Maronite Voice - Eparchy of Saint Maron of Brooklyn

Los Angeles, CaliforniaSt. Maron’s Feast Day Celebration Honors Successful MaronitesFr. Abdallah Zaidan (left) honors Dennis Zine and George and Anthony Raluy asrecipients of the “Lifetime Achievement Award” and Fr. Elias Sleiman.by Tommy TedrosThe annual St. Maron’s Feast Daycelebration at Our Lady of Mt.Lebanon Cathedral in LosAngeles, California, turned out to beyet another memorable event. Thisyear, we honored in the presence of HisExcellency Robert Shaheen, Bishop ofthe Eparchy of Our Lady of Lebanon,special individuals for theircontributions to society under thetheme “Maronites Leading the Way.”Los Angeles City Council MemberDennis Zine, along with George andAnthony Raluy, members of theCathedral community, have excelled intheir personal lives and showed theirleadership skills throughout their lives.On Sunday, February 8, 2009, thecommunity of Our Lady of Mt.Lebanon – St. Peter Cathedral in LosAngeles celebrated its annual St.Maron’s Feast Day. St. Maron’s Dayis the feast day of the founder andpatron of the Maronite Church that iscommemorated every February 9. Theday started with a Pontifical DivineLiturgy celebrated by Bishop Shaheen.Members of the Order of Saint Sharbelformed the honor guard. ChorbishopFaouzi Elia, Vicar General; ChorbishopWilliam Leser; Father Abdallah Zaidan;Father Elias Sleiman; and Father PierreAlbalaa concelebrated. After thehomily, Tommy Tedros was enshrinedinto the Order of Saint Sharbel.Following the Liturgy, fivehundredguests attended a luncheon atthe Millennium Biltmore Hotel indowntown Los Angeles where DennisZine and George and Anthony Raluywere granted the “LifetimeAchievement Award.” Tommy Tedrosconducted the introductory part of theprogram and named the religious andcivic dignitaries in attendance includingCity Councilman Jose Huizar andConsul General of Lebanon in LosAngeles, Houssam Diab. Mistress ofCeremonies Liz Habib introduced thevarious guest speakers.Councilman Dennis Zine, LosAngeles’ first American-Lebanese CityCouncilman, was born, raised andeducated in Los Angeles and was firstelected to represent the nearly 300,000residents Third Council District in2001. In 2005 he was overwhelminglyreelected with 70% of the vote. Hebegan his public service career overforty years ago when he joined the LosAngeles Police Department and workedhis way up the ranks. Not only does hehave extensive public serviceexperience but also he has volunteeredin numerous community serviceorganizations. Councilman Zine’spriorities as an elected official includeimproving quality of life, reducingcrime, increasing public safety, andaddressing transportation issues.George and Anthony (Tony) Raluywere born in Brooklyn, New York.Their family was actively involved withOur Lady of Lebanon Cathedral inBrooklyn. Although their parents had asuccessful business in New York, theydesired a better life for their children.In 1954, they moved to Burbank,California, where their father, Tony Sr.,began delivering goods throughoutSouthern California. As their businessrapidly expanded, George, Tony andtheir sister, Lorraine, took an active partin the business. Their father’s passionfor the Maronite Church was instilled inthe entire family. After their fatherpassed away, George and Tonyinherited the trucking company, namedTony’s Express. It is a major localtransportation company. Their truckscan be seen all over the SouthernCalifornia freeways.Other speakers included Mr. KarimJaude, the chairperson of St. Maron’sDay 2009, and Bishop Robert Shaheen.Father Abdallah Zaidan awarded theSilver Massabki Award to Fadi andMilia Garabet for their dedication tothe cathedral community. An audiovisualpresentation of Dennis Zine andGeorge and Tony Raluy highlightedtheir backgrounds and career paths.These three recipients are welldeserving of the accolades and theymake us, the Lebanese community,proud to honor them in this event. The Maronite Voice Volume V Issue No. III Page 4 March 2009