Fr. Boutros “Maher” El Hachem - Pastor
Fr. Boutros “Maher” El Hachem was born on 16 December 1980, the son of Rameh and Aida El Hachem, in Ain El Hawr, Mount of Lebanon. Father is one of three children (Samer and Samar). He was educated at Sagesse High School and the Lebanese University, graduating in 1998. He received his baccalaureate degree in theology and philosophy from Antoniene University, Baabda, in 2005. He then was awarded his Master’s degree in Pastoral Management in 2011 from Saint Joseph University of Beirut, Lebanon.
Fr. Boutros was called to be a priest in 1999, entering St. Anthony of Padua Seminary in Northern Lebanon. In 2004 he was ordained Subdeacon by Archbishop John Fouad el Hajj, Bishop of Tripoli. After this Fr. Boutros took two years formation in parishes, studied physical education and began to teach various sports in schools and gyms. In the beginning of 2008, he was ordained Deacon by Archbishop Elias Nassar, Bishop of Saida. His pastoral year was spent at Saint Maron Jezzine Church in South Lebanon. 28 June 2008 he was ordained to the priesthood by Archbishop Elias Nassar, Bishop of Saida at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Deliverance, Beiteddine, Lebanon. From 2008 to 2013 Fr. Boutros served at two parishes (St. Joseph Derdourit and Our Lady of Moukhtara) in Mount Lebanon.
In 2013 he moved to a new parish, St. Anthony the Great in Fouara in Mount Lebanon and in 2016, Fr. Boutros was selected by Patriarch al-Rahi and his own Bishop Elias Nassar to help in the foundation of the Maronite Church in Columbia, Ecuador and Peru as a Vicar to the Exarkhos Fadi Abou Chebel. At the end of 2017, he returned to Lebanon with his new Bishop Maroun al-Ammar, Bishop of Saida. Father served two parishes near Saida — St. Joseph Joun and Our Lady of Deliverance, Zaarouriye. He also taught in various Catholic schools in Beirut and was a spiritual advisor to students from 2008 to 2019. Father assisted many congregations — the Antonine Sisters, the Saints Hearts, the congregation of St. Terese Infant Jesus, the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts as well as various youth groups throughout Lebanon.
Fr. Boutros was named Administrator of St. Louis Gonzaga Church in Utica, New York in October of 2019.
Favorite quote:
“Believe in the cause that you are fighting for even if you remain alone.”
Rev. Deacon Paul A. Salamy
Deacon Paul Salamy was born Feb. 8, 1954 in Tupper Lake, NY. He is the son of Fred and Mary Mazloom and the late Richard H. Salamy. Deacon Paul was educated at Our Lady of Lourdes Elementary School, Notre Dame High School, SUNY Oswego, and SUNY Cortland. He has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Secondary Education/English as well as thirty graduate hours in the field of education. Deacon Paul was employed by Oneida County BOCES as a Teacher of Incarcerated Youth in the Oneida County Correctional Facility. He serves on the Board of the New York State Association of Incarcerated Education Programs, Inc.
Deacon Paul married the former Mary Susan Hobaica on July 5, 1981. They shared a blessed union of eighteen years until her passing on February 9, 2000. Deacon Paul is the proud father of three sons: James, Joseph, and John Paul.
Deacon Paul was ordained to the Order of Subdeacon on October 25, 1989 by Chorbishop Joseph Lahoud under the pastorate of Rev. Joseph Thomas. He was ordained a Deacon on September 9, 1995 by the late Archbishop Francis Zayek under the pastorate of Rev. Bassam Saade. Deacon Paul is involved in many aspects of parish ministry. He is advisor to the MYO. He brings the Eucharist to parishioners who are confined to their homes, nursing homes, and hospitals. He prepares families for the sacraments of Baptism and Confirmation. Deacon Paul preaches on a regular basis. As VIRTUS Facilitator, Diocese of Syracuse, he educates staff in Protecting God’s Children as well as Keeping the Promise Alive. He serves on the Board of The National Shrine of Our Lady of Lebanon. Deacon Paul is also available upon request for spiritual direction. He has been involved in the Charismatic Renewal Program of the Diocese of Syracuse for over twenty years. Deacon Paul also assists in ministering to the spiritual needs of Hospice patients. Currently, he works in the parish as Pastoral Assistant.
Deacon Paul takes great pride in serving the Maronite Parish Community of St. Louis Gonzaga as well as to the Catholic Community at large.
Deacon Peter M. Hobaica
Deacon Peter M. Hobaica was born in Utica N.Y. to Peter M. And Jennie Hiffa-Hobaica on 21 March 1948. He was educated at St. Agnes Grammar School and then at Thomas R. Proctor High School, graduating in 1965. He earned his Baccalaureate Degree in Political Science Magna Cum Laude at Utica College of Syracuse University in 1981 and then earned his Juris Doctor [Law] Degree from Syracuse University in 1984 where he received numerous academic and clinical accolades and awards. He was elected Class President from 1981 to 1984.
Deacon Hobaica was called to ministry by Our Lord in 2010 when he was asked by Chorbishop John Faris to consider service to the People of God. Peter was ordained as a Subdeacon on 8 December 2012 after a two-and-a-half-year period of study and spiritual discernment under the guidance of Chorbishop Faris. He was ordained as a Deacon in the Eparchy of St. Maron by Bishop Gregory Mansour on 7 May 2016 after a further four-year period of study and spiritual discernment via the formal Deaconate program in the Diocese of Syracuse under the guidance of Father Louis Aiello.
Deacon Peter is a lawyer, with an office in Utica N.Y. practicing his profession throughout the State of N.Y. in all State and Federal Courts. He carries the distinguished honor of “Fellow” in the American College of Trial Lawyers; an honor bestowed on merely one percent of lawyers in the United States and the Provinces of Canada. He is also an active member of several professional organizations and associations.
Deacon Peter is married to his best friend, Judith Ann [Nicewicz] Hobaica, RN, BSN. They were married on 18 September 1971 at St. Louis Gonzaga Church in Utica N.Y. by Father John Andary. Deacon Peter and Judy both serve the parish on several committees and parish organizations.
Deacon Peter and Judy are blessed with two children, Sara Ann Hobaica-Hanna [Special Education Teacher] and Peter William Hobaica [Attorney at Law.] They have also been blessedwith three glorious grandchildren, Matthew and Nathan Hanna and Cecilia Rose Hobaica.
Deacon Peter’s most recent Quotable Quote: “The best way to know the truth of Salvation is to pray the rosary and meditate on Our Lord.”