St. Theresa’s Sodality

The St. Theresa’s Sodality was organized in 1934 by the late Reverend John Nehme.

The first officers elected were, President: Geraldine Boulous; Vice-President: Josephine Ferhot; Secretary: Jean Bentz; Treasurer: Susan Thomas.

After the promulgation of the Constitution, Father Nehme taught the Sodality the entire St. Theresa Service in Arabic and these services were held weekly.

For a number of years, an Annual Pilgrimage to the St. Theresa Shrine in Newton, New Jersey, was made by the members, but this gave way to the October Annual Breakfast, which also was the creation of the installation of the New Officers elected for that year.

The next Pastor, Father Ignatius Sayegh, was greatly interested in the Sodality movement and during this regime the Sodality helped in building a stronger spiritual program for the benefit of the individual soul in the Parish.

Father Magee succeeded Father Sayegh and introduced the social aspect of the Sodality. He assigned the sponsorship of various fund-raising campaigns to the Sodality to help defray parish expenses and to reduce the mortgage. This program is still carried out today.

The May Crowning was inaugurated in 1943 by Father Magee.

Father Norman S. Peter in 1952 continued the program of his predecessor and succeeded in burning the mortgage after the Christmas Midnight Mass in 1953. In addition, the Sodality under Father Peter’s direction expanded it’s activities to include the Annual sponsorship of outings and picnics for the children of the Parish.

Every Pastor of Our Lady of Lebanon has been successful in his work and this is attributed to the faithful, cooperative and conscientious members of the Sodality.

May Almight God always Bless each Sodalist, through His Servant St. Theresa; May the Sodality continue to be ever faithful, true daughters of The Little Flower; May the Sodality always continue to be the “Strong Right Arm of the Pastor”.

Past Presidents of the St. Theresa Sodality

Geraldine Boulous

Jean Bentz

Agnes Pellicotti

Lillian Constantine

Anna John

Selma Rizk

Ella Elias

Dorothy Mawad

Bessie Simon

Frances Koury

Maureen Geosits

Louise Jacob

First St. Theresa Sodality formed in 1935

Saint Theresa Sodality - 2006