SUNDAY OF THE RIGHTEOUS AND THE JUST
Today the Maronite Church celebrates the Sunday of the Righteous and the Just. This is actually the traditional Maronite feast in honor of all the saints. Whereas the Latin Church celebrates the feast of All Saints on November 1st, the Maronite Church, following its ancient tradition dedicates this Sunday to their memory.
On this day we call to mind all the men and women, children of the Church, who have followed the path of justice and righteousness. We remember the prophets, apostles, and martyrs, the hermits ascetics, men and women religious, as well as all Christians who have lead holy lives.
As our liturgy so often reminds us, they are just in the sight of God because they have patterned their lives on Jesus Christ, the Just One.
The saints are our models; their prayers and fasting have taught us to fight against sin and temptation and so gain the reward of righteousness.
The saints are our intercessors; by their prayers we obtain the pardon of our sins and are strengthened in the Christian virtues.
They were the salt of the earth and the light of the world, they call us to follow their path. Through their intercession may we one day merit eternal life with God.
Feast of Saint Maron
Sunday, February 7, 2016
The Feast of Saint Maron is a special and Holy celebration in the Maronite Catholic Church. Our Cathedral Parish will celebrate the Feast of Saint Maron on Sunday, February 7th, with one Mass at 10:00 am, immediately followed by a lunch at The Cedars in honor of our revered Saint Maron. The menu for the lunch will be Lebanese food and tickets are being sold in advance for $15. Children 8 years and younger are free. Tickets are being sold after Liturgies during January, beginning this weekend. Please purchase your tickets in advance. We are grateful to John and Margie Simon for Chairing this special event in the spiritual and social life of the Cathedral Parish of Saint Raymond. Lets us all plan to participate in this wonderful celebration on Sunday, February 7th, the day before the Holy Season of Lent begins on Ash Monday. For additional information, please contact the Parish Office or John and Margie Simon.
Ladies Society Fashion Show
Mark your calendars for the Fashion Show Sunday March 6th. Tickets will go on sale Sunday February 14th. We need models ( Women, men, and children of all ages), vendors, and volunteers to help. If anyone is interested please contact Gina Fanetti at gfanetti5@gmail.com
SUBDEACON CANDIDATE’S CORNER
As part of our formation, one of the goals of our ministry is to help parishioners develop a greater understanding of our rich Maronite Catholic History and Heritage. In furtherance of that goal we will be adding a short explanation to each bulletin about some aspect of our faith. This continues the discussion about our Maronite Liturgy.
Taken from A Commentary on the Holy Mysteries: The Holy Mystery of Offering (Qorbono)
The Pre-Anaphora
The Creed
Before beginning the Eucharistic prayer, the assembled community makes a profession of faith. Faith is made up of many elements. At its most fundamental level, faith is a personal encounter with God and our definitive response of mind and heart to God in love. It creates a personal relationship between the believer and God. In faith we choose to view God, the world and ourselves through the eyes of Christ. We choose to make His will, His priorities, and His values our values. In order to come to an understanding of our commitment of faith, to define who we are as a community, and to articulate our faith to ourselves and others, it becomes necessary to express our inner faith externally in a series of beliefs and doctrines.
In the early church, when there were many adult converts, candidates for baptism were called upon to profess their faith publicly. Concise formulas of faith or creeds were developed for this purpose. At the first Ecumenical Council of Nicea in 325, a creed was written to express the major beliefs of the church at that time. In the sixth century, this Nicene Creed was incorporated into the Divine Liturgy.
In reciting the Nicene Creed we affirm that we are a part of the Christian tradition, that we are prepared to integrate that tradition into our lives and actions. We also affirm that the Eucharist in which we are about to participate is a sign of our unity with the faith of the apostles and with our fellow believers.
Since the Creed was inserted in the Divine Liturgy at a late date, its exact place in the pre-anaphora is unclear. The Roman Church places it at the beginning, while the Eastern Churches place it after the offering of the gifts. The Maronite Church has tended to follow the Roman practice.
In the early church, when there were many adult converts, candidates for baptism were called upon to profess their faith publicly. Concise formulas of faith or creeds were developed for this purpose. At the first Ecumenical Council of Nicea in 325, a creed was written to express the major beliefs of the church at that time. In the sixth century, this Nicene Creed was incorporated into the Divine Liturgy.
In reciting the Nicene Creed we affirm that we are a part of the Christian tradition, that we are prepared to integrate that tradition into our lives and actions. We also affirm that the Eucharist in which we are about to participate is a sign of our unity with the faith of the apostles and with our fellow believers.
Since the Creed was inserted in the Divine Liturgy at a late date, its exact place in the pre-anaphora is unclear. The Roman Church places it at the beginning, while the Eastern Churches place it after the offering of the gifts. The Maronite Church has tended to follow the Roman practice.
The Procession of the Gifts
The bread and wine are carried in procession to signify that they are the offering of the whole community. They symbolize our readiness to offer all the gifts we have received from God- our wealth, our intelligence, our skills, our talents, our treasure, our life itself- for His service. The collection taken at the Divine Service represents a further giving on our part for the work of the church as it seeks to establish God's kingdom.
The procession of the gifts also reminds us that in biblical days, it was the "first fruits" that were offered to God. In other words, we recognize that all we have comes from God and He has a right to our best accomplishments. We also recognize that the bread and wine carried in procession are soon to contain the very reality of Christ Himself.
The procession of the gifts also reminds us that in biblical days, it was the "first fruits" that were offered to God. In other words, we recognize that all we have comes from God and He has a right to our best accomplishments. We also recognize that the bread and wine carried in procession are soon to contain the very reality of Christ Himself.
If you have questions about Catholic teaching or our Maronite tradition, or would like to suggest a topic, please email us or tell us the next time we see you. Thank you and God Bless.
Adoration
As part of the indulgences for the Holy Year of Mercy I invite you to our Holy Hour of Adoration to the Blessed Sacrament on Thursday January 28th at 7pm. Hope to see many of you participate.
Kitchen Scoop
Making Tabouli Monday February 1st @ 8 am
Rolling Cabbage Rolls or Grape Leaves Mondays @ 8 am
Making Kibbi Aras on Tuesdays @ 8 am
Preparing to serve lunch on Wednesdays @ 8 am-11:00am
Serving Wednesday Luncheon @ 11am-2pm
Beginning Wednesday February 3rd, the lunch line will be open until 1:30 pm and carry-outs will remain open until 2:00pm.
Membership Meeting
The next Membership Meeting will be Tuesday January 26th at 5pm.
Please follow the links below: Via Skype: https://join.microsoft.com/meet/shawnn/7Z02SZH1 Via Phone 314-994-1870 or 888-320-3585
Conference ID: 28928762
Ladies Society Meeting
The next Ladies Meeting will be Tuesday February 2nd at 7pm in the Lebanon room
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