Divine Mercy Mission – Philadelphia, PA

By Sr. Natalie Sayde

The Maronite Servants of Christ the Light were on mission at St. Maron’s Church in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on April 21-23rd. At the invitation of Reverend Vincent Farhat, pastor, the Sisters offered a parish-wide retreat, “Living Divine Mercy”. The theme was especially fitting as it was Divine Mercy Sunday for the Universal Catholic Church on April 23^rd.  

On Friday evening, Mother Marla Marie gave a presentation to the adults of the parish on God’s mercy in our lives, and the message of Divine Mercy, as received by St. Faustina, and its relevance today. What is God trying to tell us through His message of Divine Mercy? He was very clear with St. Faustina, and the answer appears on the bottom of the famous Divine Mercy image, He is asking us to TRUST. Jesus, I trust in You. Mother Marla Marie guided the adults through a time of prayer before the Holy Mysteries, and encouraged them to take up the Divine Mercy Chaplet as a devotion in their everyday lives.

We facilitated a children’s retreat on Saturday morning, which included games, crafts, activities, prizes and lunch. We also guided the children in a time of prayer in the Church and taught them how to recite the Divine Mercy Chaplet.

On Saturday afternoon, we had lots of fun and laughter with the MYO of the parish in Bumper Bowling.

On Saturday evening, we met with over 25 of the MYA for a relaxed evening of fellowship which included dinner. This was a very special evening as a number of the MYA had attended from other regional parishes including Our Lady of Lebanon in Brooklyn and St. Sharbel’s from Somerset, New Jersey. It was awesome to see them all trying to get to know each other and bond on a deeper level. The message of Divine Mercy was also a central theme, which generated much discussion and thought-provoking questions. 

During the course of the weekend Divine Liturgies, Mother Marla Marie spoke on vocations and the message of Divine Mercy. We met with the parishioners at the coffee hour on Sunday. 

We thoroughly enjoyed our weekend with the beautiful parish family of St. Maron’s. We thank Abouna Vince and the parishioners for their warm hospitality, support and goodness in welcoming us and responding so positively to our mission. We look forward to being with them again in the near future.

“‘I am love and Mercy Itself.  There is no misery that could be a match for My mercy, neither will misery exhaust it, because as it is being granted – it increases.  The soul that trusts in My mercy is most fortunate, because I Myself take care of it.’” (from the Diary of St. Faustina, para: 1273, page 459)

Simon, Son of John, do you love Me?

The following Homily was given by Fr. Herbert Nicholls on April 20^th at the Mother of the Light Convent

True faith is rooted in humility which enables us to let go of ourselves, to let go of our own will, and to let the power of Jesus work in us.

As we look at this Gospel, Jesus very delicately and lovingly engages with Peter in a pivotal moment that will enable Peter to see for himself his great love for Jesus and the power of that love which is greater than any opposing power that might try to keep him bound in the memory of his toxic shame and human failures.

The use of the word “shame” is of significance. It is very different from “guilt” although we too often use the terms interchangeably. “Guilt” might be called the voice of conscience. It is the voice of God inviting us back to healthy relationship with Him. “Shame”, on the other hand, is never healthy, nor from God. It is a feeling of disruption, division, from God which makes us feel alienated. Shame can persist even after guilt is healed.

Peter and the others had already received the Holy Spirit, the gift of Forgiveness, peace, serenity, and had been told to share these gifts with others. Whose sins you forgive, they are forgiven (Jn 20:23). The name of Jesus (Yeshua) has an authority and a power that goes beyond simple memory. It is active and forceful and cuts to the very heart.

They had been pardoned, but something was still eating inside of Peter. His eyes were riveted on the charcoal fire, perhaps reminiscent of the charcoal fire in the courtyard of Caiphas on Great Friday. Perhaps due to this intense physical focus, Peter was unable to recognize the “man” on the shore; at least not until John, who now seemingly is in peace and serenity is able to recognize and to share with Peter the identity of this “man”.

Peter, who was stripped naked, probably customary for fishermen out on the waters, “cloths himself”. The Greek text here makes a clear distinction which is lost in English translation. The clothes with which Peter covers himself is not his, his own, but his, that of another person, of Jesus’ cloak of righteousness.

Now Peter makes a deliberate decision to jump in the water and swim to the Lord. I firmly believe this is no coincidence. I believe that the Evangelist in his final chapter is drawing a deliberate contrast with the opening pages of Genesis, where the first humans were deceived to fear and hide from God in shame. They no longer felt worthy to be what God had created them to be: the image of God, the children of God.

As Jesus stepped forth from the stone-blocked tomb liberated from death; Peter was now released to come forth from his stone-crusted shame, liberated from the power of evil. Jesus’ desire for Peter and for all of us is to recognize while we are human and make mistakes, the power of love is able to overcome a multitude of sins, of evil choices.

This is the most encouraging intervention that anyone can experience.

As Jesus takes Peter deeper and deeper into the healing of shame, asking him three times, healing that three-time denial at the first charcoal fire; Peter is brought to understand that in spite of his imperfections, he could still serve Jesus faithfully and fully.

Jesus seeks to have this same exchange with us. To burn away the dross of doubt and to enkindle in our hearts the fire of love. We will continue to make mistakes. Only God is perfect. But as we publically declare our love for Jesus, and our love for the power of His Name (Yeshua); that love will become visible proof of His ability to make His kingdom of serenity and peace a reality on earth.

Celebrating the Glorious Resurrection

Great Saturday of the Light

The Church awaits the resurrection of the Lord—the long “Awaited Light.” After his crucifixion the Lord remained in the tomb before his resurrection and, as the creed reminds us, he descended to hell—the place of the dead—that his light might shine upon them and that they might rejoice in the light of his face. 

As we await the resurrection of Christ, may his death and burial be for us a symbol of faith and repentance. We are called to bury the old man of sin and corruption and put on the new man of glorious life. Thus we shall live in justice and holiness of truth. 

On this day of waiting and personal preparation for the resurrection, the Divine Mysteries are not celebrated nor is the Holy Eucharist distributed, instead the prayer of forgiveness is celebrated. We thus close the great week of the passion of the Lord by washing our hearts with contrition and penance and by reconciling ourselves with one another.

Sunday of the Glorious Resurrection 

The Church celebrates the Resurrection of our Lord as the “feast of feasts”. After being plunged into the darkness of the crucifixion and death of Jesus we are now filled with the light of the resurrection. The cross, which was the instrument of death, has now become the glorious beacon, which enlightens the world.

In order to express its joy the Church extends the celebration of the resurrection for a week of weeks, that is, for fifty days. The season of Resurrection begins with the feast of the Resurrection and ends with the gifts of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost. On the fortieth day of this season (the Thursday after the Fifth Sunday of Resurrection) the feast of the Ascension of the Lord is celebrated…

The joy and peace that flow from the Lord’s resurrection are expressed today by the Rite of Peace, which follows the gospel in the Divine Mysteries. The cross is removed from the tomb where it has rested since Great Friday and is draped in white. It is carried through the Church accompanied by hymns of praise and joy. The priest solemnly blesses the congregation with the glorious cross and then presents it to them that they might adore it.

By his living cross Christ has saved us from going astray and given us a way to heaven. Through the cross, peace and harmony reign among God’s people and we are led to perfection.

Excerpts taken from the Maronite Divine Office

Youth Retreat - Richmond VA

"Discover Jesus" Youth Retreat - Richmond VA

This past weekend (March 31-April 2) Sr. Therese Maria, MSCL assisted at the MYO Regional retreat held at Saint Anthony Maronite Parish in Richmond, Virginia. She gave a talk on her vocation story, the gift of confession and led the adoration and worship before the Blessed Sacrament. The theme for this year's presentation, activities and games was "Discover Jesus." During the fun-filled and spiritual weekend, we were blessed to have youth from the following parishes attend: Washington DC, Roanoke, Richmond and North Carolina.

Maronite Young Adults

On Sunday night Sr. Therese Maria also met with Maronite Young Adults from the parish of Saint Anthony for a lively and interactive discussion on their identity as beloved sons and daughters of God and our purpose here on Earth. Our purpose is to love and be loved and how do we do this? As Saint John Paul II emphasizes it is in giving ourselves away in loving service to our neighbor that we find our true self and fulfillment. The "something more" that we seek is a life-giving relationship with Jesus. We enjoyed great laughs, pizza, ice cream, and concluded the evening with a fruitful sharing on the Sunday's Gospel, Jesus curing the Blind beggar. With one heart we prayed: "Lord have pity on us, help us to shed our sins, and see with your light."