Saint Rafka Maronite Announcement to Joseph The Letter of Saint Paul to the Ephesians today speaks of “the mysteries hidden in the wisdom of God”. In the Gospel these mysteries are being revealed to Blessed Joseph in his dream: He is clearly worried about Mary being pregnant prematurely with a child. This is a difficult challenge for Joseph. He is being tested. He needs divine help and direction which he graciously receives. Like the Patriarchs, Jacob and Joseph of the Old Testament, the Joseph in the Gospel of Christ is now is being guided by an angel in his dream. The contents of Joseph’s two dreams are amazing. His wife will have a Catholics of the East in the Upstate! 1215 S. Highway 14, Greer, SC 29650 864.469.9119 www.saintrafka,net [email protected]December 11, 2016 Saint Rafka Maronite Church is a Catholic Parish of the Antiochene Syriac Maronite Church, Eparchy of Saint Maron of Brooklyn, NY, Most Rev. Gregory John Mansour, Bishop, 109 Remsen Street, Brooklyn, NY, 11201, 718.237.9913. [email protected]Rev. Bartholomew Leon, Administrator, [email protected]Rev. Christopher Henderson, Retired, [email protected]Pastor’s Advisory Council Ramiz Askar, Marlene Saad Secretary Richard Sleiman, Chairman Paul Sleiman, Linda Wickett, Jack Yacu Finance Committee George Azan, Joseph Chebir Chairman Tony Sleiman, Paula Howard Administration Richard, Wickett, Financial Secretary Nemr Farhat, Volunteer Administrative Assistant to the Pastor + Continued next page
Transcript
Saint Rafka Maronite
Announcement to Joseph
The Letter of Saint Paul to the Ephesians today speaks of “the mysteries hidden in the wisdom of God”. In the Gospel these mysteries are being revealed to Blessed Joseph in his dream: He is clearly worried about Mary being pregnant prematurely with a child. This is a difficult challenge for Joseph. He is being tested. He needs divine help and direction which he graciously receives.
Like the Patriarchs, Jacob and Joseph of the Old Testament, the Joseph in the Gospel of Christ is now is being guided by an angel in his dream. The contents of Joseph’s two dreams are amazing. His wife will have a
Catholics of the East in the Upstate! 1215 S. Highway 14, Greer, SC 29650 864.469.9119
child, but by the Holy Spirit; and there is trouble on the horizon. He needs to trust in God’s promise and his plan of salvation, in spite of the difficulties. Joseph’s trust and faithfulness will be manifested by his actions.
Likewise, in our Maronite prayers this Sunday, our mediation is focused on Saint Joseph’s incomprehension and doubts – before this great mystery before him – and then the reassurances that he receives from above that this is all God’s will. The Qolo (centered before the Qadishat and the Mazmooro after it), in the style of the Syriac dialogue hymns, address this issue directly. We the church and her children, in hindsight, find ourselves in a position of sympathy with the divine ordinance. We encourage the Joseph in us to believe; to let his righteousness and fidelity come through so that he (and us too) may pass the test of faith!
The underlying lesson in this announcement to Joseph – as well as the other previous announcements to Zechariah, Mary, and Elizabeth – is that God’s ways are amazing and perplexing. They challenge the limits of our faith and vision – just as they did with Abraham and the patriarchs of the past in the first covenant. Like Joseph, with the help of divine grace, they open our hearts to the greater expectations of eternal salvation, and the promise of life in the Kingdom.
Clearly God wants to give us more than that little happiness – that we are normally willing to settle for! The Father wants to give us Christ Jesus, to be with us always, Emanuel – (Hebrew: God is with us) – that through him we may have life in its fullness; to let his Holy Family be ours; that we may dwell in the divine Trinity forever.
From generation to generation this heavenly family has been calling us to our home in the Kingdom. Now, as members of this Holy Family of Christ, let us welcome our King with all our hearts – with words of praise and actions of charity and hospitality towards others – that he may graciously grant us eternal citizenship in his Kingdom.
Father Steve Bonian, S.J.
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Christmas Schedule Wednesday, December 21, Day of Confessions 9 AM - 6 PM 7 PM, Christmas Novena Thursday, December 22, 7 PM, Christmas Novena Friday, December 23, 7 PM, Christmas Novena Saturday, December 24, 4 PM, Christmas Vigil Liturgy Sunday, December 25, 11 AM, Christmas Day Liturgy
Abouna’s Corner
Dear Parishioners and Friends,
Happy and holy December greetings!
It is getting colder!!! On Friday morning, it was quite cold and below freezing. This past week has been warm, cold, and also wet with much needed rain. The end of Autumn is approaching as Winter will be soon setting in. Christmas is just around the corner!
As we get closer to Christmas, the liturgical schedule will increase accordingly. On Thursday, December 15, we will begin the Christmas Novena. Please check the calendar for the times each day. A few days will be earlier due to Masses or confessions in nearby churches. Please plan on joining us in person or electronically as we prepare for the Birth of the Lord.
As you have noticed, Father Chris has been on a decline for the past several months. He is moving slower and slower and is needing more and more assistance. This past Thursday he was admitted to the hospital so they can give him medications to increase his kidney and liver functions. As of Friday afternoon, he was feeling a lot better and but will probably be in the hospital a few days. Pray for him! I cannot thank everyone for their kindness and generosity in wanting to help Father in his time of illness.
Thanks to all who took the time to fulfill their Holy Day obligation to attend the Divine Liturgy on Immaculate Conception. We had a crowd of 58 people. The Holy Day attendance is getting better! Now we have to work on Sundays!
Please see Bishop Gregory’s Christmas Message on the next page. Pray for him as he leads our Eparchy as our shepherd and father.
Have a great weekend and see you in Church.
Salaam!
Ab. Bart
Lebanese Citizens The Ministry of Foreign Affairs with the collaboration of Indevco group (Neemat Frem) launched on the 23rd of August a new website to help the Lebanese abroad recovering their Nationality http://www.lebanity.gov.lb/. This portal is very easy and works for the old and the new law .The Applicant should fill the application and will receive the answer within 2 days with his registration Number and the proof of his eligibility and all the documents requested. View the video here.
★Calendar
December 10, 4 PM, Vigil Liturgy 11, 11 AM, Divine Liturgy 7 PM, Divine Liturgy 14, 7 PM, Divine Liturgy 15, 6 PM, Christmas Novena 7 PM, Confess-a-ton at Saint Mary Magdalene Church 16, 7 PM, Christmas Novena 17, 4 PM, Vigil Liturgy, Christmas Novena to Follow 18, 11 AM, Divine Liturgy 6 PM, Christmas Novena 7 PM, Divine Liturgy 19, 7 PM, Christmas Novena 20, 7 PM, Christmas Novena 21, 9 AM - 6:30 PM, Day of Confessions, 7 PM Christmas Novena 22, 7 PM, Christmas Novena 23, 7 PM, Christmas Novena 24, 4 PM, Vigil Liturgy 25, 11 AM, Divine Liturgy of Christmas NO 7 PM Mass 28, 7 PM, Divine Liturgy
Christmas FlowersBussemey Family Paul and Joan Bussemey Captain Joseph E. & Margaret W. Leon Abouna Debra Ann Zerella Mary Anne & Bill McAfee Jennifer Ann Zerella Mary Anne & Bill McAfee Lemire Family Paul and Joan Bussemey Margaret and Louie Henderson Abouna Chris
Prayer ListJim Hopsecger, Virginia LaFave, Nabeel Howard, Father M. T. Phillips, Paul Cote and Family, Paul Bussemey, Ramza Sleiman, Jack Yacu, Moe Mercier, Joan Bussemey, Priscilla Watson, Denise Steinker, Special Intention by Abouna, Bob Brown, Joe Durham, Michael Bays, Patrick Lavelle, Tara Galvin, Susan Connor, Bill Hines, Beth Banks, Andrea Fiorni-Frazier, Shawn Sexton, Alice Howard, Robert Mercier, James and Kaleigh, Mark Pelletier, Antonella, Stephanie, Derek Gerard Solomon, Connie Brushaber, Billy, JoAn Salloum, Susie, Health and recovery of W. F. William B. (Bill) Rodgers, Jr., Jim Hopka, Family of Colbert Arthur, Berma Darlene Bell, Terry Vadnais, Elaine Gillen, Elizabeth Gallagher, Special Intention, Amy Hunter, Shawn Sexton, Cindy Miller, Deacon Bob Smith, Adrian Kassentar, Beth Hopsecger, Mark Barnard, Special Intention of MKS, Janice Radich, Paula Lemire, Becky Jarvis, Lillian Moon, Vito Fortuna, Sam Howard, Jr., Betty Braun, Deanne Valencia, Mary Yacu, Sister Mary Emmanuel, Katie Frank, Adelaide George, Beverley Davis, Maryanne Polidoro, John Fender, Katherine Dennman, Alan Howard, Intentions of Nancy Gegorian, Greg Howard, Thomas Shaluly,
Someone in need of prayer? Let me know!
Saints We CelebrateDecember 12, Saint Spyridon the Wonderworker, Confessor Our Lady of Guadalupe, Patroness of the USA December 14, Saint Nemutallah Al-Hardini, Confessor (+1858) December 20, Saint Ignatius, Bishop and Martyr, Patriarch of Antioch (+107) December 25, Birth of Our Lord December 26, Praises of the Mother of God December 27, Saint Stephen, Protomartyr December 29, Martyrdom of the Children of Bethlehem (Holy Innocents)
Sunday, 11 AM Albert Adams, dying from lung cancer Fred Adams and John Slusz
Sunday, 7 PM Open
Wednesday, 7 PM Open
December 17 & 17
Saturday, 4 PM Richard Wickett, Birthday
Sunday, 11 AM JohnPaul Sleiman, Birthday Francois and Michelle Sleiman
Sunday 7 PM Open
Wednesday, 7 PM Open
Mass Intentions
Feast New Testament Gospel
Joseph Eph. 3:1-13 Matt 1:18-25
English Paul Leonardi
Arabic Evon Souri
Liturgical Readings
If you would like a Mass offered for your loved ones, please call the church office at 864.469.9119 or send your request to [email protected]. You can also check the Mass Intention calendar on our webpage to see if dates are available.
Liturgical Items
Sanctuary Lamp
To have the Sanctuary Light for your relatives or intentions, please use the envelope provided at the entrance. Donation is $5.00.
Average per person $19.07 $16.79 $7.83 89.47 Holy Hour 20
Average Attendance 53.50 72.71 37.65 163.86 11.90
Immaculate Conception — — 58 people
Building Fund $513.00 $473.00 $135.00 $1121.00 Year to Date $104,976.00
Average per person $9.00 $6.66 $4.50 $7.09
Attendance Year to Date 4:00 PM 2782 11:00 AM 3781 7:00 PM 1958 Wednesday 7 PM 635 First Sunday 202 Holy Day 312 Special Liturgy 227
Attendance
How are these totals calculated?
One total graphed above is through envelope usage for each week.
The totals to the left and above are counted by the ushers during the Divine Liturgy and tabulated.
Maronite Vigil For Life & March For Life 2017
JOIN US TO WITNESS FOR THE SACREDNESS OF EVERY HUMAN LIFE!!!
The Office of Family and Sanctity of Life of the Eparchy of Saint Maron of Brooklyn is pleased to host the Fourth Maronite Vigil For Life on Thursday January 26, 2017 at
Our Lady Of Lebanon Maronite Church located on 7142 Alaska Avenue N.W. Washington D.C. 20012.
All are invited to join us for an evening of prayer, worship and fellowship with the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal of Saint Mary of the Assumption Friary from
Newburgh NY.
Men and women sleep in different locations. Please bring your sleeping bags & plan accordingly.
Please RSVP with number of people attending no later than Monday, January 23rd.
We kindly ask for a free will donation of $20 per person to cover the cost of the meals.
Friday, January 28, 2017
8:30am - Maronite Divine Liturgy 9:30am - Breakfast 11:30am - Maronite Catholics For Life meet at the Starbucks on the corner of Indiana Ave. & 7th St.
Thursday, January 27, 2017
5:00 pm - Arrival at OLOL Church 6:00pm - Dinner 7:00pm - Welcoming talk 8:00pm - Eucharistic Adoration 9:30pm - Fellowship & Movie
2017 MYO NATIONAL RETREAT
ST. MARON CHURCH
MINNEAPOLIS MINNESOTA
JUNE 19th-24th
SAVE THE DATE!!
VISIT OUR UPCOMING RETREAT LOCATION AT http://www.circavistavirtualtours.com/universityofnorthwestern/Intro.html
Facebook: National Maronite Youth Organization (MYO) Twitter:@maronite_youth
Instagram:@maroniteyouth Snapchat:maroniteyouth
Women of Upstate Greenville Catholic Parishes
YOU’RE INVITED TO JOIN US!
“Catholic Women United in Spirituality,
Service and Leadership”
A Leadership Workshop Sponsored by The South Carolina Council of Catholic Women
WHERE: Gallivan Hall, St. Mary’s Church Campus, 111 Hampton Avenue, Greenville 29601 WHEN: Saturday, January 7, 2017 TIME: 9:30 A.M.—Registration and Coffee 10:00 A.M.—1:00 P.M.—Workshop
Lunch provided by the women of the Greenville Deanery
No Cost
Workshop Topics: Embracing Our Past As We Ensure Our Future (The Council of Catholic Women) Developing Good Leadership Practices and Skills Building a Better Foundation for Membership Growth
Organizing and Developing New Affiliates Finding a “New” Way — What Can We Do Better?
The workshop will be facilitated by Joan Mack and Barbara Birds, Past Presidents of the South Carolina Council of Catholic Women, and is sponsored by the Greenville Deanery.
PLEASE RSVP BY MONDAY, JANUARY 2, 2017
Contact Greenville Deanery President, Susanne Wolfe at 864-313-5866 or [email protected]
Prayer to Our Lady of Good Counsel God of heavenly wisdom, you gave us Mary, Mother of Jesus, to be our guide and counselor. Grant that we may always seek her motherly help in this life and so enjoy her blessed presence in the life to come. O Mother of Good Counsel, patroness of the National Council of Catholic Women, intercede for us, that we may be wise, courageous and loving leaders of the Church. Help us, dear mother, to know the mind of Jesus, your son. May the Holy Spirit fill us with reverence for God’s creation and compassion for all God’s children. May our labors of love on earth enhance the reign of God and may God’s gift of faith and living hope prepare us for the fullness of the world to come. Amen.
MASTER ARTS
Biblical Theology
Ashy Pavilion Please remember that registered and supporting parishioners are free to use the Ashy Pavilion for family events, reunions, parties, etc. Others are welcome to rent the facilities. More information? Contact Richard Wickett here.
Coffee Socials If you would like to sponsor a Coffee Social In Memory Of or In Honor Of someone, please call or email the office to let us know. Abouna
Wickett HallWickett Hall - Wickett Hall can be used by our registered and supporting parishioners for family events, reunions, etc. Others may request permission to rent the Hall. Contact Richard Wickett.
Masses OnlineWhere to go to Mass when traveling? Look here!
MassTimes.org The Catholic Directory Parishes Online
Birthdays10, Mimo Eid 11, Fawaz Askar 12, Greg Lepak 14, Austin Hill 15, JohnPaul Sleiman 15, Denise Sakran 15, Father Bart 17, Richard Wickett 17, Marlene Dowd 19, Mary Anne McAfee 19, Palmer Saad 19, Faris Farah 19, Tish Gábor 20, Mary Howard 20, David Sawyer 24, Dalida Meehan 24, Joe Treacy 25, Therese Maederer 26, Brian Smith 28, Danielle Bouharoun 29, Josaphin Hana 29, Ramsey Chebli 31, Danielle Lloyd
Anniversaries 14, Joseph and Tiffany Chebeir 15, George and Tish Gábor 19, Brett and Danielle Lloyd 29, Antoine and Ramza Sleiman
Necrology+Tala Howard, December 11, 2006 +Faye G. Tadross, December 26, 2006 +Bishop Stephen Hector Doueihi, December 17, 2014
