Bulletin February 28th-March 6th

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.

PALM SUNDAY LUNCH & BAKE SALE

Sunday March 20th there will only be one liturgy at 10am followed by a procession with the children and the rest of the community.

Lebanese food  will be served from 11:30 am-3 pm to the public in the Cedars Hall

Please bring your family and friends to join us!

The Ladies Society will be hosting a bake sale for Palm Sunday. Please bring your baked items to the Cedars Saturday March 19

between 4pm and 6 pm.

 

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 March 4: Monsignor Michael Witt, Friday March 11: Deacon Louis Peters,  Friday March 18: Chorbishop Moussa Joseph

Schedule of Friday Lenten Meals:

March 4: Faith and Heritage, March 11: Kitchen Volunteers, March 18: Parish Council

                    

EUCHARISTIC ADORATION

SAINT RAYMOND MARONITE CATHEDRAL PARISH

 

HOLY YEAR OF MERCY

 

His Holiness, Pope Francis, has asked that all parishes throughout the World hold Eucharistic Adoration on March 4^th and March 5^th.  Bishop Zaidan has reminded all parishes of the Holy Father’s directive as an additional way to celebrate the Holy Year of Mercy.  Saint Raymond’s will offer Eucharistic Adoration along with the Sacrament of Reconciliation as follows:

 

Friday, March 4, 2016

Weekday Liturgy 8 AM

Adoration and Reconciliation 8:30 AM until 4:00 PM

Benediction of the Cross 7:00 PM

Saturday, March 5, 2016

Adoration and Reconciliation 8:00 AM until 4:00 PM

Saturday Liturgy 5:00 PM

 

Please invite your family, friends, and parishioners to join in prayer before the Blessed Sacrament during this time of worldwide Eucharistic Adoration.  You are not expected to remain for the entire day, but only to  offer a few moments or an hour before the Holy Eucharist. Please plan to stop in the Cathedral to pray for your intentions.

 

 

ANNUAL BISHOP’S APPEAL

Eparchy of Our Lady of Lebanon of Los Angeles

 

Recently, each parishioner should have received an invitation from Bishop Elias A. Zaidan, Bishop of the Eparchy of Our Lady of Lebanon of Los Angeles to participate in the Annual Bishop’s Appeal. If you did not receive this communication, please consider this your invitation to participate. Our Annual Bishop’s Appeal calls us to be mindful that we are members of a larger Maronite Catholic community that encompasses a vast territory with existing challenges and growing needs. As the Bishop reported in his invitation to us, the Annual Bishop’s Appeal benefits the assistance for retired priests, seminarians, the Shrine, aid to Mission    Parishes, Youth and Young Adult Ministries, and other vital ministries key to the life of our Eparchy. I ask you to please be generous in supporting the Bishop’s Annual Appeal.  The goal for Saint Raymond Cathedral Parish is $8500.00 and I am asking each family to be as generous as possible. Please make checks payable to Saint Raymond Cathedral Parish to receive a tax credit for your donation.  The Eparchy counts on parishes to make their goals in order for the ministries of the Eparchy to flourish. If Saint Raymond’s falls short in reaching our goal, we will need to meet the goal by using funds from the Sunday Collection, which funds are already earmarked for our own budget. In this Holy Year of Mercy, I ask that you prayerfully consider a donation to assist the Eparchy in this most worthy appeal.

 

Chorbishop Moussa Joseph

 

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 Meeting and Fashion Show

The Ladies Society will have their monthly meeting Tuesday March 1st  at 7pm in the Lebanon Room.  Everyone is  welcome to attend!  Please invite a family member or friend!

The Fashion Show is Sunday March 6th. Tickets are still available to purchase  after both liturgies or by calling the rectory 314-621-0056. Tickets are $25 and children 12 and under $10.

Saturday March 5th if anyone is available to help we will be meeting in the Cedars kitchen and Lebanon room to prepare for the fashion show. We will be meeting at 8:30 am. All help is greatly appreciated!

 

 

Men’s Society

The Men’s Society will hold their monthly meeting on Thursday March 3rd beginning with a liturgy at 6pm in Church, dinner at 6:30pm in the Lebanon room, followed by the meeting. Everyone is welcome to attend! Please invite a family member or friend!

MYO Easter Lily Spring Fundraiser

The MYO will be selling Easter Lilies beginning  Friday February 26th until March 13th. The Lilies are sold in one gallon pots for $12. Pick up for the Lilies will be the weekend of March 18th-20th. Order forms will be available in the vestibule. Please contact Karen Crenshaw (crenshawkfc@att.net) or the rectory  314-621-0056  if you have any questions.

 

 

Weekly  Finances for February 21st-February 28th

Income: $7,573. 12

Expenses: $8,450.01

This does not include Wednesday Lunch