Saint Maron Church welcomes new pastor

by Laura Bednar

Rev. Patrick Kassab will take the helm of Saint Maron Church, a parish with two locations: Carnegie Avenue in Cleveland and Brookside Road in Independence.

Kassab, born and raised in Lebanon, was ordained in 2014; his assignment to Saint Maron will be his first as pastor of a parish.

He began his spiritual journey studying at Holy Spirit University of Kaslik in Lebanon, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in theology and theological studies. He earned a master’s degree in pastoral management from Saint Joseph University of Beirut, Lebanon. Kassab’s studies later led him to Rome, where he attended Pontifical Gregorian University, obtaining a master’s and a PhD in theological studies.

“I was researching Christianity in early centuries,” said Kassab, adding that his doctoral work focused on the descent of Christ among the dead, a concept reflected in Syriac tradition.

Saint Maron Church is Maronite Catholic, which Kassab said is in full communion with the Roman Catholic tradition.

“The differences are related to the liturgy,” he said. For example, a Mass at Saint Maron may be spoken in ancient Syriac, a language Kassab said is close to what Jesus spoke.

While the structure of the Mass is the same, Maronites may say different prayers during the celebration. In addition to the Pope, Maronites have a patriarch as the head of the church whom Kassab said has more local authority in Lebanon. The patriarch may influence how Mass is said.

Kassab started his career in Lebanon, but much like Roman Catholics have a “diocese” of churches, Maronties have “eparchies” that assign priests to churches internationally. The two eparchies for the United States can assign priests anywhere, according to Kassab.

“Before, [Maronites] were just in the Middle East, but now with immigration, they are expanding all over the globe,” said Kassab.

His first assignment was as assistant director of St. Raymond Maronite Cathedral in Missouri. Cleveland is his second assignment, and Kassab said he is enjoying the city and remarked that the Independence location of Saint Maron is beautiful. The church held an event in early June to welcome Kassab and bid farewell to pastor Rev. Elias Yazbeck, who was reassigned to a parish in Birmingham, Alabama.

“Fr. Elias was loved by everyone,” said Kassab. “It is nice to take over after someone who succeeded.”

His responsibilities include administering sacraments, overseeing young adult activities and connecting with the people and groups of the parish. “I will take care of the all spiritual needs of the church,” he said.

Kassab said he will spend his first year observing and listening to the people of the parish. “I won’t change anything, this is their church and I am their servant,” he said.

Kassab will not be alone in his new role; a recently ordained assistant pastor will join him in July for his first assignment. ∞

St. Maron Pastor

Photo: St. Maron Pastor, Fr. Patrick Kassab. Photo submitted.