Bulletin June 5-12, 2016

MESSAGE FROM THE PASTOR

 

We are at the heart of our liturgical season of Pentecost which is the 2016^th Anniversary of the Birth of the Church, the Body of Christ on earth. On Pentecost, The Holy Spirit descended upon the Apostles and Mary and gave them life to go out proclaim the Gospel to every creature and to baptize them in the name of the Holy Trinity. This has been the mission of the Church ever since the first Pentecost and it will continue until Christ returns in Glory. The Church, like a body, will have no life if there is no spirit in it. The Holy Spirit gives life to the Church and sustains us on our journey, consoling us in our difficulties especially through the persecution that we have been enduring from the enemies of the Cross. This will not stop us from witnessing to Christ, proclaiming His word, baptizing and saving His people. We are Apostles of Jesus, we are witnesses to the truth of the Gospel and we are called to invite others to join the body of Christ as it is God’s desire. Lay men and women often have more power to spread the gospel to others than the priest or religious. Therefore, live up to your vocation and carry Christ to others. You have all the equipment: Faith, the Holy Scriptures, the Sacraments, and the teachings of the Church that empower you through the gifts of the Holy Spirit to bring Christ to others. Christ needs all of us to be his living stones.

Therefore let us ask Him to use us according to His will and His wish and help us to be faithful to our vocation to fulfill it. Commit yourselves to a life of prayer and consider dedicating part of your life to missionary work and serve people who are in need of Christ.

 

RECEIVE THE SPIRIT OF DISCIPLESHIP

 

The Five First Saturdays 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.”

 

Sub-Deacon’s Corner

From the Maronite Patriarchal Synod (2008), there are 5 elements of the Maronite identity, they are defined below in an excerpt from the Maronite Patriarchal Synod, Bkerke 2008, discussing the bolded portion.

“…it becomes apparent that she (the Maronite Church) is firstly an Antiochene Syriac Church, with a special liturgical heritage; secondly, a Chalcedonian Church; thirdly, a Patriarchal Church with an ascetic and a monastic aspect; fourthly, a Church in full union with the Apostolic Roman See; fifthly, a Church incarnated in her Lebanese and Eastern environment and the Countries of Expansion…”

Excerpt from the Maronite Patriarchal Synod, Bkerke 2008

A Church in full union with the Apostolic Roman See; the Maronite Church has always existed in full union with the Apostolic Roman See, this is the final resting place of St. Peter.  The Maronite Rite began from the Church of Antioch which was begun by St. Peter; he is our connection in Christ.  This personal connection with Christ, through St. Peter, has lead the Maronite Church to this continuous communion. 

The reference to the “Apostolic Roman See” is due to St. Peter’s position and task given to him by Christ to be the “Rock on which I build my church”; it is referred to as the Apostolic.  The Maronite Rite has always observed the Pope as the successor to St. Peter.  Although the Maronite Patriarch is our leader; Maronites still consider the Pope the successor of St. Peter and the leader of the Catholic Faith acknowledging his God given authority.

 

Ladies Society

The Ladies Society will be having a Ladies Night Out on Tuesday June 7th at Trattoria Toscano  (11686 Gravois Rd) at 6pm. A private room has been reserved. 

All are welcome! Please join us!

 

Weekly Finances 5/29/16-6/5/16

Income: $1,972.00

Expenses:$2,831.01 (Personnel costs, Maintenance on Fire Extinguishers to keep them up to code, Coffee hour expenses, and Landscaping (flowers) maintenance)