Maronite Catholics from across the United States gathered at the 58th National Maronite Convention, held 5 to 9 July at the Rhode Island Convention Center in Providence, Rhode Island. The theme, inspired by the U.S. National Eucharistic Renewal, was “Eucharistic Amazement – the Maronite Way.”
Participants took part in liturgies and prayer, educational workshops and fellowship opportunities. A pontifical liturgy, concelebrated by the Maronite bishops, followed by a brunch, closed the convention.
Catholic Near East Welfare Association (CNEWA) sponsored a booth at the event, promoting its mission among the Eastern churches, including in Lebanon, where CNEWA continues to fund schools, health care facilities, orphanages and formation houses of the Eastern churches. CNEWA also funds other forms of aid for vulnerable groups in Lebanon, including a food distribution program, psychosocial activities and other social services. Maronite Catholics, who constitute a part of the Church of Antioch, found refuge in the mountains that today form the geographical backbone of modern Lebanon.
Haimdat Sawh, a development officer for CNEWA, represented the papal agency at the convention earlier this month, as well as at last year’s convention in Minneapolis.
“Throughout the convention, attendees were moved by the transformative change our initiatives have brought to individuals and communities,” he said. “The stories featured in CNEWA’s ONE magazine inspired some to take action and contribute to our ongoing work in Lebanon.”
The 2023 convention was hosted by St. Anthony of the Desert Church in Fall River, Massachusetts, and sponsored by the National Apostolate of Maronites. Next year’s convention will be in Detroit.
To support CNEWA’s ongoing work in Lebanon, go to: https://cnewa.org/where-we-work/middle-east/lebanon/