By Joseph Younes
The Maronite community in Western Australia have recently celebrated a significant milestone—the one-year anniversary on 16 July of St Charbel’s Church in East Cannington.
Formerly known as St Francis Catholic Church, the Church was meticulously renovated to become the first Maronite Catholic Church in the state.
The church’s opening last year was a momentous occasion, coinciding with the Golden Jubilee of the Maronite Eparchy of Australia and the feast of its beloved patron, St Charbel.
Parishioner and youth coordinator Rafic Aoun said the church has drawn Maronite and non-Maronite faithful from all corners of Perth, with some parishioners traveling up to an hour to attend services.
“Having the church available to Maronites and non-Maronites allows them not only a place of worship and spiritual growth, but an opportunity to connect and reconnect with a history, heritage and traditions of over 1600 years [when the Maronite Church was founded,” he notes, underscoring the church’s role as a unifying force for Maronites across Western Australia.
“The Maronites have a special bond with Lebanon. So even if you are not Maronite, you may feel a deep connection to Lebanon itself and its history and tradition, simply by attending our masses and events.
“We encourage you to visit Perth and come and visit our parish,” Aoun adds, inviting all to experience the warmth and spirituality that have flourished within the church’s walls.
Parish Priest Fr Tony Moussa OLM highlighted the spiritual and communal growth that St Charbel’s Church has fostered over the past year.
“The Maronite community continues to grow both in faith and in a sense of belonging. Having St Charbel’s Church here is a constant reminder to Maronites in Perth that there is always a place for them to go and seek strength from God,” he said.
“We have more than 100 families registered and up to 200 parishioners.”
The past year has been marked by memorable milestones, including the church’s first parish Christmas party on December 16, and the celebration of Holy Week, especially Good Friday and Easter Sunday masses.
“These events were especially memorable,” Fr Tony recalled, noting how they brought the community together in faith and fellowship.
St Charbel’s Church has also played a crucial role in the lives of its parishioners, hosting baptisms, funerals, and memorial masses.
“Funerals and memorial masses have taken place, as well as masses offered for the reposed souls of family and friends of parish members,” Fr Tony explained.
The renovation of the church was a community-wide effort that has significantly impacted the sense of unity within the parish.
“All our community members and parish friends and families played a role, large or small, in renovating our beautiful church,” Fr. Tony shared. “The church is the result of the sense of the community, as well as the other way around.”
St Charbel’s Church has also strengthened relationships with other Christian denominations in the region.
“We have had visitors from the Melkite Catholic Church of Perth, Syro-Malabar Church, Syrian Orthodox Church, Coptic Orthodox Church, as well as the Roman Catholic Church—all enjoying the Maronite liturgy,” Fr. Tony said.
Looking ahead, the Maronite community in Perth remains focused on spiritual growth and community development.
“With the will of God and our members and people, we will look to grow together as we establish ourselves both physically and spiritually in the local and wider community,” Fr Tony affirmed. The church also plans to continue supporting the faith journey of the younger generation, with new youth programs and educational initiatives in development.
As St Charbel’s Church celebrates its first anniversary, it stands as a testament to the faith, dedication, and unity of the Maronite community in Western Australia.
The past year has laid a strong foundation for a future filled with spiritual growth and communal strength, ensuring that the Maronite heritage and liturgical traditions will be cherished for generations to come.