Friday, July 15, 2016

Bulletin July 17-24,2016

Message about the Life and Miracles of St. Sharbel Makhlouf

Youssef Antoun Makhlouf was born on May 8, 1828 in Bkaakafra, North Lebanon. His parents were poor but religious, and their fifth child was attracted at an early age to prayer and solitude. In spite of the opposition of his family, he left home at the age of twenty-three and entered the Monastery of St. Maron at a place called Annaya where he chose his new name Sharbel, one of the martyrs of the second century in the Antioch Church. On the first of November 1853, He revealed his monastic vows in the same monastery. He was then well informed of the precise obligations of these vows: Obedience, chastity and poverty.
He continued his theological studies in the Monastery of Kfifan, under the care of his teacher the Saint Nemtallah Kassab Hardini , who was the ideal for the monks and a living image of the great sanctified Monks in his private and public life.
On July 23, 1859, Brother Sharbel Makhlouf was ordained a priest in Bkerke.
Father Sharbel lived in the Monastery of St. Maron, Annaya for a period of sixteen years. He was obedient to his superiors, sticking to his monkhood law precisely. He was ruthless on himself by living strict austerity and mortification. He denounced all worldly materials in the earthly life, to go serve His Lord and the salvation of his soul. During the year 1875 God inspired Father Sharbel to live as a hermit. He spent 23 years in the       hermitage where he spent most of his time before the Eucharist in prayer. On December 16, 1898, while celebrating the Holy mass, Father Sharbel was struck by a stroke and died eight days later on Christmas eve. He was seventy years old.
On October 9th, 1977, just twelve years after his beatification, Pope Paul VI presided over the canonization proceedings and announced to the world that Blessed Sharbel had joined the ranks of saints in Heaven.
St. Sharbel miracles surpassed the boarders of Lebanon. Up to this day, thousands of miracles have been   reported to the Monastery of Annaya, Lebanon.
St. Sharbel, Pray for us!



 IDC Meeting
The next IDC (In Defense of Christians) meeting will be held on Wednesday July 27th at 7pm. The meeting will be held at St. Michael’s the Archangel Orthodox Church. They are located on 1901 Ann Ave
St. Louis, MO 63104

2016 Festival
The next festival meeting will be Thursday July 28th at 7pm in the Lebanon room. The festival is a parish event and St. Raymond’s only fundraiser to help support the complex for the year. Many hands do make the work load lighter and it takes a lot of time and preparation for this event.  More help would be greatly       appreciated even if it’s only a few hours of your time.
Let’s show a strong parish effort to make this event a success!

 Sub-Deacon’s Corner

A group of visitors from a nearby Roman Catholic parish ask you about the difference between the Maronite Church and the Roman Catholic Church. Here is some information that you can use to answer the inquiry.


The Maronite Service of the Word (the first part of the Liturgy) has two readings.  The Epistle is always a reading from the Letters of Paul or one of the Apostles, followed by the Gospel.  There are only two readings in the Maronite Liturgy, opposed to three in the Roman Rite.  The Maronite Liturgy places a greater focus on the New Testament and events and writings that were a result of Christ becoming man.
The Liturgy differs in the approach; the Maronite Liturgy, the “Quorbono: The Divine Service of the Holy   Mysteries”, with the most sacred portion of the Liturgy being the Anaphora.  The Anaphora is similar to the Latin Rite “Eucharistic Prayer”; however each is different in their own right.  An Anaphora is divided into    sections:

1. The Rite of Peace                                                                  5. Lord’ s Prayer and Penitential Rites
2. The Eucharistic Prayer (which contains the Consecration)   6. Invitation          
3.   Intercessions                                                                        7. Communion
4.   Fractioning, Signing, Sprinkling, Mingling, and Elevation

Missing from the Maronite Quorbono is the preparation of the gifts.  Whereas during the Roman Liturgy the gifts are prepared on the Altar as part of the Liturgy; the Maronite liturgy has the gifts prepared prior to the beginning of the Liturgy and are rather transferred or presented prior to the beginning of the Anaphora. This tradition goes back generations when the gifts were brought to the liturgy by members of the congregation as an offering to God.  As the gifts were a result of the members best effort and labors; it was and honor and privilege to be chosen to make and present the gifts for the Holy Mysteries.

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)


 The Eparchy of St. Maron is Celebrating 50 years 1966-2016
Please join Bishop Gregory Mansour and the entire community at a celebration of the  50th Anniversary of the presence of a Maronite Bishop in the United States. The event is Friday  October 7, 2016.  Liturgy will   begin at 6pm at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Lebanon followed by a banquet at 8pm at New York Marriot at Brooklyn Bridge. For more information please visit www.stmaron.org

Moving MOM & DAD Seminar

The Daughters of St. Paul present this FREE Educational Seminar to help you gain insight into what you need to help “Right Size” any living situation. A variety of featured speakers/experts will share and answer questions. The seminar is Sat., July 30 from 10:00-11:30A.M. at the Grant’s View Branch of the STL County Library, Room #1, at 9700 Musick Ave., across from Grant’s Farm. Advance reservations to 314-337-1534 by July 27 are appreciated. Friends, Neighbors, Parents, Family Members - - -- - - ALL ARE WELCOME TO ATTEND!


Kitchen Scoop
Rolling Cabbage Rolls Mondays @ 8am
Making Kibbi Aras Tuesdays @ 8am
Rolling Grape Leaves Tuesday July 19th at 4:30pm.
The festival is eight weeks away and the kitchen is in need of help to prepare for the festival and Wednesday lunches. Any time you can give would be very helpful! Please look for the Kitchen schedule in the bulletin or by email. If you would like to be on the list for email please contact Denise Seifert, Kathleen Wahby, or Gina Fanetti.  Thank  you!
  













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