about us
History of the Church
Joseph Maronite Church was dedicated by Bishop John Chedid on November 7, 1999, a day never to be forgotten, especially to those who had been persevering for so long, to see the church established and go through all kinds of emotions before experiencing the gratification of that beautiful moment.
As we marked that event in history, we never forgot the support of sister churches: Melkite, Byzantine, Roman Catholic and the many priests who helped, among whom his Excellency Bishop A. Elias Zaidan, and Msgr. Joubran Bou-Merhi who supported us monthly for 2 years.
The passing of the torch from Father Mouannes to our first permanent priest, Father Ghassan Mattar, happened during the summer of 1999.
Father Ghassan Mattar spent seven years in the parish of ST. Joseph, focusing on remodeling and established: the Choir, ST. Rafka’s Ladies Guild, Banquets, festivals and fundraisers to keep the Church financial condition strong.
Father Ghattas Khoury took over in the summer of 2006. Since his arrival, aside from many improvement projects to the premises he undertook along with the sustaining of existing projects and the purchase of adjacent property.
Father Wissam Akiki is our current priest. He took over in the summer of 2014. Father Akiki hit the ground running since day one, is the first married priest to receive permission by Pope Francis and get ordained by the imposition of His Excellency Bishop A. Elias Zaidan, Bishop of the Eparchy of our Lady of Lebanon of Los Angeles who noted, “It is a blessing and an honor to officiate over any ordination, and especially so at this historic ordination of the first married man to enter the priesthood in the United States of America for the Maronite Church. I join our Holy Father, our Maronite patriarch, my fellow Bishops and priests throughout the world in our prayer for priestly vocations.”
On the morning of January 18, 2016, right after a three-day visit of ST. Sharbel’s Relics to ST. Joseph, where more than 11 Divine Liturgies were celebrated by various Rites and thousands of prayers were lifted up, we were blessed with a historic healing through the intercession of ST. Sharbel. The eyesight of a mother from the Mexican community in Phoenix, who had gone completely blind in both eyes, was fully restored to normal. The healing ushered in a new era in church history, where ST. Joseph Maronite church quickly became a pilgrimage site, not only for Christians of the Eastern Catholic rite, but also the Latino and American communities.
In remembrance of the healing, Father Wissam Akiki dedicated every 18th of each month, Divine Liturgy, healing prayers, and anointing of the Holy Oil.
Soon Father Wissam Akiki realized that something more was needed to commemorate the Healing that God through St. Charbel had graced upon St Joseph Church. Upon presenting the project to build a shrine for St. Sharbel to the Parish Council and Finance committee, and with the approval, guidance and leadership of his Excellency Bishop A. Elias Zaidan.
The dedication ceremony was held by His Excellency Bishop A. Elias Zaidan on March 26, 2017 in the presence of His Excellency Bishop Thomas Olmested, the Bishop of the Diocese of Phoenix, The City of Phoenix Mayor, Greg Stanton, parishioners, friends, visitors and faithful.
On November 9, 2017 with the approval, and leadership of his Excellency Bishop A. Elias Zaidan, and the generosity of the Parishioners, we start the Renovation of the Church from new ceiling, new roof, insolation, electricity, Mechanical, Plumbing, new surround system, doors, windows, heating and cooling, upgrade the Sanctuary, new Tabernacle, the way of the cross, new altar, Wood Carved Crucifix, Vestibule, new Sacristy, a Cry room, painting the inside and outside of the church, , New Fence, Remove and Replace Site Irrigation Systems and the Renovation was done on Christmas Eve December 24, 2017.
On May 26, 2018 we start another project which includes Accessible Parking Stalls, Paths, Gift Shop, New 8 Restrooms, remodeling the Rectory Offices, storage room, new heating and cooling for the classes and for the entire building, replacing the water and sewer pipe, and replacing the old electrical system with a new one. The construction was completed on August18, 2018.
All this effort could not have been done without the generous contributions of both time and talents by so many parishioners, benefactors and faithful driven by their faith and commitment to God and to ensure the future of our children.
We ask the Lord for continuous outpouring of His blessings on the faithful of His Church and always remember that with God nothing is impossible.
OUR PATRIARCH – Bechara Boutros al-Rahi
Mar Bechara Boutros al-Rahi was born on 25 February 1940 in Himlaya, Lebanon. He studied at Collège Notre Dame de Jamhour and later joined the Mariamite Maronite Order in 1962, becoming a priest in 1967. He worked at Vatican Radio overseeing Arabic programs (1967–1975) and earned a PhD in canon and civil law, also studying at Lateran University in Rome. On 15 March 2011, at age 71, he was elected Patriarch of the Maronites, succeeding Nasrallah Sfeir. He received ecclesiastical communion from Pope Benedict XVI and was formally inaugurated on 25 March 2011 at Bkerké. Following tradition, he adopted the additional name Boutros (Peter). In 2013, Pope Benedict XVI appointed him to several Vatican bodies, including the Congregation for the Oriental Churches and the Apostolic Signatura. That same year, as a Cardinal, he took part in the papal conclave that elected Pope Francis. He was the first Maronite Cardinal Patriarch to participate in a conclave, wearing distinct Maronite vestments, and was one of only four non-Latin cardinals among the electors.
OUR BISHOP – Elias Zaidan
Elias Zaidan was born in Kosaybe, Lebanon. He professed perpetual vows as a member of the Congregation of Maronite Lebanese Missionaries on September 26, 1984, and was ordained a priest on July 20, 1986. As a priest, Zaidan served as a school administrator and as a pastor of several parishes, including Rector of Our Lady of Mt. Lebanon-St. Peter Cathedral. He speaks Arabic, English, French and Spanish. Pope Francis named Zaidan the Eparch of Our Lady of Lebanon of Los Angeles on July 10, 2013. He was ordained a bishop on September 28, 2013, by Cardinal Bechara Boutros al-Rahi, the Patriarch of Antioch.
On July 12, 2013, Bishop Robert J. Shaheen introduced Bishop-elect Zaidan to the media. Bishop Zaidan, whose motto is ‘Thy Will Be Done’, gave a statement in which he promised to reach out to strengthen the weak and encourage the faithful to move forward the message of love.
OUR PASTOR – Father Wissam G. Akiki
Father Wissam G. Akiki has served as pastor of St. Joseph Maronite Catholic Church since July 14, 2014. Originally from Zahle, Lebanon, he was ordained in St. Louis, Missouri, by Bishop Elias Zaidan becoming the first married Maronite priest in the U.S. in 100 years, with special approval from Pope Francis and Bishop A. Elias Zaidan.
Father Akiki lives in Phoenix with his wife, Manal, and their two daughters Perla and Katherine.