Friday, February 19, 2016

Bulletin February 21-28, 2016


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.” 
 
Benediction of the Cross
The Benediction of the Cross will take place every Friday evening during Lent at 7pm.  Following the  Benediction there will be a potluck supper in  the Lebanon Room. During Lent, please remember to abstain from meat on all Fridays and to fast and abstain on Great Friday.
Benediction of the Cross Speakers:
Friday February 26: Bishop Edward Rice
Friday March 4: Monsignor Michael Witt
Friday March 11: Deacon Louis Peters
Friday March 18: Chorbishop Moussa Joseph
Schedule of Friday Lenten Meals:
February 26: Choir                                                    March 11: Kitchen Volunteers                                 
March 4: Faith and Heritage                                   March 18: Parish Council
 
Sub-Deacon 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. This continues the discussion about our Maronite Liturgy.
The Pauline Blessing
The Anaphora proper begins with a blessing by the celebrant taken from Saint Paul's second epistle to the Corinthians. He invokes the love and grace of the Persons of the Most Holy Trinity and prays that they dwell in the faithful.
The Prayer of Praise and Thanksgiving
We believe that God created the universe out of love, and that the whole creation responds to God in praise. This hymn of praise is a constant one and extends from the angels and saints in heaven all the way to inanimate creatures. Creatures below the human level offer praise by fulfilling the nature God gave them. Angels and saints are in eternal contemplative union with God. Humans aspire to transform their ordinary lives into a constant awareness of the presence of God. It is the goal of the Divine Liturgy to symbolize this eternal and cosmic worship of the Creator. As we have already noted, we imagine that our earthly Liturgy mirrors the Divine Liturgy perpetually going on in heaven as described, for example, in the Book of Revelation. At this point in our liturgical celebration, the barriers between earth and heaven are removed and the Liturgy on earth becomes one with the Liturgy in heaven.
The Prayer of Praise and Thanksgiving in the various anaphoras usually addresses God the Father as Creator and His work of  creation. It goes on to describe how creation is responding in praise.
"Holy, Holy, Holy"
It is fitting that the response to the Prayer of Praise and Thanksgiving" is the Chant of Angels recorded in the Scriptures. The Liturgy portrays the faithful as singing in unison with the angels in heaven. At this point, the heavenly and earthly choirs are one.
 
Prayer after the Holy
It is our belief that God is deeply concerned and involved with human affairs. To put it better, human history is the working out of God's plan of salvation. The Scriptures narrate for us the tragedy of human sinfulness, God's desire to save us out of compassion, and the various stages of our salvation. In the Anaphora, the prayer after the "Holy" serves both a worshipful and catechetical  function by recalling for us God's plan of salvation.
Taken from A Commentary on the Holy Mysteries: The Holy Mystery of Offering (Qorbono)
By Chorbishop Seely Beggiani (https://www.stmaron.org/divliturgy.html)
 
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.
David Wahby (wahby@sbcglobal.net) and Tony Simon (asimon@simonlawpc.com)
 
 
Altar Servers
As we have announced in the past, we are still in great need of altar servers at ALL MASSES. We are looking for all     interested BOYS AND GIRLS that would like to serve at mass to send an email to Tony or David. We would love to have more servers and can teach you everything you need to know. NO PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE NECESSARY
 
 
Episcopal Anniversary
 His Excellency
Bishop Robert J. Shaheen
Bishop Emeritus
Eparchy of Our Lady of Lebanon of Los Angeles
 
In the name of Bishop Elias A. Zaidan, Bishop of the Eparchy of Our Lady of Lebanon of Los Angeles, Deacon Lou Peters, Subdeacon George Simon, our parishioners, and in my own name, I offer heartfelt congratulations to Bishop Robert Shaheen upon the Fifteenth  Anniversary of his Ordination as Bishop. On February 15, 2001, His Beatitude, Patriarch Sfeir, traveled to Saint Louis to Ordain a new Bishop for our Eparchy. The historic event began Bishop Shaheen’s service to the Eparchy and to the entire Maronite Church. We thank Bishop Shaheen for his dedicated service to us as a pastor and as a Bishop. In expressing our profound gratitude and respect to Bishop Shaheen, we continue to pray that Almighty God grants him good health and happiness in the years to come. Happy Anniversary, Sayedna Shaheen!
Chorbishop Moussa Joseph
Rector
 
Year of Mercy
calls us to
Acts of Mercy
 In this Year of Mercy we are called to offer forgiveness, mercy and compassion. Saint Raymond Cathedral Parish wishes to assist the poor and needy of our area by collecting canned and boxed goods. During Benediction of the Cross on the Fridays of Lent and at Masses on the weekends, we invite all parishioners to bring food for the needy as an Act of Mercy. Boxes will be available in the back of the Cathedral to collect your generous offerings for the poor and marginalized of our area. Please join this parish program by  participating with your usual generosity on the Fridays and Weekends of Lent. May God Bless you
 
Maronite Mercy Pilgrimage
Reserve on Your Calendar: May 25-June 4, 2016
Join Bishop Elias Zaidan on a special Maronite Pilgrimage to Italy in honor  of the Year of Mercy. The price for the pilgrimage is $2,000 (Airline not included). The price includes 9 overnights at  4 star hotel, breakfast and dinners, all admittance fees, English speaking guide, and private deluxe air conditioned coach.
Highlights of the trip: Papal audience with Pope Francis and Liturgy at St. Peter’s Basilica
For more information please email us at MaroniteMercyPilgrimage@gmail.com or call Chorbishop Sharbel Maroun at (612) 379-2758. Seats will be limited.
 
Ladies Society Fashion Show
The Ladies Society Fashion Show  is Sunday March 6th. Invite your family and friends to this fun Shopping and Luncheon event. Tickets will be sold after liturgies on Sundays or you can also contact the rectory 314-621-0056. Tickets are $25 and children 12 and under are $10. We need models ( Women, men, and children of all ages), vendors, and volunteers to help. If anyone is interested please contact Gina Fanetti at gfanetti5@gmail.com .
 
Weekly  Finances for February 14th-February 21st
Income: $2,631.00
Expenses: $3,451.90
This does not include Wednesday Lunch
 
 
Kitchen Scoop
The Kitchen is in need of help preparing for Palm Sunday and Wednesday  Lunches. We depend on our Parish Volunteers to help make the Wednesday lunches successful and any time you can give will be very helpful.
Rolling Cabbage Rolls on Mondays @ 8 am,
Rolling Grape Leaves March 8th and  March 22nd @ 4:30pm,
Making Kibbi Aras on Tuesdays @ 8 am, Preparing to serve lunch on Wednesdays from 8 am-11:00am,
Serving Wednesday Luncheon from 11am-1:30pm.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
           
 

 

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