CT/TODD MUSKOPF

Maronite Bishop Robert Sheehan, center, prepares the Eucharist with Father Pierre Bassil, left, pastor of St. Ignatius of Antioch and Father Andre Mhanna, the rector of St. Raymond Maronite Cathedral Parish in St. Louis.

Eastern rite church builds hall

Building anchors St. Ignatius of Antioch new complex

By David Eck

DAYTON DEANERY — Amid ceremony, joy and an eye on the future, Dayton’s Maronite community broke ground for a new banquet hall April 29.

The $1.2 million hall will be part of St. Ignatius of Antioch’s new 5.2-acre complex on Springboro Road in Miami Township. The hall will seat 400 and feature comprehensive kitchen facilities. It will be available for rent by local groups, said Father Pierre Bassil, St. Ignatius of Antioch pastor, who is originally from Lebanon.

Maronite Catholics are members of the Roman Catholic communion and are in union with Pope Benedict, whom they see as head of the universal church.

The pope "has all the respect of the faithful as well as all the clergy," Father Bassil said. "He is a father to us. We are the only church in the Middle East that never separated itself from Rome."

The leader of the Maronite Church — an Eastern rite church — is Patriarch Nessrallah Peter Sfeir.

The hall, which is the first phase of the community’s building project, should take about a year to complete. Revenue from the hall will be used to build a new church.

"We cannot do the whole thing at once," Father Bassil said. "We started with the hall to generate money. It will serve our community as well as the area.’’

The community hopes to begin work on the church within a year or two.

Maronite Catholic Bishop Robert Shaheen of the St. Louis-based Eparchy of Our Lady of Lebanon of Los Angeles spoke of the future at the groundbreaking.

"He focused much on the children of the future and the work we’re doing for the future," Father Bassil said. "He was focused on the vision. We have a great opportunity to do a lot of things at the new property."

Founded in 1993, St. Ignatius of Antioch is currently using a building on its Springboro Road site, the former St. Barbara Byzantine church, as a sanctuary, rectory and offices. The community includes about 165 families.

As part of the new construction, a series of arches will connect the hall with the future church.

"The arches represent victory, the connection between the earth and heaven," Father Bassil said "It’s the connection between the world here and the other world."

St. Ignatius of Antioch’s parishioners said the construction is a milestone for the community.

"It really means a lot to us and all of our kids," said Claire Daoud. "It’s a big accomplishment. We’ve been waiting for this for a long time."