As we come together in a spirit of recollection almost three years on since ARISE, the Organising Committee is filled with profound gratitude for being a part of this humbling experience. We are still inspired that over three-hundred of our youth joined each other in a weekend of spiritual growth and faith renewal, social interaction and friendship building, all on the path to greater self-discovery.

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It was our mission, through the vision of His Excellency the Most Revered Antoine-Charbel Tarabay, Maronite Bishop of Australia, and with the efforts of Monsignor Shora Maree, the Episcopal Vicar for Youth and the Organising Committee, that the youth would return to their parishes will zeal and passion to serve and evangelise their communities. Essentially, this is similar to the mission of the Apostles, who were imbued by the gifts of the Holy Spirit, and were great witnesses of faith active ministry. And what wonderful apostles they have been!

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The fruits of this great convention are still very much evident today. There has been such a visible cohesion and unity amongst all our youth from various parishes across our vast eparchy. Through this unity, our youth have become better networked and are more engaged in current social discourses, maturing into active citizens of proud Maronite Catholic conviction who hold steadfast to their values amidst a tide of moral upheaval and rampant relativism. With this charisma, our youth have been seeking more spiritual nourishment to be sustained and encouraged to live out their vocations more confidently and be more Christ-like in a world that is yearning so desperately for Christ’s tangible love and healing mercy.

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This is the ‘ARISE-Effect’. So we welcome you all to register and attend ARIISE, our next Australian Maronite Youth Convention in July 2018.

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We are waiting to see you all as we enter a spirit of faith renewal and showcase an exciting selection of Keynote Speakers, Workshop Presenters and Facilitators, and so much more!

 

Anthony J. Yacoub

Chairperson, Maronite Youth Diocesan Council