Celebrating a new beginning and a new academic year, Notre Dame University-Louaize’s (NDU) Shouf Campus (SC) held the Opening Mass for the Academic Year 2023–2024. Fr. Bechara Khoury, President of NDU, presided over the Holy Altar, the Mass concelebrated with Fr. Walid Moussa, SC Director, Fr. Naji Khalil, former SC Director, Fr. Walid Nassif, SC Chaplain, Fr. Pierre Ghsoub, Assistant to the President for Finance, and Fr. Ziad Antoun, from the Maronite Order of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Fr. Moussa welcomed the SC congregation, comprising faculty, staff, and students, beginning with a prayer to Our Lady of Louaize for her continued intercession for our spirits that they may continue to work with fervor for the greater glory of God.
In his homily, Fr. Khoury praised the NDU community for their success and accomplishments over the previous academic year, commending the shared efforts exerted to foster the mission and promote the wellbeing of our educational institution. The Father President continued: “It is up to us to consistently lead the way to progress, but this must begin from the prosperity and strength within our souls.” Strength first and foremost comes from Our Lord Jesus Christ, who is also the source of all grace, wisdom, and love. Fr. Khoury’s homily thus concluded with a call to keep our values and hearts rooted in God so that we may treat one another with compassion and respect, strengthening the bonds that will create the change we seek.
Following the Divine Liturgy, Fr. Khalil took a moment to express his gratitude for the Shouf Campus for his six-year tenure as SC Director, wishing Fr. Moussa an equally fulfilling experience and successful journey as he steps into his new role of Director.