Presentation Topics

The definition of stewardship is the “the careful and responsible management of something entrusted to one's care.” The moment we are Baptized and Confirmed into the Maronite Church, we become responsible for its teachings. We become responsible for living our lives as Maronites. We challenge everyone to walk away from Birmingham, Alabama this year as true stewards of the Maronite Church.

“EWTN Live”
Hosted by Father Mitch Pacwa 
Wednesday Evening – 
Make your advanced reservation on your registration form since 
Seating is limited!!
We have a rare opportunity to be a part of Father Mitch Pacwa’s LIVE studio audience on his internationally acclaimed show as he interviews Bishops Gregory and Robert. 

Thursday Morning

Lebanese Language in the 21^st Century 
Antoine Faddoul, M.S., AIAA

The interactive presentation will give the audience an overview about the Lebanese language, its history, teaching methods and the proposed system for writing it.

The presentation will chronicle the linguistic and structural development of modern Lebanese from its ancient Canaanite/Aramaic roots to modern days. The audience will be briefed on the methods developed by the Lebanese Language Institute to provide resources for learning and teaching Lebanese.

The presentation will discuss the role of IT in spreading of the Lebanese language and developing the modern Lebanese Latin Letters system [LLL] to make Lebanese a globally accessible language.

The interactive component will include implementation of the LLL system in daily life for communication, learning and teaching. Samples exercises as well as a demonstration of an automated verb conjugation program will also be presented.

Thursday Afternoon

Maronite Music
Father Geoffrey Abdallah and the Inter-Eparchial Music Commission

The songs that fill our hearts during Divine Liturgy and the poignancy of their lyrics are incredible testaments to the richness of our culture. Come sit with us as we fill your senses with the beauty that is the Maronite Church. You will also be able to experience the first ever compilation of the Inter-Eparchial Music Commission. Come let the poetry that is our music fill your senses and soothe your soul.

Discovering Our “Faith of the Mountain”
Father Georges El-Khalli, Deacon Louis Peters, Jeanette Wyrick and Cathy George

As parents, we are the caretakers of our children’s education; we are entrusted to carry the Church’s teachings into our family life. The “Faith of the Mountain” catechism series, which our churches use for our Maronite Christian Formation classes, has been updated. Please join us to review the materials that guide your children’s religious education through the school year. The series is designed for all school-aged children from pre-school through high school. Included in the series are the following topics: the Trinity, the Holy Mysteries, our Church family, the commandments, Maronite liturgy, First Reconciliation and Eucharist, the Bible, the Creed, Church history, and the world’s religions. As parents, grandparents and godparents, we are responsible for the education of the next generation of Maronites.

Friday Morning

A Maronite Legacy: How to Foster Religious Vocations in Your Family
Sister Marla Marie, Monsignor Sharbel Maroun and the Antonine Sisters

Our Bishops cry out to us, “Send Out, O Lord, Laborers for Your Harvest!” Many young people hear this call, but are met with resistance. As stewards of our Maronite Faith, we need to understand how to be open and understanding to our children’s desire. The challenge is ours, young and old, women and men, to respond to God’s vocation, and thereby find our way home to the Kingdom by being divinized and divinizing the world as disciples of the Lord. Each person must offer the gifts, talents, skills, knowledge and experience of his/her life in the service of the human family, and for the glory of God, whom we call Father, Son and Spirit.

Friday Afternoon

Identity of the Maronite Church
Father Armando ElKhoury

For those of us who grew up in the Maronite Church, we think nothing of the fact that we spend the majority of our time with fellow Maronites. They were our classmates growing up, our family members on joint vacations, our MYO buddies, fellow NAM conventioneers, etc. Our Maronite family becomes a seamless part of our lives; a very blurry line separates our spiritual home from our physical address. In his article, “Crisis in the Life of the Maronite Church,” Father Armando Elkhoury tells us that “the Maronite Church is going through an identity crisis. In fact, this is a worldwide phenomenon and not specific to the United States. Is the Maronite Church an ethnic Church? Is it a Lebanese Church or an Arabic Church? Does the Maronite Church serve only those who come from Lebanon or the Middle East and by extension those who are married into a Lebanese or Middle Eastern family? Or is it the Church of Christ, in which there is no distinction between Lebanese and non-Lebanese? The Maronite Church is a worldwide Church whose doors and communities must be open to anyone who comes to our churches and falls in love with God according to the worldview of the Maronite Church.”

Commission on Lebanon and Project Roots
Chorbishop Seely Beggiani and Father Abdallah Zaidan

During the serious crisis in Lebanon in the 1980's a Commission for Lebanon was established by the Eparchy to rally support for the Maronites in Lebanon. The purposes of the Commission were: to provide information and education regarding the status and future of the Maronite Church and its people in Lebanon to Maronites and interested persons in the United States; to work actively on all levels of the American government so as to ensure the continuation of American ties with Lebanon and the perpetuation of Lebanon's pluralistic character; and to provide financial and material support to the needy in Lebanon. The Commission sought to keep Lebanon, its sovereignty and freedom on the American foreign policy agenda giving testimony to Congress and maintaining contacts with the White House and the States Department. Through pamphlets and articles, it has endeavored to keep people informed about the threats facing the Maronites and other religious communities in Lebanon. During the time of the fighting in Lebanon, it was able to raise over $200,000 to help the needy. The work of the now two Commissions for Lebanon of the two Eparchies continues, because complete sovereignty and freedom for Lebanon have not yet been achieved.

Saturday Morning

Understanding the Similarities and Differences Between the Maronite and Latin Churches
Chorbishop John Ferris and Father Mitch Pacwa

Every day, we are called to fulfill the duties of our Sacraments, of our Mysteries. It has been 40 years, since the first Maronite Bishop came to the United States. It has been decades since we have been told that kneeling is unacceptable in the Maronite Church. Many of us send our children to local Latin Diocesan schools and think this precludes them from attending Maronite Christian Formation classes and being excused from receiving the Sacrament of Communion at their Maronite Church. These subjects really touch upon the theme of being “stewards.” From the moment we receive the Sacraments of Baptism and Chrismation, an indelible mark has been stamped on our souls. If we are to participate in the Qurbono, we must understand its importance to us as Maronites. We cannot excuse it from our presence merely out of convenience. Come and understand the differences that affect us all on such a personal level.

Saturday Afternoon

The 1600th Anniversary of Saint Maron and Our Pursuit of Another Canonization:
The Massabki Brothers
Father John Paul Kimes & Louis Ragy

Our faith has brought forward some very remarkable individuals who have brought miracles to those whose faith does not waiver. This year we celebrate the 1600th Anniversary of Saint Maron. Since the founding of the Church, we have had the honor of having saints live among us, including Saint Sharbel Makhlouf, Saint Nimatullah El-Hardini, and Saint Rafqa Choboq El-Rayes. NAM has taken up the staff to bring the Blessed Massabki Brothers to the level they deserve. Come learn why WE have the responsibility of guaranteeing their canonization.

Bridging the U.S. and Lebanon Through Higher Education: A Presentation by 
Notre Dame University-Louaize 
Speaker: Assad Eid & George Abdelnour

This workshop introduces the important role that Maronite Catholic universities play in Lebanon today by focusing on the mission of Notre Dame University-Louaize. Founded by the Maronite Order of the Holy Virgin Mary in 1987, NDU is the sole Lebanese Maronite institution to offer an American-style curriculum and the only one whose language of instruction is English. In keeping with the University’s mission of universal education as the key to a rewarding and productive life, the workshop will highlight the University’s contribution to social progress and stability in Lebanon, as well as ongoing efforts to forge lasting links with the Lebanese community in North America. The workshop will seek feedback from attendees as to best ways to foster links between the Maronite community and Lebanon, and will highlight opportunities for involvement with NDU. These include academic programs such as study abroad, NDU’s summer Lebanese Arabic and Cultural Immersion program, graduate study in various disciplines, as well as professional and academic partnership opportunities for Lebanese expatriates. The workshop will also introduce the work of NDU’s Lebanese Research and Emigration Center (LERC) in preserving the history of Lebanese immigration worldwide.