About Saint John Maron [Maronite] · Williamsville, New York
St. John Maron Maronite Catholic Church is a Maronite Catholic parish in Williamsville, New York (a suburb of Buffalo), founded on November 2, 1903 — making it one of the first ten Maronite parishes established in the United States. The parish celebrates the Divine Liturgy in the Maronite tradition, incorporating Syriac — the ancient language of Christ — alongside English (and sometimes Arabic), and serves as the principal Maronite worship community for Western New York. Today the parish is pastored by Father Dany A. Akar and offers weekend Divine Liturgies on Saturday evening and twice on Sunday, a monthly Saint Charbel Mass, religious education for children, a vibrant parish choir in the Byzantine chant tradition, and a full range of parish societies including the Knights of Columbus Council 16441, the Maronite Youth Organization, and the historic Altar and Rosary Society. The parish belongs to the Eparchy of Saint Maron of Brooklyn and is geographically situated within the territory of the Roman Diocese of Buffalo.
- Established
- 1903
- Patron
- St. John Maron (first Maronite Patriarch of Antioch)
- Rector
- Father Dany A. Akar
- Diocese
- Eparchy of Saint Maron of Brooklyn (Maronite Catholic); geographically within the territory of the Roman Diocese of Buffalo
Why belong here
St. John Maron offers Western New York's Maronite faithful — and anyone drawn to the Syriac-Maronite liturgical tradition — a long-established spiritual home with weekend Divine Liturgies in English and Arabic/English, a monthly Saint Charbel devotional Mass, and the warmth of more than a century of community. Parishioners of all ages can grow in faith through Pre-K through Middle School religious education (Sundays 10:30–11:30 AM), a Byzantine-chant choir singing in Syriac, Arabic, and English, and active societies including the historic Altar and Rosary Society, the Maronite Youth Organization, the Maronite Young Adults, and Knights of Columbus Council 16441 (est. 2016). The parish is currently revitalizing under its new pastor, Father Dany A. Akar, making it an especially welcoming moment to get involved.
Mass times at Saint John Maron [Maronite]
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- 30 minutes before Mass (per parish website)
Parish History
St. John Maron was born on November 2, 1903, when Bishop Charles Colton of Buffalo, Rev. Georges Aziz, and laymen John Moses and Zakhia Ghanim signed the papers making it one of the first ten Maronite parishes in the United States. The parish rooted itself on Buffalo's Lower East Side (Seneca Street), then moved to 41 Cedar Street in 1919. Under Msgr. Francis Shemalie, who served over fifty years (1908–1959) and was elevated to Chorbishop in 1954, the parish opened the first Maronite school in the country. After his death, the parish migrated to the suburbs and, in October 1961, celebrated its first Qurbono in the current Wehrle Drive church in Williamsville.
- Founded November 2, 1903 in Buffalo, NY
- First Maronite school in the United States (closed 1948)
- First Qurbono in the current Wehrle Drive church: October 1961
The Maronite Tradition
St. John Maron celebrates the Divine Liturgy in the Maronite tradition — a unique expression of the Catholic faith that uses Syriac, the ancient language of Christ, alongside English (and sometimes Arabic). The Maronite Church traces its roots to St. John Maron, the first Patriarch of Antioch. At St. John Maron, this living tradition is preserved through a parish choir singing in Syriac, Arabic, and English in the Byzantine chant style.
- Divine Liturgy in Syriac, English, and Arabic
- Byzantine chant choir
- Qurbono as the name for the Eucharistic celebration
Parish Ministries
St. John Maron's ministries span every age and interest, with organizations that trace back to the parish's earliest decades (the Altar and Rosary Society and Holy Name Society) alongside newer groups like the Knights of Columbus Council 16441 (est. 2016). The parish invites parishioners of all ages to share their gifts, grow in faith, and serve others.
- Parish Choir — Byzantine chant in Syriac, Arabic, and English
- Religious Education — Pre-K through Middle School
- Maronite Youth Organization (MYO)
- Maronite Young Adults
- Altar and Rosary Society
- Altar Servers (Acolytes)
- Knights of Columbus Council 16441 (est. 2016)
- Holy Name Society
- Four Star Post
- Lectors, Ushers, Order of St. Sharbel
Faith Formation & Religious Education
The parish's Religious Education program provides faith formation for children from Pre-K through Middle School, covering the Catholic faith, the Maronite tradition, and preparation for the sacraments. Classes meet on Sundays from 10:30 to 11:30 AM, September through May, in the on-campus Education Center (built in 1985). Parents support the program through the Home-School Association.
- Pre-K through Middle School
- Sundays 10:30 AM – 11:30 AM (September–May)
- Held in the Education Center (built 1985)
- Home-School Association supports the program
Sacraments (The Holy Mysteries)
The parish prepares the faithful for the Holy Mysteries of the Maronite Catholic tradition. Baptism requires a birth certificate, preparation classes, and active participation in parish life. First Communion preparation is taken through Religious Education, and Confirmation (Mystagogy/Chrismation) requires a preparation class. Confession is heard 30 minutes before every Mass. The parish staff guides families through preparation.
- Baptism — birth certificate + preparation classes
- First Communion — via Religious Education
- Confirmation / Chrismation — preparation class required
- Confession — 30 minutes before Mass
Devotions, Events & Community Life
Beyond the Divine Liturgy, St. John Maron hosts a Monthly Rosary on the first Sunday of the month at 10:30 AM (between Masses), a weekly Bible Study, and Coffee Hour after the 9:30 AM Sunday Mass (10:30–11:30 AM). Each year the parish holds an International Rosary — with the Rosary recited in different languages and Catholic churches from the greater Buffalo area invited — followed by a reception at the Cedars Banquet Facility. Other annual traditions include a Meat Raffle.
- Monthly Rosary — first Sunday, 10:30 AM
- Weekly Bible Study
- Coffee Hour — Sundays 10:30–11:30 AM
- Annual International Rosary (with greater-Buffalo Catholic churches)
- Annual Meat Raffle
Parish Staff & Contact
The parish is pastored by Father Dany A. Akar and supported by a small staff who serve the parish office Monday–Thursday, 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM (closed 12:00–2:00 PM), and on Fridays. Inquiries can be made by phone, email, or in person at the Wehrle Drive campus.
- Pastor: Father Dany A. Akar
- Music Director: Bo Joude
- Administrative Assistant: Debbie Tartick
- Office Hours: Mon–Thu 9 AM–4 PM (closed 12–2 PM), and Fridays
- Phone: (716) 634-0669
- Email: [email protected]
- Address: 2040 Wehrle Dr., Williamsville, NY 14221
Parish Organizations
The parish's ministries are embodied in organizations that have served the community for generations. Two of the oldest — the Altar and Rosary Society and the Holy Name Society — were founded in the parish's earliest years. The Knights of Columbus Council 16441, established in 2016, is the newest parish organization. Many St. John Maron parishioners are members of the Order of St. Sharbel, a 1980 Eparchy-wide society that supports retired clergy and the Maronite seminary in Washington, D.C.
- Altar and Rosary Society
- Holy Name Society
- Four Star Post
- Maronite Youth Organization (MYO)
- Maronite Young Adults
- Knights of Columbus Council 16441 (est. 2016)
- Order of St. Sharbel (Eparchy-wide, est. 1980)
- Home-School Association
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Antoun A. Zoghby1903–1904
First pastor of St. John Maron.
- Rev. Georges Aziz1904–1908
Co-founder of the parish in 1903; brought laymen John Moses and Zakhia Ghanim.
- Rev. Francis (Msgr.) Shemalie1908–1959
Served over 50 years; elevated to Chorbishop in 1954; opened the first Maronite school in the United States.
- Rev. Paul Hage1959–1960
Former assistant; appointed Administrator after Msgr. Shemalie's death; led the move to Main Street and the temporary 'barn church'.
- Rev. Peter F. Sfeir1960–mid 1970s
Newly appointed Pastor in 1960; built the current Wehrle Drive church (first Qurbono Oct. 1961), Parish Center (1963), and reorganized the parish societies and choir.
- Rev. Fr. Joseph1970s–1980s
Steered the parish through the 1970s and 1980s; oversaw addition of the Education Center in 1985; retired 1996.
- Rev. Georges El-Khalli1996–2010
Appointed 1996 following Fr. Joseph's retirement; transferred June 1, 2010 to Our Lady of the Cedars of Lebanon, Jamaica Plain, MA.
- Rev. Elie G. Kairouz2010–August 2024
Appointed Pastor in 2010; transferred August 2024 to Saint John Paul II Church, Sleepy Hollow, Westchester, NY.
- Rev. Dany A. AkarAugust 2024–present
Current pastor; leading parish revitalization.