ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST Melkite Catholic Church 200 E. North Ave. Northlake, IL 60164

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ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST Melkite Catholic Church 200 E. North Ave. Northlake, IL 60164 SUNDAY La Divina Misa en español 9:00 AM DIVINE LITURGY AT 11:00 AM stjohnthebaptistchicago@hotmail.com www.

Antoine Shehata: (847) 227-8884 Deacon Fadi Rafidi: (708) 473-5455 Para La Comunidad Hispana por favor llamar Fr. Ezzat Bathouche (708) 407 6847 correo electronico: stjohnthebaptistchicago@hotmail.

1 ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST Melkite Catholic Church 200 E. North Ave. Northlake, IL SUNDAY La Divina Misa en español 9:00 AM DIVINE LITURGY AT 11:00 AM Rev. Fr. Ezzat Bathouche Cell: (708) St. John the Baptist, Hall Phone: (708) ProtoDn. Antoine Shehata: (847) Deacon Fadi Rafidi: (708) Para La Comunidad Hispana por favor llamar Fr. Ezzat Bathouche (708) correo electronico: St. John s Office Information Office Phone: (708) Office Hours: Thursdays & Friday 09:00 AM to 01:00 PM Please do not call later than 8:00 PM, unless it is an emergency. All other times, please call the cellular phone. Confession: Available before or after any service, or by appointment. Baptism: Please contact the pastor in advance to arrange for the required instructions. Marriage: A notice of at least 6 months should be given to the pastor, before the proposed wedding date to arrange for the required interview and instructions. Communion of the sick: Sick parishioners may receive the Holy Communion at home. Please advise the pastor whenever this sacrament is needed. Anointing the sick: Please contact the pastor at any time for this mystery. Sunday, September 30 th, 2018 األحد 30 أيلول nd Sunday after the Exaltation of the Holy Cross Loving your enemies Theme of the Year And eternal life is this: to know you the only true God, and the one you have sent Jesus Christ Hymns Troparion of the resurrection (2 nd tone) When you descended to death, O Immortal Life, You destroyed Hades by the splendor of your Divinity, and when you raised the dead from under the ground, all the Powers of heaven cried out: O Christ our God, the giver of life, glory to you. نشيد القيامة (اللحن الثاني) لما نزلت الى الموت أيها الحياة الخالدة أمت الجحيم بسنى الهوتك. ولما أقمت االموات من تحت الثرى صرخت جميع قوات السماويين: أيها المسيح ألهنا يا م عطي الحياة المجد لك. Troparion of the Patron of the Church النشيد لشفيع الكنيسة Kondakion O never failing Protectress of Christians and their ever present intercessor before the Creator, despise not the petitions of us sinners, but in your goodness extend your help to us who call upon you with confidence. Hasten, O Mother of God, to intercede for us, for you have always protected those who honor you. نشيد الختام )القنداق( يا نصيرة المسيحيين التي ال ت خزى ووسيطت هم الدائمة لدى الخالق ال تعرضي عن أصوات الخطأة الطالبين اليك. بل بما انك صالحة بادري الى معونتنا نحن الصارخين اليك بأيمان: هلمي الى الشفاعة وأسرعي الى االبتهال يا والدة االله المحامية دائما عن مكرميك. Epistle 2 Cor 11: :1-10, 19th Sunday after Pentecost PROKIMENON (Tone 2) Ps.117: 14, 18 My strength and my courage is the Lord, and he has been my Savior. Stichon: The Lord has chastised me through his teaching, yet he has not delivered me to death. READING from the Second Epistle of St. Paul to the Corinthians BRETHREN, the God and Father of our Lord Jesus, who is blessed forever, knows that I do not lie. In Damascus, the Governor under King Aretas was guarding the city of the Damascenes in order to arrest me, but I was lowered in a basket through a window in the wall, and escaped his hands. (12: 1) It is not fitting for me to boast: but I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord. I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago (whether in the body, I do not know, or out of the body, I do not know: God knows) was caught up into paradise and heard secret sayings that man may not repeat. Of such a man I will boast; but of myself I will glory in nothing except my weaknesses. For if I do wish to boast, I shall not be foolish, for I shall be speaking the truth. But I give up, lest any man have an idea of me beyond what he sees in me or hears from me. And lest the greatness of the revelation puff me up, there was given to me a thorn for the flesh, a messenger of Satan to buffet me. Concerning this, I begged the Lord three times that it might leave me, but he said to me, My grace is enough for you, for strength is made perfect in weakness. Gladly, then, will I glory in my weaknesses, that the strength of Christ may dwell in me. ALLELUIA (Tone 2) The Lord shall hear you on the day of distress; the name of the God of Jacob shall defend you. Stichon: O Lord, save your king and listen to us on whatever day we call upon you.

االحد التاسع عشر بعد العنصرة مقدمة الرسالة الرب قو تي وتسبيحي لقد كان لي خالص ا أ د بني الرب تأ ديب ا والى الموت لم ي سلمني الرسالة 2( كورنثس 31 :11 الى )9 :12 يا إخو ة يعلم إ له وأ بو رب نا يسوع الم

2 االحد التاسع عشر بعد العنصرة مقدمة الرسالة الرب قو تي وتسبيحي لقد كان لي خالص ا أ د بني الرب تأ ديب ا والى الموت لم ي سلمني الرسالة 2( كورنثس 31 :11 الى )9 :12 يا إخو ة يعلم إ له وأ بو رب نا يسوع الم سيح المبارك الى الدهور أني ال اكذب. كان الحاكم بدمشق تحت إ مرة المل ك الحارث يحرس مدينة الدمشقيين م ريدا أ ن ي قبض علي. ف د ل يت من ك و ة في ز نبيل من الس ور ونجوت من يد يه. ان االفتخا ر ال يفيدني فإ ني انتقل الى رؤ ى الرب وايحاءاته. اني اعرف انسانا في المسيح أ خت ط ف الى السماء الثالثة منذ أ ربع عشرة سنة أ في الجسد لست أ علم أ م خارج الجسد لست أ علم هللا يعلم. واعرف ان هذا االنسان أ في الجسد أ م خارج الجسد لس ت أ علم هللا يعلم قد اخت طف الى الفردوس وسمع كلمات سر ية ال ي حل ألنسان أ ن ينطق بها. فمن جهة هذا افتخر. أ م ا من جهة نفسي فال ا فتخر إ ال بأ وهاني. فإ ني لو أ ردت االفتخار لم أ كن جاهال ألني أ قول الحق. لكني أ ك ف لئال يظ ن أ حد بي فوق ما يراني عليه أ و يسمع ه مني. ولئال استكبر ل س م و االيحاءات أ عطيت شوكه في الجسد مالك الشيطان ليلطم ني ليال استكبر. وألجل ذلك طلبت الى الرب ثالث مرات ان تفارقني. فقال لي: تكفيك نعمتي الن قو تي ت كم ل في الو ه ن. فبكل سرور اذن افتخر بالحري بأ وهاني لت ستقر علي قو ة المسيح. هللويا ليستجب لك الرب في يوم الضيق ليعض دك اسم إله يعقوب يا رب خل ص الملك واستجب لنا يوم ندعوك Gospel Luke 6:31-36, (SECOND SUNDAY AFTER HOLY CROSS) The Lord said, Even as you wish men to do to you, so also do you to them. And if you love those who love you, what merit have you? For even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what merit have you? For even sinners do that. And if you lend to those from whom you hope to receive in return, what merit have you? For even sinners lend to sinners that they may get back as much in return. But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, not hoping for any return, and your reward shall be great, and you shall be children of the Most High, for He is kind towards the ungrateful and evil. Be merciful, therefore, even as your Father is merciful. االحد الثاني بعد الصليب )لوقا )36-31 :6 قال الرب : كما ت ريدون أ ن ي فع ل الناس بك م كذلك أفع لوا أ نتم أ يضا بهم. فإ ن كم إ ن أ حب ب ت م الذين ي ح ب ونكم فأ ي ف ضل لك م فإ ن الخطأ ة أ يضا ي حب ون الذين ي ح بونهم. وإ ن أ حس ن ت م الى الذين ي حس ن ون اليك م فأ ي فضل لك م فإ ن الخط أ ة أ يضا يفع لون ذلك بع ي ن ه. وإ ن أ قرضت م الذين ت رج ون أ ن ت ست وف وا منه م فأ ي ف ض ل لك م فإ ن الخط أ ة أ يضا ي قرضون الخطأ ة لكي ي ست وف وا الم ث ل. ولك ن أ ح ب وا أ عداء ك م وأ حس نوا وأ قر ضوا غير مؤ ملين ش يئا فيك ون أ جر ك م كثيرا وتكونوا ب ني الع لي ألنه منع م على غي ر الشاك رين واأل شرار. فكونوا اذ ن ر ح ماء كما أ ن أ باك م ر ح يم. Second Sunday after Holy Cross Forgiving as He Forgives DOES CHRIST ASK THE IMPOSSIBLE of His disciples? At times it seems so, as when He tells us to love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back (Lk 6:35). This doctrine goes against the ordinary inclinations of people of every society, social class or station in life. As a result it has been routinely ignored by Christians of every age when they are faced with the choice of actually putting it into practice. As a result, many non-believers have seen Christians as hypocrites teaching this principle in theory but ignoring it in practice. In all honesty, many of us might see ourselves in this criticism leveled by the eighteenth-century political philosopher of the American Revolution Thomas Paine: Those who preach this doctrine of loving their enemies, are in general the greatest persecutors, and they act consistently by so doing; for the doctrine is hypocritical, and it is natural that hypocrisy should act the reverse of what it preaches. (Thomas Paine, The Age of Reason). In the Old Testament The Scriptures are full of imprecations against the enemies of Israel. The Torah and the early histories of Israel encourage believing Jews to consider the pagans living in their midst as God s enemies and, therefore, their own. If they encourage readers to treat their enemies with compassion, it is for a motive other than kindness. The author of Proverbs warns his readers, Do not gloat when your enemy falls; when they stumble, do not let your heart rejoice or the LORD will see and disapprove and turn His wrath away from them (Prov 24:17, 18). In other words, don t rejoice over your enemy s misfortune or God will restore their good fortune to spite you!

In Proverbs we find another word of advice on dealing with one s enemies which was apparently well regarded among first-century Jews: If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; if he is thirsty,

The author encourages the doing of good from a base motive Treat your enemy kindly. You will make him feel guilty and God will bless you in the bargain!

3 In Proverbs we find another word of advice on dealing with one s enemies which was apparently well regarded among first-century Jews: If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; if he is thirsty, give him water to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head, and the LORD will reward you (Prov 25:21, 22). The author encourages the doing of good from a base motive Treat your enemy kindly. You will make him feel guilty and God will bless you in the bargain! This is very far from the New Testament teaching and shows us how far from conventional wisdom, even among God s People, Christ s doctrine is. Imitating God Christ regularly encouraged His disciples to imitate God s way rather than man s. God s way is, of course, the way of mercy and compassion. God does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities, For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His love for those who fear Him (Ps 103:10, 11). While the Jews were long encouraged to trust in God s mercy, it was Christ who taught us to imitate that compassion in the way we treat others. The Lord Jesus urged His disciples to strive for perfection in their spiritual lives and He pointed to love for one s enemies as exemplifying that perfection. Anything less, He identified with the spirit of the scribes and Pharisees. In St Matthew s Gospel the following injunction concludes and sums up the Sermon on the Mount: If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do that. And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, expecting to be repaid in full. But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful You have heard that it was said, Love your neighbor and hate your enemy. But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect. (Mt 5:32-36, 43-48). If the aim of the Christian life is to imitate the Lover of mankind, the chief sign of that way of life is the way we treat our enemies. We can and should act in the image of God. Perhaps the most striking example of love for ones enemies in the Gospels is the prayer for His killers which Christ offered while hanging on the cross. Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing (Lk 23:24). Arrested for preaching in Christ s name some years later, the first martyr, St Stephen, used his last breath to imitate Christ s love for His enemies, praying: Lord, do not hold this sin against them (Acts 7:60) as he was being stoned by his killers: God, and those who follow His way, do not let themselves be conditioned by the wickedness of others. Even when forgotten or rejected, they continue to be faithful to loving others. Forgiving through the Holy Spirit Imitating God in this way isn t easy. Some say it isn t even in our power, but is an attitude that can only be the fruit of grace, given by the Holy Spirit. This is why St. Silouan the Athonite writes, "The soul that has not known the Holy Spirit does not understand how one can love one s enemies, and does not accept it." The ability to love one s enemies is also closely bound to humility. Almost all the difficulties we encounter in loving our enemies are linked with pride: it is from pride that flows the affliction that follows upon insults, hated, bad temper, spite, the desire for revenge, contempt for one s neighbor, refusing to forgive him and to be reconciled with him. Pride excludes the love of enemies and love for one s enemies excludes pride. When we think of asceticism, we may consider prayer vigils, fasting, or making numerous prostrations. The most challenging ascetical feat, however, is to practice love for one s enemies. St. John The Baptist Assets General Assembly Meeting Fr. Ezzat and the PAC are calling for a General Assembly Meeting on Sunday, 10/7/2018, right after the liturgy, stay at the Church. 1_ 2017/2018 activities and achievements 2_ Tell us how to get you more involved in the church affairs and activities 3_ New Church 2017/2018 update and your valuable feedback

Miracles Still Happen Mass with Healing Prayers Miracles Still Happen Join us and witness Fr. Ubald s Mass with Healing Prayers! Sunday October 14 th, 2018 at 11:00 AM St.

North Ave Northlake, IL 60164 Annual Gala Saturday, October 13 th, 2018 Hors D oeuvres 7:00PM Dinner: 8:30 PM Empress Banquets 200 East Lake St Addison, IL 60101 Singer: Shadi Ranjous Tickets: Adults

com Choir Practice O come, let us sing unto the Lord; let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation. Psalm 95:1 Join Our Church Choir: No experience needed, all ages welcome.

com September 30 th : Merna Akkawi October 7 th : Fuad Rafidi October 14 th : Rachel Mady October 21 st : Dr. Phil Metres St.

You should receive another message saying "Thanks Mr(s).. As a member of @stjohnchgo, you will receive all St John Baptist's Remind notifications. Reply HELP for commands.

All you need to do is to send us a blank e-mail and we will make sure that your e-mail address in in our system. Please take a few minutes this week and e-mail us at: stjohnthebaptistchicago@hotmail.

4 Miracles Still Happen Mass with Healing Prayers Miracles Still Happen Join us and witness Fr. Ubald s Mass with Healing Prayers! Sunday October 14 th, 2018 at 11:00 AM St. John the Baptist Melkite Catholic Church 200 E. North Ave Northlake, IL Annual Gala Saturday, October 13 th, 2018 Hors D oeuvres 7:00PM Dinner: 8:30 PM Empress Banquets 200 East Lake St Addison, IL Singer: Shadi Ranjous Tickets: Adults $ years and under $80 For Tickets and reservation please talk to: Miriam Abou Saad and Rachel Mady Urgent need Noursat are in urgent need for financial support please donate at Choir Practice O come, let us sing unto the Lord; let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation. Psalm 95:1 Join Our Church Choir: No experience needed, all ages welcome. Meetings will be held every Sunday after the second liturgy. Epistle Reading If you are interested in reading the epistle, please Dr. Kayed Akkawi at: kayedakkawi@gmail.com September 30 th : Merna Akkawi October 7 th : Fuad Rafidi October 14 th : Rachel Mady October 21 st : Dr. Phil Metres St. John s 2018 Calendar October 7 th, 2018 October 13 th, 2018 October 14 th, 2018 December 16 th, 2018 December 24 th, 2018 December 31 st, 2018 General Assembly Meeting Annual Dinner Dance Falafel Christmas Bazar Nativity of Our Lord New Year s Eve Party Text Messaging System: Sign Up today - 1. Create a new text message; 2. Type in as the recipient; 3. In the message section, 4. Hit send; 5. You should receive a message asking for your full name; 6. Please type your full name and press send; 7. You should receive another message saying "Thanks Mr(s).. As a member you will receive all St John Baptist's Remind notifications. Reply HELP for commands. Are you receiving our s? We need your help to ensure that we have everyone s . All you need to do is to send us a blank and we will make sure that your address in in our system. Please take a few minutes this week and us at: stjohnthebaptistchicago@hotmail.com Honoring your loved ones: Please consider signing up for one or more Sundays to provide Holy Bread and Coffee hour. It s this gift of Holy Bread that we use to prepare communion and to share with our parishioners at the end of the service. What better way to honor your loved ones on their birthday, anniversary, graduation or memorial. It takes minimal effort, and it encourages fellowship among our community. Hall Rental: If you wish to rent the Parish Hall for a party, or schedule a wedding or baptism, call the church office at (708) to clear the date, and then come to the church office on Thursday or Friday to fill out the contract and pay any fees. Thank you for your cooperation

COFFEE HOUR: To sponsor the Coffee Hour call Randa Tourjman at (773) 865-8377. Please remember, there is also a donation of $20 for the coffee in addition to the snacks.

18 Falafel 10.21.18 OPEN Dear Brothers and Sister, Please be advised that have some procedural changes at St. John the Baptist that will standardize and simplify the process for a number of things.

5 COFFEE HOUR: To sponsor the Coffee Hour call Randa Tourjman at (773) Please remember, there is also a donation of $20 for the coffee in addition to the snacks. Urgent need Noursat are in urgent need for financial support please donate at Coffee Hour Schedule: The Harb Family (6 months memorial Clotilde Harb) OPEN Falafel OPEN Dear Brothers and Sister, Please be advised that have some procedural changes at St. John the Baptist that will standardize and simplify the process for a number of things. 1_ If you wish to rent the Parish Hall for a party, or schedule a wedding or baptism, call the church office at (708) to clear the date, and then come to the church office on Thursday or Friday to fill out the contract and pay any fees. Do not call the priest for this, as the scheduling calendar will be in the office. There will be no exceptions. 2_ If you need copies of certificates (wedding, baptism, etc.), call the church office on Thursday or Friday and make your request. Any fees can be paid or donations given at the time you pick up the certificate. Do not contact the priest for this. It will be handled by the office staff on Thursdays and Fridays. There will be no exceptions. 3_ To request Special Intentions for the bulletin please send an to the office stjohnthebaptistchicago@hotmail.com. Do not call the priest for this. All intentions will be handled through the office. There will be no exceptions. These simple changes will make it easier for you to request the services of the church, and make us more efficient and better able to serve you.

6 Save the Date: October 14 th, 2018 Falafellllllllllllll

Liturgy Intentions To add or remove Names from the list please call (708-492-0391) Total Collection: 09.23.

Speedy Recovery: For all our brothers and sisters who need spiritual & corporal recovery especially Eva Saseen and Maurice Rizkallah Repose in the Heavenly Kingdom

7 Liturgy Intentions To add or remove Names from the list please call ( ) Total Collection: : $ 2,026 (Regular $1,508 + Electronic $518) To add or remove Names from the list please call (708/ ) Happiness and Prosperity: The Harb Family Health & Speedy Recovery: For all our brothers and sisters who need spiritual & corporal recovery especially Eva Saseen and Maurice Rizkallah Repose in the Heavenly Kingdom All our brothers and sisters who have fallen asleep in the Lord Clotilde Harb (60 months memorial) By Harb Family Ethel Merie By Penny Koppel Philip Rashed By Rafiq Cheboub Michael Hanino By Therese Cheboub Peter Nafaa By Anne Nafaa

Our Lady of Redemption Melkite Catholic Church Parish News To place an ad in the Bulletin, please call the office or send us an .

Our Lady of Redemption Melkite Catholic Church Parish News To place an ad in the Bulletin, please call the office or send us an . E-mail: info@olormelkite.org E-mail: info@olormelkite.org Parish News To place an ad in the Bulletin, please call the office or send us an email. The Melkite Association of Young Adults (MAYA) will hold