May 24 bulletin

ASCENSION THURSDAY

Our Lord tells His disciples in the gospel of John 16:16-20 that they will weep and mourn while the world rejoices, but their mourning will turn into joy.

Now we know, of course, that was the case with regard to the Crucifixion and the Resurrection. It was also the case with the fact that they had to live their lives in this world for a number of years after the time of our Lord’s Resurrection and then finally they could be put to death and then raised to life and brought to eternity in heaven. But it is also a pattern that we see over and over again in our lives.

What is necessary for us is simply to keep our focus on the Lord because that is where all our hope comes from, and, consequently, it is last, as far as world is concerned. We recall that our Lord told us that the joy He would give is not the kind of joy the world gives, and He told us it is a joy that will not be able to be taken away. So, if things around us, not in anything that the world has to offer, but only in God.

So if we continue to be faithful to Him, then eventually when our day comes, we will be granted a joy that is beyond anything we have ever known, a joy that will never lessen, a joy that will never be taken away, because we will enter then into  the face to face vision of Christ, the One upon whom we have kept our focus in this world. On that day, that joy will never be taken. We will be filled with the joy that is Christ Himself. That is what is being offered to us.  On that day, the world will mourn and grieve– not us. Now we can mourn and grieve but we can still be  filled with joy, to keep our focus on Jesus, to know the joy of Christ, and to look forward to the joy that will never end.

THIS IS A HOLY DAY OF OBLIGATION! PLEASE TRY TO ATTEND MASS AT NOON OR 7 PM.

  

SAVE THE DATE

The Aquinas Institute of Theology is pleased to honor Bishop Emeritus Robert J. Shaheen with its 2014 Great Preacher Award.

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2014

THE CEDARS BANQUET HALL

 

GOLF TOURNAMENT

The Men’s Society is hosting the 23rd annual golf tournament June 22, 2014 honoring John Nassif. Entry fee is $100 per golfer, $400 per foursome. Early registration and payment prior to the day of the event is greatly appreciated. Contact Mike Rask with any questions: mrask@charter.net or (314) 393-3787

SHRINE OF OUR LADY OF LEBANON

Those who are attending the Shrine on August 12-16th are asked to make their first payment of $75.00 for the bus by June 8th and give to Roxie (check should be made payable to St. Raymond’s Cathedral). Final payment of $75.00 is due no later than July 20th. Due to the bus contract, NO REFUNDS can be given—only in an  emergency. Now is the time to confirm your reservation. Let Roxie know if you will be  rooming with someone or rooming by yourself. Call Roxie at 314-277-0452 or  email at roxierask@yahoo.com.

 

JOURNEY TO HEAVEN

Join us for a “mini-retreat” presented by Father Gary George Friday, June 20th from 6:00 pm-9:30 pm and Saturday, June 21st from 9:00 am-5:00 pm at the Maronite Heritage Institute. The retreat will conclude with the 5 pm Liturgy at the Cathedral. The cost is $20 per person which includes snacks and lunch. Checks should be made payable to St. Raymond Cathedral and mailed to 931 Lebanon Dr. St. Louis, MO 63104.

Experience what it means to be a “Holy Family” through prayer, social interaction, and talks given by Father Gary. Open to men, women, and teenagers and to ANY outside guests!

Please contact Joan Rask at joanrask@sbcglobal.net or call 636-575-3430. Flyers available in the vestibule.

 

LADIES SOCIETY

For the month of June, the Ladies Society will gather for dinner on June 3rd at Joey B’s in South County (Concord Plaza) at 6:00 pm . Those interested in joining them, please contact Gina Fanetti by calling (314)

704-1149 or email at straymondsladiessociety@gmail.com. Please R.S.V.P. by May 28th.

 

MENS SOCIETY MEETING

The next Men’s Society meeting will be held on Thursday June 5th at 6:30 pm in the Lebanon room.

 

THIRD BANNS OF MARRIAGE

Third banns of marriage between Jacob T. Elking and Agnes C. Jos.

 

Memorial Day

Memorial Day is one of our nation’s oldest and most significant holidays, born solely of our shared American heritage.

Together, we recall the glory and sacrifice of all who have set their personal aspirations aside for the preservation of our society. We owe an enormous amount of gratitude to these men and women of the United States, both foreign and domestic.

As Americans, may we never forget those who fought for our freedom, and may we celebrate the lives of those who have truly made America the land of the free and the home of the brave. Today, of all days, we must reflect on what it truly means to live in freedom. We must solidify and reaffirm our commitment to our service members and their mission. We owe all of our veterans, past and present, a debt of gratitude for their sacrifices in the defense of liberty. In the words of President Abraham Lincoln, it is the job of the living to “take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the  last full measure.” We owe it to the heroes that died and the loved ones left behind to make sure that their sacrifices are remembered and that their service to  this nation always be honored.

May God bless our Veterans and May God bless America!

 

NAM CONVENTION

The annual NAM convention is a great way to meet Maronites from other parishes in both Eparchies and a great way to incorporate a family vacation! Mark your calendars for the NAM convention:

July 2-6 in Pittsburgh, PA. Registration forms are  available in the vestibule of the church.