NO LEBANESE LUNCH MARCH 25 AND APRIL 1

March 21 bulletin and Holy Week schedule

Sunday of Bartimaeus the Blind

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 the number of persons who walked by. The gospel gives us 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 throw 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.”

 

PALM SUNDAY DINNER & BAKE SALE

March 29th 11:30 am—3 pm Lebanese Food will be served for the public in the Cedars Hall.

Please bring your family and friends to join us!

The Ladies Society will be hosting a bake sale for Palm Sunday. Please bring your baked items to the Cedars Saturday, March 28

between 4pm and 6 pm or Sunday morning.

 

 

SCHOLARSHIP

The applications for college and High School scholarships for St. Raymond’s are available in the vestibule of the church. Remember, NO APPLICATIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED AFTER MAY 15TH.

 

SYMPATHY

Sincere sympathy to Dr. Edmond Cabbabe  and his family on the loss of his brother George Cabbabe who passed away this week in Alepo, Syria. May God grant him eternal rest and peace and bestow upon the family  the blessings of comfort and consolation at this time of sorrow.

 

Altar Servers  for Holy Week

 

The season of lent will end with the observance of Passion week; Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Easter Mid-Night (Saturday) and Easter Morning (Sunday).

This is the culmination of the liturgical year, beautiful liturgies that require a great deal of involvement from our parish membership.  Ushers and Altar servers play an important role in all of these liturgies; our beautiful liturgies depend upon this involvement.

We are asking that families of boys in the age group of 8 – 18 make an effort and commitment to attend the liturgies over the next two weeks; Palm Sunday, and Passion Week, following.

March 29^th, Palm Sunday, at 12:30 PM, we will have an Altar Server meeting in the cathedral to train, walk through, and assign roles for Passion Week.  We ask that all parents let your boys know your anticipated attendance schedule for Passion Week; paying special consideration to the Holy Thursday and which Easter Liturgy you plan to attend.  Remember that Holy Thursday requires at least twelve (12) altar servers to attend to perform the liturgy.

Please contact the rectory (314) 621-0056,  David Wahby (314)713-1002 or Anthony Simon (314) 322-6553 with any questions and to RSVP for the Palm Sunday Meeting.

 

EASTER EGGS

We will be accepting donations of colored Easter eggs on Saturday April 4th for the reception after the 10 pm mass. You may bring them in before the Liturgy begins.

 

NO WEDNESDAY LUNCH

There will be no Wednesday Lunch on March 25 and April 1.  We will re-open April 8th.

 

NAM CONVENTION

The NAM convention will take place in Cleveland, Ohio July 1-5, 2015. Those who wish to attend and participate may pick up fliers and information from the vestibule of the church or visit the website of NAM at www.NAMNEWS.org for more details

APRIL SHOWERS

The Ladies Society is collecting items for April Showers for the entire month of April.  You may bring them to church with you and put them in the designated area in the vestibule. There is a list of items needed in the back of church. All donated items go to Our Lady’s Inn.

 

God appeared to you in a vision and said, “Ask me for anything and I will give it to you,” What would you ask Him for? Think about it for a moment. Would you ask for money, a long life, success in a  career, victory for your favorite sports team?”

Quote from the Best Lent Ever.

 

ANNUAL LENTEN APPEAL

The Annual Lenten Appeal for the Eparchy of Our Lady of Lebanon is now taking place. This year, a copy of a letter from Bishop Elias Zaidan was sent to every family in the mail, together with a special gift. This is the same appeal that we do every year.  If you write a check, please make it payable to St. Raymond’s and mail it or put it in the collection basket. We will send one check to the Eparchy at the end of the Appeal. Our parish’s goal for this year’s Appeal is $8500.00. We have only received $2700.00 of the $8500.00 so far. If we don’t reach our goal, the parish has to make up the difference. Please be generous and support the Eparchy.  For those of you who did not receive any by mail, there are some extra pamphlets in the vestibule. Thank you. 

 

service of the Benediction of the cross will be celebrated

 at St. Raymond’s Cathedral at 7:00 pm followed by pot luck dinner in the Lebanon

room.

March 27th: Donors

 

St. Raymond’s Holy Week Schedule

PALM SUNDAY, MARCH 29

10 a.m.                          Solemn Liturgy with procession and distribution of palms. 

4 p.m.                             Liturgy & distribution of palms.

PALM SUNDAY DINNER

11:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Lebanese food will be served for the public in the Cedars Hall.

MONDAY, TUESDAY & WEDNESDAY, MARCH 30, 31 & APRIL 1

Mon, 12 Noon Liturgy

7 p.m. Liturgy of the Blessing of Holy Oils

Tues, 12 Noon Liturgy

7 p.m. Liturgy & Benediction of the Cross

Wed, 12 Noon Liturgy

7 p.m. Rite of the Lamp and Liturgy

THURSDAY, APRIL 2 (HOLY THURSDAY)

12 Noon Liturgy

7 p.m. Liturgy and Washing of the Feet; Procession with Blessed Sacrament and Adoration till 11 p.m.

FRIDAY, APRIL 3 (GOOD FRIDAY)

11 a.m. Pre-Sanctified Liturgy

7 p.m. Burial of the Lord

SATURDAY, APRIL 4 (GREAT SATURDAY OF THE LIGHT)

10 a.m. Confessions

11 a.m. Prayer of Forgiveness

NO 5 PM LITURGY

10 p.m. Opening of Tomb and Solemn Liturgy of Resurrection

(Everyone is welcome to the Cedars Hall for refreshments following the 10 pm

Liturgy)

SUNDAY, APRIL 5th (EASTER SUNDAY)

9 a.m. Liturgy of Easter (No coffee hour on Easter Sunday.)

11 a.m. Liturgy of Easter

 

DURING HOLY WEEK, CONFESSIONS WILL BE AVAILABLE BEFORE ALL LITURGIES