Wednesday, March 12, 2014

March 15 bulletin


Sunday of the Hemorrhaging woman

On this third Sunday of Lent, the necessity of faith in the power and compassion of Jesus shines forth. On His way to Jairus’ house, many people followed Jesus and pressed on Him. The hemorrhaging woman was part of the crowd. She had spent all of her money on medicine and doctors, but was never cured. Jesus was her only hope. She felt that if she could get close to him and touch only the tassels of his robe, she would be healed. Upon touching one of the tassels, she was healed instantly. Jesus wanted to exalt the faith of the one who touched him and wanted to speak with the woman. The woman came and knelt before him. Jesus, not desiring to embarrass her but to exalt her faith said, “Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace, and be healed of your disease”. It is only our faith in the Lord and our willingness to be cleansed and to walk in the peace of the Lord that brings us true health.

The sick woman was an unimportant member of the crowd following Jesus, but she was important to Jesus. To Jesus, each of us is important and worthy of all of his attention. It is encouraging that we, unimportant in the eyes of the world, are most valuable in the eyes of almighty God.

Everyday our lives touch not only the tassels of the Lord, but his most sacred body and precious blood. After the celebration of the divine mysteries, the priest recites, “I have consumed your holy body. Let them see your abundant mercy. I have shared in your Holy Mysteries. Let me join you in your heavenly abode.” 

Sunday of the Prodigal Son

During Lent, we constantly reflect upon the theme of our sinfulness and the mercy of God. The gospel of Luke provides us with three parables which speak about the mercy of God: the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the lost son. The sheep became lost because of its own ignorance. Many times we think of ourselves as intelligent, but out of foolishness we wander away from the sheepfold, the Church. Of course, the coin was lost through no fault of its own. Many people become lost through no fault of their own, but are misled and taught to do wrong. This is especially true of the young. The son, however, deliberately left the house of his father. The parable is most rich in explaining the concern of God for our well-being and Jesus himself provides all the details of the story. Jesus tells of how the son boldly goes to the father and asks for “his portion”. How often do we treat all of the gifts of God as if they were our rightful portion rather than gifts of God?

The father must have been awaiting for the son daily, because he saw him at a distance and ran out to meet him. He embraced and kissed him. He gave him a robe (a sign of honor), a ring (a sign of authority) and shoes (unlike slaves who did not have shoes). The son was treated as if he had never been away. The son showed courage and humility in his return. It took courage to examine his life and ascertain his pitiful condition. It took humility to admit his mistakes to his father.

The older son represents those who prefer to see a sinner destroyed rather than saved. He is jealous and self-righteous, considering only the sins of his brother and not of his repentance. He even tries to incite the father against his brother. However, the father encouraged him to be happy because his brother who had been lost has been found. How joyful is heaven on the occasion of the return of a sinner to the Father.

On some occasions we are able to identify with prodigal son who has gone astray. Let us imitate his courage and humility and seek the forgiveness of the Father. At other times, we are able to see ourselves as the older son, righteous and unwilling to forgive the mistakes of another. At times like this, let us listen to the wisdom of the father and be joyful at the conversion of the sinner.


Financial Status for February 2014

February 2014 contributions:                                                    $15,737.00

February 2014 Wed. lunch/Cedars income:   $13,223.00

February 2014 expenditures:                                                   ($50,254.00)

Deficit:                                                                                        ($21,294.00)

 
MYO
Our youth group (MYO) will  sponsor a bake sale on Sunday March 30th after both Liturgies along with the coffee hour. Your generosity in this matter will help them build a treasure so they can participate in the National Workshop in Pittsburg.  They will also hold their meeting after the coffee hour that day at noon.  All youth are invited to attend and participate.
NAM SCHOLARSHIP:
Dear high school and college students:
We are happy to announce NAM’s Annual Scholarship Program.
1. The John A. Solomon Memorial NAM.MYO Scholarship. 2. The Naomi & Paul Kassouf Scholarship. 3. The Thomas and Jennie Ayoob Memorial Scholarship. 4. USEK Scholarship. 5. NDU Scholarship.
The deadline for application is May 15, 2014. This is a hard and fast deadline and, in fairness to all applications, absolutely no applications will be accepted after this date.
Anyone wishing to apply; please contact the rectory for application forms.
 
TOWN HALL MEETING
Bishop A. Elias Zaidan and the parish board would like to invite you to a town hall meeting  at the Cedars Hall on
Tuesday , April 15th at 8 pm for answering questions regarding the status of the parish.
 
NAM AWARENESS SUNDAY
On Sunday, March 30, 2014, we will conduct a NAM awareness in our parish and shedding the light on the mission of NAM and the necessity to belong to this worthy and affordable apostolate. Our delegates Rick and Janet Baker will be available after all liturgies with the proper materials to help you join or update your membership.
 
FRIDAYS IN LENT
Every Friday during Lent, we will celebrate the service of the Benediction of the Cross at 7:00 pm here at St. Raymond’s. Following the service, everyone is invited to the “Lebanon Room” for a Lenten meal.  The schedule for  serving the meal is as follows:
March  21—MYO
March 28—Choir
April  4—Religious Heritage Group
April 11—Parish Board
 
FAREWELL FATHER SWIFT
All of you by now are aware that Father James Swift will be moving to Dallas Texas for a new position . To honor Fr. Swift and wish him good luck in his future ministry, he will be participating and preaching at all the liturgies here at St. Raymond’s on Sat and Sun April 5-6th. Please mark your calendars to come and express your wishes to Fr. Swift.
 
VOCATION DISCERNMENT WEEKEND
On April 4-6, 2014, Our Lady of Lebanon Maronite Seminary in Washing ton D.C. will be hosting its annual Discernment Weekend for men, 18 and over, interested in finding God’s will in their life. This weekend will be a chance to meet current seminarians, Father Geoffery Abdallah, Rector of the seminary, the Vocation Directors, and the opportunity to sight see one of the greatest cities in the world. This weekend is open for men who feel the call to priesthood, or are interested in finding out how to discern God’s will. Please speak to Chorbishop if your interested.
 
Eparchy Appeal
A letter from Bishop A. Elias Zaidan’s office was mailed to all parishioners of St. Raymond’s Cathedral  regarding the annual Eparchy Appeal. Our goal here at St. Raymond’s is $8500.00. We kindly ask you to be generous in your donation because if our goal is not met, then we have to make up the rest of it from our parish account. Last year we had to make up $3000.00. Please make check payable to St. Raymond’s Cathedral for tax credit, and send it back in the return envelope or drop it in the collection. I hope you understand that this is an Eparchy appeal for all parishes.
 
CONGRATULATIONS  
Due to the ice storm on Sunday, March 2nd, some of you were not able to attend and participate in Fr. Wissam’s first Liturgy as a priest.  We have rescheduled another official Liturgy on Sunday, March 23rd at 11 am followed by a reception in the hall. This is an open invitation and everyone is welcome  to attend and pray with Fr. Wissam and his family.
 
 
 

 

March 1 bulletin


Great Lent

The Season of Great Lent marks the Church’s period of preparation for the feast of feasts, the Resurrection of our Lord. This season recalls the forty day period the Lord spent in the desert in prayer and fasting and, at the same time, it invites us to personal conversion through penance, fasting, prayer and alms-giving. During this season we follow the Lord as he goes up to Jerusalem to suffer, die and rise to a glorious new life.

The seven Sundays of Great Lent are:

Cana Sunday: Entrance into Lent

Sunday of the Leper: Second Sunday of Lent

Sunday of the Hemorrhaging Woman: Third Sunday of  Lent

Sunday of the Prodigal Son: Fourth Sunday of Lent

Sunday of the Paralytic: Fifth Sunday of Lent

Sunday of Bartimaeus the Blind: Sixth Sunday of Lent

Hosanna Sunday

These Sundays of Great Lent place the miracles of the Lord before us, especially his healing miracles, which are the messianic signs of his power over sin and death. They point to the greatest wonder of God, the resurrection of Christ from the dead. Each of this miracles are signs of the faith of the one being healed. We are called to respond to Jesus as they did by deepening our faith in the Lord and giver of life.

Cana Sunday

Great Lent is a time for change, for transformation. The Maronite Church begins Great Lent with Cana Sunday, a commemoration of the transformation of water into wine at the wedding feast of Cana at Galilee. This change prepares us for the evening when we change wine into his blood and bread into his body.

Mary had only to mention to Jesus that something was going wrong: “They have no wine.” Jesus understood that his Mother was not simply making an observation, but was seeking his powerful intervention. On her part, Mary was confident that he would listen to her. She had given birth to him and had lived with him for thirty years, so she had faith in him. At first, Jesus responded with an apparent refusal, “Woman, (a term of respect which he would also use on the cross) how does this concern of yours involve me?” The reason for his response was that his hour had not yet come, namely the hour of his death and resurrection, after which he would answer all the prayers of his Mother.

Jesus came into the world for a definite purpose and task, as we all do. He did not see his life in terms of the immediate needs of any particular moment, but only in terms of his purpose and the eternal plan of the Father. All of his deeds had to correspond and lead to the ultimate fulfillment of his life.

Mary knew her prayer would not be refused; she told them to do whatever he told them. Mary trusted her Son and her request was fulfilled. She told the servants as she tells all of us: do whatever my Son tells you

Aside from the rich theological significance of the transformation of water into wine, let us reflect on the simplicity and “homeliness” of the act. Jesus knew that the lack of wine would be source of embarrassment to the groom and misfortune for the guests. He did not rejoice in the misfortune for the guests. He did not rejoice in the misfortune of others, but used his great power to save a simple man of Cana from humiliation. Let us imitate his example and be concerned with the simple needs of those around us and how we can fulfill them.
Lent in the Maronite Tradition will begin on Monday, March 3rd. Ashes will be distributed during both Liturgies at 8 am and 7 pm. Please make every effort to attend Liturgy as you begin this journey of  repentance  and prayer.
 
The Ladies Society will hold their monthly meeting on Tuesday, March 4th at 7 pm in the Lebanon room. All ladies are encouraged to attend and participate.
 
The Men’s Society will hold their monthly meeting on Thursday, March 6th at 6:30 pm in the Lebanon Room. All men are encouraged to attend and participate.
 
NAM SCHOLARSHIP:
Dear high school and college students:
We are happy to announce NAM’s Annual Scholarship Program.
1. The John A. Solomon Memorial NAM.MYO Scholarship. 2. The Naomi & Paul Kassouf Scholarship. 3. The Thomas and Jennie Ayoob Memorial Scholarship. 4. USEK Scholarship. 5. NDU Scholarship.
The deadline for application is May 15, 2014. This is a hard and fast deadline and, in fairness to all applications, absolutely no applications will be accepted after this date.
Anyone wishing to apply; please contact the rectory for application forms.
 
Lenten Observances 2014
The Most Reverend Bishop A. Elias Zaidan has issued the following Lenten guidelines:
All Maronites who are physically capable are to abstain from meat on Ash Monday ( March 3, 2014) and all Fridays in Lent.
Ash Monday and the Great Friday of the Crucifixion are also  days of fasting. Fasting in the Maronite Church involves eating and drinking nothing at all (except water & medicine) from midnight until noon. The rest of the day normal meals can be taken, but without meat. All Maronites who are physically capable are to fast on these two days.
 
Fridays of Lent
Every Friday during Lent, we will celebrate the service of the Benediction of the Cross at 7:00 pm here at St. Raymond’s. Following the service, everyone is invited to the “Lebanon Room” for a Lenten meal.  The schedule for  serving the meal is as follows:
March 7—Ladie’s Society
March 14—Men’s Society
March  21—MYO
March 28—Choir
April  4—Religious Heritage Group
April 11—Parish Board
 
 

 

Feb 22 bulletin


Congratulations

This coming Thursday, Feb. 27 at 6:30 pm, St. Raymond’s Cathedral will celebrate with great joy and pride the ordination of Deacon Wissam Akiki to the order of priesthood. Through the imposition of hands of His Excellency Bishop A. Elias Zaidan, Bishop of  the Eparchy of Our Lady of Lebanon.  We all join our voices to extend our sincere congratulations to Deacon Wissam  and his family on this special day.

 After many years in our parish community, we assure him of our prayers and we wish him the best of luck in his new ministry.

On Sunday, March 2nd, Father Wissam Akiki will celebrate his first Liturgy here at St. Raymond’s Cathedral at 11:00 am followed by a reception in the Cedars Hall. We  encourage you to attend and participate this special Liturgy of  Father Wissam!


Financial Status for January 2014

January 2014 contributions:                                        $27,391.00

January 2014 Wed. lunch/Cedars income:             $7,569.00

January 2014 expenditures:                                       ($40,191.00)

Deficit:                                                                  ($5,231.00)

 
New Daily Liturgy Time
As of Ash Monday, March 3rd, our daily Liturgy at St. Raymond’s will be celebrated at 8 am instead of
9 am Monday—Friday.
Hope this new timing will help some of you to start your day with a Liturgy on your way to work or
before getting involved in your busy day!
 
SAVE THE DATE!
VOCATION DISCERNMENT WEEKEND
On April 5-6, 2014 Our Lady of Lebanon Maronite Seminary in Washington, DC will be hosting its annual Discernment Weekend for men, 18 and over, interested in finding God's will in their life. This weekend will be a chance to meet current seminarians, Father Geoffrey Abdallah, Rector of the seminary, the Vocation Directors, and the opportunity to sight see one of the greatest cities in the world. This weekend is open for men who feel the call to priesthood, or are interested in finding out how to discern God's will. More details to come soon.