Saint Ephrem [Maronite]

Our Parish

St. Ephrem Maronite Catholic Church is an Eastern Catholic parish in full communion with the Pope, serving the Maronite faithful of San Diego County from its home at 750 Medford Street in El Cajon, California. The parish belongs to the Maronite Diocese of Our Lady of Lebanon of Los Angeles and falls geographically within the territory of the Roman Catholic Diocese of San Diego. The community gathers around the Maronite Divine Liturgy in English and Arabic, and lives out its faith through a vibrant network of sodalities, youth organizations, religious education, and outreach.

History of St. Ephrem

The Maronite community of San Diego was first envisioned in the early 1970s by Lebanese families and college students who longed for a church where they could worship in the traditional Maronite way. Fr. Denis Krouse, a Roman Catholic priest with bi-ritual faculties, began celebrating the Maronite Divine Liturgy in family homes, then in the Chapel of St. Francis at the University of San Diego, and by 1980 also at Holy Angels Byzantine Church. Archbishop Francis Zayek formally established St. Ephrem Mission in 1989, and in 1991 Fr. Nabil Mouannes became the community's first permanent priest, serving for 21 years.

• Early 1970s – Lebanese families and college students in San Diego begin gathering for Maronite worship.
• 1970s – Fr. Denis Krouse (bi-ritual) celebrates Divine Liturgy in homes of families.
• Late 1970s – Liturgy moves to USD's Chapel of St. Francis.
• 1980 – Holy Angels Byzantine Church becomes a worship site; private homes continue.
• 1989 – Archbishop Francis Zayek formally approves St. Ephrem Mission; Fr. Antoine Bach joins Fr. Krause.
• 1991 – Fr. Nabil Mouannes becomes the community's first permanent priest.
• 1992 – Land purchased in Del Mar with hopes of building there.
• 1999 – Present El Cajon facility purchased.
• 2001–2003 – Mariam, Mother of Life shrine built.
• 2006 – Both adjacent lots purchased.
• June 2012 – Fr. Toufic Nasr assigned as pastor.
• 2019 – Over four acres purchased in northern San Diego County for a future church.
• 2020 – Community center realized.

Our Clergy and Staff

St. Ephrem is shepherded by Rev. Toufic Nasr, who has served as pastor since June 2012. He is assisted by two deacons — George Geagea and Georges Ghosn — and welcomes Rev. Canon Thomas Thompson as visiting priest. Parish Secretary Mary Ghosn keeps the parish office running Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM.

• Rev. Toufic Nasr — Pastor (since June 2012)
• Rev. Canon Thomas Thompson — Visiting Priest
• Deacon George Geagea
• Deacon Georges Ghosn
• Mary Ghosn — Parish Secretary

The Maronite Catholic Tradition

The Maronite Church is an Eastern Catholic sui iuris church in full communion with the Pope and the worldwide Catholic Church, with self-governance under the Code of Canons of the Eastern Churches. The current head is Patriarch Bechara Boutros al-Rahi, whose seat is in Bkerke, northeast of Beirut. The Church takes its name from St. Maron, a fourth-century Syrian hermit; those who remained loyal to Rome after the Council of Chalcedon in 451 became known as the Maronites. Certain prayers in the Maronite liturgy are said in Aramaic — the language spoken by Jesus Christ — and the writings of St. Ephrem (the parish's patron) are central to its worship, making him 'the harp of the Holy Spirit.'

• Sui iuris Eastern Catholic church in full communion with Rome
• Patriarch Bechara Boutros al-Rahi, seated at Bkerke, Lebanon
• Liturgy in the West Syriac Antiochene tradition
• Certain prayers preserved in Aramaic, the language of Jesus
• 22 autonomous eparchies (dioceses) headed by bishops
• Over 20 million Eastern Catholics worldwide

Maronite Organizations and Sodality Life

The life of St. Ephrem is reflected in a rich collection of active apostolates and sodalities. Women's groups include the Sorority of St. Rita, the Sorority of the Immaculate Conception, and the St. Ephrem Church Ladies Guild. The St. Ephrem Men's Organization and the Order of St. Sharbel support men's spiritual life, and the parish is active in the National Apostolate of Maronites (NAM), which unites Maronite laity across the United States.

• Sorority of St. Rita
• Sorority of the Immaculate Conception
• St. Ephrem Church Ladies Guild
• St. Ephrem Men's Organization
• Order of St. Sharbel
• National Apostolate of Maronites (NAM)

Youth and Young Adults

St. Ephrem provides a full continuum of formation for young people. Children in grades 5 through 8 participate in the Junior Maronite Youth Organization (Jr. MYO); high schoolers in grades 9 through 12 join the Maronite Youth Organization (MYO); and young adults from freshman year of college through age 30 belong to the Maronite Young Adults Organization (MYA), which holds an annual leadership retreat in Florida each October. The MYO focuses on the spiritual, educational, and cultural formation of teens and encourages participation in local, regional, and national workshops and conferences.

• Junior MYO — grades 5–8
• Maronite Youth Organization (MYO) — grades 9–12
• Maronite Young Adults (MYA) — college freshmen through age 30
• Annual MYA leadership retreat held in Florida each October

Language and Religious Education

The parish's Language and Religious Education Program combines religious instruction with Arabic-language classes for students from Pre-School through Eighth Grade. Classes are held at the church on Saturdays from 9:00 AM to 11:30 AM, with Children's Liturgy offered once a month. Religious instruction also continues at the regularly scheduled Junior MYO and MYO meetings for older youth.

• Pre-School through Eighth Grade
• Saturdays, 9:00 AM – 11:30 AM at the church
• Religious education plus Arabic-language instruction
• Monthly Children's Liturgy
• Continuing formation at Jr. MYO and MYO meetings

Liturgical Ministries

Parishioners of every age serve the community in liturgical roles. Boys age eight and up are encouraged to assist the priest at the altar as Altar Servers, with training offered at different times throughout the year. The Ministry of Hospitality welcomes the faithful as ushers — including men, women, and youth who serve at special liturgies and events. Lectors proclaim the Word of God in both English and Arabic.

• Altar Servers (boys age eight and up)
• Ushers / Ministry of Hospitality (men, women, and youth)
• Lectors (English and Arabic)

Liturgical Schedule

St. Ephrem celebrates the Maronite Divine Liturgy throughout the week. The Saturday Vigil is at 5:30 PM, and three Sunday liturgies are offered at 9:15 AM (English), 11:00 AM (Arabic & English), and 12:30 PM (Arabic). Daily Divine Liturgy is celebrated Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday at 10:00 AM. On the first Sunday of each month, the community gathers at the Church of the Nativity in Rancho Santa Fe at 5:00 PM to serve Maronite families in northern San Diego County. Holy Days of Obligation are celebrated at 7:30 PM.

• Saturday Vigil: 5:30 PM
• Sunday: 9:15 AM (English), 11:00 AM (Arabic & English), 12:30 PM (Arabic)
• Daily Divine Liturgy: Mon, Tue, Wed, Fri at 10:00 AM
• First Sunday of the month – North County Liturgy, 5:00 PM, Church of the Nativity, 6309 El Apajo Road, Rancho Santa Fe, CA 92067
• Holy Days of Obligation: 7:30 PM
• Confessions by appointment

Outreach and Charity

St. Ephrem carries its faith outward through service to neighbors in need. The MYA group collects school supplies for Vista Hills, brings Christmas gifts to families served by Vista Hills, and supports Father Joe's Villages on Mother's Day. The parish also runs an annual gift drive for the children of Vista Hills and Crisis House, with a special effort to remember teenagers age 11–17, who are often overlooked.

• Annual gift drive for Vista Hills and Crisis House children (toys, clothes, gifts, blankets — new and unwrapped)
• School-supply drive-through for Vista Hills
• Christmas gifts to families at Vista Hills
• Service at Father Joe's Villages on Mother's Day
• Outreach contact: Nada Adjadj, (619) 504-2651

Annual Lebanese Festival

One of the most beloved events in the parish's life is the annual Lebanese Festival, held on the beautiful grounds of the church in El Cajon. The spectacular three-day celebration draws more than 8,000 visitors each year from greater San Diego, Orange County, and Los Angeles County. Guests enjoy traditional Lebanese dishes and gourmet sweets, live music and dancing, folkloric performances throughout the day, a beer and wine garden, carnival games, and the much-anticipated annual raffle drawing.

• Three-day celebration on the church grounds
• 8,000+ visitors from San Diego, Orange County, and Los Angeles County
• Traditional Lebanese food and gourmet sweets
• Live music, dancing, and folkloric performances
• Beer and wine garden, carnival games
• Annual raffle drawing

Contact and Visit

Parishioners and visitors are warmly welcomed. The parish office is open Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM, and can be reached by phone or email. Confessions are heard by appointment, and a contact form is available on the parish website.

• Address: 750 Medford Street, El Cajon, CA 92020
• Office Phone: (619) 337-1350
• Email: [email protected]
• Office Hours: Monday – Friday, 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
• Secretary: Mary Ghosn
• Website: http://www.stephremchurch.com/
• Confessions: by appointment