Listen closely as we uncover the story of St George Maronite Catholic Church. This church began with Lebanese migrants seeking a familiar haven. These migrants hailed from Northern Lebanese villages. They found a piece of home in Thornleigh’s bushy landscape.
St George Maronite Catholic Church stands in Thornleigh. It serves Maronites in Sydney’s Northern Suburbs. It also welcomes those from the North Shore and Central Coast.
Originally the church was known as St Joachim. It was named for the father of Our Lady. Lebanese migrants attended St Joachim’s since the early 1900s. They yearned to pass their Maronite traditions to future generations. St Joachim’s became the perfect place to do so.
In 1989, the Diocese of St Maroun bought St Joachim’s. It was then renamed St George. This renaming mirrored a village church in Lebanon. Bishop Abdou Khalifi blessed the newly named St George church. The consecration took place on October 29, 1989. This was a joyous moment for every Lebanese family. Father Hanna Lahoud became the first Parish Priest.
On August 22, 1999, construction of a new church began. Father Badwi Habib supervised the work. The Maronite community united to build their magnificent church. They donated materials and money. Some even offered their labor. While construction took place, services continued. The community gathered at a nearby Seventh-Day Adventist Church.
The new St George Church Thornleigh was consecrated on April 1, 2001. On this day, St George officially became a Parish.
Many priests have served at St George Maronite Catholic Church. Father Pierre Shwah served from 2002 to 2006. Father Bechara Trad served twice. He was there from 2006 to 2010. Then he returned from 2013 to 2019. Monsignor Shora Maree led from 2019 to 2022. Currently, Monsignor Marcelino Youssef is the Parish Priest since 2022.
The parish continued to grow. In 2006, plans were made for new parish offices. An awning and a cross for the church roof were also planned. Bishop Ad Abikaram consecrated the new offices on October 21, 2007. In that same year, the parish acquired a house next door on Wells Street.
The Maronite Parish community shows great strength. Immigrant grandparents and parents built a foundation. This ensured their children and grandchildren could follow their faith.
Today, mass times at St George Maronite Catholic Church vary. On Mondays and Tuesdays, mass is at 9:00 am. From Wednesday to Saturday, mass is at 6:00 pm. On Sundays, you can attend at 9:00 am, 11:00 am, or 6:00 pm. Confessions are available during mass. You can also request them individually.
St George Maronite Catholic Church stands as a testament. It shows the enduring spirit of a community rooted in faith and tradition. It honors their Lebanese heritage. It embraces their new home in Australia.