Sawt El Rab radio’s annual lunch
To mark its 12th anniversary, Sawt El Rab radio held a fellowship lunch on Sunday 22 October 2017, attended by the radio’s spiritual director and Melkite Catholic eparch of Canada, Archbishop Ibrahim Ibrahim; the Melkite Catholic eparch of Australia and New Zealand, Bishop Robert Rabbat; Father Macarios Wahbé, pastor of the Melkite parish of the Annunciation; Father Rabih Abou Zeghib, pastor of Saint Saviour Cathedral; Father Elie Touma, pastor of the Orthodox parish of Saint John the Baptist, and his wife; Father Camille Ishak, pastor of the Syriac Orthodox parish of Saint James, and his wife; and Father Antoine Chadarevian, pastor of the Armenian Catholic parish of Our Lady of Narek. Political and community figures also attended: the federal MP for Laval, Ms Eva Nassif, and her husband; federal MP Mr Fayçal El-Khoury; Ms Aline Dib, Laval city councillor; Mr Ray Khalil, Laval city councillor; Ms Mireille Hajj Chahine, representing the Canadian Catholic television network Salt + Light; and Mr George Saad, director of “Voice of Egypt” in Canada.
It was a special and unique gathering! For the first time at a lunch or gathering, I felt the presence of the Lord sitting with us at the table, as hymns filled the room and had us praying and singing with indescribable joy.
Before we began eating, Bishop Robert Rabbat blessed the food, and then Archbishop Ibrahim Ibrahim blessed those present with rich and warm words about the need for God to be present in every stage and event of our lives, even the simplest things, and he asked God that our hearts be filled with oil, the oil of love that gives light to others.
How could we not enjoy the lunch after that, together with all the brothers and sisters present: guests, priests, members of the Canadian Parliament and volunteers serving the spread of the Word through the radio? All of them are good and loving people.
What enriched the gathering and made it shine even more was the presence of our brother, the artist Hikmat Mardini, known as “Matt.” He gave a short life testimony about the beginnings of his fine artistic journey, which started in the choir of the Salesian church, and how he offered his voice to glorify God. Through you, Hikmat, we glorify him too.
The gathering would not have been complete or fruitful without the fatherly words of the radio’s spiritual director, Archbishop Ibrahim Ibrahim, on the need to stand firm in God’s Word and in the Lord’s service. He highlighted Sister Jackie’s work and her perseverance despite the financial difficulties she faces in her radio ministry, and he called on everyone to hurry and join their hands to hers so that the word of Jesus may grow and spread throughout the world. He also stressed to the members of the Canadian Parliament that being present in church, every day, is very important for their lives and their political work, and that they should keep attending the Divine Liturgy because it gives them strength to work for the good: if the Lord is not present in every moment of our lives, even in our work, we cannot keep going or succeed. He also emphasized the importance of radio broadcasting in people’s lives, how many lives it has changed and how many people it has encouraged to return to God the Father and know Jesus deeply, because the radio is with us all the time and in every situation, at work, at home, in the car… and it is easy for everyone to reach.
From success to success, dear Sister Jackie, beloved by all! I wish you and the radio lasting success and continual progress, with people whose only concern is to give without measure or limits. It was also fitting to honour three people to support them in their faithfulness and commitment: brother Tony Haddad, for being there for 12 years, from the start of the journey until now; Mr Fadi Yaacoub, who works behind the scenes tirelessly and without complaint; and Ms Myriam Wakil, who gives with great love and generosity.
Congratulations to all the radio’s volunteers and to everyone who invests their talents in serving the Word and spreading the Christian faith. Bless, O Lord, this radio and all who work in it and run it, and may the intercession of the Virgin Mother of God and the power of the Holy Spirit always be with us. Amen.
Prepared by Omaida and Rita of the Sawt El Rab team
