A Month Full of Blessings | Houston, TX
By Susie Hage
Our Lady of the Cedars had a wonderful and busy start to our summer! May was filled with many wonderful events including the celebration of the beginning of the Marian month, with a Divine Liturgy and procession, followed by our semiannual Village Night, which brought thousands of visitors to our parish to enjoy great food and entertainment provided by our generous parishioners and community members.
The following weekend, we were honored and blessed to have Bishop Elias Zaidan celebrate two wonderful events. Saturday, 11 May, we celebrated First Holy Communion for 20 of our children. We know that this memory and his loving words will be carried in their hearts for a lifetime.
The next day, three men, Said Tannous, Chuck Abou Jaoude, and Nicolas Nammour, who have been actively dedicated to the growth of our parish, were ordained subdeacons by Bishop Elias. Said Tannous was among the first parishioners of Our Lady of the Cedars. He is always ready and willing to help and is constantly giving of his time, talent, and treasure. He truly has made Our Lady of the Cedars his second home. Chuck Abou Jaoude attended seminary in Lebanon during his childhood with the intention of becoming a priest. When he fled Lebanon because of the war, he lived in Chicago in a rectory among the priests. Chuck has been a devoted and faithful parishioner and is always ready to answer the call to serve. Dr. Nicholas Nammour moved to Houston 13 years ago and immediately became a member of our parish and has also served for many years on the parish pastoral council, serving both as a member and as president for several years. He is always quick to respond to any requests our priests ask of him. Our parish is truly blessed to have watched these men grow in their faith and commitment to God and the Church and to be ordained subdeacons. Our Lady of the Cedars now has seven subdeacons, five of whom are actively ministering in our parish!
May wrapped up with the presentation of the Massabki Award to not one, but two, amazing couples this year! We congratulate Roger and Charlotte Abou Nassif and Zack and Jenny Raffoul. Both of these beautiful couples are a true example of service and dedication to their faith and to our community.
