In the last few weeks there have been dedicated and loving parishioners out in force working on the land that we own in Independence, OH. They have been weeding, cutting grass, cutting trees and bushes, sweeping, raking, and digging. Most importantly they have been working together for a common goal, to make what we have more beautiful, especially for this picnic that we are enjoying today. Many of these same people have not only been dedicating their time, energy, and love to that particular project, but are also the same people who have been working very hard to make our church picnic a success. We have had many generous people donating their time, money, and effort into this function and to all those who have given, I say “THANK YOU!”
We must work together for our church to continue to grow. In the last few weeks that is what I have seen and I am so proud. We have a beautiful Church and
community here at St. Maron’s and we must all work to make it grow and flourish. Projects like this parish picnic and the upcoming visit by our Patriarch, are events that allow us to come together and to share of ourselves for a common goal, for the success and growth of our community. The more we work together and share the tighter a family we become. We not only do this for one another but more importantly we do this for our children, who will soon inherit this church and will become the leaders of this community. They will inherit the church in the state we leave it to them, so it is up to us to work to give them a strong foundation and to also teach them the importance of our church and their Maronite heritage.
We still have a lot of work to do for our church to grow in all aspects. Yet from what I have seen and experienced in this last year I have been here, the love and dedication from our people, and especially that love and dedication in the last few weeks with all of the hard work on the land in Independence and preparations for the picnic, we are on the right path. I pray that God continues to bless all of us here at St. Maron’s Church. I pray that He guides us on our path of growth and unity as we continue to glorify God through our actions and words as a family here at St. Maron. Once again I would like to thank all of those who have donated their time, money, efforts, prayers, love, and overall support for St. Maron. May God continue to bless you and your families and continue to bless us all.