THE FATHER, THE FOUR SONS AND THE FOUR SEASONS There was a man who had four sons. He wanted his sons to learn to not judge things too quickly. So he sent them each on a quest, in turn, to go and look at a pear tree that was a great distance away. The first son went in the winter, the second in the spring, the third in summer, and the youngest son in the fall. When they had all gone and come back, he called them together to describe what they had seen. The first son said that the tree was ugly, bent, and twisted. The second son said no it was covered with green buds and full of promise. The third son disagreed, he said it was laden with blossoms that smelled so sweet and looked so beautiful, it was the most graceful thing he had ever seen. The last son disagreed with all of them; he said it was ripe and drooping with fruit, full of life and fulfillment. The man then explained to his sons that they were all right, because they had each seen but one season in the tree's life. He Saint Maron Maronite Catholic Church told them that you cannot judge a tree, or a person, by only one season, and that the essence of who they are--and the pleasure, joy, and love that come from that life--can only be measured at the end, when all the seasons are up. If you give up when it's winter, you will miss the promise of your spring, the beauty of your summer, fulfillment of your fall. Don't let the pain of one season destroy the joy of all the rest. http://www.theinnerseed.com/thefather-the-four-sons-and-the-fourseasons SAINT RAFKA S CHOIR OF SAINT JOSEPH CONVENT Tomb of Saint Rafka in Lebanon Our Lady of Lebanon Seminary, 7164 Alaska Ave. NW, Washington, DC, and Saint Anthony Maronite Catholic Church, 4611 Sadler Road, Glen Allen, Virginia, is proud to present a Religious Concert by Saint Rafka s Choir of Saint Joseph Convent, Tomb of Saint Rafka in Lebanon. Under the direction of Sr. Marana Saad, Saint Rafka s Choir has established its reputation as one September 24-25, 2016 Second Sunday after HOLY CROSS of the leading choirs in Lebanon. Outside of Lebanon, Saint Rafka s Choir has performed at the 2016 World Youth Day in Poland; at the Vatican before His Holiness Pope Francis and in Europe. QUOTE OF THE WEEK In uniting yourself to God's will, you take on new life and gather great courage, willingly embracing the cross and kissing His hand even when it chastises you, a hand that reaches out to you in love and has no other intention but your greater spiritual wellbeing. St. Paul of the Cross Fr. Vincent Farhat, Pastor Fr. Richard Cannuli, Weekend Assistance 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.
On Thrusday, October 20, 2016, St. Rafka s Choir under the direction of Sister Marana Saad will present a Religious Concert at Our Lady of Lebanon Seminary, Washington, CD, organized by Msgr. Peter Azar. The Concert will be in Arabic, Syriac and English On Friday, October 21, 2016, Sister Marana Saad will present a conference on the Challenges of the Christians in the Middle East. On Saturday, October 22, 2016, at 6:00 p.m., St. Rafka s Choir under the direction of Sister Marana Saad will present a Religious Concert At St. Anthony Church. The Concert will be in Arabic, Syriac and English On Sunday, October 23, 2016, at 11:00 o'clock: Msgr. George M. Sebaali will celebrate the Divine Liturgy sung by Saint Rafka s Choir A nun of the Lebanese Maronite Order, Sister Marana Saad, OLM, holds a Ph.D. in Sacred Theology from the Pontificio Ateneo Sant'Anselmo, Rome, Italy, and a Ph.D. in Sacred Music from the Holy Spirit University (USEK) in Kaslik, Lebanon. She is fluent in Arabic, French, English, Italian and Spanish as well as Greek and Syriac. Saint Rafka, the "Silent and Humble Nun of the Lebanese Maronite Order,(also known as Rafca, Rafqa, Rebecca, Pierina or Boutrosiya) was canonized by His Holiness Pope [Saint] John Paul II on June 10, 2001. FALL HAFLI AT SAINT MARON CHURCH Saint Maron Church will be having our annual Fall Hafli on Saturday, October 15, 2016, at the Msgr. Sharbel Lischaa Community Center. Cocktail hour will begin at 7:00 PM followed by dinner and dancing at 8:00 PM. The Eddie Osama Band will be performing for our entertainment. Tickets are on sale after Divine Liturgy as well as by calling the Church office Monday through Thursday, 9:30am- 4:30pm. Adult tickets are $45.00, students are $30.00, and children 12 and under are $20.00. Hope to see you all there. 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE MARONITE BISHOP IN THE UNITED STATES THANK YOU Thank you for Khalil and Madeline Raie for the donation of altar wine and bread in memory of their loved ones. May their souls rest in peace. ST. RITA S N.Y. BUS TRIP St. Rita s will be having a bus trip to New York City on Saturday, December 3, 2016. The cost for the day is $220.00 which includes a tour of the Saint Frances Cabrini Shrine, lunch at Da Rosina Restaurant, tickets to the radio City Music Hall, Rockettes Christmas Show and transportation. The bus will depart from St. Rita s at 7:30AM and will return to St. Rita s at 8:30PM. For reservations and more info please call St. Rita s at 215-546-8333 or Phyllis Fox at 215-334-1513. CCD REGISTRATION Registration for CCD is still open. In the Church Hall we have copies of the registration forms for the parents to fill out. Please use one registration form per child. CCD classes started on Sunday, September 11, 2016. It is my hope that each child will register and be a part of this important parish program. Please encourage your children, regardless if they attend Catholic Schools, to participate. We are looking forward to another special year. PRAYER FOR VOCATIONS Blessed be God, the Father, who chose shepherds after His own heart; Blessed be the Beloved Son, who entrusted the service of his mysteries to them;
Blessed be the Holy Life Giving Spirit, who sanctifies their offerings. O Heavenly Father, we pray for an increase in vocations to the priesthood and religious life for the service of your holy people. We ask you to send laborers into your vineyard. Your faithfulness is unconditional and you accompany Your Church and invite us to cooperate in your plan of Salvation. May we contribute to creating and preserving conditions in which the good seed, sown by your Holy Spirit, can take root and bring forth abundant fruit in us. We petition you, O Christ our Lord, to enlighten the paths of those considering a call to priesthood, and religious life, and bring them close to you, so that their calling may become a pure sacrifice for the glory of God. To you be glory, and upon us your mercy, now and forever. Amen. UPCOMING EVENTS AT SAINT MARON CHURCH MYA NATIONAL WORKSHOP The workshop will be held on September 30- October 2, 2016, at Saint Maron Church. FALL HAFLI Saint Maron s will once again have our Annual Fall Hafli on Saturday, October 15, 2016 at 7:00pm. Tickets are now on sale. NEW YEARS EVE HAFLI Saint Maron s will have their Annual New Year s Eve Hafli on December 31, 2016. More details will follow at a later date. Please mark your calendars and join us for this popular event. LITURGY INTENTIONS Saturday, September 24, 2016, @ 6:00 pm, liturgy is being offered for the souls of Larry Pinto and Charles Vega requested by Sal Pinto and family. May their souls rest in peace. Sunday, September 25, @ 11:00 am, liturgy is being offered for the soul of Robert Cherfane requested by his family. May their soul rest in peace. Saturday, October 1, 2016, @ 6:00 pm, (Feast of St. Theresa of the Child Jesus) liturgy is being offered for the souls of Caroline Pinto, Rita Klock, and Maryanne Pinto requested by Salvatore Pinto and family. May their souls rest in peace. Sunday, October 2, 2016, @ 11:00 am, (Feast of Sts. Cyprian and Justina) liturgy is being offered for the soul of Marie El Choli requested by George and Laila Sholy and family. May her soul rest in peace. Liturgy is also offered as a 40 day memorial for the souls of Gabi Baghdi Sar and Julie Burgess requested by the Takfoor Family. May their souls rest in peace. 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. SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION (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 Christopher Scalia, Manerva Labbad, Michelina Krewda, Samer Chokeir, Aminee Skaf, Kathy Newman, Cubby Simon, Vickey Saulino, Rita Arrigale, Connie Mazzola, Linda Rotella, Mary Heiler, Declan Goldsmith, Gavin Goldsmith, Helen Freedenberg, Baby Mason, Maryann Bratton, Renee Sahar, Joann Divon, Chucky Simon, Jane Trevelino, Sister Nahida Al Sawa, Virginia Ramano, Rose De Jesse, James Cordisio, Stacey Fuentes, Debbie Freedenberg, Noel Andjuhar, Juliette Chokier, Eddie Gussini, 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 September 10-11, 2016 Sunday Collection $ 1,581.00 Second Collection $ 123.00 MYO Shawarma $ 1,143.00 MYO Glow Dance $ 910.00 Coffee Hour $ 57.00 Total: $ 3,814.00 PLEASE REMEMBER TO SILENCE YOUR CELL PHONES AND BEEPERS WHEN YOU ENTER THE CHURCH. THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION.
Saint Maron Maronite Catholic Church September 24-25, 2016 First Reading 1 Corinthians 15:19-34 A reading from the First Letter of Saint Paul to Corinthians. Your blessing father Brothers and Sisters: If for this life only we have hoped in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied. But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have died. For since death came through a human being, the resurrection of the dead has also come through a human being; for as all die in Adam, so all will be made alive in Christ. But each in his own order: Christ the first fruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ. Then comes the end, when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father, after he has destroyed every ruler and every authority and power. For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. The last enemy to be destroyed is death. For God has put all things in subjection under his feet. But when it says, All things are put in subjection, it is plain that this does not include the one who put all things in subjection under him. When all things are subjected to him, then the Son himself will also be subjected to the one who put all things in subjection under him, so that God may be all in all. Otherwise, what will those people do who receive baptism on behalf of the dead? If the dead are not raised at all, why are people baptized on their behalf? And why are we putting ourselves in danger every hour? I die every day! That is as certain, brothers and sisters, as my boasting of you a boast that I make in Christ Jesus our Lord. If with merely human hopes I fought with wild animals at Ephesus, what would I have gained by it? If the dead are not raised, Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die. Do not be deceived: Bad company ruins good morals. Come to a sober and right mind, and sin no more; for some people have no knowledge of God. I say this to your shame. Praise be to God always. فصل من رسالة القد يس بولس األولى إلى أهل قورنتس وه و ات هذ ه الح ي اة وح س ب ف ن ح ن أ ش ق ى الن اس أ ج م ع ين! و الح ال أ ن الم س يح ق ام م ن ب ي ن األ م و يا إ خو ت ي إ ن ك ن ا ن ر ج و الم س يح في ات. ف ك م ا أ ن ه في آد م ي م وت الجم يع اس ط ة إ ن س ان أ ي ض ا ت ك ون ق ي ام ة األ م و اس ط ة إ ن س ان ف ب و الم و ت ك ان ب و ب اك ور ة الر اق د ين. ف ب م ا أ ن مج يئ ه. و ب ع د ذل ك ت ك ون ك ذ ل ك في الم س يح سي ح ي ا الج م يع ك ل و اح د في ر ت ب ت ه: الم س يح أ و ال أل ن ه الب اك ور ة ث م ال ذ ين ه م ل لم س يح ع ن د س ل ط ان و ق و ة أل ن ه ال ب د ل لم س يح أ ن ي م ل ك الن ه اي ة ح ي ن ي سل م الم س يح الم ل ك إ لى هللا اآلب ب ع د أ ن ي ك ون ق د أ ب ط ل ك ل ر ئ اس ة وك ل ائ ه ت ح ت ق د م يه. ي ق ول ح ين وآخ ر ع د و ي ب ط ل ه و الم وت. ل ق د أ خ ض ع هللا ك ل ش يء ت ح ت ق د م ي ه. و إ لى أ ن ي ج ع ل هللا ج م يع أ ع د اض ح أ ن ه ي س ت ث ن ي هللا ال ذي أ خ ض ع ل ه ك ل ش يء. وم ت ى أ خ ض ع ل ٱلب ن ك ل ش يء ف ح ين ئ ذ الك ت اب:»أ خ ض ع ل ه ك ل ش يء«ف م ن الو ي خ ض ع اٱلب ن ن ف س ه ل ل ذي أ خ ض ع ل ه ك ل ش يء ح ت ى ي ك ون هللا الك ل في الك ل. وإ ال ف م اذ ا ي ف ع ل ال ذ ين ي ت ع م د ون م ن أ ج ل األ م و ات إ ن ك ان األ م و ات ال ي ق وم ون أ ب د ا ف ل م اذ ا ي ت ع م د ون م ن أ ج ل ه م ون ح ن ف ل م اذ ا ن ع ر ض أ ن ف س ن ا ك ل س اع ة ل لخ ط ر أ ق س م أ ي ه ا اإل خ و ة ب م ا لي م ن ف خ ر ب ك م في الم س يح ي س وع ر ب ن ا أ ن ي أ و اج ه الم و ت ك ل ي وم. إ ن ك ن ت ص ار ع ت الو ح وش في أ ف س س ل غ اي ة ب ش ر ي ة فأ ي ن ف ع لي وإ ن ك ان األ م و ات ال ي ق وم ون ف ل ن أ ك ل و ن ش ر ب أل ن ن ا غ د ا س ن م وت! ال ت ض ل وا! إ ن الم ع اش ر ات الس ي ئ ة ت ف س د األ خ الق الس ل يم ة! أ ي ق ظ وا ق ل وب ك م ب الت ق و ى وال ت خ ط أ وا ف إ ن ب ع ض ا م ن ك م ي ج ه ل ون هللا! أ ق ول هذ ا إل خ ج ال ك م! والتسبيح هلل دائما.
Gospel Reading Saint Matthew 24:1-14 The Apostle Writes: As Jesus came out of the temple and was going away, his disciples came to point out to him the buildings of the temple. Then he asked them, You see all these, do you not? Truly I tell you, not one stone will be left here upon another; all will be thrown down. When he was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately, saying, Tell us, when will this be, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age? Jesus answered them, Beware that no one leads you astray. For many will come in my name, saying, "I am the Messiah!" and they will lead many astray. And you will hear of wars and rumours of wars; see that you are not alarmed; for this must take place, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places: all this is but the beginning of the birth pangs. Then they will hand you over to be tortured and will put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of my name. Then many will fall away, and they will betray one another and hate one another. And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. And because of the increase of lawlessness, the love of many will grow cold. But anyone who endures to the end will be saved. And this good news of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the world, as a testimony to all the nations; and then the end will come. This is the truth. Peace be with you. من إنجيل القد يس مت ى خ ر ج ي س وع م ن اله ي ك ل وم ض ى. ف د ن ا م نه ت الم يذ ه ي ل ف ت ون ن ظ ر ه إ لى أ ب ن ي ة اله ي ك ل. ف أ ج اب وق ال ل ه م:»أ ال ت ن ظ رون ه و ج ال س ع لى ج ب ل الز يت ون د ن ا هذ ا ك ل ه أ لح ق أ ق ول ل ك م: ل ن ي ت ر ك ه ن ا ح ج ر ع لى ح ج ر إ ال وي ن ق ض.«وفيم ا ق ل ل ن ا م ت ى ي ك ون ه ي على ٱن ف ر اد ق ائ لين: «هذ ا وم ا ع الم ة م ج يئ ك ون ه اي ة الع ا لم.«ف أ ج اب ي س وع م ن ه الت الم يذ ه و الم س يح! وي ض ل ون الك ث ير ين. وس و ف وق ال ل ه م:»إ ح ذ ر وا أ ن ي ض ل ك م أ ح د! فك ث ير ون س ي أ ت ون ب ٱس م ي ق ائ لين: «أ ن ا ت س م ع ون ب ح ر وب وب أ خ ب ار ح ر وب أ ن ظ ر وا ال ت ر ت ع ب وا! فال ب د أ ن ي ح د ث هذ ا. ولك ن ل ي س ت الن ه اي ة بع د! س ت ق وم أ م ة ذ ي س ل م ون ك م ع لى أ م ة وم م ل ك ة ع لى م م ل ك ة وت ك ون م ج اع ات وز الز ل في أ م اك ن ش ت ى وهذ ا ك ل ه أ و ل الم خ اض. ح ين ئ وي س ل م ب ع ض ه م ٱس م ي. وح ين ئ ذ ي ر ت د الك ث ي ر ون ع ن اإل ي م ان إ لى الض يق وي ق ت ل ون ك م وي ب غ ض ك م ج م يع األ م م م ن أ ج ل ب ع ض ا وي ب غ ض ب ع ض ه م ب ع ض ا. وي ق وم أ ن ب ي اء ك ذ ب ة ك ث ير ون وي ض ل ون الك ث ير ين. ول ك ث ر ة اإل ث م ت ف ت ر م ح ب ة الك ث ي رين. وم ن ي ص ب ر إ لى الن ه اي ة ي خ ل ص. الن ه اي ة. حق ا واألمان لجميعكم. الم س ك ون ة ك ل ه ا ش ه اد ة ل ج م يع األ م م وحين ئ ذ ت أ ت ي وي ك ر ز ب إ ن جيل الم ل ك وت هذا في