Bishop Tarabay: The Feast of our Father, Saint Maroun, is an annual occasion to reflect on the legacy of holiness in our Church, renew our faith, and reaffirm our Maronite identity
Sydney, Australia – February 9, 2025 – For the occasion of the Feast of St. Maroun, His Excellency Bishop Antoine Charbel Tarabay presided over a solemn Mass at St. Maroun’s Cathedral in Redfern, on Sunday, February 9, 2025. The Mass was attended by the Maronite community in Australia, along with distinguished guests, clergy, the monks and nuns, reflecting the significance of this feast for both the Maronite Church and the broader Australian society.
Among the esteemed guests were Her Excellency the Honourable Margaret Beazley AC KC, Governor of NSW, and Mr Dennis Wilson; His Excellency Archbishop Charles Balvo, Apostolic Nuncio to Australia; Most Reverend Robert Rabbat, Melkite Bishop of Australia & New Zealand; Reverend Shamuel, representing Archbishop Mar Meelis Zaia, Assyrian Church of the East Archdiocese; His Excellency Mr. Milad Raad, Lebanese Ambassador to Australia; Mrs Roula Azar, Mrs. Sarah Al Dirani, Consul of Lebanon in NSW; Mrs Joelle Nahoul representing the Counsel General of Lebanon in Sydney, Mr Charbel Macaron; and presidents of Maronite organizations.
In his homily, Bishop Tarabay spoke about the legacy of holiness and faith in the Maronite church, which began with Saint Maroun, calling for commitment to the Maronite identity and reflecting on the Parable of the Mustard Seed, which he connected to the growth of the Maronite Church. “The Maronite Church began with the seed planted by St. Maroun in the 4th century. From the mountains of Lebanon, our Church took root and spread its branches across the world, flourishing in lands near and far. Today, we, as Australian Maronites, continue to bear witness to this sacred legacy, preserving our traditions, spirituality, and deep sense of community. The presence of the Maronite Church in Australia is not just a historical fact but a testament to God’s providence and the faith of our ancestors.”
Holiness as a Source of Hope in the Jubilee of Hope 2025
Bishop Tarabay also highlighted the significance of holiness, especially through two key events in the Maronite Church from the past year: The Beatification of Patriarch Estephan Doueihy and the Canonization of the Massabki Brothers. “These events are not just milestones but a call to each of us, to pursue holiness in our daily lives. The saints and martyrs of our Church stand as living examples, urging us to embrace our faith with conviction and perseverance,” he said.
Launching the Year of Hope Jubilee’s program, Bishop Tarabay announced the recognition of Maronites who have served in the Australian police and armed forces. “As we embark on this Year of Hope, we are called to become pilgrims of hope. This will be a time of spiritual renewal, of reaching out to others, and of living our faith with purpose. Our first activity in this Year of Hope is to recognise the Maronites who have served in the police and armed forces, acknowledging their selflessness and commitment to serving the greater good. We honour their sacrifices, and we pray that their example inspires all of us to live courageously and faithfully.”
Celebrating 60 Years of St. Maroun’s Cathedral
This year’s solemn Mass also marked the 60th anniversary of St. Maroun’s Cathedral in Redfern. Bishop Tarabay reminded the congregation of the church’s historic role in the Maronite community. “St Maroun’s Cathedral holds a unique and cherished place in our hearts, being the first Maronite church in Australia. Its history traces back to 1897, when the first Maronite priests celebrated the First Maronite Antiochian Divine Liturgy in the old church at this very site. Since then, and for generations, it has served as a spiritual home, a place where Maronites gather to celebrate the Holy sacraments, connect to their roots and identity, and renew their commitment to their faith in God.”
A New Initiative for Evangelization
Bishop Tarabay also announced the establishment of the Maronite Catholic Centre for Evangelisation, a new initiative within the Eparchy. The centre will serve as a hub for learning and outreach, providing the tools and resources needed to evangelize in contemporary society. “This new initiative is part of our broader vision to live out our faith actively and visibly, sharing the hope that we have in Christ with all those we encounter. Evangelisation is not just a task for priests or religious leaders; it is a mission entrusted to every member of the Church,” he emphasized.
Prayers for Australia and Lebanon
Bishop Tarabay expressed gratitude and hope for Lebanon, particularly following the election of a new president and forming a new government. “we give thanks to God and extend our congratulations to the Lebanese people for the long-awaited election of the new President, General Joseph Aoun. After more than two years of vacancy, this marks an essential step toward political stability. It is a time for unity, reform, and rebuilding the Lebanon we dream of. Also last night we got the good news of forming the new government, and we pray that this is another good step in the right direction. Given the historic relationship between Australia and Lebanon, I call upon the Australian Government to support our newly elected president and his government and stand alongside.”
Bishop Tarabay also prayed for peace and unity within Australia, encouraging all to work together to reject any movements or actions that threaten the nation’s peace and social cohesion.
In his closing remarks, Bishop Tarabay reminded the congregation of the great work God is doing in the Maronite community. “As we look forward to the Year of Hope, we do so with great anticipation, knowing that we are part of a vibrant, living Church. Through initiatives like the Maronite Centre for Evangelisation, we are reminded that God is doing great work in our midst,” he concluded.
After the festive Mass, Their Excellences Bishop Antoine Charbel Tarabay and Bishop Charles Balvo, presented the Jubilee Medal of Hope to the honoured members of the Australian police and armed forces. All attendees also participated in the celebratory cocktail organized by the Parish of Saint Maroun. During the event, the President of the Maronite Catholic Society in Australia, Mr. John Chedid, and the President of the Maronite Ladies of the Gospel, Mrs. Shirley Wehbe, expressed their gratitude to the attendees, especially mentioning His Excellency Bishop Antoine Charbel Tarabay, and the parish priest, Father Maroun El Kazzi. They also thanked all the workers and volunteers in the parish for their contributions.
