Bulletin March 13-20, 2016

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.”

 “LORD SHOW ME YOUR LIGHT”

 

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 18: Chorbishop Moussa Joseph

Schedule of Friday Lenten Meals:

March 18: Parish Council

           

 

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 $8,500.00 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.

St. Raymond’s has collected $1,405.00  and our goal is $8,500.00.

 

Chorbishop Moussa Joseph

 

EASTER TRIDUUM

PRAYER AND REFLECTION DURING HOLY WEEK

Tuesday, March 22nd, Wednesday March 23rd, and Friday March 25th during Great Friday Service Reverend Monsignor Michael Witt, Ph.D. (Professor at Kenrick Glennon Seminary & noted Church Historian) will be speaking at all the liturgies.

Please plan to join us during Holy Week for

Spiritual Enrichment in preparation for

Easter.

 

The First Five Saturdays of Devotion

Our Lady of Fatima  Promises all the Graces Necessary for Heaven if a Catholic Finishes the Five First Saturdays of Devotion. “...Tell them that I promise to assist at the hour of death with the graces necessary for salvation all those who, in order to make reparation to me, on the First Saturday of five successive months, go to confession, receive Holy Communion, say five decades of the Rosary and keep me company for a quarter of an hour, meditating on the fifteen mysteries of the Rosary.”

 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.

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 March 6th-March 13th-This does not include Wednesday lunch

Income: $7,187.00

Expenses: $7,793.77

 

St. Steven’s Church

St. Steven’s Church will be hosting a St. Patrick’s Day Dinner on Sunday March 13, 2016  from 11am-3pm. They are located at 11514 Highway A Richwoods, MO. 63071. Adults are $9 and Children are $4. Corned Beef and Cabbage or Ham dinners will be served.

Kitchen Scoop

Rolling Cabbage Rolls Mondays at 8:30am

Rolling Grape Leaves Wednesday March 23rd @ 3:30pm

Making Tabouli Friday March 18th at 8:30 am

Making Kibbi Aras Tuesdays at 8:30 am

Preparing Wednesday Lunch  8 am-11 am

Serving Wednesday Lunch 11 am-2 pm

The Kitchen continues to need help in preparation for Palm Sunday. On Friday March 18th, the kitchen will be preparing for Palm Sunday. Tabouli for the month of March will be done on this day (March 18th). On  Saturday March 19th we will begin making meat pies from 8:30am-11:00 am.

Palm Sunday is a parish event that is open to the public and we are in need of more parish volunteers to help in the kitchen. For example, help make meat pies and spinach pies, work the line, work the stove, fry kibbi aras, keeping the hall clean, and carry out. If any of the youth of our parish are interested in service hours Palm Sunday would be a great day to volunteer. On Palm Sunday kitchen preparation begins at 8 am until we open at 11:30 am and then serving lunch until 3pm.

If you are interested in volunteering please contact Denise Seifert, Kathleen Wahby, or Gina Fanetti

St. Raymond’s Holy Week Schedule

PALM SUNDAY, MARCH 20

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 21, 22 & 23

Mon, 12 Noon Liturgy

7 p.m. Liturgy of the Blessing of Holy Oils Celebrated by Bishop A. Elias Zaidan

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, MARCH 24 (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, MARCH 25 (GOOD FRIDAY)

11 a.m. Pre-Sanctified Liturgy

7 p.m. Burial of the Lord

 

 SATURDAY, MARCH 26(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, MARCH 27 (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

 Ladies Society Bake Sale

The Ladies Society will be hosting a bake sale for Palm Sunday. Please bring your baked items to the Lebanon Room Saturday March 19th between 4pm and 6 pm.

 

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)