DEATHS
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''God hath saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and His grace which was given us in Christ Jesus...'' (2 Tim. 1,9)

His Beatitude Patriarch Gregory III Laham, the bishops of the Melkite Greek Catholic synod, the Superior of the Basilian Salvatorian Order, the clergy and members of the various parishes throughout Canada, his brothers Fayez, Elie, Joseph, Gabriel and his sister Marcelle and their respective families, as well as relatives of the Hajjar and Skaff families in the Middle East, Canada, U.S.A. and Europe and numerous friends around the world announce with deep sorrow the untimely death of Bishop Sleiman Hajjar Melkite Greek Catholic Eparch of Canada since 1998 who was recalled to the Lord on March 10, 2002, at the age of 51. He was born on May 13, 1950, to a devout family from Jezzine, which was blessed with numerous religious vocations. A former student at the Christian Brothers School and at the St. Anne seminary in Rayak, he graduated in Management from St. Joseph University, and in theology and liturgy from the Pontifical University of the Holy Spirit in Kaslik (Lebanon). In 1976, he joined the Salvatorian Order and was ordained on August 4, 1979. Bishop Hajjar was director of studies at the St. Sauveur seminary, assistant director of the Foyer de la Providence (social center) in Salhieh-Saida (Lebanon), rector of the St. Sauveur minor seminary and assistant of the Basilian Salvatorian Order. During the war, he fulfilled numerous religious and pastoral missions at several parishes in the stricken areas. He was the director of ''Foyer de la Providence'' since 1989, before accepting to serve as assistant pastor at Sts. Peter and Paul's parish in Ottawa. He arrived in Canada in December 1995. His election as Eparch of the Melkite Greek Catholics in Canada was confirmed by His Holiness Pope John-Paul II. He was consecrated a bishop on August 6, 1998. He won the affection and esteem of all those who got to know him, because of his pastoral zeal, his generosity, his wisdom and his tireless efforts in uniting his diverse flock. He paid particular attention to the youth and to the preparation of the World Youth Day 2002 in Toronto. Bishop Hajjar's remains will be exposed at Notre Dame des Anges Church, 5621 Gouin Boulevard W., on Sunday and Monday, March 17 and 18, 2002, from 5 to 9 p.m. and on Tuesday, March 19 from 2 to 4 p.m. and from 5 to 9 p.m. His Beatitude Patriarch Gregory III Laham will preside the funeral ceremony on Wednesday, March 20, 2002 at 9:30 a.m. prompt, at the Marie Reine du Monde Cathedral (corner of Rene Levesque Blvd. and La Cathedrale Street). In lieu of flowers, donations to the Melkite Greek Catholic Eparchy would be appreciated. www.melkite.com May His Memory Be Eternals Memory Be Eternal