SUNDAY OF THE CONSECRATION OF THE CHURCH
The liturgical year of the Maronite Church opens with commemorations in honor of the Church of Christ. The two Sundays of the Church, the Sunday of the Consecration of the Church and the Sunday of the Dedication of the Church, although not directly connected with the Season of Announcement, the first of the liturgical seasons in which the life of Christ is reflected, form a fitting introduction to it. For these two Sundays teach us that the entire salvific mission of Christ today takes place through his Church.
The Old and New Testament both use the term “corban” to indicate something consecrated to the Lord. Quite often an object was anointed with oil and then considered holy or set apart for the Lord. In the Old Testament, priests, kings, the meeting tent and its furniture, and the Ark of the Covenant were all anointed and thus consecrated to the Lord. In the New Testament, Jesus himself is called the Messiah, the Christ, the Anointed One. In the Church today, we still anoint catechumens, those being chrismated, the sick, the priests and bishops, church building, and sacred vessels in order to set apart these people, places and objects as sacred, consecrated to the Lord.
In the Old Testament, the sacred object was the Ark of the Covenant. It was a symbol of the covenant between God and his people, as it originally contained the stone tablets of the ten commandments of God’s law. By means of the covenant, Israel was set apart as the chosen people, and Yaweh was to be their God. The Ark was the symbol of God’s personal and saving presence among his people. It was upon the Ark that the blood of atonement was sprinkled and it was before it that divine communications were received. As a sign of God’s leadership and protection for his chosen people, the Ark was carried before the army in battle.
In his prophecies, Isaiah refers to the servant of Yahweh as a “covenant of the people, a light for the nations.” This covenant of the people will establish justice on the earth, open the eyes of the blind, and free prisoners.
(Isaiah 42:4,6-7)
Jesus, the Anointed One, is the New Ark. His sacred person is the place where the divine and the human meet. He is the bearer of the good news. It is through the sacrifice of his body on the cross that sins are atoned for and his resurrection establishes an everlasting covenant between God and his people.
Through the outpouring of the Spirit of Christ, the Church has come into being and continues the mission of Christ in the world. It is now the Church which proclaims to mankind God’s saving love for the world.
The Sunday of the Consecration of the Church invites individual Christians to renew their personal consecration to the Lord and his Church, and to strive to realize God’s kingdom on earth.
The Ladies Society will hold their monthly meeting on Tuesday November 4th at 7:00 pm in the Lebanon Room. All ladies are invited to attend!
SAVE THE DATE : The Ladies Society annual Christmas party will be held December 4th at
Bartolino’s Osteria at 6 pm. The cost will be $35.00 a person
The Men’s society will hold their monthly meeting on Thursday November 6th at 6:30 pm in the Lebanon room. All men are invited to attend.
HOLY HOUR
“When you look at the crucifix, you understand how much Jesus loved you then. When you look at the Eucharist, you understand how much Jesus loves you now.” A Holy hour of adoration to the Blessed Sacrament will take place at St. Raymond’s Cathedral at 7:00 pm on Thursday November 13th followed by the blessing with the Sacred Eucharist.
Come, join, venerate before the Blessed Sacrament and offer your petitions and intentions in a quiet way to the Lord who will listen and take care of all needs!
ST. RAYMOND’S FEAST CELEBRATION
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 15: COCKTAILS 6:00 PM
DINNER: 7:00 PM
MUSIC & DANCING: 8:30-11:00 PM
OPEN BAR!!!
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 16: PONTIFICAL LITURGY: 10:00 AM
COMPLIMENTARY BRUNCH FOLLOWING AT THE CEDARS
Saturday evening tickets: $40 per adult and $20 for children 12 & under
To purchase tickets or reserve your table (tables of 10) you may contact: Mary Cohen Ehlen and John LeCuyer at 636-394-9944 or straymonds@yahoo.com.
NOTE: We are coming to celebrate as the family of St. Raymond’s with one Liturgy at
10:00 AM (no 9 am and 11 am Liturgy on Sunday November 16th.)
No tickets will be sold after November 9th!
Please make your reservations as soon as possible, time is running out!
NAM AWARENESS DAY
For more than 50 years the National Apostolate of Maronites (NAM) has worked to help unite and preserve a Maronite presence in the United States. In fact, it is the only lay apostolate of its kind in the Maronite world. NAM rest on the support of the Maronite parishes to advance its mission. Like any other organization, NAM depends on membership to help achieve its goals and objectives. Bishop . Elias Zaidan has asked that we designate the weekend of November 8 & 9th as “NAM awareness Day.” Our NAM delegates, Mr. & Mrs. Rick and Janet Baker will be available to assist you.
Thank you for your support.
BREAKFAST WITH SANTA!
SAVE THE DATE: SUNDAY DECEMBER 7TH AT 10:00 AM
Tickets go on sale following 9 am liturgy on Sunday November 9th. Adults $15, children $5.
Breakfast with Santa raffle tickets will be sold after both masses as well. Raffle tickets are $1 and will help offset the cost of this wonderful event. Need not be present to win.
