Saturday, June 29 Feast of Saints Peter and Paul
Peter was originally from the town of Bethsaida on the shores of the Lake of Tiberias in the region of Galilee. In Aramaic, his name was Simon, son of John and the Lord gave him the name Peter, which means rock. He was married and worked with his brother Andrew as a fisherman at Capernaum. Almost nothing is known about his family life. Peter and Andrew were disciples of John the Baptizer and, when called by Christ, they became his followers. Peter had a fiery temperament and was, at times, somewhat hot headed. Yet he loved Jesus and followed him with all his spirit. At Caesarea Philippi the Lord handed the care of the Church over to Peter and confirmed
Peter’s primacy after the resurrection. After the ascension Peter exercised his authority over the Church through his preaching and teaching in Antioch, Corinth and Rome. Peter wrote two epistles and the gospel of Mark preserves much of his teaching. He suffered and died in Rome where he was imprisoned and eventually crucified upside down on the Vatican Hill on the twenty ninth day of June in the year 67. The Emperor Constantine constructed a church over his tomb.
The Apostle Paul was born at Tarus in Cilicia around the year 7. He called himself “Saul” and says concerning himself that he was “circumcised on the eighth day, being of the stock of Israel and tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrew origins; in legal observance I was a Pharisee, and so zealous that I persecuted the church...But those things I used to consider gain I have now reappraised as loss in the light of Christ.” (Philippians 3:5-7) He acquired knowledge of both the Greek and Hebrew cultures and studied theology in Jerusalem under the great Rabbi Gemaliel. He assisted in the persecution of Christians and was present at the death of Stephen. He was converted when the Lord appeared to him on the road to Damascus. He was baptized and began to preach the gospel to the gentiles. He traveled throughout the Mediterranean and some claim that he went as far as Spain. He was arrested and brought before the Jewish and Roman authorities. Because he was a Roman citizen he appealed his case to Rome where he was beheaded. The letters of Paul are an incomparable source of Christian doctrine and are essential for thorough understanding of Christ. To the Lord, who chose Peter to be chief of the apostles and Paul to be the apostle to the nations, be glory and praise forever! May their prayers be with us. Amen.
ST. RAYMOND’S ANNUAL FESTIVAL
Mark your calendars for St. Raymond’s annual parish festival: Saturday
September 20th & Sunday, September 21st, 2014. Come for the wonderful food, fellowship and FUN! More details will follow.
Stars and Stripes Forever
Maybe the fourth of July conjures up thoughts of summer picnic baskets, backyard gatherings or maybe the day means nothing to you. In 1776 the American colonists won their freedom from England but only after many were killed or maimed by the war.
In the early 20th century Middle Eastern immigrants wanted freedom so badly they endured the hardships of the long journeys to other lands—including the United States in search of a better way of life. Those who settled in the United States spoke little English yet found their way around the city streets as peddlers and entrepreneurs. Yet, their first priority was God and setting up a place of worship in their communities.
The Maronite faith would not exist in this country had it not been for those poor, uneducated faithful immigrants. The churches we enjoy today exist because of them and because their descendants and others not of Middle Eastern descent have worked to keep their doors open.
Have a wonderful Independence Day!
SINCERE SYMPATHY
Sincere sympathy to Mrs. Joyce Ganim and her family on the loss of their beloved Mitchell Ganim who went to his heavenly home on Monday June 16, 2014. May God grant him eternal rest and peace.
NAM CONVENTION
The National Apostolate of Maronites will gather for the 51st annual convention July 3-6, 2014 in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania. Our best wishes to NAM and to Our Lady of Victory in Pittsburgh for a successful convention.
SHRINE OF OUR LADY OF LEBANON
Those who are attending the Shrine on August 12-16th are asked to make their first payment of $75.00 for the bus by June 8th and give to Roxie (check should be made payable to St. Raymond’s Cathedral). Final payment of $75.00 is due no later than July 20th. Due to the bus contract, NO REFUNDS can be given—only in an emergency. Now is the time to confirm your reservation. Let Roxie know if you will be rooming with someone or rooming by yourself. Call Roxie at 314-277-0452 or email at roxierask@yahoo.com.
Chorbishop Moussa Joseph will be on vacation July 9-July 30th to visit his family in Lebanon. There will be no daily liturgies in July—only weekends.
Monday, June 30th-Thursday July 3rd, the Maronite Bishops and clergy of both Eparchies will gather in Pittsburgh for the annual business meetings. Please keep them in your prayers.
NO WEDNESDAY LUNCH
Due to vacations and maintenance, there will be no Wednesday lunch on Wednesday July 2 and Wednesday July 9th, 2014. We will re-open Wednesday July 16, 2014.
