Ordinations | Clinton Township and Lawrence

Subdeacon Michael Magyar Ordained a Deacon | Clinton Township, Michigan

The community of St. Sharbel Maronite Church in Clinton Township, Michigan, had the privilege to gather in prayer and thanksgiving to God as it celebrated the ordination of Subdeacon Michael Magyar to the Order of Deacon on Sunday, November 11, 2018. 

The Divine Liturgy was celebrated by Bishop A. Elias Zaidan, of the Eparchy of Our Lady of Lebanon. Chorbishop Alfred Badawi, pastor of St. Sharbel Church where Subdeacon Michael serves, was his sponsor and presented him to the Bishop. 

In attendance were also Father Milad Yaghi, pastor of Our Lady of the Cedars in Houston, TX, Father Mark George, associate pastor at St. Isidore Catholic Church in Clinton Township, MI, and Deacon John Sfire from Chicago, Illinois. 

Subdeacon Michael Magyar is the son of Oskar and Lorraine Magyar and is the oldest of six children, all of whom were present to witness the special day with their families. He was baptized at St. Maron Church on Congress Street in Detroit and attended St. Martin Catholic School in Detroit until it closed. He then attended St. Ambrose for a year before graduating from Grosse Pointe South High School. He earned a Bachelor's Degree in Accounting and a Master's Degree in Finance, allowing him to work as an accountant.

His spiritual journey of vocational discernment began in 2000 while attending Divine Liturgy at St. Sharbel Church in Warren, MI. He heard a homily by Msgr. Kenneth Michael which caused him to question how much he knew about his faith and led him to seek the answers. Most importantly, it led him to the community of St. Sharbel. He was ordained a Subdeacon in June 2005 and has served the communities of St. Sharbel, St. Maron, and St. Rafka Mission faithfully ever since. 

Following the Ordination, a reception in honor of the newly-ordained Deacon Mike was offered in the church hall where everyone congratulated the new deacon.

Ordination of Antoine Nammour to the Minor Orders | Lawrence, MA

by Subdeacon James Demers

St. Anthony Parish, in Lawrence, MA, celebrated the ordination of Mr. Antoine Nammour to the orders of Cantor, Lector, and Subdeacon on 4 May 2019, at the 4:00 p.m. liturgy. Chorbishop John D. Faris, representing Bishop Gregory J. Mansour, celebrated with a church full of family, parishioners, and friends. Joining as concelebrants were Msgr. Georges El-Khalli, Msgr. Peter Azar, Father Fares Abraham, Father Elie Mikhael, and Father Jebrael Moussallem. Also present in the sanctuary were Deacon Nadim Daou, Deacon Michael Charchafian, and Subdeacon James Demers.

In his homily, Chorbishop Faris stressed the sanctity of the church building given 
God's presence in the tabernacle, the subdeacon's role in caring for the church, and his role as a “hammer'' in the hands of the Lord—a tool doing His works without questions or complaint.  

Tonsure symbolized Mr. Nammour's movement from the laity to the clergy. Symbolic of his role in caring for the house of God, the new subdeacon opened and closed the church door, rang the bells to call the congregation to attention, and extinguished and lit a candle representing his role in lighting the church and preparing for liturgies. Subdeacon Antoine was sponsored by his pastor, Father Elie, throughout the ceremony, and processed in the church with his former pastor, Msgr. Peter, Msgr. Georges, and Father Elie.

Antoine's wife, Hitaf, and their children Elias, Maria, and Raymond all participated. Maria read the epistle, Hitaf presented her husband with his alb and stole, and they all presented the gifts for consecration at the altar. The Nammour family has supported Antoine not only during this event, but also in their own works such as teaching religious education, serving at the altar, teaching Arabic classes, and volunteering in many unsung ways. His vocation is truly inspiring to his family, and their vocation inspires all their parish family. The parish followed up the celebration with a home-made meal in the parish hall. Congratulations to Subdeacon Antoine Nammour, a treasured instrument the Lord will use to build His Church.