Before a standing room only crowd, Easton's "Our Lady of Mount Lebanon" parish saw one of its own, Alex Joseph, ordained as a Maronite Catholic priest today. This ordination marks the first time in the past 31 years that an Our Lady parishioner has become a priest.
Easton's tight-knight Lebanese community was there in force, from little brothers poking each other behind their mom's back, to just about every businessman in Shadtown. Even Mayor Sal Panto was among those who paid his respects.
The Most Reverend Gregory John Mansour, Bishop of the Eparchy of St. Maron, presided over the service, along with more priests than I've ever seen together at one time. He called Father Alex a "work in progress," which drew quite a few laughs. But that's exactly why Alex will be a great priest. He's one of us. He's been an accountant, a probation officer, even a barber. Now he's a priest.
He's already worked a miracle. I didn't have enough money for the meter, but amazingly, was able to escape from downtown Easton without a ticket.
"Now, we're gonna' out him to work," said Bishop Gregory. Father Alex' first Mass is tomorrow.
Updated Sunday, 8:40 AM: I had to miss my favorite part, a reception with Lebanese food, after the service. Bad back. But Easton Eccentric stayed, and has the details.
Updated Sunday, 8:40 AM: I had to miss my favorite part, a reception with Lebanese food, after the service. Bad back. But Easton Eccentric stayed, and has the details.
Congratulations and prayers for God's blessings to Fr. Alex! God is good. This is just more proof. Thank you for keeping us updated these past years, Bernie.
ReplyDeletemy congratulations and best wishes to father joseph, and the maronite community of easton. michael molovinsky
ReplyDeleteNo blog mentor?
ReplyDeleteYep. You bet there was. It wasn't good, either.
ReplyDeleteHe was a no show, but I suspect he is going to be held accountable for his filthy comments.
ReplyDeleteNice accomplishment...congratd
ReplyDeleteThis is nice to hear!
ReplyDeleteFather Alex has made us all proud. The turnout was great, the service beautiful and I was happy to see MAyor Panto there -- he is a loyal supporter of the Lebanese community and a good friend of father Alex's father.
ReplyDeleteI just deleted a comment from the Blog Mentor. He had threatened to disrupt Fr. Alex' ordination and first mass, but was too much of a coward to do anything that might actually expose him to a physical confrontation. But it might be too late for that. Easton's Lebanese community is very tight-knit, and pay very close attention when one of their own is smeared. In this case, it is a priest who is being attacked with lies. I can't see this ending well for the Blog Mentor.
ReplyDelete"Father Alex has made us all proud. The turnout was great, the service beautiful and I was happy to see MAyor Panto there -- he is a loyal supporter of the Lebanese community and a good friend of father Alex's father."
ReplyDeleteI am VERY proud of Fr. Alex. I also loved Bishop Gregory's gentle humor.
Don't worry. The length of time before a party can be sued has not run out. I think there is definitely a lawsuit in the works seeking to clear the priest's good name. We will see how sharpe the attorney is on this one before all of the bad things said about the priest go poOf on the blog mentor's site.
ReplyDeleteWhat bad words? I have read none on here.
ReplyDeleteThat's bc I delete them. They are in abundance at another site.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations as well, we are lucky to have Fr. Alex in our community.
ReplyDeleteThe Banker
God bless you, Fr. Alex!!
ReplyDelete