About Saint Michael the Archangel [Maronite] · Fayetteville, North Carolina
Saint Michael the Archangel Maronite Catholic Church is an Eastern Catholic parish in Fayetteville, North Carolina, belonging to the Maronite Catholic Eparchy of Saint Maron of Brooklyn (geographically within the territory of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Raleigh). It is the first Maronite parish established in North Carolina, founded in 1973 when Archbishop Francis Zayek sent Father Joseph Thomas to Fayetteville to serve the Lebanese Maronite faithful of the Cape Fear region. The parish worships in the ancient Maronite Divine Liturgy of Antioch, celebrated primarily in English with Syriac (Aramaic) used especially at the Words of Consecration, and bills itself as 'the little Church with the big heart' — a vibrant, multi-national community known for prayer, fellowship and outreach.
- Established
- 1973
- Patron
- Saint Michael the Archangel
- Rector
- Reverend Paul Damien
- Diocese
- Eparchy of Saint Maron of Brooklyn (Maronite Catholic) — geographically within the territory of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Raleigh
Why belong here
St. Michael's is a small, close-knit parish where many nationalities worship together in the ancient Maronite Divine Liturgy of Antioch — a 2,000-year-old Eastern Catholic tradition that traces to the cities of Antioch and Edessa, in Syriac (Aramaic, the language of Christ), and that looks toward the return of the risen Christ in glory. It offers the full sacramental life of the Catholic Church in an intimate setting: weekend and daily Divine Liturgy, weekly confession, Thursday Eucharistic Adoration, a Rosary for Peace, Religious Education for all ages, and the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA). The parish is widely known as 'the little Church with the big heart' for its outreach, and its historic 1936 building — with its Italian-Renaissance-inspired icon of Christ in Judgment and stained-glass window of St. Patrick — gives it a beauty and character that visitors consistently remark on.
Mass times at Saint Michael the Archangel [Maronite]
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 4:30 PM – 4:55 PM
- Sunday 9:30 AM – 10:20 AM
- Or by appointment
Adoration times
- Thursday 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM (Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament)
Parish History
Saint Michael's traces its origins to Lebanese Maronite merchants who settled in the Cape Fear region of North Carolina at the turn of the 20th century. Bishop Vincent S. Waters of Raleigh, a personal friend of Maronite Archbishop Francis Zayek, championed the establishment of a Maronite parish. On September 22, 1973, Father Joseph Thomas arrived to found the first Maronite Church in North Carolina. The community purchased the 1936-vintage former St. Patrick's Church on Arsenal Avenue from the Diocese of Raleigh and renovated it for three years before rededication. The parish grew under successive pastors (Father Larry Jensen, Father Jack Morrison, Father Samuel Najjar, Father Adib Salameh, and now Father Paul Damien), expanding facilities, adding a social hall in 1978, acquiring a new Rectory, and being added to the Historical District Registry. The community is today a multi-national congregation with a reputation for outreach.
- 1973: Parish founded by Father Joseph Thomas (sent by Archbishop Zayek)
- Building: former St. Patrick's Church, built 1936, purchased from Diocese of Raleigh
- 1978: Social hall built
- Icon of 'Christ in Judgment' by Orlando Lagman, copy of Florence Cathedral mosaic
- Historical District Registry listing
- Father Paul Damien, current pastor, arrived October 2020
Welcome — What is Maronite Catholic?
The parish's 'Welcome' page explains that St. Michael's is part of the Catholic communion of Eastern and Western churches, all equal in dignity and in full communion with the Pope of Rome. The Maronite Church is one of eighteen Eastern Catholic churches; its name comes from Saint Maron, a defender of the Council of Chalcedon (451) who later lived as a hermit on the banks of the Orontes River and inspired a monastic community called Beit Maron (House of Maron). The Maronite Liturgy comes from the ancient cities of Antioch and Edessa — Antioch is where the followers of Jesus were first called Christians.
- One of eighteen Eastern Catholic churches in full communion with Rome
- Liturgy of Antioch and Edessa
- Liturgical language: Syriac (written form of the Aramaic spoken by Christ)
Why Maronite? — Distinctive Practices
The Maronite and Latin Rites share a common structure — Liturgy of the Word, Offertory, Anaphora (Canon) — but differ in striking details. Maronites stand for prayer, believing this posture prepares the worshiping community to greet the risen Christ when He comes again in glory. The Sign of Peace comes before the Consecration, in keeping with biblical precedent, while the Intercessions come after it. Syriac is heard especially at the Words of Institution. The liturgy is rich in biblical imagery and spiritual poetry, focused on the resurrection and the future coming of Christ in glory.
- Standing for prayer (anticipating Christ's return in glory)
- Sign of Peace before the Consecration
- Intercessions after the Consecration
- Syriac used especially at the Words of Institution
Liturgy & Worship Schedule
Divine Liturgy is offered on weekends, weekdays, and Holy Days. The Rosary is prayed every weekend 30 minutes before the Divine Liturgy, and a 'Rosary for Peace' is prayed on Thursday mornings followed by Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament.
- Saturday Vigil Divine Liturgy: 5:00 PM
- Sunday Divine Liturgy: 10:30 AM
- Daily Divine Liturgy: Tuesday–Friday, 9:00 AM
- Holy Day of Obligation: 6:30 PM Vigil and 12:00 PM
- Rosary for Peace: Thursday 9:30 AM
- Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament: Thursday 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Catholic Religious Education
Religious Education is offered for all ages at the parish. Those interested should contact the parish coordinator.
- Contact: Christian Lupo — [email protected]
Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA)
Adults interested in becoming Catholic — whether unbaptized or already baptized Christians entering full communion — are invited to take part in the parish's RCIA program.
- Contact: Steven Royce — [email protected]
Outreach Ministries
Outreach to the wider Fayetteville community has long been a hallmark of St. Michael's. The parish is widely known in the area as 'the little Church with the big heart,' and Father Jack Morrison is credited with enlarging the Outreach ministries during his tenure.
- Community outreach programs
- Annual participation in the Bishop's Appeal supporting Eparchy of Saint Maron ministries
Clergy & Staff
St. Michael's is served by its pastor and a retired priest in residence, with a lay webmaster maintaining the parish's online presence.
- Reverend Paul Damien — Pastor (arrived October 2020)
- Reverend Jack Morrison — Retired, in residence
- Chris Cooper — Webmaster (tel. 910-850-4841)
Eparchy & Diocese
As a Maronite Catholic parish, St. Michael's belongs to the Eparchy of Saint Maron of Brooklyn, headed by Bishop Gregory J. Mansour and headquartered at the Chancery, 109 Remsen Street, Brooklyn, NY 11201. Geographically, the parish sits within the territory of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Raleigh, and both dioceses list it on their websites. The Eparchy of Saint Maron was established as an Apostolic Exarchate on January 10, 1966 and elevated to an eparchy on November 11, 1971, serving Maronite Catholics across the eastern United States.
- Eparchy of Saint Maron of Brooklyn
- Geographically within the Diocese of Raleigh
- Bishop Gregory J. Mansour — Eparch
Bishop's Annual Appeal
Each year St. Michael's participates in the Eparchy's Bishop's Annual Appeal. In 2023 the parish goal was $4,500, with any amount collected over the goal remaining with the parish. Funds raised support seminarian education at Our Lady of Lebanon Seminary, Eparchy outreach to the young, the elderly, those in need, and the defense of life; retired Eparchy priests (including Father Jack); Christians in Lebanon and the Middle East; and the Eparchy's Endowment Fund.
- 40% — seminarian education (Our Lady of Lebanon Seminary)
- 20% — Eparchy outreach and defense of life
- 20% — retired Eparchy priests
- 10% — Christians in Lebanon and the Middle East
- 10% — Eparchy Endowment Fund
Visiting & Contact
Those not of the Catholic faith are welcome to worship with the parish and give praise and thanks to God. Those who are Catholic but not of the Maronite tradition, and non-Catholics, are invited to come forward to receive a special blessing from the priest (rather than Holy Communion). Visitors with questions about the Catholic faith or the Maronite Church may speak with the pastor following Liturgy or call the Parish Office for an appointment.
- Parish Office: By appointment only
- Office: (910) 484-1531
- Hall & Fax: (910) 484-5387
- Email: [email protected]
- Address: 806 Arsenal Avenue, Fayetteville, NC 28305
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father Joseph Thomas1973 – c. 1986
First Maronite priest sent by Archbishop Zayek to establish the parish on September 22, 1973 — the first Maronite Church in North Carolina. Served 13 years; shaped the parish's deep spirituality and welcomed Catholics of every rite.
- Father Larry JensenApril 1988 –
Brought leadership and administrative abilities; established financial stability, grew membership, expanded outreach. Parish became widely known as 'the little Church with the big heart.'
- Father Jack Morrison
Oversaw many renovations and upgrades, enlarged Outreach ministries, and acquired and renovated a new Rectory near the church. Now retired and assisting the parish.
- Father Samuel NajjarJuly 2006 –
Refurbished the interior of the church; installed a new tabernacle in the center of the sanctuary; oversaw addition of the parish to the Historical District Registry.
- Father Adib Salameh2020
One of four brothers from Lebanon; came to the U.S. in 2018 to study at the Maronite Seminary in Washington, D.C.; ordained Subdeacon May 10, 2019, Deacon November 8, 2019, Priest May 23, 2020; briefly served St. Michael's before being reassigned to St. Anthony & St. George in Wilkes-Barre, PA.
- Father Paul DamienOctober 2020 – present
Current pastor; arrived from St. Anthony & St. George Maronite Church in Wilkes-Barre, PA.