About Us

St. George Brotherhood – Group of Love and Joy

Ministry to Persons with Special Needs

St George Chaldean Church – Melbourne

 

Introduction

The Community of Love and Joy is an ecumenical lay ecclesial community whose fundamental mission is to cooperate in fulfilling the will of our Lord Jesus Christ, as expressed in His words: “‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me.” (Matthew 25: 40).

 

Inspired by this Gospel mandate and driven by pastoral concern for persons with special needs, divine grace moved Brother Imad Haseeb—under the guidance and spiritual patronage of the late martyr Archbishop Paulos Faraj Rahho of thrice-blessed memory—to establish this community in the city of Mosul, northern Iraq, on 28 August 1986, under the motto: “My encounter with a brother with a disability is my encounter with the Lord.”

From its inception, the community emerged as an ecclesial and humanitarian ministry dedicated to accompanying persons with special needs with love and joy, serving all who are in need regardless of ecclesial affiliation, first throughout Iraq and later within several Churches of the diaspora.

 

Objectives of the Group:

First – Spiritually:

To encounter God through the accompaniment of brothers and sisters with special needs, particularly persons with intellectual disabilities and those with Down syndrome.

 

Second – Humanitarianly:

To affirm the inherent dignity and rightful place of persons with special needs—especially those with intellectual disabilities and Down syndrome—by integrating them fully into the family, the Church, and society, and by revealing the profound human and spiritual dimension of their lives.

 

Structure of the Brotherhood:

• The Spiritual Director
• The Community Coordinator
• Brothers and sisters with special needs (persons with intellectual disabilities and Down syndrome)
• The serving team (volunteers)
• The families of the brothers and sisters

 

Activities of the Brotherhood:

• Preparatory meetings
• Brotherhood gatherings involving the threefold dimension of the community (brothers and sisters – volunteers – families)
• Pastoral visits (to the families of the brothers and sisters and of the volunteers)
• Spiritual retreats
• Recreational outings and trips
• Organisation of celebrations for liturgical seasons, major feasts, and special occasions
• Participation in joint activities with other brotherhoods and ecclesial groups

 

Identity and Mission:

The Community of Love and Joy is an ecumenical community serving within the heart of the Church. It brings together members from various Catholic and Orthodox traditions and seeks to integrate persons with special needs into both Church and society through their active participation in ecclesial life. The community offers spiritual and social accompaniment within an atmosphere characterised by joy, respect, pastoral care, and genuine Christian love.

 

Geographical Presence:

The community began its ministry in Iraq and gradually expanded to numerous cities and towns, including Baghdad, Qaraqosh, and Alqosh. With the migration of families, the community’s mission extended beyond Iraq, leading to the establishment of brotherhoods in Lebanon, Sweden, the United States, France, and Australia.

 

The Group of Love and Joy in Melbourne, Australia

By the grace of God and His benevolent will and motivated by a spirit of love and genuine service, the St George Brotherhood of the Community of Love and Joy was established at St George Chaldean Church in Melbourne on 25 November 2017, as a blessed continuation of the community’s mission originating in Iraq.

This pastoral journey commenced through the commitment of four volunteers: Ibrahim, Rasha, Rawa, and Raghad, who embraced love as the foundation of all service and joy as the fruit of every encounter. The first gathering was distinguished by an atmosphere of prayer and fraternal joy, with the participation of four dear brothers and sisters—Ziad, Ihsan, Raafat, and Reem—who carried the light of hope from the very beginning.

Under the patronage of His Excellency Bishop Emil Nona, Archbishop of the Eparchy of St Thomas the Apostle for Australia and New Zealand, the first gathering received a particular blessing through the presence of Fr Maher Korial, then Parish Priest of St George Parish, who accompanied the community throughout 2017.

 

Pastoral Activities and Practical Mission:

• The Community of Love and Joy at St George Church organises regular pastoral gatherings twice a month (on Saturdays), bringing together brothers and sisters, families, and volunteers within an integrated program that includes:
• A spiritual reflection (Gospel sharing or a biblical narrative presented in a simplified and pastoral manner)
• Visual aids and dramatisation
• Community hymns
• Physical and recreational activities
• An educational segment (handicrafts, colouring, and practical application of the spiritual theme)
• Recreational games
• Celebration of the birthdays of the brothers and sisters according to the month
• Concluding prayer and a shared fellowship meal

 

The community also participates in major ecclesial celebrations such as Christmas, New Year, and Easter, as well as theatrical presentations and activities organised by the Chaldean Church.

 

Team and Organisation:

The Community of Love and Joy in Melbourne currently includes 25 brothers and sisters of various ages, with diverse diagnoses and functional differences.

The ministry is sustained voluntarily by a dedicated team of nine volunteers who generously offer their time and service with commitment and pastoral love.

• Spiritual Director: Msgr. Fr. Paul Mingana, Parish Priest of St. George Chaldean Parish
• Community Coordinator: Brother Ibrahim Hanna Al-Hadaya
• Volunteers: Rasha – Rawa – Raghad – Naheen – Ameer – Milad – Rand – Salam

 

The volunteer team meets twice monthly (on Tuesdays), and each meeting includes:

A spiritual reflection

• Evaluation of the previous gathering
• Preparation for the forthcoming gathering
• Exchange of pastoral insights and observations
• Ongoing review of the annual pastoral plan and special events
• The Community of Love and Joy is directly supported by St George Chaldean Church in Melbourne.

 

Mission Statement:

The mission of the Community of Love and Joy extends beyond the provision of service alone; it seeks to foster a transformation in society’s perception of disability by recognising the human person before the disability and by emphasising dignity, joy, and belonging.

Rooted in a living faith in Christ present in every human being, the community discovers in service a genuine encounter with the Lord. It learns that giving is not a loss but a grace, and that those whom we serve not only receive our support but also enrich us with profound lessons in patience, simplicity, and authentic joy.

 

Spiritual Nourishment within the Community:

• Within the Community of Love and Joy, members are spiritually nourished through:
• Living practical Christian love as taught by Jesus Christ
• Experiencing the joy that flows from self-giving service
• Deepening a sense of belonging to one family in Christ
• Discovering the meaning of hope amid suffering and life’s challenges

 

The Community of Love and Joy remains a living ecclesial witness that love has the power to generate joy, and that service, when offered from the heart, bears life and hope.