Bulletin: Vol. 27 No 14 April 7th—April 13th, 2018

Sunday 8:30 A.M. English

11:00 A.M. Bilingual; English/Lebanese

Monday No Mass

Tuesday - Friday 9:00 A.M. English

Saturday 5:30 P.M. English

Reconciliation Saturday - 4:00 - 5:00 P.M.

Eucharistic Adoration Sunday: 2:00 P.M -7:00 P.M.

Rev. Assaad ElBasha, M.L.M., Pastor Mass Schedule

Monday - Friday: 9:00 A.M. - 7:00 P.M.

Saturday: 9:00 A.M. - 5:30 P.M.

Altar Boys: Joseph Marincel

817-491-0763 Adoration: Sheila Hughes

817-430-3066

Choir: 8:30 A.M. Helen Marincel

817-491-0763 Library: Sharon Wood

214-497-0783

Choir: 11:00 A.M. Roula Vasquez

972-832-8507 Respect Life: Michele Kleiner

972-446-9898

RCIA: Sue Marincel

817-491-0763 Youth Ministry: Elizabeth Hawbaker

972-965-5021

Lectors: 8:30 AM Mark Caputo

469-230-1533 Religious Ed / SE: Sue Marincel

817-491-0763

Lectors: 11 AM Trevor Rask

503-701-2236 Ushers Robert Kramer

214-488-5635

Parish Council Mouhib Helou

817-845-9953 Legion of Mary Rose Onoh

214-289-4300

Doubting Thomas, Justice, and Divine Mercy The story of Doubting Thomas shows us that even apostles live, not by justice, but by Divine Mercy. That’s why this story is always the subject of the gospel on Divine Mercy Sunday. The Gospels tell an incredible story. A virginal conception. Miraculous healings. Even people coming back from the dead. How are we to know that it’s not all just a fanciful fabrication? There is much evidence for the reliability of the Gospels, but here is one of the strongest bits of evidence I know. Think for a minute. If you were part of a group who decided to perpetrate an elaborate hoax, what would be your motive? Wouldn’t you want to gain some significant benefits from such a risky business? Maybe fortune, fame, and privilege? And if you were to be prominent figures in this tall tale, wouldn’t you at least want the story to make you look good? But in the story told by the apostles, virtually all of them look real bad. During Jesus public ministry they repeatedly fail to “get it.” In fact Jesus wears himself out trying to hammer the truth through their thick skulls. After witnessing three years of miracles, one of them betrays Jesus and the leader of the group denies him. All but one run away when he’s crucified, and no one believes Mary Magdalene when she brings them the news of his resurrection. But the episode recounted in John 20:19-31 takes the cake. The Risen Christ appears to the twelve on Easter Sunday evening. Or rather, I should say he appeared to the ten. Judas, the traitor, had taken his own life. And Thomas, the twin, missed the occasion. When Thomas returns to the group, he refuses to believe them. He demands empirical proof submitted personally to his lordship: “Unless I put my finger in the nail marks in his hands and place my hand in his side,I will not believe.” This sounds more like a pouting of a child than the words of an apostle. In justice, Jesus could have just said “enough.” Thomas had already seen so much. Acts 1 tells us that Judas was replaced by Matthias. This ungrateful skeptic could easily have been replaced as well. But Jesus does not deal with us by virtue of strict justice. God forbid! No, he comes to us in mercy, giving us what we do not deserve. And that’s how he dealt with this doubter. A week later, he gives him what he asked for. Imagine how badly Thomas yearned to eat his words as he put his hand into the sacred side of the New Adam. Thomas can’t be said to come to true “faith” in the resurrection through all this. Because faith is about believing what you can’t see. Walking by faith means NOT walking by sight. In heaven, we’ll see God face to face, so “faith” will be no more. Blessed, says Jesus, are those who have not seen, and yet believe. But Thomas does come to faith in something else that he can’t quite see. He saw Lazarus, the son of the widow of Nain plus the daughter of Jairus, all raised from the dead. Thomas now looks at yet another risen human being before him and says what he did not say to the prior three: “My Lord and My God.” Thomas here professes what can only be seen by the eye of faith. The resurrection of Jesus is not just a marvel for Ripley’s Believe it or Not. Jesus is not just some first century Houdini. No, his resurrection is a sign that he is the Messiah, the King, even the Eternal God, come in the flesh. So this man, humbled by Christ’s mercy, is content to be known for all generations as “Doubting Thomas.” Thomas the Doubter and the other apostles spread a story in which they look real bad. And for it they receive not privilege but persecution and death. So why do they spread the story? Because it’s the truth. And because it’s a proclamation of the Divine Mercy of God who does not reject the thick-headed, the weak, and the doubting but instead gives them the power to become strong, loving, and wise. “Behold,” says Jesus, “I make all things new.” (Rev 21:5) Written By: Dr. Marcellino D’Ambrosio (www.crossroadsinitiative.com)

Sister Faustina Kowalska Sister Faustina was a young, uneducated nun in a convent of the Congregation of Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy in Poland during the 1930s. She came from a poor family that struggled during the years of World War I. She had only three years of simple education, so hers were the humblest tasks in the convent, usually in the kitchen or garden. However, she received extraordinary revelations — or messages — from our Lord Jesus. Jesus asked

Sr. Faustina to record these experiences, which she compiled into notebooks. These notebooks are known today as the Diary of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska, and the words contained within are God's loving message of Divine Mercy. Though the Divine Mercy message is not new to the teachings of the Church, Sr. Faustina's Diary sparked a great movement, and a strong and significant focus on the mercy of Christ. Saint John Paul II canonized Sr. Faustina in 2000 making her the "first saint of the new millennium." Speaking of Sr. Faustina and the importance of the message contained in her Diary, the Pope call her "the great apostle of Divine Mercy in our time." Today, we continue to rely of St. Faustina as a constant reminder of the message to trust in Jesus' endless mercy, and to live life mercifully toward others. We also turn to her in prayer and request her intercession to our merciful Savior on our behalf.

THIS WEEK’S MASS INTENTIONS

Tuesday, 4/10: Don Hughes, Bob & Gwen Kramer Wednesday, 4/11: Joe & Giselle Haddad, Rosemary & Briand Rene Thursday, 4/12: Jacob & Anita Steephen, Joe & Sue Marincel Friday, 4/13: Jacob & Anita Steephen, Jason & Nikki Tsakonas .

+ Repose of the Soul

Daily Scripture Readings Apr 8th—Apr 13th, 2018 Sunday, 4/8: 2Cor 5:11-21 Jn 20:26-31 Monday, 4/9: 1Pet 1:1-9 Jn 20:1-10 Tuesday, 4/10: 1Pet 1:10-16 Jn 20:11-18 Wednesday 4/11: 1Pet 1:17-21 Mt 28:11-15 Thursday, 4/12: 1Pet 1:22-25 Mt 28:16-20 Friday, 4/13: 1Pet 2:1-10 Jn 2:13-25

Next Week’s Liturgical Roles

Saturday, April 14th @ 5:30 PM Lector: Tony Cucinotta Altar Servers: Mike Marincel, Blaise Omvig, Chrisian Omvig Ushers: Bob Kramer, Antonio del Rincon

Sunday, April 15th @ 8:30 AM Lector: Alphonsine Ugochukwu Altar Servers: Sean O’Flaherty, Liam O’Flaherty, Alex Shepherd Ushers: Jim Ashmore, Geobin Ramapuram

Sunday, April 15th @ 11:00 AM Lector: Dr. George Elandary Altar Servers: Steven Wood, Kevin Wood, Peter Elias Ushers: George Semaan, Don Hughes

GET READY!!! OUR 22ND ANNUAL

LEBANESE FOOD FESTIVAL WILL BE HELD

OCTOBER 5,6 & 7!!!

Divine Mercy Sunday Sunday, April 8th, 2018

Fr. Assaad will lead us in reciting the Divine Mercy Chaplet at 10:00AM.

Jesus asked that the Chaplet of The Divine Mercy be recited as a novena beginning on Good Friday.

He promised, “By the novena (of chaplets), I will grant every possible Grace to souls.” You are encouraged to make a

This week Our Lady of Fatima

will be visiting the home of

Gregoria Medina

55th Annual NAM Convention Houston, TX July 11-15, 2018

Hosted by Our Lady of the Cedars Parish

Featuring Workshops by Cardinal Leonardo Dandri, Archbishop Boulos Matar, and Dr. Marcellino D’Ambrosio

Live Entertainment by Nader Khoury, Ghada Chbeir, Nemr Abou Nassar, and Jabbour

To register, go to NAMConvention2018.com, NAMnews.org, or call 914-964-3070.

Pre-registration deadline: Monday, June 18th.

Our parish NAM Representatives are Ronald & Rania Adam. For more info, contact rania.mary.adam@gmail.com or

ronald_adam@hotmail.com

Requesting a Mass Intention at Our Lady of Lebanon Maronite Catholic Church PLEASE schedule your Mass Intentions by contacting Sara in the Church Office (NOT Father because he does not have the datebook) at: 972-436-7617, or via email at LadyofL719@gmail.com

Keep Your Email Updated! Dear parishioners, one great way for us to inform you of parish news and events is via email. It doesn’t cost the parish anything. If you are not receiving our emails, we do not have your email address on file. Please contact

us immediately so we can add your email address to our directory. You can email us: LadyofL719@gmail.com,

or call the Church Office at 972-436-7617.

7th Annual Lebanese Heritage & Food Festival Our Lady of Lebanon—Norman, Oklahoma

Saturday, April 21st 11 AM—9 PM

25th Anniversary Bishop’s Pro-Life Dinner April 21, 2018

Intercontinental Dallas Featuring Christian Hollywood Actor Kevin Sorbo

Benefits Catholic Pro-Life Committee of Diocese of Dallas For reservations, go to www.prolifedallas.org or call 972-267-LIFE

We will celebrate First Communion with our children on Sunday, May 6th, 2018,

at the 11:00 AM Mass. First Confession will be on

Saturday, May 5th, 2016 at 10:00 AM

Pentecost Sunday is May 20th! We will celebrate our Confirmations

at the 8:30AM Mass.

MANY THANKS FROM OUR PASTOR!!

Our Easter was so Blessed! So many people to say thank you to for all of your time, talent, and treasures you so willingly gave to make our Holy Week Mission and celebrations a true honor to our Risen Lord! From Palm Sunday though Easter Sunday, our Sanctuary looked spectacular—thank you to all who worked behind the scenes with the tomb, the flowers, the candles, and the setup/changeovers for the themes of each day. Our Palm Sunday procession candles were particularly beautiful this year—how blessed we are that we are able to have our processions safely and reverently! Thank you to our decorators, our candle designer & our sellers, our photographer, our builders, our choirs, our ushers, altar servers, lectors, and our councilmen! Thank you to our Easter Egg Hunt Coordinators and our Reception Coordinators. Thank you to all of our guest Priests—especially Fr. Mitch Pacwa for his compassion, wisdom & zeal, and to Fr. Strittmater and Fr. Popov too for hearing our Confessions. I pray that this Lenten Season with our Lenten class, Stations of the Cross, and our Holy Week Mission blessed you and your loved ones tremendously.

I keep you ALL in my prayers— Fr. Assaad

Religious Ed is back in session!!!

Come and join us on Sunday, April 8th, upstairs in the Parish Hall between the Masses. WELCOME BACK!

Due to the Publisher’s Deadline, The Mass Collection & Second Collection Totals

are unavailable at this time.

ADORATION OF THE HOLY EUCHARIST IS AVAILABLE TO YOU EVERY DAY OF THE WEEK AT OUR LADY OF LEBANON CHURCH: Monday thru Friday 9:00am—7:00pm Saturday 9:00am—5:30pm Sunday 1:00pm—7:00pm Contact Sheila Hughes @ 817-430-3066

CHURCH NAME AND ADDRESS Our Lady of Lebanon Maronite Catholic Church #989776 719 University Place Lewisville, TX 75067 TELEPHONE 972 436-7617 CONTACT PERSON Mattye Thompson SOFTWARE MSPublisher 2007 Adobe Acrobat 6.0 Windows XP Professional PRINTER HP Laserjet CP1215 TRANSMISSION TIME Tuesday 12:00 SUNDAY DATE OF PUBLICATION January 31, 2010 NUMBER OF PAGES SENT 1 through 4 SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS