Celebrating over 1600 years of Heritage, Faith and Resiliance
Today, the Maronite Church is established throughout the world. In Lebanon and abroad there are approximately ten million Maronites. Saint Charbel Parish, Ottawa welcomes over 1000 families from across the Capital, in the heart of the Vanier neighbourhood.
Our biggest accomplishments
245 Donald St
1994
From humble beginnings at 87 Mann Avenue, the Maronite community dedicated its efforts in search of a bigger home for a growing community. In 1994, with the blessing of His Excellency Bishop Georges Abi Saber, the Maronite community in Ottawa purchased its current home located at 245 Donald St., with its additional parking facilities that accommodate more than 300 automobiles. The church was dedicated to St. Charbel, who is the first saint of the Lebanese Maronite Order.
Hardini Center & Rafqa Grounds
1998
In 1998, under the capable direction of Monsignor Raymond Hanna, and with the approval and blessings of His Excellency the late Joseph Khoury, parishioners of Saint Charbel purchased a school property as well as 6.2 acres of land adjacent to the parish building. The large piece of land was dedicated to Saint Rafqa, the second saint of the Lebanese Maronite Order, and the school was also consecrated to the third saint of the Lebanese Maronite Order, Saint Hardini (St. Charbel was one of his students).
Saint Charbel Way
September 27th 2018
Saint Charbel Parish, Ottawa celebrated the inauguration of Saint Charbel Way on Sept, 2018. Donald Street received an honorary street naming and was highlighted by the presence of His Beatitude Cardinal Mar Bechara Boutros Raï, His Excellency Bishop Paul-Marwan Tabet, Mayor Jim Watson, members of City Council, Father Henri Imad, Clergy, parishioners and community members.
Our Roots - The Maronite Church
The history of the Maronite Church is a story of a people who were continually willing to sacrifice their lives and possessions for religious convictions and human liberties. Its origins can be traced to the hermit Maron (350-410 AD), who converted a pagan temple for worship. Over 800 monks later followed in his footsteps, adopted the lifestyle and way of St. Maron, and soon were know as Maronites. Today the Maronite Church is established throughout the world. In Lebanon and abroad there are approximately ten million Maronites. Maronites are also credited for using the Aramaic language in their liturgy, the same language Jesus spoke during his earthly life and ministry. The Maronite Church is an Eastern Catholic Church in full communion with the Holy See of Rome.
It was in 1982 that the Holy See judged that it was the right moment to intervene with the Maronites of Canada and founded in Montreal and for all of Canada, Saint-Maron’s Eparchy. The first bishop was Bishop Elias Shahin. Bishop Georges Abi Saber succeeded him in 1990. Bishop Tabet is the current Eparch of the Eparchy of Saint Maron in Canada since January 26, 2013.
The Antonine Sisters were sent in 1983 to Canada both to further their education and to become acquainted with the North American educational system. They later succeeded in building their own convent in Ottawa, the Providence Academy. While living in Ottawa, the Antonine Sisters assisted in all the Parish’s spiritual activities, forming the Parish choir and preparing more than eighty children per year for their First Communion.
In 2002, the Antonine Sisters in Canada decided to expand their ministry in Ottawa and established a private French catholic school.
The Journey of Saint Charbel Parish
The Maronite Association
The need for a church for the Maronites in Ottawa became imperative during the growth of the community in the late 1960s. After many years of renting churches to serve the small but committed Maronite Catholic Community in Ottawa, a series of meetings and petitions led to the formation of the Maronite Association on May 23rd, 1970 thanks to a group of committed Lebanese Canadian notables and intellectuals.
A president and board members were elected and shared the responsibilities in serving the Maronites in Ottawa. In 1990, the Maronite Association was replaced by the Parish Council.
A Home for the Maronite Community
While the parish was initially small in numbers, the war in Lebanon forced many Christians to flee the conflict. Ottawa welcomed many of them. As the influx of Maronite Catholic immigrants reached its peak in 1991 – 1992, the number of families in the Ottawa parish went from a mere one hundred fifty to as much as seven hundred families. This important increase precipitated an urgent need for a spacious church.
The late Father Elias Najjar from Montreal celebrated the first Maronite service on June, 1970 at St. Paul University — Main Street. Father Najjar had served the Maronites in Ottawa for two years. Masses were further celebrated at a church located at Dalhousie known as St. Notre Dame church located at 179 Murray Street, Ottawa, St. Bridgit at St. Patrick Street, St Charbel at 87 Mann Ave and finally St. Charbel at 245 Donald Street, Ottawa, our current home.
Former Priests
Pastor Najjar was followed by Fathers Francois Eid and Butros Tarabay. Reverend Simaan Abou Abdo from Montreal also dedicated his services to the Maronites in Ottawa every Sunday for a couple of years. Fathers Najjar, Eid, Tarabay and Abou Abdo used to travel from Montreal to Ottawa to serve the Maronite parish. Soon, Reverend Abou Abdo settled in Ottawa to better serve the parish. He was later followed by Father Georges Jalkh from 1983 until the end of 1985. Father Jalkh was succeeded in January 1986 by Father Raymond Hanna who was the pastor for over 20 years.
Reverend Georges Jalkh served this parish from 1983 until 1985. During his term, The Youth Committee of the Maronite Association (YCMA) was born. Members of YCMA worked hand-in-hand with their new pastor and they saw in him a kind father.
From 1986 until 2012, Mgr. Raymond Hanna was the following pastor who served the parishioners at Saint Charbel. With his exemplary dedication, even under the toughest economic circumstances, the help of the church’s committees and the support of his parishioners, Mgr. Hanna managed to build a beautiful parish united in harmony and peace that is financially liable and accountable.
Father Henri Imad
Father Henri Imad arrived to Ottawa in 2012 and joined the community with great joy.
In 2018, Father Imad was appointed pastor of Saint Charbel Parish, upon the decree of H.E. Bishop Paul-Marwan Tabet.
On Sunday, September 15, 2024, in the presence of the Maronite Eparch of Canada, H.E. Bishop Paul-Marwan Tabet, Father Imad was elevated to the rank of Bardyout (Monsignor).
Father Nicolas El-Kada
With the Divine Grace of Our Almighty Lord, Deacon Nicolas El-Kada received the Imposition of Hands by Auxiliary Bishop of the Maronite Patriarchal Vicariate of Sarba, H.E. Msgr. Paul Rouhana and in the presence of the Bishop of the Maronite Eparchy of Canada, H.E. Msgr. Paul-Marwan Tabet, Saturday October 8th 2016. Deacon Nicolas El-Kada arrived to Canada fifteen years ago from the region of Sarba, Lebanon where Msgr. Paul Rouhana first met him. They now meet again in the city of Ottawa, this time to grant El-Kada Order of Priesthood.
This joyous ceremony was a first for the local community of Saint Charbel Ottawa. His fellow brothers from the Maronite Clergy of the Eparchy of Canada preceded our Bishops and Deacon Nicolas El-Kada in entering into service. Bishop Msgr. Rouhana laid his hands upon Deacon Nicolas El-Kada with all priests and parish members present, before offering the consecratory prayer, addressed to God the Father, invoking the power of the Holy Spirit upon being ordained. The newly ordained priest, Nicolas El-Kada, was then vested by his mother Jouhaida Najem, his wife Carole El-Hage and his three children Benedette, Angela and Melissa family with the amice, belt and his stole. Bishop Rouhana then anointed his hands with chrism accompanied by the sound of choir hymns, prayers and applause from parishioners.
Newly Ordained priest Nicolas El-Kada celebrated his first mass Sunday, October 9th, 2016 at Saint Charbel. Father El-Kada is now assistant priest and is known for his trilingual services.
Father Boulos Oneid
Because of his multiple visits to his family in Ottawa, Father Boulos Oneid has and continues to assist serving Saint Charbel’s parish.
Other Highlights
In November 2000, Ottawa residents and other religious figures welcomed the Relics of St. Therese de Lisieux.
In March 14, 2001, St. Charbel was honored to be the first to greet their Church leader, His Beatitude, the late Cardinal Nasrallah P. Sfeir, Patriarch of Antioch and All the East, as he hit Canadian soil. After celebrating his Liturgy at St. Charbel, His Eminence was the guest of honor and principal speaker at a banquet attended at the Ottawa Congress Center by 1200 guests, including a number of religious leaders, Canadian Cabinet Ministers, Members of Parliament and Members of the Canadian Senate.
On May 7th 2012, Cardinal Raï visited Saint Charbel Parish, Ottawa for the very first time.
Our Maronite community welcomes cardinal from Lebanon Mar Bechara Boutros Raï to bless Donald street intersection on September 27th 2018.
On June 29th 2019 Saint Charbel Parish, Ottawa unveiled the official opening of Saint Maron Cemetery with the blessing of H.E. Archbishop Terrence Prendergast of the Ottawa Archdiocese and H.E. Paul-Marwan Tabet Bishop of the Maronite Eparchy.
