World Youth Day Cross at St Johns Melkite Church

World Youth Day Cross Plaque

A message written in 6 langaues by Pope John Paul II

"My dear young people, at the conlcusion of the Holy Year, I entrust to you the sign of this Jubilee Year: The Cross of Christi carry it throughout the world as a symbol of Christ's love for humanity, and proclaim to everyone that it is only in Christ, who died and rose from the dead, that salvation and redemption are to be found.

Robert Hadded gives a talk about the Cross

Robert Haddad is the Sydney University Catholic Chaplain. He lectures at the Centre for Thomistic Studies in Apologetics and also tutors at the University of Notre Dame. He has been involved since 1991 in adult faith education through Lumen Verum Apologetics. He has authored many books and his most famous work is his 400 page book: Defend the Faith!

World Youth Day Icon

Praying infront of the Theotkos icon at St Johns Melkite Church.

In 2003, Pope John Paul II gave young people a second symbol of faith to be carried in the world, accompanying the WYD Cross - the Icon of Our Lady, 'Salus Populi Romani', a contemporary copy of a sacred and ancient icon housed in the first and greatest basilica to Mary the Mother of God in the West, St Mary Major.

Today I also entrust to you... the Icon of Mary. From now on it will accompany the World Youth Days, together with the Cross. Behold, your Mother! It will be a sign of Mary's motherly presence close to young people who are called, like the Apostle John, to welcome her into their lives. Rome, 18th World Youth Day, 2003

St Johns Melkite Church Chandeliers

St Johns Melkite Church Wooden Carving

I spent a long time staring at this interesting peice of wood work trying to figure it out.
Is it a women holding her son?
A person kneeling or wanting support?
A version of Newtons Cradle?
If anyone knows what it means, let us know!

St Johns Melkite Church Candles

Our Lady of Australia Icon

St Johns Melkite Church Icon

This icon is inside the front entry wall.

St Johns Melkite Church

St Johns Melkite Church at Christmas

The 2007 Good Friday Mass at St John the Beloved

Highlights video coming soon...

The Procession

It is accomplished...

...and bowing his head he gave up his spirit"

John...Behold your Mother.

The Liturgy

Father Andre recites the Liturgy with Father Fadi Tabet and Father George.

The Cross

A man who was completely innocent, offered himself as a sacrifice for the good of others, including his enemies, and became the ransom of the world. It was a perfect act.

Good Friday Mass at St John the Beloved

Father George in deep meditation on the word of God.

Challenges of 2007

I have the strength to face all conditions by the power that christ give me...

St. Johns Melkite Church Shrine

St. John the Evangelist Melkite Church

I decided to stop over at our neighbours at St Johns Melkite church in Greenacre. 3 minutes walk from St Charbel in Punchbowl, to see what they have done for christmas.

This beautiful little shrine is reminiscent of the cave at Our Lady of Magdouche church in Lebanon.

Legend has it that Jesus and his followers stayed in that cave while travelling in Lebanon.

I love Byzantine art. Hopefully over the next couple of weeks, ill have a chance to visit the church and see what it has to offer in terms of its religious art and icons.

Our Lady Lighting up the Night

The Shadow of Jesus

Late Night prayers during christmas week at Our Lady of Lebanon. Notice the shadow of Jesus.

Late Night Prayers at Our Lady

The Altar

St John the Beloved Church - Mt Druitt

A little tour of St John the Beloved Maronite Catholic Church in Mt Druitt Sydney

Our Lady of Lebanon Church II

Our Lady of Lebanon Church

The 2006 Good Friday Mass at Our Lady of Lebanon

These are some highlights of the 2006 Good Friday mass at Our Lady of Lebanon in Sydney. Mass was conducted by Monsignor Shora. I would have loved to have kept the original audio but it was too low. For Non-Maronites and other Catholics, the lady singing is Fairuz, and shes singing Easter hymns which were sung in Church. This is also a good chance for other catholics to see how we maronites celebrate good friday mass. Its a beautiful mass and i would have loved to have shown it all. I apologise about the video quality aswell.

The Maronite Trilogy Documentary

"This is an excellent introduction to the Maronite Rite for Latin Rite Catholics who may be unfamiliar with who the Maronites are and how they ‘fit in’ with the rest of the Catholic Church. Host Jan Marie Halphen interviews Maronite priest Fr. Nabil Mouannes. "

Topics Covered
Topic: St. Maroun and the Maronite Rite
Topic: The Maronite Saints
Topic: Contemplative prayer in the lives of the Maronite Saints

Starts on 24th July.
Click the topic link for Sydney viewing Times.


http://www.ewtn.com/

Saint John the Beloved

Mary holding Cross at St John the Beloved

Dark Clouds over Our Lady of Lebanon

Grotto of Our Lady of Lebanon

Jesus at Our Lady of Lebanon

Saint Charbel's Cross

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Saint Charbel's Cross

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Saint Charbel's Church

Sunset on Our Lady

Relics Visit to Our Lady of Lebanon Sydney 11

Relics Visit to Our Lady of Lebanon Sydney 10

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Relics Visit to Our Lady of Lebanon Sydney 9

Relics Visit to Our Lady of Lebanon Sydney 8

Relics Visit to Our Lady of Lebanon Sydney 7

Relics Visit to Our Lady of Lebanon Sydney 6

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Relics Visit to Our Lady of Lebanon Sydney 5

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Relics Visit to Our Lady of Lebanon Sydney 4

Relics Visit to Our Lady of Lebanon Sydney 3

Relics Visit to Our Lady of Lebanon Sydney 2

Relics Visit to Our Lady of Lebanon Sydney

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