Saint Maron Maronite Catholic Church April 28-29, 2018 GOD BLESS OUR FIRST COMMUNICANTS Congratulations to our First Communicants who will be receiving their First Communion today. This is a very special day for them and their parents. Mrs. Rosemarie Marrone has been instructing them on this special day all year and I am confident that they are well prepared for this special sacrament. Today as they receive the Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, may this day bring them closer to Him and may their actions be pleasing to God. It is by receiving our Lord in the Eucharist that we are nourished and filled with His love. On behalf of this entire community, we thank Rosemarie Marrone and Zeina Topalian for their direction and hard work on making this day special for our children. May Almighty God bless our children and nourish them with His great love and mercy. Mabrook!!!! THE REAL PRESENCE OF CHRIST IN THE EUCHARIST In Saint Paul s First Letter to the Corinthians, there is found the oldest passage in the New Testament concerning the actual celebration of the Eucharist: For I received from the Lord what I also handed on to you, that the Lord Jesus, on the night he was handed over, took bread, and, after he had given thanks, broke it and QUOTE OF THE WEEK Every morning during meditation, I prepare myself for the whole day's struggle. Holy Communion assures me that I will win the victory; and so it is. I fear the day when I do not receive Holy Communion. This bread of the Strong gives me all the strength I need to carry on my mission and the courage to do whatever the Lord asks of me. The courage and strength that are in me are not of me, but of Him who lives in me - it is the Eucharist. St. Faustina Fr. Vincent Farhat, Pastor Fr. David Fisher, Weekend Assistant Fr. Richard Cannuli, Weekend Assistant Mrs. Zeina Topalian, Religious Education Director Address: 1013 Ellsworth Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147 Office: 215-389-2000 Hall Reservations: 215-334-1884 Evening Emergency Number: 215-952-0712 or 561-371-5316 Website: www.saintmaron.org Church Office: saintmaronphiladelphia@hotmail.com Instagram Page: @saintmaronphiladelphia 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.
said, This is my body that is for you. Do this in remembrance of me. In the same way also the cup, after supper, saying, This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me. For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the death of the Lord until he comes. Therefore whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord unworthily will have to answer for the body and blood of the Lord. 1 Corinthians 11:23-27 New American Bible (Revised Edition/NABRE) So often we tend to define the Church as an institution rather than as an event. By reflecting upon the nature of the Eucharistic celebration we rediscover that the Church is not just another human institution or even just another religion within the pantheon of world religions, rather it is the event in which God transforms men and women through the Prayer of Great Thanksgiving = Eucharist, by receiving together as brothers and sisters in the Lord, his Body and Blood. The Catechism of the Catholic Church reminds us of the essential elements of the liturgy by which Our Lord promised he would be present to his Church: 1352 The anaphora: with the Eucharistic Prayer - the prayer of thanksgiving and consecration - we come to the heart and summit of the celebration the Church gives thanks to the Father, through Christ, in the Holy Spirit, for all his works: creation, redemption, and sanctification. 1353 In the epiclesis, the Church asks the Father to send his Holy Spirit on the bread and wine, so that by his power they may become the body and blood of Jesus Christ and so that those who take part in the Eucharist may be one body and one spirit. In the institution narrative, the power of the words and the action of Christ, and the power of the Holy Spirit, make sacramentally present under the species of bread and wine Christ's body and blood, his sacrifice offered on the cross once for all. The Catechism of the Catholic Church The firm belief that Christ is present in the bread and wine offered by Holy Church to the Holy Trinity, to be transformed into the Body and Blood of its Savior, is held as an article of faith by all the Ancient Churches (Roman Catholic, Eastern Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, Ancient Oriental Orthodox, Assyrian Orthodox). In the disciples encounter with the Risen Lord on the road to Emmaus in Luke s Gospel, there is given to the Church the Apostolic Witness that Christ is really present in Word (Sacred Scripture) and Eucharistic Mystery (Bread and Wine): And it happened that, while he was with them at table, he took bread, said the blessing, broke it, and gave it to them. With that their eyes were opened and they recognized him, but he vanished from their sight. Then they said to each other, Were not our hearts burning [within us] while he spoke to us on the way and opened the scriptures to us? - Luke 24:30-32 (NABRE) In the Catholic Church the reawakening of liturgical theology that began in the nineteenth century and has continued forward in dialogue with the Orthodox Churches has led to the rediscovery that the Eucharist makes the Church. The Church is the Body of Christ in the world because its Eucharistic Lord and Savior, is present in the Holy Mysteries given to the faithful. Rev. David A. Fisher MYO NATIONAL RETREAT The National MYO Retreat will be held at Saint Joseph University, in Philadelphia, June 26-July 1, 2018. Registration forms will be emailed to all MYO members and parents. I need to know by May 6, who will be attending this retreat. After Divine Liturgy on May 6, there will be a MANDATORY meeting for all MYO members, parents, and advisors that will be attending the retreat. Please be attentive to the cut-off date for registration and mark your calendars for the Mandatory Meeting on May 6. Thank you in advance for your assistance and dedication in this program. SUGGESTION BOX INSTALLED As was mentioned at the Parish Town Hall Meeting, a suggestion box was installed in the foyer of the Church hall. Forms are in the box for your convenience. Please utilize this for any comments or concerns pertaining to this parish. I will address them either with you personally, if your name is included on the form or in the bulletin so that anyone may remain anonymous. SAINT MARON CHURCH HALL For our parishioners who may not be aware of our hall rentals policy, please know that if you would like to rent the hall for a special family function or event, the hall is available at parishioner cost. For a day event the rental is $300.00 and an evening event is $600.00. If you would like to plan an event at the hall please contact the office and Claudine will be happy to assist you.
LITURGY INTENTIONS Saturday, April 28, 2018 @ 6:00 PM, liturgy is offered for the soul of Virginia Romano requested by Yasmine Alice and Robert and Mae Calabrese. May her soul rest in peace. Sunday, April 29, 2018 @ 11:00 AM, liturgy is being offered for the First Communicants of Saint Maron Church. God bless and protect them always. Saturday, May 5, 2018, @ 6:00 pm, (Feast of Our Lady of Lebanon) Sunday, May 6, 2018 @ 11:00 am, (Feast of Our Lady of Lebanon) UPCOMING EVENTS Annual Summer Festival, Friday Sunday, June 1-3, 2018. National MYO Retreat, June 26-30, 2018. ADULT BIBLE STUDY AND MARONITE CHURCH HISTORY CLASS Fr. David Fisher will have adult bible study and church history class on Thursday, May 3, 2018, from 7:00 PM 8:30 PM, at the Church hall. SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION (CONFESSION) Please know that confession is available before liturgies. You may also call to set up an appointment. 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 loving hands. Amen. IN OUR PRAYERS Please keep in your prayers Alexis Carine, Salema Dahdah, Albert Anderson, Sr.,Suzanne Haney, Michael La Pergola, Paul Daley, Maria Lemons, Joseph Realdine, Rita Impo, Benjamin Uzzo, Emily Stone, Bob Quici, Roseann Anthony, Elaine Nader, Sal Pinto, Michael Pascucci, Nicholas Carine, Amelia Habib, 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, Rita Arrigale, Helen Freedenberg, Maryann Bratton, Renee Sahar, Sister Nahida Al Sawa, 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. WEEKLY COLLECTION FOR April 21-22, 2018 Collection $ 2,450.00 Second Collection $ 151.00 Coffee Hour $ 40.00 Total: $ 2,641.00 ALDER STREET PROPERTY
PLEASE REMEMBER TO SILENCE YOUR CELL PHONES AND BEEPERS WHEN YOU ENTER THE CHURCH. THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION.
Saint Maron Maronite Catholic Church First Reading Ephesians 2:1-10 April 28-29, 2018 A reading from the Letter of Saint Paul to the Ephesians. Your blessing father Brothers and Sisters: You were dead through the trespasses and sins in which you once lived, following the course of this world, following the ruler of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work among those who are disobedient. All of us once lived among them in the passions of our flesh, following the desires of flesh and senses, and we were by nature children of wrath, like everyone else. But God, who is rich in mercy, out of the great love with which he loved us even when we were dead through our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ by grace you have been saved and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the ages to come he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness towards us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God not the result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are what he has made us, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand to be our way of life. Praise be to God always. فصل من رسالة القد يس بولس إلى أهل أفسس ات ا ب ز ال ت ك م وخ ط اي اك م ت ي وأ ن ت م فق د ك ن ت م أ م و يا إ خو ر ئ يس س ل ط ان الج و أ ي الر وح ال ذي ي ع م ل اآلن في الع ص ي ان أ ب ن اء في ش ه وات إ ن س ان ن ا الج س د ي ع ام ل ين ب ر غ ب ات ه وأ فك ار ه وك ن ا ب الط ب يع ة أ والد الغ ض ب ك الب اق ين ب ر ح م ت ه ف ل ك ث ر ة م ح ب ت ه ال تي أ ح ب ن ا ب ه ا م خ ل صون ب ل ط ف ه ل ن ا في الم س يح ي س وع. ات في الم س يح ي س وع أ ج ل س ن ا في الس م او وم ع ه أ ق ام ن ا و م ن األ ع م ال ل ئ ال ي ف ت خ ر أ ح د ن س ل ك فيه ا. فأ ع د ه ا ل ك ي والتسبيح هلل دائما. ب ح س ب س ل ك ت م فيه ا م ن ق ب ل ب ح س ب إ له هذ ا الع ال م ال تي وم ن ه م ن ح ن أ ي ض ا ج م يع ن ا ق د س ل ك ن ا م ن ق ب ل وه و الغن ي لك ن هللا ات ا ب ز ال ت ن ا أ ح ي ان ا مع الم س يح وب الن ع م ة أ ن ت م وق د ك ن ا ن ح ن أ ي ض ا أ م و ل ي ظ ه ر في األ ج يال اآلت ي ة غ ن ى ن ع م ت ه الف ائ ق ة ف ب الن عم ة أ ن ت م م خ ل ص ون ب واس ط ة اإل ي م ان: وهذ ا ل ي س م ن ك م إ ن ه ع ط ي ة هللا. أل ن ن ا ن ح ن ص ه و وال ن ع ه ق د خ ل ق ن ا في الم س يح ي س وع ل أل ع م ال الص ال ح ة ال تي س ب ق هللا
Gospel Reading Saint John 21:15-19 The Apostle Writes: When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, Simon son of John, do you love me more than these? He said to him, Yes, Lord; you know that I love you. Jesus said to him, Feed my lambs. A second time he said to him, Simon son of John, do you love me? He said to him, Yes, Lord; you know that I love you. Jesus said to him, Tend my sheep. He said to him the third time, Simon son of John, do you love me? Peter felt hurt because he said to him the third time, Do you love me? And he said to him, Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you. Jesus said to him, Feed my sheep. Very truly, I tell you, when you were younger, you used to fasten your own belt and to go wherever you wished. But when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will fasten a belt around you and take you where you do not wish to go. (He said this to indicate the kind of death by which he would glorify God.) After this he said to him, Follow me. This is the truth. Peace be with you. م ن إ ن ج يل الق د يس يوحن ا ب ع د الغ د اء ق ال ي س وع ل س م ع ان ب ط ر س:»ي ا س م ع ان ب ن ي ون ا أ ت ح ب ن ي أ ك ث ر م م ا ي ح ب ن ي هؤ الء «. ق ال ل ه : مع ان ب ن»ن ع م ي ا ر ب أ ن ت ت ع ل م أ ن ي أ ح ب ك «. ق ال ل ه ي س وع:»إ ر ع ح م الن ي«. ق ال ل ه م ر ة ث ان ي ة : «ي ا س ي ون ا أ ت ح ب ن ي «. ق ال ل ه :»ن ع م ي ا ر ب أ ن ت ت ع ل م أ ن ي أ ح ب ك «. ق ال ل ه ي س وع:»إ ر ع ن ع اج ي!«. ق ال ل ه م ر ة ث ال ث ة:»ي ا س م ع ان ب ن ي ون ا أ ت ح ب ن ي «. ف ح ز ن ب ط ر س أل ن ي س وع ق ال ل ه ث الث م ر ات: أ ت ح ب ن ي ف ق ال ل ه :»ي ا ر ب أ ن ت ت ع ل م ك ل ش يء و أ ن ت ت ع ر ف أ ن ي أ ح ب ك «. ق ال ل ه ي س وع:»إ ر ع خ ر اف ي! أ لح ق ٱلح ق أ ق ول ل ك : ح ين ك ن ت ش اب ا ك ن ت ت ش د ح ز ام ك ب ي د ي ك وت س ير إ لى ح ي ث ت ر يد. ولك ن ح ين ت ش يخ س ت ب س ط ي د ي ك وآخ ر ي ش د ل ك ح ازم ك وي ذ ه ب ب ك إ لى ح ي ث ال ت ر يد«. ق ال ي س وع ذل ك م شير ا إ لى الم يت ة ال ت ي س ي م ج د ب ه ا ب ط ر س هللا. ث م ق ال ل ه :»إ ت ب ع ن ي!«. حق ا واألمان لجميعكم.