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A Moment of Lebanese Pride and Honor
"In the midst of Lebanon's most uncertain hours, there are moments in time that bring so much pride and honor to Lebanon...
 The Investiture of our fellow Lebanese Monsignor Maroun Asmar as Chaplain to His Holiness The Pope... is one of those moments" - Nabil

Investiture of Monsignor Maroun Asmar
as Chaplain to His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI
by
His Excellency, our beloved Bishop Gregory Mansour
on Sunday April 22, 2007
at the Saint Sharbel Maronite Catholic Church, in Somerset, NJ

On April 22, 2007, Abouna Maroun Asmar, Pastor of St. Sharbel’s Church in New Jersey, was invested by Bishop Gregory Mansour as Chaplain to His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI.

Abouna Maroun was elavated to a Reverend Monsignor. This is an honor which includes membership within the Papal household and ties the priest in a special way to the Pope. It is given by the request of the Bishop as an honor recognizing a priest’s service to the Church

Divine Liturgy was celebrated by Bishop Mansour and Bishop Paul Bootkoski of the Diocese of Metuchen as well as our beloved Chorbishop Michael Thomas, Vicar General, Fr. Kamil Chouefati, Pastor of Our Lady of Lebanon Church, Easton PA, Abouna Jean Younes M.L.M., Assistant at Our Lady of Lebanon Cathedral in Brooklyn and the Pastor of the Westchester Maronite Mission, Deacon Anthony Khoury, Easton PA, and Subdeacon Joseph Chebli, St. Sharbel Church. Participating in the liturgy were Seminarians Vince Farhat, Roger Aboujaoude and Tony Massaad from Our Lady of Lebanon Seminary. Also present were  Monsignor Asmar’s former classmates, Deacons Charles Smith, Arthur Cuccia and Greg Dixon.

Following liturgy, a reception was held in which six hundred people attended including large groups from New York, Pennsylvania and Our Lady Star of the East Mission in Pleasantville NJ.  Edna Lemiska served as the MC and Antoinette Chamoun chaired the banquet. The honored guests included Rev. Joseph Kerrigan, Pastor of Sacred Heart Church in Piscataway, Mayor Brian Whaler, Councilwoman Catherine Nicola of the Township of North Brunswick and Mike Naber, Executive Director of NAM. The reception began with Chorbishop Thomas’ invocation followed by the singing of the Lebanese and American national anthems. Council President Tony Loubnan addressed the crowd and gave a brief overview of Monsignor Asmar’s accomplishments since becoming pastor in 1995 and expressed to him the appreciation and love of the parish. The children of the Arabic classes, organized by Samira Souaid then sang a poem honoring their pastor.

Monsignor Asmar’s beautiful granddaughter, Jackie Smith, daughter of Mary Asmar Smith, spoke on behalf of the family, expressing gratitude to Bishop Gregory and the parish of St. Sharbel for their love and support, and described on a personal level what it was like to have Monsignor Asmar as her grandfather. Deacon Anthony Khoury then read a poem he wrote describing his close friendship to Monsignor Maroun for over 35 years. Representing Our Lady Star of the East Mission was Mr. Fahed Nammour and he presented a plaque to Msgr. Asmar in recognition of dedication to the Mission as their Administrator since 2003.

Bishop Gregory then spoke of the importance of a how a priest brings people closer to God and praised Monsignor Asmar for his good works, thriving parish and flourishing youth programs. Monsignor Maroun then gave thanks to all those present and asked everyone to remember him in their prayers promising, “The Best is Yet to come”, he said. The reception concluded with Monsignor Asmar giving the Benediction.
 

The heartwarming Speech of Jackie Smith
Abouna Maroun's Delightful Granddaughter

"On behalf of our family, I would like to thank everyone for sharing in our joy today. We are deeply thankful to His Excellency Bishop Gregory for bestowing this honor upon my grandfather. Your leadership and enthusiasm has been a great inspiration to everyone. Our gratitude also goes out to St. Sharbel’s Parish; since ’93 you have been my grandfather’s pride and joy; helping him to achieve every target set and accomplish one project after another. It is remarkable how you have been able to keep up with him.

I would like to say a few words about my grandfather, Monsignor Asmar.

Without a shadow of a doubt, my grandfather is the single most influential person in my life. He is more than just my grandfather; he is my mentor, and I'm proud to say, my friend.

As a child there was no safer place than the security of his lap. I always remember that he taught me how to tie my shoes. As young children, we would look forward to having him baby-sit because he would let us stay up late and watch tv. In the mornings he would let us have coffee something our parents would not allow

As we grew older just watching him in action taught us more than any book or course in school. We looked on in awe. His strength to move forward and carry any sacrifice with grace and dignity sets an example for us.

My grandfather is warm, loving, firm and straightforward. He has a way of accepting whatever comes his way. His deep faith carries him through what life has to offer. One of seven children, he pulled himself out of poverty with great drive and determination but he never forgot his roots. He brings new meaning to the word “resourceful”.

His accomplishments in life are truly amazing. When he immigrated to the US he didn’t speak a word of English. He went to school at night to obtain his high school diploma and college education. His career began as a carpenter with the New York City Transit and retired as their President. Most of my friends’ grandparents enjoy golf and tennis during retirement.

My grandfather wanted more than golf… He had to answer a calling and no it wasn’t his cell phone.. As you all know he rarely carries that.. It was a calling to serve God. We were very proud of him when he became a sub-deacon then he continued his studies and was ordained a Deacon. He pursued more studies and was later ordained to the Holy Priesthood, we all thought that would be his ultimate promotion and yet we are gathered today to celebrate another milestone: his elevation to the rank of Monsignor. He’s 73 and still seems to get one promotion after another.

Jiddo, you make us very proud. You have now been designated a Chaplain to His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI. I must admit that I had to “read up” on this promotion. I learned that this honorary position includes membership within the Papal household which bonds the priest in a special way to the Pope. How lucky you are to be among the select few with inside papal membership.

It seems you consistently form special bonds; bonds of strength, love and support to your family, your parishioners and your brother clergy.

May God bless, protect and reward you with Paul who will always be a guardian angel for our family."

 

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