Saint Maron Maronite Catholic Church March 3-4, 2018 POPE FRANCIS: Prodigal Son Shows God's Unconditional Love for Us All At his Wednesday general audience Pope Francis focused on the Parable of the Prodigal Son to show how God welcomes us all with an unconditional love. Even in the most difficult situations, he told pilgrims and visitors gathered in St. Peter's Square, God waits for us and longs to embrace us. Pope Francis began his reflections at the moment the Prodigal Son returns home, asking forgiveness for what he has done and telling his father: "I no longer deserve to be called your son." But on the contrary, the Holy Father continued, the only thing that matters to the father is that his son has returned home safe and sound. Thus, he runs out to embrace him, restores his dignity by giving him clothes, sandals, and a ring on his finger, and calls for a feast to celebrate his return. "The mercy of the father is overflowing, unconditional and manifests itself even before the son speaks," the Holy Father said. Even though the son recognizes his sin and voices remorse, "these words dissolve in front of the forgiveness of the father." Jesus, the Pope observed, doesn't describe a father that is "offended and resentful who says 'I will make you pay!'" but on the contrary, illustrates that the only thing the father is concerned about is that "this son in front of him is healthy and safe." The Pope said the father's tenderness and mercy overflows and, in the same way, we know that even in the most difficult moments of our lives, God waits for us and longs to embrace us as his children. Our state as sons of God "is a fruit of love from the heart of the father," the Pope said, adding that "it doesn't depend on our merits or our actions, and therefore no one can take it away. No one can take this dignity away from us, not even the devil! No one can take this dignity!" This parable teaches us "to never despair," he said, and pointed specifically to parents who, like the father, see their children becoming distant and taking "dangerous paths." He also noted that the same can be said of pastors and catechists "who at times ask themselves if their work is in vain," as well as prisoners, "those who have made poor choices and aren't able to look to the future (and) those who hunger for mercy and forgiveness but believe they aren't worthy." No matter what situation life brings, "I must never forget that I'll never cease being a child of God, of a father who loves me and waits for my return. Even in the worst situations in life, God waits, wanting to embrace me," he said. Pope Francis then pointed to the figure of the older brother, who although he was always at home with his father, "is so different" from him. When he speaks to his father, the older son "speaks with contempt," never once using the words "father" or "brother," but instead boasts of how he had always been near the father and served him, the Pope observed. Neither has this son ever lived the joy of being close to his father, but accuses him of not ever giving him a young goat to celebrate, Francis said, adding "Poor father! One son went away, and the other was never truly close!" The father's suffering in this passage "is like the suffering of God and of Jesus when we distance ourselves or when we think we are close and instead we are not," he said. Francis noted that the older son "also needs mercy," explaining that that he "represents us when we ask ourselves whether it's worth it to struggle so much if we don't get anything in return." However, when the father responds telling his older son telling him that "everything I have is QUOTE OF THE WEEK Extend your mercy towards others, so that there can be no one in need whom you meet without helping. For what hope is there for us if God should withdraw His Mercy from us? Saint Vincent de Paul 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.
yours," his logic "is that of mercy!" In their conversations with the father, both sons miss the point, Francis said: "the two brothers don't speak to each other, they live different stories, but both reason in a logic foreign to Jesus: if you do good you get a reward, if you do bad you get punished." By responding with the logic of mercy, the father not only recovers his lost son but can now restore the relationship between the brothers, the Pope said, adding that "the greatest joy for the father is to see his sons recognizing each other as brothers." Each of the sons can decide to either unite themselves to the joy of the father, or to refuse, he said, and noted how the parable ends leaving us in suspense, because we don't know what the older son decided. http://www.thedivinemercy.org/news/pope -Prodigal-Son-Shows-Gods- Unconditional-Love-for-Us-All-6770 PALM SUNDAY BRUNCH TICKETS ON SALE Tickets are on sale for the Palm Sunday Brunch, which will be held on Sunday, March 25, immediately following Divine Liturgy. Tickets for adults are $15 and children 11 and under are $10.00. Please reserve your tickets as soon as possible. There will be a beautiful brunch, and a special visitor with special treats for the children. MYO MEETING SUNDAY MARCH 4 I would like to meet with all MYO members toward the end of your class time on Sunday, March 4. There are many events coming up that I need to plan with you. Please wait for me in class. Thank you. PROJECT ROOTS I am asking that anyone from this parish who has registered with Project Roots over the past six years and who has not heard about their status of registration to please notify me at the Church office. I have spoken to the regional director and she would like to follow up on these cases. Please email me or call me at the office. Thank you. FESTIVAL DABKE TROUPE SIGNUP It is hard to believe that the summer festival is drawing near. With that in mind, we are taking names for those who would like to participate in the Dabke Troupe. Fadia Salloum will be taking names of those who would like to join in this year. Fadia will be teaching 4 to 12 year olds and Claudine El Hajal will be teaching 12-17 year olds. Regardless of your age, please sign up with Fadia today after Divine Liturgy. Looking forward to a wonderful festival. ADULT BIBLE STUDY AND MARONITE CHURCH HISTORY CLASS Fr. David Fisher will have adult bible study and church history class on Thursday, March 15, 2018, from 7:00 PM 8:30 PM, at the Church hall. 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. FRIDAY LENTEN SERVICES Friday Lenten Services will start at 7:00 pm. This service will include Stations of the Cross and Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament. Please join us during this holy season of Lent and walk the way of the cross as Jesus did. May this season of Lent bring us closer to God and each other. MYA POTLUCK WITH BISHOP GREGORY Bishop Gregory Mansour will be hosting an evening with the MYA on Saturday, March 17, 2018, at Our Lady of Lebanon Cathedral, in Brooklyn, NY. The evening will begin with Divine Liturgy at 6:00 PM, followed by a Potluck Dinner. The theme of the gathering is Theology of the Body: Dating with purpose and life giving relationships. A presentation will begin at 8:00 PM, followed by group questions and Q&A, followed by dessert and social time. If you paln to attend this event please RSVP by March 10, to Rose Marie Baradhi at 732-853-4375. Fulfill the Dream of Your Grandparents... Reconnect with Lebanon! CLAIM YOUR LEBANESE CITIZENSHIP before it is too late! The new Lebanese Nationality Reacquisition Law that enables you to do so will expire soon! Register your Birth and Marriage in Lebanon via Project Roots, No Hassle and No Fee. Your registration will NOT jeopardize your American citizenship. It will, however, help Lebanon maintain demographic and cultural diversity. Contact one of Project Roots representatives today and begin your registration process. You can even begin the process on the following webpage: www.projectroots.net/requests.html or on the Mobile APP (www.clf-us.org). If you are already registered, please refer another family to register and help spread the word about this free service. You will be making a difference! www.projectroots.net
LITURGY INTENTIONS Saturday, March 3, 2018 @ 6:00 PM, (Feast day of St. Thomas Aquinas and St. Katharine Drexel). Liturgy is offered for the souls of Dolores and Helen Deliney requested by Charlene Mokowich. May their souls rest in peace. Sunday, March 4, 2018 @ 11:00 AM, (Feast of St. John Maron) liturgy is being offered for the soul of Peter Koway requested by Barbara and Salema Dahdah and family. May his soul rest in peace. Liturgy is offered for the soul Raymond Matar requested by Rony Matar and family. May his soul rest in peace. Saturday, March 10, 2018, @ 6:00 pm, Liturgy is being offered for the parishioners and friends of St. Maron Church. Sunday, March 11, 2018 @ 11:00 am, Liturgy is offered for the soul of Jamil Zakharia requested by Dany and Vera Zakharia and family. May his soul rest in peace. Liturgy is offered for the soul of Stavro Jabra requested by Simon and Zeina Topalian and family. May his soul rest in peace. UPCOMING EVENTS Friday, March 16, Lenten Fish Fry, immediately following Stations of the Cross, at 7:00 PM. $10.00 Per Meal. Sunday, March 25, 2018, Palm Sunday Brunch, following Divine Liturgy, Adults $15.00, Children 12 and under $10.00. Sunday, March 25, 2018, MYO Palm Sunday Bake Sale, immediately following Divine Liturgy. Good Friday Lenten Dinner, March 30, 2018, 7:00 PM, Good Friday Services followed by Lenten dinner. LENTEN FASTING OBSERVANCES The Most Reverend Bishops Gregory Mansour and Elias Zaidan have issued the following Lenten guidelines for the Maronites of the U.S.: All Maronites who are physically capable are to abstain from meat on Ash Monday and all Fridays of Lent. Ash Monday and Great Friday of the Crucifixion are also days of fasting. Fasting in the Maronite Church involves eating and drinking nothing at all (except water and medicine from midnight until noon. The rest of the day normal meals can be taken, but without meat. All Maronites who are physically capable are to fast on these two days. Personal Devotion Clergy, religious, and laity who wish to observe the more traditional Maronite practice of fasting and abstinence are encouraged to do so. That practice is summarized in the following, taken from the Synod of Mt. Lebanon (1736): Every weekday of Lent (Monday through Friday) is a day of fasting and abstinence from meat and dairy products (eggs, butter, milk, etc.) Fasting involves eating and drinking nothing at all (except water and medicine) from midnight until noon. The rest of the day normal meals can be taken, but without meat or dairy products.dairy products are excluded because they are animal byproducts. Saturday s and Sundays are exempt from fasting and abstaining as are the following feast days: St. Maron- February 9, The 40 Martyrs- March 9, St. Joseph- March 19, and the Annunciation- March 25. (Good Friday falls on March 30, this year. Therefore it is a day of complete fasting and abstinence. The Feast of the Annunciation has been moved to the following week. CONTRIBUTION TAX REPORTS AVAILABLE For those of you who use envelopes and would like a print out of your contributions for your taxes, please email or call the church office and Claudine will print a copy for you. She can email or mail the form to you or if you wish you can pick it up at the office. Thank you. 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. 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 $2798.00 per person and includes airfare from New York. Details are in the brochure. CONFESSION Please know that confession is available before liturgies. You may also call to set up an appointment. IN OUR PRAYERS Please keep in your prayers Michael La Pergola, Paul Daley, Maria Lemons, Vincent Thomas, Joseph Realdine, Rita Impo, Benjamin Uzzo, Emily Stone, Bob Quici, Roseann Anthony, Elaine Nader, Sal Pinto, Michael Pascucci, Jenny DiCicco, 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, 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. WEEKLY COLLECTION FOR February 24-25, 2018 Collection $ 2,078.00 Donation $ 50.00 Fish Fry $ 483.71 Coffee Hour $ 84.00 Total: $ 2,695.71
Saint Maron Maronite Catholic Church First Reading 2 Corinthians 13:5-13 March 3-4, 2018 A reading from the Second Letter of Saint Paul to the Corinthians. Your blessing father Brothers and Sisters: Examine yourselves to see whether you are living in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not realize that Jesus Christ is in you? unless, indeed, you fail to pass the test! I hope you will find out that we have not failed. But we pray to God that you may not do anything wrong not that we may appear to have passed the test, but that you may do what is right, though we may seem to have failed. For we cannot do anything against the truth, but only for the truth. For we rejoice when we are weak and you are strong. This is what we pray for, that you may become perfect. So I write these things while I am away from you, so that when I come, I may not have to be severe in using the authority that the Lord has given me for building up and not for tearing down. Finally, brothers and sisters, farewell. Put things in order, listen to my appeal, agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you. Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the saints greet you. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with all of you. Praise be to God always. فصل من رسالة القد يس بولس الثانية إلى أهل قورنتس يا إخو ت ي إ خ تب ر وا أن ف س ك م هل أن ت م راس خ ون في اإل ي مان. إ م تح ن وا أن ف س ك م. أال تع ر ف ون أن المس يح يس وع ف يك م إ ال إ ذا ك ن ت م مر ف وض ين! فأر ج و أن تع ر ف وا أننا نح ن لسنا مر ف وض ين! ون ص ل ي إ لى ٱهلل كي ال تف عل وا أي ش ر ال ل نظ هر نح ن نس تط يع أن نف عل ش ي ئ ا ض د الحق بل ألج ل مق ب ول ين بل ل كي تف عل وا أن ت م الخي ر ونك ون نح ن كأننا مر ف وض ون! فإ ننا ال ن ص ل ي ل كي ت ك ون وا كام ل ين. الحق! أجل إ ننا نف رح ع ن دما نك ون نح ن ض عفاء وتك ون ون أن ت م أق و ياء. م ن أج ل هذا أي ض ا أك ت ب هذا وأنا غائ ب ل ئال أ عام لك م ب قس اوة وأنا حاض ر ب الس ل طان الذي أع طان ي إ ياه الر ب ل ب ن يان ك م ال ل هد م ك م. وبع د وٱس عوا إ لى الكمال وتش ج ع وا وك ون وا على رأ ي واح د وع يش وا في س الم وإ له المحب ة والس الم يك و ن أي ها اإل خ وة إ ف رح وا س ل م وا بع ض ك م على بع ض ب ق ب لة م قد س ة. جم يع الق د يس ين ي س ل م ون علي ك م. ن ع مة الر ب يس وع المس يح ومحب ة ٱهلل معك م! و ش ر كة الر وح الق د س معك م أج مع ين! والتسبيح هلل دائما.
Gospel Reading Saint Luke 15:11-32 The Apostle Writes: The Lord Jesus says: There was a man who had two sons. The younger of them said to his father, "Father, give me the share of the property that will belong to me." So he divided his property between them. A few days later the younger son gathered all he had and travelled to a distant country, and there he squandered his property in dissolute living. When he had spent everything, a severe famine took place throughout that country, and he began to be in need. So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed the pigs. He would gladly have filled himself with the pods that the pigs were eating; and no one gave him anything. But when he came to himself he said, "How many of my father s hired hands have bread enough and to spare, but here I am dying of hunger! I will get up and go to my father, and I will say to him, Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son; treat me like one of your hired hands. " So he set off and went to his father. But while he was still far off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion; he ran and put his arms around him and kissed him. Then the son said to him, "Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son." But the father said to his slaves, "Quickly, bring out a robe the best one and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. And get the fatted calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate; for this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found!" And they began to celebrate. Now his elder son was in the field; and when he came and approached the house, he heard music and dancing. He called one of the slaves and asked what was going on. He replied, "Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fatted calf, because he has got him back safe and sound." Then he became angry and refused to go in. His father came out and began to plead with him. But he answered his father, "Listen! For all these years I have been working like a slave for you, and I have never disobeyed your command; yet you have never given me even a young goat so that I might celebrate with my friends. But when this son of yours came back, who has devoured your property with prostitutes; you killed the fatted calf for him!" Then the father said to him, "Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. But we had to celebrate and rejoice, because this brother of yours was dead and has come to life; he was lost and has been found." This is the truth. Peace be with you. م ن إ ن جي ل الق د ي س لوقا جمع أع ط ن ي ح ص ت ي م ن الم يراث. فقس م له ما ثر و ته و بع د أي ام قل يلة. قال الرب يس وع: "كان ل رج ل ٱب نان. فقال أص غر ه ما ألب يه: يا أبي ه ناك بد د ماله في حياة الط ي ش. و لما أن فق ك ل ش يء حدثت في ذل ك البلد مجاعة ش د يدة بلد بع يد. و اٱلب ن األص غر ك ل ح ص ت ه وس افر إ لى اح د م ن أه ل ذل ك البلد فأر س له إ لى ح ق ول ه ل ير عى الخناز ير جو فه م ن الخ ر و ب وكان يش تهي أن يم أل. ز. فذهب و لجأ إ لى و فبدأ ي ح س ب العو أنا هه نا أه ل ك ي ع ط يه م ن ه أحد. ه و قال: كم م ن األ جراء ع ن د أبي يف ض ل الخ ب ز عن ه م و فرجع إ لى نف س ال الذي كانت الخناز ير تأ ك ل ه و فقام أمام ك. أس تح ق بع د أن أ د عى لك ٱب ن ا. فٱج عل ن ي كأحد أ جرائ ك! ط ئ ت إ لى الس ماء و ال و أق ول له : يا أب ي خ أم ضي إ لى أبي و ج وع ا! أق وم و ه ع ع ن ق ه و قب له طو يال. فقال له ٱب ن ه : يا أبي خط ئ ت وأس رع فأل قى ب نف س لى جاء إ لى أب يه. وف يما كان ال يزال بع يد ا رآه أب وه فتحن ن علي ه و أل ب س وه وٱج عل وا في ي د ه خاتم ا أخ ر ج وا الح ل ة الفاخ رة و أس ر ع وا و أس تح ق بع د أن أ د عى لك ٱب ن ا... فقال األب ل عبيد ه : ال أمامك. و إ لى الس ماء و م و بدأ وا يتنع م ون. وكان ٱب ن ه ر ج لي ه ح ذاء و نتنع و ض ائ ع ا فو ج د. و ل نأ ك ل! ألن هذا كان مي ت ا فعاش أ ت وا ب الع ج ل الم س م ن وٱذ بح وه وفي و ٱب ن ي جاء و س أله : ما عس ى أن يك ون هذا فقال له : اح د ا م ن الغ ل مان رق صا. فدعا و األك بر في الحق ل. فلما جاء وٱق ت رب م ن البي ت س م ع غ ناء و أخ وك فذبح أب وك الع ج ل الم س من ألن ه لق يه س ال م ا. فغض ب و لم ي ر د أن يد خ ل. فخرج أب وه يتوس ل إ لي ه. فأجاب وقال ألب يه: ها أنا أخ د م ك و لم ت ع ط ن ي مر ة جد ي ا ألتنع م مع أص د قائ ي. ولك ن لما جاء ٱب ن ك هذا الذي أكل ثر و تك مع و لم أ خال ف لك يو م ا أم ر ا هذ ه الس ن ين ك ل م ه و لك. ولك ن كان ين بغ ي أن نتنع ه و ل ي و ك ل ما و لد ي أن ت مع ي في ك ل ح ين ان ي ذبح ت له الع ج ل الم س من! فقال له أب وه: يا الزو و ض ائ ع ا ف و ج د". و نف رح ألن أخاك هذا كان مي ت ا فعاش حق ا واألمان لجميعكم.