By Sr. Natalie Sayde Salameh
On the weekend of February 19, 20, and 21, the Maronite Servants of
Christ the Light were on mission at St. Maron’s Parish in Philadelphia, PA,
focusing on the theme of “Mercy” in honor of this Jubilee Year of Mercy.
Our mission weekend began with the regional MYO retreat on Friday
night, which gathered approximately 60 youth from St. Maron’s, Philadelphia;
St. Anthony of the Desert, Lawrence, MA; Our Lady Star of the East,
Pleasantville, NJ; and St. Charbel’s, Newtown Square, PA.
Sr. Therese Maria began the MYO retreat by focusing especially on how
the Father has shown each of us great mercy in sending us his only begotten Son
to save and redeem us on the Cross, and encouraged the teens to think about how
God manifests His mercy personally to them in their lives.
On Saturday morning, Sr. Therese Maria focused on the Corporeal and
Spiritual Works of Mercy with the teens, especially during this time of Great
Lent when we are encouraged to live out our faith in prayer, fasting and works
of charity. In light of this discussion, the teens participated in a service
project on Saturday morning where they cleaned the local Catholic Church, St.
Cyprian, and got to hear an amazing choir practice. The teens were buzzing as
they returned from St. Cyprian, describing how they had raked all the leaves,
and how beautiful the outside of the Church looked, and of course, how they got
to hear an African choir in action!
Also on Saturday morning, as Sr. Therese Maria was with the MYO, Mother
Marla Marie was with the adults of the Parish, also helping them to focus on
this Year of Mercy. Mother Marla Marie taught the adults the ancient way of
praying with the Scriptures, that is, Lectio Divina or Divine Reading. Mother
Marla Marie facilitated a Lectio Divina for the adults on this Sunday’s Gospel
of the Prodigal Son.
On Saturday afternoon, the MYO participated in adoration and
confession, where Sr. Therese Maria taught them and helped them through the
four movements of prayer – (A) Adoration, (C) Contrition, (T) Thanksgiving, and
(S) Supplication – ACTS.
During the evening on Saturday, the teens enjoyed themselves at
RiverRink at Penn’s Landing (Ice Skating Rink). Even our very own Sr. Therese
Maria put on a pair of skates and joined the kids on the ice. I enjoyed
watching them maneuver on the ice and witnessed many a fall, but no broken
bones thank God. The teens then headed back to St. Maron’s Hall for their
hafle’.
On Sunday morning, the teens gave us some feedback on what aspect of
the weekend they found most enlightening. Many loved adoration and confession,
whilst others enjoyed the service project and having a chance to give back to
the community. Many of the teens enjoyed being with one another and forming new
and deeper friendships.
After Sunday’s Divine Liturgy, during which Mother Marla Marie,
addressed the Congregation and told them a little about our mission, we had a
chance to meet and greet the parishioners of St. Maron and visit their CCD
classes.
In the evening on Sunday, we spent a night of meditation and reflection
with the MYA of St. Maron’s. Sr. Therese Maria also taught the young adults
Lectio Divina and facilitated a Lectio Divina also on this Sunday’s Gospel of
the Prodigal Son. We followed a very fruitful night of recollection and prayer
with a nice meal with the young adults.
Thanks be to God for a wonderful mission. We would like to thank Fr.
Vincent Farhat, Pastor of St. Maron for his invitation to his parish and his
support, presence and guidance all throughout the weekend, and his delightful
crew of parish volunteers. It was a joy serving alongside them all.