HOLY APOSTOLIC CATHOLIC ASSYRIAN CHURCH OF THE EAST ST. MARY S PARISH 4320 E. 14 Mile Road Warren, Michigan ISSUE 5 FEBRUARY 2008 Holy Liturgy Qurbana Schedule 2 St. Mary s Events 2 St. Mary s Memories 2 A Message from Father Benjamin 3 A CATECHISM 4 Mar Benyamin Shimun 5-6 Propers Appointed for Qurbana 6-7 Interviews of the Month 8 The Bishop s Jokes by Mar Aprem 9 Photos 10 Bible Verses 12 CLERGY Rev. Fr. Benjaminn Benjamin Rev. Fr. Lawrance Namato Rev. Deacon Rowel Shimon Rev. Deacon Gewargis Somo Rev. Deacon Fraidon Mirza Rev. Deacon Sargon Rihana Rev. Deacon Amir Brekha Rev. Deacon Maurice Toma Sub-Deacon Dani David EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Dave G. David.. President Sadah Raikany... Vice President Yousif Odisho.... Treasurer Linda W. Warda Secretary Anwiya Mikhail. Member Dr. Oraham Yacoub. Member Ibrahim Mirza... Member John Somo..... Member Sabah Yokhana. Member Tom Tamou... Member William Moshe...... Member Youel Ishmail..... Member Parish Website: www.saintmarysdetroit.org Email Address: info@saintmarysdetroit.org Parish Office. (586) 825-0290 Parish Fax. (586) 825-0297 Parish Priest Phone (586) 825-0285 Qashaa Benjamin.. (586) 825-0285 Qashaa Lawrance. (734) 476-9546
SAINT MARY S PARISH February - 2008 Warren, Michigan Page -2 HOLY LITURGY (QURBANA) SCHEDULE Sunday Holy Qurbana 9: 00 a.m. 10:30 a.m. Assyrian 12:00 p.m. 1:30 a.m. Assyrian & English Evening Prayer Everyday 5:30 p.m. 6:00 p.m. ST. MARY S EVENTS St. Mary s Youth Tutoring Program is held every Saturday 11:00am 2:00pm in the basement of St. Mary s. All students K-12 and college students are welcomee to att! SUNDAY SCHOOL Sunday 9:30 a.m. 10:30 a.m. Every Friday, St. Mary s community visitation is between the hours of 4:00pm 10:00 p.m. ST. MARY S MEMORIES 2007 Eastern Diocese Meeting in Chicago, Illinois
SAINT MARY S PARISH February - 2008 Warren, Michigan Page -3 A MESSAGE FROM FATHER BENJAMIN ܒ ܒ ܝ ܕܒ ܒ ܝ ܪ ܙ ܐ ܒ ܕ ܕܐ ܐ ܐ ܕ ܐ ܬ ܕ ܪܚ ܥ ܐ ܐ ܐ. ܘ ܘ ܘ ܢ ܐ.( ܙ 21 ) ܐ ܒ ܐ ܓ ܕ ܗ ܒ ܐ ܓ ܒ ܘ ܒ ܚ ܐ ܬ ܚ ܕܒ ܒ ܐ ܕ ܐ. ܐ ܕ ܕ ܗ ܘ ܓ ܢ ܬ ܢ ܓ ܐ ܒ ܐܐ.. ܘ ܙ ܐ ܘ ܒ ܐ ܕ ܕ ܚ Deacon s Lecture Deacon Paul Younan of St. John Parish in Chicago, Illinois willl be presenting a lecture on Peshitta meaning Simple, the authorized Bible of the Assyrian Church of the East. Live via the internet Sunday, February 24, 2008 @ 6:30 P.M. In the Basement of St. Mary s John 3:14-15 "Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyonee who believes in him may have eternal life." Isaiah 45:5-6 I am the LORD, and there is no other; apart from me there is no God. I will strengthenn you, though you have not acknowledged me, so that from the rising of the sun to the place of its setting men may know there is none besides me. I am the LORD, and there is no other.
SAINT MARY S PARISH February - 2008 Warren, Michigan Page - 4 A CATECHISM A CATECHISM is a basic form of instructions or teachings in the Apostolic faith. It is essential for all members of the Assyrian Church of the East. This book is written by the Rev d Charles Klutz, B.A., B.Th., M.Th. Priest, St. John Parish, Chicago and the Rev d Dr. George Toma, B.A., M.A., D.Min., Cor-Bishop, St. Andrews Church, Des Plaines, IL in a straightforward question and answer format, and published by the Department of Religious Education of The Assyrian Church of the East, 2006. Available from St. Mary s Gift Shop Question 41) How should we approach and receive the Holy Offering (Qurbana)? It is expected that the faithful will approach the Holy Gifts devoutly, reverently, in all piety and humility. We are encountering our Lord and Savior Jesus Himself face to face. Therefore, we will either bow before our Lord in the Holy Offering, or make the Sign of the Holy Cross before receiving Him. Praying all the while this Prayer of Preparation; Which is: Sanctify our bodies by Your Holy Body, pardon our debts by Your Precious Blood, purge our conscience with the hyssop of Your compassion, O Christ the hope of our nature, O Lord of all, Father, Son and Holy Spirit forever: Amen. There are two methods to receive Him. The first is to tilt the head backward and to open the mouth, to receive Him upon the tongue; and, the second method of receiving Him in the palm of the right hand is in this manner; 1) bring the two hands together, in the form of the Holy Cross, the left hand under the right hand, 2) the priest will place the Holy Body in the center of the palm of right hand, saying The Body of Christ to the Pious Believer (name) for the pardon of debts and the communicant will respond Amen. 3) then the communicant will kiss the Precious Body, and receive Him into the mouth, devoutly and in all reverence consuming the Same. Then the participating communicant will proceed to the Angelic Deacon to receive the Precious Blood from the Holy Chalice, the precious blood to the pious believer (name) for the pardon of sin and a spiritual feast unto eternal life. The communicant responds: Amen The communicant who has participated fully in receiving our Lord Jesus will then return to their pew to offer thanksgiving unto our Lord for the sheer joy of being fed upon the Life-giving Gift of the Holy Offering. A Prayer of Thanksgiving: Let not Your living Body, O my Lord, which we have eaten, or Your victorious Blood be to us, O my Lord, for judgement, and vengeance but for the pardon of debts, and for the forgiveness of sin, and for the great hope for resurrection from the dead, and for new life in the Kingdom of Heaven, and for confidence before You, with the just and righteous who have pleased You, O Christ, the hope of our nature, Lord of all, Father, Son and Holy Spirit forever: Amen. (or another) Since we have received Your Body openly, may Your Spirit dwell in us in a hidden manner, and may we go out to meet You cheerfully, and to sing to You threefold glory with the just who have fulfilled Your will, O Christ, the hope of our nature, Lord of all, Father, Son, Holy Spirit. Amen (or another) Since we have taken Your Body from the paten, and have drunk Your Blood from the chalice, make us worthy, O my Lord, to sing glory with robber in Paradise, along with the just who have fulfilled Your will, O Lord of all Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, forever: Amen.
SAINT MARY S PARISH February - 2008 Warren, Michigan Page -5 Mar Benyamin Shimun XXI, Catholicos Patriarch of the Assyrian Church of the East, ܝ ܒ ܢ ܘ ܐ was born in Qudchanis, located in South East Turkey in 1887. Ordained Metropolitan by his uncle, Mar Rowil Shimun, Catholicos Patriarch XX. At the age of sixteen Mar Benyamin later succeeded him as Patriarch upon Mar Rowil's death in 1903. Mar Benyamin was known for his fair-minded adjudication of all, Assyrian, Turks and Kurds alike. Mar Benyamin s Patriarchal tenure occurred at one of the most turbulent eras during modern Assyrian history. The rancor and upheaval by the Kurds, complicated by opposing governments and religious systems presented Mar Benyaminn unique challenges. Over the ensuing years, Mar Benyamin attempted to lead his nation to what he had hoped would be a safe outcome, escaping through the rough terrain and into Urmi, Iran. He did so, even at the expense of his own brother, Hormiz. The honorable Hormiz, the third brother of Mar Benyamin was studying in Istanbul. In an attempt to b the Patriarch to its will, the Turkish government held Hormiz as a hostage and threatened his life. Mar Benyamin s response was that Hormiz was one brother, but all in the Assyrian nation were his children. He would not sacrifice the entire nation to save one person. As a consequence, Hormiz was hanged publicly in Mosul, with his body left in full view all day. Sadly, Mar Benyamin made one of the most difficult choices during his administration when he sacrificed his beloved brother for the safety and honor of Assyrians in an attempt to secure their future. To bolster the position of the millat, the Patriarch sought help from Russia. Assyrian forces for a time fought alongside Russian forces, and it was hoped that Russia would provide our peoplee a settlement haven. In fact, this alliance led the Russian government to award St. George Medals, Grade IV, to some 200 Assyrian figures, for their combat bravery in the battle at Tkhuma on October 25, 1917. For a time, the Assyrian forces joined the Russian ones and fought together in the hopes of Russia providing a place for the Assyrian settlement. The progress from this alliance resulted in the Russian government issuing 200 St. George Medals, Grade IV to be given to the Assyrian fighters for a display of bravery and courage in the prior year s battle at Tkhuma. Mar Binyamin himself was decorated with the St. Anne Cross. In addition, he was to receive an even higher order to be bestowed on him by the Emperor himself. However, the latter was never awarded to the Patriarch because of the political upheaval resulting in the Bolshevik revolution. Tragically, in February 1918, Mar Benyamin was the victim of premeditated murder at the hands of the Kurdish warlord, Simko, who had invited him under false pretenses to discuss peace. The Patriarch was received with the honors to commensurate to his position. Once their meeting concluded, Mar Benyaminn was seated in his carriage, surroundedd by his attants. At that time, Simko and his men opened fire and killed the Patriarch and most alll others with him. Some 150 individuals had accompanied His Holiness to this encounter. Less than ten of them survived the slaughter, by hiding under their fallen comrades until nightfall. They then escaped to report on this tragedy. The assassins were also in pursuit of Rab Khaila Dawid, brother of the Patriarch. However, he managed to take cover in the church of our Armeniann brothers, and he sent
SAINT MARY S PARISH February - 2008 Warren, Michigan Page - 6 out his worry beads as a silent message of his safety. Thanks to the bravery of Daniel Malik Ismail and a few of his men, the body of the Patriarch was retrieved. It was noted that in the few hours while his body was left unatted, the Patriarch's ring and his cigarette case had both been stolen. Mar Benyamin worked tireless pursuing peace not only for his Assyrian children but sought that same result for others including the Turks and Kurds alike. Consistently, he sacrificed without fail, whilst never compromising his integrity and was his own severe judge in which he forbade himself from forsaking all his children, even if it meant sacrificing his own beloved brother. In the and as a final testimony to every belief he conducted his patriarchacy with, Mar Benyamin Shimun made the ultimate sacrifice with his own life. PROPERS APPOINTED FOR QURBANA February and March, 2008 Date Lection 1 Lection 2 Apostle Gospel 2/1 Friday of the Departed Ezekiel Ben Sirach 1 Corinthians John 5:19-29 37:1-14 44:1-22 15:34-57 2/3 Sunday Entering the Great Fast 2/10 Second Sunday of Great Fast Exodus 34:1-7, 27- Genesis 5:18-31 Isaiah 58:1-12, 14 Joshua 4:15- Ephesians 4:17-5:4, 15-21 Matthew 3:16-4:11 Romans 5 Matthew 7:15-27 2/17 Third Sunday of Great Fast 2/24 Fourth Sunday of Great Fast 2/27 Wednesday - Mid-Lent Genesis 12:10-13:7 3/2 Fifth Sunday of Great Fast 3/9 Sixth Sunday of Great Fast -Commemoration of Mar Michael, Companion of Angels Genesis 7 Joshua 5:13-6:5 Genesis 11 Joshua 6:27-7:15 Genesis 16:1-17:all Genesis 19:1-26 3/14 Friday of Lazarus Genesis 19:27-30 Joshua bar Nun 8:1-17 Joshua 9:15- Joshua 21:43-22:9 Joshua bar Nun 22:10-20 Romans 7:14- Matthew 20:17-28 24 Romans 8:12- Matthew 21:23-27 Romans 9:14- John 5:19-29 Romans 12 John 7:37-; 8:12-20 Romans 14:10- John 9:39-10:21 Romans 15:1-13 John 11:1-44
SAINT MARY S PARISH February - 2008 Warren, Michigan Page - 7 3/16 Palm Sunday (Hosannas) - Seventh Sunday of Great Fast Genesis 49:1-12, 22-26 3/20 Passover Thursday Genesis 38:7-40:all 3/21 Eve of Passion Friday - Good Friday 3/22 Great Saturday - (No Qurbana is offered on this day in the morning) 3/22 The Eve of the Great Sunday of the Resurrection of our lord - Holy Easter 3/23 The order of celebration for the Peace of the Resurrection - Holy Easter (Morning Qurbana) 3/24 Monday of the Robber (Crucified with Our Lord) 3/28 Friday of Confessors, Comm. Of Mar Shimon Bar Sabbae, & All Eastern Martyrs 3/30 Second Sunday of Resurrection - New Sunday Exodus 12:1-20 Isaiah 52:13-53:all Zechariah 3:7-4:6, 11- ; 7:9-10; 8:4-5, 12-19; 9:9-12 Joshua bar Nun 23 Zechariah 9:9-12; 11:4-5,12-13; 12:9-; 13:7- Daniel 9:21- Romans 11:13-24 Hebrews 9:11-1 Corinthians 5:7-8; 10:15-17; 11:23- Galatians 2:17-3:14 None None 1 Corinthians 15:20-28 Isaiah 60:1-7 Isaiah 60:9- Daniel 6:6- Isaiah 55:4-1 Samuel 2:1-10 Acts 2:14-36 Acts 6:8-7:1, 51-8:2 Acts 4:32-5:5 Romans 5:20-6:all Hebrews 13:20-31 Ephesians 6:10- Hebrews 11:3-10, 32-12:2 Colossians 1:1-20 Matthew 20:29-21:22 John 13:1-17 Matthew 26:1-5; 14-30 Luke:22:63-23:12; Matthew 27:3-10, 19; Luke 23:13-23; Matthew 27:24-25; Luke 23:24-45 ( and the sun grew dark ); Matthew 27:51-54; John 19:23-; Matthew 27:60; Luke 23:54- Matthew 28 John 20:1-18 John 14:18-15:15 Matthew 10:16-33 John 20:19-
SAINT MARY S PARISH February - 2008 Warren, Michigan Page -8 INTERVIEWS OF THE MONTH Alvin Daryiosh Age: 13 School: Chatteron Middle School Grade: 7 th Grade Favorite Subject: Math Favorite Color: Blue Alvin is currently in middle school and his favorite subject is math. When Alvin grows up, he wants to a police officer. During a recent interview with Alvin, he stated that proudest accomplishment is working at the churchh store and his contribution to the church! Alvin has one sister and his parents are Layla and Albert Daryiosh. When Alvin isn t busy at the church, he can be found singing his favorite Assyrian music. He also enjoys taking care of 6 birds, which are parakeets. Alvin speaks many languages including Assyrian, English, Spanish and also Arabic! Alvin is fun to be with and says that his best quality is that he is a forgiving person. He enjoys Friday Community nights at the church because it s a great place to hang out with everyone and is able to see all of his fris at the church. If Alvin was a superhero, he would like to be superman because he can fly and would like to fly to the moon! But if Alvin were a tree, he would like to be a cactus in the desert. Favorite Place: California If Alvin could go anywhere in the world it would be: Greece because he s heard its really nice and there is an Elvis Presley Museum that he would like to visit! Jessica Sada Age: 14 School: Cousino High School Favorite Subject: Math Career Goal: Journalist Favorite Colors: Green & Pink Jessica is a freshman at Cousino High School in Warren, Michigan and her favorite subject is math! When Jessica graduates high school, she would like to go to school to becomee a journalist. Jessica s favorite part of coming to church on Community Fridays is meeting with fris her age and who are trustworthy. Her proudest accomplishment was joining the St. Mary s Youth this past November. Jessica has one brother and is the daughter of Jaiklen Yousif and Samo Sada. Jessica use to have six goldfish but they all died. If Jessica could be a superhero she would be Wonderwoman because she ultimately saves the day! Jessica is a great person and says that everyone is her best fri at church. I was surprised to know that Jessica speaks not only Assyrian & English, but also knows Spanish, Arabic and Maltese! Favorite Place: Rabat, Malta becausee of the great weather! If Jessica could go anywhere in the world it could be Tokyo because it is very colorful!
SAINT MARY S PARISH February - 2008 Warren, Michigan Page - 9 THE BISHOP S JOKES! Humour is the harmony of the heart Jokes as written by H.E. Mar Aprem Metropolitan of India Dove Eaten By Cat After every baptism, a Pastor wanted his servant to drop a dove from a hole in the roof. One day, after a baptism, he read the passage about the Holy Spirit coming down on the newly baptized. He repeated the passage 2 or 3 times. Still the dove did not come down. So that Pastor looked up. Then his servant put his head through the hole above and said, Your Holy Spirit has been eaten by a cat! Made Him Walk A rich man, who owned a car, had an accident. He went to a mission hospital and they put his leg in plaster. After 3 months, when the plaster was removed, the man discovered to his dismay that he was not able to walk properly. He approached a famous bone specialist who was doing private practice. The doctor promised to make him walk within six months. He sent six bills within that period which made the patient sell his car and start walking within those six months. Circus Clown Once an unhappy little man in New York went to a famous psychiatrist. The qualified doctor diagnosed that the problem with his patient was that he did not have enough relaxation and entertainment. So the psychiatrist prescribed that this unhappy patient should see the new circus in New York City and enjoy the performance of the circus clown who making all spectators happy by his jokes and actions. The patient read the prescription and told the psychiatrist, Doctor, you ar mistaken. Your prescription will not help me, I am that circus clown! St. Peter s Key Peter knocked at the door of heaven to enter. Angel Gabriel said, Come in. Peter answered, The door is locked. How can I come in? Gabriel asked, Don t you have the key of heaven? He said: I left it on the earth.
SAINT MARY S PARISH February - 2008 Warren, Michigan Page -10 HIS GRACE MAR ODISHO VISIT TO ST. MARY S - FEBRUARY 3, 2008 His Grace Mar Odisho, Father Benjamin, Father Lawrance, Deacons & St. Mary s Choir His Grace Mar Odisho, Father Benjamin & St. Mary s Ladies Auxiliary His Grace Mar Odisho, Father Benjamin & St. Mary s Executive Committee
SAINT MARY S PARISH February - 2008 Warren, Michigan Page - 11 Mark 9:41 For whoever gives you to drink even a cup of water only because you represent the name of Christ, truly I say to you that his reward shall not be lost. Mark 3:28-29 Truly I say to you that all sins and blasphemies which men are guilty of shall be forgiven to them. But he who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit shall never be forgiven, but is guilty before the everlasting judgment; Matthew 21:21 Jesus answered, saying to them, Truly I say to you, If you have faith and do not doubt, you will perform a deed not only like this of the fig tree, but should you say even to this mountain, Be removed and fall into the sea, it shall be done. John 5:24 Truly, truly, I say to you, He who hears my word and believes him who has sent me has everlasting life; and he does not come before the judgment, but he passes from death to life. John 8:51 Truly, truly, I say to you, Whoever obeys my word shall never see death. John 16:23.. Truly, truly, I say to you that whatever you ask my Father in my name, he will give it to you. John 6:53-56 Jesus said to them. Truly, truly I say to you, Unless you eat the body of the Son of man and drink his blood, you have no life in yourselves, he who eats of my body and drinks of my blood has eternal life; and I will raise him at the last day. For my body truly is the food, and my blood truly is the drink. He who eats my body and drinks my blood will abide with me, and I with him. New at St Mary s.. Second Qurbana (Liturgy) Every Sunday @ 12:00 Noon Celebrated in Assyrian & English
HOLY APOSTOLIC CATHOLIC ASSYRIAN CHURCH OF THE EAST Assyrian Church of the East St. Mary s Parish 4320 E. 14 Mile Road Warren, Michigan 48092 POST TO: