Finally, a Patriarch!

Transcription

1 Weekly Newsletter Issue 122 April 2nd 8th 2011 Coordinated and Supervised by: Marie-Therese Kreidy Script and Layout:Rita Karam Translation: Eliane Aoun Télé Lumière Dora Square Beirut - Lebanon phone: Fax: Web site: programs@telelumiere.com info@telelumiere.com Finally, a Patriarch! No sooner had Lebanon witnessed the sunset than the Maronites saw another light with the enthronement of a new Maronite patriarch. On the day feast of the Annunciation, the Lebanese, blessed by the Virgin Mary, gathered in a national celebration, at the Patriarchal See, Bkerki. A solemn mass was presided by Cardinal Nasrallah Boutros Sfeir to enthrone his successor Patriarch Bechara Boutros Rai, with the participation of the holy Assembly of Bishops, the Eastern Patriarchs, and the Apostolic Nuncio to Lebanon Bishop Gabriel Caccia. Thousands of Maronite Lebanese believers flocked to Bkerki crowded by the patriarch s family, officials and politicians topped by the Lebanese president Michel Sleiman, ministers, deputies, diplomats, security officials, Christian, Muslim social and religious figures. The mass was served by NDU Choir. Before the service, Msgr. Caccia delivered Pope Benedict s speech, granting the ecclesial communion to the new shepherd. The newly-elected patriarch knelt in front of Cardinal Sfeir, removed the crown from his head on which Sfeir put his hands, saying to the new patriarch: The Holy Spirit has called on you to be patriarch, the head of Antioch greatest city and all the East, I mean a father to everyone. The new patriarch replied: I am fully obedient to all the apostolic orders and councils guided by the Holy Spirit with justice, goodness to correct faith in Our Lord Jesus-Christ. Continued on P.4

2 Saturday April 2nd Meeting of Islam and Christianity Join us in a human trip to the heart of Lebanon rich in diversity with Fayhaa Choir, Tripoli that reflects the true image of Lebanon and its religious structure. Don t miss this concert of traditional songs at Pierre Abou Khater Thea GMT EST Touch of Peace Documentary with Johnny Antoun displaying the Cenacle of Orphans Association, Sidon that is very active in the humanitarian and social field GMT EST Highlighted Programs The Annunciation Feast The Students of the Rosary Secondary College- Jbeil present, on the day of Annunciation to the Virgin Mary and the memory of Blessed Marie-Alfonsine the order s foundress, an evening with the participation of Carla Ramia singing with the choir Marian hymns GMT EST The Light of Music Music is instructive and joyful. It is a sublime dialogue of hearts enjoying the listeners. New episode with Fr. Roukoz Boutros, Dany Antoun and Rania Zahra GMT EST Akkar in History Visit Arka meaning the Holy Cup is a Lebanese important village in history and was mentioned in the Old Testament, particularly in Genesis. With Léa Adel Mehmari GMT EST La Force de l Offrande A documentary highlighting Alexandre Manne, Theresa of the Child Jesus, Dietrich Bonhoeffer and Marthe Robin, the four witnesses of faith representing God s gift to the world GMT EST Sunday April 3rd Honor our Mother the Virgin Mary with the singers: Fr. Roukoz Boutros, George Feghali, Jihane Bejjani and Diana Boutros in this concert at Our Lady of Deliverance Church- Araya GMT 4.00 EST Monday April 4th Mysteries In a time when egoism increases, who is the true friend who supports us without any personal interest? How is deep friendship built and how can we preserve it? Watch this new episode titled A Friend on Hard Times with Roula Elia and Dr. Marie-Ange Merhi. Mary, My Mother Lebanese Sights Join Wajdi Younes and Johnny Antoun in this documentary about Baskinta the 1 st home of Phoenicians, decorated by snow in winter, flowers in spring and fruits in the harvest season. On its hills, is placed the biggest cross of all people GMT EST GMT EST LIVE Towards Resurrection Discover, on Sunday of John Sollami through his book Virtues to God, the ways to advance in divine perfection during the Lenten blessed season and to be free from the ephemeral matters to reach God. With Fr. George Tahan and Arze el-bitar GMT EST and all the East This program considers the stances of the new patriarch from the East including Maronites, Christians and Muslims. What is the message addressed to the Maronite Church in this region? What is the role of the Maronite Patriarch in the heart of the Arab Church? Learn more about Bkerki and the new horizons with Dr. Issam Atallah GMT EST LIVE Challenges With the revolutions invading the Arab world and the call to topple the existing regimes, Charbel Zwein considers deeply with his guests Dr. Mikhael Semaan and Prf. Pascal Monin, the issue of revolutions and the collapsing regimes GMT EST LIVE

3 Tuesday April 5th Eat Well, Be Healthy Nutritional tips with Eliane Moawad about the kinds of bacterial food poisoning, its symptoms and consequences GMT EST Wednesday April 6th For You, I Sing Sing wonderful religious songs with Mark Khalil Korkmaz in this Lenten journey towards Resurrection at the Maronite Archbishopric- Adma. Thursday April 7th Salutes He finds comfort, trust and safety in Jesus. Greet the Singer Nadim Berbari with Fr. Youssef Mwannes GMT EST The Life of the Word Self-restraint and satisfaction are the keys to reach peace. Learn more with Fr. Basilios of the Catholic Coptic Church- Egypt who continues the second part of the topic the Cost of Peace GMT EST The Light of Faith Who is John Sollami? What is his role in showing the Christian virtues? In this episode, Fr. Agapius Naous and Marie-Therese Basha Hnein answer these questions GMT EST LIVE GMT EST Matters Amidst protests in Lebanon against the sectarian regime, the Media Catholic Center emphasizes upon this project, aims and causes with a group of laic lecturers GMT EST Concert Opera Presented by the Antonine University Choir led by Fr. Toufic Maatouk on the 50 th memory of the Francophone University Agency. Learn the rules of the Oriental melodies and discover their origin, musical features and impact on the Lebanese song with Fr. Roukoz Boutros and the teacher of music George Feghali GMT EST The Shepherd s Good News Learn more with the Father of the Maronites, Patriarch Bechara Rai about God s wisdom and the principles of faith and meditate upon a new Gospel text at the Patriarchal Palace- Bkerki GMT EST GMT EST The Bitter Time They pledged before God forever in the happy and sad moments and nothing can separate them but death. Are these simple pledges? What lets marriage turn into divorce? Marriage in this episode with Lilly Saad GMT EST LIVE Evening with Joumana Mdawar Pray to the Lord with the intercession of Soufanya Virgin in this concert presented by Joumana Mdawar in Syria GMT EST God is Love! Easter is an opportunity to go beyond ourselves and the earthly affairs, focus on God and be absorbed in the spiritual world. Thus, the human person can get back what he has lost through committing sins. Learn more about Easter with Fr. Marwan Khoury and Therese el-hajj GMT EST LIVE

4 The Light of Religions Sally Khoury continues with Dr. Bechara Sarji the topic of the Christian religious beliefs, highlighting the importance of the Apostles Creed and living faith GMT EST The Charter of Political Work: How does Patriarch Bechara Boutros Rai describe the Charter of Political Work according to the teachings of the Church and the particularity of Lebanon? What are the viewpoints of Minister Ziad Baroud and Journalist Nabil Mounsef regarding the mechanisms to apply it? Watch this symposium held by the Charity Social Cultural Health Center- Sid el Bouchrieh and the Media Catholic Center- Jal el Dib GMT EST Friday April 8th The Homily of the Lent Join us in the homily of the Lent The Christians Unity: Communion and Love with Fr. Khalil Chalfoun at St George Maronite Cathedral, Beirut GMT EST Merhej and Nadine Mazraani GMT EST Bridges New topic: Discovering the qualities of the satisfied person to form the culture of agreement and peace with Dr. Ziad Fahed and his guests Ramzi Then, Cardinal Sfeir stood up and laid his hands on Patriarch Rai. The bishops got closer and put their hands above the head of the new patriarch. The Bible was opened above their hands and the head of the elected patriarch. Then, the bishops prayed: God Who created Heaven with His power and consolidated the world with His unique will; we put our hands on the servant of God Bechara chosen by the Holy Spirit to the constant patriarchal ordination ornamented by the piety of the Church with one permanent authority in the Church of the Living Invisible God. Medugorje This program highlights the history of the Virgin s apparitions at that holy oasis geographically and historically. From there, our Mother Mary has sent thousands of messages to Her children through witnesses She has chosen to pray with the believers around the world who are today millions visiting this sanctuary. With Joseph Zakhia and Sara Chaya. Later, Sfeir declared the ordainment of Patriarch Bechara Rai as patriarch on the Church of Antioch, the holy city and the blessed parish. Then, His Beatitude sat on the throne, received the pastoral staff, and began his pastoral service with a homily mentioning the important slogan of his mission Communion and Love. Communion, in its vertical dimension, is the union with God, and in its horizontal one the union with all people. But love strengthens and protects it, the way cement secures the building stones We ll live together this communion with love, in Lebanon which glory lies in its mission Woe unto a nation of many communities but little faith. Patriarch Rai declared the program of his spiritual and pastoral service with the citizens of his multicultural homeland, the East and the Maronite immigrants all over the world. As well, the patriarch celebrated on Sunday March 27 th the mass of thanks in Bkerki and received crowds of people who came to congratulate him. Meanwhile, Tele Lumiere was following up this event through 3-day live coverage and the broadcast of related video clips, documentaries and spots.

5 On Mothers Day A gift of Love The restaurant of the Children of the Church Group and the Lovers Club- Nabha celebrated the Mothers Day in a mass presided by the group s chaplain Fr. Elias Khalil. Then, gifts were distributed over the mothers, the most precious life treasure. Said Akl When He Sings Never tired of composing poems sung by the Lebanese famous artists, Said Akl was honored by Balamand University in a musical evening titled Said Akl, When He Sings, with the participation of the Army Musical Band led by Colonel George Herro that performed its most important poems and Balamand Choir for the Oriental Chant led by Jina Matta Razzouk, at Zakhem Auditorium, the university main campus. The representative of Poet Said Akl, the Dean Antoine Njeim attended the ceremony and was granted a decoration in the name of the honoree. The Poet May Mansour mentioned in a poem she composed on this occasion this time s genius who loves change and dreams of the impossible. With small hands, limited brain and empty pockets, what can we do? What is impossible in the world is possible with God! These were questions but the answer is the subsistence of Tele Lumiere. A new film the Supreme Rabbi and Supreme Pontiff tackles the Jews conversion to Christianity. Will the Vatican pay attention to it and will it astonish the viewers all over the world? Written by: Dr. Tarek Chidiac Directed by: Charbel Kamel Warmest Congratulations of Tele Lumiere s Board USA to Patriarch Rai The Board of Tele Lumiere USA extends its warmest wishes and congratulations to the new 77 th Patriarch Bechara Boutros Rai, head of the Maronite Church. Orthodox and Catholics of all traditions join their hearts to congratulate His Beatitude and wish him success in leading the Maronite Church and Lebanon to the harbor of safety. The Board looks forward to work with his Beatitude in making Telelumiere/Noursat a more effective evangelization media in Lebanon, the Middle East, and beyond. Finally, the council offered prayers on behalf of Patriarch Bechara Boutros Rai so that he continues to be a voice crying in the desert of the Middle East to make straight the path of the Lord. Celebration in Minneapolis in the Honor of the New Patriarch St Maron Parish, Minneapolis had a special celebration in honor of the inauguration of the new Patriarch Bechara Boutros Rai. People flocked into the church to congratulate each other on this special Bechara from God that filled the hearts of Maronites in USA especially in Minnesota with jubilation and pride of being Maronites. They are very thankful to God for sending them such a great shepherd. Maronites and all Catholic and Orthodox of all Middle Eastern background were also very excited and happy to hear this good news. Special video clips from Tele Lumiere on the new Patriarch were reviewed in the Cedars Hall following the Divine Liturgy. Previous issue This issue - When does God speak to us? - When we get silent and listen Can the suffering pray and how?

6 Watch our Weekly Programs on You Tube IN THIS ISSUE 1-4 Finally, a Patriarch! Highlighted Programs 5 Said Akl When He Sings 5 On Mother s Day A Gift of Love 5 From USA to the new Patriarch 6 Tele Lumiere on You Tube Noursat (Telelumiere) is a powerful message of hope and peace, spreading the message of Christ in the Middle East and worldwide. It needs you! Your Support will Make A Difference! For more info contact: Raymond Sadaka or Ghada Sadaka