Pope Leo will visit the Lebanon "by December," following an invitation from Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, who traveled to the Vatican in June. The last papal trip to Lebanon was in 2012, when Benedict XVI visited the multi-faith nation. This is not only a great honor but a demonstration of the support of the Vatican for Catholics in Lebanon and the entire Middle East.

Join us on Friday, November 21, for an evening of laughter, bingo and who knows what else!! Take your chances and win a bingo or two!

Doors open at 5:30 pm for food, and bingo begins at 6:30 pm.

Please consider showing your support by sponsoring a bingo. $50.00 for a single bingo and $250.00 for a coverall bingo. ALL SPONSORSHIPS MUST BE RECEIVED BY NOVEMBER 11. Get your bingo sets in advance! Order them NOW! Game sets are only $40.00 for an evening filled with fun and laughter! Just contact the church office and they will be waiting for you at the door. We also do mini raffles during the event. If you are willing to make a basket or donate NEW items toward a basket it would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you in advance for your support.

Don't forget the Bingo event on November 21st. Then, come back on Saturday and Sunday, November 22 and 23, to support our crafters (craft sale hours are 9 am to 5 pm Saturday) and purchase some yummy bakery items from the Holy Family Society’s Annual Fall Bake Sale.

Click here or on the button below to pre-order.  Remember, the deadline for pre-orderinf is November 15th.

This past August, I had the privilege of attending the Maronite Academy trip in Lebanon with nearly 70 other Maronite young adults from around the world. We visited significant Maronite and Lebanese historical sites and even had the honor of meeting with Lebanon’s President and Prime Minister. The trip was a truly special experience and solidified my desire for Lebanon to not only be part of my ancestral past, but a large piece of my future.

My trip was sponsored by the Maronite Foundation, whose primary mission is to help members of the Lebanese diaspora pursue citizenship. I recently learned that I am eligible for Lebanese citizenship and am currently in the process with the Foundation’s assistance.
If you can trace patriarchal descent from a Lebanese citizen, you may also be eligible. In my case, my last registered Lebanese ancestor is my great-grandfather Joseph (Youssef), who had my grandfather Ed (Nader), who had my father Greg, who had me. Even three generations removed, I am still able to claim citizenship.

Lebanon extended citizenship in November 2015 to descendants of those on the 1921, 1924, and 1932 censuses. This opportunity is set to close this November, though it may be extended. If you are interested, check eligibility at MaroniteFoundation.com, or contact me at 651-895-4562 with any questions—I would be honored to help.

Benefits of Lebanese citizenship:
Support the Christian voter base in Lebanon
• Hold a second passport
• Men can pass citizenship to children
• Own property in Lebanon
• Reside in Lebanon indefinitely

Note: Lebanon does not require mandatory military service.

Thanks, Ben Mansur 

Here's a favorite picture of our beloved Abouna Emmanuel.  On a recent trip to Lebanon, he took the opportunity to show us how to properly skate on a moving sidewalk.  He makes look easy and safe, but it takes years of practice.  Please don't try it on your own without proper training.