Wednesday, November 25, 2015

Bulletin November 29-December 6, 2015


THIRD SUNDAY OF ANNOUNCEMENT: THE VISITATION TO ELIZABETH

The third Sunday of the Season of Announcement commemorates another important event in the unfolding of the promise of God: Mary went to visit her cousin, Elizabeth.
After receiving such tremendous good news, Mary could have secluded herself in a life of prayer and contemplation. However, after the angel of the Lord had communicated the news of Elizabeth’s conception to her, Mary perceived it as the Lord’s will that she go to be with Elizabeth, and thus chose to share the divine life within her with another. Mary shared Jesus with others even before his birth. The fundamental task of an apostle is to share Jesus with others, and so, Mary is called the “Queen of the Apostles”.

Impelled by the Spirit of God, Mary left on a journey that required four days of difficult travel, especially for a poor girl such as herself. Yet, as the Mother of God and our Mother, she was already concerned for the welfare of others. 

When Mary encountered Elizabeth, the unborn infant in her womb leapt for joy, and Elizabeth herself was filled with the Spirit and sang of the blessedness of Mary.
Mary is blessed, not simply because she was to be the Mother of God, but also because of her own personal faith. She heard the words of the angel and accepted everything that was to happen with humility. For this reason, she is blessed throughout the ages.

The hymn of Mary differs from that of Zechariah. Zechariah’s hymn is communal: he is proclaiming gratitude to God on behalf of all the people of Israel. On the other hand, Mary’s hymn is personal, “My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord.” She is humbly proclaiming the great things that God has done for her. In humility, the Virgin of Nazareth proclaims how great the Lord has made her by choosing her as the Mother of his Son.
The hymn of Mary announces a revolution which God will bring about through his Son. This revolution has a variety of aspects: it is moral (“He has confused the proud in their inmost thoughts.”); social (“He has deposed the mighty from their thrones and raised the lowly to high places.”); and economic (“The hungry he has given every good thing, while the rich he has sent empty away”).

To be called by God for any task, brings with it a crown of sorrow and a crown of joy. God chooses us not for our own glorification, but in order to use us to bring about his kingdom.  Like Mary, all of us should respond with humility and be grateful to God for choosing us as his instruments.
 
Breakfast with Santa/ Mission Sunday
Mission Sunday will be Sunday December 6th in place of Breakfast with Santa. The Men’s and Ladies Societies will be hosting a breakfast for the  children of the parish. There will be one liturgy that morning at 10 am for the children to bring wrapped gifts to the altar and  then the breakfast will follow. Children will still be able to get a picture with Santa. Any questions please contact the rectory 314-621-0056.
Choir Christmas Concert
Please join us  for a  Christmas Concert Saturday December 5th at 6:30 pm in church. John LeCuyer, Mike Vitale, and the amazing choir have been working really hard in preparing for this special event. All are invited to listen to the sounds of the season.
There will be cookies and drinks served after the concert in the Cedars Hall.
GIVING TREE
Please remember those less fortunate this Christmas Season by picking an ornament off the giving tree. Please   return the wrapped gift no later than Sunday December 20th.
 
SUBDEACON CANDIDATE’S CORNER
As part of our formation, one of the goals of our ministry is to help parishioners develop a greater understanding of our rich Maronite Catholic History and Heritage. In furtherance of that goal we will be adding a short explanation to each bulletin about some aspect of our faith. Here is another portion about our Maronite Liturgy. If you have questions about Catholic teaching or our Maronite tradition, or would like to suggest a topic, please email us or tell us the next time we see you. Thank you and God Bless.
Preparation of the Gifts
The Preparation of the Gifts reminds us that the liturgy is an act of offering by the whole community. It is the people that bring their time, treasures, and talents to the Eucharistic celebration. The bread and wine selected from among the gifts are chosen to become the Body and Blood of Christ. Similarly, our gifts and dedication to be of service to Christ are consecrated through the action of the divine liturgy.
Lighting of the Church
Light is taken for granted by most people in the twentieth century. Our modern science has demystified the sun, the cycle of the seasons and the solar year. The invention of electricity has given ordinary human creatures power over light and darkness. Earlier generations were in awe of the sun and light. When day came to a close and pitch darkness covered the earth, they prayed that the sun would rise again and that warmth and life would again deliver them from the seemingly endless cold and a dying earth. Our ancestors had a deep awareness of their total dependence on light.
However, modern science can also make us aware of the absolute necessity of light in our lives. Photosynthesis is critical to any life at all on earth. If humans were deprived absolutely of light for even a short time, they would go mad and ultimately die. It is no accident that according to Albert Einstein the speed of light is the absolute for our universe.
Our faith tradition teaches us that primordial light was the first creation of God and thus the very stuff of the universe. God is portrayed as the "Father of Lights" and Christ is the Light of the world. The Bible often teaches us that we ultimately choose to live our lives either according to the Way of Light or the Way of Darkness; and that light leads to life while darkness leads to death. The true nature of Christ was revealed as uncreated light at the transfiguration, and it was the light of Christ at his death that destroyed the darkness of Sheol (the region of the dead). Our immortal destiny is presented as the eighth day of creation where the sun will never set, where we are called to view the shining face of Christ.
It is for all these reasons that the lighting of the Church in preparation for the divine liturgy has such a great significance. In participating in this act we are proclaiming our readiness to be children of the light and to allow our deeds to be judged in the open light of day. The lighting of the candles announces the presence of Christ, the light of the world, whom we welcome among us. In the fully lighted church which represents the universe in miniature, we give thanks for the light and warmth of God's creation.
Taken from A Commentary on the Holy Mysteries: The Holy Mystery of Offering (Qorbono)
By Chorbishop Seely Beggiani (https://www.stmaron.org/divliturgy.html)
David Wahby (wahby@sbcglobal.net) and Tony Simon (asimon@simonlawpc.com)
KITCHEN’S Weekly Scoop
We will be
Making tabouli Monday November 30th @ 8:00am
Rolling Cabbage rolls mondays @ 8:00 am
Making Kibbi aras Tuesdays @ 8:00 am
Serving Wednesday luncheon @ 11 am-2pm
The Kitchen will re-open Monday November 30th and will be serving Lunch Wednesday December 2nd
The kitchen welcomes all help and  are willing to teach if you are interested in learning
Weekly Financial  Income 11/22/15
Offeratory:$2,435.00      
Maintenance and Repairs: $214
Candles: $95
Coffee Hour: $191
 
First and Second Banns of Marriage between 

Danielle D. Skitt and Nicholas J. Godfrey
 

 
Sunday November 29th and Sunday December 6th
There will be no Heritage classes and coffee hour for both of these Sundays due to Thanksgiving break and Mission Sunday.
 

 
 
 
 
 

 
 

 

 

Friday, November 20, 2015

Bulletin for November 22-29, 2015


ANNOUNCEMENT TO MARY
The second Sunday of the Season of the Announcement commemorates the announcement to Mary that she is to be the Mother of God. The feast actually recalls two aspects of the same salvific mystery: the incarnation of the divine Word and the motherhood of Mary. For this reason, the feast was given different names according to the aspect which was being emphasized. With time, the incarnation of the Son of God was stressed on the feast of the Birth of our Lord and today’s feast became a Marian feast.

In addition to this second Sunday of the Season of Announcement, the Maronite Church celebrates the Annunciation on March 25th. The feast of the Annunciation appeared in the West, in Italy, during the fifth century, and was eventually adopted by the Maronite Church.

This great announcement to Mary, the fulfillment of the promises of the prophets, took place in the humble home of Mary in Nazareth. At the time, Mary was probably between fourteen and sixteen. Again it was Gabriel, the messenger of the end times, who brought the wonderful message to the young girl.
In many ways, the announcement to Mary, can be compared to the announcement to Zechariah. Both apparitions took place during the day and both Zechariah and Mary were to be found at prayer. Mary, the Queen, is speaking with her Lord in her own home. It was necessary for Zechariah to go to the Temple and encounter the Lord in the holy of holies. When the angel appeared to Zechariah, he was described as “standing”. The angel himself praises Mary, “You have found favor with God”.

In the name of all of humanity, Mary consented to be the instrument through which salvation was to be brought into the world. One recalls Eve, who consented to bring darkness and sin into the world. With Mary, the New Eve, salvation history is at a turning point. She is to be the “Mother of the Light”.

Happy and Blessed Thanksgiving!
Mark your Calendars for Mission Sunday
Mission Sunday will be Sunday December 6th in place of Breakfast with Santa. The Men’s and Ladies Societies will be hosting a breakfast for the  children of the parish. There will be one liturgy that morning at 10 am for the children to bring wrapped gifts to the altar and  then the breakfast will follow. Children will still be able to get a picture with Santa. Any questions please contact the rectory 314-621-0056.



Choir Christmas Concert
Please join us  for a  Christmas Concert Saturday December 5th at 6:30 pm in church. John LeCuyer, Mike Vitale, and the amazing choir have been working really hard in preparing for this special event. All are invited to listen to the sounds of the season.
There will be cookies and drinks served after the concert in the Cedars Hall.
Ladies Society Christmas Party
The Christmas Party will be Friday December 11th at Bartolino’s Osteria on Hampton at 6:00pm-? Please contact Teri Elking by November 30th if you would like to come to the party at fmpleggs@yahoo.com.  Tickets are $35.00
All ladies of the parish are invited for a fun night out!
Sunday November 29th
Due to Thanksgiving weekend, there will be no Heritage classes and coffee hour after liturgies.
KITCHEN’S Weekly Scoop
We will be
Rolling grape leaves on Sunday November 22nd @ 10:30am
Making Tabouli Monday November 30th @ 8:00 am
Rolling Cabbage rolls mondays @ 8:00 am
Making Kibbi aras Tuesdays @ 8:00 am
Serving Wednesday luncheon @ 11 am-2pm
The kitchen will be closed the week of Thanksgiving (Monday November 23rd-Wednesday November 25th)
The Kitchen will re-open Monday November 30th and will be serving Lunch Wednesday  December 2nd
The kitchen welcomes all help and  are willing to teach if you are interested in learning
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


 

 

Friday, November 13, 2015

Bulletin November 15-22, 2015


SEASON OF ANNOUNCEMENT AND BIRTH OF OUR LORD

The Season of Announcement consists of the following six Sundays which precede the feast of the Birth of our Lord:

The Announcement to Zechariah: First Sunday of Announcement

The Announcement to Mary: Second Sunday of Announcement

The Visitation to Elizabeth: Third Sunday of Announcement

The Birth of John the Baptizer: Fourth Sunday of Announcement

The Revelation to Joseph: Fifth Sunday of Announcement

Genealogy Sunday: Sixth Sunday of Announcement

These Sundays serve as a preparation for the Birth of our Lord and commemorate the events recorded in the New Testament prior to his birth.

This season is the most appropriate time to commemorate the Annunciation of Mary, her visitation to Elizabeth, the birth of John the Baptizer, and the special role of Joseph in the incarnation. By placing, these commemorations before the feast of the Lord’s birth the Church wishes us to prepare for the coming of the Savior and places us in an atmosphere similar to that which preceded his birth.
Mark your Calendars for Mission Sunday
Mission Sunday will be Sunday December 6th in place of Breakfast with Santa. The Men’s and Ladies Societies will be hosting a breakfast for the  children of the parish . There will be one liturgy that morning at 10 am for the children to bring wrapped gifts to the altar and  then the breakfast will follow. Children will still be able to get a picture with Santa. Any questions please contact the rectory 314-621-0056.
Choir Christmas Concert
Please join us  for a  Christmas Concert Saturday December 5th at 6:30 pm in church. John LeCuyer and the amazing choir have been working really hard in preparing for this special event. All are invited to listen to the sounds of the season.
There will be cookies and drinks served after the concert in the Cedars Hall.
Subdeacon Candidate’s Corner
An Antiochene, Chalcedon Church? What?
As part of  our Sub-deaconate studies we have taken a great interest in the History of the Maronite rite. In our readings we found it interesting to learn that:
“...it becomes apparent that she (the Maronite Church) is firstly an Antiochene Syriac Church, with a special liturgical heritage; secondly, a Chalcedonian Church…” (Excerpt from the Maronite Patriarchal Synod, Bkerke 2008)
I have heard this many times, but what does that mean?
The term Antiochene is used to signify a place, Antioch is a town in northern Syria, now southern Turkey. In Antioch (Antakya, Turkey) is the cave, said to be one of the first birthplaces of Christianity. This cave was where the followers of Jesus were first called Christians. Saint Peter the Apostle was considered the founder and first priest/bishop of Church of Antioch. This is mentioned in the Acts of the Apostles (11:25-27).
“ Then Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, and when he found him, he brought him to Antioch. So for a whole year Barnabas and Saul met with the church and taught great numbers of people. The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch.”
Antioch became the center of Christianity after the 70 AD destruction of Jerusalem by the Romans.
The term Chalcedonian is used to signify the Maronite Rites observance of Christian doctrine from 451 AD. Although the Maronite Rite had already begun to take root in what is now Northern Syria due the life teachings of an ascetic monk, St. Maron, the Catholic Church was struggling to understand the nature of Christ. Was Jesus Christ God, Man, of something in between? The Chanceldon Council of 451 AD, set forth the belief that Jesus was both God and man. The Dogmatic definition of the Council of Chalcedon, 451 AD, states that…
“..our Lord Jesus Christ: the same perfect divinity and perfect in humanity, the same truly God and truly man, of a   rational  soul and a  body; consubstantial  with the Father as regard his divinity, and the same consubstantial  with us as regards his humanity; like us in all respects except for sin; begotten before the ages from the Father…”         
Note the similarities of terms to the Apostle Creed we recite today, words like “consubstantial” and “begotten before all ages”.
The Chanceldon Council set the stage for the “Great Schism” between the Catholic and Orthodox churches which came later.
These are the reasons that the Maronite Church continues to look to its past as it identifies the path to its future.
God Bless,
Your Sub-Deaconate Candidates
Ladies Society Christmas Party
The Christmas Party will be Friday December 11th at Bartolino’s Osteria on Hampton at 6:00pm-?? Please contact Teri Elking if you would like to come to the party at fmpleggs@yahoo.com.  Tickets are $35.00
All ladies of the parish are invited for a fun night out!
 
KITCHEN’S Weekly Scoop
We will be
Rolling Grape Leaves Thursday November 19th @ 5pm and Sunday November 22nd @ 10:30am
Rolling Cabbage rolls mondays @ 8:00 am
Making Kibbi aras Tuesdays @ 8:00 am
Serving Wednesday luncheon @ 11 am-2pm
The kitchen will be closed the week of Thanksgiving (Monday November 23rd-Wednesday November 25th)
The Kitchen will re-open Monday November 30th and will be serving Lunch Wednesday  December 2nd
The kitchen welcomes all help and  are willing to teach if you are interested in learning
Thanksgiving Food Drive
Please continue to bring can goods to the drop box in the church vestibule.
The can goods will be donated to  St. Vincent DePaul.
We will be collecting can goods until Sunday November 22nd.
Thanksgiving is a time to reflect on family and the many blessings we have in our lives. Let’s work together as a parish to help those who are less fortunate.