The <strong><strong>Maron</strong>ite</strong> <strong>Voice</strong> Volume III Issue No. VII Page 18 July 2007
44 th Annual <strong><strong>Maron</strong>ite</strong> Convention About to Start in Richmond, Va. Members <strong>of</strong> the National Apostolate <strong>of</strong> <strong><strong>Maron</strong>ite</strong>s are headed to Richmond, Va., for the 44 th annual convention, which willbe held July 25-29 at the Marriott Richmond Hotel. The convention is sponsored by NAM and hosted by Monsignor George M. Sebaali and the parishioners <strong>of</strong> St. Anthony <strong><strong>Maron</strong>ite</strong> Church in nearby Glen Allen, Va. This is the third NAM convention hosted by St. Anthony and the first one on the East Coast in three years. The theme <strong>of</strong> this year’s convention is “A Church <strong>of</strong> Hope.” “Our parishioners have been working very hard for many months and we are ready to greet our <strong><strong>Maron</strong>ite</strong> brothers and sisters,” said Arthur Zohab, convention chairman. “We are excited that the big event is finally here.” Although the deadline for the discounted convention pre-registration was July 8, registration also is available at regular prices up until the time <strong>of</strong> the convention. Because <strong>of</strong> the popularity <strong>of</strong> the convention, rooms have been made available in two hotels in addition to the Marriott. To make reservations, mention the NAM convention when you contact the: Marriott Richmond via the worldwide reservation center at 1- 800-228-9290, the hotel directly at 1-804-643-3400, or on the Web site http://marriott.com/hotels/travel/ric dtrichmond-marriott. Omni Hotel at 100 South 12th St. by phone at 1-804-344-7000 or on the Web at www.omnihotels.com/FindAHotel/ Richmond.aspx . Commonwealth Park Suites Hotel at 901 Bank St. (across from the Virginia State Capitol) by phone at 1-888-343-7301 or 1-804-343- 7300, or on the Web at: http://www.commonwealthparksu ites.com. Once they get into their hotel rooms, the first thing convention attendees should do is check in at the registration desk in the Marriott to receive their convention identification, tickets, schedule and other materials. The registration table will be open in the Hospitality Room from noon to 5 p.m. on July 25; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., on July 26 and 27; and from 9 a.m. to noon on July 28. Attendees also need to go the registration table to select their table for Saturday’s Grand Banquet and Hafli. A ticket for each person must be brought to the registration table at the time the table is selected. No seating arrangements will be made without the accompanying banquet ticket. Divine Liturgy will be held at noon Thursday, Friday and Saturday, preceded by an opportunity for private prayer and confession at 11:30 a.m. The Pontifical Divine Liturgy will be held at 10 a.m. on Sunday. Safro (Morning Prayer) will occur each day at 8 a.m. and Ramsho (evening prayer) will occur at 5:30 p.m. On Saturday, there will be a Divine Liturgy at 5:30 p.m. for Sunday travelers instead <strong>of</strong> the Ramsho. Other schedule highlights include: Wednesday, July 25 The NAM Board <strong>of</strong> Directors will meet from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The hospitality room opens at noon. A special interest workshop on religious education will be held at 3 p.m. The welcome party with dinner and music provided by a DJ will begin at 8 p.m. Thursday, July 26 The <strong>of</strong>ficial opening <strong>of</strong> the convention will be celebrated with a Divine Liturgy at noon. The NAM Board <strong>of</strong> Directors will meet from 9 to 11:30 a.m. There also will be a board luncheon with the bishops at 1 p.m. “Family Feud,” a game that tests knowledge <strong>of</strong> the <strong><strong>Maron</strong>ite</strong> Church and Catholicism, will begin at 9:30 a.m. Children’s Hours are scheduled for 10 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. A special interest workshop on Christian Sacred Art will begin at 9:30 a.m. A workshop and panel discussion led by members <strong>of</strong> St. Elias <strong><strong>Maron</strong>ite</strong> Church in Birmingham, Ala., on “The Laity in the <strong><strong>Maron</strong>ite</strong> Church” will begin at 3 p.m. Buses will begin leaving the Marriott starting at 5 p.m. for the ride to St. Anthony, where the Ramsho, Cookout, Casino Night and Hafli with live Lebanese music will be held. Youths are invited to enjoy the church’s swimming pool, and other facilities. Friday, July 27 The Order <strong>of</strong> <strong>Saint</strong> Sharbel Breakfast will be held at 8 a.m. Buses for the optional side trip to Jamestown will leave from the Marriott at 9 a.m. and return by 3:30 p.m. Children’s hours will be held at 10 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. A workshop and panel discussion led by members <strong>of</strong> St. Anthony <strong><strong>Maron</strong>ite</strong> Church <strong>of</strong> Glen Allen, Va., on “Catechesis andContinuing Adults Faith Formation” will begin at 10 a.m. A workshop and panel discussion led by members <strong>of</strong> St. <strong>Maron</strong> <strong><strong>Maron</strong>ite</strong> Church in Minneapolis, Minn., on “The Family” will begin at 3:30 p.m. The “Welcome to Virginia” dinner, Silent Auction, dance with live Lebanese music will begin at 8 p.m. at the Marriott. MYA “time together” is scheduled for 1 to 2 a.m. at the Marriott. (Continues on page 20) The <strong><strong>Maron</strong>ite</strong> <strong>Voice</strong> Volume III Issue No. VII Page 19 July 2007