Bulletin February 28th-March 6th

Sunday of the Prodigal Son

During Lent, we constantly reflect upon the theme of our sinfulness and the mercy of God.

The gospel of Luke provides us with three parables which speak about the mercy of God: the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the lost son. The sheep became lost because of its own ignorance. Many times we think of ourselves as intelligent, but out of foolishness we wander away from the sheepfold, the Church. Of course, the coin was lost through no fault of its own. Many people become lost through no fault of their own, but are misled and taught to do wrong. This is especially true of the young. The son, however, deliberately left the house of his father. The parable is most rich in explaining the concern of God for our well-being and   Jesus himself provides all the details of the story.

Jesus tells of how the son boldly goes to the father and asks for “his portion”. How often do we treat all of the gifts of God as if they were our rightful portion rather than gifts of God?

The father must have been awaiting for the son daily, because he saw him at a distance and ran out to meet him. He embraced and kissed him. He gave him a robe (a sign of honor), a ring (a sign of authority) and shoes (unlike slaves who did not have shoes). The son was treated as if he had never been away.

The son showed courage and humility in his return. It took courage to examine his life and ascertain his pitiful condition. It took humility to admit his mistakes to his father.

The older son represents those who prefer to see a sinner destroyed rather than saved. He is jealous and self-righteous, considering only the sins of his brother and not of his repentance. He even tries to incite the   father against his brother. However, the father encouraged him to be happy because his brother who had been lost has been found.

PALM SUNDAY LUNCH & BAKE SALE

Sunday March 20th there will only be one liturgy at 10am followed by a procession with the children and the rest of the community.

Lebanese food  will be served from 11:30 am-3 pm to 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 19

between 4pm and 6 pm.

 

Benediction of the Cross

The Benediction of the Cross will take place every Friday evening during Lent at 7pm.  Following the  Benediction there will be a potluck supper in  the Lebanon Room. During Lent, please remember to abstain from meat on all Fridays and to fast and abstain on Great Friday.

Benediction of the Cross Speakers:

Friday March 4: Monsignor Michael Witt, Friday March 11: Deacon Louis Peters,  Friday March 18: Chorbishop Moussa Joseph

Schedule of Friday Lenten Meals:

March 4: Faith and Heritage, March 11: Kitchen Volunteers, March 18: Parish Council

                    

EUCHARISTIC ADORATION

SAINT RAYMOND MARONITE CATHEDRAL PARISH

 

HOLY YEAR OF MERCY

 

His Holiness, Pope Francis, has asked that all parishes throughout the World hold Eucharistic Adoration on March 4^th and March 5^th.  Bishop Zaidan has reminded all parishes of the Holy Father’s directive as an additional way to celebrate the Holy Year of Mercy.  Saint Raymond’s will offer Eucharistic Adoration along with the Sacrament of Reconciliation as follows:

 

Friday, March 4, 2016

Weekday Liturgy 8 AM

Adoration and Reconciliation 8:30 AM until 4:00 PM

Benediction of the Cross 7:00 PM

Saturday, March 5, 2016

Adoration and Reconciliation 8:00 AM until 4:00 PM

Saturday Liturgy 5:00 PM

 

Please invite your family, friends, and parishioners to join in prayer before the Blessed Sacrament during this time of worldwide Eucharistic Adoration.  You are not expected to remain for the entire day, but only to  offer a few moments or an hour before the Holy Eucharist. Please plan to stop in the Cathedral to pray for your intentions.

 

 

ANNUAL BISHOP’S APPEAL

Eparchy of Our Lady of Lebanon of Los Angeles

 

Recently, each parishioner should have received an invitation from Bishop Elias A. Zaidan, Bishop of the Eparchy of Our Lady of Lebanon of Los Angeles to participate in the Annual Bishop’s Appeal. If you did not receive this communication, please consider this your invitation to participate. Our Annual Bishop’s Appeal calls us to be mindful that we are members of a larger Maronite Catholic community that encompasses a vast territory with existing challenges and growing needs. As the Bishop reported in his invitation to us, the Annual Bishop’s Appeal benefits the assistance for retired priests, seminarians, the Shrine, aid to Mission    Parishes, Youth and Young Adult Ministries, and other vital ministries key to the life of our Eparchy. I ask you to please be generous in supporting the Bishop’s Annual Appeal.  The goal for Saint Raymond Cathedral Parish is $8500.00 and I am asking each family to be as generous as possible. Please make checks payable to Saint Raymond Cathedral Parish to receive a tax credit for your donation.  The Eparchy counts on parishes to make their goals in order for the ministries of the Eparchy to flourish. If Saint Raymond’s falls short in reaching our goal, we will need to meet the goal by using funds from the Sunday Collection, which funds are already earmarked for our own budget. In this Holy Year of Mercy, I ask that you prayerfully consider a donation to assist the Eparchy in this most worthy appeal.

 

Chorbishop Moussa Joseph

 

Year of Mercy

calls us to

Acts of Mercy

 

In this Year of Mercy we are called to offer forgiveness, mercy and compassion. Saint Raymond Cathedral Parish wishes to assist the poor and needy of our area by collecting canned and boxed goods. During Benediction of the Cross on the Fridays of Lent and at Masses on the weekends, we invite all parishioners to bring food for the needy as an Act of Mercy. Boxes will be available in the back of the Cathedral to collect your generous offerings for the poor and marginalized of our area. Please join this parish program by  participating with your usual generosity on the Fridays and Weekends of Lent. May God Bless you.

 

 

Maronite Mercy Pilgrimage

Reserve on Your Calendar: May 25-June 4, 2016

Join Bishop Elias Zaidan on a special Maronite Pilgrimage to Italy in honor  of the Year of Mercy. The price for the pilgrimage is $2,000 (Airline not included). The price includes 9    overnights at  4 star hotel, breakfast and dinners, all admittance fees, English speaking guide, and private deluxe air conditioned coach.

Highlights of the trip: Papal audience with Pope Francis and Liturgy at St. Peter’s Basilica

For more information please email us at MaroniteMercyPilgrimage@gmail.com or call  Chorbishop Sharbel Maroun at (612) 379-2758. Seats will be limited.

 

 

Ladies Society Meeting and Fashion Show

The Ladies Society will have their monthly meeting Tuesday March 1st  at 7pm in the Lebanon Room.  Everyone is  welcome to attend!  Please invite a family member or friend!

The Fashion Show is Sunday March 6th. Tickets are still available to purchase  after both liturgies or by calling the rectory 314-621-0056. Tickets are $25 and children 12 and under $10.

Saturday March 5th if anyone is available to help we will be meeting in the Cedars kitchen and Lebanon room to prepare for the fashion show. We will be meeting at 8:30 am. All help is greatly appreciated!

 

 

Men’s Society

The Men’s Society will hold their monthly meeting on Thursday March 3rd beginning with a liturgy at 6pm in Church, dinner at 6:30pm in the Lebanon room, followed by the meeting. Everyone is welcome to attend! Please invite a family member or friend!

MYO Easter Lily Spring Fundraiser

The MYO will be selling Easter Lilies beginning  Friday February 26th until March 13th. The Lilies are sold in one gallon pots for $12. Pick up for the Lilies will be the weekend of March 18th-20th. Order forms will be available in the vestibule. Please contact Karen Crenshaw (crenshawkfc@att.net) or the rectory  314-621-0056  if you have any questions.

 

 

Weekly  Finances for February 21st-February 28th

Income: $7,573. 12

Expenses: $8,450.01

This does not include Wednesday Lunch

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bulletin February 21-28, 2016

Sunday of the Hemorrhaging Woman

On this third Sunday of Lent, the necessity of faith in the power and compassion of Jesus shines forth. On His way to Jairus’ house, many people followed Jesus and pressed on Him. The hemorrhaging woman was part of the crowd. She had spent all of her money on   medicine and doctors, but was never cured. Jesus was her only hope. She felt that if she could get close to him and touch only the tassels of his robe, she would be healed. Upon touching one of the tassels, she was healed  instantly. Jesus wanted to exalt the faith of the one who touched him and wanted to speak with the woman. The woman came and knelt before him. Jesus, not desiring to embarrass her but to exalt her faith said, “Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace, and be healed of your disease”. It is only our faith in the Lord and our willingness to be cleansed and to walk in the peace of the Lord that brings us true health.

The sick woman was an unimportant member of the crowd following Jesus, but she was important to Jesus. To Jesus, each of us is important and worthy of all of his attention. It is encouraging that we, unimportant in the eyes of the world, are most valuable in the eyes of almighty God.

Everyday our lives touch not only the tassels of the Lord, but his most sacred body and precious blood. After the celebration of the divine mysteries, the priest recites, “I have consumed your holy body. Let them see your abundant mercy. I have shared in your Holy Mysteries. Let me join you in your heavenly abode.” 

 

Benediction of the Cross

The Benediction of the Cross will take place every Friday evening during Lent at 7pm.  Following the  Benediction there will be a potluck supper in  the Lebanon Room. During Lent, please remember to abstain from meat on all Fridays and to fast and abstain on Great Friday.

Benediction of the Cross Speakers:

Friday February 26: Bishop Edward Rice

Friday March 4: Monsignor Michael Witt

Friday March 11: Deacon Louis Peters

Friday March 18: Chorbishop Moussa Joseph

Schedule of Friday Lenten Meals:

February 26: Choir                                                    March 11: Kitchen Volunteers                                 

March 4: Faith and Heritage                                   March 18: Parish Council

 

Sub-Deacon 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.

The Pauline Blessing

The Anaphora proper begins with a blessing by the celebrant taken from Saint Paul's second epistle to the Corinthians. He invokes the love and grace of the Persons of the Most Holy Trinity and prays that they dwell in the faithful.

The Prayer of Praise and Thanksgiving

We believe that God created the universe out of love, and that the whole creation responds to God in praise. This hymn of praise is a constant one and extends from the angels and saints in heaven all the way to inanimate creatures. Creatures below the human level offer praise by fulfilling the nature God gave them. Angels and saints are in eternal contemplative union with God. Humans aspire to transform their ordinary lives into a constant awareness of the presence of God. It is the goal of the Divine Liturgy to symbolize this eternal and cosmic worship of the Creator. As we have already noted, we imagine that our earthly Liturgy mirrors the Divine Liturgy perpetually going on in heaven as described, for example, in the Book of Revelation. At this point in our liturgical celebration, the barriers between earth and heaven are removed and the Liturgy on earth becomes one with the Liturgy in heaven.
The Prayer of Praise and Thanksgiving in the various anaphoras usually addresses God the Father as Creator and His work of  creation. It goes on to describe how creation is responding in praise.

"Holy, Holy, Holy"

It is fitting that the response to the Prayer of Praise and Thanksgiving" is the Chant of Angels recorded in the Scriptures. The Liturgy portrays the faithful as singing in unison with the angels in heaven. At this point, the heavenly and earthly choirs are one.

 

Prayer after the Holy

It is our belief that God is deeply concerned and involved with human affairs. To put it better, human history is the working out of God's plan of salvation. The Scriptures narrate for us the tragedy of human sinfulness, God's desire to save us out of compassion, and the various stages of our salvation. In the Anaphora, the prayer after the "Holy" serves both a worshipful and catechetical  function by recalling for us God's plan of salvation.

Taken from A Commentary on the Holy Mysteries: The Holy Mystery of Offering (Qorbono)

By Chorbishop Seely Beggiani (https://www.stmaron.org/divliturgy.html)

 

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.

David Wahby (wahby@sbcglobal.net) and Tony Simon (asimon@simonlawpc.com)

 

 

Altar Servers

As we have announced in the past, we are still in great need of altar servers at ALL MASSES. We are looking for all     interested BOYS AND GIRLS that would like to serve at mass to send an email to Tony or David. We would love to have more servers and can teach you everything you need to know. NO PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE NECESSARY

Tony (asimon@simonlawpc.com); David (wahby@sbcglobal.net)

 

 

Episcopal Anniversary

 His Excellency

Bishop Robert J. Shaheen

Bishop Emeritus

Eparchy of Our Lady of Lebanon of Los Angeles

 

In the name of Bishop Elias A. Zaidan, Bishop of the Eparchy of Our Lady of Lebanon of Los Angeles, Deacon Lou Peters, Subdeacon George Simon, our parishioners, and in my own name, I offer heartfelt congratulations to Bishop Robert Shaheen upon the Fifteenth  Anniversary of his Ordination as Bishop. On February 15, 2001, His Beatitude, Patriarch Sfeir, traveled to Saint Louis to Ordain a new Bishop for our Eparchy. The historic event began Bishop Shaheen’s service to the Eparchy and to the entire Maronite Church. We thank Bishop Shaheen for his dedicated service to us as a pastor and as a Bishop. In expressing our profound gratitude and respect to Bishop Shaheen, we continue to pray that Almighty God grants him good health and happiness in the years to come. Happy Anniversary, Sayedna Shaheen!

Chorbishop Moussa Joseph

Rector

 

Year of Mercy

calls us to

Acts of Mercy

 In this Year of Mercy we are called to offer forgiveness, mercy and compassion. Saint Raymond Cathedral Parish wishes to assist the poor and needy of our area by collecting canned and boxed goods. During Benediction of the Cross on the Fridays of Lent and at Masses on the weekends, we invite all parishioners to bring food for the needy as an Act of Mercy. Boxes will be available in the back of the Cathedral to collect your generous offerings for the poor and marginalized of our area. Please join this parish program by  participating with your usual generosity on the Fridays and Weekends of Lent. May God Bless you

 

Maronite Mercy Pilgrimage

Reserve on Your Calendar: May 25-June 4, 2016

Join Bishop Elias Zaidan on a special Maronite Pilgrimage to Italy in honor  of the Year of Mercy. The price for the pilgrimage is $2,000 (Airline not included). The price includes 9 overnights at  4 star hotel, breakfast and dinners, all admittance fees, English speaking guide, and private deluxe air conditioned coach.

Highlights of the trip: Papal audience with Pope Francis and Liturgy at St. Peter’s Basilica

For more information please email us at MaroniteMercyPilgrimage@gmail.com or call Chorbishop Sharbel Maroun at (612) 379-2758. Seats will be limited.

 

Ladies Society Fashion Show

The Ladies Society Fashion Show  is Sunday March 6th. Invite your family and friends to this fun Shopping and Luncheon event. Tickets will be sold after liturgies on Sundays or you can also contact the rectory 314-621-0056. Tickets are $25 and children 12 and under are $10. 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 .

 

Weekly  Finances for February 14th-February 21st

Income: $2,631.00

Expenses: $3,451.90

This does not include Wednesday Lunch

 

 

Kitchen Scoop

The Kitchen is in need of help preparing for Palm Sunday and Wednesday  Lunches. We depend on our Parish Volunteers to help make the Wednesday lunches successful and any time you can give will be very helpful.

Rolling Cabbage Rolls on Mondays @ 8 am,

Rolling Grape Leaves March 8th and  March 22nd @ 4:30pm,

Making Kibbi Aras on Tuesdays @ 8 am, Preparing to serve lunch on Wednesdays from 8 am-11:00am,

Serving Wednesday Luncheon from 11am-1:30pm.