DESCRIPTION OF WORKSHOPS AND BIOGRAPHY OF SPEAKERS

1. LITURGY:  THE WELLSPRING OF WORSHIP - presented by Rt. Rev. Philip Raczka

Thursday & Saturday - July 17 & 19 - at 10:30 am till noon

This workshop will present an outline of how we share in the life of the Holy Trinity through the Liturgy.  The role of each of the Divine Persons will be examined in relationship to our salvation and the worship that allows us to receive that salvation.  Our participation in the eternal heavenly liturgy of Christ will be highlighted.

RT. REV. PHILIP RACZKA - Father attended St. Francis of Assisi Parochial School and Manchester Memorial High School.  He received his BA in History from St. Anselm College in Manchester on May 16, 1976.  He then enrolled in St. Gregory Seminary and had summer pastoral assignments at St. George in Birmingham and St. Ann in Danbury.  He received an M. Div. from the Boston Theological Union through Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Seminary on May 17, 1980.  Most recently he received an MA in Liturgical Studies from Notre Dame University on January 5, 2003.

Father Philip was ordained a priest by the late Archbishop Joseph Tawil on May 25, 1980 at our Lady of the Cedars Church in Manchester, NH.  His first pastoral assignment was as assistant pastor at St. Ann Church in North Hollywood, CA where he had special responsibility for the Sunday School and other youth work. He also worked at St. Paul Mission in West Los Angeles.  In November of 1983 he was assigned as administrator of Holy Cross Mission in Orange County, CA.  A church was purchased in April of 1986.  Archbishop Tawil visited the church for the 1st time on October 27th of that year and raised the mission to be a parish with Father Raczka as the 1st pastor.  In November of 1989 Archbishop Tawil transferred Father Raczka to St. Ann Church in West Paterson, NJ.  One year later he was also given the responsibility of St. Demetrius Mission in Cliffside Park, NJ.  In May of 1996 Father Raczka was transferred to be full-time at St. Demetrius Mission, which was in the process of building a church.  On December 3 1995 Bishop John Elya elevated Father Philip to the rank of Archimandrite.

After 3 years of full time service to this largely immigrant community Father Philip was transferred to St. Joseph's in Akron, Ohio.  He teaches Liturgics every year at our Melkite Deacon Training School at St. Basil's in Methuen. 

Moderators: Rev. John Azar of St. John Chrysostom Church, Altlanta, GA. and Barbara Deeb of St. Basil Church, Lincoln, RI

2. LITURGICAL MUSIC and HYMNS - (Arabic & English) Led by Fr. Naim Khalil

Thursday & Friday - July 17 & 18 - at 10:30 am till noon

Objectives of the workshop:

• Brief introduction of music (Western and Byzantine)

• How the spirituality of Music and language play an important role in enriching the liturgical music and hymns?

• Vision in finding ways and means to help the faithful have an active participation in the liturgical music and hymns on both levels: musically and theologically.

FR. NAIM KHALIL - Born in Lebanon (Machghara) in 1960.  Entered the Basilian Salvatorian Seminary in Lebanon at a very young age, where he studied and pursued his high school degree and entered the University of Kasslik where he studied Philosophy for 2 years and then dedicated his time to specialize in Music.

Studied 8 years of music at the Conservatoire in Beirut.  Specialized in Accordion, Flute and western singing.  Then, The Salvatorian Order sent him to Rome where he studied Theology at the Gregoriana where he earned his Master Degree in Theology.  Then he specialized at the Salizian University in Rome where he earned a degree in Religious Education and Pastoral work for youth.  Was assigned to Montreal Canada where he served for 5 years.  In 2000 he was transferred to Methuen and in 2001 was assigned to St. Jude Melkite Catholic Church in Miami, Florida.

 Moderators: Thomas Sabbagh and Jerry Aisis of St. Basil Church, Lincoln, RI

3. AMERICA: THE LAND OF EGYPT OR THE LAND OF PROMISE? - (in Arabic) presented by Rev. Robert Rabbat

Thursday - July 17 -  at 10:30 am till noon

In the Bible, the Book of Exodus relates the journey of the Jewish people in the Sinai Desert.  As the Jewish people wandered in the Desert, the reader of Exodus discovers the on-going struggle the Jewish faced between the choice of going back on their heels to the land of Egypt, i.e. security even with slavery as a price, or keep on pushing ahead towards the Promised Land, i.e. uncertainty and maybe physical death but with the hope of reaching the freedom offered by God.

Newly comers' immigrants to the USA are challenged culturally, socially and spiritually by the new values the American Society offers.  Faced with these challenges, these immigrants, like the Jews in the Sinai Desert, face hard choices:  Either they dismiss what the US offers in the domain of values by anchoring themselves in their inherited traditions and risk to live on the fringes of society, or they adapt and thus risk the loss of all the values they believed in and dreamt of handing over to their offspring.  This workshop will present in a nutshell the most common problems Middle Easterners face as they establish themselves in the USA as new immigrants.  It will also attempt to offer preventative steps which if kept in mind and implemented, will help transform the journey of the immigrant in the USA into a journey leading to the aspired "Promised Land."

REV. ROBERT RABBAT - A graduate with a bachelor degree from Ohio State University in Engineering (Chemical) and Mathematics, Fr. Robert joined Dupont De Nemours International as a Technical consultant.  Ordained to the priesthood for the Diocese of Beirut in 1994, after receiving his "Licenses" in Philosophy and in Theology from St. Paul Institute (Lebanon), he came to the USA to pursue graduate studies and serve the Melkite community.  He was assigned in 1995 as an Administrator of St. Michael the Archangel Church in Hammond (IN), and in 2000, he became also the Administrator of St. John the Baptist in Northlake (IL).  Since 1999,         Fr. Rabbat has been the Editor-in-Chief of Sophia magazine, the newsletter of the Melkites in the USA.  Fr. Rabbat has an MA in Communications from Purdue University (Class of 97).          

Moderators: Deacon Elias Sahyouni of St. John the Baptist Church, Northlake, IL, and Rouaida Aghia of St. Basil Church, Lincoln, RI

4. CATECHIST TRAINING WORKSHOP - Introductory and Advanced - Presented by Dr. Frances Colie

Thursday - July 17 - at 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm

This is an Open-door workshop to acquaint the catechist with the entire Catechist Formation Program.  The Pre K through Grade 8, God With Us Series books will be reviewed with contextual information on our Melkite tradition, theology, spirituality and worship.  The sessions will also include the use of activities, crafts and projects to reinforce learning.

A practicum in developing lesson plans, managing classroom discipline, using visual aids and the ordering materials will be included.   Strategies for multi-graded classes and getting a church school started will be discussed.

Moderators: Ella Hanna and Dr. Anthony Azar from St. Basil Church, Lincoln, RI

5. SPIRITUAL RENEWAL  AND THE FUTURE OF THE MELKITE CHURCH - Toward a vibrant future for the Melkite Catholic Church in America - Presented by Dr. Frances Colie

Friday & Saturday - July 18 & 19 - at 10:30 am till noon

The 21st century compels us to bring new spiritual vitality into our parishes to sustain and nourish our people and those we hope to attract.  In the future, ethnicity will no longer be the mortar to hold the church together. Challenging us in the coming decades is the problem of secularism, both inside and outside the church.  To offset this worldly view, that is opposed to our vision and experience of God, man and life, we must strive to make the church a spiritually alive center for the entire Christian life of our people, where all can grow in all aspects of our lives, share and love one another and give living witness to our Theology.

This workshop will deal with ways of creating a Melkite 'peoplehood' capable of relating our liturgical life to the way we live.  We can no longer give lip service about our faith,we must live it.  Our personal transformation will be the magnet that will attract others and our love for one another will ignite the hearts of our youth.

FRANCES NEJMEH COLIE - Frances Nejmeh Colie is the Director of Religious Education for the Diocese of Newton.  Her background includes an MA in Teaching and an MA in counseling.  She also has an MA in Eastern Christian Theology from Fordham John XXIII Institute, and a Doctorate from Fordham where she served as an adjunct instructor in the John XXIII Institute.  She has written articles for Diakonia magazine on the "Mission of the Eastern Church to the West" and   "Teaching the Jesus Prayer to Teenagers."  She is a member of the ECDD (Eastern Catholic Diocesan Directors) NCCL  (National Conference for Catechetical Leadership) and the advisory council of the NCCD (National Council of Catechetical Directors).   She has worked in catechetics for over 30 years including 15 years in adult education, Theosis and Antioch retreat programs.  She teaches catechetics every year at our Deacon Training School at St. Basil's in Methuen.

Moderators: Deacon John Moses of the Annunciation Cathedral, Boston, MA and Ann Sabbagh of St. Basil Church, Lincoln, RI

6. "INCULTURATION-EVANGELIZATION AND THE FUTURE OF THE MELKITE CHURCH IN AMERICA: KNOWING HOW TO PLANT THE MESSAGE OF THE GOSPEL IN AMERICA" - Presented by:  Reverend Peter Boutros

Friday & Saturday - July 18 & 19 - at 10:30 am till noon

Our rich, solid, and supple Tradition attracts diverse people and over the years proved capable of inculturating itself in many nations, countries, and peoples.  Our future depends on how well do we understand our task as Melkites, how well do we understand the Melkite Church and our society, and how well do we communicate the message to our children and to America.  Our growth, future, and survival depend on how wide we can open our arms and how clear our light shines!

REV. PETER BOUTROS - Father Peter Boutros was born in Alexandria Egypt.  He is the student of the Catholic schools in Egypt.  Fr. Peter joined Saint Anne Seminary in Jerusalem in 1964 until the war in 1967 then in Harissa, Lebanon until 1970 to study Philosophy and Theology.  He came to the United States in 1970 and got married in 1973.  Since then, Fr. Peter completed an engineering degree in electrical engineering and a technical degree in electronic as well as a degree in Liberal Studies.  He completed his studies in Project Management and qualified as a project manager for Hazardous Waste Activities.  He also completed a four year course for Pastoral Ministries at the Diocese of Orlando, Fl. and the Deacon program at the Diocese of Newton.  He served for many years the Ruthenian Church in NJ and Florida as well as the Tampa Melkite Community.  He is now serving St. John of the Desert in Phoenix, AZ.

Moderators: Rt. Rev. Ibrahim Ibrahim of St. Elias Church, Brooklyn, Ohio, and Terry McMichael of St. Basil Church, Lincoln, R.I.

7. CHURCH PARISH and DIOCESAN COUNCILS: RENEWAL and REVITALIZATION Led by : Dr. Yusuf Mussalli

Friday & Saturday - July 18 & 19 - at 10:30 am till noon

The workshop will consist of 5 panelists including Bishop Nicholas Samra and 4 Parish Council Presidents from the West, Midwest, South and Northeast regions.  Dr. Mussalli will explain the Basic Parish Council Bylaws, method of consensus, goal setting, Christian leadership style, and spiritual development.  Bishop Samra will review the results of the DPC- related questionnaire and the means of revitalizing the DPC.  The Parish Council presidents from around the USA will share their experiences so that we may enhance the role of the Parish Councils to better church management.

DR. YUSUF MUSSALLI - Dr. Yusuf Mussalli is currently the Chairperson of the Religious and Cultural Committee of the 2003 Melkite Convention.  For the past 30 years, he has been active in both St. Basil parish and the Diocese.  Major contributions include:

* First Chairman of the Diocesan Educational Services Committee.  During his tenure, an Eastern Christian Curriculum was adopted by the Melkite parishes and the newsletter, The Link, was founded.  Also served as coordinator of St. Basil Religious Education program for 5 years.

* Diocesan Pastoral Council Chairman from 1984-1991; served the DPC for 10 years during which most of the Diocesan organizations were founded.

* St. Basil Parish Council President from 1986-1993.  Founder and Chairman of Phase I of the new Church Complex in Lincoln, RI.

* Chairman of the 1993 Regional Family Conference in Providence, RI.

* Author of Basic Parish Council By Laws for the Diocese of Newton.

Moderators: John Caven, DPC Chairman and Anthony Mardo and Jeffrey Boudjouk of St. Basil Church, Lincoln, RI

8. RELATIONS WITH SISTER CHURCHES - Led by Archimandrite Edward Kakaty

Friday & Saturday - July 18 & 19 - at 10:30 am till noon

The workshop will deal with the Zoghby initiative of 1996 towards reunion with the Orthodox, and include relations here in the United States, as well as local initiatives of co-operations.

Fr. Ed will moderate the panel of priests from the Maronite, Syriac, Coptic, and Orthodox churches and open the discussion to those attending.

Melkite priests around the country are encouraged to share their experiences, good or bad, with our sister churches of Eastern Christianity.  For example, Worcester's churches have formed the Antioch Association, and Chicagoland, speakers are shared by more than one parish.

RT. REV. EDWARD KAKATY - Father Ed Kakaty was born to be ecumenical! His father, Joseph, was Syriac Catholic and his mother, Mary (Kurdy) was Armenian Catholic, both from Aleppo, Syria.  Fr. Ed was baptized Melkite at St. Basil's in Utica, NY where he began a lifelong interest in good relations with the Maronites of St. Louis Gonzaga and the Orthodox of St. George, near his father's store.

Fr. Ed was ordained a priest in 1972 at St. Basil's Church in Utica, and has served parishes in Manchester, NH; Chicago, IL; Hammond, IN; Worcester, MA; Boston, MA; and currently is pastor of St. Ann's in Waterford, CT.

Fr. Ed has represented the Melkite churches a member of the Massachusetts Commission on Christian Unity from 1973 - 1980 and 1992 - 2002, and served as president for two terms, meeting monthly with Catholic, Orthodox and Protestant representatives. 

Moderators: Joseph Shabouk of the Virgin Mary Church of Brooklyn, NY and Sharon De Simone and Sharon Mussalli of St. Basil Church, Lincoln, RI

 CHILDREN'S ACTIVITIES

 St. Basil's Religious Education Program will sponsor two sessions of activities on Thursday and Friday for the children attending the convention.  The workshops will be led by Kerrie Medeiros of St. Basil's Church, Lincoln, RI.

 RELIGIOUS PROJECTS DISPLAY

The Religious Education students of St. Basil's Church has prepared several religious projects for display at the Convention Hotel.  The display is organized by Ella Hanna and Joyce Perry and in cooperation with all the teachers and teacher's assistants of St. Basil Religious Education Program.

PRESENTATIONS at GENERAL ASSEMBLY

Visions on Renewal and future of the Melkites in America will be presented at the General Assembly by:  

* Tom Fadoul, President on NAMY  - Friday

* Laura Souri, MAYA - Saturday

* Shirine Rabbat, Ambassadors - Friday

* Reine Rabbat, President of NAMW - Saturday

* Bishop Nicholas Samra - Saturday

For questions or more information on Workshops, contact:

Dr. Yusuf Mussalli at ymussalli@aol.com