A Message from Fr. Gary:

 

Hello! My name is Father Gary George and I was born in Johannesburg, South Africa and grew up in a typical Maronite Lebanese home. South Africa is a multicultural society with many different ethnic groups. My grandparents immigrated from the north of Lebanon and moved to Johannesburg like many other families. Faith and tradition were very much part of our lives and often on weekends we would have clergy and religious at our homes for lunch.

When I grew up there was only one Maronite church in the city which we attended every weekend. Like most of you I also attended a Roman Catholic Church which was a few doors down the road, this way I was accustomed to both traditions. I have two brothers and a sister. I attended an all boys' Catholic school, however, in grade 8 I left and went to a co-ed government funded school. It was in my final year of school that I met the Redemptorists Fathers on a parish mission. They inspired me and moved me to believe I could do something special for God. I was no exceptional boy, very immature and reckless at times. I went on my first retreat the following year and it was at that retreat that I felt called to do something more with my life. I went home and continued to work doing odd jobs and enjoying life. I told my family and friends about my intention to join and they were not completely convinced that I would last in the order. The following January, I applied to join the postulancy which is a two year discernment and initiation program for young men who wish to see if it was for them. At this time like most young people I was filled with fears and uncertainties. I was breaking rules of silence and work that were part of the rule of discipline. Looking back there were many times I felt hesitation and doubted if this was for me but somehow circumstances changed. People came into my life and the fears were replaced by a sense of joy and hope that I could offer something special to the world.

I continued to study during this time. I took my first vows of Chastity, Poverty, and Obedience for three years, and after that I made my solemn vows for life and as part of our tradition took a final vow and oath of perseverance. I completed my studies at St. Joseph's Theological Seminary in South Africa, the seminary that was affiliated to the Urbanian University in Rome. I graduated in 1989 and served as a deacon for a year and was ordained to the priesthood on February 1, 1992.

I came to America to visit my family in 1999 and attended a course in spirituality in Canada. I decided during this time to do a 36 day silent retreat conducted by the Jesuits in California. It was a life changing experience and during this time of prayer I felt called to deepen my Maronite identity and rediscover my Lebanese roots. I asked permission from my superiors to remain in America and work with the Maronite community and this was granted. At the moment, I am in the process of discernment and I am delighted to be working in the parish of St. Maron's in Youngstown, Ohio which has in truth become my religious family. I love working with young people and it is for this reason that Bishop Robert Shaheen has asked me to coordinate this office.

I have a dream for the future and that is to unite the young Maronite people of America in mind, heart, and soul so that we can create an identity, which I have longed for all my life. I have a hope that the Maronite community of America will become a witness of hope and Christian values for our world to recognize. Most of all I have a dream that by taking on this responsibility I will unite the churches and parishes in America as one body with the cooperation of my fellow clergy and religious leaders.