The online website for the town of Youngstown, Ohio, U.S.A. vindy.com features today an article on the local Maronite Church at the time of Lent. It can be read on the Full Story page.
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The independent Catholic news service, CWNews.com reports from the Australian capital, Canberra, that,

The World Youth Day cross, which has been carried all around the world since the last international observance in Cologne in 2005, has arrived in Australia in anticipation of the World Youth Day festivities there in July.

The cross, which was given to the youth of the world by Pope John Paul II, was welcomed in Canberra by Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, who said that the country was honored by the opportunity to host World Youth Day, "a great gathering of people of faith."

World Youth Day will be held at the Randwick racetrack outside Sydney this July 15-20, with Pope Benedict XVI in attendance.

In November last year we reported that the Ehden Zgharta Parish announced that Fr. Joseph Mouawad was organising the Parish's trip to the event .The estimated cost is $2000, for further details contact the Father at the Priest's House, Zgharta. The Festival has its own website at www.wyd2008.org

On the Arabic service of SBS Radio in Australia, Father Emmanuel Sakr, was interviwed about World Youth Day and the visit of Patriarch Nesrallah Sfeir to Sydney. The interview can be heard from here

At the Vatican today, the Prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints, announced new guidelines concerning the preliminary stage of the canonisation process at the diocese or eparchial level, before a cause for sainthood is transfered to the Holy See. It does not touch upon the hoped canonization of Patriarch Estefan Douaihy, as such stage has been passed.

Indeed it is an vindication of the thoroughness, and, to borrow the Prefect's words, "meticulousness" preparation by those who were in charge of the cause in Lebanon, that it was recommended last week that the Patriarch's cause proceeded further.

The Vatican's Press Office can be read on the Full Story page.
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The political party, El Marada, who is led by former Minister Sleiman Tony Frangieh, has launched its second overseas website, this time in Brazil, www.elmarada.com.br

The new website, which is written in Portuguese, comes after its sister site in Australia was launched a few months ago, and will cater for the Portuguese speakers of the Brazilian Lebanese community.

The Brazilian website editor is Dr.Assad Frangieh, who was born in São Paulo, 1961, his parents having emigrated from Zgharta to Brazil in 1951. The Party's representative in Brazil is Robert Fawzi Bou Daher, who was born in Zgharta, 1971, and who has lived in São Paulo, since 2001.

Portuguese is ranked as the sixth world language, spoken by an estimated 250 million people, and is the official language in nine countries- Angola, Brazil, Caoe Verde, East Timor, Guinea Bissau, Chinese S.A.R. of Macau, Mozambique, Portugal and Sao Tome & Principe.

In Brazil, the Lebanese community is estimated to number between seven and eight million people, and is the largest in the world; it is double the population of Lebanon (approximately 3.5 million people).

Such websites appear to be part of the party's strategy to go beyond the borders of its traditional base in Zgharta and to reach out to the Lebanese diaspora, where its supporters, existing and potential, live. In the West, such as America and England, the main political parties have organisations and websites for its overseas supporters; one aim being to ensure that they register as an overseas voter.

As the Lebanese electoral law stands at present it does not allow Lebanese citizens to vote in absentia or for registered voters living abroad to vote at Lebanese embassies or consular offices. This means that for someone who is registered on the electoral list in Lebanon they must come back to Lebanon at the time of an election to vote. Such a state of affairs explains why it sometimes appears that voter turnout is low against the number of registered voters, as many cannot either afford the time or expense to travel to Lebanon to vote.

The International Poverty Centre in association with the United Nations Development Programme in Lebanon and the Brazlian Institute for Applied Economic Research, commissioned a study, Poverty, Growth and Income Distribution in Lebanon. by Heba El Laithy, Khalid Abu-Ismail and Kamal Hamdan. The study has been reported today in the Lebanese press.

In relation to North Lebanon and Zgharta in particular it says, "The North has 20.7 per cent of Lebanon's population but 46 per cent of the extremely poor population and 38 per cent of the entire poor population." It goes onto say that there are, "signifcant differences in poverty within the North governorate: Triopli City and the Akkar/ Minieh- Dennieh strata have the highest percentage of overall poverty. In contrast, the Koura/Zgharta/Batroun/Bsharr strata.... has a relatively low poverty rate".

The whole study can be downloaded in PDF format from here. The report consists of 24 pages and references to Zgharta appear on pages 11 and 12.

The Parish of Ehden Zgharta has announced that the next stage in the canonisation process of, Patriarch Estefan Douaihy, has been reached at the Vatican. After due consideration of the Patriarch's cause, it is hoped it will be recommeded to the Pope that he declares, Patriarch Douaihy, as Venerable, although it is unclear when this will take place.

The procedural stages leading up to canonisation begin with a local investigation of the candidate leading to a proclamation that he is a "Servant of God". Thereafter the stages are where the candidate's cause is considered and declared Venerable, then Blessed and thereafter Saint. The late Pontiff, Pope John-Paul II, set down this procedure in 1983.

The local investigation of the Patriarch started in 1988 and the Patriarch's cause was then transferred to the Congregation for the Causes of Saints in Rome. The procedure in general terms is that the cause is examined by nine theologians appointed by the Congregation for the Causes of Saints in Rome. If the majority of the theologians are in favour, the cause is then passed onto the Cardinals and Bishops of the Congregation. They hold meetings twice a month. If they support the cause, the Prefect of the Congregation presents the results of the entire course of the cause to the Pope. Once the Pope approves the cause he authorizes the Congregation to draft the relative decree. The Patriarch in such a case is then referred to as "Venerable."

The next stage then after is that of Beatification where a similar procedure is followed, but it is required that a miracle is attributed to the candidate after his death. On beatification the candidate receives the title of Blessed.

Thereafter for the candidate to be declared a saint the same procedure is followed but there has to be evidence of a miracle attributed to the candidate after his beatification. With canonization, the Blessed acquires the title of Saint.

As a timescale comparison, to an extent, in the case of Saint Al Hardini he was made Venerable in 1989, Blessed in 1998 and declared a Saint in 2004.

On hearing the news the bells of the churches of Zgharta rang out. There will be special Masses said in Lebanon next Sunday.

We post on the Full Story page, the report, which the Vatican Information Service released in 1997, concerning the procedure made in 1983.
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The Massachusetts newspaper, The Worcester Telegram, published an obituary for Monsignor Youssef Saydeh, which is reproduced below.

Chorbishop Joseph Saidi, the former pastor of Our Lady Of Mercy Maronite Catholic Church in Worcester died peacefully in Lebanon on January 29, 2008, at the age of 97. He was born on June 29, 1911, in Zgharta, North Lebanon. His father was also a Maronite priest, Fr. Peter Saidi.

Chorbishop Saidi was ordained to the priesthood on December 8, 1933 by Bishop Paul Akl. He served as a priest in his home-town for 14 years and then moved to the United States, where he served as pastor of Our Lady Of Mercy Church in Worcester, Massachusetts for 50 years, from May 13,1947 until July 31, 1997. On June 16, 1974, he was invested as a Prelate of Honor of his Holiness Pope Paul V1, and at the same time, was made Chorbishop by Archbishop Francis M. Zayek.

He spent his years of retirement quietly in his home-town of Zgharta with his family. His funeral was held there Saturday February 2, 2008. Chorbishop Saidi is survived by many nephews and nieces, grand nephews and grand nieces living in Lebanon and Australia.

A Memorial Mass followed by a mercy meal will be held for the repose of his soul at Our Lady Of Mercy Maronite Church, 72 Mulberry St. Worcester on Sunday February 10, 2008 at 10:00AM. All people, religious and laity who have been touched by Chorbishop Saidi's many years of faithfulness and dedication to the Church and to God's people are welcome to attend this memorial service in his honor.

There is an online book of remembrance for the Monsignor which can be accessed from here.

We are grateful to Susan Dahdah Handy, who is a member of the late Monsignor's former parish, for sending us the obituary.

Zgharta's well-known parish priest, Father Estephan Frangieh, is being fêted by the Zgharta community in Sydney, Australia, during his trip there, to raise money for Salam Zgharta's new stadium, with many invitations. One such invitation he attended was when he was the guest of honour at the dinner held for him by El Marada Australia, the Australian branch of the Lebanese political party, El Marada, on Tuesday, 22nd January 2008.

A report of the evening and what the Father said, which some feel strayed, to an extent, from the purpose of the trip into the political realm, is reproduced on the Full Story page.

We have yet to hear the outcome of the fundraising event for a new stadium for Salam Zgharta, on Sunday, 20th January at the Rydalmere Bowling Club, Sydney, organised by the Club, the Association of Zgharta, St. Joseph Zgharta Soccer Club and the Committee of Zgharta Ladies.

The photograph of Fr. Frangieh at the dinner is courtesy of El Marada Australia.

Since posting the above article we have heard from, Sarkis Karam, the editor of the, El Marada Australia website, whose report of the dinner we reproduced. He says that having read our article he asked that we publish his comments, which we gladly do, as we always offer the right of reply. He writes,

"I would like to clarify a few points in relation to the dinner held in honour of Fr Estephan Frangieh by El Marada Australia. The dinner, as mentioned in my coverage, was "in honour of visiting Fr Frangieh" as the Zgharta Parish priest and was not dedicated to the Salam Zgharta Project, although I mentioned the Project as part of my welcoming comments. I would add that El Marada Australia members have contributed to the Project at various other occasions.

As the dinner was a strictly an El Marada function, Fr Estpehan talked in general terms about Sleiman Frangieh, since he is the leader of El Marada and therefore in my opinion did not stray "from the purpose of the trip into the political realm", which in your report you say others have said. Fr Frangieh promoted the idea of employing "the message of wisdom, unity and openness in politics. He focused on the fact that "courage is in the ability to forgive..."

Best Regards
Sarkis Karam

We have also heard from the organisers of the Salam Zgharta fundraising event at the Rydalmere Bowling Club, that details will be with us shortly.
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Archbishop Paul Dahdah, O.C.D. Vicar Apostolic of Beirut, had an private audience on Saturday, 19th January 2008, in the Vatican with Pope Benedict XVI. It is understood that during the audience they spoke of the current situation in Lebanon. The Holy Father presented the Archbishop with a gift of a Cross.

The Archbishop was born on 8 January 1941, Zgharta. He was ordained a priest of the Order of Discalced Carmelites on 17 April 1966, and subsequently appointed Latin Archbishop of Baghdad, Iraq on 30 May 1983 and as Vicar Apolistic of Beirut on 30th July 1999.

The Australian public radio station, SBS, interviewed Fr. Estefan Frangieh, who is presently visiting Australia.

Click the link to hear the interview

The Lebanese - Australian Editor in Chief of the, An Nahar, Anwar Harb, published an editorial concerning the Zgharta house of Youssef Bey Karam. The newspaper is published in Arabic every Tuesday and Thursday in Australia.

Editorial

“An-Nahar published in its last issue a news report with a headline saying “The home of Youssef Bey Karam is a victim of neglect... Who is concerned?”

The report is extraordinary as its content resembles a black ribbon around Lebanon’s arm in a symbolic gesture reflecting a story some wish to bury, a story of a great symbol of nationalism in the Hero of Lebanon Youssef Bey Karam. Karam’s home is neglected by a State that have constantly ignored great men of Lebanon or anything to do with their tales of glory.

The State has sustained its legacy of neglect and is keen not to alter its ways of ignoring history and victories. This situation leads us to say in despair: “Care and refurbishment ought to be undertaken by the State to firstly cover its departments and State establishments rather than the past and its greats.”

The call aired by intellect Mohsen Yammine and Zgharta Mayor General Joseph Merawi failed to draw its deserved response from authorities in Lebanon. But we are confident that leading community members abroad who care for the historic, noble and heroic legacy of Youssef Bey Karam will act to salvage Karam’s historic home and turn it into a fitting national museum.

The State that failed to learn from Karam’s resistance will continue to neglect a heritage home in which a national hero grew.

The State regime and government, opposition and ruling parties will come and go, but the name of Youssef Bey Karam will prevail in the history of Lebanon.

The State should have resorted to Karam to improve its image and mend its reputation by undertaken the initiative to restore Karam’s home rather than to fear his name and neglect his legacy, at least for its own sake if not out of respect for him.

Both, the ruling bloc and the opposition have engaged in all sorts of exchanges and missed the most important thing as they have both forgotten that Karam is a national hero, at least this was what we learned from history. However, current events teach us a contrasting lesson whereas everything we witness is nothing but drained heroism in an era of vengeance, disintegration and bombings like yesterday’s Karantina bombing.

What we witness today indicates that both sides of the political spectrum find it impossible to meet where even the Arab mediation failed to bring them together. If they cannot restore Karam’s home, they ought to at least read the story of Karam with the hope that they might acquire real lessons in partisanship.

Anwar Harb

Our sister website, www.brazil.zgharta.com reviewed last year by saying,

Mais um ano que passa. Sem grandes novidades na Comunidade de Zgharta no Brasil. A nova turma de imigrantes tem se dedicado, principalmente, no comércio de roupas. Como em qualquer negócio, é preciso de alguns anos para se firmar e consolidar-se no sucesso. Os encontros tem sido escassos, porém, bastante calorosos. Muitas vezes, os encontros tem sido nas missas da Igreja Maronita. Os eventos sociais da Sociedade Maronita de Beneficência não parecem ter animado muito a Comunidade em geral. Talvez reflexos da situação política no Líbano. O novo bispo completa um ano em frente à Diocese Maronita e tem centralizado às atenções e assumido a presidência da Sociedade Maronita de Beneficência. Mesmo com um bom apoio da Comunidade, o propósito desejado pela grande maioria dos maronitas em 2007, expresso numa nova fase de cooperação e ações comunitárias, não tem sido alcançado ainda. Em relação às notícias, o site www.zgharta.com tem sido a referência diária e com louvor. Estamos na torcida do Salam Zgharta retornar à primeira divisão. Por fim, esperamos que 2008 seja um ano repleto de Prosperidade, Paz e Justiça a Todos.