[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 14 (Thursday, February 6, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Pages S1111-S1112]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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   CONGRATULATIONS TO FATHER GEORGE SHALHOUB, ST. MARY'S ANTIOCHIAN 
                      ORTHODOX CHURCH, LIVONIA, MI

 Mr. ABRAHAM. Mr. President, I rise today to offer my sincere 
congratulations to Father George Shalhoub, pastor and spiritual leader 
of St. Mary's Antiochian Orthodox Church in Livonia, MI. Father George 
will be celebrating 25 years as pastor at St.

[[Page S1112]]

Mary's on Saturday, February 15, 1997. In addition to his pastoral 
duties, Father George is a faculty member at Madonna University and is 
on the board of directors of many Michigan community service 
organizations.
  Father George's life has been filled with many wonderful events. Born 
in Hama, Syria, he came to the United States at the age of 20. He 
married his lovely wife Nina weeks before his ordination. One week 
after his ordination, Father George was assigned to St. Mary's, a 
brandnew parish without land and a church. In the following years, the 
couple arranged for the purchase of land in Livonia and the 
construction of the church. The process culminated in the joyous first 
Sunday of Great Lent in 1976, when Father George celebrated the first 
divine liturgy in the new building. The church was formally dedicated 
on May 1, 1977 by the Most Reverend Metropolitan Philip, Primate of the 
Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America.
  For Father George, devotion to his family has always come hand in 
hand with his religious dedication. He has been blessed with four 
wonderful children: Lila Ann, Alex George, Alexa Marie, and Christa 
Katherine. Despite his busy family and liturgical schedule, Father 
George managed to find the time to pursue scholastic endeavors as well. 
He earned a bachelor of science degree in sociology and psychology from 
Eastern Michigan University; a master of theological studies degree 
from St. John's Provincial Seminary; and a doctor of ministries in 
pastoral counseling from the Graduate Theological Foundation in Notre 
Dame, IN.
  As Father George's family has grown and prospered, so has his parish 
community. In 1980, St. Mary's added six Sunday school classes in the 
fellowship building and a new social hall. The groundbreaking for St. 
Mary's Cultural Center was presided over by Metropolitan Philip on May 
8, 1988. The Cultural Center was completed in 1991, and dedication 
ceremonies were held later that year, again under Metropolitan Phillip. 
The success of the 2,000-family parish was made most evident in June 
1995, when St. Mary's hosted the 48th annual midwest parish life 
conference.
  Father George has always been known as a man with great strength of 
character. That strength was severely tested on April 5, 1996, when St. 
Mary's was consumed by fire. The fire could not have come at a worse 
time--it occurred right in the middle of Holy Week. It was a major blow 
to the parish, but Father George responded fantastically. He moved 
services to St. Michael Russian Orthodox Church and immediately began 
arranging for repairs. Thanks to Father George's hard work and 
dedication, parishioners were able to return to St. Mary's on October 
6, 1996. And the work wasn't limited to restoration. Plans are now 
underway to build a new chapel and a K through 8 private school.
  I have had the pleasure of personally knowing Father George for many 
years. During that time I have sought his spiritual advice and 
guidance. His pastoral, scholastic, and fatherly attributes are evident 
in everything he does. The State of Michigan is very lucky to have 
Father George amongst its citizens, and all Americans should be very 
proud of his accomplishments. Congratulations, Father George, on 25 
years of success, dedication, and love. I would like to conclude by 
offering my hope that the next 25 years are just as blessed and 
fruitful as the previous 25 have been.


 

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