Dear brothers and sisters in Jesus our Lord,    

After a beautiful summer break, during which many of you enjoyed time at the cabin, fishing, water sports, family gatherings, and bonfires, or visited family and relatives here in the United States—a land of faith, mission, and values—or returned to our beloved homeland of Lebanon, we come together again as a church community. Lebanon symbolizes so much for us: the land of the Cedars, a land with thousands of years of history, a biblical land, and a land visited and honored by our Lord Jesus through His visits and preaching. It is also a land from which Christianity first began to spread throughout the world. Whether we spent our summer in Minnesota, elsewhere in the United States, or in Lebanon, we are grateful for the opportunity to return to our parish community and continue our journey together.

Summer Youth Camp. The Church Youth Summer Camp was held on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, August 12, 13, and 14. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the MYO Committee, led by John Corey and his team, for organizing this wonderful event. More than 38 children, ages 8 to 17, participated in this church-community-supported event. We are grateful to all the sponsors and volunteers who donated their time and resources, purchased food, prepared and cooked meals, and helped lead the young people in canoeing, hiking, archery, kickball, and other outdoor activities. A special thank-you goes to our newly appointed Bishop Sharbel Maroun, and Father George Younes, for their support and presence. We also thank the parents who encouraged their children to participate and everyone who worked to make this camp such a successful and memorable experience. The children enjoyed every part of the camp—from setting up tents and gathering around the evening bonfire to spending hours canoeing, hiking, and swimming at Lebanon Hills in Rosemount. They also enjoyed dancing the Dabke together. These activities were followed by Eucharistic Adoration and a visit from Bishop-elect Sharbel Maroun and Father George Younes. The camp concluded with a Lebanese-style dinner prepared by our energetic “camp crew� ladies, assisted by the children, for all the participants, parents, and supporters of our children and youth programs. We thank God for the joy, friendship, faith, and community spirit experienced by our young people during these days.

Evangelization Begins at Home. We are glad to come together again as a parish community and continue our walk in the Church's dynamic mission of evangelization and the preservation of our heritage. Evangelization does not necessarily mean being sent to an unknown land or another continent to preach the Gospel and feed the poor. Evangelization can begin right here—in your home, within your family, in our church, and throughout our community. You can evangelize through your participation in parish activities, by volunteering at church events, by welcoming someone who is new to our community, or simply by inviting a relative or friend to join us. Every act of service, hospitality, and Christian witness can become an opportunity to share the Gospel.

Holy Family Annual Festival. One of the most important events on the Holy Family parish calendar is our Holy Family Annual Festival, which will be held on Saturday, September 12. We are grateful to our Festival Team, led by Gloria Deeb-Reyes, for organizing this wonderful event and to all of you who support it through your generosity and participation. As usual, the Festival will include traditional Lebanese mezza and other delicious foods, children's games and activities, a silent auction,�Llittle Treasures� table, raffle, and a bake sale. Our Festival is also a form of evangelization—evangelization through hospitality, food, friendship, and community. It reminds us of the ministry of our Lord Jesus, who often gathered with people around a meal. Throughout the Gospels, we see Jesus sharing meals, feeding the hungry, welcoming sinners, and bringing people together. Through our Festival, we can also transform food from something that can divide people into something that brings people together. Around the table, friendships are strengthened, families reconnect, and our Christian community grows. I encourage everyone to participate, invite your family and friends, and help make this year's Festival another joyful celebration of our Holy Family parish community.

Many parents today are concerned that their children may lack Christian values and a strong foundation in faith and may be influenced by harmful social and ethical behaviors. This reality should encourage parents to take an even more active role in the spiritual formation of their children. We must stand firmly in our faith and make every effort to transmit to the next generation the faith of our ancestors—the faith of our jeddoos and sittoos, the strong faith that has been handed down to us through the generations from the biblical mountains of our homeland.

One of the important marks of the Church is that she is Apostolic. This means that the Church is founded upon the faith and teaching of the Apostles. At the same time, the Church is missionary: she is sent to evangelize, to baptize, and to teach. There are many blessings that come from teaching the faith and participating in the mission of the Church. It is a dynamic and transformative mission, much like the experience of Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit empowered the Apostles to go forth and proclaim the Gospel. I encourage all parents to make Faith Formation a priority and to give their children the gift of a strong Catholic faith.

The Season of the Holy Cross - An Anniversary of Service September 13, 2026, marks the 12th anniversary of my appointment as Pastor of Holy Family Church, on September 13, 2014, and the 40th anniversary of my ordination to the priesthood, on September 13, 1986. I take this opportunity to ask for your prayers and support, and I express my sincere appreciation to all of you for your kindness, friendship, support, and care throughout these years. On this occasion, I would also like to express my gratitude to Bishop Elias Zaidan for his trust and constant support during my years of service to the Eparchy and to Holy Family Church. I am also deeply thankful to my Maronite religious order, the Antonine Maronite Order of Saint Anthony, for having entrusted me with the ministry and service of Holy Family Church. I ask you to continue praying for me, for your parish, and for all those whom God has entrusted to our pastoral care.

Wishing you all a blessed month of September, I assure you that the Church is always ready and happy to offer whatever spiritual assistance is needed by our parishioners, families, and friends.

May the Lord bless you and your families, and may the Holy Family, the Blessed Virgin Mary, and Saint Maron continue to intercede for our parish and guide us in our mission of faith, evangelization, and service.

Yours in Christ Jesus,

Father Emmanuel, Pastor +