In late March, The Diocese of Parramatta’s The FaithFeed returned for its first gathering of 2023 at Our Lady, Queen of Peace Parish, Greystanes. Participant and local parishioner Jamie Farah reflected on her experience and the sharing of Fr Charbel Dib, an ordained priest and married father of four in the Maronite Catholic Church.
On Sunday 26 March, I had the pleasure to experience a FaithFeed event engaging in the life and faith journey of Fr Charbel, a Maronite Priest who beautifully and humorously share his journey of marriage and priesthood to a crowd in their 20’s to 40’s. It was a night of fun for a young crowd to connect and explore the Maronite rite (one of 24 Catholic rites) over delicious food, drinks, and lively music.
A view of The FaithFeed at Our Lady, Queen of Peace Parish, Greystanes. Image: Diocese of Parramatta
As a young Maronite woman, this event highlighted three significant key points. First, the cultural standards/expectation and our so-called ‘weshbet’ (the obligations to visit someone). Secondly, the battles, challenges and struggles we face as youth in making big life decisions; and thirdly, holiness equals wholeness – a concept I believe should be communicated to enhance the spiritual growth of young people across our global Church.
To begin with, Fr Charbel delved into our Lebanese heritage identifying two significant points, of the frequent BBQs in which we invite a whole village to eat and attending Sunday Church as a family. However, in some cases, such as mine, when I say family, our family is a village! I also connected when hearing the Arabic word “weshbat”, reminding me of when I used to visit my aunties and uncles. It took me back to those times as a kid when they would put out all this food. Meanwhile, mum would give me the side-eye to not eat all!
Fr Charbel Dib, an ordained priest and married father of four from the Maronite Catholic Church speaks during The FaithFeed at Our Lady, Queen of Peace Parish, Greystanes. Image: Diocese of Parramatta
One point I want to emphasise is when Fr Charbel stated, “We were a standard family who did their best”. I believe this was important to hear as we do not often recognise the significance of a standard yet positive dynamic of a family’s relationship and how it shapes who we are. Reflecting on this, I began to appreciate family quality time, the communication I have with my parents and brothers and appreciate the journey I am going through with my family.
As young adults, we struggle in making the right decision to determine what we want to do for the rest of our lives. Fr Charbel demonstrated a common “interior wrestle” of deciding not only that we want to study or have as a career, but of what purpose we are hoping to live by. This connection he built allowed us to understand that although we may feel we are happy with where we are, if you still feel a sense of longing it can mean we are yet to experience a greater happiness and purpose. For Fr Charbel, he found this in the holiness – the ‘wholeness’ of his Maronite Catholic identity, through the vocations of marriage and priesthood.
A young woman asks a question during The FaithFeed at Our Lady, Queen of Peace Parish, Greystanes. Image: Diocese of Parramatta
The concept of holiness as wholeness is such a beautiful concept which articulates what God wants to do in us to make us whole. Fr Charbel explained that being holy doesn’t necessarily mean being pious, but rather having wholesome relationships. Hearing this made me reflect on my relationship and how I can strive to be wholesome. Through this, I hope to achieve a healthy mind, emotions and body, to grow in imitation of Jesus on my spiritual journey and to grow more connected with the Church.
I highly encourage all to attend a FaithFeed event! It’s a great way for young individuals to see things in a new perspective and appreciate this beautiful connection in this community, creating new friendship who united together through faith.
You can hear more about Fr Charbel’s story through his episode on the Soul Food Podcast. Download and listen to the episode via Spotify, Apple Podcasts or Google Podcasts.
The next gathering of The FaithFeed will be held at St Finbar’s Parish, Glenbrook, on Sunday 7 May. Participants are invited to attend Mass with the parish community at 6pm, with doors to open at 7pm. RSVP via The FaithFeed’s Facebook Event or by visiting www.tinyurl.com/tffrego
Jamie Farah is a parishioner at Our Lady, Queen of Peace Parish, Greystanes.
