St. Jude The Apostle
October 14
Saint Jude, known as Thaddaeus, was a brother of St. James the Less, and a relative of Jesus. He was one of the Twelve Apostles. "Thaddeus" may have become a popular nickname for Jude following Judas Iscariot's betrayal. St. Jude is not the same person as Judas Iscariot.
Sometimes he can also be seen holding a carpenter's ruler or is depicted with a scroll or book, as the writer of the Epistle of Jude in the New Testament.
St. Jude was the son of Clopas and his mother Mary was the Virgin Mary's cousin. Ancient writers tell us that he preached the Gospel in Judea, Samaria, Idumaea, Lebanon, Syria, Mesopotamia, and Lybia. According to the Christian historian Eusebius, he returned to Jerusalem in the year 62, and assisted at the election of his brother, St. Simeon, as Bishop of Jerusalem.
St. Jude is mentioned several times in the Gospels. Some traditions claim that he visited Beirut (where he may have been martyred) and Edessa (in modern Iraq).
Following his death, St. Jude's body was brought to Rome and left in a crypt in St. Peter's Basilica. Today his bones can be found in St. Peter's Basilica under the altar dedicated to St. Joseph. Pilgrims came to St. Jude's grave to pray and many reported a powerful intercession, leading to the title, "The Saint for the Hopeless and the Despairing." Sometimes he is called "The Patron Saint of the Impossible."
Christians invoke St. Jude when in desperate situations because his New Testament letter stresses that the faithful should persevere in the environment of harsh, difficult circumstances - just as their forefathers had done before them; therefore, he is the patron saint of desperate cases.
St. Jude pray for us!
PARISH FINANCIAL CONCERNS
Anyone who has personal concerns regarding financial issues related to the parish should contact the Parish Administrator, Deacon Lou Peters, at 314-621-0056 or by email: L.Peters@Eparchy.org
PARISH CONDOLENCES
Parish condolences to Nazha Hitti on the death of her brother Antoine Hitti who passed away in Lebanon and was buried in Australia. May he rest in peace.
ORDER OF ST. SHARBEL
The Order helps to support and educate our seminarians. You can help those who help us. If you would like to be part of the Order, information is available in the Church or you can join on line:http://www.orderstsharbel.org/membership.html
FEAST OF ST. RAYMOND
The feast of our patron, St. Raymond, will be celebrated on Sunday, November 20th. Divine Liturgy will be celebrated at 10 A.M followed by a Luncheon with a very short program and recognition. Tickets will be $15 for adults, $5 for children 10 and under. Subdeacon Tony and Mary Simon are chairing the event. If anyone is interested in helping to underwrite the cost of the luncheon, please speak with Deacon Lou. About 50% of the cost has already been donated. We will publish the names of those who help in the program booklet.
FAITH AND HERITAGE CLASSES FOR CHILDREN
Religion classes for all students K-8 (catholic, private or public schools) have started. Classes meet at 9 am and conclude in time for 10 o’clock Divine Liturgy. Registration forms are available in the church vestibule.
Classes are held on all Sundays except: November 20th (Feast of St. Raymond celebration), November 27th (Thanksgiving Weekend) and December 25th (Nativity of the Lord).
PARENT AND ADULT RELIGION ROUND-TABLE
On Sundays when there are religious education classes for the children their parents and any other adult parishioners are invited for coffee in the Hall and share thoughts on some aspect of our Faith. The round-table discussion begins at 9:00 a.m. and ends about 9:40 a.m. All are welcome. No homework!
FR. JAD EL CHLOUK
Fr. Jad El Chlouk will be returning on October 18 to Rome to continue his studies. We thank Abouna for his time with us and wish God’s blessings upon him
FR. AKIKI
Fr. Freiha Akiki will be arriving in St. Louis. He has recently served at St. Elias in Birmingham, Alabama and will spend time with us living in the rectory. We welcome Fr. Akiki. He will be available for our spiritual needs.
BLANKET DRIVE
Margie Simon is collecting blankets for the International Institute to distribute to refugee families. There will be a container in the back of church for clean, gently used blankets, or new ones. Collection dates are October 23 and October 30. If you would like your blankets picked up, please email her at msimon5566@aol.com.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
If you have a day or so when you would like to volunteer in the parish please do so. We can always use kitchen workers (Mondays, Tuesdays, and for Wednesdays of course), Do you enjoy singing? Join the choir, see John LeCuyer our choir directors. No special skill necessary, just a love of the Liturgy and a willingness to share your voice.
KITCHEN SCOOP
The kitchen will be Rolling Grape Leaves on Tuesday October 18th at 4:30pm.
If you are interested in volunteering the kitchen could use help on Mondays Rolling Cabbage @ 8am, Tuesdays Making Kibbi Aras @ 8am and Preparing/Serving Food on Wednesdays from 8am-2pm. All help is greatly appreciated!
STIPENDS FOR THE CELEBRATION OF THE DIVINE LITURGY (Mass Stipends)
It is an ancient custom to remember the dead and offer the Holy Qurbono (Mass) on their behalf. We encourage you to remember family and friends in this way.
MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR UPCOMING EVENTS
November 1 (Tuesday) Feast of the Righteous and Just (All Saints Day). Holy Day of Obligation. Liturgy 12:00 noon and 7:00 p.m.
November 6: Start of the New Liturgical Year (SUNDAY OF THE CONSECRATION OF THE CHURCH)
November 10 (Thursday) 7:00 pm. Special Ecumenical Prayer Service for the Christians of the Middle East. Bishop Elias Zaidan and members of the Eastern Orthodox Clergy and Laity of the St. Louis area will participate. Short reception in the Cedars Hall to follow. All parishioners of St. Raymond are invited to attend. It is being sponsored by the local chapter of the In Defense of Christians Organization.
November 20 Celebration of the Feast of St. Raymond (see bulletin article/handout)
Parish Finances October 2nd-9th
