LoL Club – Summer Bible Camp

The Maronite Servants of Christ the Light will host a summer vacation Bible camp-- LoL Club (Light of Life Club) at their convent on 856 Tucker Road, Dartmouth, July 23-27 from 9:00AM -12:00PM for ages 4 to 12 (children 13 & older may volunteer as helpers). For more information or to register your child(ren) please contact Sister Marla Marie at 508/996-1753. The LoL Club will feature fun activities, Bible stories, prayer, games, videos, crafts,  designed to help children grow in their love for Jesus and to learn more about Maronite heritage and saints.

Ramsho & Suppper Evenings

Sr. Marla Marie  with Deacon Hicham Chemali, S.J., Nabi & Nouhad  Moujabar

at our  Ramsho & Supper evening, Sunday May 20^th.

We have a monthly prayer and supper evening at 5:00PM every second Sunday of the month at our convent in Dartmouth.

Our next Ramsho & Supper evening is Sunday June 10^th   at 5:00PM. If you would like to join us for Maronite prayer and supper please call or email Sr. Marla Marie to RSVP by June 8^th. 

Sr. Therese Maria with the Ed & Alice Grayson, and Sr. Diane and Sr. Susan from the Daughters of St. Paul.

Let Women Speak for Themselves

By His Excellency, Bishop Gregory J. Mansour,
Eparchy of Saint Maron USA
Women are a unique gift to the world. No government agency can speak for all of them. In the last few weeks, two prominent women, Helen Alvare, J.D. and Kim Daniels, J.D., and to date 25,000 other like-minded women, have asked that their voices be heard. See www.womenspeakforthemselves.com . Here below is their open letter to the President and the Secretary of Health and Human Services:
“We are women who support the competing voice offered by Catholic institutions on matters of sex, marriage and family life. Most of us are Catholic, but some are not. We are Democrats, Republicans and Independents. Many, at some point in our careers, have worked for a Catholic institution. We are proud to have been part of the religious mission of that school, or hospital, or social service organization. We are proud to have been associated not only with the work Catholic institutions perform in the community – particularly for the most vulnerable -- but also with the shared sense of purpose found among colleagues who chose their job because, in a religious institution, a job is always also a vocation.
Those currently invoking "women's health" in an attempt to shout down anyone who disagrees with forcing religious institutions or individuals to violate deeply held beliefs are more than a little mistaken, and more than a little dishonest.
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You’re not wanted here!

You’re not wanted here!
The other side of the present Administration’s Anti-Poverty Campaign

By His Excellency, Bishop Gregory J. Mansour,
Eparchy of Saint Maron USA

It is now unfortunately quite clear that from the start of his campaign for President (see his speech at Planned Parenthood http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uUl99id2SvM ) a major component of the anti-poverty efforts of his Administration is to prevent “unwanted pregnancies.” Part of this effort now employs a fully funded artificial contraception, sterilization and “morning after pill” mandate by the Health and Human Services, even in the face of stiff opposition and the complaints of thousands of women who make the reasonable claim that a contraceptive mentality does not help women, rather it encourages promiscuous male behavior and has clearly unhealthy consequences for women (see www.womenspeakforthemselves.com) and is not true health care.
The other part of the effort is that if artificial contraception, abortion drugs approved by the FDA, and sterilization does not keep away unwanted pregnancies, then abortion must remain legal throughout all nine months of pregnancy. Down syndrome babies are now aborted nine times out of ten, and sex selection abortions, especially for baby girls, are hardly being noticed in mainstream media, and hardly ever condemned, perhaps because these efforts keep “unwanted pregnancies” out of society.
Although the Administration does deserve some credit for keeping our eye on the poor and the needy, nonetheless, anti-poverty efforts must try to get at the underlying cause of poverty, which in most cases is due to the breakup of the family. Thus, strengthening marriage is one of the greatest protections for the poor. Are we forced to settle for an approach that does not help us in the long run? Artificial contraception, sterilization and abortion are not healthy for women or for society. \
continue reading here...

Liturgical Glossary - Hoosoyo

Explaining the Hoosoyo
The Hoosoyo is the highlight of the Qurbono and expresses the liturgical theme of the feast or the day. It is a unique type of prayer which offers a scriptural interpretation along with a series of supplications petitioning God's protection and forgiveness. It consists of four parts: Proemion, Sedro, Qolo and Etro.

·         The Proemion is the introductory prayer, which offers praise, worship and magnificent titles to Christ, and in some different feast days, to the Trinity.

·         The Sedro constitutes the heart of the Hoosoyo and through its catechetical function it reflects the theme of the particular Sunday or the feast day being celebrated. It further presents, in a litany form, petitions asking for the Lord's assistance. It is poetic in nature and is composed of several strophes in metric form.

·         The Qolo is a response to the series of supplications whereby it magnifies the theme of the Hoosoyo and accentuates its character.

·         Etro means sweet perfume (of incense) and is the conclusion of the Hoosoyo. It summarizes the petitions of the Church who asks God to accept its precious offering which is consumed and raised to the heights. The burning of incense is par excellence an act of purification.

CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL OUR FIRST COMMUNICANTS !

Danbury Visit – Many Blessings

By Sr. Therese Maria Touma

We directed a women’s spiritual retreat at St. Anthony’s Maronite Church, Danbury Connecticut on April 28-29.  Father Jean Younes, M.L.M., pastor offered us generous hospitality during our weekend visit which included an opportunity for Mother Marla Marie to speak at the Liturgies about Pope Benedict’s message on the World Prayer Day for Vocations.  

The Seeking His Light in Prayer retreat included presentations on the four movements of prayer, Lectio Divina and how to approach the Mystery of Penance.  In the evening, we offered the ladies a guided hour of Eucharistic Adoration, praying the four movements.

“In my name and the ladies of St Anthony , we would like to thank you for leading us with sister Therese during the retreat in Danbury. You presence affected many lives,” said Fr. Jean.

At the weekend Divine Liturgies, Mother Marla Marie challenged the parents and the grandparents and all those present to be generous and bold in praying for and encouraging vocations in their own families and parish community.  

May God bless St. Anthony’s parish and all our Maronite parishes with many holy vocations to the priesthood and religious life!

Congratulations Abouna Lahoud

We are pictured with Chorbishop Joseph Lahoud at his Honorary Banquet, Saturday April 21^st, 2012 where he was made a Knight of the National Order of the Cedar awarded by the President of the Republic of Lebanon, His Excellency Michel Sleiman and presented by the Honorable Antonine Chedid, Ambassador of Lebanon to the U.S.

We congratulate Chorbishop Lahoud for all his achievements and for his selfless dedication to the Lebanese Community in the U.S.