by cathnews.com — The Maronite Eparchy of Australia has announced the head of the Maronite Church, Cardinal Bechara Boutros Rai, will visit Australia in September. The Patriarch of Antioch and All the East will visit Australia from September 15 to 24 for the celebration of the Maronite Eparchy’s Golden Jubilee Solemn Mass on September 24, at Ken Rosewall Arena, in Homebush, Sydney. He will also preside over the 6th Congress of Maronite Bishops of Eparchies outside the Patriarchal Territory and General Superiors of Maronite Religious Orders. The congress, which is held every three years on rotation, will be hosted in Australia this year coinciding with the 50 years since the establishment of the Maronite Eparchy in Australia. “The Golden Jubilee serves as an opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to living out our Maronite Catholic values, to be guided by our faith, and to let our actions speak volumes about who we are as followers of Jesus-Christ,” Maronite Bishop Antoine-Charbel Tarabay said. “The visit of our Patriarch, who is the father of our Maronite Church, will reinforce our unity and will indeed uplift the spirits of the Maronite faithful in Australia. His visit will also strengthen our commitment to preserving our Maronite identity and further reconnecting us with our Maronite Syriac Antiochian heritage and traditions.”

The Golden Jubilee Solemn Mass, with an expected attendance of up to 10,000 people, is at the heart of the Jubilee year celebrations. A gala dinner will also be held on September 21 in honour of Cardinal Rai. Proceeds from the dinner will provide assistance to students in need in Lebanon, ensuring their access to education is unhindered by the economic crisis gripping the country.