March 6 bulletin

Liturgical Intentions

 

 

 

3/9/13	Sat	5 pm	Emma & Edward Mueller	Lorraine (Sis) McGuire & Family
3/10/13	Sun	9 am 11 am	Anthony & Mildred DiBello Francis R. Slay	Gloria Elking Leroy Wilson
3/11/13	Mon	Noon	Norma Sholar	Lawrence & Patricia Gazall
3/12/13	Tues	Noon	Leandro Montalvo	Jim & Marilyn Miller
3/13/13	Wed	Noon	Intention of Poor Souls	Linda Hill
3/14/13	Thurs	Noon	Hilary Ferguson	Carolyn Grosskopf
3/15/13	Fri	Noon	Dorothy Byck	Mitzi & Bob Anderson
3/16/13	Sat	5 pm	Joseph Buckley (A)	Roxie Rask & family
3/17/13	Sun	9 am 11 am	Robert & Jeanette Vincent George Stephan 40 day Mass	Gloria Elking Amal Kweiter & Family
3/18/13	Mon	Noon	Eulalia Escobar	Carl & Barb Daywood
3/19/13	Tues	Noon	Special Intention	The Celebrant
3/20/13	Wed	Noon	Intention for Peace in Middle East	World Apostolate of Fatima
3/21/13	Thurs	Noon	Felipe Barrera	Olga Barrera
3/22/13	Fri	Noon	Norman & Melba Kinninger	Jim & Amera Cox
3/23/13	Sat	5 pm	Bernadette Thomas (A)	Roxie Rask & Family
3/24/13 Palm Sunday	Sun	10 am 4 pm	Intention of Children of St. Raymond’s Edward Elking	The Celebrant M/M Dennis Elking

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sunday of the Paralytic

Fifth Sunday of Lent

On this Sunday, the Maronite Church commemorates the miracle of Jesus’ healing the paralytic.

Many times Jesus come to us, visits us. He comes to us with an idea, a word we hear, a person who is suffering or joyful. Jesus is present. However, many times we neglect to notice him. We do not take advantage of his presence and we simply let the moment pass. We fail to be like the disciples on the road to Emmaus who invited Jesus to stay with them and eventually recognize him in the breaking of the bread.

One of the people who had heard about Jesus’ presence in Capernaum was a paralytic. Since he was unable to go on his own, he sought the assistance of four friends who would carry him. The crowds were surrounding the house, so the men were forced to go on the roof  and lower the paralytic through a hole. Such actions were proof of the faith of the paralytic and his friends.

Jesus looked at the man and said, “Child, your sins are forgiven.” This was not a cure, but a promise of a cure. For the Jews believed that the sickness of the man was caused by his sins. In the Jewish mind, there is a very strong connection between sin and suffering. However,  the forgiveness of sins was the prerogative of God alone. For any man to claim to do that was an insult to God and blasphemy, punishable by death.

Like the paralytic, we must expend all of our efforts to take advantage of the healing presence of the Lord. Let us seek the Lord with faith and humility, asking him to cleanse us.

 

Sunday of Bartimaeus the Blind-Sixth Sunday of Lent

A theme that is central to the Maronite Liturgy is Jesus as the Light of the world and daily we invoke Mary as the Mother of the Light. On this Sixth Sunday of Lent, we recall Bartimaeus, the blind man who wanted to behold the Light of the world.

Jesus and the crowds around him were approaching the gate of the city of Jericho, where a blind beggar was sitting. It was a good time to beg for alms because of the number of persons who walked by.  The gospel gives his name as ”Bartimaeus.” Bartimaeus heard the tramping of feet and the noise of the crowd and asked who was passing by. When he heard that it was Jesus who was approaching, he began to shout and make noise in order to attract Jesus’ attention. Everyone who was trying to listen to the Master was offended and tried to silence the beggar. But this was the only chance  for the beggar: Jesus was passing by and he wanted to escape from  his world of darkness.

When Jesus indicated that he wanted to see what Bartimaeus wanted the attitude of the crowd changed. They told the blind beggar, “Courage, get up. He is calling you.” The beggar’s response was immediate. He threw off his cloak and rushed to the Lord. In many ways, we are called to be like the beggar. Certain opportunities come only once. When the Lord calls us, we must throw off anything that will hinder us and run to Christ.

The blind man knew what he wanted; he wanted light. Not only was the beggar to receive the gift of sight from the Lord; he was also to receive the gift of inner light, the gift of faith. How courageous Bartimaeus was in his desire to seek the Light of the world. Many of us desire to remain in the darkness. Let us not allow the world to prevent us from seeking the Light, but let us cast aside all that hinders us and go to meet the Lord. “Through the rays of your light, we shall see the light, O Jesus, full of mercy.”

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Baby Shower—The Ladies Society will be sponsoring a baby shower  for Our Lady’s Inn on Sunday April 14th after both masses. There will be a wish list enclosed in the mailing or on St. Raymond’s website. (www.straymondsmaronitecathedral.com)

NAM Scholarship—The National Apostolate of Maronites has sent applications for scholarships for college for any parish in the diocese. Any student wishing to apply, the applications are in the vestibule of the church

The Diocecan Convocation will be held at the MHI from April 4– 7.  The theme of the event is Evangelization, Renewal, and Re-commitment.  Everyone is invited to attend. More details to follow.

Virtual Pilgrimage of Lourdes—A flier will be enclosed in a mailing this week. Save the date and bring your family and friends.