The Accent's on Youth

Says New AM Bishop

By Domenica Acitelli

BISHOP Mar Meelis Zaia received an Australian Day honour for all the community work he has done through the Holy Apostolic Catholic Assyrian Church of the East in Greenfield Park.

Bishop Zaia was awarded a Member (AM) in the General Division of the Order of Australia Medal.

He is honoured for helping young people become better citizens and for developing educational facilities in the community.

Bishop Zaia also set up a special parish for young people that has grown from 50 to a congregation of more than 300.

"I'm very proud of this award and to serve this country and my community," Bishop Zaia said.

"It's something that every good Aussie would do - serve with devotion and love."

Bishop Zaia was born in Iraq and arrived in Australia in 1985, three years after he was ordained a priest in California.

He migrated to the US in 1979 and was appointed to the diocese of Australia and New Zealand in 1984.

Bishop Zaia said he was involved in starting the first primary school in Sydney that was outside the Middle East.

"The St Hurmizd Assyrian Primary School is for the Assyrian community," he said.

"And we built the Mar Narsai High School in Greenfield Park, which was finished in 2000."

Bishop Zaia is grateful for the help the federal and state governments have given him with the school.

"They not only helped financially but also with setting programs and the curriculum," he said. "We're doing well with students from kindergarten to years 7 and 8."

Bishop Zaia said the school had also produced a program for local Assyrian young people.

"We get them involved in Bible studies and youth programs," he said. "I have translated it into an English-speaking practice and there are various counselling programs. The program focuses on those troubled young people who were involved in drugs, alcohol and gambling."

"We are getting them back into the church and making them good Australian citizens.

"That gives me great satisfaction."

Article courtesy of Fairfield Champion, 31/01/2007, p3.

Posted: 01/02/2007