1. This book is not only for Maronite Catholics but for all people who want to know more about one of the rich Traditions of the Catholic Church. There are many ways to be a Catholic. When people think of Catholicism, they too often think that the Tradition of Roman Catholicism is the only way that Catholics live out their faith commitment. However, this couldn’t be further from the truth. There are in fact many Catholics whose spiritual, liturgical, historical, even disciplinary Traditions are closer to the Eastern Traditions of the Church and the Eastern origins of Christianity.
2. Fr. Salim has written a pastoral text that explains for the general reader how the Catholic Faith is expressed in one of these ancient Churches, the Syriac-Maronite Catholic Church. With theological roots in ancient Antioch, third most important city in the Roman Empire, and organized in defending the pivotal teachings of the Council of Chalcedon, Maronite Catholics take their name and heritage from St. Maron, a monk and holy man of Syria of the fifth century. Fr. Salim has explored how this Eastern Church, which has never separated from communion with the See of Rome, is renewing itself in light of its proper sources and after the Second Vatican Council. A must for anyone seeking to expand his or her knowledge of what it means to be fully Catholic today.

1. Fr. Salim served as Parochial Vicar at St. Maron’s Church in Clevland, Ohio; as Administrator of St. Sharbel Maronite Mission in Peoria, Illinoi; as Pastor of St. George’s Church in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania; and as Pastor of Our Lady of Lebanon Church in Flint, Michigan. Fr. Salim celebrated his 25th anniversary of Ordained Priesthood on the 29th of June 2001. Fr. Salim is currently the Director of Religious Education for the Eparchy of Our Lady of Lebanon of Los Angeles. He also serves as Associate Director of the Eastern (Churches) Conference of Diocesan Directors of Religious Education (ECDD) and as Eastern Church Representative to National Conference of Catechetical Leadership (NCCL).
2. The book’s table of content hereing presented would help idetify its content:

PART I: PREPARING FOR FAITH 1 Chapter 1: Seeing the light of Faith 5
Chapter 2: The Object of Faith: The Fathomless Mystery of the Trinity..... 15
Chapter 3: God, the Father of Jesus 25
Chapter 4: Jesus the Christ, Divinity Joined to Humanity 33
Chapter 5: The Holy Spirit: Indwelling Love 51
Chapter 6: The Church: Koinonia/Community of Faith 57
Chapter 7: The Eastern Catholic Churches 81
Chapter 8: The Syriac-Maronite Church of Antioch 99
PART II: THE WORD OF GOD, FOUNDATION OF OUR FAITH........... 109
Chapter 9: The Sacred Scriptures 113
Chapter 10: Holy Tradition 123
Chapter 11: The Maronite Liturgical Year 133
Chapter 12: The Interpretation of Scripture 143
PART III: GOD'S KINGDOM: THE ALREADY AND THE NOT YET........... 153
Chapter 13: Mary, Mother of God, and Other Righteous and Just........... 157
Chapter 14: Human Destiny 171
PART IV: OUR SACRAMENTAL AND MORAL FAITH LIFE..... 187
Chapter 15: The Mysteries of Initiation 193
Chapter 16: Initiation: Baptism I, Response to Sin........... 197
Chapter 17: Initiation: Baptism II, New Life in God 207
Chapter 18: Initiation: Chrismation 213
Chapter 19: Initiation: Eucharist 219
Chapter 20: The Worship That Is Due to God 231
Chapter 21: The Qoorbono/Divine Service of the Holy Mysteries: the Prayer Par Excellence........... 241
Chapter 22: The Mysteries of Healing: Confronting Sin and Its Effects........... 249
Chapter 23: The Mysteries of Healing I: Penance (Reconciliation)........... 259
Chapter 24: The Mysteries of Healing II: Anointing of the Sick and Dying........... 265
Chapter 25: The Mysteries of Vocation I: Ordained Ministry........... 271
Chapter 26: The Mysteries of Vocation II: Holy Crowning........... 283
Chapter 27: Living a Moral Life I: Biblical Morality........... 293
Chapter 28: Living a Moral Life II: Morality in Church Tradition........... 309
CONCLUDING WORD 329
A SELECT BIBLIOGRAPHY 331
APPENDIX I:
Our Maronite Customs 337
Introduction 339
Canonical Considerations: the Sacramental Mysteries 340
Baptism 340
Admission of the Candidate into the Church 340
Determining Ritual Church Status 340
Requirements for Baptism 340
Adult Initiation: the Catechumenate 341
Profession of Faith 341
Transfer of Ritual Church 342
Baptism in Danger of Death 342
Chrismation 342
Holy Eucharist 343
Regulations for the Communion Fast 343
How to Receive Holy Communion 343
Holy Crowning 344
A Brief Summary of Pastoral/Canonical
Considerations........... 344
The Betrothal/Engagement Ceremony 346
Annulment 346
Penance (Reconciliation) 347
Introduction 347
How to Go to Confession 347
Fasting 348
Regulations for Lenten Fast and Abstinence 349
How to Prepare for a Sick Call 349
Funerals 349
Service of the Incense (Wake Service) 349
The Jinnaaz Service 350
40-Day Memorial Service 350
Eastern Christian Duties 350
The Corporal Works of Mercy 354
The Spiritual Works of Mercy 354
Maronite Liturgical Customs and Objects 354
General Customs 354
Customs of the Liturgical Year 355
Commemorations for the Qoorbono 360
Anaphoras and Their Seasonal Use 361
Maronite Liturgical Music 362
Maronite Liturgical Art 362
Sacred Objects 363
Blessings for Various Occasions 364
Stipends (Stole Fees) 365
APPENDIX II: Our Prayer Tradition 367

1. The Sign of the Cross 370
2. The Lord's Prayer 370
3. Prayer of Praise (Doxology) 372
4. Prayer to the Mother of God 372
5. Hymn of the Trisagion 372
6. The Apostles' Creed 373
7. A Morning Prayer 374
8. Prayer before a Meal 374
9. Thanksgiving after a Meal 375
10. Act of Contrition 375
11. The Jesus Prayer 376
12. Prayer for the Faithful Departed 376
13. Night Prayer 377
14. Prayer for the Sick 377
15. Prayer before Holy Communion 378
16. Prayer for Vocations 378
17. The Rosary 379

APPENDIX III: Liturgical Observance/Doctrine Coordination..... 381
APPENDIX IV: A Glossary of Maronite Terms 387
APPENDIX V: The Documents of Vatican II 409
APPENDIX VI: Eastern Catholic Jurisdictions in the United States ..... 413
APPENDIX VII: Summaries of the Books of the Catholic Bible..... 421
INDEX OF SCRIPTURE CITATIONS 435
INDEX OF LITURGICAL PRAYERS CITED 439
GENERAL INDEX 441

1. 5. To invite Fr. Salim to discuss the book contact him at his parish address at:
   Fr. Anthony Salim
   St. Maron Maronite Church
   1555 S. Meridian Road
   Youngtown, OH 44511
   Tel. 216-792-2371
2. 6. For further information or to order this book call or write to:
   E. T. NEDDER Publishing
   PMB #299
   9121 East Tanque Verde, Suite 105
   Tucson, AZ 85749-8390
   Email: sales@fillorders.com
   Toll Free: 877-817-2725
   Fax: 520-798-1514