Parishioners a
t the Basilica of St. Mary in Livonia will observe the 40th anniversary of
their church and its leadership\, the Rev. George H. Shalhoub\, with a “W
eekend of Gratitude” activities\, Friday-Sunday\, Oct. 12-14. Parishioners a
t the Basilica of St. Mary in Livonia will observe the 40th anniversary of
their church and its leadership\, the Rev. George H. Shalhoub\, with a “W
eekend of Gratitude” activities\, Friday-Sunday\, Oct. 12-14.
The celebration will start with a welcome reception and awards presentation ho noring founders and volunteers at 6:30 p.m. Friday. A “Dare to Dream” banq uet is set for 5:30 p.m. Saturday. His Eminence\, the Most Rev. Metropolit an Archbishop Philip Saliba\, Primate of the Antiochian Orthodox Archdioce se of North America\, will lead bishops\, priests\, dignitaries and other faithful in prayers and devotions all weekend\, culminating with Hierarchi cal Divine Liturgy\, at 10:30 a.m.\, Sunday. A brunch will follow the Mass .
\nShalhoub also marks the 40th anniversary of his ordination this year. Born in Hama\, Syria\, he was sent to the Balamand Monastery in Leba non at age 12 and later ordained a deacon. He arrived in the United States in 1971 to serve the growing number of American Orthodox Christians. That same year he married Nouhad Ghareeb\, with whom he has raised four childr en. Shalhoub was assigned to the Mission of St. Mary in Livonia immediatel y after his ordination on Feb. 6\, 1972. At that time there were few paris hioners and no building to call their own.
\nIn the years that follo wed\, the group of immigrant Christians from across the Middle East and no n-immigrants from throughout the United States\, forged a family-like bond that helped the church to grow. Under Shalhoub’s leadership\, the congreg ation saw the construction and dedication of its current home in 1977 at 1 8100 Merriman. In 1991\, the St. Mary’s Cultural Center was completed and helped further solidify fellowship among the parishioners of St. Mary.
\n“Fellowship and faith are vital to a thriving parish\; and\, we have been blessed to build a congregation-in-Christ over our 40 years with more than 600 hundred families who call St. Mary Basilica their house of worsh ip\, today\,” stated Shalhoub in a press release. “Because of the freedom of worship we have in America\, we have been able to honor celebrate our f aith for 40 years and grow it like a tree.”
\nSt. Mary Church was el evated to the stature of a basilica in 2002. The church has assumed a grow ing leadership role in educating Michiganders about the Eastern Orthodox f aith. Saliba proclaimed it “a new church for a new century.”
\nFor m ore information about the 40th anniversary celebration\, visit www.saintmarylivonia.com or call (734) 422-0010.
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20121012T183000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20121013T140000 LOCATION:18100 Merriman Rd\, Livonia\, MI 48152\, USA SUMMARY:Milestone: Basilica marks 40 years in Livonia\, October 12-14 URL:http://ocl.org/ai1ec_event/milestone-basilica-marks-40-years-in-livonia -october-12-14/?instance_id= END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR