attended
the festivities. MYO first silent auction. |
|
May 9 |
MYO hosted the
Eastern Catholic Churches Youth Day at Our Lady of Lebanon. |
|
August 17 |
Arrival of
Father Bartholomew Leon, O.S.B., assigned as assistant priest in our
parish and to work in Maronite Missions in our Eparchy. |
|
September |
Parish music
books revised and updated by Father Bartholomew and Dee Gardner for
liturgical use in our parish. |
|
November 13, 14, & 15 |
25th Jubilee
Celebration and the NAM Regional Convention. |
|
1999 |
|
August |
Subdeacon
Martin Rachid became a Permanent Deacon. |
|
2000 |
|
January |
Altar Society
donated the Millennium Cross which is on the outside wall of the church
entrance. |
|
May |
Fatima
Apostolate Liturgy was held on May 6.Neighoring parishes join our parish
as the month of May being dedicated to the Blessed Virgin. |
|
August 6 |
An outdoor
liturgy at our shrine was held, it was followed by the blessing of the
construction site and groundbreaking ceremony for our new parish school. |
|
October |
Jubilee 2000
Parish Mission conducted by the Fathers of Mercy. An Apostolic Blessing
for the Plenary Indulgence was also given. |
|
November 5 |
Special
Inter-Faith Prayer Service for peace in the Middle East was held.
Members of the Catholic, Orthodox, and Islamic communities joined
together to pray for an end to the violence and for a lasting peace in
the Middle East. |
|
2001 |
|
January |
Dedication of
our new parish school. |
|
February |
The
Patriarchial Visitation of Nasrallah Peter Cardinal Sfeir to Michigan
took place on Wednesday, February 21 at Saint Sharbel in Warren. |
|
May |
Fatima
Apostolate Liturgy was held on May 5. Neighboring parishes joined our
parish as the month of May being dedicated to the Blessed Virgin. |
|
October |
Eucharistic
Adoration began on Friday October 19 from 9am-12noon. |
|
2002 |
|
February |
Parish Lenten
Mission was conducted this year by Father Frank Fusare of the Fathers of
Mercy from South Union, Kentucky. Also OLOL now has a section at New
Calvary Cemetery. |
|
April 26-28 |
Morningstar
Society 75th Anniversary Celebration. Bishop Robert Shaheen joined our
celebration and made his first pastoral visit to our Parish. Also, the
Board of Directors for the National Apostolate of Maronites were here to
celebrate with the Morningstar Society. |
|
May |
Fatima
Apostolate Liturgy was held on May 4. Neighboring parishes joined our
parish as the month of May being dedicated to the Blessed Virgin. |
|
October |
Dr. John
Abdella was appointed by His Excellency Bishop Robert Shaheen to serve
on the Pastoral Advisory Board for the Eparchy of Our Lady of Lebanon in
Saint Louis.The purpose of this Board is assist the Bishop with the
development and implementation of future goals and aspirations for our
Eparchy. |
|
November |
Mary’s Well was
designed and built by Darrell Frye in the Shrine Court Yard. |
|
2003 |
|
May |
Fatima
Apostolate Liturgy was held on May 3. Neighboring parishes joined our
parish as the month of May being dedicated to the Blessed Virgin. Also
the Shrine of the Sacred Heart of Jesus was constructed behind the choir
doors. |
|
August 10 |
Outdoor Shrine
Dedicated to the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus was blessed. The statue was
donated by Mike and Tyl Rizik in memory of Assad and Rose Rizik. |
|
October |
New Temple
Lighting was installed in the sanctuary. |
|
December 3 |
Monsignor
William Bonczewski became our sixth parish priest. He came from Our Lady
of Lebanon National Shrine in North Jackson Ohio. |
|
2004 |
|
January |
An announcement
was made that our parish son Gregory Mansour was elevated to Bishop. His
Ordination will take place in March in Lebanon. |
|
March 2 |
Ordination of
Bishop elect Gregory Mansour in Lebanon by our Patriarch Nasrallah Peter
Sfeir |
|
April |
Bishop Robert
Shaheen has announced that Father Anthony Spinosa (our former priest)
will be elevated to the rank of Periodeat with the title of Monsignor.
Also Bishop elect Gregory Mansour was installed as Bishop of the Eparchy
of St. Maron in Brooklyn. |
|
May 9 |
Bishop Gregory
Mansour visited his parish family with a Mass and celebration. |
|
August 14 |
Elevation of
Father Anthony Spinosa to Monsignor at the Shrine of Our Lady of Lebanon
in North Jackson, Ohio. |
|
September 12 |
Father Jihad
Younes became our seventh priest. He came to us from Maronite Order of
the Blessed Virgin Mary in Ann Arbor Michigan. |
|
November 10 |
Abbot Francois
Eid visited our parish and celebrated liturgy. A dinner followed
celebrating the Abbot’s order of 309 years. |
Fax:
(810) 732-2760