Maronite Voice - Eparchy of Saint Maron of Brooklyn

Westchester, N.Y.
First Picnic Pilgrimage to Marian
Shrine Stony Point
Glen Allen, Va.
Vacation Bible Camp At St.
Anthony Church
Members of Westchester Maronite Mission at their first
picnic pilgrimage.
by Rita Zihenni
What better way to startthe monthof June than bythan
taking the family for a picnic at a holy place paying
homage to the Virgin Mary. That is exactly what
Westchester Maronite parishioners did when the
Administrator of the Mission Fr. Jean Younes announced the
pilgrimage on Sunday June 3, 2007 to Marian Shrine in
Stony Point, N.Y.
Fr. Jean Younes celebrated an outdoor Divine Liturgy at
the Shrine. Following the Liturgy, Fr. Younes announced the
members of the Mission Advisory Council, the Stewardship
Advisory Council and the Fundraising committee. Diana
Fadel led the choir.
Next, a picnic took place in the park. Looking at the
scenery from distance, one might mistake it with a family
gathering at anyvillage in Lebanon. Folks were playing cards
and backgammon, smoking their Arguile and drinking the
Batroun-styleLemonade prepared by the zealous members of
the MYO. These young teenagers were extremely helpful
during the day. They prepared a bake sale and did a
fundraiser while selling raffle tickets for church. While
enjoying their day, they wandered around the park proudly
wearing their blue shirts with the MYO logo written right
next to their hearts. Special thanks go to the moderators of
this young group: Lina Abdo and Saloma Mounayer.
This picnic was arranged and put together by Antoine
Najjar, Roger Nassar, Hayat Barakat, and Leila Kalach. They
did a great job.
As the day ended, participants returned home as rain
started to fall as if God was announcing that after he had
healed our thirst for beautiful weather, it was now time to
heal the thirst of the holy soil.
Cathy George conducts one of the religion classes at St.
Anthony’s Vacation Bible Camp.
Eighty-five children, aged threeto twelve, attended Saint
Anthony’s Bible Camp in Glen Allen, Virginia during
the week of June 25-29. This year’s title was the
“Great Bible Reef” and the stories revolved around the theme
of water. The children learned about Moses floating down
the Nile in a basket, Naaman washing away his leprosy, Jesus
and the miraculous catch of fish and the house that
withstands the storm. The lessons focused on discipleship as
children learned that God’s people care, help, trust, believe
and listen to each other.
Parents and youth assisted as the children attended the
four centers of religion, music, arts and crafts and physical
activities. Snacks and a hot lunch were served each day. The
week culminated in a children’s liturgy. The oldest group of
campers read the readings and the petitions. They also served
at the altar, ushered for the Sign of Peace and communion.
The whole camp sang liturgical hymns at the liturgy. The
children andtheir parents celebrated the end of the camp with
a performance of their camp songs, displays of their art work,
a cookout and swimming.
Food For Thought
Holiness does not consist in not making mistakes
or never sinning.
Holiness grows with the capacity for conversion,
repentance, willingness to begin again, and above all with
the capacity for reconciliation and forgiveness.
Pope Benedict XVI
The Maronite Voice Volume III Issue No. VII Page 4 July 2007