SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION (CONFESSION) Please know that confession is available before liturgies. You may also call to set up an appointment.

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Saint Maron Maronite Catholic Church December 16-17, 2017 SEASON OF THE GLORIOUS BIRTH OF OUR LORD FEAST OF SAINT NEMTALLAH EL-HARDINI Youssef Kassab Al-Hardini was born in 1808 in Hardin, Lebanon.

The young man began religious life at the monastery of St Anthony in Qozhaya, near the Qadisha (Holy Valley), where he remained for two years until he began his novitiate and was given the name

Love for the Blessed Sacrament Nimatullah was especially noted for his love of the Blessed Sacrament.

On 14 November 1830 he made his religious profession and was sent to the monastery of Sts. Cyprian and Justina in Kfifan to study philosophy and theology.

1 Saint Maron Maronite Catholic Church December 16-17, 2017 SEASON OF THE GLORIOUS BIRTH OF OUR LORD FEAST OF SAINT NEMTALLAH EL-HARDINI Youssef Kassab Al-Hardini was born in 1808 in Hardin, Lebanon. As a child, he was strongly influenced by the monastic tradition of the Maronite Church. Four of his brothers became priests or monks, and Youssef himself entered the Lebanese Maronite Order in The young man began religious life at the monastery of St Anthony in Qozhaya, near the Qadisha (Holy Valley), where he remained for two years until he began his novitiate and was given the name "Nimatullah". During the novitiate, he deepened his life of personal and community prayer and dedicated time to manual labor, while also learning to bind books. Love for the Blessed Sacrament Nimatullah was especially noted for his love of the Blessed Sacrament. During his free time - frequently at the sacrifice of sleep - he was often found in the chapel on his knees, arms raised in the form of a cross and eyes fixed on the tabernacle. On 14 November 1830 he made his religious profession and was sent to the monastery of Sts. Cyprian and Justina in Kfifan to study philosophy and theology. On 25 December 1833 he was ordained a priest and became director of the scholasticate and a professor. During the two civil wars of 1840 and 1845, he suffered greatly with his people. His brother, Fr Elisha, suggested he withdraw to a hermitage, but he replied: "Those who struggle for virtue in community life will have greater merit". He observed that the ordinary, everyday life is a continuous martyrdom, since the monk must always be a model to his brother monks, guarding himself from becoming a source of scandal; instead, the hermit lives alone, away from all external temptations. It was also a decisive moment in his spiritual life, and he offered himself to God for Lebanon and his Order. His motto was: "The greatest is he that can save his soul", and he would often repeat this to his brother monks. The "first concern' of a monk Fr Nimatullah was at times also reprimanded by his superiors for being too hard on himself and too merciful and indulgent towards his brothers. He understood holiness in terms of communion and fraternal charity and is said to have remarked: "A monk's first concern, night and day, should be not to hurt or trouble his brother monks". Throughout his life he had a special devotion to the Virgin Mary, his "source of strength". He never tired of repeating her holy name, and carried a special place in his heart for the mystery of the Immaculate Conception (a dogma proclaimed by the Church in 1854). After the Angelus he would often repeat: "Blessed be the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin".In 1845 the Holy See appointe d him Assistant General of the order. A QUOTE OF THE WEEK "Give something, however small, to the one in need. For it is not small to one who has nothing. Neither is it small to God, if we have given what we could." St. Gregory Nazianzen Fr. Vincent Farhat, Pastor Fr. Richard Cannuli, Weekend Assistance Mrs. Zeina Topalian, Religious Education Director Address: 1013 Ellsworth Street, Philadelphia, PA Office: Hall Reservations: Evening Emergency Number: or Website: Church Office: saintmaronphiladelphia@hotmail.com Instagram Facebook Page: Saint Maron Maronite Catholic Church of Philadelphia OFFICE HOURS: The Church office will be open Monday through Thursday from 10:00 am until 5:00 pm.

2 man of culture, Fr Nimatullah asked the Superior General to send monks to further their studies at the new college founded by the Jesuits in Ghazir. A truly humble man of God He served as Assistant General for two more terms, but refused to be appointed Abbot General: "Better death than to be appointed Superior General", he is reported as saying. His reluctance to assume positions of authority in his Order came from his deep humility and his earnest belief that he was far from living in continual contact with God, so necessary to properly serve the monks and the Order. Even when he was Assistant General, he remained humble, refusing to have a special servant accompany him and attend to his personal needs, as was the custom in the Order at the time. "O Mary, I entrust my soul to you' In December 1858, while teaching at the monastery of Kfifan, he became gravely ill, a result of the bitter cold in that region. His condition worsened, leading to his death on 14 December. He died holding an icon of the Blessed Virgin and saying: "O Mary, to you I entrust my soul". He was 50 years old. When the then Patriarch Boulos Massad heard of Fr Nimatullah's death, he commented: "Congratulations to this monk who knew how to benefit from his monastic life". While still alive, Fr Nimatullah was known as the "Saint of Kfifan", a monk who gave himself completely to his brother monks and neighbours during a time of suffering in his Land and difficulty within his Order. Fr Nimatullah was beatified by Pope John Paul II on 10 May OUR LADY STAR OF THE EAST NEW YEAR S PARTY Our sister Church in Pleasntville, NJ, will be having a New Year s Eve Party, December 31, beginning at 8:00 PM. Tickets are $60.00 for ages 11 and older and $40.00 for ages Please contact Camellia at or Jacob at Hotel accommodations are available by contacting Hanin at SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION (CONFESSION) Please know that confession is available before liturgies. You may also call to set up an appointment. OBLIGATION FOR THE WEEKENDS OF CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEARS In a letter from the Eparchy of Saint Maron of Brooklyn is an explanation of the obligations for the weekends of Christmas and New Year s. I am relaying this message to you, the faithful of this community, so that there will be no confusion. The faithful have a dual obligation to participate in the Divine Liturgy on the following weekends: Sunday, December 24 and Monday, December 25; Sunday, December 31 and Monday, January 1; Saturday, January 6 and Sunday, January 7. To be very specific, Sunday Liturgies on these weekends are not optional and Sunday morning Liturgies cannot be cancelled. For example, participating in the Divine Liturgy on Sunday afternoon December 24, does not fulfill both the Sunday and Christmas Obligations of the faithful. A priest cannot dispense the faithful from the obligation of participating in the Sunday or Christmas Divine Liturgies. In our Maronite Church, Monday, January 1, is the Feast of the Circumcision of the Lord, and it is a Holy Day of Obligation. A priest cannot dispense the faithful of participating in the Divine Liturgy on this day and should make it convenient for them to be able to do so. In our Maronite Church, Saturday, January 6, is the Feast of the Epiphany, and it is a Holy Day of Obligation. A priest cannot dispense the faithful from the obligation of participating in the Divine Liturgy on this day, and the priest cannot move the Feast to the Sunday. Hoping this clarifies any confusion. Should you have any questions please contact me. LITURGY INTENTIONS Saturday, December 16, 6:00 PM, liturgy is being offered for the souls of Sleiman and Nora Tayounand David and Adelle Michael, requested by their family. May their souls rest in peace. Sunday, December 17, 11:00 AM, liturgy is offered for the soul of Girgious and Deebee Semaan and Jospeh Semaan requested by their family. May their souls rest peace. Saturday, December 23, 6:00 pm, Liturgy is being offered for the soul of Jimmy Tayoun requested by Evelyn Small and John and Norman Karam. May his soul rest in peace. Sunday, December 24, 11:00 am, Liturgy is offered for the children of the world. WITH DEEPEST SYMPATHY We extend our condolences to Rosemarie Lewis, and to the children of Joseph Rizzi, Sr., who passed away this week. Joseph was a great friend of St. Maron Church for many years. May Almighty God welcome him into His kingdom and may his soul rest in peace. Allah yerhammo. ADULT BIBLE STUDY AND MARONITE CHURCH HISTORY CLASS Fr. David Fisher will have adult bible study and church history class on Thursday, January 11, 2018, from 7:00 PM 8:30 PM, at the Church hall. We will begin to offer these classes twice a month with the option to have them every week depending on participation. I hope you will take advantage of this ministry. Fr. David is sure to make this class enlightening as well as enjoyable. We are grateful for his expertise and we thank him for offering this important subject to the members of this parish.

UPCOMING EVENTS Christmas Novena from December 15 to December 23 December 31, 2017, Our Lady Star of the East NYE Party, 8:00 PM.

Children 12 and under $10.00. Friday, February 23, Lenten Fish Fry, immediately following Stations of the Cross, at 7:00 PM.

HOLY LAND PILGRIMAGE Msgr. James Root, rector of Our Lady of Lebanon Cathedral in Brooklyn, NY, will be leading a pilgrimage to the Holy Land April 23-May 2, 2018.

There are brochures in the back of the Church and if you need additional information you may contact Fr. Vincent at the office. The cost of this trip is $2798.

Let us lift in prayer the many women and men serving overseas in our armed forces. May they know of our respect and gratitude and be kept safe in the Lord s love. Amen.

3 UPCOMING EVENTS Christmas Novena from December 15 to December 23 December 31, 2017, Our Lady Star of the East NYE Party, 8:00 PM. Sunday, February 4, 2018, Saint Maron Feast Day Luncheon, immediately following Divine Liturgy. Adults $20.00/Children 12 and under $ Friday, February 23, Lenten Fish Fry, immediately following Stations of the Cross, at 7:00 PM. Sunday, March 25, 2018, Palm Sunday Brunch, following Divine Liturgy, Adults $15.00, Children 12 and under $ Sunday, March 25, 2018, MYO Palm Sunday Bake Sale, following Divine Liturgy. HOLY LAND PILGRIMAGE Msgr. James Root, rector of Our Lady of Lebanon Cathedral in Brooklyn, NY, will be leading a pilgrimage to the Holy Land April 23-May 2, This should be a beautiful trip for those who would like to see such holy places where our Lord lived. There are brochures in the back of the Church and if you need additional information you may contact Fr. Vincent at the office. The cost of this trip is $ per person and includes airfare from New York. Details are in the brochure. PRAYER FOR SOLDIERS During these difficult times, we remember those family members and friends in faraway places. Let us lift in prayer the many women and men serving overseas in our armed forces. May they know of our respect and gratitude and be kept safe in the Lord s love. Amen. CANDLE HOLDERS IN SAINT JUDE SHRINE The candles and glass holders in the Saint Jude Shrine are for the safety of this Church. I encourage everyone to pray and light a candle for your special intentions in the chapel area. I only ask that candles and glass holders remain in the chapel. If you would like to purchase a candle with glass container you may do so in the Church office. Please be considerate and keep these in their rightful place in the Saint Jude Shrine.Thank you for your cooperation. IN OUR PRAYERS Please keep in your prayers Rita Impo, Peter Koway, Danielle Dean, Benjamin Yzzo, Emily Stone, Bob Quici, Baby June Carter, Roseann Anthony, Joey Farkas McKenzie, Elaine Nader, Sal Pinto, Michael Pascucci, Jenny DiCicco, Bob Rosner, Nicholas Carine, Amelia Habib, Baby Elle Isgro, Suzanne Haney, Lisa Alestra, John Nader, Joseph Alestra, Chucky Simon, Mary Fetterman, Aminee Skaf, Carmen Marrone, Rose Kouri, Yasmine Myers, Joey Gdowick, Francis Joseph Kerns, Samer Chokeir, Kathy Newman, Vickey Saulino, Rita Arrigale, Helen Freedenberg, Maryann Bratton, Renee Sahar, Sister Nahida Al Sawa, Virginia Ramano, Rose De Jesse, James Cordisio, Stacey Fuentes, Debbie Freedenberg, Noel Andjuhar, Eddie Gussin, Angel Salerno, Dennis McGiney, Emilia and Alan Sacilowski, Donny Pizzi, Betty Antrilli, and Bonnie Sabatini. We ask Almighty God to bless them with good health so that they may join us in the Church and give glory and thanksgiving to God. Please notify the Church office of any family member who is ill so that we may remember them in our daily prayers and on our altar of intentions. CHRISTMAS NOVENA SCHEDULE Friday, December 7:00 PM (followed by Saint Maron s Christmas Concert and social) Saturday December 7:00 PM (following Divine Liturgy) Sunday, 12:00 noon, (following Divine Liturgy) Monday, December 7:00 PM Tuesday, December 7:00 PM Wednesday, December 7:00 PM Thursday, December 7:00 PM Friday, December 7:00 PM Saturday, December 7:00 PM (following Divine Liturgy) CHRISTMAS LITURGY SCHEDULE SUNDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2017 CHRISTMAS EVE VIGIL, DIVINE 6:30 PM. MIDNIGHT 12:00 AM MONDAY, DECEMBER 25, 2017 CHRISTMAS 11:00 AM

4 WEEKLY COLLECTION FOR December 9-10, 2017 Collection $ 1, Holy Day $ Donations for Syria $ Coffee Hour $ Total: $ 2, PLEASE REMEMBER TO SILENCE YOUR CELL PHONES AND BEEPERS WHEN YOU ENTER THE CHURCH. THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION.

5 Saint Maron Maronite Catholic Church First Reading Ephesians 3:1-13 December 16-17, 2017 A reading from the Letter of Saint Paul to the Ephesians. Your blessing father Brothers and Sisters: This is the reason that I Paul am a prisoner for Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles for surely you have already heard of the commission of God s grace that was given to me for you, and how the mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I wrote above in a few words, a reading of which will enable you to perceive my understanding of the mystery of Christ. In former generations this mystery was not made known to humankind, as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit: that is, the Gentiles have become fellow-heirs, members of the same body, and sharers in the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel. Of this gospel I have become a servant according to the gift of God s grace that was given to me by the working of his power. Although I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given to me to bring to the Gentiles the news of the boundless riches of Christ, and to make everyone see what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God who created all things; so that through the church the wisdom of God in its rich variety might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. This was in accordance with the eternal purpose that he has carried out in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have access to God in boldness and confidence through faith in him. I pray therefore that you may not lose heart over my sufferings for you; they are your glory. Praise be to God always. فصل من رسالة القد يس بولس إلى أهل أفسس يا إ خو ت ي أ ن ا ب ول س أ س ير الم سيح ي س وع م ن أ ج ل ك م أ ي ه ا األ م م... إ ن ك ن ت م ق د س م ع ت م ب ت د ب ير ن ع م ة هللا ال تي و ه ب ت لي م ن أ ج ل ك م وهو أ ن ي ب و ح ي أ ط ل ع ت على الس ر ك م ا ك ت ب ت إ ل يك م بإ ي ج از م ن ق ب ل ح ين ئ ذ ي م ك ن ك م إ ذ ا ق ر أ ت م ذل ك أ ن ت د ر ك وا ف ه م ي ل س ر الم س يح هذ ا الس ر ال ذي ل م ي ع ر ف ع ن د ب ن ي الب ش ر في األ ج ي ال ال غاب ر ة ك م ا أ ع ل ن اآلن ب الر وح ل ر س ل ه الق د يس ي ن واأل ن ب ي اء وه و أ ن األ م م ه م في الم س يح ي س وع ش ر ك اء ل ن ا في الم ير اث والج س د والو ع د ب و اس ط ة اإل ن ج يل خ اد م ا ل ه ب ح س ب ه ب ة ن ع م ة هللا ال تي و ه ب ت لي ب ل ع ل ق د ر ت ه ي س ت ق صى أ ن أ ب ش ر األ م م ب غ ن ى الم س يح ال ذي ال خ ل ق ك ل ش يء أل ذي ص ر ت الن ع م ة وه ي أ ص غ ر الق د يس ين ج م يع ا و ه ب ت هذ ه لي أ ن ا وأ ن أ وض ح ل لج م يع م ا ه و ت د ب ير الس ر الم ك ت وم م ن ذ الد ه ور في هللا ال ذي ل ك ي ت ع ر ف اآلن م ن خ الل الك ن يس ة ل د ى الر ئ اس ات والس الط ين في الس م اوات ح ك م ة هللا الم ت ن و ع ة د ه األ ز ل ي ال ذي ح ق ق ه في الم س يح ي س وع ر ب ن ا ال ذي الو ص ول ب ج ر أ ة وث ق ة إ لى هللا. أ ي ب اإل ي م ان ب ه ل ن ا فيه ق ص ب ح س ب ل ذ ل ك أ س أ ل ك م أ ن ال ت ض ع ف ع ز ي م ت ك م ب س ب ب الض يق ات ال تي أ ع ان يه ا م ن أ ج ل ك م: إ ن ه ا م ج د ل ك م! والتسبيح هلل دائما.

6 Gospel Reading Saint Matthew 1:18-25 The Apostle Writes: Now the birth of Jesus the Messiah took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been engaged to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. Her husband Joseph, being a righteous man and unwilling to expose her to public disgrace, planned to dismiss her quietly. But just when he had resolved to do this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins. All this took place to fulfil what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet: Look, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel, which means, God is with us. When Joseph awoke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him; he took her as his wife, but had no marital relations with her until she had borne a son; and he named him Jesus. This is the truth. Peace be with you. إنجيل من مت ى الق د يس م ا م يالد ي س وع الم س يح ف كان هك ذ ا: ل م ا كان ت أ م ه م ر ي م م خ ط وب ة ل ي وس ف وق ب ل أ ن ي س ك ن ا م ع ا و ج د ت ح ام ال م ن الر وح الق د س. ول م ا ك ان ي وس ف ر ج ل ها ب ار ا وال ي ر يد أ ن ي ش ه ر ب ه ا ق ر ر أ ن ي ط ل ق ه ا س ر ا. وم ا إ ن ف ك ر في هذ ا ف ٱلم و ل ود ف يه ا ح ت ى ت ر اء ى ل ه م الك الر ب في الح ل م ق ائ ال : " ي ا ي وس ف بن د او د ال ت خ ف أ ن ت أ خ ذ م ر ي م ٱم ر أ ت ك ه و م ن الر وح الق د س. وس و ف ت ل د ٱب ن ا ف س م ه ي س وع أل ن ه ه و ا ل ذي ي خ ل ص ش ع ب ه م ن خ ط اي اه م". وح د ث هذ ا إ ن م ا الر ب ب الن ب ي: ك ل ه ل ي ت م م ا ق ال ه ي وس ف م ن الن وم ف ع ل ك م ا حق ا واألمان لجميعكم. ٱس م ه ع م ان وئ يل أ ي ٱهلل م ع ن ا. ه ا إ ن الع ذ ر اء ت ح م ل وت ل د ٱب ن ا وي د ع ى ف و ل د ت ٱب ن ا وس م اه ي س وع. أ م ر ه م الك الر ب وأ خ ذ ٱم ر أ ت ه. ول م ي ع ر ف ه ا ق ام ول م ا

Saint Maron Maronite Catholic Church August 19-20, 2017

Saint Maron Maronite Catholic Church August 19-20, 2017 GO IN PEACE SAYEDNA ROBERT This past week the Maronite Church throughout the United States bids farewell to a faithful shepherd of the church. Bishop