March for Life - Washington D.C.

Vocations Fair - Washington D.C.

With some of our Maronite Seminarians.

On Sunday 22^nd January we participated in the Eastern Catholic Churches Vocations Fair alongside our Maronite Seminarians. This was a great opportunity to meet the other religious communities in the Eastern Church, to showcase our charism and mission at our display table.

Praying with our Maronite Families

On our trip to Washington D.C. 20-24^th January we joined with the prayer group Cenacle of St. Maron (15 families) for the rosary, scripture sharing and supper at their monthly gathering. During the evening, Mother Marla Marie spoke to the parents on the call to sanctity while Sr. Therese Maria spoke to the children about the lives of the saints, in particular the life of St. Maron, and how they can live out their call to holiness.  The Cenacle of St. Maron prays for our Bishops, priests, seminiarians, and vocations.  The families are a source of support, courage and inspiration for each other as they journey to deepen their Christian life. 

Vocations Fair - DC

Come and visit our Maronite Vocations display. We look forward to seeing you on Sunday, January 22, 2012.  The Eastern Catholic Bishops of the United States of America (USCCB Region XV) is pleased to host the first ever Eastern Catholic Vocations Fair at the Ukrainian Catholic National Shrine of the Holy Family in Washington, D.C., from 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. The Eastern  Catholic Bishops of the United States invite all students in the area as well as interested people to come on by and learn about the importance of Christ’s call in their lives to the priesthood, diaconate, and religious life.  

Join Us for the March for Life - DC

This week the Maronite Servants will travel to Washington, D.C. to attend the annual March for life, which will mark the 39^th anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision Roe v. Wade legalizing abortion. We encourage all who can to come to D.C. and join us at the March, along with His Excellency, Bishop Gregory Mansour, our beloved priests, seminarians, friends and Maronite families in giving witness to the sanctity and dignity of human life, and especially for all unborn babies.

Tens of thousands of people including our Maronite people from across the country are expected to gather Monday January 23 for this year’s March for life with the theme “Unite on the life principles to overturn Roe v. Wade and with love to protect mothers and preborn children-no exception, no compromise.”

We will also attend the annual National Prayer Vigil for Life at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception which begins with a January 22 vigil Mass celebrated by Cardinal Daniel DiNardo, chairman of the Committee on Pro-Life Activities for the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Marchers are invited to stay in the Basilica’s lower level to sleep overnight and participate in various prayer services, including the rosary, confession, hourly holy hours, night prayer, morning prayer concluding with a morning Mass celebrated by New York Archbishop Timothy Dolan.

Praying Vespers with Our Neighbors

On Tuesday 10^th January, we were invited by our neighbors, the Holy Cross Fathers and Brothers to join them for Vespers and the blessing and dedication of their chapel in memory of St. Andre Bessette, who was canonized in 2010. The blessing and dedication was given by His Excellency Bishop George Coleman, of the Fall River Diocese. After prayer, we joined Bishop Coleman and the Fathers and Brothers for a social and supper in their beautiful home.

St. Andre Bessette is the first saint and Brother to be canonized from their congregation. He was known for his intense piety, famed for his miraculous cures and praised for his dedication to seeing the St. Joseph’s Oratory built in Montreal.

He was born Alfred Bessette Aug. 9, 1845, near Montreal. He was one of 12 children and suffered from chronic stomach ailment that kept him out of school and often without work. His father did when he was nine and his mother died when he was 12.

He entered the Congregation of the Holy Cross in 1870. While serving as a porter at the Holy Cross-run College of Notre Dame and a high school in Montreal, Andre developed a strong devotion to St. Joseph. His reputation as a simple holy man with miraculous healing power spread. People came from far and wide to seek his help. Andre would pray with them and suggest they seek St. Joseph’s intercession.   (Taken from The Anchor, Diocese of Fall River publication)

May the powerful prayers of St. Andre Bessette bless our Maronite Servant community with holy vocations.

                  

Catechesis Studies

By Sr. Therese Maria
On December 27-28, Lisa M. Gulino, D. Min Candidate and Director of the Office of Education, Diocese of Providence offered classes on the science and mission of catechesis. Lisa was our first overnight guest to stay at our Mother of the Light Convent in Dartmouth. During her visit, Lisa also joined us for Safro and Ramsho prayer in our Chapel of St. Maron.

As I reflect on the essential content of these interactive lessons, these are two main ideas presented: the object and tasks of catechesis.

The Object of Catechesis is not what but who- Jesus Christ. We look to the life of Jesus in the Gospels as He taught His disciples to pray and to live the Gospel values. As Jesus instructed His disciples to bring the Gospel to others, we as Christians/catechists are to do the same, in being living witnesses of His teachings, and leading others to Him, by our example of self-giving, our prayers and sacrifices.

The second part of our class focused on the fundamental Tasks of Catechesis, they help us to know, to celebrate and to contemplate the mystery of Christ.

1. Promotes the knowledge of faith

2. Leads individuals to a full conscience and active participation in the Sacred Liturgy

3. Provides moral formation

4. Teaches individuals how to pray

5. Educates for community life

6. Initiates individuals into the mission of evangelization.

(General Directory for Catechesis paragraphs 85-87)

Christmas with the Daughters of St. Paul

Sr. Therese Maria pictured with the four Novices: (left to right) Sr. Laura, Sr. Emily, Sr. Jackie, and Sr. Sylwia. We had a beautiful and festive Christmas dinner with our good friends, the Daughters of St. Paul, Boston. December 25th 2011.