28 February 2005

 Reverend and dear Monsignors, Fathers, Deacons, Subdeacons;

  Last year at the Synod we invited His Eminence and Beatitude Nasrallah Peter Cardinal Sfeir, our Maronite Patriarch of Antioch and All the East, to visit the United States. This invitation has been coupled with one extended by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) and also recently, by President George W. Bush. The Patriarch will be in the United States from Monday, March 14 to Monday, March 21.

 The tentative schedule of events is as follows and please this is tentative:

Mon. 3/14: Arrival of Patriarch in evening to Washington, DC

Tue. 3/15: Honorary Doctorate at Catholic University

Wed. 3/16: Private Meeting with President Bush

Thu. 3/17:  Private Luncheon with Members of both Houses; Inter-Eparchial celebration: Mass at 6:00 pm at the National Shrine, banquet to follow

Fri. 3/18: Arrive in Brooklyn:  12:00 pm Private Lunch with Archbishop Migliore at United Nations; 7:00 pm Lenten devotions at Cathedral; Honorary Doctorate from Fordham University, followed by Lenten meal

Sat. 3/19: (Feast of St. Joseph):  5:00 Liturgy at Cathedral; 7:00 pm Banquet

Sun. 3/20: 11:00 am Palm Sunday celebration at Cathedral

Mon. 3/21: Return to Lebanon

 All of the clergy, religious and laity of both Eparchies are invited and strongly encouraged to take part in our celebration to welcome the Patriarch on Thursday, March 17, at the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception 6:00 pm Liturgy in Washington, DC. A banquet will follow. This day was chosen so as not to interfere with the Palm Sunday celebrations in each individual parish and to make it more convenient for the priests to attend.  For those who cannot come to Washington DC but would like to come to New York, Saturday March 19 for 5:00 pm Liturgy and 7:00 Banquet you are also welcome. You are kindly asked to make a sincere effort to attend the Washington DC event and to have a few parishioners present from each parish. Parishes will not be asked to make any contributions toward the expenses of this visit. However, as a pastor you may feel free to have the parish pay your travel and hotel expenses in relation to this event.

 A finalized detailed schedule will be sent to you by tomorrow.  Please pray for the success of this visit.

+Gregory J. Mansour      +Robert J. Shaheen