“The joys and the hopes, the griefs and the anxieties of the men of this age,especially those who are poor or in any way afflicted,these are the joys and hopes, the griefs and anxieties of the followers of Christ.
Indeed, nothing genuinely human fails to raise an echo in their hearts.”
(Pastoral Constitution, Gaudium et Spes, 1)
In order that our spiritual journey is aligned with our pastoral and apostolic reality, the Maronite Eparchy of Australia has several organisations, institutions, groups and committees that cater for the needs of the community.
MaroniteCare is an agency for the Maronite Eparchy of Australia that is dedicated to extending social, welfare and care services for people in need. It exists to support, educate and empower individuals, couples and families to better participate in and contribute to the wider community.
Within the light of our Catholic ethos, Maronite spirituality, charism and values; MaroniteCare is an organisation of the Maronite Catholic Church of Australia that is committed to enhancing the well-being of all within our diverse community.
MaroniteCare provides support services to troubled youth from the ages of twelve to eighteen through an individual, family and group counselling service.
Counselling is available to individuals, couples and families who are experiencing challenging family situations. Issues like relationship, grief and loss, mental health and behavior problems are addressed in a confidential environment.
MaroniteCare also provides information and support to couples who are about to get married, married couples, menopausal women and women’s groups on matters relating to fertility awareness and Natural Family Planning.
Contact Details:
Address: Our Lady Pastoral Centre, 40 Alice St, Harris Park NSW 2150
Contact: 02 8831 0000
Email: info@maronitecare.org.
Website: www.maronitecare.org.au
Established over 25 years ago, the Maronite Catholic Society is an incorporated Maronite organization with an utmost concern to assist the Eparchy in promoting our Maronite tradition and heritage.
The Maronite Catholic Society works alongside of the Maronite Bishop to fulfill the Eparchy’s vision at all levels, be it, to sow the Maronite spirit in the minds and hearts of the upcoming generations.
The Society works on the Lebanese level, in fostering vital links with the cultural roots of our ancestors, and on the Australian level, in nurturing enculturation of Maronite values into the Australian society.
From an Eastern perspective, the Society works to encourage dialogue with the other Eastern Churches.
The Society’s patronage to Diocesan events and activities is a sign of its members’ passion to their tradition and their eagerness to perpetuate their Maronite faith.
Pope John Paul II in his letter to Women (1995) stated that “through the insight which is so much a part of your womanhood you enrich the world’s understanding and help to make human relations more honest and authentic”.
From this statement we can aptly confirm that Ladies do play a significant role in modern society and in the life of the Catholic Church as well.
The Maronite Ladies of the Gospel live this role seriously drawing inspiration from their motto: ‘At the service of the Gospel’ (Rm 1:2). They work together to coordinate activities ranging from the spiritual to the social and charitable, thus concretely realizing this objective.
The Association was formally established in 2002, under the patronage of His Excellency, Bishop Ad Abikaram but their services to the Maronite community extend far beyond those years. The Maronite Ladies of the Gospel undertake many social, spiritual and charitable activities to fulfil their role in supporting philanthropic organisations, in Lebanon, Australia and the world.
Vision Statement
The Ladies of the Gospel are called by God to be at the “Service of the Gospel”.
Mission Statement
The Maronite Ladies of the Gospel keep in focus their call to serve the Maronite Community in its diocesan, social and spiritual projects.
Roles and Objectives
The members of the Association play a vital role in the Maronite community and focus their attention on realising the objectives of the committee through assisting organisations that deal with social justice issues and education.
The Maronite Church in Australia, in its full history, has truly experienced the ‘genius of women’ and ‘full truth about women’ has been revealed through their objectives, goals and functions ranging from their own families, to the Maronite community and even to the world.
Maronites on Mission is a group of dedicated volunteers who reach out to the marginalised members of our society to relieve some of their sufferings and provide some companionship. We also aim to be a vehicle for the wider community and in particluar for the Maronite community to be involved in charitable works. We have a number of initiatives that we are currently focusing on:
1) A weekly food van outreach program to Woolloomooloo and Martin Place every Thursday, which caters for approximately 150 people;
2) A weekly food van outreach program to Prince Alfred Park in Parramatta every Sunday afternoon, which caters for approximately 60 people;
3) A home visit program where we provide companionship, food packs and support to struggling families on a weekly, fortnightly or monthly basis depending on the circumstances of the families;
4) Overseas missions to help the poorest of the poor in the slums of Manila and Naga in the Philippines (in collaboration with the Missionaries of the Poor) and in Lebanon.
We are proud of our Maronite heritage and, through our faith, we aim to live the Gospel and offer our help to those who need it the most regardless of their race, religious, or political affiliations.
Contact Details:
Our Lady Aged Care Centre Ltd is a not-for-profit public company limited by guarantee which is established to be, and to continue as, a charity who provides health care to the sick, the aged, the dying, the afflicted, the disabled and the weak.
OLACC has recently opened Our Lady Mercy Place (Harris Park) which is an 85 bed residential aged Care which will be operated by Mercy Health, a Catholic organisation founded by the Sisters of Mercy who arrived in Australia in 1846.
Contact Details:
Email: info@maronite.org.au
The MYDC functions as the official association of Maronite Youth from across the Maronite Eparchy of Australia, New Zealand and Oceania.
Contact Details:
Website: www.mydc.org.au
Email: youthoffice@maronite.org.au
As a ministry of the Maronite Eparchy of Australia, New Zealand and Oceania, UniMaronite is an intervarsity movement that helps tertiary students grow in their Maronite faith.
Contact Details:
Website: www.mydc.org.au/unimaronite
Email: unimaronite@outlook.com