December 8 bulletin

December 8-30, 2012

Dear Parishioners and Friends of St. Raymond:

Grace, peace and happiness to you during this season of love and joy. The Christmas season comes again to remind us that the birth of our Savior Jesus is the source of our joy and hope in this journey of life toward heaven, our eternal house. God became one of us so that we may be one like Him and with Him for eternity. We celebrate the life of God and we live it with much joy and excitement here on earth to experience His kingdom and share it with others.

I call upon all of you to take extra time this season to focus on prayer and friendship with your families and loved ones. I urge you to reach out to someone that you have been neglecting or forgetting and to bring them the special touch of our “Merciful Lord” who calls upon you to be His “speaker” in society today.

The world needs you today more than ever to act as light to the world and salt to the earth so that the message of the gospel may shine on those who are still living in darkness. With the angels, we proclaim “Glory to God in the highest and peace on earth.” This peace must start with you and me and spread like fire that will destroy every hatred, anger and darkness of sin. This peace must fill all of us with hope, courage and faith.

During this year of Faith, the glorious birth of Jesus will have more meaning and will bring more joy into our life if we commit ourselves to the mercy and love that God bestows upon us and share them with others. As I send my love and prayers with this message, I call upon you all to be more active in our Christmas novena, the liturgies at Christmas and other spiritual events so that God may be more Glorified.

Wishing you a blessed and joyful Christmas, I remain

Msgr. Moussa Joseph

THANK YOU

A sincere thank you to Diana Deeba and Ramona Milford for a successful trivia night. Sincere appreciation to the sponsors,  donors, and volunteers who helped with their time, talents and treasure. We couldn’t have done it without you!

Thank you to those of you who attended . Because of your participation we have cleared $3,100.00 for St. Raymond’s Church.

Parish Envelopes:  We are in the process of providing the envelopes for 2013. If you don’t receive envelopes now and would like to , please call Toni at the rectory at 314-621-0056 or by email at : 

straymondscathedral@hotmail.com.   Likewise, if you receive envelopes now and don’t need them because you give by online banking, please let us know. Thank you!

 

Board Meeting:  The next board meeting is scheduled for December 12th at 6:15 pm in the Lebanon room.

 

Avis Rent A Car  is offering a discount through NAM! As a result, we can all use this discount. For personal or business travel, please provide Avis Worldwide Discount number (AWD) L253072.

 

Join the Order of St. Sharbel:  The order of St. Sharbel is a national organization of people who pledge their spiritual strength and financial support for the education of our seminarians. Think about joining the Order of St. Sharbel and support its “mission.” The order of St. Sharbel is organizing the annual retreat January 18-20, 2013 in Ft. Lauderdale Florida. If you are interested in attending, registration forms are in the back of the church or you may contact Ms. Roxie Rask.

 

 

During this holy and blessed season,  I encourage you to remember your deceased loved ones by offering a mass in their memory. To do so, you may call the rectory at (314) 621-0056 and provide us with the information or use the envelopes in church.

We are using “intentions” from outside the parish. How do you feel about your deceased???

 

 

Novena schedule in preparation for Christmas:

Monday, Dec. 17-Friday Dec.21:  7 pm prayers of novena

Sat. & Sun. Dec 22, 23; Novena will be prayed at end of 5 pm mass on Sat. and end of 11 am mass on Sun.

Please make the effort to attend and prepare yourselves spiritually for the birth of our Lord and Savior!

Christmas Schedule of masses:

Mon. Dec 24:                 5 pm                               Children’s and Youth mass

                                       10 pm                             Solemn mass of the birth of our Lord: Celebrated                                                                               by our Shepherd Bishop Robert Shaheen

Tues. Dec. 25:                10 am                              Mass of the birth of our Lord

(Christmas Day)

The meaning of Thanksgiving

 

    The meaning of thanksgiving has gone through numerous transitions. For most of us, it is about families being thankful for what they hold most precious.

    To gather in unity: It is refreshing when people come together to celebrate. It is also a time  for putting aside our differences as well as a time of healing.  We share our victories and struggles, we find strength  and hope.

    To teach the young: In stories retold, each generation brings purpose to the richness of their heritage/tradition. Faded pictures, or the prayer of thanksgiving before the meal all form a Thanksgiving legacy.

  To prepare the heart: In gratitude, we humbly reflect upon all the gifts (family, friends, health) that saturate our lives. By “giving thanks” we choose to extend ourselves and to give to  others less fortunate. Out of the abundance of our hearts, we are able to offer resources to help  others.

   In the Bible, the meaning of thanksgiving reflected adoration, sacrifice, praise, or an offering. Rarely was thanksgiving extended to any person or thing, except God. “These things I remember as I pour out my soul; how I used to go with multitude, leading the procession to the house of God, with shouts of joy and thanksgiving among the festive throng” (Psalm 42:4).

    The true meaning of Thanksgiving focuses upon the relationship between God and man. Thanksgiving begins with acknowledging God as faithful, earnestly giving Him thanks, in advance, for His abundant blessings. It is an attitude of the heart that reinforces an intimate relationship with God.

 

TRIVIA NIGHT—Last Call for Table Reservations
Saturday, December 1st  Doors open 6pm  Play begins 7pm

$25 per person includes beer, soda and light snacks….Trish Gazall of 102.5 is the emcee……..

Fun, surprises, attendance prizes and additional games….You can pay at the door but you need to reserve the number of seats you will need. Make reservations by contacting Diana Deeba before November 23rd (314)303-4052 or dianadeeba@att.net.  ALL proceeds will go to the parish for the repair costs.

 

Breakfast with Santa is December 9th after the 9 am children’s mass.  Tickets are $15.00 for adults. Even though children’s tickets are free, please make reservations.  Please bring a new wrapped and labeled gift to give to a needy child. Raffle tickets have been mailed to support this annual event! Your support is appreciated.

 

 

MISSING!

The teachers of Faith and Heritage classes are looking for your children. They have wonderful lessons prepared and very few children attending. Please parents, it is important to send your children through each of the grades so they will be prepared for the following year. We offer Pre-K-8th grade. Give your child this precious opportunity to learn about their faith.

Thank you,

Faith and Heritage teachers

 

 

 

Parish Envelopes:  We are in the process of ordering envelopes for 2013. If you don’t receive envelopes now and would like to , please call Toni at the rectory at 314-621-0056 or by email at : 

straymondscathedral@hotmail.com.   Likewise, if you receive envelopes now and don’t need them

because you give by online banking, please let us know. Thank you!

 

Board Meeting:  The first Board meeting was held on October 30th and the next meeting is scheduled for December 12th at 7 pm in the Lebanon room. It was a productive and informative meeting. 

 

Ladies Christmas Party:  Mark your calendars for Thursday December 6th at 7 pm at Bartalino’s Osteria off Hampton. Please contact Sandra Hutcheson by December 2nd for reservations. Hope to see you there.

 

 

Mass Intentions

12/1/12                Sat          5 pm      Deceased members of the Harfouche Family     By the celebrant

12/2/12                Sun        9 am      Gary Gazall (B)                                                                  M/M Turner Hutcheson

                                                11 am    Sarkis Webbe, Sr.                                                            Leroy Wilson

12/3/12                Mon      9 am      Special intention                                                              Ruth Ann & Phillip John Assaf

12/4/12                Tues      9 am      Richard Deeba Sr.                                                            Mark & Elanor Burns

12/5/12                Wed      9 am      Andrew & Dorothy Sudlak                                           M/M Tom McDermott & fam.

12/6/12                Thurs     9 am      Intention of Deborah Johns                                        Toni Fischer

12/7/12                Fri           9 am      Melba Kinninger                                                               Jim & Amera Cox & family

12/8/12                Sat          5 pm      Joe Farhatt                                                                         Mr. Jim Feser

12/9/12                Sun        9 am      William Koenig (A)                                                         Mamie Koenig

                                                11 am    Almaza Hitti (A)                                                                               M/M Elias Hitti & family

 

Novena schedule in preparation for Christmas:

Monday, Dec. 17-Friday Dec.21:  7 pm prayers of novena

Sat. & Sun. Dec 22, 23; Novena will be prayed at end of 5 pm mass on Sat. and end of 11 am mass on Sun.

Please make the effort to attend and prepare yourselves spiritually for the birth of our Lord and Savior!

Christmas Schedule of masses:

Mon. Dec 24: 5 pm Youth mass

10 pm Solemn mass of the birth of our Lord: Celebrated by our Shepherd Bishop Robert Shaheen

Tues. Dec. 25: 10 am Mass of the birth of our Lord

(Christmas Day)