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Fr. Rabih Aoun

Met at: Fort Lauderdale Maronite Church Met date: July 26, 2025 Role(s): Maronite Catholic Priest, Fort Lauderdale Maronite Church Pastor Last interaction: July 26, 2025

Contact Information​

  • Location: Fort Lauderdale Maronite Church, Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Personal Background​

  • Originally from Lebanon
  • Came to the United States a couple of years ago (around 2022-2023)
  • Lebanese priest serving the Maronite Catholic community in South Florida
  • Fluent in Arabic, English, and liturgical languages
  • Warm and welcoming personality, patient with visitors and questions

Professional Background​

  • Education: Philosophy and Theology at the Pontifical School in London
  • Lebanese Education: Holy Spirit University of Kaslik (USEK) in Lebanon
  • Current Role: Pastor at Fort Lauderdale Maronite Church (since around 2012 when the church opened, though he personally arrived more recently)
  • Experienced in theological education and interfaith dialogue
  • Has taught in theology institutes in London

Ministry Philosophy & Expertise​

  • Justice with Mercy: Core theological theme emphasizing that justice must be accompanied by mercy, not destruction
  • Servant Leadership: Teaching that good service begins with being one's authentic self, not perfectionism
  • Practical Theology: Focus on helping people apply faith to daily life challenges
  • Pastoral Care: Patient approach to spiritual guidance and confession
  • Cross-denominational Understanding: Knowledgeable about Catholic communion protocols while respectful of other Christian traditions

Homily Insights (July 26, 2025)​

Key Theological Messages​

Justice and Mercy Integration:

"Justice cannot be separated from mercy. If you want to apply justice, the blessed man should have been stolen. Yes? The adulterous woman should have been dead now. But God, Jesus, really used his justice accompanied with mercy to teach each one of us today."

Arabic Etymology of Mercy:

"The word mercy has a very beautiful translation in Arabic, which means the womb. In Arabic, rahm. A womb. It means that every time you want to be just, we're going to let the other be born again."

Service Philosophy:

"Service is not doing always the perfect things. Service is being present and sometimes being our own best."

Personal Transformation Priority:

"Brothers and sisters, if we want the world to be changed, we want to change our own life first. The world cannot be changed if we do not change ourselves."

Observations on Contemporary Faith​

  • Noted 50% increase in theology institutes in London between 2010-2019 before COVID
  • Identified two primary motivations for theology students:
    1. Being "filled with injustice happening in this world"
    2. Wanting "to serve someone who is trustworthy" (finding this in God)
  • Understanding of modern spiritual seeking and institutional mistrust

Cultural & Liturgical Knowledge​

  • Maronite Tradition: Expert in Eastern Catholic liturgy and traditions
  • Arabic Integration: Incorporates Arabic language and cultural understanding in ministry
  • Cross-Cultural Ministry: Skilled at serving both Lebanese diaspora and American converts/visitors
  • Sacramental Theology: Clear understanding of Catholic communion requirements while maintaining pastoral sensitivity

Church Leadership Context​

  • Serves Fort Lauderdale Maronite Church, which opened in 2012
  • Part of broader Maronite Catholic presence in Florida (mentioned Byzantines in Orlando)
  • Manages both liturgical responsibilities and pastoral care
  • Comfortable with informal post-service conversations and spiritual direction

Interaction with Gary​

  • Welcoming Approach: Immediately engaged Gary in conversation despite being a first-time visitor
  • Educational: Explained communion protocols clearly but kindly
  • Encouraging: Supportive of Gary's calling to spread gospel to tech people
  • Resource-Oriented: Offered to help Gary find theology education resources
  • Cultural Bridge: Connected Gary's Lebanese friend connection to church visit motivation

Pastoral Insights​

Divine Calling Recognition:

"Why me? Why did you choose me? Haven't you given up on me with all my mistakes, my imperfection? And He always reminds me, It's not about you. It's about my mercy."

Community Building: Emphasis on church as place of both worship and practical spiritual formation

Interfaith Sensitivity: Knowledgeable about denominational differences while maintaining Catholic identity

Strategic Value for Gary's Network​

  • Middle Eastern Christianity: Authentic connection to Lebanese Christian community
  • Theological Education: Resource for Gary's interest in formal theological study
  • Cross-Cultural Ministry: Experience serving diverse communities in American context
  • Practical Spirituality: Integration of faith with daily life challenges
  • Pastoral Wisdom: Mature understanding of spiritual growth and community leadership

Potential Collaboration Areas​

  • Theological education guidance for Gary's ministry development
  • Lebanese Christian community connections
  • Cross-denominational dialogue and understanding
  • Practical spirituality and spiritual direction
  • Cultural bridge-building between Middle Eastern and American Christian communities
  • Ministry to tech professionals and seekers from secular backgrounds

Notes​

Fr. Rabih represents an authentic connection to Middle Eastern Christianity and Lebanese culture that complements Gary's international network. His theological education background, pastoral experience, and cultural bridge-building abilities make him a valuable connection for Gary's ministry development and cross-cultural understanding.

His emphasis on justice with mercy, practical service, and personal transformation aligns well with Gary's Christofuturist philosophy and kingdom-building approach. The encounter demonstrates Gary's continued pattern of connecting with spiritually mature leaders across denominational boundaries.

The timing of this meeting, during Gary's Miami transition period and while supporting his Lebanese friend in tech, suggests divine orchestration consistent with Gary's recognition of strategic spiritual appointments.

Interaction History​

  • July 26, 2025: First meeting during Saturday evening Mass at Fort Lauderdale Maronite Church. Gary attended service motivated by prayers for Lebanese friend. Extended post-service conversation covering theology education, cross-denominational ministry, and Gary's calling to tech evangelism. Fr. Rabih provided pastoral guidance and encouraged Gary's theological education interests.

Transcripts​

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2025-07-26-gary-sheng-fr-rabih-aoun-fort-lauderdale-maronite-mass2025-07-26Maronite Mass attendance and pastoral conversation about justice, mercy, and tech evangelism calling