History of Our Lady of Lebanon Church, Miami

Founding and Origin

Our Lady of Lebanon Church in Miami had its official beginnings on September 8, 1973, a day of dual celebration for the Maronite community as it coincided with the Feast of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary and the Feast of the Virgin of Charity, the Patroness of Cuba (La Virgen de la Caridad del Cobre). On this day, Archbishop Francis Zayek, the Bishop of the Maronites in the United States, personally founded the parish. The inaugural Mass, attended by approximately 350 people, was celebrated at Saints Peter and Paul Church in Miami. Following the Mass, a luncheon hosted by Mr. and Mrs. Anthony Abraham brought the community together in fellowship.

Impressed by the enthusiasm and response of the faithful, Archbishop Zayek appointed the newly ordained Father Joseph Kaddo as the first Administrator of the mission on September 28, 1973. Father Kaddo celebrated his first Mass at the Assumption Ukrainian Catholic Church, with the initial Sunday collection amounting to $143.26. He lived in an apartment provided by Mr. and Mrs. Woodrow Woody and later by Mr. and Mrs. Anthony Abraham. Eventually, Sunday Masses were held at the Syrian Lebanon American Club on Coral Way, marking the humble beginnings of the parish.

Acquisition of Land/Property

The church’s journey to finding a permanent home began on August 31, 1975, when Father Wadih Peter Tayah was appointed Pastor of Our Lady of Lebanon Mission. Within a few months, on December 29, 1975, the property at 2055 Coral Way in Miami was purchased for $386,256.76. This property, formerly a "Food Fair Supermarket," was chosen for its strategic location and potential to serve as a multifunctional space. Father Tayah celebrated the first Mass on the site amidst empty grocery shelves on December 30, 1975. Renovations began in March 1976 under the guidance of Architect Maria Rosa Sellek and the Engineering firm of Planas and Franyieh, transforming the space into the Our Lady of Lebanon Church and Maronite Center. The project was completed and dedicated on November 27-28, 1976, marking the elevation of the church from a mission to a parish by Archbishop Zayek.

Further expansion occurred on June 20, 2000, when the parish acquired an adjacent parcel of land at 1901 Coral Way for $318,000.00, securing the entire city block facing Coral Way for the parish's future needs.

Chronology of Parish Priests

The spiritual leadership of Our Lady of Lebanon has been shaped by a series of dedicated priests who have each contributed to the growth and development of the parish:

1. Fr. Joseph Kaddo (1973-1975) - The first Administrator, Fr. Kaddo laid the foundational stones for the parish’s community life.

2. Fr. Wadih Peter Tayah (1975-1995) - Purchased the current property and oversaw significant renovations and the parish's elevation from mission status.

3. Fr. Michael Thomas (1996-2004) - Led the construction of the new church building dedicated in 1999.

4. Fr. Elie Mikhael (2004-2013) - Continued the work of his predecessors, paying off the mortgage and further expanding the parish.

5. Fr. Elie Saade, OLM (2013-2019) - Oversaw the 40th-anniversary celebrations and the visit of the relics of Saint Rafqa and Saint Sharbel and renovated the banquet hall.

6. Fr. Bassam Saade (2019-2021) - Provided leadership through the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.

7. Fr. Manuel Rahmeh (2021-present) - Under his leadership, the parish has undergone extensive renovations, expanded spiritual programs, and celebrated its 50th anniversary as well as creating a pastoral center.

Significance of Church Expansion

The significant expansions of Our Lady of Lebanon Church have reflected the growth and vitality of its community. The purchase and renovation of the former supermarket in 1975-1976 were pivotal in establishing a dedicated space for worship, administration, and social events. The major reconstruction project in 1999, led by Fr. Michael Thomas, replaced the original church structure with a new building, ensuring the parish had a modern and sacred space that met the needs of its growing congregation. The parish's ability to acquire the entire block on Coral Way by 2000 provided additional space for future developments and community activities.

In 2008, under the leadership of Fr. Elie Mikhael, the church acquired a house behind the main building, expanding its property and allowing for future developments. This strategic acquisition set the stage for further growth. In 2018, Fr. Elie Saade continued this trajectory by overseeing the remodeling of the banquet hall, enhancing its functionality and aesthetic appeal for parish events.

The most recent phase of expansion took place under the guidance of Fr. Manuel Rahmeh, who has been instrumental in advancing the church's infrastructure and spiritual mission. In 2023 and 2024, Fr. Rahmeh initiated the creation of classrooms and a pastoral center, providing dedicated spaces for religious education and community activities. His commitment to the church’s spiritual life was further demonstrated by a major renovation of the church in 2023, including the significant relocation of the tabernacle from the side altar to the center of the church on August 26, 2023. This act symbolized a renewed focus on the Eucharist as the heart of parish life. These expansions and renovations not only support the current needs of the community but also ensure that Our Lady of Lebanon Church remains a beacon of faith for future generations.

Organizations and Events

Throughout its history, Our Lady of Lebanon Church has fostered a vibrant community life, supported by various organizations and events:

• Ladies’ Guild: Formed on March 17, 1974, the Ladies' Guild has been pivotal in organizing social and fundraising events, such as the successful "Card Party" in May 1974, and continues to play a vital role in parish life.

• Saint Maron’s Men’s Society: Established in 1975, this group has significantly contributed to the parish's financial stability, with notable fundraising efforts like the "One Hundred Club Raffle."

• Youth and Young Adult Groups (MYO, MYA): These groups have been essential in nurturing the faith and leadership skills of the younger generation, organizing regional meetings, and engaging in community service.

• Annual Parish Hafli: The parish's first Hafli, "An Evening in Lebanon," held in 1974, has become a cherished tradition, bringing together parishioners for cultural celebration and fundraising.

• Annual Festival: Known as one of the largest in South Florida, this festival celebrates Lebanese culture, cuisine, and traditions, drawing thousands of attendees and reinforcing the parish’s sense of community.

• Latin Party: Celebrated on the last Sunday of June, this event honors the parish's Latin American members, highlighting the rich cultural diversity within the church.

• St. Sharbel Mass: Held on the 22nd of each month, this Mass draws hundreds of Catholics and Maronites from the Miami area.

• Social Club: Launched in July 2024, the Social Club offers a variety of activities, including cooking classes, painting, exercises, board games, decorating, and flower arrangements. This initiative has become a popular way for parishioners to connect and engage in creative and healthy activities.

Impact of Specific Groups

The MYO and MYA have been especially influential in building a strong sense of community among the youth and young adults. These groups provide a space for spiritual growth, social interaction, and leadership development, ensuring that the parish remains vibrant and forward-looking.

The Ladies’ Guild and Saint Maron’s Men’s Society have been vital in supporting the church's activities through their fundraising efforts and community service.

Recent Developments and Spiritual Programs

Under the leadership of Fr. Manuel Rahmeh, who began his service on November 1, 2021, the parish has seen significant spiritual and physical renewal. Extensive renovations to the church and rectory have been completed, including upgrades to lighting, sound, and other facilities. Fr. Rahmeh has reinvigorated church councils and committees, reestablished the Ladies Sodality, Men's Group, MYA, MYO, and Sunday school, and introduced a robust spiritual program featuring weekly 12-hour adoration, Bible study, and more.

Fr. Rahmeh's tenure has also seen the creation of investment and scholarship accounts to secure the parish's financial future and support the education of its young members. The church now hosts one of the largest festivals in South Florida and celebrates a special Mass of St. Sharbel every 22nd of the month, which has become a significant spiritual event in the community.

Conclusion
Our Lady of Lebanon Church in Miami has been truly blessed by God in its 50 years of history. Under the patronage of His Blessed Mother, the church has grown from a humble mission to a thriving parish, serving as a beacon of faith for Maronites and Catholics in Miami.

Maronite Rite

The Maronite church, one of the largest Eastern rite churches, is prominent especially in modern Lebanon. The church is in canonical communion with the Roman Catholic Church and is the only Eastern rite church that has no counterpart outside that union. The Maronites trace their origins to St. Maron, or Maro (Arabic: Mārūn), a Syrian hermit of the late 4th and early 5th centuries, and St. John Maron, or Joannes Maro (Arabic: Yūḥannā Mārūn), patriarch of Antioch in 685–707, under whose leadership the invading Byzantine armies of Justinian II were routed in 684, making the Maronites a fully independent people.

The immediate spiritual head of the Maronite church after the pope is the “patriarch of Antioch and all the East,” residing in Bikirkī, near Beirut. The church retains the ancient West Syrian liturgy, often delivered in Syriac even though the vernacular tongue of the modern Maronites is Arabic.

Maronite Identity

Today, as before, our Church is striving to be loyal to the mystery (living the mystery of salvation through Jesus Christ and witnessing to Him in the Antiochene Domain and in the Countries of Expansion) from which it sets off and on which every genuine Christian identity is built. Inasmuch as these elements are tied to the person of Jesus Christ, who “is the same, yesterday, today and forever”, (Hebrews 13:8) they take the place of a throbbing heart in the conscience of Maronites.

It must not be remiss in the minds of the sons and daughters of the Maronite Church, as they seek to throw light upon the elements of their identity, that their Patriarchal Church is, before all else, the realization of the mystery of the One, Universal, Holy and Apostolic Church in the special environment in which they were called to bear witness to their Apostolic faith and to their evangelical values, and consequently not willing to be led, in their endeavor, into mere cultural, national or political considerations.