SAINT GEORGE MARONITE CHURCH

Transcription

1 SAINT GEORGE MARONITE CHURCH AN EASTERN CATHOLIC CHURCH OF THE WEST SYRIAC ANTIOCHENE TRADITION Week of July 23, 2017 Eighth Week of Pentecost Religious Education Pre K - 12 th grade-see bulletin for schedule Bible Study See bulletin for schedule Church Organizations See bulletin for schedule Adoration Tuesday 3:00 PM - 5:30 PM Mystery of Reconciliation (Confession) 30 minutes before Liturgy and upon request Mystery of Baptism & Chrismation Parents and Godparents must meet with the pastor to make arrangements Mystery of Crowning (Marriage) Notify the pastor AT LEAST SIX MONTHS in advance for the necessary arrangements Sick and Hospitalized Contact the pastor for visitation Memorial Sunday Last Sunday of the month Liturgy Schedule: Monday-No Liturgy Tuesday 5:30 PM Wednesday - Friday 12:00 Noon Saturday 5:00 PM, Sunday 8:00 AM & 11:00 AM Saint George Maronite Catholic Church 6070 Babcock Road, San Antonio, TX Offices: (210) (210) Fax: (210) Hall: (210) Fr. Charles Khachan, MLM Pastor Ex ckhachan@gmail.com Deacon Tom Billimek Gym: Bingo: Annette Garcia - Parish Secretary Ex. 100 Nick Morey Bookkeeper Ex102 Jo Ann Reed - Financial Consultant Michele Chebib - Hall Manager Ex. 104 Deborah Mery Fernandez - Cultural Arts Director Richard Karam - Church Attorney Edward Karam - Church Realtor & Lector Coordinator Soumaya Doenges - Greeter Coordinator Ameen Al Bahloly- Altar Server Coordinator Regina Aune - Archivist Fernando Fernandez - Athletic Director Brendan George - Pastoral Council Chairman Jose Fernandez - Finance Committee Chairman Candy Monsour - LAS President Patricia Karam - Scholarship Committee Chairman Elyse Karam, Monica Chavez, & Sabrina De La Cruz - MYO Directors Crystel Harb - Religious Education Coordinator Edmond Karam MYA President Dave Sweeney - Veterans Committee Chairman Toufic Khalife & Larry Monsour - Grounds Committee Merciful Like the Father!

2 Intentions and Readings of the Divine Liturgy Sat. July 22nd 5:00 PM Liturgy for Salim Abi Khalil family req. by their loving family Acts 15:22-30 Lk 10:38-42 Sun. July 23rd 8:00 AM Liturgy for Abraham El-Nakat, req. by the Jajou Family 11:00AM Liturgy in thanksgiving of Larry and Candy Monsour s 50th Wedding Anniversary Rom 8:1-11 Eighth Week of Pentecost Mt 12:14-21 Mon. July 24th No Liturgy Acts 15:36-16:1-3, 6-10 Lk 11:1-4 Tues. July 25th 5:30 PM Liturgy for Abraham El-Nakat, req. by the Diab Family Acts 16:11-23a Lk 11:5-8 Wed. July 26th 12:00 Noon Liturgy for Simeona U Laurente req. by Cresenciana B. Uy (Birthday) Acts 16:25-34 Lk 11:9-13 Thurs. July 27th 12:00 Noon Liturgy for Filomena B. Uy req. by Cresenciana B. Uy Acts 17:1-12 Lk 11:14-23 Fri. July 28th 12:00 Noon Liturgy for Roberto Rodriguez req. by a friend Acts 17:16-20, Lk 11:24-26 Sat. July 29th 5:00 PM Liturgy for the family of John A. Mery and the Kearns and Wells families req. by their families Liturgy for Phillip Karam req. by Bill & Jeanette Morgan Acts 18:1-11 Lk 11:27-32 Sun. July 30th 8:00 AM Liturgy for Abraham El-Nakat, req. by the Jajou Family 11:00AM Liturgy for Emelia Billimek (40 day) req. by her loving family Liturgy for Joseph Rizzo req. by Rizzo & Wartian Family Rom 16: Martyrs, Disciples of St Maron Lk 11:49-54 We apologize for any inconvenience if a name of a loved one was misspelled or dropped off the list of masses by mistake. July 23, 2017 Flowers& Refreshments In honor of Larry and Candy Monsour s 50th Wedding Anniversary 2

3 Bertha Acevedo, Rocky Anawaty, Amira Andera, Regina Aune, Corey Baines, Gerry Baines, Sharon Benson, Pamela Gabriel Craig, Terry Griebel, Marina Curie-John, Diana Curi-Ryder, Josephine Daaud, David Emerson, Norma Emerson, Zeyna Faris, Brendon Fuselier Muriel Keogh George, Hank Grage, Betty Gudat, Harry Hilton, Jackie Hill, Peter Holmes, James Hughlette, Sal Isgro, Marie Joseph, Al Jowdy, David Karam, Elyse Karam, Eugene Karam, Mary Anne Karam, Mary Ann Trad Karam, Donna Khattar, Marie La Monica, Richard La Monica, Margaret Craig Loyd, Gloria Maldonado, Charles Malouff, Louise Malouff, Maria Marines, Karen Martinez, Elvira Mery, Maria Mery, Paul Mery, Jr., Tony Moawad, Connie Moller, Adele Morrison, Nancy Nasif, Tim O Connor, Jose Olvera, Roger O Shaughnessy Thelma O Shaughnessy, David Palazzo, Noel Palazzo, Sarah Perillo, Ashley Polley, Larry Raba, Curtis Reed, Curtis Michael, Reed Kirsten Reed, Rose Ribble, Pedro Rosas, Gloria Saliba, Marie Schechter, Bella Rodriguez Torres, Rose Trevino, Jeanette Van Delden, Gene Viola, Joe Walker, Miriam Wells, George Yamin. Ted Van Delden - September 27, 2016 Amira Mery Dean - November 14, 2016 Anthony Mery, Jr. November 30, 2016 Grant Peisen - December 12, 2016 David Saliba - December 23, 2016 Robert Dieck - February 17, 2017 Roberto Rodriguez - April 3, 2017 Nicola Alhaj - May 14, 2017 Abraham El-Nakat - May 16, 2017 Tanya Yamin Raba - June 4, 2017 Alfred Hoffmann - July 8, 2017 Julie Malouff - July 18, 2017 Saturday, July 22nd (5:00 PM) Lector: Ray Dustin Ushers: Ameen Al-Bahloly & Simon Salinas Greeter: Janie Rivas Altar Servers: Jeremy Daly & Kiersten Salinas Saturday, July 29th (5:00 PM) Lector: Ray Dustin Ushers: Janie Rivas & Joe Rivas Greeter: Jo Sullivan Altar Servers: Zack Karam & Aaron Mery Sunday, July 23rd Lector: (8:00 AM) Frank Westermann Lector: (11:00 AM) Larry Karam Ushers: Toufic Khalife, Adriana Khalife & Marcel Noujeim Greeters: Mariana Younes Altar Server: Eddie Martinez, Dean Martinez, Maroun Harb & Anthony Chebib Sunday, July 30th Lector: (8:00 AM) Frank Westermann Lector: (11:00 AM) Ernest Karam Ushers: Larry Monsour, David Sweeney & Elmosa Herrera Greeters: Christina Antoun Altar Server: Ilya Noujeim, Jacob Farah, Joseph Hanna & Diego Medina 3

4 Community Life SUNDAY JULY 23RD Qurbono (Liturgy) 8:00 and 11:00 AM Rosary at 10:40 AM TUESDAY JULY 25TH Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament will be from 3:00 PM to 5:30 PM followed by the Qurbono (Divine Liturgy) at 5:30 PM. Adoration will resume at 6:00 PM and will conclude with the Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament. SUNDAY JULY 30TH Qurbono (Liturgy) 8:00 and 11:00 AM Divine Mercy Chaplet at 10:40 AM BACK TO SCHOOL During the month of July, we would like to ask for donations of school supplies as part of our charity drive. The items can be dropped off in the church foyer or office. NIGHT IN BYBLOS Join Our Lady s Maronite Parish in Austin for a magical Night in Byblos on Saturday, Sep. 9th at 6:30 pm! There will be a concert in the church followed by a 4-course Mediterranean dinner and dancing to the music of DJ George Chebib. Please contact Lillian at lillianl@grandecom.net or Maria at mgebara2@gmail.com for tickets and more information. FAITH FORMATION MINISTRY Faith Formation Ministry, centered in Maronite spirituality and tradition, is for all children and teens ages This year we are adding a class for adults. It is held every Sunday morning (except the last Sunday of the month) from 9:00-10:45 am in the MCC. Weekly announcements appear in this bulletin and by to all registered families. Everyone is welcome to attend. Please be advised: for parents seeking to enroll their children to receive First Communion, this is a two-year program taught in the 1st and 2nd grade classes with a well-established curriculum and qualified teachers. Registration will start on Sunday, August 27 after the 11:00 AM liturgy. Registration fees for one child are $35, and for two or more children $60. Please download the registration form through the Church s website. Faith Formation classes will begin on Sunday, September 17. For additional information, please contact Crystel Harb. NAM AWARENESS There are several membership levels to consider in support of NAM. You may chose from one of the following five annual membership categories. You may also consider the Lifetime membership that has a one-time donation. 1. Student $10 2. Individual $20-3yrs ($50) 3. Family $35-3yrs ($90) 4. Benefactor $50 5. Sustaining $ Lifetime $1,000 Your membership will help strengthen our Church and preserve it for future generations. DEEPEST SYMPATHY It is our sad duty to announce to you the death of Julie Malouff, member of our parish, on Tuesday July 18, Please keep Julie and her family in your prayers. Grant her rest O Lord and may your perpetual light shine upon her. Amen. Services are pending. BISHOP BOULETTE VISIT Save the date and join us to welcome the new Auxiliary Bishop of San Antonio, His Excellency Bishop Michael Boulette on Sunday, August 27, 2017 at the 11:00 AM Liturgy. A Lebanese luncheon hosted by the Ladies Altar Society will follow the liturgy in the large hall. More information to follow. MAGIC IS THE NIGHT On Saturday, September 23, 2017, Magic is the Night, A Phoenician Fantasy, will take place. Preparations have been underway for a good part of this year, however, now is the time to come together and put on the final touches which is sure to be the event of 2017! All are welcome to participate. Areas of need are: Cooking, decorations, silent auction donations, and table sales. Tables are: $ , , and $ Individual tickets are available for $ each. Please check the bulletin for information and announcements. 4

5 STEWARDSHIP Our Gift to God and our Church July 9, 2017 Month to date Year to date Our 2017 Goal Regular Collection $3, Online Donations $ $10, $102, $175, Overage/Shortage -$72, You can now contribute online, God loves a cheerful giver! (2 Corinthians 9:7) August 15 - Feast of the Assumption August 27 - Bishop Michael Boulette Visit LAS Lebanese Luncheon September 17 - Faith Formation Starts September 23 - Magic is the Night (Co-chair: Lori and Bruce Mery) October Lebanese Food Festival (Cochair: Jackie Hill and George Chebib). LAS CORNER Cookbooks for sale, $25.00 each. Lebanese Luncheon on August 27 FAITH FORMATION CORNER August 27 - Registration starts. September 17 - Catechetical Sunday. Faith Formation classes start. FROM POPE FRANCIS Let us be led by the Virgin Mary on the path that leads to the holy mountain that is Christ, where God and man meet. 5

6 ATTENDING MASS WITH MARONITES A road trip on a weekend and making sure you can still get to Mass can sometimes result in a very pleasant surprise and a holy experience. Quite recently Marjorie (my fiancée) and I were returning home over the weekend from a car trip to Ohio. Not wanting to miss Mass, we looked online at Mass times for the areas we would be traveling through on Saturday afternoon. Expecting to be driving near Uniontown, PA about four o clock, we found several churches that had four o clock Saturday afternoon Masses listed. But our travel plans were slightly delayed driving over the mountainous region of Interstate 70. Out of nowhere, an enormous torrential downpour fell upon us. What started as a leisurely trip soon became a white-knuckled crawl as our visibility quickly shrank to mere feet in front of our car. It was grueling for a while, but neither Marjorie nor I were too afraid. We trusted and prayed that the Lord would see us through, which He did. A Change in Plans By the time we rolled into Uniontown, the clock in the car read 4:20, so we quickly looked for other Mass times in the city. A church by the name of St. George Maronite Catholic Church had a Mass at 5 o clock, which we would be able to make. Using the GPS on Marjorie s phone, we drove to the church. It looked small from the outside, but what I found interesting was the cross outside that boasted three cross beams. I d never seen a cross like that before on a Catholic Church. After parking in the lot, we debated whether we should go in or wait, since there were only three other cars. Eventually, we went inside and since we still had a little time before Mass, Marjorie and I looked around a bit. On one wall, there were the portraits of three saints (Sts. Sharbel, Rafka, and Maron) painted on wooden slabs. We picked up a copy of the St. George weekly bulletin and spotted a pamphlet on the History of the Maronites. St. Maron The Maronites, the pamphlet said, began in the Near East in an area known as the Fertile Crescent, which today comprises the countries of Lebanon, Syria, Jordan and Israel. Their common language was Aramaic, the same language spoken by our Lord Jesus Christ in the holy Family at Nazareth, as well as at the Last Supper. Aramaic is still used by the Maronites in various hymns and parts of the Mass, especially at the Consecration. Of all the Eastern rite Churches, the Maronite Church is the only one known by the name of a person St. Maron. Born in the middle of the fourth century, St. Maron was a hermit, who, by his holiness and the miracles he worked, attracted many followers. After his death around the year 410, his monastic disciples built a large monastery in his honor, from which other monasteries were founded. The Eastern Catholic Church Most Roman Catholics are not that familiar with the Eastern Catholic Church. The Syriac Maronite Church (aka: the Syriac Maronite Church of Antioch) is one of more than 20 Eastern Catholic churches, all of which are in full communion with the Pope, profess that same Catholic Faith, and celebrate the same Sacraments as the Roman Catholic Church. The largest of the Eastern Churches is the Ukrainian Catholic Church with about five million members. (The Maronite Catholic Church has around 3.2 million members.) Altogether there are about 17 million Eastern Catholics worldwide. And, yes, Roman Catholics can attend Mass at Eastern Catholic Churches and receive Communion, just as Eastern Catholics can attend Mass and receive Communion at Roman Catholic Churches. 6 Continued on pg. 7

7 Continued from pg. 6 The Maronite Mass Seeing people starting to enter the main body of the church, we followed suit. The interior of the church was magnificent! On both sides, sun was shining in through the stained glass windows. Up front, on the left side of the altar was a painting that depicted St. George as he was slaying the dragon. The altar itself had a beautiful wood carving showing God as both Father and Holy Spirit pointing to the Chalice while two angels bowed on either side. On the right side of the altar was a statue of the Blessed Virgin in a most gorgeous shade of blue. Behind the altar, a large stained glass window stood in the shape of a Cross. It was accented and flanked on either side by two icons portraying Mary seated with the Infant Jesus and Jesus sitting on His throne. On the pew beside us, we found a small but thick red book called the Qurbono. Upon opening it, we were amazed to find the writing in two different translations: the first was in English and the second in Syriac. At the time, neither of us knew the second language was Syriac. As Mass started, we were impressed by the sheer reverence that the priest, Rev. Father Sami Chaaya, M.L.M., and the Subdeacon, Thomas R. George, displayed over the course of the next hour. Whenever Father Chaaya went up to read, or pray, or recite passages from the Qurbono, he would carry a crucifix and would bless not only the books, the tabernacle, and the altar; but the congregation as well. In addition, he used incense during every important part of the Mass. An Uplifting Experience When it came time to respond in prayer, Marjorie and I did our best to follow along and recite the passages as the entire congregation answered in Syriac. Many times, everyone else would be halfway through a prayer before we managed to catch up. Regardless the entire experience was immensely uplifting because we could sense the reverence in that sacred space. For me, a visually-oriented person, one image struck me most of all: Just before Father Chaaya consecrated the host and chalice, the sun began to stream in through the beautiful stained glass window behind him. Both he and the altar were bathed in this exquisite beam of lush blues, reds, and oranges. It was like witnessing Jesus descending into the bread and wine; turning them into His sacred Body and Blood. By the end of the Mass, Marjorie and I knew we had experienced something holy in that church. We couldn t quite describe it, but our spirits had been uplifted. After Mass Father Chaaya greeted us before we walked out the door. He expressed his joy and gratitude at seeing a young couple such as us who were so clearly on fire for their faith. He added that we were welcome to come back any time. Both Marjorie and I agreed that we would indeed like to attend Mass at St. George Maronite Catholic Church again someday. What started off as a surprise turned into a holy, unique, and eye-opening experience that I would eagerly recommend to others. If there s a Maronite church nearby, don t pass up a chance to experience an Eastern Rite Mass. 7

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