Living Church | St. Joseph Church Centennial Celebration | Olean, NY
by Father Anthony Salim and Antoinette Zeina
On 6-8 October 2019, St. Joseph Maronite Parish of Olean, New York, celebrated its centennial celebration. The parish was not the only one celebrating a milestone: its pastor, Father Anthony Salim, will be retiring after 46 years of ministry.
The story of St. Joseph is like all Maronite parishes in this country—a story of migrants. Lebanese immigrants from the Bzibdeen and Zahle fled from political turmoil and economic hardship and came to the United States to build a new life. With many other immigrants settling in New York State, they moved along the historic Erie Canal route, where eventually, many found themselves in Olean. These families included tailors, purveyors of dry goods, grocers, trades people, and shopkeepers.
As the population grew, the Maronite faithful of Olean wanted a church of their own. Until then, they gathered weekly at St. Mary of the Angels Church for Divine Liturgy and held special devotions to the Blessed Mother and St. Joseph. For that reason, they dedicated their new parish to St. Joseph. In 1919, they laid the cornerstone of St. Joseph Church at the corner of 4th and Reed Streets.
From 1954 to 1980, the parish operated an elementary school, one of the few Maronite parish schools in the United States. In February 1965, a fire damaged the church. In August 2011, three weeks after Father Salim arrived in Olean, a tragic fire caused by old and faulty electrical wiring, burnt the parish to the ground.
“Surviving that fire after my arrival—it could have destroyed our parish,” Father Anthony said. “The fact that we are all still together is such a blessing. Both go hand in hand.”
With the help of God, generous donations and insurance money, the parish was able to purchase the former Transfiguration Oratory in North Olean, which the parish renovated and expanded. The church dedication was celebrated four years later. Going from .8 acres to their beautiful 2.3 acres has allowed for many parish events to be held on the grounds, including the centennial festivities.
Today, St. Joseph Church stands as a small community with great faith. The parish of 150 families is made up of mostly fourth generation Lebanese and Syrians, many of whom can trace their ancestors back to the origins of the church. Father Anthony, who was appointed minister of the parish in 2011, makes it a point to make sure parishioners feel fulfilled in their faith and their Lebanese heritage. Today, the parish’s emphasis on this collaboration reflects the importance of keeping people together and traditions alive.
What is known as the “The Cadillac Dinner” is one of the parish’s longest running fundraisers to date. For 50 years, parishioners and members of the Olean community look forward to the annual dinner where traditionally a Cadillac car was raffled off. Around twenty years ago, when Cadillacs became even more expensive, a cash reward became the main prize; the name has remained. In addition, the church opens its doors to the community with other events such as a spaghetti dinner as well as a fish dinner during the Lenten season.
“We are always busy trying to plan events and keep us afloat,” Father Anthony said. “But more importantly, to bring people together. For many of our events, people wait all year round to come.”
Yet, the largest fundraiser the church holds annually is one of the most anticipated events in all of Olean. The Mahrajan (Arabic for “festival”), which started as a small parish picnic for parishioners in the late 1930s, is a chance for parishioners to work, eat, and dance together, and serves as their biggest fundraiser of the year. However, the impact of the Mahrajan, which can bring together around 1,000 people, certainly expands beyond just parish families. As the congregation grew, and people started marrying out of the Lebanese heritage, St. Joseph’s officials opened the festival to the public in the 1970s.
“The parish festivals in this city are really a nice way to get together, visit together, share good food together,” Fr. Anthony said.
Looking back on a century, there are no doubts of the sense of family and their commitment to their faith. Altar boys and lectors participate in the Divine Liturgy weekly and in clubs and the Order of Saint Sharbel. Weekly religious education and a Bible study contribute to religious activities of the parish.
In 2018, Father Salim and committees began planning in earnest for the parish Centennial. The weekend events included a reunion of former students from St. Joseph and Transfiguration Schools. Over 100 people attended the joyous celebration. Bishop Gregory Mansour presided over the Divine Liturgy. Following liturgy, a Lebanese dinner prepared by the parishioners was held in the parish hall. During the dinner program, Elizabeth Ash and Isabel Hamed (parish sacristans) were awarded the 2019 Silver Massabki Award.
Father Salim’s October retirement was also acknowledged at the parish celebration. Father Anthony, ready for the next chapter of life, thanked everyone for always being supportive and loving during his time of ministry. “The question now is what is my life going to be now as a person and as a priest. I want to continue to serve in a limited form of ministry. But I call the shots now. You get to sit back and relax and think about where you have been and where you are going.” Taking time to reconnect with family in his hometown of Saint Paul, Minnesota is a priority.
Father Salim will leave the parish in the good hands of Father Tony Mouanes, who will initiate the next one hundred years of parish life.