lebanese family club

MaroniteCatholic ChurchOu r La Maronited y o f t h e Ce d a r s ,Catholic Wo o d m Churche a dTel: 011 805 1305Fax: Ou r 011 La d 805 y o f 1306 t h e Ce d a r s ,Email: Wo o d m e a dmaronite@netactive.co.zaTel: 011 804 1305Fax: 011 804 1306Ou r La d y o f Le ba n o n,Email:Mu l b a r t o nmaronite@netactive.co.zaTel: 011 432 5331Fax: Ou r 011 La 432 d y o5312f Le ba n o n,Email: Mu l b a r t o nmaroniteoll@hotmail.comTel: 011 432 5331Fax: 011 432 5312Email:maroniteoll@hotmail.comLe ba n e s e Fa m i l yClu bd e dica t e d t o p r e s e r v i n g o u rLe ba ba n e sn e he s re i t a gFa e t hm r oi ul gyh• f a m iClu l y d a b y s• d e dica f a tm e d i l ty o p t r e s e r s v i n g o u r• Le ba f na em s e i l hy e rb i to ao g e k s t h r o u g h•f a m i l y w d a e y b si t e s•f a m i l y h t r e a e lt s hTel: • 011 f a m 804 i l y 7566 b o o k sFax: • f 086 a m 666 i l y w 5412 e b s i t e sEmail: • f a m i l y h e a lt hlebfamilyclub@webmail.co.zaTel: 011 804 1305Fax: info@lebanesefamilyclub.co.za08 66 66 5412Email: Website:www.lebanesefamilyclub.co.zainfo@lebanesefamilyclub.co.zaPostal Website: Address:www.lebanesefamilyclub.co.zaPO Box 76043,Postal Wendywood, Address: 2144Office PO Box Hours: 76043,Wendywood, 21448:30-4:30, Mon - Fri. Editor:Office Hours:Jeraldene 8:30-4:30, Coleman Mon - Fri.Fr. Family Nadim Club: Abou Zeid M.L.MEditor: Fa m i l y Clu bLauren Dos SantosSuperior:Fr. Badaoui HabibM.L.M.M a r o n i t e Ma g a z i n eO n t h e 2 7 t h o f M a y, w e w i l l b e c e l e b r a t i n g a d e c a d eof the construction of Our Lady of Lebanon Church inM u l b a r t o n .To d a y, w e l o o k b a c k o n 1 0 y e a r s f u l l o f h a r d w o r k ,c o m m i t m e n t , m e m o r i e s , l o v e , s a c r i f i c e , p r e s s u r e ,g e n e r o s i t y a n d a c h i e v e m e n t s . O n t h i s o c c a s i o n , w es t o p a w i l e a n d l o o k b a c k w i t h g r e a t a p p r e c i a t i o n t othank the many who contributed to this greata c h i e v e m e n t , t h e m o n e y t h a t w a s g i v e n b y s o m a n y,t h e m a n y m e e t i n g s t h a t w e r e h e l d a n d t o t h a n k e a c ha n d e v e r y p e r s o n f o r t h e i r e n c o u r a g e m e n t ,c o n t r i b u t i o n , t i m e , t a l e n t s , g i f t s t o w a r d s t h i sbeautiful edifice of this Church of our Lady ofL e b a n o n , t h a t a l t h o u g h w a s b u i l t a n d m a d e b y t h ehand of man, it seems to be made by the hand of God.On the 10th anniversary we pray for all those livingand ask our Lord to give them health, happiness, joya n d s u c c e s s ; a n d f o r t h o s e w h o h a v e d m o v e d o n f r o mt h i s p e r i s h a b l e w o r l d t o b e i n t h e k i n g d o m o f t h e i rC r e a t o r a n d R e d e e m e r l i v i n g w i t h h i m i n e t e r n i t y w etoo pray for them.To d a y, I e x t e n d a s p e c i a l t h a n k y o u a n d b l e s s i n g f r o mthose who found the land, put this project together,a n d l e d t h i s p r o j e c t t o a s a f e s h o r e a n d t o a h a p p yend. On behalf of the Maronite community of SouthA f r i c a a n d t h e M a r o n i t e L e b a n e s e M i s s i o n a r i e s , Iwould like to specially thank three superiors from ourM i s s i o n w h o w e r e i n v o l v e d i n t h e a c c o m p l i s h m e n t o ft h i s p r o j e c t - F r s . M a r w a n Ta b e t , P i e r r e B a l a a h a n dNadim Abou-Zeid and all the priests who were helpingt h e m a t t h a t t i m e .Together with them, I would like to thank all thefaithful parishioners who together with these priestsApril 2012were responsible for the building of this church fortheir generosity, support, giving and self sacrifice.Thank you, and May God reward you a hundred-fold,may your names which are written on tablets of woodbe written in the Kingdom of God for all eternity.It is easy to build with stone but it is so hard to builda community; so today I would like to thank you inwriting and express my gratitude and appreciation toall my fellow priests who have accompanied me ingood times and in bad, who carried with me the burdensof the Mission, especially Fr. Maurice whom Ilove, respect and appreciate. Together with them Iwant to thank the Trustees, the Church Office, thePrincipal of the School, the Teachers and Staff andthe various Committees of the church, the Choirs, theMinisters of the Eucharist, the Praise and Worshipgroups, and the Divine Mercy prayer group, the Altarservers and everyone that have played a part in keepingour church, the Bride of Christ, clean, holy andinnocent.On this occasion, I invite you to attend thismemorable event, starting with Mass at 10:00 am, andfollowed by a lunch and full entertainment for thewhole community. Come and support your church, andthe future of your community. Soon we aregoing to continue the construction of the second phaseof the school with the community hall, to be used byboth parishioners and the school. On this occasion Iask Our Lord Jesus Christ and his pure Mother, theHoly Virgin Mary Our Lady of Lebanon and Our Ladyof Fatima to bestow upon you God’s richest blessings.Amen.Fr El-Badaoui HabibSuperior of the Maronite Catholic Mission in SA

The Pope with Maronite PatriarchP o p e B e n e d i c t X V I w i l l v i s i t L e b a n o n f r o m 1 4 t h - 1 6 t h S e p t e m b e r t o p r e a c h p e a c eand unity for Christians in the Middle East.A c c o r d i n g t o G r e g o r y I I I L a h a m , “ T h e P o p e w i l l c o m e t o s u p p o r t C h r i s t i a n s s ot h a t t h e y m a y b e u n i t e d , ”Pope Benedict will also bring a message of peace in the Middle East, where viole n c e h a s r a g e d i n L e b a n o n ’s n e i g h b o u r i n g c o u n t r y, S y r i a f o r o v e r a y e a r, a n de f f o r t s t o r e s o l v e t h e d e c a d e s - l o n g I s r a e l i - P a l e s t i n i a n c o n f l i c t a r e a s m i r e d a sever.Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati invited the pontiff to visit inN o v e m b e r l a s t y e a r d u r i n g a v i s i t t o t h e Va t i c a n .T h e P o p e ’s t r i p w i l l m a r k h i s s e c o n d v i s i t t o t h i s r e g i o n . I n 2 0 0 9 t h e P o p evisited Jordan, Israel and the Palestinian Territories.Patriarch Gregory, who’s headquarters are in Damascus, heads thes e c o n d - l a r g e s t C a t h o l i c c o m m u n i t y i n t h e M i d d l e E a s t , w i t h s o m e 7 0 0 , 0 0 0followers in Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Sudan, Syria and the PalestinianTerritories,

Th e Ma r o n i t e Ca t h o l i c Ch u r c hTr i p to Le b a n o n(His Ho l i n e s s, Po p e Be n e d i c t XVI visit To Le b a n o n)M o n d a y 10 t h Se p t e m b e r 2012 – Tu e s d a y 18 t h Se p t e m b e rA c c o m m o d a t i o n a t :Ho t e l Be t h a n i a in Ha r i s s a - 3 Ni g h t sN o t r e Da m e Du Mo n t in Sa y d e t El Ja b a l Co n v e n t - 4 Ni g h t sT h e p a c k a g e i n c l u d e s :Ec o n o m y Cl a s s f l i g h t s o n Em i r a t e s a i r w a y sAi r p o r t t a x e s (s u b j e c t t o c h a n g e u n t i l f u l l p a y m e n t is r e c e i v e d )Re t u r n t r a n s f e r s a i r p o r t – h o t e l - a i r p o r tAc c o m m o d a t i o n o n a be d a n d b r e a k f a s t b a s i sVa r i o u s t o u r s : 6 To u r sS i t e e n t r a n c e a n d t o u r g u i d a n c e Fe e s2 Ma s s e s w i t h t h e Po p e• Di n n e r s a t Ho t e lV i s a s (Ap p r o x i m a t e l y R500.00 p e r p e r s o n )t r a v e l i n s u r a n c eL u n c h e sG r a t u i t i e s• D r i n k sT h e p a c k a g e e x c l u d e s :Pa c k a g e Pr i c e :S i n g l e Ro o mR17 000.00D o u b l e Ro o m – Tw i nR15 000.00 p e r p e r s o n s h a r i n gP l e a s e Co n t a c t La u r e n in o r d e r t o b o o k Th e a b o v e t r i p t o l e b a n o nTe l e p h o n e : 011 804 1305Fa x : 011 804 1306E m a i l : m a r o n i t e @ n e t a c t i v e . c o . z a

DIVINE MERCYS e m i n a rSPIRITUAL JOURNEY FROMCOMMENCEMENT OF LENTLEADING INTO HOLY WEEKThe Divine Mercy Seminar began on the1 4 t h / 1 5 t h A p r i l w i t h a n o p e n i n g m a s s .The Apostles prayed the Chaplet of theDivine Mercy with the parishioners. As h o r t m o v i e w a s s c r e e n e d d u r i n g e a c hmass to explain more about the Chapletand the mission of St Faustina.The seminar will continue everyT h u r s d a y a n d w i l l c o n c l u d e w i t h athanksgiving mass on Sunday, 3rd Juneat 10am.A l l a r e w e l c o m e t o j o i n u s e v e r yT h u r s d a y f o r p r a i s e a n d w o r s h i p , m a s sas well as different speakers speakingabout different themes.

Divine Mercy Dinner and DanceThe Divine Mercy Apostolateso r g a n i z e d a d i n n e r a n d d a n c e a tt h e h a l l o f o u r L a d y o fLebanon on the 31st March2012. It was a lovely evening- f a m i l i e s s h a r e d a d i n n e r a n dd a n c e d t i l l a f t e r m i d n i g h t w i t hD J , S o l l y L a h o u d . We w o u l dlike to thank all those whos u p p o r t e d t h i s f u n f i l l e devening.

L e n t e n S o u p e v e n i n g o n H o l yTuesdayOur Lady of Lebanon, MulbartonChef Abouna MauriceM a r o n i t e A d u l t C l u b ( M A C )prayer meetingT h e M A C o r g a n i z e d a p r a y e r e v e n i n g a t t h e h o m e o f M i s sLebanon, Nikita Mckinon. It was a beautiful evening.T h e M A C p r a y e d w i t h f a m i l y a n d f r i e n d s a n d w e a l l g o tt o k n o w e a c h o t h e r b e t t e r. We w i l l s u r e l y r e p e a t a s i m i l a re v e n t i n t h e f u t u r e .

M a r o n i t e Yo u t h C l u b ( M Y C ) S p i r i t u a l r e t r e a t - 2 1 A p r i lBy Tania Da SilvaThe Maronite Youth committee organised our first Spiritual event for the year - a Retreat!We participated in the days activities which included a Breaking the Ice exercise, a game to introduce ust o o n e a n o t h e r. T h i s w a s f o l l o w e d b y p r a y e r a n d r e a d i n g s f r o m t h e b i b l e . T h e r e a f t e r, a n i n s i g h t f u l t a l k o np r a y e r w a s g i v e n b y F a t h e r F a d y w h i c h l e f t i s w i t h l o t s t o t h i n k a b o u t d u r i n g t h e b r e a k .A quizcommenced straight after our break , and the day ended with the movie “Patch Adams”.T h i s i s w h a t w e l e a r n t f r o m o u r v e r y f i r s t r e t r e a t . . .We h a v e l e a r n t t o s e e k h a p p i n e s s b y l i m i t i n g o u r d e s i r e s r a t h e r t h a n i n a t t e m p t i n g t o s a t i s f y t h e m . O u rpurpose in life can be obtained simply if we can distinguish between what we need to be and what wewant to be. What we need to be defines our purposes and fills our life! When we have a sense of who weare, success and enrichment follow. Our desire to be something however, blinds us to the truths of life;we become lost in ourselves and acquire a drive to reach our goal. We lose all sense of reality andjeopardise our future. Do you know who you really are? For how long you can please everyone? Are youin the process of losing you values and beliefs ?G o d m a d e y o u i n h i s i m a g e , w h i c h i s n o t h i n g s h o r t o f e x t r a o r d i n a r y ! B r e a k d o w n t h e b o u n d a r i e s p l a c e da r o u n d y o u a n d t e a r d o w n t h o s e i d e a s o f c o n f o r m i n g a n d C a r p e D i e m ! S e i z i n g t h e d a y a n d e m b r a c i n g l i f ei s w h a t m a k e s o u r e x i s t e n c e m e a n i n g f u l !G o d B l e s s y o u

“Pe o p l e o f t h e Ce d a r s ”A 20th Century insight into theLebanese South African CommunityF a t h e r C h a r b e l a n d I ( K e n H a n n a ) w o u l d l i k e t o t h a n k y o u m o s t s i n c e r e l y f o r y o u r k i n d a n d g e n e r o u s c o m m e n t so n t h e p u b l i s h i n g o f o u r b o o k . Yo u r e m a i l s , p h o n e c a l l s a n d s m s ’s a r e m u c h a p p r e c i a t e d a n d g r a c i o u s l yaccepted. We have received calls from Cape Town and as far afield as Ghana.F i n a l l y w e w o u l d l i k e t o t h a n k F a t h e r B a d a o u i H a b i b , S u p e r i o r o f t h e L e b a n e s e M a r o n i t e M i s s i o n a r i e s o f S o u t hAfrica, who has openly stated that every Lebanese home should have the book.T h e b o o k i s s e l l i n g a t R 3 0 0 f o r a s o f t c o v e r a n d R 5 0 0 f o r h a r d c o v e r. F o r i n f o r m a t i o n o n t h e b o o k a s w e l l a sb o o k s a l e s , p l e a s e c o n t a c t t h e C h u r c h o f f i c e o n 0 11 8 0 4 1 3 0 5 . D e a r r e a d e r s , i f y o u f i n d o u t t h a t t h e h i s t o r y o fy o u r o w n f a m i l y i s n o t w r i t t e n i n t h e b o o k , p l e a s e d o n o t h e s i t a t e t o w r i t e i t d o w n a n d s e n d i t t o u s w i t hp i c t u r e s f o r e d i t i n g a n d p r i n t i n g , f o r t h e s e c o n d v o l u m e . We t h a n k y o u i n a d v a n c e f o r y o u r u n d e r s t a n d i n g a n dcooperation.A presentation and launch of the “People of the Cedars” will take place on Sunday, 20th May 2012 at the Sheikh’s Palace inRivonia. There will be a full Lebanese menu. Booking is essential. Contact 011 807 4119 for bookings

T h e P h o e n i c i a n s i n B r a z i lFrom the book “History of Lebanon” by Fr. Charbel HabchiB - The Stone of ParaibaI n 1 8 7 2 , a s l a v e b e l o n g i n g o f J o a q u i m A l v e s d e C o s t a ,found on his owner’s plantation four pieces of a stonet a b l e t i n s c r i b e d w i t h s t r a n g e c h a r a c t e r s o n a B r a z i l i a nplantation in Parahyba near the Paraiba River. Costa’s son,w h o w a s a d r a f t s m a n , m a d e a c o p y o f i t . L o c a l a u t h o r i t i e s ,u n a b l e t o d e c i p h e r t h e c o p y, s e n t i t t o t h e B r a z i l i a nE m p e r o r ’s C o u n c i l o f S t a t e w h e n c e i t w a s s e n t t o D rLadislau Netto, director of the Museu Nacional in Rio deJ a n e i r o w h o d e c l a r e d t h e w r i t i n g t o b e P h œ n i c i a n . N e t t ow a s c o n v i n c e d t h e i n s c r i p t i o n w a s n o t a h o a x . H e m a d e ac a r e f u l t r a n s l a t i o n . T h e i n s c r i p t i o n r e c o r d e d t h e a r r i v a l o fPhœnician mariners in Brazil centuries before Christ. Thet r a n s l a t i o n c a u s e d e x c i t e m e n t a n d c o n t r o v e r s y. I f g e n u i n e ,a b a n d o f a n c i e n t P h œ n i c i a n s i n t h e s e v e n t h c e n t u r y B C h a dc i r c u m n a v i g a t e d A f r i c a c l o c k w i s e , a n d t h e n b e e n b l o w n t oA m e r i c a t w o m i l l e n n i a b e f o r e C o l u m b u s .Paraiba, a state of Brazil, located in the northeastern part ofthe country on the Atlantic coast.Unfortunately, an Indian rebellion broke out in the Paraibar e g i o n t h a t s a m e y e a r a n d i n t h e e n s u i n g c o n f u s i o n , t h eplantation in question was never located and the stonei t s e l f w a s n e v e r r e c o v e r e d . A c o p y o f t h e i n s c r i p t i o n w a ss e n t t o t h e e m i n e n t F r e n c h h i s t o r i a n a n d p h i l o l o g i s t , E r n e s tR e n a n , a u t h o r o f t h e f a m o u s L i f e o f J e s u s , w h o d e c l a r e d i ta fake, and Netto was ridiculed by the academice s t a b l i s h m e n t o f h i s d a y. R e n a n b a s e d h i s c o n c l u s i o n o nthe fact that the text contained certain grammatical errorsand incorrect expressions that forced him to question itsauthenticity.

Here is a copy of the text of the Paraíba Stone sent to Ladislau Netto in 1872.P ro f . C y r u s H . G o rd o n(1908-2001)A m o n g i n t e r e s t e d A m e r i c a n a r c h e o l o g i s t s a n d s c h o l a r s w a s Wi l b e r f o r c e E a m e s w h ob e c a m e h e a d o f t h e N e w Yo r k P u b l i c L i b r a r y l a t e r i n t h e c e n t u r y. A t t h e r e q u e s t o fE a m e s , D r N e t t o s e n t h i m a t r a c i n g o f t h e o r i g i n a l i n s c r i p t i o n t o g e t h e r w i t h a c o p y o fh i s t r a n s l a t i o n . E a m e s p l a c e d b o t h i n a s c r a p b o o k f o r s a f e k e e p i n g , b u t t h e P h œ n i c i a ni n s c r i p t i o n w a s a l l b u t f o r g o t t e n . I n 1 9 6 6 , D r J u l e s P i c c u s , p r o f e s s o r o f r o m a n c el a n g u a g e s a t t h e U n i v e r s i t y o f M a s s a c h u s e t t s , b o u g h t a n o l d s c r a p b o o k a t a j u m b l e s a l e i nP r o v i d e n c e , R I , c o n t a i n i n g a l e t t e r w r i t t e n b y N e t t o i n 1 8 7 4 , w h i c h c o n t a i n e d h i st r a n s l a t i o n s o f t h e m a r k i n g s o n t h e s t o n e a n d a t r a c i n g o f t h e o r i g i n a l c o p y h e h a dr e c e i v e d f r o m C o s t a ’s s o n . P i c c u s b r o u g h t t h e s e t o t h e a t t e n t i o n o f C y r u s H G o r d o n , a nA m e r i c a n s c h o l a r, h e a d o f t h e D e p a r t m e n t o f M e d i t e r r a n e a n S t u d i e s a t B r a n d e i s , a ne x p e r t i n a n c i e n t S e m i t i c l a n g u a g e s , a n d a u t h o r o f 1 3 b o o k s . C o m p a r i n g t h e P a r a i b ai n s c r i p t i o n w i t h t h e l a t e s t w o r k o n P h œ n i c i a n w r i t i n g s , h e d i s c o v e r e d t h a t i t c o n t a i n e de l e m e n t s o f P h œ n i c i a n g r a m m a r u n k n o w n t o a 1 9 t h c e n t u r y f o r g e r. T h e d o c u m e n t c o u l dnot have been a fake. Gordon translated the inscription as follows:

We a re s o n s o f C a n a a n f ro m S i d o n f ro m t h e c i t y o f t h e M e rc a n t i l e K i n g . We w e re c a s t u p o n t h i s d i s t a n t s h o re , a l a n d o fm o u n t a i n s . We s a c r i f i c e d a y o u t h t o t h e c e l e s t i a l g o d s a n d g o d d e s s e s i n t h e n i n e t e e n t h y e a r o f o u r m i g h t y K i n g H i r a m . Wes a i l e d f ro m E z i o n - g e b e r i n t o t h e R e d S e a w i t h t e n s h i p s a n d w e re a t s e a t o g e t h e r f o r t w o y e a r s a ro u n d t h e l a n d o f H a m[ A f r i c a ] . T h e n w e w e re s e p a r a t e d b y t h e h a n d o f B a a l a n d w e re n o l o n g e r w i t h o u r c o m p a n i o n s . S o w e h a v e c o m e h e re ,t w e l v e m e n a n d t h re e w o m e n , i n t o a n e w s h o re . A m I , t h e A d m i r a l , a m a n w h o w o u l d f l e e ? N a y ! M a y t h e e x a l t e d g o d s a n dgoddesses favor us well. (as it appears in the magazine “Orientalia”).G o r d o n p o i n t e d o u t t h a t t h e l a n d i n g o f t h e s e P h œ n i c i a n s i n B r a z i l s e e m e d t o b e a c c i d e n t a l , b u t o t h e r s e a f a r e r s m a y h a v elanded intentionally centuries before Columbus, and brought with them architectural ideas like pyramids and monumentals t o n e s t r u c t u r e s l i k e E g y p t i a n o n e s . O t h e r s e x p l o r i n g t h e A m a z o n h a v e f o u n d a l l e g e d l y P h œ n i c i a n i n s c r i p t i o n s b u t t h e ycannot be confirmed as genuine. If the Phœnicians, those hallowed inventors of the alphabet, did in fact discover America,is it not improbable that the lost and controversial Paraiba Stone should be the only written evidence of their passageo n t h e s e s h o r e s ?T h e O p i n i o n o f L a d i s l a u N e t t o : F o r o r A g a i n s t t h eauthenticityFrom the outset, Mr. Netto made clear his support for the view that the inscripti o n i s o f P h o e n i c i a n o r i g i n . H e h i m s e l f w r o t e : F a r b e i t f r o m m e t o c a s t d o u b t o nt h e a u t h e n t i c i t y o f s u c h a n i n s c r i p t i o n i n a l a n g u a g e w h i c h h a s o n l y b e e n s t u d i e d i nr e c e n t y e a r s ” . A f t e r h a v i n g m a d e a n e x p l o r a t o r y t r a n s l a t i o n o f t h e i n s c r i p t i o n a n da f t e r h a v i n g r e c e i v e d d i f f e r e n t o b s e r v a t i o n s o f w e l l k n o w n o r i e n t a l i s t s , M r. N e t t oo f f e r e d a n e w t r a n s l a t i o n , m o r e a c c u r a t e t h a n t h e f i r s t .A rc h i v e s O f N a t i o n a l M u s e u m Vo l 6( 1 8 8 5 ) i n R i o d e J a n e i ro ; p u b l i s h e du n d e r t h e d i re c t i o n o f N e t t o ,LadislauI n t w o l e t t e r s p u b l i s h e d i n t h e “ B u s i n e s s J o u r n a l ” M r. N e t t o w a s q u i t e c a t e g o r i c a lin his belief in the authenticity of the inscription. He maintained his opinion in variousother articles in newspapers, and both in Brazilian and foreign magazines. Buti n a n a r t i c l e d a t e d t h e 2 7 / 0 1 / 1 8 7 4 a n d p u b l i s h e d i n t h e n e w s p a p e r “ N o v o M u n d o ” ( aP o r t u g u e s e j o u r n a l p u b l i s h e d i n N e w Yo r k ) h e p r e p a r e d t h e g r o u n d f o r a n e q u a l l yc a t e g o r i c a l d e n i a l o f t h e a u t h e n t i c i t y o f t h e i n s c r i p t i o n . S h o r t l y a f t e r w a r d s , h e h a da new letter published in the “Business Journal” in which he spoke with great convi c t i o n a g a i n s t t h e a u t h e n t i c i t y o f t h e i n s c r i p t i o n . T h e f o l l o w i n g y e a r, 1 8 8 5 , h ep u b l i s h e d t h e “ L e t t e r t o M o n s i e u r E r n e s t R e n a n ” i n w h i c h h e a b s o l u t e l y d e n i e s t h ea u t h e n t i c i t y o f t h e P a r a i b a i n s c r i p t i o n a n d a t t e m p t e d , a t l e a s t s o i t w o u l d s e e m , t ou n m a s k t h e f o r g e r.W h a t w a s t h e r e a s o n b e h i n d t h e a b o u t - t u r n o f s u c h a h i g h l y r e s p e c t e d p e r s o n a s M r.Netto? Can we say that he has the last word and that the inscription is a forgery?

N o t h i n g i s p r o v e d b y a n e g a t i o n . T h e p r o b l e m s t i l l s t a n d s . I n o u r v i e w t h e f i r s t t w o l e t t e r s r e f e r r e d t o p r e v i o u s l y a n dpublished in the “Business Journal”, evoked a tremendous reaction in Brazil and beyond. They aroused the enthusiasm ofm a n y h i s t o r i a n s , t h e c u r i o s i t y o f m a n y r e a d e r s . H o w e v e r t h e y a l s o i n c i t e d t h e a n g e r a n d e v e n t h e h a t r e d o f a l l t h o s e w h o ,on a mater of principle, could not admit that anyone else could have discovered Brazil before Pedro Alvares Cabral. Intheir fury they heaped sarcasm and calumny on the head of Mr. Netto.Can we speculate that he was threatened and obliged to write an article against the authenticity of the inscription in thes a m e p a p e r w h i c h h a s b e e n t h e s p r i n g b o a r d f o r h i s c e l e b r a t e d a n n o u n c e m e n t o f i t s a u t h e n t i c i t y ? A n d a s h i s r e p u t a t i o n w a swell established beyond the borders of Brazil and South America, can we speculate that the hostile declarations of the auth e n t i c i t y h a d o b l i g e d h i m t o m a k e a n a b o u t - t u r n . C a u g h t b e t w e e n c h o o s i n g t w o e v i l s h e c h o s e t h e l e s s e r.M r. N e t t o b e i n g a p r u d e n t a n d i n t e l l i g e n t m a n w a s p r o b a b l y t h r e a t e n e d a n d s o w h e n h e w r o t e w h a t w a s c l e a r l y a g a i n s t h i sf i r s t c o n v i c t i o n , h e l e f t m a n y g a p s a n d o b s c u r e p o i n t s i n h i s n e w v e r s i o n o f t h e f a c t s . A n y o n e w h o k n e w h i m a n d c o u l dread between the lines could see that basically he was holding fast in favor of the authenticity of the inscription. A minut e s t u d y o f t h e s e g a p s a n d c o n t r a d i c t i o n s c o n t a i n e d i n t h i s l e t t e r g o b e y o n d t h e l i m i t s o f t h i s c h a p t e r. I t i s s u f f i c i e n t f o ro u r p u r p o s e s t o p r o v i d e s o m e p r o o f s f o r t h e e x i s t e n c e o f a “ s p e c i a l f u n d a m e n t a l i s m ” w h o s e d e f e n d e r s d e c i d e d t o a t t a c ka n y p e r s o n w h o w o u l d d a r e t o p r o p o s e t h a t t h e r e w a s a n y p e r s o n o r a n y n a t i o n t h a t c o u l d h a v e a r r i v e d i n B r a z i l b e f o r eP e d r o A l v a r e s C a b r a l .A - I n S e p t e m b e r o f 1 9 5 9 t h e L e b a n e s e A m b a s s a d o r i n R i o d e J a n e i r o r e q u e s t e d i n f o r m a t i o n o n t h e i n s c r i p t i o n o f P a r a i b a .H e r e i s t h e r e p l y w h i c h h e r e c e i v e d f r o m t h e d i r e c t o r o f t h e D i v i s i o n o f A n t h r o p o l o g y o f t h e N a t i o n a l M u s e u m , P r o f e s s o rL u i s d e C a s t r o F a r i a . “ N o P h o e n i c i a n i n s c r i p t i o n h a s e v e r b e e n f o u n d n e a r R i o d e J a n e i r o o r i n a n y o t h e r p a r t o f B r a z i l .I n f a c t , t h e r e i s n o p o s s i b i l i t y o f e v e r d i s c o v e r i n g i n s c r i p t i o n s o f t h i s o r a n y o t h e r k i n d , s i n c e t h e i n h a b i t a n t s o f t h i s p a r tof the continent which we occupy today, did not know how to write”.T h e a u t h o r o f t h i s l e t t e r a s s u m e d t h e l i b e r t y o f s p e a k i n g i n t h e n a m e o f a l l m e n o f s c i e n c e . H e e v e n t o o k o n t h e r o l e o fprophet, speaking of the future so emotionally and in a very unscientific manner; “there is no possibility of ever discoveringinscriptions of this or any other kind”. The denial of the existence, in America, of ancient peoples with a degree ofdeveloped civilization is simply not justified. He was going against already established facts. The reason for his attitudew a s p r o b a b l y t h e “ s p e c i a l f u n d a m e n t a l i s m ” t o w h i c h w e h a v e a l r e a d y r e f e r r e d .B – I n t h e i n t r o d u c t i o n t o t h e 2 n d e d i t i o n o f t h e b o o k o f L u d w i g S c h w e n h a g e n , “ A n c i e n t H i s t o r y o f B r a z i l ” , w e r e a d t h ef o l l o w i n g a b o u t t h e a u t h o r. “ L i t t l e i s k n o w n a b o u t h i m . T h e r e i s a f o l k m e m o r y o f h i m a m o n g t h e p e o p l e o f Te r e s i n a .T h e y r e c a l l a q u i e t g e n t l e G e r m a n w h o t a u g h t h i s t o r y a n d d r a n k b r a n d y i n h i s f r e e t i m e . H e w e n t a r o u n d s t u d y i n g s o m er u i n s i n t h e s t a t e o f P i a u i a n d o t h e r s i n t h e N o r t h e a s t . H e c a m e t o Te r e s i n a i n t h e f i r s t q u a r t e r o f t h i s c e n t u r y a n d n o o n eknows from where. Then he died without a trace and no one knows from what. He had written some manuscripts on theorigin of the Tupi race, (the Tupis were the Indians living in Brazil, Paraguay and Bolivia). His name was so difficult forthe people to pronounce that he was called “Chovenagua”. It is very little to go on to assess such a sterling student.

Could Ludwig Schwenhagen also be a victim of this “special fundamentalism”? We cannot say yes or no. A short time afte r t h e p u b l i c a t i o n o f h i s f a m o u s w o r k i n w h i c h h e s p e a k s o f t h e a r r i v a l o f t h e P h o e n i c i a n s i n B r a z i l , h e “ m y s t e r i o u s l y ”disappeared.C – In the introduction to the same edition of the book of Schwenhagen, Mr Moacir C. Lopes has written the following:“In May of 1968, an article from the United States appeared in the newspaper “O DIA” of Rio de Janeiro accompanied byt h e r e p r o d u c t i o n o f a p i c t u r e w i t h s y m b o l s . T h e t e x t r e a d : “ D i s c o v e r e d i n P a r a i b a a n d t a k e n t o Wa l t h o n i n M a s s a c h u s s e t s ,in the USA, these symbols were studied for almost a hundred years. Finally Professor Cyrus Gordon, an expert in Mediterraneanaffairs, succeeded in deciphering them. They indicate that the Phoenicians were present in these lands whichnow form the country we live in at least two thousand years before Christopher Columbus discovered America, and Cabraldiscovered Brazil”.Tw o d a y s a f t e r t h e p u b l i c a t i o n o f t h i s a r t i c l e , a n o t h e r a r t i c l e a p p e a r e d i n a d i f f e r e n t n e w s p a p e r ” : “ P o r t u g u e s e , C a b r a la r r i v e d f i r s t ” i n w h i c h s o m e r a d i c a l P o r t u g u e s e i n B r a z i l s h o w t h e m s e l v e s “ e x t r e m e l y u p s e t , a n d t h r e a t e n i n g t o m a k e ad e m o n s t r a t i o n a t t h e E m b a s s y o f t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s … ” We d o n o t f e e l i t n e c e s s a r y t o m a k e a l o n g c o m m e n t a r y t o e x p l a i nt h e a t t i t u d e o f t h o s e w h o s h o u t o r w r i t e : “ P o r t u g u e s e , C a b r a l a r r i v e d f i r s t ” . B u t i t e m p h a s i z e s t h e p o i n t t h a t L a d i s l a uNetto did not say the last word on the Phoenician inscriptions of Paraiba. Most likely what he wrote denying the authenticityof the inscription was forced from him by means which have nothing to do with scientific truth. It is enough to readwhat the director of the national Museum wrote between 1872 and 1885 to understand the flagrant contradictions; sincerit y a t f i r s t a n d f a l s i t y a t t h e e n d .Without needing to provide all the proofs in favor of the authenticity, it is still worthwhile to explain for historical reasonsone of the famous contradictions. In his first letter published in the “Business Journal” of the 2 April 1873, Mr. Nettowrote: “There are about six people in all of Europe who are capable of creating an inscription of this nature; but theiri l l u s t r i o u s r e p u t a t i o n s a n d t h e i r e n o r m o u s s c i e n t i f i c p u b l i c a t i o n s p u t t h e m b e y o n d a n y s h a d o w o f s u s p i c i o n . T h e y a r e l i k ethe wife of Caesar, no one may distrust them.He does not mention the existence of any Brazilian expert in oriental studies or any foreigner living in Brazil who wouldb e c a p a b l e o f f o r g i n g a P h o e n i c i a n i n s c r i p t i o n o f e i g h t l i n e s . B u t i n h i s l e t t e r h e c l a i m s t h a t h e s e n t a n e n t r a p p i n g l e t t e rto a Brazilian orientalist and to four foreign oriental experts living in Brazil seeking their opinion regarding the interpreta t i o n o f t h e i n s c r i p t i o n .O n e o f t h e s e f o r e i g n e x p e r t s f e l l i n t o t h e t r a p a c c o r d i n g t o M r. N e t t o a n d r e s p o n d e d w i t h t h e s a m e c a l l i g r a p h y o f t h e f i r s tletter of the inscription which had been sent to the Marques of Sapucahy. But when requested to reveal the evidence ofthe letters he refused.In our opinion Mr. Netto, threatened and forced to unmask the foreign oriental expert forger who did not really exist eitherin Brazil or abroad, fell into his own trap along with all the other who were behind him.

Later, the impossibility of forging an inscription of this nature during the XIX century and the early years of the XX centu r y b e c a m e c l e a r e r. T h e l a s t w o r d o n t h e s u b j e c t h a s s t i l l t o b e s a i d .The Problem of the Lost StoneT h e f a c t t h a t t h e s t o n e w i t h t h e i n s c r i p t i o n o f P a r a i b a h a s n o t b e e n f o u n d i n t h e c o n t e x t w h i c h w e h a v e j u s t e x p l a i n e dc a n n o t b e u s e d a s a n a r g u m e n t a g a i n s t i t s a u t h e n t i c i t y. I t i s t r u e t h a t t h e n a m e o f J o a q u i m A l v e s d a C o s t a c o u l d b e f a l s ew i t h o u t i m p i n g i n g o n t h e q u e s t i o n o f a u t h e n t i c i t y. W h o e v e r d i s c o v e r e d t h e i n s c r i p t i o n , w o u l d h a v e w a n t e d t o k n o w i n t h ef i r s t p l a c e t h e r e a c t i o n t h i s d i s c o v e r y w o u l d h a v e h a d i n t h e s c i e n t i f i c a n d s o c i a l m e d i a o f t h e c o u n t r y b e f o r e r e v e a l i n gh i s t r u e n a m e a n d r e v e a l i n g t h e s t o n e o f f i c i a l l y. Ve r y l i k e l y w h e n h e s a w t h e n e g a t i v e a n d a g g r e s s i v e r e a c t i o n o f s o m a n yhe may have decided to hide the stone again, now that it was so famous and divisive.T h i s i s w h a t a G e r m a n P r o f e s s o r, a n e x p e r t i n o r i e n t a l l a n g u a g e s , L i e n a r d D e l e k a t h a s t o s a y : “ I n A m e r i c a d u r i n g t h e l a s tc e n t u r y ( h e w a s w r i t i n g i n 1 9 7 4 ) , s o m e p e o p l e w h o t h o u g h t t h e y h a d d i s c o v e r e d P h o e n i c i a n o r R o m a n a n t i q u i t i e s , w e r eled to despair and even to suicide by the suspicions cast on them by experts, by statements made to the press by interestedpeople and by clamor of public opinion…. The fact that the stone was kept in secret is probably a proof that the owner, b e i n g w e l l a w a r e o f w h a t c o u l d h a p p e n , d e c i d e d t o a w a i t u n t i l t h e t e x t c o u l d b e r e c o g n i z e d b y o t h e r e x p e r t s , i n o r d e rto avoid the suffering and fate of other discoverers. It is not a proof that an antiquarian or a forger wanted to raise theprice or play a joke on the public”.The Opinion of Dr. Gordon: AuthenticWe h a v e a l r e a d y m e n t i o n e d t h a t M r. N e t t o s e n t v a r i o u s l e t t e r s t o g e t h e r w i t h c o p i e s o f t h ei n s c r i p t i o n t o s p e c i a l i s t s i n E u r o p e a n d A m e r i c a . O n e o f t h e s e A m e r i c a n s b y t h e n a m e o f W.Eames, kept the Phoenician text, the French translation of Mr. Netto and an English translationwhich he himself made in an album. The album was purchased by Dr. J. Piccus, a professorat the University of Massachusetts in 1967. He had the inspiration to give a copy to acolleague, the famous orientalist, Dr. Cyrus Gordon. He immediately recognized the importa n c e a n d t h e g r e a t h i s t o r i c a l v a l u e o f t h e d i s c o v e r y o f P a r a i b a .Professor Gordon published a number of articles in the magazine “Orientalia” in favor ofthe authenticity of the Phoenician inscription of Brazil. These articles had an extraordinarysuccess and were the subject of comment and were re-published in different scientific journa l s . T h e n u m b e r o f t h o s e i n f a v o r o f t h e a u t h e n t i c i t y o f t h e i n s c r i p t i o n g r e w a s t h e p r o o f sw h i c h h e p r o f f e r e d , w e r e b a s e d o n P h o e n i c i a n i n s c r i p t i o n s d i s c o v e r e d i n t h e X X c e n t u r y.H e a t t e m p t e d t o p r o v e t h a t i t w a s i m p o s s i b l e i n t h e X I X t o f o r g e a P h o e n i c i a n i n s c r i p t i o n o fthis nature.

H i s p r i n c i p a l a r g u m e n t w a s t h a t t h e f a c t t h a t c e r t a i n g r a m m a t i c a l f o r m s a n d t e r m i n o l o g y i n t h e i n s c r i p t i o n w e r e u n k n o w ni n S e m i t i c l e x i c o g r a p h y u n t i l t h e d a t e o f t h e d i s c o v e r y o f t h e s a r c o p h a g u s o f A h r i a m , k i n g o f B y l o s , i n 1 9 2 3 . O t h e r f o r m swere known from the discovery of the sarcophagus of Tabnit and of Echmunazar in Sidon in 1887, which was fifteen yearsafter the discovery of the inscription of Paraiba. The text also has grammatical forms appearing only in the latest publicationsof the texts of Ugarit in 1957 and 1965.The inscription on the cover of the sarcophagus of Ahiram, king of Byblos, about 1000 BC.S o , i n o r d e r t o d e n y t h e a u t h e n t i c i t y o f t h e P a r a i b a i n s c r i p t i o n o n e w o u l d h a v e t o c r e d i t t h e f o r g e r o f t h e X I X c e n t u r yw i t h t h e i n s p i r a t i o n o f a p r o p h e t . A c c o r d i n g t o D r. G o r d o n , t h e P h o e n i c i a n i n s c r i p t i o n o f P a r a i b a m u s t b e f r o m t h e V Ic e n t u r y B C . To e s t a b l i s h t h i s d a t e h e b a s e s h i s a r g u m e n t s o n t h e g r a m m a r a n d t h e p a l e o g r a p h y o f t h e i n s c r i p t i o n .The Opinion of Albert Van den BrandenM a n y o r i e n t a l i s t s a n d h i s t o r i a n s h a v e s t u d i e d t h e i n s c r i p t i o n o f P a r a i b a . We c a n n o t r e p e a t t h e o p i n i o n s o f a l l o f t h e m ,as this goes beyond the possibilities of this work, but we will quote the opinion of only one, the specialist in Phoenici a n l a n g u a g e , P r o f e s s o r A l b e r t Va n d e n B r a n d e n a s h e w r o t e i n a n a r t i c l e e n t i t l e d “ T h e P h o e n i c i a n i n s c r i p t i o n o f P a r a i b a( B r a z i l ) ” . T h e r e a s o n f o r o u r c h o i c e i s t h a t t h e t r a n s l a t i o n a n d t h e c o m m e n t a r y m a d e b y v a n B r a n d e n s e e m t o u s t o b e t h eb e s t i n s p i t e o f t h e g r e a t m e r i t o f t h e p r o o f s o f a u t h e n t i c i t y m a d e b y D r. G o r d o n .Va n B r a n d e n b e g i n s h i s s t u d y b y d e c l a r i n g h i s s u p p o r t f o r t h e a u t h e n t i c i t y o f t h e i n s c r i p t i o n a n d f o r t h e o p i n i o n o f D r.Gordon regarding the non-existence of a forger in the XIX century capable of forging the inscription or any other suchinscription. He considers that we are dealing with a text written with Phoenician characters in a dialect especially influencedby the Hebrew language. This fact, according to him, is a new argument in favor of the authenticity, because thehistorical content explains, in a natural manner, the utilization of this dialect. In conjunction with the grammatical structureof the text one can compare the Moabite inscription of “Mecha” of the year 842 BC.

A paleographic comparison between the text of Paraiba and the Sidonian inscriptions which are dated to the end of the VIc e n t u r y a n d t h e b e g i n n i n g o f t h e V c e n t u r y B C . l e a d s o n e t o d e d u c e t h a t t h e i n s c r i p t i o n o f P a r a i b a i s m u c h o l d e r. O f t h e2 1 d i f f e r e n t l e t t e r s w h i c h a p p e a r i n t h e i n s c r i p t i o n , t h e r e a r e o n l y f i v e ( k , q , l , s , t ) w h i c h a p p e a r i n a f o r m u s e d a t t h e e n do f t h e V I c e n t u r y. A l l t h e o t h e r f o r m s a r e f o u n d i n i n s c r i p t i o n s o f t h e X a n d I X c e n t u r i e s . T h e a n t i q u i t y o f t h e i n s c r i p t i o nthus appears confirmed by its linguistic and historical content.The Linguistic and Historical ContentDr. Branden maintains that the Phoenician mariners who lived in Sidon were originally from the southern part of Phoenici a . I n t h i s b o r d e r r e g i o n , i t i s l i k e l y t h a t t h e y s p o k e a P h o e n i c i a n d i a l e c t w h i c h w a s i n f l u e n c e d b y t h e H e b r e w l a n g u a g eo f t h e i r n e i g h b o u r s . A s i m i l a r c a s e o c c u r s i n H o l l a n d a t p r e s e n t w h e r e t h e i n h a b i t a n t s o f t h e e a s t e r n p a r t o f t h e c o u n t r yspeak Holland’s dialect which is influenced by their German neighbours.We also know that the southern frontier of Phoeniciawas never very stable. The Bible relates how Solomonhad paid twenty cities located to the north of Galileei n t h e r e g i o n o f K a b u l t o H i r a m t h e k i n g o f Ty r e f o r h esent to Solomon architects and Cedar wood to build thet e m p l e o f J e r u s a l e m .In addition this explains the grammatical structure andthe morphology of the dialect of these mariners, andthat it is closer to Hebrew and Moabite usage. This ise s p e c i a l l y a p p a r e n t i n t h e g r a m m a r o f t h e v e r b s .Wi t h r e g a r d t o t h e e x p e d i t i o n , w e i m a g i n e t h a t i t s a i l e dfrom Ezion-Geber. This is the famous seaport that islocated on the northern extremity of the Gulf of Akabai n t h e R e d S e a . I n t h e V c e n t u r y t h i s p o r t w a s c a l l e dEilat. King Solomon prepared it for his fleet with theh e l p o f t h e P h o e n i c i a n s , a f t e r w h i c h h e c o n q u e r e d t h eEdomites. It was from there that the famous commerci a l e x p e d i t i o n s s e t s a i l i n s e a r c h o f t h e g o l d o f O p h i rand of other exotic products.Model of the temple of Jerusalem

In the Bible I Kings 9:26-29 says:“And King Solomon made a navy of ships in Eziongeber, whichi s b e s i d e E l o t h , o n t h e s h o r e o f t h e R e d s e a , i n t h e l a n d o fE d o m .A n d H i r a m s e n t i n t h e n a v y h i s s e r v a n t s , s h i p m e n t h a t h a dk n o w l e d g e o f t h e s e a , w i t h t h e s e r v a n t s o f S o l o m o n .And they came to Ophir, and fetched from thence gold, fourhundred and twenty talents, and brought it to King Solomon”.The ships were crewed by Phoenicians and Jews. The Phoenici a n s h a d t a u g h t t h e J e w s h o w t o n a v i g a t e a n d t h e s e c r e t s o fhow to be successful businessmen.But the alliance did not last long. We know from the Bible (1Kings 22:29) that king Jehoshaphat (871-846 BC.) of Judahbuilt a fleet to go in search of Ophir and its gold but his expedi t i o n f a i l e d b e c a u s e h i s s h i p s w e r e w r e c k e d i n E z i o n - G e b e r.Ahaziah (853-852) the son of Ahab, king of Israel, made a propo s a l t o J e h o s h a p h a t t h a t t h e y s h o u l d j o i n t o g e t h e r f o r a n e we x p e d i t i o n , b u t h i s o f f e r w a s r e j e c t e d ( 1 K i n g s 2 2 : 5 0 ) . T h i sm e a n s t h a t t h e j o i n t P h o e n i c i a n - J e w i s h e x p e d i t i o n s e n d e d f r o mthe IX century. During the reign of Ahaz (736-716 BC.), Ezion-G e b e r f e l l i n t o t h e h a n d s o f t h e E d o m i t e s a n d r e m a i n e d u n d e rtheir power until the middle of the VI century (1 Kings 16:6).I n e f f e c t t h e V I c e n t u r y w a s t i m e o f g r e a t i n s t a b i l i t y, a s m u c hfor the Jews as for their neighbors the Phoenicians. It is thecentury of the conquest of Nabuchodonozor, king of Babylon, ofthe exile of the Jews and the destruction of the temple. Accordin g t o v a n B r a n d e n , t h e s o c i o - p o l i t i c a l s i t u a t i o n o f t h e r e g i o nin the VI century did not allow for any Phoenician-Jewish expedition,especially for a long commercial enterprise from Ezion-Geber.The journey mentioned in the text must have been made during the reign of king Hiram of Tyre and his friend, King Solomo n . T h e t w o j o i n t l y e q u i p p e d a f l e e t i n s e a r c h o f g o l d , i n c e n s e a n d o t h e r e x o t i c g o o d s i n a r e g i o n o n t h e s o u t h c o a s t o fA f r i c a . T h e y e a r w a s 9 5 0 B C . a n d t h e 1 9 t h o f t h e r e i g n o f H i r a m . T h e s h i p w h i c h l a n d e d a t P a r a i b a w i t h t w e l v e m e n a n dt h r e e w o m e n s e e m e d t o h a v e o n l y P h o e n i c i a n p e r s o n n e l , S i d o n i a n s , o n b o a r d . A s t h e e x p e d i t i o n b e g a n w i t h t e n s h i p s , w ec a n c o n c l u d e t h a t t h e r e w a s p r o b a b l y a f u l l c o m p l e m e n t o f a b o u t 1 5 0 p e r s o n s i n v o l v e d .

Te x t a n d Tr a n s l a t i o nProfessor van Branden interpreted the Phoenician text in Latin letters in the following manner:1. Nhn bn knaan mn sdn mhqrt mlk wshr hslk2. N’ l’y z rhqt ‘rs hrm wnst bhr l’lywnm3. W’lywnt bsnt ts’t w’srt lhrm mlkn’ ‘br4. Wnhlk m’swn gbr bym sfwn ns’ ‘m ‘nyt ‘srt5. Wnhyh bym yhdw sim snm sbb l’rs lhm wnbdl6. Myd b’l wl’ nh(hy) ‘t hbrn’ hlm snm ‘sr7. Mtm wslst nsm b’y rhq t’s ‘nky mt’ strt ‘br8. Hblty’ ‘lywnm w’lywnt yhnn’The translation of the text in English is as follows:1. We are sons of Canaan, from Sidon, the city of the king. Commerce brought us2. to this distant beach, a region of mountains. And we offer a sacrifice of incense to the gods3. and to the goddesses in the 19th year of Hiram, our powerful king.4. We came form Ezion-Geber, on the serene sea, and we left with ten ships,5. and we sailed for two years, around the land of Ham (Africa) and we got separated6 . b y t h e h a n d o f B a a l , a n d w e l o s t c o n t a c t w i t h o u r c o m p a n i o n s . A n d w e a r e t w e l v e7. men and three women who came here on this long beach, and I, Mat’Astart, the chief8. took possession. May the gods and goddesses be kind to us?Religious IdeasB a a l w a s t h e p r i n c i p a l g o d o f t h e P h o e n i c i a n s . I t i s a g e n e r a l n a m e o f t h e p r i n c i p a l g o d o f a c i t y a n d o f a r e g i o n . M o r eprobably here it is Hadad, the god of storms who is in question. They also invoke “gods and goddesses” without specifyin g a n y n a m e s . T h e l e a d e r o f t h e e x p e d i t i o n c a l l s h i m s e l f “ M a t ’ a s t a r t ” , m e a n i n g “ a m a n f r o m A s t a r t o r A s t a r t e ” . A s t a r t ew a s a g r e a t g o d d e s s o f S i d o n a n d w a s e v e n v e n e r a t e d b y S o l o m o n ( 1 K i n g s 11 : 4 - 5 ; 3 3 ) .O n l a n d i n g o n t h e B r a z i l i a n s h o r e , t h e s a i l o r s o f f e r e d a s a c r i f i c e o f i n c e n s e t o t h e i r g o d s . A t t h i s p o i n t t h e r e i s a m a j o rd i f f e r e n c e i n t h e t r a n s l a t i o n s o f G o r d o n a n d v a n B r a n d e n . G o r d o n t r a n s l a t e s t h e w o r d “ B H R ” a s “ y o u n g m a n ” a n d t h i n k st h e P h o e n i c i a n s o f f e r e d a h u m a n s a c r i f i c e . Va n B r a n d e n t r a n s l a t e s i t a s “ i n c e n s e ” , i n A r a b i c “ b a k h u r ” . T h e r e a s o n i n g o fv a n B r a n d e n i s a s f o l l o w s : b a s i n g h i m s e l f o n t h e s m a l l n u m b e r o f s u r v i v o r s a n d a s k i n g w h y t h e y w o u l d u s e a v e r y s m a l lchild for these sacrifices, he feels that a human sacrifice is out of the question here.

S m a l l b ro n z e s t a t u e s f ro m P h o e n i c i a ,representing a sitting goddess and a smitinggoddess,related to Astarte, Louvre Museum.We s u p p o r t w i t h o u t a n y h e s i t a t i o n t h e o p i n i o n o f v a n B r a n d e n a n d w e f i n i s h w i t h a n e w e x p l a n a t i o n . I t h e l p s t o r e d u c ethe question to its simplest terms. Father Joseph Henniger, who has a competency in both ethnography and Semitics, insistson the fact that examples of human sacrifice among the Phoenicians were extremely rare.For a better understanding of this fact, we must take into account three fundamental points: the matter used in sacrifice,t h e s a c r i f i c i a l c e r e m o n y ( t h e r i t e ) , a n d f i n a l l y t h e c u l t u r a l f a c i l i t i e s n e e d e d f o r t h e c a r r y i n g o u t o f t h i s r i t e . T h e p e r s o n ,w h o o f f e r s a c h i l d t o g o d , o f f e r s “ h i s o w n f l e s h ” a c c o r d i n g t o a P u n i c e x p r e s s i o n . B u t m o r e o f t e n t h e c h i l d , h i s o w n s o n ,i s s u b s t i t u t e d b y a s m a l l l a m b . T h e s a c r i f i c e i s r e f e r r e d t o a s “ m o l c h o m o r ” w h i c h m e a n s “ t h e o f f e r i n g o f a s h e e p ” . T h es a c r i f i c e o f a c h i l d o r o f i t s s u b s t i t u t e i s m a d e t o a c e r t a i n B a a l , B a a l H a m m o n a n d n o t t o g o d s a n d g o d d e s s e s i n g e n e r a las we read, it took place in the text of Paraiba.

T h e s u p r e m e s a c r i f i c e w a s c e l e b r a t e d a c c o r d i n g t o a s p e c i a l r i t e a n d i n a s p e c i a l s a n c t u a r y w h i c h w a s c a l l e d “ To f e t ” . N oo n e h a s e v e r d i s c o v e r e d a “ To f e t ” i n L e b a n o n . B a s i n g o u r s e l v e s o n t h i s e x p l a n a t i o n w e d e n y c a t e g o r i c a l l y t h e p o s s i b i l i t yo f a s a c r i f i c e o f a y o u n g m a n a f t e r o r b e f o r e t h e m a r i n e r s d i s e m b a r k e d a t P a r a i b a . A n o f f e r i n g o f i n c e n s e i s a g o o dtranslation.ConclusionWe h a v e c o m p l e t e d t h e a c c o u n t o f t h e v a r i o u s v i c i s s i t u d e s t h r o u g h w h i c hthe study of the Paraiba inscription has passed since 1872 until the presen t . We w o u l d n o w l i k e t o r e c a p i t u l a t e a t t h i s p o i n t t h e p r i n c i p a l i d e a s o ft h i s n a r r a t i v e .T h e f i r s t s p e c i a l i s t t o r e p o r t o n t h e d i s c o v e r y o f t h e i n s c r i p t i o n o f P a r a i b awas Mr. Ladislau Netto, the Director of the National Museum of Brazil inRio de Janeiro. He was completely convinced of the authenticity of the inscription.However, he was forced to act rather pragmatically after the publi c a t i o n o f a n u m b e r o f a r t i c l e s i n n e w s p a p e r s a n d m a g a z i n e s w h i c h w e r ev e r y c r i t i c a l o f h i s v i e w s . H e e v e n r e c e i v e d t h r e a t s t o h i s p e r s o n . A t t h i sp o i n t h e c h a n g e d h i s a t t i t u d e o f s u p p o r t i n f a v o r o f t h e a u t h e n t i c i t y a n dj o i n e d t h e r a n k s o f t h e d i s b e l i e v e r s . A t l e a s t s o i t s e e m e d . T h e r e a s o n f o rt h i s s w a p p i n g o f s i d e s w a s , i n o u r o p i n i o n , t h e w a y i n w h i c h c e r t a i n p e o p l ewere behaving who did not want to admit that anyone could have discoveredBrazil before Pedro Alvares Cabral. He only landed in Brazil in 1500.A r t i c l e s w e r e p u b l i s h e d i n t h e X I X a n d a t t h e b e g i n n i n g o f t h e X X c e n t u r y,some in favor of the authenticity and others against. But they did not convinceany archaeologist or historian at the end of the XX century or thebeginning of the XXI because the Phoenician inscriptions discovered befo r e t h e d i s c o v e r y o f t h e s a r c o p h a g u s o f A h i r a m w e r e f e w i n n u m b e r a n d o fl i t t l e u s e i n d e c i p h e r i n g t e x t s i n t h e P h o e n i c i a n a l p h a b e t . T h e i n s c r i p t i o nof Paraiba has many linguistic peculiarities not found in previous inscriptions.It contained grammatical rules which were unknown in 1872, ande v e n f o r t h e f o l l o w i n g f i f t y y e a r s . T h e y o n l y b e c a m e k n o w n i n 1 9 2 3 w i t hthe discovery made by Pierre Montet of Ahiram’s sarcophagus.I t i s t o D r. G o r d o n t h a t w e o w e t h e m o s t i m p o r t a n t a n d c o n v i n c i n g a r g u m e n t s i n f a v o r o f t h e a u t h e n t i c i t y o f t h e P a r a i b atext. It was impossible to say the last word about this inscription before 1923. He is the pioneer in this fundamental questionbecause the arguments which he presents are clearly scientific and not conjectural or speculative.

We should add that various archaeologists, historians and expertsi n t h e s e m a t t e r s a l s o s u p p o r t t h e a u t h e n t i c i t y o f t h e i n s c r i p t i o n .Among them we can mention L. Delekat, Albert van den Branden…B u t t h e r e i s s t i l l n o c o m p l e t e a g r e e m e n t o n t h e t r a n s l a t i o n o f t h et e x t , o n i t s h i s t o r i c a l c o n t e n t , o n t h e g o a l o f t h e e x p e d i t i o n , o n t h ereligious beliefs and its portrays, and on the dialect spoken…Thereare even small differences in the translation made by the same expert,but at different times. The different translation made by Dr.Gordon and Delekat are a case in point. From this point of view,p r o b a b l y t h e b e s t t r a n s l a t i o n i s t h a t m a d e b y v a n d e n B r a n d e n . H i sarticle “The Phoenician inscription of Paraiba” which was publishedin the magazine “Melto” was little known outside Lebanon.U n f o r t u n a t e l y t h i s m a g a z i n e d i d n o t e n j o y a l a r g e r e a d e r s h i p a m o n gspecialists and it quickly ceased publication.Sarcophagus of Ahiram, king of Byblos, about 1000 BCWi t h r e f e r e n c e t o t h o s e l i k e J . F r e i d r i c h a n d D r. C r o s s , w h o d e n i e d t h e a u t h e n t i c i t yo f t h e i n s c r i p t i o n , i n o u r v i e w, t h e i r c o u n t e r a r g u m e n t s w e r e n e v e r c o n v i n c i n g . S o m eeven tried to identify the forger of the inscription as the emperor Pedro II. The empe r o r w a s a m a n o f i n t e g r i t y a n d a s t a l w a r t s u p p o r t e r o f m e n o f l e t t e r s . H e w a s a l s om o r e t h a n j u s t a n a m a t e u r i n h i s k n o w l e d g e o f H e b r e w a n d A r a b i c . B u t e v e n h e ,m u c h l e s s a n y o t h e r p e r s o n l i v i n g i n B r a z i l o r a n y o t h e r p a r t o f t h e w o r l d i n 1 8 7 2w a s c a p a b l e o f f a l s i f y i n g a P h o e n i c i a n i n s c r i p t i o n a n d m a k i n g u s e o f g r a m m a t i c a lrules which no one at that time knew anything about.T h e n t h e m y s t e r y w h i c h s u r r o u n d s t h e S t o n e o f P a r a i b a d o e s n o t d e n y t h e c r e d i t d u et o t h e f a b u l o u s c i r c u m n a v i g a t i o n o f C h r i s t o p h e r C o l u m b u s o f a n o t h e r a g e . B u t i tdoes provoke consideration and admiration for the bravery and courage of the marine r s o f b i b l i c a l t i m e s , c a r r i e d a l o n g a s t h e y w e r e i n a “ f r a g i l e w o o d e n v e s s e l ” o n t h e“cruel waves”, trusting only in the protection of their gods.Photograph of Emperor Pedro II in 1876

F i n a l l y, t h e m a n y i n s c r i p t i o n s r e c o v e r e d s o f a r t h a t a r e p u r p o r t e d t o b e o f P h œ n i c i a n o r i g i n w e r e f o u n d i n a r e a s o f N o r t hAmerica that have been extensively surveyed and cultivated. In the 18th century, a rock was found near Dighton, Massach u s e t t s , b e a r i n g a s t r a n g e i n s c r i p t i o n w h i c h E z r a S t i l e s , t h e n p r e s i d e n t o f Ya l e C o l l e g e , c l a i m e d w e r e P h œ n i c i a n . I n t h e19th century, a tablet unearthed at an Indian mound near Tennessee’s Bat Creek was thought to represent Canaanite writin g f r o m t h e 1 s t o r 2 n d c e n t u r y A D . T h e s e , a n d s i m i l a r f i n d s , w e r e d e e m e d t o b e o f q u e s t i o n a b l e a u t h e n t i c i t y, t h e p r o d u c to f e x c e s s i v e z e a l o r o v e r a c t i v e i m a g i n a t i o n s .The Davenport Tablet, found in Iowa in 1877, is a case in point. It was considered to be a hoax until it was recently scrutinizedby the eminent epigrapher Barry Fell, professor of biology at Harvard University. Applying the esoteric skillso f e p i g r a p h y, F e l l c l a i m s h e h a s b e e n a b l e t o d e c i p h e r t h r e e i n d i v i d u a l l a n g u a g e s o n t h e t a b l e t : E g y p t i a n h i e r o g l y p h i c ,Carthaginian, and Iberian Punic. This and other linguistic evidence have led him to the conclusion that the Phœnicianscolonized Massachusetts briefly around 400 BC. Perhaps the definitive evidence of a Phœnician presence on these shoress t i l l a w a i t s t h e f a r m e r ’s p l o w o r t h e l a b o r e r ’s h o e i n s o m e u n t a m e d c o r n e r o f t h e A m a z o n o r t h e Yu c a t a n .

Our Lady of Lebanon Maronite Catholic SchoolVisit from the Easter Bunny & Easter Egg Hunt

Learning through Play (Grade RR & R)

“We love our school and all we do and learn!!”Austin Williams, Jude Simon, Christian Zackey“School is fun, we do lots of different things.”Tatum Alberts, Kiara Kane, Jemma AbrosieCHESS

To sing God’s Praises is to pray twiceNews By Ken HannaL i k e m o s t w h o l i v e i n t h e N o r t h e r n s u b u r b s o f J o h a n n e s b u r g , I d u t i f u l l y a t t e n d e d ‘ P h a n t o m o f t h eO p e r a ’ a t t h e Te a t r o a t M o n t e c a s i n o t o g e t h e r w i t h m y g r a n d d a u g h t e r w h o i s 1 0 y e a r s o f a g e . I a s k e d h e rw h a t s h e t h o u g h t o f t h e O p e r a a n d s h e r e p l i e d t h a t i t f r i g h t e n e d h e r a s w e l l a s h e r f r i e n d , 1 3 y e a r s o fage.Quite frankly, apart from a few numbers, I did not enjoy the show; in fact at interval I thought theshow was over. Not so and again dutifully, I watched the second half.O n e m u s t a l w a y s c o m p a r e a p p l e s w i t h a p p l e s - t h e l e a d m a n i n t h e s h o w a n d o n e o f t h e l e a ds i n g e r s a t t h e M a r o n i t e C h u r c h ; O n G o o d F r i d a y, d u r i n g c o m m u n i o n , J a m e s N u n a n d i d a r e n d i t i o n o fthe hymn, “Sweet Sacrament Divine”, one of the most beautiful hymns I have ever heard.James has a soprano voice and is one of the great singers in the Catholic Diocese of Johannesburg.James has been singing since the age of 7 years. I asked him if we could mention this in theM a r o n i t e M a g a z i n e a n d C e d a r L e a f , a n d h e r e a d i l y a g r e e d . H e h a s n o h e s i t a t i o n t h a t h i s g i f t i s a na n o i n t i n g - a g i f t f r o m G o d . We t h e n c o n t i n u e d o u r G o o d F r i d a y s e r v i c e w i t h S t a t i o n s o f t h e C r o s s ,climbing the mountain. This is an exercise of the body and of the soul - a spiritual experience.Saint AugustineSaint Augustine is one of the great fathers of the Church.In Johannesburg we have a University inn a m e d a f t e r t h i s g r e a t S a i n t . T h e R e c t o r a n d P r e s i d e n t o f t h i s u n i v e r s i t y, F a t h e r M i c h a e l Va n H e e r d e n ,p r e a c h e d t h e m i s s i o n d u r i n g H o l y We e k a t t h e C h u r c h o f O u r L a d y o f L e b a n o n , M u l b a r t o n . T h i s i s t h e2nd time Father Michael rpeached a Mission at our Church, the first being in 1992.

Was Saint Augustine Lebanese?According to Father Michael Chebli, a definite yes of Lebanese (Phoenician) origin.Was his mother, Saint Monica, of Phoenician descent.?According to the great Scholars of the Church, Saint Augustine was born in Hippo, now present dayAlgeria. He was of Phoenician, Latin and Berber stock, a son of Africa like you and I and ourchildren and grandchildren.We Catholics have great confidence in our faith. We never criticize or belittle any religion. TheUniversity of Saint Augustine backed this belief by having a lecture on Atheism given by a prominentagnostic from the University of the Witwatersrand on 18th April 2012. That atheism makes for a farh a p p i e r i n d i v i d u a l , t h a n t h e i s m - t h e h u m a n b e i n g i s t h e c e n t r e a n d n o t G o d . G r e a t s t u f f , b u t a s F a t h e rYves Lejour would say, sincerely but perhaps sincerely wrong. But what would Saint Augustine say?There is a Lebanese man that sells bread outside the Church in the South - food for the body.In the repository an attractive Lebanese lady sells ‘Holy’ books - food for the Soul.The Priest at Mass with his incense dispenses ‘holy smoke’; far better than cigarettes, ‘Hubly Bubbly’,dagga or even cocaine.T h e s p i r i t u a l ‘ H o m e ’ o f o u r s o u l , s a y s S t . A u g u s t i n e , i s b u i l t u p i n t i m e a n d d e d i c a t e d i n e t e r n i t y.F a i t h i s t h e f o u n d a t i o n , h o p e t h e w a l l s , c h a r i t y t h e r o o f o r c o v e r i n g .The sacraments are the great means of grace. The chief instruments required for the building.T h e v i r t u e s , t h e C h r i s t i a n r u l e o f l i f e a n d t h e d a i l y e x e r c i s e s , m a y b e l i k e n e d t o t h e a d o r n m e n t ,f u r n i t u r e a n d p a i n t i n g s i n t h e h o m e .May your spiritual home be comfortable, tasteful and happy - have a ‘Soulful month’

A v i s i t t o M o t h e r T h e r e s a’sHomeby Tania Da SilvaW h i l e m o s t o f y o u w e r e s l e e p i n g i n l a t e , h a v i n gb r e a k f a s t a n d e n j o y i n g t h e 1 0 o’ c l o c k T Vprogramme on Saturday the 7th of April, ourwonderful and thoughtful youth membersa r r i v e d a t t h e c h u r c h a b l e a n d w i l l i n g t ol e n d a h a n d .We , a s t h e M a r o n i t e Yo u t h C o m m i t t e e e l e c t e d t os u p p o r t M o t h e r T h e r e s a’s h o m e a s p a r t o f o u rm i s s i o n a r y a c t i v i t y f o r 2 0 1 2 . O f t e n w e a r e n o tk e e n t o v o l u n t e e r w h e n a s k e d t o d o a f a v o u r ;h o w e v e r, o n t h i s p a r t i c u l a r o c c a s i o n a n d m u c ht o o u r d e l i g h t , t h e y o u t h o f o u r p a r i s h j u m p e dat the opportunity to help those less fortunateI.Together with many generous donations:money, food, time and effort, our visit to thehome was very successful! Lunch was enjoyedb y a l l , a d u l t s a n d c h i l d r e n . We a t eh o t d o g s a n d a h e a r t y m e a t s t e w w a s s e r v e d .We spent time with all the residents at theh o m e , m o s t l y w i t h t h e c h i l d r e n . T h e s eb a b i e s , l i k e a l l o t h e r s , j u s t w a n t t o b e h e l d .

T h e y g i g g l e w h e n y o u k i s s o r t i c k l e t h e m , a n d c r y w h e n y o u p u t t h e m d o w n . T h e t o d d l e r s g e t j e a l o u s w h e nyou pick up others and grab your legs when you try to leave. We enjoyed our time there just as much asthey did.The main aim of our missionary activities is to give back to the community, but what we have learned isthat we always walk away withmuch more than we have given. And leaves us with unforgettable memories.Our time with the Mother Theresa’s residents will alwyas have a special place in our hearts.On Behalf of Father Fady and the MYC, I would like to thank all those that contributed to the success ofo u r v i s i t . M a y t h e r i p p l e e f f e c t s o f y o u r a c t i o n s g o f u r t h e r t h a n o u r i m m e d i a t e c o m m u n i t y.God Bless you

St Neemtallah Family dayThe Faith Companions completed the first term with a family day, where our special friendsand their families attended Mass followed by lunch. By God’s grace, we had lovelyw e a t h e r f o r o u r b r a a i o n t h e g r a s s i n t h e o p e n a i r. T h e w h o l e S t N e e m t a l l a hfamily shared this beautiful day.T h e n e w t e r m b e g i n s o n t h e 2 8 t h Ap r i l . N e w f r i e n d s w i l l b e j o i n i n g u s , a n d w e p r a y t h a t G o d w i l l b ewith us as we spend many moments of joy and happiness with them. A big thank you is extended toa l l t h o s e w h o s u p p o r t a n d w o r k f o r t h e S t N e e m t a l l a h F r i e n d s a s i t g r o w s f r o m s t r e n g t h t o s t r e n g t hdaily, serving our community with love and care.

T h e W e d d i n g o f M a t t h e w & L i s a( S a n t o s ) S h a mThe Christening ofGiuliana De Sousa

Church Hall/Venue at Our Lady of Lebanon, MulbartonCana Banqueting & Conference CentreThe Church Venue at Our Lady of Lebanon is now run via the Church office. All bookings ande n q u i r i e s m a y b e d o n e a t t h e o f f i c e .This is an ideal venue for intimate gatherings. A maximum of 220 people can be accomodated forweddings, 21sts, birthday and other important gatherings, as well as company and corporate occasions.The Venue offers safe and secure parking facilities and various catering menus are available oro u r C o o r d i n a t o r s w i l l g l a d l y a s s i s t y o u w i t h t h e f i n e r d e t a i l s t o e n s u r e t h a t y o u r d r e a m f u n c t i o nbecomes a reality.T h i s v e n u e i s r u n b y t h e C h u r c h a n d c r e a t e s a m u c h n e e d e d r e v e n u e f o r t h e d a i l y u p k e e p a n dmaintenance of the Church.T h e Ve n u e i s a l s o a v a i l a b l e f o r r e f r e s h m e n t s a f t e r f u n e r a l s . H o w e v e r d u e t o g e n e r a lr u n n i n g c o s t s a n d s t a f f e x p e n s e s ; a f r e e s e r v i c e i s n o t a v a i l a b l e . C o n t a c t o f f i c e f o r f e e a p p l i c a t i o n son 011 432 5331.

Et h a n-Al l a n An t o u nMo r g a n Ro e b u c kMo r g a n Le i s h e rTr a v i s Tr i s t e mFi n n Tr i s t e mJo r d a n Le i t eSi e n n a Ma r q u e sSi e n n a Wi l l s o nAm y St e v e n sBaptisedBe a t r i x Ke n a y aGi u l i a n a De So u s aBa p t i s m s & We d d i n g sCo n gr at u l at io n s and blessings to the following members who were baptised or married:Our Lady of Lebanon - MulbartonParentsOur Lady of Lebanon - MulbartonMichel & Kristal AntounWayne & Lorna RoebuckRichard & Joanne LeisherAdrian & Sandy TristemKevin & Renee TristemDanielle Da Silva LeiteTerence Marques & Michelle RibeiroBrad & Nadine WillsonWarren & Samantha StevensNkulu Yves & Bijou AtiisiDaniel & Sandra Da SilvaWeddingsRo y De Va s c o n c e l o s & Ja c k y An n Go m e s - 07 Ap r i l 2012Jo n a t h a n Ta n n o u s & Ja d e Ra h m e - 14 Ap r i l 2012Ni c h o l a s Ro s e l l a & Ch a r l e n e Meiring - 21 Ap r i l 2012Obi t ua r i e s †Our La d y o f Le b a n o nRosary hour every WednesdayInvitation to join in the Rosary Hour inyour own home on Wednesdaysbetween 7.30pm & 8.30pm.For God’s glorification,OurLady’s intentions, An end to abortion, ForPriests, For families and youth, Forintentions of those of the Rosary Hour, Forintentions of those on the PrayerRequest List, In reparation of allblasphemies.† Mi c h a e l O Co n n o r05 Apr i l 2012† Ro n a l d An t h o n y Ma g u a17 Apr i l 2012If you are unable to say it at allocated timesay it anytime on a Wednesday.

Lu k e Le s l i e Ka i r u zRy a n De r r i c k Ra h m eLu c a MaffiaJo r d a n Av a To w e e lAs h t o n Mi c h a e l Wa r b yAr i z o n a Ma r i Wa r b yDominic Al e x Va n Zy lSe l a r a Zi t a Fa r r yMotsilisi Ra h l a oBa p t i s m s & We d d i n g sCo n gr at u l at io n s and blessings to the following members who were baptised or married:Our Lady of The Cedars - WoodmeadBaptismsOur Lady of the Cedars - WoodmeadFrederick & Erene KairuzDarren & Genne RahmeSergio & Linda MaffiaCraig & Aimee ToweelJoseph & Natalie WarbyHouston & Meghan WarbyGary & Audrey Van ZylTravis Farry & Lesharne PetersPatrick & Nothemba RahlaoMessage of MedjugorjeMarch 25 2012“Dear children! Also today I am calling youto prayer, and may your heart, little children,open towards God as a flower opens towardsthe warmth of the sun. I am with you and Iintercede for all of you. Thank you for havingresponded to my call.”Obi t ua r i e s †Our La d y o f Th e Ce d a r sWeddingsEl i a Ts o u r i s & Na t a s h a Co u t o - 14 Ap r i l 2012Ry a n La a t z & Sa r a h De Gi d t s - 21 Ap r i l 2012Pe t e r Sm i t h & Ca r i n He n d r i k z - 29 Ap r i l 2012† Su s a n An n e Kh o u r i e04 Fe b r u a r y 1924 - 15 Apr i l 2012