April 13 bulletin

HOSANA SUNDAY

Sixth Sunday of Announcement

This Sunday  takes its name from the joyful shouts of the children of Israel as Jesus entered the city of Jerusalem in triumph, crying out: “Hosanna,” which means, “Save us now, we pray!” They also shouted out: “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.” Jesus was thus greeted as the Savior of Israel, the Messiah and Lord.

The procession with the psalms and olive branches that takes place on this day, originated in Jerusalem as a commemoration of Christ’s triumphant entrance into the Holy City. By the fourth century the Church in Jerusalem gathered each year to recall the Lord’s entrance into Jerusalem. The faithful gathered on the Mount of Olives with their bishop. There they sang psalms and hymns and listened to readings from the Old Testament and to the gospel account of the Lord’s entry into the city. Late in the afternoon they went in procession from the Mount of Olives to the city of Jerusalem. The parents carried their children on their shoulders and all waved branches of palm and olive trees as they cried out: “Hosanna!” and “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” Upon entering the city they went to the Church of the Resurrection, which was built over the tomb of the Lord, where they ultimately celebrated the Eucharist.

As we prepare for the great week of the Lord’s passion and death, we begin by recalling that Jesus was first rightly greeted by the crowds as their Messiah. These same crowds that today cried “Hosanna,” would later shout, “Crucify Him.” However, the Lord’s disciples, who today rejoiced over the reception that he received from the crowds, would desert him and hide in fear. And yet Jesus remained Messiah even on the cross for his true glory came not at the hands of the people, but from his Father. As we follow the Lord on the way to the cross, may we remain ever faithful to him who is our Savior and Lord.

 

Palm Sunday, April 13th

10 am Solemn Mass with procession and distribution of palms.

4 pm Mass and distribution of palms.

Palm Sunday dinner

11:30 am -6 pm Lebanese food will be served for the

public in the Cedars Hall.

 

HAPPY & BLESSED PALM SUNDAY

 

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!

Come join us in the celebration of Sayedna Robert

Shaheen’s 50th anniversary to the priesthood on

May 1, 2014 with a Liturgy of Thanksgiving at 7 pm at

St. Raymond’s followed by a reception in The Cedars Hall. This is an open invitation, everyone is welcome

St. Raymond’s Holy Week Schedule

PALM SUNDAY, APRIL 13^TH

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

4 p.m.                             Liturgy and distribution of palms

PALM SUNDAY DINNER

11:30 a.m.-6 p.m. Lebanese food will be served for the public in the Cedars Hall.

MONDAY, TUESDAY & WEDNESDAY, APRIL 14-16

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 17^TH (HOLY THURSDAY)

12 Noon Liturgy

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

FRIDAY, APRIL 18^TH (GOOD FRIDAY)

11 a.m. Pre-Sanctified Liturgy

7 p.m. Burial of the Lord

SATURDAY, APRIL 19^TH (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 20^TH (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

 

 

MYO CARNATION SALE

Prior to the service on Good Friday evening, the MYO will be selling carnations for $1.00 each for the Burial of Our Lord.

HAVE A BLESSED AND HAPPY EASTER!

Easter Sunday is the day the Church and her children rejoice for our Lord and Savior has risen from the dead. The resurrection of the Lord is the central event of our salvation, the one that gives meaning to who we are and what we do. Every celebration of the Eucharist and the other mysteries refers to it as the source of inspiration and meaning.

The resurrection is the feast of feasts, the queen of all feasts. Originally the Church celebrated only one feast, the resurrection itself, which was recalled and renewed each Sunday at the celebration of the Divine Mysteries. Soon, however, it began to recall the Passover of the Lord and his victorious resurrection in a special way once a year, in addition to the weekly commemoration of the resurrection. Eventually this annual celebration of the Lord’s resurrection was prepared for by a season of prayer, fasting and penance—Lent, and the feast itself was extended for fifty days.

The Church, thus, now celebrates the resurrection of the Lord for a week of weeks (fifty days): from the Sunday of the Resurrection to Pentecost Sunday (the fiftieth day).

The feast of the Resurrection is one of joy and peace:

Peace to those who are far and

good hope to those who are near.

for Christ has risen from the grave

and has gathered those who were

scattered and given them joy.

The joy and peace that flow from the Lord’s resurrection are expressed today by the rite of peace which follows the gospel in the Divine Mysteries. The cross is removed from the tomb where it has rested since Great Friday and is draped in white. It is carried through the Church accompanied by hymns of praise and joy. The priest solemnly blesses the congregation with the glorious cross and then presents it to them that they might adore it.

By his living cross Christ has saved us from going astray and given us a way to heaven. Through the cross peace and harmony reign among God’s people and we are led to perfection.

And so filled with peace and with joyful hearts we proclaim:

A glorious morning has dawned,

A night has fled.

Light has conquered,

And night has been destroyed

 

 

 

March 15 bulletin

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.” 

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. How joyful is heaven on the occasion of the return of a sinner to the Father.

On some occasions we are able to identify with prodigal son who has gone astray. Let us imitate his courage and humility and seek the forgiveness of the Father. At other times, we are able to see ourselves as the older son, righteous and unwilling to forgive the mistakes of another. At times like this, let us listen to the wisdom of the father and be joyful at the conversion of the sinner.

Financial Status for February 2014

February 2014 contributions:                                                    $15,737.00

February 2014 Wed. lunch/Cedars income:   $13,223.00

February 2014 expenditures:                                                   ($50,254.00)

Deficit:                                                                                        ($21,294.00)

 

MYO

Our youth group (MYO) will  sponsor a bake sale on Sunday March 30th after both Liturgies along with the coffee hour. Your generosity in this matter will help them build a treasure so they can participate in the National Workshop in Pittsburg.  They will also hold their meeting after the coffee hour that day at noon.  All youth are invited to attend and participate.

NAM SCHOLARSHIP:

Dear high school and college students:

We are happy to announce NAM’s Annual Scholarship Program.

1. The John A. Solomon Memorial NAM.MYO Scholarship. 2. The Naomi & Paul Kassouf Scholarship. 3. The Thomas and Jennie Ayoob Memorial Scholarship. 4. USEK Scholarship. 5. NDU Scholarship.

The deadline for application is May 15, 2014. This is a hard and fast deadline and, in fairness to all applications, absolutely no applications will be accepted after this date.

Anyone wishing to apply; please contact the rectory for application forms.

 

TOWN HALL MEETING

Bishop A. Elias Zaidan and the parish board would like to invite you to a town hall meeting  at the Cedars Hall on

Tuesday , April 15th at 8 pm for answering questions regarding the status of the parish.

 

NAM AWARENESS SUNDAY

On Sunday, March 30, 2014, we will conduct a NAM awareness in our parish and shedding the light on the mission of NAM and the necessity to belong to this worthy and affordable apostolate. Our delegates Rick and Janet Baker will be available after all liturgies with the proper materials to help you join or update your membership.

 

FRIDAYS IN LENT

Every Friday during Lent, we will celebrate the service of the Benediction of the Cross at 7:00 pm here at St. Raymond’s. Following the service, everyone is invited to the “Lebanon Room” for a Lenten meal.  The schedule for  serving the meal is as follows:

March  21—MYO

March 28—Choir

April  4—Religious Heritage Group

April 11—Parish Board

 

FAREWELL FATHER SWIFT

All of you by now are aware that Father James Swift will be moving to Dallas Texas for a new position . To honor Fr. Swift and wish him good luck in his future ministry, he will be participating and preaching at all the liturgies here at St. Raymond’s on Sat and Sun April 5-6th. Please mark your calendars to come and express your wishes to Fr. Swift.

 

VOCATION DISCERNMENT WEEKEND

On April 4-6, 2014, Our Lady of Lebanon Maronite Seminary in Washing ton D.C. will be hosting its annual Discernment Weekend for men, 18 and over, interested in finding God’s will in their life. This weekend will be a chance to meet current seminarians, Father Geoffery Abdallah, Rector of the seminary, the Vocation Directors, and the opportunity to sight see one of the greatest cities in the world. This weekend is open for men who feel the call to priesthood, or are interested in finding out how to discern God’s will. Please speak to Chorbishop if your interested.

 

Eparchy Appeal

A letter from Bishop A. Elias Zaidan’s office was mailed to all parishioners of St. Raymond’s Cathedral  regarding the annual Eparchy Appeal. Our goal here at St. Raymond’s is $8500.00. We kindly ask you to be generous in your donation because if our goal is not met, then we have to make up the rest of it from our parish account. Last year we had to make up $3000.00. Please make check payable to St. Raymond’s Cathedral for tax credit, and send it back in the return envelope or drop it in the collection. I hope you understand that this is an Eparchy appeal for all parishes.

 

CONGRATULATIONS  

Due to the ice storm on Sunday, March 2nd, some of you were not able to attend and participate in Fr. Wissam’s first Liturgy as a priest.  We have rescheduled another official Liturgy on Sunday, March 23rd at 11 am followed by a reception in the hall. This is an open invitation and everyone is welcome  to attend and pray with Fr. Wissam and his family.

 

 

 

 

March 1 bulletin

Great Lent

The Season of Great Lent marks the Church’s period of preparation for the feast of feasts, the Resurrection of our Lord. This season recalls the forty day period the Lord spent in the desert in prayer and fasting and, at the same time, it invites us to personal conversion through penance, fasting, prayer and alms-giving. During this season we follow the Lord as he goes up to Jerusalem to suffer, die and rise to a glorious new life.

The seven Sundays of Great Lent are:

Cana Sunday: Entrance into Lent

Sunday of the Leper: Second Sunday of Lent

Sunday of the Hemorrhaging Woman: Third Sunday of  Lent

Sunday of the Prodigal Son: Fourth Sunday of Lent

Sunday of the Paralytic: Fifth Sunday of Lent

Sunday of Bartimaeus the Blind: Sixth Sunday of Lent

Hosanna Sunday

These Sundays of Great Lent place the miracles of the Lord before us, especially his healing miracles, which are the messianic signs of his power over sin and death. They point to the greatest wonder of God, the resurrection of Christ from the dead. Each of this miracles are signs of the faith of the one being healed. We are called to respond to Jesus as they did by deepening our faith in the Lord and giver of life.

Cana Sunday

Great Lent is a time for change, for transformation. The Maronite Church begins Great Lent with Cana Sunday, a commemoration of the transformation of water into wine at the wedding feast of Cana at Galilee. This change prepares us for the evening when we change wine into his blood and bread into his body.

Mary had only to mention to Jesus that something was going wrong: “They have no wine.” Jesus understood that his Mother was not simply making an observation, but was seeking his powerful intervention. On her part, Mary was confident that he would listen to her. She had given birth to him and had lived with him for thirty years, so she had faith in him. At first, Jesus responded with an apparent refusal, “Woman, (a term of respect which he would also use on the cross) how does this concern of yours involve me?” The reason for his response was that his hour had not yet come, namely the hour of his death and resurrection, after which he would answer all the prayers of his Mother.

Jesus came into the world for a definite purpose and task, as we all do. He did not see his life in terms of the immediate needs of any particular moment, but only in terms of his purpose and the eternal plan of the Father. All of his deeds had to correspond and lead to the ultimate fulfillment of his life.

Mary knew her prayer would not be refused; she told them to do whatever he told them. Mary trusted her Son and her request was fulfilled. She told the servants as she tells all of us: do whatever my Son tells you

Aside from the rich theological significance of the transformation of water into wine, let us reflect on the simplicity and “homeliness” of the act. Jesus knew that the lack of wine would be source of embarrassment to the groom and misfortune for the guests. He did not rejoice in the misfortune for the guests. He did not rejoice in the misfortune of others, but used his great power to save a simple man of Cana from humiliation. Let us imitate his example and be concerned with the simple needs of those around us and how we can fulfill them.

Lent in the Maronite Tradition will begin on Monday, March 3rd. Ashes will be distributed during both Liturgies at 8 am and 7 pm. Please make every effort to attend Liturgy as you begin this journey of  repentance  and prayer.

 

The Ladies Society will hold their monthly meeting on Tuesday, March 4th at 7 pm in the Lebanon room. All ladies are encouraged to attend and participate.

 

The Men’s Society will hold their monthly meeting on Thursday, March 6th at 6:30 pm in the Lebanon Room. All men are encouraged to attend and participate.

 

NAM SCHOLARSHIP:

Dear high school and college students:

We are happy to announce NAM’s Annual Scholarship Program.

1. The John A. Solomon Memorial NAM.MYO Scholarship. 2. The Naomi & Paul Kassouf Scholarship. 3. The Thomas and Jennie Ayoob Memorial Scholarship. 4. USEK Scholarship. 5. NDU Scholarship.

The deadline for application is May 15, 2014. This is a hard and fast deadline and, in fairness to all applications, absolutely no applications will be accepted after this date.

Anyone wishing to apply; please contact the rectory for application forms.

 

Lenten Observances 2014

The Most Reverend Bishop A. Elias Zaidan has issued the following Lenten guidelines:

All Maronites who are physically capable are to abstain from meat on Ash Monday ( March 3, 2014) and all Fridays in Lent.

Ash Monday and the Great Friday of the Crucifixion are also  days of fasting. Fasting in the Maronite Church involves eating and drinking nothing at all (except water & medicine) from midnight until noon. The rest of the day normal meals can be taken, but without meat. All Maronites who are physically capable are to fast on these two days.

 

Fridays of Lent

Every Friday during Lent, we will celebrate the service of the Benediction of the Cross at 7:00 pm here at St. Raymond’s. Following the service, everyone is invited to the “Lebanon Room” for a Lenten meal.  The schedule for  serving the meal is as follows:

March 7—Ladie’s Society

March 14—Men’s Society

March  21—MYO

March 28—Choir

April  4—Religious Heritage Group

April 11—Parish Board