Radiate His Light

March for Life - Washington D.C.

2012-01-26T16:32:00.002-05:00

Vocations Fair - Washington D.C.

2012-01-26T16:31:00.000-05:00

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

2012-01-26T16:28:00.000-05:00

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

2012-01-19T14:58:00.000-05:00

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

2012-01-19T14:49:00.001-05:00

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

2012-01-13T08:13:00.003-05:00

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

2012-01-06T08:00:00.006-05:00

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

2012-01-04T14:17:00.000-05:00

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.

CHRISTMAS MESSAGE

2011-12-29T21:36:00.003-05:00

THE CHRISTMAS MESSAGE OF HIS BEATITUDE
PATRIARCH MAR BECHARA BOUTROS RAI
PATRIARCHATE OF ANTIOCH AND ALL THE EAST

Bkerke, December 15, 2011

“I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people:
A savior has been born for you who is Messiah and Lord.” (Luke 2:1-11)

1. In the middle of the night, 2011 years ago, the light of the glory of God shone on simple shepherds over the Bethlehem cave, and his angel came to announce to them and through them to the whole world, the Good News: “A savior has been born for you who is Messiah and Lord.” At the same time, in the skies over Persia, a unique star appeared, prompting pagan scholars to see it as a sign of the birth of the King of the Ages to come (Matthew 2:1-2). They came to Bethlehem: simple shepherds from near, and rich magi scholars from afar. They prostrated in homage before the Divine Child and presented Him with the gifts of their faith, hope and love. He reciprocated by sharing with them the Divine nature. We, in Lebanon, the East and in the countries of expansion, likewise prostrate before the nativity cave to be enlightened by the Light of Truth announced to the whole world, and to be sanctified by the grace of the Divine life bequeathed to us. The echo of the words of Pope Leo the Great, resounds in the depths of our hearts saying, “Christian, acknowledge your dignity, and become a sharer in the Divine nature, refuse to return to the old baseness by degenerate conduct” (Sermon 21, On the Feast of the Nativity, Para 3).

2. It is a joyous occasion for me, on behalf of the Patriarchal See, His Beatitude and Eminence Cardinal Mar Nasrallah Boutros Sfeir, their Excellencies the Bishops, the priests, monks and nuns, and all the helpers here to express our best wishes to our brothers and sisters in Lebanon, the Middle East and the countries of expansion and to all citizens here and broad, at the birth of our Lord Jesus, Redeemer and Savior of all people, and the coming of the New Year 2012. Prayers accompany these good wishes so that the Divine Child may shower an abundance of graces and goodness, and bless the coming year with peace, tranquility and a dignified life.

3. Christmas – a Cave, a Star and a Tree.

            The Cave reminds us of the Incarnation of the Word of God, as Luke recounted in his Gospel. It also presents us with examples to emulate, such as humility and poverty, two models that Christ our Lord followed because of his love for humanity, impelling us to change from within, through the grace of the One who entered our humanity. “The Son of God,” says Pope Leo the Great, “has so united Himself with us and us with Him that the descent of God to man’s estate became the exaltation of man to God’s” (Sermon 27, On the Feast of the Nativity, Para 2).
            O how impoverished we are and in great need for God’s love to abide in our hearts this Christmas, as it abided in the heart of His Mother, the Blessed Virgin Mary, and the hearts of the saints! O how impoverished we are for that love that would enrich us with human sentiments and ethics in our dealing with others and in all our communication, especially on the part of the authorities and representatives of the nation in Parliament and the Cabinet, that we may live the beauty of “communion and love” in our own family, in our social family and in our national family. Communion, first and foremost, is union with God at the committed spiritual level and union with all people at the level of relations, where every individual, group and member of society may give his/her cumulative worth; thus, a diverse and integrated society is established. Love is the bond of that communion, its springhead and its goal.

O how impoverished we are and how much we need humility before God and man that we may be able to leave the darkness of pride and egoism; the darkness of pretension and self sufficiency; the darkness of refusal of the one who differs in opinion and aspirations; from the darkness of forcefulness, haughtiness and the branding of others with treachery!
           O how impoverished we are and how much we need the virtue of poverty of self and enrichment in God; poverty manifested in detachment from personal interest and from personal material and sectarian gains at the expense of the common good. Every person in authority is in need of this virtue; the one who is without it, is the weakest of the weak.

4. Christmas is a Star; and that Star is Christ is the “Word of God made flesh” (John 1:14), Who entered into a perpetual dialogue with every person, enlightening him on the path of life, revealing to him the splendor of truth amidst the darkness of perplexity and of lies. This Star led the magi to the new born Messiah. When the Star vanished over Jerusalem, the magi logically went looking for Him at the king’s palace, where might, culture and knowledge were, but He was not born there. God does not appear where worldly power dwells, or where there is the power of riches or the power of weapons, or the power of authority. But the Word of the Holy Scriptures informed them that He was to be born in Bethlehem and that Word appeared anew in the Star which led them to the place of His birth among the humble and the lowly. There, the King of the world was born, to indicate that His Kingship is freedom and love. This King is not born except in the hearts of the truly free: those free from self, from their own whims, from their own perversions and from the enticements of the world. The King is born in the hearts of those who truly love God and love each and every person. They alone respect freedom in all its dimensions and witness to this love in their works and the exercise of their responsibilities. Come brothers and sisters; let us search for the Star in the Word of God, Who erected His tent in the Church and made of Her “the pillar of truth” (1 Timothy 3:15).

5. Christmas is a Tree, decorated and lit. This, in fact, is the Church, sparkling with the light of Christ, Her founder Who abides in Her; in fact, She is one with His Mystery. She is Christ in His fullness. This is how the Apostle John saw her: “the holy city, a new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband to be a new earth and a new heaven” (Revelation 21:1-2). This reality is present wherever people live in communion and love, vertically united to God through the Divine Word, prayer and the grace of the sacraments and, horizontally united with all people through solidarity, connection, cooperation and integration.

            The Christmas Tree, with its twinkling lights is the Face of the Church reflecting Christ, the Light of the Nations. Glad tidings of joy are proclaimed to all people through His Gospel. His Gospel is the light of truth to minds, the light of healing grace to souls and the reviving light of love to hearts. This sparkling Church, like the Christmas Tree, is charged by Her Master to proclaim His Gospel to all creation (Mark 16:15); this Gospel decorates the Church with saints, prophets, martyrs and confessors. Come all you Christians! Let us decorate the Church with different kinds of talents and gifts, which the Holy Spirit poured out upon us and upon every person that we may be an “added value” in our society.
            6. Greetings to all from in front of the Cave, Star and the Tree.
            You who are in Lebanon we salute you and congratulate you on the Feast. Come let us build the nation with its mission, and live in the diversity of our Christian and Muslim communities among others, and in the diversity of our cultures, aspirations, opinions, and political and national choices, along with the beauty of our unity, solidarity and connections, and be for each other and our Lebanese society an added value. This is how Christians and Muslims wanted Lebanon to be when they invented their National Pact in 1943, and committed to living together, to be an added value for each other. After nearly seventy years of experience, let us renew our National Pact through a new social contract and continue writing the history of groups that have decided to live together in peace and overcome each crisis that comes their way by virtue of their geopolitical position. Let us build an “added value” state with stability and radiance of its role on the shores of the Eastern Mediterranean, within the Arab milieu, and the international community.
            7. You who are in the countries of the Middle East we salute you with the best wishes of Christmas, in peace and hope, as you endure the tribulations of wars, conflicts and conflicting claims, having before your eyes and consciences many questions concerning the future and our common destiny. In the midst of darkness, may the light and glory of God shine on you as on the night of the Nativity of Christ the Lord when the angels chanted: “Glory to God in the highest and peace on earth and good will toward men” (Luke 2:14). We look forward with you, through the wishes of Christmas and the New Year, to the birth of a real Arab Spring, one of peace and stability based on religious, cultural and ethnic pluralism, equality of citizenship and democracy, and distanced far from the singleness of race, religion, confession and opinion.
            8. You who are in the countries of the expansion and under every sky we salute you and congratulate you on this Feast. May the light of Christ the Lord shine upon you with all His gifts and graces, and unite us with the joy of His Nativity, for He has been united with every person through His Incarnation. To you are our best wishes that the New Year may be filled with peace, goodwill and success.

To us and to all people in the darkness of this world, the proclamation of the heavens is renewed: “To us is born a Savior” (Luke 2:11). And we proclaim the message of peace and hope: “Christ is born! Halleluiah!”

Christmas Play - New Bedford

2011-12-21T23:31:00.000-05:00

On Saturday, December 10 we gladly assisted and participated in the children’s Christmas Concert and Play at Our Lady of Purgatory, New Bedford. Various children from the parish, ranging from the ages of one to fourteen re-enacted the nativity. Following the play, they performed a selection of Christmas carols both in Arabic and English. Abouna Jack Morrison, pastor, accompanied on the piano while the children sang, under the direction of Matthew Thomas. During the well attended evening of family gathering, singing and celebration, Santa came and surprised the children with a visit and some goodies.

Holiday Entertainment

2011-12-21T23:23:00.000-05:00

Christmas Pageant at Our Lady of the Annunciation Melkite Cathedral

We were invited to attend the Children’s Christmas Pageant at Our Lady of the Annunciation Melkite Cathedral, Boston on Sunday December 18.

Pauline Sisters’ Christmas Concert

On Sunday, December 11 we attended the Pauline Sisters’ Christmas Concert in Jamaica Plain, Boston.

Eastern Catholic Vocations Fair

2011-12-16T20:22:00.002-05:00

On Sunday, January 22nd, 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, DC, from 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm. 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 your lives to the priesthood, diaconate, and religious life. This is also a great chance to learn about the various Eastern Catholic Churches that are here in the USA, serving a diverse community of immigrants from countries like Iraq, Lebanon, Romania, Syria, Ukraine and many others, but also serving generations of Americans over the years. Come and see! For more information, check out our facebook page: www.facebook.com/EasternCatholicVocationsFairUSA
Or contact: Rev. Paul J. Makar 215-627-0143

Sunday of the Revelation to Joseph

2011-12-09T08:05:00.002-05:00

(From Prayer of the Faithful According to the Maronite Liturgical Year)

Joseph, the spouse of Mary, lived a life of obscurity and devotion to him suffered the same lot during the first centuries of the Church. However, we find that Jerome praises his virginity; John Chrysostom spoke about his sufferings and his joys. It is said that Helen built a church in his honor at Bethlehem and a feast has been celebrated in his memory by the Eastern Churches since the ninth century.

The Maronite Church celebrates his feast on the fifth Sunday of the Season of Announcement and also on March 19.

From the day of the announcement of Gabriel to Mary and her Virginal conception, three months had already passed. During this time, Mary kept silent. Although the consequences could have been disastrous to her reputation, she revealed the great mystery to no one, not even Joseph, her betrothed, or her relative, Elizabeth. She trusted in God and knew that he would reveal the great mystery in his own time and in his own way. The Lord did just this.

According to Jewish law, betrothal was equivalent to marriage. Even before cohabitation, if a man desired to leave a woman, he had to give the bride a written divorce. If the groom were to die, the bride was considered to be a widow. If the woman was found guilty of adultery, it was the duty of the man to repudiate her publically (Deuteronomy 22: 10-29; Leviticus 20: 10).

When Joseph discovered that Mary was pregnant, he could not understand how something like this could have happened. Mary continued to be modest, kind and compassionate. Saint Jerome describes Joseph's confusion: "Joseph, knowing the chastity of Mary and admiring what happened, hid in a silence the mystery he was unable to understand." Just as Mary respected the mystery, so also did Joseph. However, he decided that it was his duty to send her away in silence, even though he would have to suffer. They would have to separate rather than unveil the mystery. The Holy Family began with this martyrdom of self in the face of God's mystery.

God intervened in a dream, which Joseph did not doubt as coming from heaven. God told Joseph that Mary was pregnant through the power of the Holy Spirit. He also gave Joseph his role as the "father" of the family: "Mary will give birth and you will call him Jesus. This child will deliver people from their sins" (Matthew 1: 21). A great responsibility was given to Joseph and, like Mary, he accepted the will of God.

Joseph was called to be the humble servant of God, Jesus and Mary. He would do all his duties in silence. He would serve, protect, provide and die before even seeing a miracle. His entire life became one of love, immolation, sacrifice, work and self-effacement. He would take Mary to Bethlehem, flee to Egypt, bring Jesus and Mary out of Egypt, look for Jesus in the Temple-and die in silence. This was his mission and he accomplished it because he trusted in God. Joseph has often been compared to the Joseph of the Old Testament, the son of Jacob. As Joseph of the Old Testament saved

Egypt

and its neighbors, may the Joseph of the New Testament save the Church and all those who come to him. "Go to Joseph. He has the riches of the king! The king has entrusted to him the distribution of his goods!"

Maronite Servants' Appeal

2011-12-02T08:00:00.004-05:00

Our visit with His Beatitude, Patriarch Beshara Rai, October 2011.

Sister Therese Maria and I are looking forward to moving into the convent, God willing, in the coming weeks. We are thrilled! And we can’t wait to share our home with all of you.

The Mother of the Light Convent will allow us to host retreats and spiritual gatherings for our beloved friends of Maronite parishes across the country. But we need help in getting there.

We recognize these are challenging times for many families including our own Maronite Servants community. We appreciate whatever support you’re able to contribute. Please know we are good stewards and we wouldn’t ask for help if it wasn’t badly needed. Unfortunately, our operating budget is already in the red due to unforeseen circumstances beyond our control.

During this time of giving, I humbly ask that you consider adding us to your Christmas list. Your tax deductible donation can be offered by mail (see Support Us link above) or via our online PayPal option on our website. Thank you.Opening our convent is costly but the gifts it will offer are priceless.

From our home to yours, Merry Christmas. God Bless you.
Sister Marla Marie and Sister Therese Maria
Please read our Winter News 2011.

Marriage or Friendship?

2011-11-25T08:00:00.002-05:00

by His Excellency, Bishop Gregory J. Mansour

No one should be against true friendship, whether friends are of the same sex or opposite sexes. Friendships are good, and they can be very deep and fulfilling. The ideal of friendship as a union of hearts and minds in which each one loves the other’s good as his or her own is beautifully exemplified in the friendship of David and Jonathan: “The soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul” (1 Samuel 18:1). Likewise, friendship was hardly absent from the life of our Lord. Jesus taught the value of ultimate sacrifice in terms of friendship (John 15:13); he wept over the death of his dear friend Lazarus (John 11:35); revealed his inner most self to his Apostles in order to transform them from servants into friends (John 15:15); brought Peter, James, and John closer to him than the others (Mt 17,1; Mk 9,2 Mark 5:35-43); and was closest of all to the ‘Beloved Disciple’, who reclined on his chest at the last supper (John 13:23).

Friendship, however, must not be confused with marriage.

Listern here to more of this reflection.

Radiating His Light at the Institute of Religious Life Meeting - Boston

2011-11-18T08:00:00.010-05:00

Consecrated men and women, and laity at IRL Boston.

(C) Fr. Thomas Nelson, O.Praem., is the National Director
of the Institute on Religious Life,
(L) Michael Wick, Excecutive Director

By Sr. Therese Maria Touma
On Saturday November 11^th we attended the Institute of Religious Life (IRL) Regional Meeting at the Basilica of Perpetual Help, Boston, M.A. This year’s meeting was titled, Sacred Liturgy and the Consecrated Life. The day of recollection included three spiritual talks, Divine Liturgy, adoration and benediction.

One of the talks titled The Holy Mysteries: the Eucharist as the Radiant Light for the Consecrated Life was presented by Sister Marla Marie. In her reflective presentation, Sister highlighted the beauty of our Maronite Church within the Easter Catholic Churches, sharing some of our Maronite spirituality, theology, icons and music utilizing power point slides for illustrations.

The second part of Sister Marla Marie’s presentation explained the Holy Mysteries by taking three rituals in the Divine Liturgy and relating them to the life of the consecrated persons. Sister discussed the ritual of the Lighting, the symbolism of Incensing, and the prayer of the Transfer of Offerings.
Sister Marla Marie referenced Church Documents such as Vita Consecrata (Consecrated Life) to help emphasize her point of how we can enter more deeply into the Mystery of the Eucharist, so that it can become who we are to others.

Some highlights that stood out for me were the beautiful prayers that were shared visually and vocally from the Divine Liturgy, while Syriac music played in the background. Another highlight was the symbolism of the incense used in the Liturgy. We as Religious are to be that pleasing aroma ascending to God as we offer up our daily prayer, worship and sacrifices. As consecrated men and women, we are called to lay down our life as a living incense.

In reference to the prayer of the Transfer of Offerings, Sister Marla Marie shared that we are model Mary’s receptivity in receiving The Word, Jesus in her heart and body. We are to receive Jesus into ourselves so that we can be fruitful in radiating his light to others.

The Institute on Religious Life (IRL) promotes and supports the growth, development, and renewal of the consecrated life—particularly vowed religious life—as a gift to the Church and an evangelical witness to the world. We include and engage bishops, clergy, religious, consecrated and lay faithful in a collaborative apostolate of prayer and service, guided by the magisterial teachings and rich heritage of the Church. More information at: www.religiouslife.com

Interview of Bishop Gregory on the Patriarch's Visit

2011-11-11T08:00:00.002-05:00

Interview of His Excellency Bishop Gregory J. Mansour on the recent visit to the US of His Beatitude, Patriarch Bechara Peter Rai.

‘Desiring His Light’ – Reflecting on My Retreat

2011-11-04T07:50:00.003-04:00

By Sister Therese Maria Touma, Maronite Servant Novice

I have just concluded my six day silent retreat. The theme of this year’s retreat was “Desiring His Light” and under the direction of Mother Marla Marie, I was given online conferences by the late Fr. John A. Hardon, S.J. on selected Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola. This was a blessed time for me to receive new graces: to thank the Lord for great things He has done in my life and will continue to do, to progress in self-knowledge, and just be still and know that the Lord is here with me, loving me, in His Word, in the Eucharist, in the Mystery of Penance and in the beautiful nature surrounding me (here in Dighton).

I enjoyed this precious time of retreat, and through spending more time with the Holy Scriptures, my desire to live Jesus’ light and beatitudes, and to love Him whole heartedly have intensified. In listening to the invaluable conferences I was enlightened in many ways. In particular, I came to appreciate more deeply how my religious vocation is not a gift just for myself and for my own holiness but for the salvation and sanctification of others. I am called by God to be a channel of grace, to reach out to others by using my gifts and talents to build up His Kingdom of love here and now. I am to be a witness of Christ’s love, mercy, healing and joy, and to put others in direct contact with His warmth and light. What an awesome privilege and responsibility!

As Maronite Servants of Christ the Light we take six to eight days for silent retreat each year, and monthly we have recollection days (we call them Hermit Days) where the sisters spend the day in solitude and prayerful reflection following an annual theme. Overall my days of retreat were well-balanced and structured with scheduled conferences, meditations on Scripture, reflective walks, Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, spiritual direction and sharing, daily Divine Liturgy and Divine Praises, fasting, video clips on the life of Christ, and creative art. I am grateful for all the time, love, and attention Mother Marla Marie put into preparing and facilitating this retreat for me. May I with the grace of God generously live out the fruits of this retreat.

Sundays of the Church & Season of the Birth of our Lord

2011-10-27T13:28:00.000-04:00

(Taken from Faith of the Mountain- Monsignor Dominic Ashkar)

Our Christian worship is based on the Person of Christ, His Incarnation, Death and Resurrection. The purpose of this worship is to involve the faithful in the Mysteries of Christ, helping them to reflect upon them, shaping their lives according to the same pattern and at the same time, sanctifying the element of TIME.
The Church spreads the Mystery of Christ throughout the year. That is what we call the Liturgical Year. The Liturgical Year becomes educational, helping the believer to live the Mystery of Christ gradually. That is why we see the whole thirty-three years of Christ's life condensed into one year.

The Liturgical year in the Maronite Churc begins on the First Sunday of November. These Sundays that prepare the Feast of Christmas are as follows:

Consecration of the Church
Dedication of the Church

Announcement Sundays:

Announcement to Zachariah
Announcement to Mary
Visitation of Mary to Elizabeth
Birth of John the Baptist
Revelation to Joseph
Genealogy

The six last Sundays prepare us for Christmas. These Sundays remind us of the Plan of Salvation. The two first Sundays are not directly part of the liturgical year but they were included at this particular place because it coincides with the Jewish Celebration, the Consecration of the Temple.

The first Sunday is called the Consecration Sunday and the second is called Dedication Sunday, but the historical meaning is one: the Commemoration of the Consecration of Churches and Altars. The Commemoration of the Consecration of the Church is celebrated on the First Sunday of November. And if there are 8 Sundays between the first Sunday of November and Christmas, both the Consecration and the Dedication will be celebrated. But if there are only seven Sundays, only the Consecration is celebrated and the Dedication is dropped.

The Dedication of the Church means the celebration of the Consecration of the house of God (material buildings), and the Church (the body of Christ).

2011-10-19T21:18:00.000-04:00

Bishop Mansour Welcomes Patriarch Rai

2011-10-17T13:09:00.001-04:00

Welcome Patriarch Bechara Rai

"The Maronite Catholic Church is led by an extraordinary man. Patriarch Bechara Peter Rai is a prayerful man, but does not hide behind prayer. He is a sincere man but is not shy in reaching out to others. He is “strong, loving and wise” as Saint Paul encourages his disciple Timothy to be. He is practical, intelligent, faithful and relies completely on God. He represents the best of what the Maronite Church, her prayer and way of life have to offer.

He is not a political man, nonetheless, he is unafraid of speaking the truth or to say what is not politically correct, as long as it is true and promotes “communion and love”. He has stood before the most powerful and has also been a friend to the lowly. He is as the Psalmist urges us to be: strong with the strong, meek with the humble, and astute with the crooked.

The Lebanon in which he lives is divided. It is not easy to describe these divisions as Christian/Muslim or Sunni/Shiite, the divisions seem more like political parties and/or personalities opposed to those who think differently. One might be able to describe it as “every man for himself”.

However, in the midst of this “winner takes all” mentality comes a father, a Patriarch, a man who prays and dreams of something greater.

I hope and pray that the Maronite Church throughout the world, as well as every citizen and friend of Lebanon will come to respect and love the wisdom of our Patriarch, and embrace his vision of a Maronite Church and a Lebanon in dialogue with others.
Please join me in welcoming His Beatitude, Bechara Peter Rai, Maronite Patriarch of Antioch and All the East."
+ Gregory J Mansour
Bishop of the Eparchy of Saint Maron of Brooklyn

See the Bishop's Blog for an Open Letter to President Obama which begins: "I am terribly disappointed with the rebuff of Patriarch Bechara Peter Rai who is the Catholic leader of the Maronites worldwide and one of the most respected Christian leaders in Lebanon and the Middle East. The motto of his coat of arms reflects his personality and is call for 'communion and love.'"

Formation of The Maronite Patriarchate

2011-10-14T08:00:00.001-04:00

Here is a brief historical note on the patriarchate as we welcome our Maronite Patriarch, His Beatitude Bechara Peter Rai who began his inaugural US visit on Oct. 4 and will conclude on Oct. 23. The Maronite Patriarch is the head of the largest Catholic patriarchal church.

Formation of The Maronite Patriarchate
This series from the “Faith of the Mountain” deals with the Maronite Patriarchate which means Glory-Asceticism-Testimony. It reveals and shows a way of life and recalls a glorious struggle and an uninterrupted testimony for Catholicity and human right values in the midst of the Middle Eastern religious plurality.
Maronity is Martyrdom
In fact the Maronite Patriarchate was a necessity during the darkness of a vacancy; it was in that time a martyrdom to replace the murdered Antiochene patriarch. While the others had run away, the Maronites were steadily ready to offer themselves.
The Patriarch is consecrated a Head, a Father, a Guide, and a Civilian Ruler; he is a Symbol of Unity, a “father and an example of our faith" in a biblical sense. If we recognize him as our Head, we will be faithful to our Ancestors’ will, we confess and foster our Unity, and we rescue our Church, as a distinguishing minority, from fusion in the melting-pot of this huge world.
The Apostolicity of The Antiochene See
The Incarnate Word of God arose within the context of the Roman political structure. By order of their Master, the Apostles pushed themselves forward to the cities where the civilized world of the Roman Empire was centered and it was quite natural that Antioch, “the Queen City of the East", should be the first center for Apostolic activities. This is proved by the fact that it was in Antioch that the followers of Jesus Christ were for the first time mockingly called “Christians” (Acts XI, 26).
According to Church Tradition, the See of Antioch was founded by Peter the Apostle who was joined by Paul and Barnabas. There, in Antioch, one of the first conflicts within the Church developed between Peter and Paul concerning the necessity of circumcision for Gentile converts to Christianity. Other conflicts followed during the early centuries; this is indicative of the dynamic nature of that Christian Community. As a result, the Patriarchate of Antioch has the right to claim greater antiquity and fuller apostolicity than all the other ancient Christian Churches.

(Taken from the catechetical series: Faith of the Mountain)

Maronite Teens from North Carolina attend World Youth Day 2011

2011-10-07T08:00:00.000-04:00

By Cecilia Romero

Seven teens from the North Carolina Maronite Church of St Michael the Archangel had the wonderful opportunity to attend World Youth Day which was held August 15 to August 22, 2011 in Madrid, Spain. The teens were led by Mrs. Marie Van Heusen. Also with the group was Seminarian Ian Van Heusen who gave several spritual talks and Cecilia Romero who served as a translator. Father Samuel Najjar, pastor of St Michael the Archangel along with many parishioners and friends, spiritually and financially aided the group to participate in this pilgrimage.

World Youth Day is an even held every two years in which teens and young adults from all over the world come together to witness their Catholic faith. Many Maronites from Lebanon and Australia were also present in Madrid. Reports from the media estimated that three million people traveled to WYD Madrid. There were many events which culminated at the Sunday Mass at Cuatro Vientos airfield led by the Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI. More reports about World Youth Day will be featured in future blogs.

Maronite Patriarch's Visit to the US

2011-10-03T15:31:00.002-04:00

NOTE: If you would like to attend any of the banquets, contact the host parish to purchase tickets. St. Anthony of the Desert in Fall River is hosting a banquet on October 18th after the 6:00PM Liturgy, tickets are $100. Reserve now by calling 508/672-7653.
Brooklyn, NY—September 27. Maronite Patriarch, His Beatitude Bechara Peter Rai-- the head of the largest Catholic patriarchal church--will be making his inaugural visit to the United States from Lebanon October 4 to 23, 2011.
The Patriarch arrives in St. Louis, Missouri on Tuesday, October 4. He will then undertake a vigorous pastoral schedule which will take him to Peoria, IL-- October 9; Chicago, IL-- October 10; Cleveland, OH --October 11, Houston, TX--October 13; and Los Angeles, CA--October 13-16.
The last week of his trip brings him on Monday October 17 to Uniontown, PA, October 18 to Fall River, MA, October 18 to Petersham, MA, and October 19 through 23 to NewYork. He is scheduled to meet with Ecumenical leaders Thursday, October 20 at the national headquarters of C.N.E.W.A. and with United Nations Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon, in New York on Friday October 21.
In announcing the itinerary for the Patriarch’s visit, Bishop Robert Shaheen and Bishop Gregory Mansour, said that the Patriarch, as father and head of the Maronite Catholic Church, was coming with the purpose of “visiting his flock.”
The Maronite Church is the largest of the six Eastern Catholic patriarchal churches, with an estimated 3.3 million faithful around the world and in full communion with the Holy See in Rome. There are 45 bishops throughout the world, two eparchies (Dioceses) here in the United States. His Beatitude’s full title as Patriarch of Antioch and All the East reflects the responsibility he has for the Maronite Church in Lebanon and the Middle East, and from this perspective he serves as a principal of unity for Catholics of the Middle East.
“While the Patriarch is coming to visit his flock here in the United States, as the full schedule of his visits attests, nevertheless, we must not forget that he is also concerned with the broader issue of the future of Christians in the Middle East, as well as the wellbeing of the Lebanese state which was deliberately created to be a home reflecting the conviviality between Christians and Muslims,” Bishop Gregory has said.
While in New York, the Patriarch will hold press conferences—on October 20, at the offices of the Catholic Near East Welfare Association (CNEWA); and on October 21, at the United Nations sponsored by the Permanent Observer Mission of the Holy See.
For press information and interviews please contact:
Monsignor George Sebaali at (804)-270-7234, or 804 -240-9820 (Cell) and email gmsebaali@aol.com or log onto www.stmaron.org or www.usamaronite.org.

Maronite Chapel of Our Lady of Lebanon Dedication - D.C.

2011-09-28T19:31:00.000-04:00

Washington, DC, September 26, 2011 – The new Maronite Chapel of Our Lady of Lebanon at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception was dedicated on Friday, September 23, 2011. The Most Reverend Gregory J. Mansour, Bishop of the Eparchy of Saint Maron of Brooklyn, presided over the ceremonies. Joining Bishop Mansour were Cardinal Donald W. Wuerl, Archbishop of Washington and Chairman of the Basilica’s Board of Trustees who was the homilist; Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio of the Archdiocese for the Military Services; Maronite Bishop Robert J. Shaheen, Bishop of the Eparchy of Our Lady of Lebanon; Bishop Stephen Hector Doueihi, Bishop Emeritus of the Eparchy of Saint Maron of Brooklyn; Monsignor Walter R. Rossi, Rector of the Basilica; several priests and seminarians associated with the Shrine; and more than one hundred Maronite Catholics and other Catholic faithful who attended the momentous occasion.

“This is a beautiful day for the Maronites and for the National Shrine,” commented Bishop Mansour. “The Church breathing with both lungs.”

Monsignor Rossi added, “With the dedication of the Chapel of Our Lady of Lebanon, one of the most ancient Eastern Churches is now represented at the patronal Church of the

United States

. The Chapel visibly expresses the beauty of another distinct community in the Roman Catholic Church, the Maronite Church. Deep gratitude is extended to Bishop Gregory Mansour and the entire Maronite Community for their support of this project and most importantly for their devotion to Our Lady.”

The Chapel of Our Lady of Lebanon features a unique design, depicting a small Lebanese stone church. The Chapel was designed by the St. Jude Liturgical Arts Studio of Havertown, Pennsylvania.

The nation’s only Maronite Seminary, Our Lady of Lebanon Maronite Seminary, which is located close to Catholic University of America in northwest Washington, D.C., celebrated its 50^th Anniversary that evening, along with the 50^th anniversary of the ordination to the priesthood of Seminary’s Rector, Chorbishop Seely Beggiani.

Bishop Mansour and the Maronite Church in America now await the arrival of the Patriarch of the Maronite Church, His Beatitude Bechara Peter Rai, on his first pastoral visit to

America

beginning on October 2. Patriarch Rai is scheduled to visit the United Nations and multiple cities during his three-week trip to the United States and be featured at gala events across the country. More details can be found at www.stmaron.org.

Images of Light in Our Maronite Tradition

2011-09-23T08:00:00.000-04:00

Taken from "Captivated by Your Teachings", by Father Anthony J. Salim

Images of Light

In the midst of doubt, darkness --whether physical, or spiritual, intellectual or emotional--can be dispelled by light. Our Maronite ancestors knew this truth, and they were fond of expressing much about the spiritual life in terms of light, which pervades the whole Tradition. As you pray the liturgical services, the image of light appears again and again. God is light; the Kingdom is one of light; faith is light in our souls. This image is prominent in the thought of the East. Nowhere is this seen better in the Maronite Tradition than in the Noohro, or .Hymn of Light,. in Morning Prayer of the Divine Office

(Safro). It says, in part:

The light of the just and the joy of the upright is

Christ Jesus our Lord.

Begotten from the Father, he manifested himself to us.

He came to rescue us from darkness and to fill us with

the radiance of his light..

Day is dawning upon us; the power of darkness is fading

away.

From the true light there arises for us the light which

illumines our darkened eyes..

He brings salvation and grants us life.

He ascends to his Father on high.

He will return in glorious splendor and shed his light

on those gazing upon him.

This emphasis on light is not mere poetry. Light is a strong and vibrant image of the reality of God’s Presence among and power in us. Most of all, its very characteristic –brightness - is cause for our hope, on many levels of our life, here and hereafter. The Maronite Divine Service begins with the Lighting of the Church. As the lights of the church are turned on, and the candles in the sanctuary are lighted, the Congregation sings:

Alleluia!

In your light we see light,

Jesus, Lord of light.

You are true light

who enlightens all creation.

With your light enlighten us,

gladden us with your bright dawn.

Pure and holy One,

you dwell in heaven.s bright light.

Keep destructive hate and hardship

far away from us.

Help us live in righteousness;

help us purify our hearts..

Read our Fall Newsletter (above tab).

2011-09-16T19:26:00.002-04:00

Saint Shayna (or Abramius) & Saint Sassine- September 15

2011-09-15T20:11:00.000-04:00

(Translation from the Maronite Martyrology)

Saint Abramius, also called Shayna (which means protection), was from Antioch, chief of a band of thieves. One day he wanted to rob a convent of nuns. He and his fellows dressed up as monks and entered the convent to rob it. The nuns received them in and one nun started washing his feet following the customs of the time and the place in receiving guests. One of the nuns was sick and paralyzed. She anointed herself with the dirty wash water and was healed. When Abramius saw this miracle along with the righteousness and holiness that reigned in this convent, he was so moved and immediately touched by grace that he decided to repent and give up his sinful way of life. At once he revealed his identity to the nuns and told them about his purpose for entering their convent. And to prove that, he showed them his hidden sword then put it in their hands to indicate granting them protection; therefore he was nicknamed Shayna meaning protection. He and his fellows became monks and ended their lives in works of repentance and asceticism. Shayna became their prior in the monastery. Through his guidance he converted a great number of pagans, then died in peace.

Saint Sassine was the bishop of the city of Cozikis. The governor of Cozikis arrested him. He bravely admitted his Christian faith. The governor got angry and ordered him to offer up to idols. He refused and began demonstrating that pagan worship and its superstitions are vain and that the Christian religion is the true religion. The governor raged and ordered him to be tortured. They tied him to untamed horses until his body got smashed. Then they whipped him hard but he held fast in his faith. They threw him in prison shackled with iron cuffs. When King Constantine the great rose to power, he defended the Church and liberated her from persecution; he released the holy bishop and restituted the bishopric seat to him. When the Arius heresy appeared, and the first Nicene Council convened in the year 325, Sassine began debating the followers of Arius and confuting them with his sound demonstrations. Then he returned to his seat spreading the teachings of the Nicene Council.

Galius was an enemy to Constantine and the Christians. He arrested bishop Sassine and inflicted upon him the worst tortures. He was beheaded and dies around the year 328.

Mahrajan - New Bedford

2011-09-15T20:02:00.001-04:00

On Saturday September 10^th, the Maronite Servants attended the Our Lady of Purgatory Mahrajan at Holy Ghost Park, South Dartmouth. Pictured here are the parish children entertaining the crowd with traditional Lebanese dancing.

Convent Blessing –Dartmouth

2011-09-09T08:00:00.005-04:00

By Sister Therese Maria Touma
On Saturday August 27^th, the Maronite Servants happily welcomed His Excellency, Bishop Gregory Mansour to their convent in Dartmouth. In between his pastoral visit to the parish of Our Lady of Purgatory, New Bedford, Sayedna came to bless our home and growing community. We were deeply touched by his spontaneous and simple gestures and blessing, as he dedicated everything in our home, including our mission and the two present members to God, and to the building of His Kingdom of love and peace. After the blessing, we offered Sayedna and Abouna Jack Morrison (pastor of Our Lady of Purgatory) hospitality and refreshments in the main vestibule of the house.

We thank God for Sayedna Gregory, and we as a Maronite Church are truly blessed to have him as our shepherd, loving father and spiritual guide. We appreciate his dedication and ongoing support as we continue to establish our mission as Maronite Servants of Christ the Light. Our prayers are with you Sayedna wherever you go!

Note to our readers: We are not yet living in Mother of the Light Convent due to delays in renovations, but anticipate to "officially" move in within a month's time.

Cape Ann - Liturgy

2011-09-07T13:23:00.000-04:00

We attended Divine Liturgy celebrated by Chorbishop Joseph Kaddo (representing His Excellency, Bishop Gregory Mansour) at St. Ann’s Church Gloucester, M.A. This Liturgy was offered for the deceased and living members of the Cape Ann Lebanese Community, September 6, 2011.

Richard’s Blessed Road to Recovery

2011-08-31T20:15:00.001-04:00

By Sister Therese Maria Touma

On our recent visit to the Shrine of Our Lady of Lebanon in Ohio, I interviewed Richard Loutfi (25), from Brooklyn N.Y. about his terrible attack in Queens, N.Y. which had left him with brain damage and other physical limitations. On the upside, we also discussed at length his journey of recovery and the good that has come from this tragic event, a deeper conversion to the faith and a greater appreciation for the gift of life and especially the simple things in life!

I asked Richard three main questions: What happened to you on the night of your attack? How did it affect your life? How has it changed you as a person? Here I share a summary of our conversation:

On August 15, 2009 Richard was viciously attacked and robbed by a group of men in Queens, N.Y. on the evening of the Feast of the Assumption. He was left unconscious and wounded in the street. When he woke up hours later, he heard a woman’s voice tell him to “go and look to your left to get help.” Richard sensed that it was the Mother of God. Once Richard managed to get up, he went to get help and came across two men, who saw him bleeding from his nostrils and ears. So the men called the ambulance, and Richard was immediately rushed to Jamaica Hospital Medical Centre.

At the hospital four trauma responders worked rapidly to control the pressure and bleeding from his brain, so that they could then transfer him to undergo brain surgery. After the extensive brain procedure, Richard was bed ridden for a month. His body was weak, his speech had been severely impaired, he had no strength to walk and function as he would normally do. He had to go to rehabilitation to re-learn how to walk and talk, and he continues with rehab to this day.

Furthermore, as a result of the attack, Richard suffered post traumatic stress and paranoia. He lost trust in all his friends. He became quite angry towards the world, the police, and even his closest friends. He lost contact with all of his old friends and broke of his relationship with his girlfriend. He was quite shattered emotionally and physically from the hurtful incident.

However, today Richard happily stated that he is now at peace with God and the world, as he has made many new friends who are sincere and supportive. Most importantly, he attributes his healing and recovery to the grace of God and the Mother of God. This event has completely changed Richard for the better as he has become happier as a person, as he has put his full trust in God, through the power of prayer.

Two years later, Richard is now speaking at a 90% capacity and walking with the help of a cane for balance. Spiritually, Richard has grown closer to God and his love and devotion towards the Mother of God has grown tremendously. He is now spending more time in prayer, and loves to pray the rosary each day.

In conclusion, Richard shared some beautiful thoughts, he said, “I don’t take things in life for granted, especially the beautiful gift of life. I smile now when bad things happen, I smile when I see the sun, I stop to smell the flowers and take in the beauty around me. I thank God constantly for his creation and the gift of his peace. I am happy I can see, walk and feel…I am alive and at peace with God.”

Meeting with Bishop Coleman - Fall River

2011-08-26T09:00:00.007-04:00

The Maronite Servants met with Most Reverend George W.Coleman, bishop of the Fall River Diocese. The Sisters introduced themselves to His Excellency and shared about their mission and convent in Dartmouth, Massachusetts. This was a courtesy visit to meet the local ordinary of the Latin diocese in which Dartmouth is located. Bishop Coleman gave the Maronite Servants a beautiful blessing on their mission.

Feast of the Assumption -- Ohio

2011-08-26T08:00:00.002-04:00

Last weekend August 13-15^th the Maronite Servants drove to North Jackson, Ohio to attend the 46^th Annual Assumption Pilgrimage at the National Shrine of Our Lady of Lebanon. It was a blessed weekend filled with many graces, as we joined our Maronite family in joy to celebrate the feast. Some of the highlights included Maronite, Latin and Byzantine Liturgies, Spiritual conferences, candlelight processions, Maronite Vespers (Ramsho), Confessions, and the Paraclesis to the Blessed Virgin.

May the powerful prayers of our Blessed Mother continue to guide and strengthen our Maronite Servant mission, and we especially pray for an increase in religious vocations to our community.

Marina the Monk

2011-08-18T21:06:00.000-04:00

By Guita G. Hourani

This is Part I of a three-part article on Saint Marina the Monk. Part I narrates her hagiography in the Maronite tradition, gives an overview of the most important references pertaining to her story, relates legends about her relics and describes her Office and Ode. Part II deals with her churches, sanctuaries, cults, and iconography in Lebanon and Cyprus. Part III uncovers the author’s newly discovered Ode in honor of the Saint written in Arabic with Syriac scripts (Garshuni).

I. INTRODUCTION

There are six well known saints with the name of Marina or Marinos – Marina the Monk (or Marina the Syrian), Marina the Martyr of Antioch, Marina of Spain, Marina of Alexandria, Marina of Sicily and Marina the Cistercian (Clugnet 1904: 564- 568). However, there are most likely two who have truly existed -- Marina of Antioch who accepted martyrdom for her faith and Marina the Monk who suffered the consequences of her imposture as a male monk in the Monastery of Qannoubine, Lebanon (Clugnet 1904: 568).
Léon Clugnet states that the confusion pertaining to all of the other saints named Marina is due to the translators and the copyists’ attribution of the saint’s origins to their own countries or other countries that they felt better fit the Saint’s life. This is why we find that the Greek version of Saint Marina’s life places her birth in Bethany; the Coptic version in Egypt and some of the Latin places it in Italy (Clugnet 1904: 265 footnote # 2).
According to the most ancient accounts on Saint Marina the Monk, only one place of origin could be hers -- Lebanon. Clugnet resolves that until new discoveries are made, the only origin of Saint Marina must be the one known to us according to tradition and since the only tradition about this Saint is found among the Maronites of Lebanon, then Lebanon is to be considered the land of her birth (Clugnet 1904: 565). The Maronites resolutely believe that Marina originated in Lebanon and that as a monk she has lived and died in the Monastery of Qannoubine in the Holy Valley of Qadisha. J. Fiey in turn concludes that Marina in question is truly a local saint of Lebanon, victim of imposture (Fiey 1978: 33).
Marina was disguised as a man in order to join her father in the monastery. She was later accused of fathering a child. She did not defend herself from the crime she was accused of, but with humility accepted the severe punishment that was pronounced against her by the Abbot: to leave the monastery and to raise the child. She spent the rest of her life living ascetically and looking after the child. Her identity as a woman was only revealed after her death.

Monastic life in the fifth century was much more a cenobitic life, which is a communal ascetic life, than anchoretic, which is a solitary ascetic one. The Cenobetic monasteries had small but separate cells where the monks lived, this made it possible for Marina to conceal her identity. With her male name, short hair and clothes, but mostly with her ascetic living, which changed her body’s biology, hence made her lose much of her womanhood appearance and physical nature, Marina was able to go on living at the monastery with a disguising identity until her death.

As to the century in which this Saint has lived, Clugnet agrees with F. Nau that it must be the fifth century since there were great details in her legend presented in the Syriac Manuscript Nº 30 dated 778 AD, folios 70r-76v of the Monastery of Saint Catherine in Sinai (Clugnet 1904: 565, 593).
(To read the rest of the article click here.)

Marriage or Friendship?

2011-08-12T08:48:00.000-04:00

By + Bishop Gregory J. Mansour and Dr. Robert P. George

Friendship, however, must not be confused with marriage. While friendships are unions of hearts and minds, marriage by its nature unites hearts, minds, and bodies. While friendships come in different degrees and kinds of commitment, marriage calls for a permanent and exclusive commitment as well as sexual complementarity. While friendships can be shaped by a variety of pursuits, marriage is naturally fulfilled by, and provides the best possible context for the conception, care, and upbringing of children.

This is by no means to deny that spouses should be friends. But marriage is more than an especially deep friendship. Marriage, unlike ordinary friendship, is a comprehensive union oriented to procreation. Its unique commitment is sealed, embodied, and renewed by conjugal acts—acts of the sort that are in themselves apt for procreation, though, of course, procreation does not always result from them. Where children do come, the loving marital bond of husband and wife offers them the distinctive parental contributions, including the gender role modeling, of both a mother and a father, putting the child’s needs first. The possibility of truly conjugal acts, and thus the possibility of marriage itself, depends on the reproductive complementarity of the sexes.

Marriage, as the Church so beautifully teaches us, has both procreative and unitive significance, and these two dimensions of the overall marital good are connected in a profound way. Marriage obviously serves the noble end of handing on the gift of life. At the same time, marriage, including its sexual dimension, is an end in itself; it fulfills spouses even when they cannot conceive a child. Just as it is wrong to think of marriage in its sexual dimension as a mere recreational activity that can be detached from its procreative meaning, it is an error to suppose that marital relations are valuable only as a means to conceiving and rearing children. Conjugal acts in their openness to new life are honorable and meaningful in themselves because they truly unite husband and wife as “one flesh”—as Jesus, recalling Genesis, teaches us (Genesis 2:24; Mark 10:8; Matthew 19:5). When the gift of a child comes of the spouses’ “one flesh” union, it is certainly a cause for great joy. Even where a child is not conceived, however, this union expresses and embodies the marriage as something valuable for its own sake.

The debate about same-sex “marriage” often refers to a “right to marriage” and an opposition to this “right.” The absence of sexual complementarity makes the marriage of two people of the same sex impossible: they cannot realize the procreative sort of union—including the bodily union—distinctive of marriage. Something that is impossible cannot be “denied” to anyone; nor can anyone have a “right” to it. Moreover, no one has a right to have the law or the institutions of the state call something other than what it is. Truth itself demands that we recognize as marriages only those unions that truly are marriages. Two persons of the same sex can have a deep friendship; they can support and care for each other very much, but that relationship (whether chaste, as it should be, or unchaste) must be called and treated as what, in truth, it is: a deep friendship, not a marriage.

If two friends, two relatives or any two persons want to have the state recognize their relationship of mutual care and support for purposes of benefits, medical visits or inheritance, the state may grant that request by legal contract as long as it does not obscure the truth and purpose of marriage. In other words, as long as the state does not treat non-marital partners as if they were married – for example, by making the existence (or presumption) of a sexual relationship a condition of receiving benefits – it can legitimately honor contracts that facilitate people’s capacities to care for and support each other.

However, marriage is different and has something truly and profoundly valuable to offer society. It is the foundation of the family: the original and best “department of health, education, and welfare.” Nothing is better than the healthy, marriage-based family as the place in which children are loved, cared for, and taught to be productive, creative, upright, and responsible. By recognizing true marriage and supporting it, both law and culture help to ensure that as many children as possible know and are known by, and love and are loved by, the mother and father through whose marital embrace, by the grace of God, they were brought into being, and in whose permanent marital love their greatest security is to be found.

Certainly, unfortunate things happen, and this is also true of problems in marriage. No one can guarantee that every child will have the great benefit of being nurtured and educated by his or her biological parents in their loving matrimonial bond. That is why, thank God, we have possibilities to help those children for whom what is ideal is not possible. Adoption and foster-parenting are great gifts. They are to be supported and encouraged. May God bless every adoptive and foster parent who provides parental love and support to a child who is in need. They are heroes.

Still, it is our obligation, each one of us, to do all that we can to make the ideal situation available for as many children as possible. And that is why not only our state and national governments, but each of us individually, is under a solemn obligation to support the institution of marriage—true marriage—and to stand against any effort to redefine or undermine it. As individuals, we can support marriage through our daily actions by being faithful spouses or upright single people, and by supporting the marriages of our family members and friends. The Manhattan Declaration states:

“To strengthen families, we must stop glamorizing promiscuity and infidelity and restore among our people a sense of the profound beauty, mystery, and holiness of faithful marital love. We must work to change ill-advised policies that contribute to the weakening of the institution of marriage, including the discredited idea of unilateral divorce. We must work in the legal, cultural, and religious domains to instill in young people a sound understanding of what marriage is, what it requires, and why it is worth the commitment and sacrifices that faithful spouses make.”

We need not, and we must not, redefine marriage and reduce it to a form of sexualized romantic friendship. Yet we need not prevent same-sex friends—whether they are chaste, as true love between them demands, or involved with each other in a sexual way—from caring for each other, arranging their finances together, and/or seeing to their practical needs. However, marriage must always have special recognition, rights, and responsibilities that are distinct from friendships of any type. Otherwise, the blurring of friendship and true marriage will lead to an erosion of marital norms in the public mind and, soon enough, a weakening of these norms in practice. Marriage must be recognized by the formal institutions of law as a special form of human communion that unites one man to one woman faithfully in a profoundly personally meaningful and socially indispensable bond.

Let us then say Yes to marriage; and let us say Yes to friendship; and let us say No to confusing friendship with marriage.

+ Bishop Gregory J. Mansour and Dr. Robert P. George

Qorbono at the Convent in Dartmouth

2011-08-05T08:00:00.047-04:00

Abouna Jack Morrison celebrates the Qorbono at Mother of the Light convent.

Refreshments on the front porch followed the Divine Liturgy.

My 2011 summer experiences with the MaroniteServants of Christ the Light

By Evette Franjieh

As my freshman year at Umass Dartmouth came to a close, I found myself helping Sister Marla Marie at the Maronite Servants of Christ the Light’s new convent in N. Dartmouth. I am so blessed to have the Sisters about ten minutes away from my University, so that during the year I can always look to them in mytime of need or stress and share Divine Liturgy in their new home.

I volunteered to help clean the convent and spend some quality time with Sister Marla Marie and Sister Therese Maria. I write this only a few days after I have visited with the sisters. My first encounter with them in July was a quick visit to the beach for a picnic supper and walk. Sister Marla Marie prepared a quaint picnic for us and Sister Therese Maria shared God’s messages to me during our walk on the beach. It was very enlightening to have the endless water, the serenity of the small beach, and the presence of the Sisters with me.

Because I was attending a summer course in Chemistry, I was not able to attend Sunday Liturgy. My mother so happened to mention this to the Sisters at Sunday Liturgy, at St. Theresa’s parish in Brockton. Therefore,on Friday, July 29th, I attended the Divine Liturgy at the new convent. It was the first time that the Divine Liturgy was held in the new chapel. After the refreshments, Sister Therese Maria and I dusted and cleaned the sacristy. I enjoyed cleaning and conversing with Sister Therese Maria because it grounded me and offered an air of humility. Their new home has developed quite nicely since my last visit in May, although, there is a lot of work and time to be had. I know that in time, next year I will seek their guidance and prayer more often and that they will always be there for me.

Blessed Hospitality - Dominican Sisters of Charity of the Presentation

2011-07-29T08:00:00.001-04:00

Some of the Sisters at the Dighton house.

Shrine to Our Lady in the convent chapel.

Offering God praise and worship.

By Sister Therese Maria Touma

We are currently living in a convent in Dighton with the Dominican Sisters of the Presentation as a temporary arrangement while we await the completion of the renovations our convent in Dartmouth. Due to the delays and the extensive renovations, we were not able to move in as was scheduled in June. However, on the upside a good amount of electrical and painting progress have been made recently.
Moreover, the Dominican Sisters we are staying with have so beautifully and graciously open their doors and hearts to us. They are an international community of religious sisters founded by a French women Blessed Marie Poussepin in the 17^th century. Now, they are more than 3000 sisters present in 34 countries including Lebanon, Europe, Asia, Africa and the Americas.

Today, the original inspiration of the foundress to serve in the parish, educate the youth and care for the sick and poor is kept alive in their various missionary works. “Our mission is to proclaim the Gospel.” The Sisters are called to evangelize by their life in the schools, hospitals, different education centers, pastoral works and missionary insertions into rural areas.

The Dominican Sisters have been in the U.S. for over 100 years. They are currently involved in healthcare staffing Saint Anne’s Hospital in Fall River and education teaching catechism in the parishes and to the poor in rural areas.

We thank God for the Sisters’ warm hospitality and generosity in housing us and making us feel right at home with their community. We thank them especially for their goodness in reaching out to us in our needs as we transition into our new home. Please keep the intentions of their community in your prayers.

Read more about the Dominican Sisters of the Presentation - USA.

Father Suarez - "the beauty of the Maronite Liturgy"

2011-07-22T08:08:00.003-04:00

By Father Carlos Suarez
I was first introduced to the Maronite liturgy during a visit to Most Holy Trinity Monastery in 2000. At the time I was an undergraduate student at Boston University and one of the religious brothers who staffed the Catholic Center brought a group of us to the monastery. That first visit was a profound experience for me, and I’ve continued to be drawn to visit the monastery over the years. There are three things which draw me, the setting, the community of monks, and the liturgy.

For those who aren’t familiar with Most Holy Trinity Monastery, it’s located in a rural part of central Massachusetts, surrounded by woods, and close to the Quabbin Reservoir. The serenity of the land itself is very conducive towards contemplation. There’s also something about the geography which makes it impossible to get cell phone reception near the monastery, and this extra blessing of being technologically disconnected from the outside world, further makes it easy to enter into prayer.

The community of monks that live at Most Holy Trinity Monastery are a great example of the simplicity and joy which are marks of a fruitful Christian life. They’re a constant reminder of how little is necessary for daily living, and of the rich spiritual rewards that come from such material detachment. Although they generally maintain silence, they’re still able to convey a great amount through simple gestures. The general atmosphere of silence also makes the occasional conversations with the monks all the more enjoyable. Spending time living in silence one comes to realize both how much of our daily conversation is superficial, and also how much God has to say to us when we give Him the space to speak.

The third thing which draws me back to Petersham, as opposed to other monasteries or retreat centers, is the beauty of the Maronite liturgy. As a Latin rite Catholic, I have a great appreciation for the liturgy I have grown with and been formed by. However, the Maronite liturgy also strikes a particular chord in my heart. The structure of each liturgical prayer really helps the participant to enter into the mysteries which are being celebrated. Certain parts of the liturgy such as the Qadeeshat in particular are very powerful because I find that the simple repetitive formula, the gestures and postures all help me enter into prayer. I find that the structure of the prayers also makes it easier to enter deeper into them and ponder the meaning of their words.

Of course the Maronite liturgy has the added blessing that when it’s said in Syriac, the words are as close as possible to the words our Lord spoke. This thought had often struck me during the many retreats I’ve made at the monastery, but I felt the full impact when I had the privilege of concelebrating the Divine Liturgy just a few weeks ago. As a priest I’ve said the words of consecration many times in English, and their power is immense, but to say them in Syriac, to come so close to the original words of our Lord, was a great blessing!

My experiences with the Maronite liturgy have helped me understand just how rich and diverse our Catholic Church is. I’ve come to appreciate how important it is to cultivate a knowledge and appreciation of both the Latin rite and the Eastern rites. To live as a Latin rite Catholic without appreciation of the Eastern rites, or to live as an Eastern rite Catholic without appreciation for the Latin rite, is truly to live with an imperfect understanding of the beauty of the universal Church. May each of us continue to come to a richer understanding of the Church and to love her with our whole heart.

(Father Suarez serves at St. Edith Stein parish in Brockton, MA. Father was ordained in May 2011 for the Archdiocese of Boston. Read more about Father Suarez on Cardinal Sean's Blog)

A Few Highlights of the 48th NAM Convention - Philadelphia

2011-07-13T17:08:00.000-04:00

By Sr. Therese Maria Touma

“One of the highlights for me during the week of the Convention was listening to Joumana Moudawar sing live at the concert on Thursday evening. In the lead up to NAM, I was thrilled to hear that Joumana had been invited from Lebanon to perform a selection of hymns, both in Arabic and English. It sure was more than just a performance and a show of her talent; it was prayer, joyful praise to our God and a delight to my heart to hear such beauty! Thank God for her awesome gift of music and generosity in the sharing of her talent.”

“I also enjoyed the informative and engaging conferences I attended throughout the convention. They included the following: ‘Discovering Our Faith of the Mountain’ presented by Fr. George El-Khalli and Deacon Lou Peter, ‘Theology on Tap’ with the Young Adults facilitated by Bishop Gregory Mansour, ‘Maronite Liturgical Music’ given by Fr. Geoffrey Abdallah, ‘Saints of Lebanon & Our Pursuit of Another Canonization: The Massabki Brothers’ given by Archbishop Samir Nassar & Mr. Louis Ragy.”

A Sight to Bee-hold !

2011-07-08T08:00:00.005-04:00

By Sister Marla Marie
On our property in Dartmouth we have a small cottage in the back which has been neglected and is in need of desperate repair. I am guessing that it originally was a home for the estate’s servants. I had named it “St. Ann’s Hive”. In the cottage is a dusty old statue of Saint Ann, and also in there were 100,000 plus honey bees. I say "were" because last week the bees relocated with the help of Jeff Cook, a bee-keeper, and have been given a more appropriate home.

These honey bees have lived in the cottage for years, and have at times stung gardeners mowing too close. I would only venture within ten feet of the place since there were always hundreds of busy bees hovering around it.

Jeff enjoys the sweet hobby of bee-keeping and has stacks of hives in his backyard in nearby Dighton. It was an incredible site to bee-hold according to Jeff as he described opening up the inside walls of the house to expose the hive. He said that it was five feet long and several feet wide (see photos). Using a special vacuum he suctioned the bees into an enclosed box to transport them to his property.

We are grateful that these honey-bees have a new home, especially since this type of bee plays a key role in pollination. A bonus to the adventure are several jars of honey which we hope to serve to our guests.

Thanks to Jeff, I can now call the place “St. Ann’s Future Guest Cottage”.

The Eucharist (The Divine Liturgy)

2011-07-02T08:00:00.012-04:00

A Comparison of the Maronite and Latin Divine Liturgy
Maronite Heritage Centre- By Fr. Anthony J. Salim
(The Maronite is listed first with the Latin in italics)
The Preparation of the Offerings takes place before the Service begins.
Preparation of the Offerings occurs after the homily.

All the West Syriac liturgies have a proper “Prayer of Forgiveness” called the Hoosoyo, which expresses the theme of the day and Service, and moves the worshiper to an attitude of repentance and openness to hear the Word of God.
No parallel to Hoosoyo.

Incense is prescribed at the Hoosoyo; for the Gospel, and for the Offerings before the Eucharistic Prayer. Incense is used on Sundays and Holy Days.

Lectionary, outlining Liturgical Year, is proper to the Maronite Tradition.
Lectionary, outlining Liturgical Year, is proper to the Latin Tradition

Two Readings from the New Testament.
Three Readings on Sundays: Old Testament, New Testament (non-Gospel) and Gospel

The Creed is always recited.
The Creed is recited on Sundays and Holy Days

The Gesture of Christ’s Peace is given BEFORE the Eucharistic Prayer begins.
Gesture of Peace is given right before Communion.

The Gesture of Peace involves folded hands.
The Gesture of Peace is generally a handshake

The Congregation remains standing from after the giving of peace until the Intercessions.
People kneel from the “Holy, Holy” until time for Communion.

The Eucharistic Prayer proclaims the Trinity in this order: Father (Preface), to the Son (Last Supper Narrative); and to the Spirit (Epiklesis).
The Eucharistic Prayer proclaims this order: Father (Preface); Spirit (Epiklesis), and Son (Last Supper Narrative).

The Epiklesis, or “Calling upon the Holy Spirit”, is more prominent in the Maronite Service in completing the sanctification of the Offerings.
The Epiklesis, of course, is present, but much more brief.

Holy Communion is given under both Species: Host dipped into the Precious Blood and received on the tongue (“intinction”).
Holy Communion can be given under both Species: Host in the hand or on the tongue and drinking from the Chalice.

Corpus Christi Procession

2011-06-30T11:10:00.000-04:00

By Sister Therese Maria Touma
On Sunday 26th June, for the Feast of Corpus Christi, the Maronite Servants of Christ the Light joined in the Eucharistic Procession at Our Lady of Purgatory Church as the second station of the city-wide procession.
On this sunny afternoon, the Church was overflowing with more than 200 people, priests, religious men and women, children dressed in their Communion gowns, altar servers, Knights of Columbus – all walking together, following the Eucharist exposed visibly in the monstrance.
As they processed in the Church, singing, praying and worshipping Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament it was a beautiful sight, and even more so, to take part in this life-giving devotion.
Fr. Jack Morrison, pastor of Our Lady of Purgatory, warmly welcomed everyone and with the help of the parish choir reverently led the people in the praying of the Litany of the Eucharist, in Arabic and English. He concluded the Eucharistic Adoration with Benediction (blessing the people with Eucharist by making the sign of the Cross).

O Sacrament most Holy O Sacrament Divine!
All praise and all thanksgiving be every moment thine!

Maronite Traditions

2011-06-24T08:00:00.008-04:00

PRE-ANAPHORA (ما قبل النافور):
The section that precedes the Service of the Eucharist (Anaphora). It consists of the transfer of the Offerings, (i.e., procession, with accompanying hymn), Prayers of Offering and Commemoration, Prayer of the Veil, Incensing and Service of Peace. In this third part of the Divine Liturgy we commemorate both the living and departed, as well as reflecting on our eternal destiny.
Taken from: Captivated by Your Teachings by Anthony J. Salim , Copyright © 2002 by Anthony J. Salim. Paulist Press, Inc., Mahwah, NJ. Reprinted by permission of Paulist Press, Inc. www.paulistpress.com

Maronite Spiritual Tradition

(Taken from: Aspects of Maronite History- By Chorbishop Seely Beggiani)

Pontifical Mission of 1596
In 1596 Pope Clement VIII decided to send another mission to the Maronites. The Jesuits Jerome Dandini and Fabius Bruno were chosen.
After meeting with the Patriarch, Fr. Dandini traveled throughout Lebanon and leaves an extensive description of the customs of people. He discovered that the people are pious and have a simple and ardent faith. They highly respect their priests and when they meet a cleric they kiss his hand and ask for his blessing. The women are held in high regard, and there is no scandal among them. Dandini describes the celebration of the Maronite Divine Liturgy noting that the laity have a great part in the chanting. The laity are given the Eucharist under both species.
Dandini goes on to observe that the priests and people alike assemble to recite the Divine Office. Secular and religious gather at midnight for Matins, and there is always a large number of lay people present. During the Lenten fast the Maronites eat nothing until a few hours before sunset. They abstain on Wednesdays and Fridays from meat and dairy products. They also fast twenty days before Christmas and fifteen days before the feasts of Sts. Peter and Paul (starting June 15 to June 28 inclusive) and the Assumption.

Maronite Chapel in honor of Our Lady of Lebanon

2011-06-17T08:07:00.000-04:00

Maronite Chapel in honor of Our Lady of Lebanon forthcoming at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, DC.

Construction begins on long-awaited project.

Brooklyn, NY, April 25, 2011 – This Fall, a Maronite Chapel will open at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, DC. The Chapel will honor our Blessed Mother under the title of Our Lady of Lebanon, and has been spearheaded by the Eparchy of Saint Maron of Brooklyn.

The Maronite Chapel will be a unique, Middle Eastern Catholic presence at the Shrine. It will also place the Maronite Church in America in the context of the Universal Church for all Shrine visitors, and appropriately recognize the rich tradition and legacy of the Maronite Church and her devotion to Our Lady.

The Chapel is being designed by Master Artist Louis R. DiCocco III, the President of St. Jude Liturgical Arts Studio of Havertown, PA. Mr. DiCocco is well known for his work on the Chapel of Our Lady of La Vang at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, along with multiple projects at the Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul in Philadelphia and elsewhere. Working closely with Mr. DiCocco on the Chapel design are Bishop Gregory Mansour, Bishop of the Eparchy of Saint Maron of Brooklyn, and Chorbishop Michael G. Thomas, the Eparchy’s Vicar General and Chancellor, who have spent countless hours reviewing every aspect of the Chapel’s design.

The Chapel’s interior design is a deliberate attempt to place the worshipper in the stone churches of Lebanon. The altar is designed with a Syriac Cross as found in many ancient churches of Syria and Lebanon. A Cedar of Lebanon adorns the tile floor. The Crucifixion scene behind the altar, as well as the four evangelists on the left side of the altar and the Virgin and Child on the right, were taken from the 6th century Rabboula illustrated Book of Gospels. Saint Maron will greet the worshipper on one side of the entrance and Our Lady of Lebanon on the other.

The dedication for the new Chapel is tentatively scheduled for September 23, 2011, to coincide with the 50th Anniversary of Our Lady of Lebanon Maronite Seminary in Washington, D.C. and the 50th anniversary of priesthood of Chorbishop Seely Beggiani, Seminary Rector.

NAM Convention 2011

2011-06-10T08:00:00.000-04:00

48th Annual National Maronite Convention

July 6-10, 2011 in Philadelphia, PA

Workshops and Presentation Topics

Thursday 7/7 - 10:00 – 11:30 am
– Back to the Maronite Roots

USEK – University of the Holy Spirit – Kaslik - Lebanon
The Holy Spirit University of Kaslik has been a leader in preserving the Maronite tradition and shaping the Maronite Identity. Being the first Maronite University, the panel will discuss how USEK participates in the liturgical and the musical reform. What USEK is doing to preserve Maronite manuscripts, photos, and archives. In addition, USEK will discuss the project for Maronite inscriptions in Lebanon.

- Discovering Our “Faith of the Mountain”
Rev. George El-Khalli, Ph.D.

As parents, we are the caretakers of our children’s education; we are entrusted to carry the Church’s teachings into our family life. The “Faith of the Mountain” catechism series, which our churches use for our Maronite Christian Formation classes, has been updated. Please join us to review the materials that guide your children’s religious education through the school year. The series is designed for school-aged children from pre-school through 8th grade. Included in the series are the following topics: the Trinity, the Holy Mysteries, our Church family, the commandments, Maronite liturgy, First Penance and Eucharist, the Bible, the Creed, Church history, and the world’s religions. As parents, grandparents and godparents, we are responsible for the education of the next generation of Maronites.

Friday
- Maronite Liturgical Music
Father Geoffrey Abdallah and the Inter-Eparchial Music Commission

The songs that fill our hearts during Divine Liturgy and the poignancy of their words are incredible testaments to the richness of our culture. Come fill your senses with the beauty that is the Maronite Church. You will also be able to experience the first ever compilation of the Inter-Eparchial Music Commission. Come let the poetry that is our music fill your senses and soothe your soul.

– Saints of Lebanon and Our Pursuit of Another Canonization:
The Massabki Brothers
Archbishop Samir Nassar of Damascus, & Mr. Louis Ragy

Our faith has brought forward some very remarkable individuals who have brought miracles to those whose faith does not waiver. This year we celebrate the 1600th Anniversary of Saint Maron. Since the founding of the Church, we have had the honor of having saints live among us, including Saint Sharbel Makhlouf, Saint Nimatullah El-Hardini, and Saint Rafqa Choboq El-Rayes. NAM has taken up the staff to bring the Blessed Massabki Brothers to the level they deserve. Come learn why WE have the responsibility of guaranteeing their canonization.

Saturday
- Lebanese Language in the 21st Century
Antoine Faddoul, M.S., AIAA

The interactive presentation will give the audience an overview about the Lebanese language, its history, teaching methods and the proposed system for writing it. The presentation will chronicle the linguistic and structural development of modern Lebanese from its ancient Canaanite/Aramaic roots to modern days. The audience will be briefed on the methods developed by the Lebanese Language Institute to provide resources for learning and teaching Lebanese. The presentation will discuss the role of IT in spreading of the Lebanese language and developing the modern Lebanese Latin Letters system [LLL] to make Lebanese a globally accessible language. The interactive component will include implementation of the LLL system in daily life for communication, learning and teaching. Samples exercises as well as a demonstration of an automated verb conjugation program will also be presented

Saturday 7/9 - 2:00 – 3:30 pm
– Making a difference in the Church
“Commission on Lebanon”
Panelist: Jacque Kallasy, & Nehmet Frem

Moderators: Chorbishop Seely Beggiani & Rev. Abdallah Zaidan, MLM
This presentation will help us to understand how we can all contribute in the growth of the Maronite Church on different levels: spiritual, economical, educational and social. Based on personal experiences and great contributions of our speakers, we will learn how we can have an active attitude within the Church, instead of having a merely passive observation. The future of the Church is not only on the hands of priests and bishops, but on the hand of every faithful person. In this workshop, we can learn how everyone of us, despite our weakness, can collaborate in the growth and renovation of our Church.

Sister Marla Marie's 25th Jubilee

2011-06-03T08:04:00.007-04:00

By Sister Therese Maria

On Saturday May 28th, over 100 people came together at St. Anthony of the Desert Maronite Church in Fall River to attend the joyful celebration of Mother Marla Marie's 25th Jubilee of religious consecration. Mother Marla Marie’s family, including her father, Lucas J. Lucas, and her two brothers John Lucas and Michael Lucas, and clergy, religious and friends from various places attended the Divine Liturgy and reception.
Bishop Gregory J. Mansour offered the Divine Liturgy, concelebrated by Chorbishop Michael Thomas, Chorbishop Joseph Kaddo, Fr. James Root, Fr. Rudy Gonzalez and Fr. David Desimone. (See the photo collage.)
The Divine Liturgy was followed by a reception dinner in the parish hall beautifully organized by Mrs. Therese Abouzied and Mrs. Rosanne Solomon, members of Our Lady of the Cedars in Boston. They have been great friends and supporters of our mission. We thank them dearly for all the sacrifices they made and their genuine love in organizing this successful event!
The lively program at the reception included a lineup of speeches given by close friends of Mother Marla Marie. Each personalized speech and presentation brought out the unique qualities of Mother, and the special witness of Christ she has given in living out her religious life.
We thank God for you, Mother Marla Marie and ask God’s continued blessing on your Maronite Servant mission!

Maronite Servants Thank Weymouth Parish

2011-05-27T08:00:00.006-04:00

The Sisters welcome parishioners and Fr. Larry Drennan for refreshments.

On Tuesday 25th May, after 9:00AM Liturgy celebrated at Immaculate Conception Church in Weymouth, the Maronite Servants of Christ the Light hosted a reception to express gratitude to the parish community for their generous hospitality during our two year stay at the parish convent. Over twenty of the daily Liturgy participants attended.
In June 2009, Fr. William Salmon, pastor of Immaculate Conception, graciously supported our mission by welcoming us to affordably live in the parish convent. We are grateful for his goodness and the loving support of all his staff.

The Sister’s New Address
Please take note that the Maronite Servants of Christ the Light can be reached at their new address:
856 Tucker Road, Dartmouth MA 02747.

Project Roots - Register

2011-05-17T20:46:00.000-04:00

His Excellency, Bishop Gregory Mansour recently wrote to the clergy regarding Project Roots . Please read the excerpt here and visit the website. Support this important mission.

"As you know the Eparchy of Our Lady of Lebanon and the Eparchy of Saint Maron in collaboration with the Maronite Foundation throughout the world have established the program Project Roots which has been working diligently to connect our people with their Lebanese heritage. I would like to ask for your help at the local level by informing your parishioners about Project Roots and to remind them to register their marriages and the births of their children at the proper Lebanese Consulate. This would be a great help in connecting our people together."

Father Abdallah Zaidan, MLM has opened the Main Office (phone number 310-276-1939) in Los Angeles and together with both bishops and local pastors has assigned Regional Coordinators to help in this process. In our Eparchy, below are their names and contact information:

Regional Coordinators:
Najib Nasr (main office) (310)-801-9559 Los Angeles nnasr@projectroots.net
Monica Abinader (305)-509-2850 Miami monica@projectroots.net
Elias Azzi (617)-943-7960 Boston eazzi@projectroots.net
Nada Salem Abisamra (917)-755-0499 Washington nada@projectroots.net
Roula Eid (917)-975-6814 New York reid@projectroots.net

When I grow up…

2011-05-13T08:00:00.002-04:00

Kelly Colangelo with Sister Marla Marie at a youth rally.

Sunday, May 15 is World Day of Prayer for Vocations, our guest blogger gives gives us inspiration and ideas on promoting vocations in the parish.

By Kelly L. Colangelo, Youth Minister of Immaculate Conception Church, Fayetteville NY

Just recently, I was in a room full of high school youth and a religious sister asked, “How many of you have a vocation?” I looked around --- everyone stood there not sure what to do and maybe 1 or 2 people raised their hand. She then added, “All of us have a vocation.”
From an early age, people would often ask me, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” In first grade I wanted to be a princess…in 6th grade I wanted to be a lawyer…in 11th grade I wanted to be a psychiatrist…Then, it dawned on me, the problem with asking ourselves this question, “What do I want to be when I grow up?” is that it leaves out Jesus. We should be asking “What does Jesus want for me?” or “What life will bring Jesus the greatest glory” and then we ultimately can say, “I want what Jesus wants.”

As Catholic youth leaders in our circle of influence we are responsible to teach and uphold the Gospel of Truth reflected in our ministry. We serve as an important tool in the Church and the lives of young people as they determine their life’s direction. "Every Christian community, every member of the church needs consciously to feel responsibility for promoting vocations…" - Pope Benedict XVI

Below are some suggestions to help you promote vocations and create awareness in your parishes. Those who often feel they might have a vocation sometimes hesitate before answering the Lord's call. These ways provide opportunities to dialogue with those considering a vocation to priesthood or religious life, and to support them in as many ways as possible.
1. Sponsor a parish Eucharistic Holy Hour for Vocations on a regular basis

2. Promote prayer for vocations to the priesthood and religious life in your parish through the General Intercessions at Mass.

3. Include “Vocation Blurbs” in your parish bulletin

4. Encourage and lead young people to pray to the Lord for discernment in their vocation. Is the Lord calling me to priesthood, religious life, married life, or the single life?

5. Keep the parish pamphlet racks well stocked with vocation related materials and display vocation posters throughout the parish and school buildings

6. Begin a "Vocations Crucifix Program" among the families in your parish. Booklets and prayer aids can be found on the web.

7. As youth leaders and parish vocation promoters we can promise our own daily prayers and sacrifices for an increase of vocations.

8. Host a "Vocation Panel" during your Life Night. Have door prizes, refreshments, scavenger hunt and speakers.

9. Have your Life Teen or Edge group send care packages to seminarians at time of midterms or finals. Invite seminarians to speak at parish programs while home on their breaks from study.

10. Publish a listing of all the seminarians, with names and seminary addresses. Encourage your Life Teen/Edge group and parishioners to send them cards and letters showing support and prayer. Some parishes feature one seminarian’s name and address in the bulletin each week, to keep this activity continuous.Next time you ask a young person what they want to be when they grow up…add, so what do you think God wants for you!

“The care of vocations, therefore, demands a constant “education” for listening to the voice of God.” -Pope Benedict XVI

Dartmouth Renovation Progress Report

2011-05-12T09:19:00.002-04:00

Diligent renovations are being carried out at the Mother of the Light monastery in Dartmouth. As we speak, we have electrical work, painting, tiling, landscaping and more being done in our new home to get it ready for our imminent move on June 1st.
We appreciate all the dedicated volunteers and benefactors who have stepped forward and generously donated their valuable time and resources to help with the large renovation expense and various work repairs around the house. A big thank you to you all for your support and prayers! You too are in our daily prayers. If you would like to contribute and help with our renovation expenses please click the "support our mission" link above.

Pictured in the photo collage is Cecilia Romero, who is from the Maronite parish of St. Joseph's in Atlanta, GA. She came for one week to help us with renovations and packing. Also pictured are the painter Samir, the contractor Robert, and Paul one of our volunteers. We are grateful for all their help and thank God for their commitment and goodness to us.

Pope John Paul II, the Apostolic Churches and Lebanon

2011-05-06T15:36:00.000-04:00

+ Gregory John Mansour,
Bishop of the Eparchy of Saint Maron of Brooklyn
Holy Week 2011

One sign of holiness is the desire and ability in a person to love the world as God so loves. This theme is an entire symphony in the life of Pope John Paul II, played out in many of his efforts to reach out to others: his profound insights given over years of Wednesday Audiences and other writings, his fruitful outreach (leading up to the 2000 Jubilee) to all those who have felt they were far from the Church, and his love and insight into the role and importance of the Apostolic Churches. In all these areas, the Holy Father was both prophetic and courageous.
As a Maronite Catholic, I would like to reflect on his love for the Apostolic Churches, especially as this theme played out in his wise and prudent desire to convoke the Synod for Lebanon in 1995.
Pope John Paul II, like his predecessor Pope Paul VI, envisioned the Synod of Bishops as a means to continue the springtime renewal of the Church begun with the Second Vatican Council. There have been twenty five Synods since 1965, some based on different themes, such as the Family, the Eucharist, and the Word of God, others based on territorial considerations, such as the Synod for Africa, Asia, The Americas, Europe and the Middle East. In 1991 Pope John Paul II announced his desire to convoke a Synod for Lebanon, unique because it was the only time a Synod focused on just one country.

Pope John Paul II developed the extremely popular moral conception that “Lebanon is more than a country, it is a mission.” He viewed Lebanese society as a model for religious and cultural plurality, and Islamo-Christian dialogue at the level of life, culture and politics. For a man who grew up in mostly Latin Catholic Poland the Holy Father went beyond his cultural comfort level and developed a love for the Churches of the East and for the country of Lebanon that was refreshing and surprising to say the least. Some attribute his love for Lebanon to his gratitude for having accepted so many Polish seminarians and priests who need shelter during the Nazi and later Communist oppression of the Church. The Holy Father knew of them personally and mentioned this during his Lebanon visit.

Likewise, the Pope expressed his respect for Lebanon in many diplomatic and ecclesial interventions since his earliest days after his pontifical election in October, 1978. However, the succession of wars in Lebanon, started in 1975, and caused by internal, regional and international interferences, prevented any intervention. When weapons were silenced in the Fall of 1990, Pope John Paul II was quick to call for a Synod for Lebanon. He did this June 12, 1991, and followed his convocation by a message to all the Lebanese people as well as a letter to the Catholic Patriarchs and Bishops in Lebanon (July 1991).

The Synod’s objective was simple: spiritual renewal with penance and reconciliation within Lebanese society and a new solidarity among all the Lebanese. The Synod was addressed directly to the faithful of the Catholic Church - Maronite, Melkite, Armenian, Syriac, Chaldean and Latin - and indirectly to the four Orthodox Churches - Antiochene, Armenian and Syriac - as well as to Assyrian and Evangelical Christians. The Synod aimed to establish with all Christians a bond of prayer, consultation and cooperation. Also, Muslim communities - Sunni, Shiite and the Druze - were invited to the Synod in order to help both Catholics and Muslims understand the meaning of the Synod and to better cooperate together in overcoming misunderstandings and obstacles.
The Pope’s visit to Lebanon May 10 and 11, 1997 to celebrate the closure of the Synod for Lebanon and to deliver the Apostolic Exhortation had a tremendous effect on promoting Lebanon, the country, as a message and an ideal model to the East and the West. Likewise, on the ecclesial level, a renewal of Christians had begun by their working together in better harmony. They became more aware of their spiritual, social, cultural and political role in Lebanon and throughout the Middle East as well as of their apostolic mission. The upcoming beatification of Pope John Paul II May 1, 2011 will attract thousands of Lebanese.
The recent Synod for the Middle East held in October 2010, an amazing celebration of unity in diversity which brought such hope to Christians of the Middle East, was greatly helped by the Synod for Lebanon held fifteen years earlier (along with the follow-up Special Assembly in Lebanon convoked for all the Eastern Churches in 1999). The solidarity, cooperation and friendships that were formed before, during, and after the Synod for Lebanon allowed the 2010 Synod the special graces needed to deepen communion and make better the witness.
Another grace directly attributable to the intervention of Pope John Paul II in Lebanon was just recently celebrated March 25, 2011: the enthronement of the new Maronite Patriarch Bechara Peter Rai. On this day, the Feast of the Annunciation, which for the last two years has been an officially established Christian-Muslim holiday in Lebanon, the background was set for the enthronement and the person enthroned as Patriarch, with his brother bishops surrounding him, with representatives of every Muslim and Christian communities present, and with every political leader likewise present, was the one whom Pope John Paul II had chosen twenty years previously to coordinate the beginning steps of the Synod for Lebanon, and who considers himself, along with the present writer, a spiritual son of Pope John Paul II.

These and many more graces were the result of the prophetic and courageous vision of one holy man who loved the world as God loves, who recognized in the Apostolic Churches of the Middle East a treasure, and who had the conviction and courage to call them not only to a greater Catholic-Orthodox unity, but also to better witness to non Christians the immeasurable treasures of Christ.

Maronite Monks of Adoration Promo Video

2011-05-05T15:58:00.000-04:00

Please watch this inspiring video of our Maronite Monks here in the US. Learn about their foundation, mission, and devotion.

Patriarch's Easter Message

2011-04-28T10:10:00.000-04:00

The Easter Message 2011

Of His Beatitude Bechara Peter RAI

Patriarch of Antioch and the Whole East

__________

“But now Christ has been raised from the dead,

the first-fruits of those who have fallen asleep”

(1Cor. 15: 20)

1.The resurrection of Jesus Christ from among the dead opened, in the history of humanity, a new page that will never be turned over. For, it has changed the face of Man and the face of the World. Christ , the Son of God, who redeemed the whole humanity by his death on the cross, rose from the dead so that we obtain the fruits of redemption, which is the pardon of sins and the new life in the Holy Spirit. His resurrection has become a state of resurrection which he opened before every believer in the mystery of his death and resurrection. This made the Apostle Paul assure that “Christ has in fact been raised from the dead, the first-fruits of all who have fallen asleep” (1Cor.15: 20).

2.I am glad, at the start of my patriarchal service to address the first Easter message to the Bishops of our Maronite Church, its priests, monks, nuns and all its sons and daughters living in Lebanon, the countries of the East and throughout the world. I include in it the greeting of love, my apostolic blessing, communion with all of them and best wishes for the glorious Easter. I also present these greetings to our beloved brothers of the various churches, to our dear Moslem co-citizens and all others throughout all countries. I wish to all to enjoy the peace descending from God and carrying all the graces of Heaven and its spiritual and worldly blessings.

3. “Christ has in fact been raised from the dead, the first-fruits of all who have fallen asleep”. The resurrection of Christ is not a past event which can be overlooked, be indifferent towards it or ignore it with all its dimensions and meanings. The resurrection of the Lord is a guaranty of the human nature of the human being for, he recovers the beauty of his human nature which is created to God’s image and adorned by innocence. The blood of Christ, which has been shed on the cross, has cleaned Man from sins and offenses by forgiveness and blew in him a new life through the Holy Spirit, by the force of his resurrection. Here is the Lord, raised from the dead, continuing, through the sacerdotal service in the Church, what he had done the day of his resurrection, when he entered the closed place where his disciples, priests of the New Testament, were meeting that Sunday evening. He showed them his hands with on them the traces of crucifixion and his side with the trace of the spearhead. All these show the source of the forgiveness flowing from his wounds throughout the times. He said to them “ Peace be with you … as the Father has sent me, so I send you ” he breathed on them and said to them: “receive the Holy Spirit. Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them and whose sins are retained are retained” ( Jn 20: 19 – 23). It’s an act of a new creation. On the creation of the first Man, God blew in him life from his spirit, Man was created to God’s image and was in a state of innocence. After having distorted this picture and lost innocence by his sins and evil doings, God created him anew blowing into him the Holy Spirit, thanks to the blood of redemption which incarnate God shed on the cross of salvation. Thus, Christ, risen from the dead with the brightness of human nature, is the first-fruits of those who rise to a new Man.

4.The manifestations of the resurrection show in human life in many ways: in the sinners who renew themselves by repentance and reconciliation, the grieved who find solace in God’s mercy, the suffering, oppressed and prisoners who become open to Divine hope, the sick, handicapped and neglected who see in their suffering as extension of Christ’s redemptive sufferings. All these obtain by their merits God’s graces, his contentment and his peace to the whole world.

Among the manifestations of the resurrection are reconciliations which take place among people, the fraternal encounters, understanding and dialogue, the initiatives of social love and self denial in giving, to alleviate pain, deliver from need, relieve from despair, sow joy in hearts, develop the human person and raise society.

From among the manifestations of the resurrection , are also the saints the Church raised upon the altars as witnesses of the resurrection which has embellished them by the resurrection of hearts in their historic life, adorned them with the heroism of divine, human and ethical virtues which raised them, following their death, to the glory of Heaven around the throne of the Lamb. There they are shining like the sun in the kingdom of the Father and the heaven of the Church. We mention among them in our present time, successively the martyrs, blessed Masabki brothers, the saints Sharbel, Neemtallah and Rafka, the blessed Father Yacoub Haddad the Capucin, Mother Mary Alphonsine and Brother Stephan Neemeh, the two honored Patriarch Stephan Doueihy and Father Bechara Abou Mrad. Besides, the Universal Church is preparing to celebrate , in a week’s time, the beatification of the great Pope John Paul II .

5. We look forward to the manifestations of resurrection in our national life, hoping that Lebanon rises, thanks to the good will, from the crisis of forming the government, the worsening situation which the citizens have to bear its economic, social and living difficulties , and from the bleeding of emigration and the despair of our rising generations to have a better future. We also wish that the dawn of the resurrection of peace, stability and understanding break forth in the Holy Land and the Arab countries which are suffering from troubles.

O Christ, the risen from among the dead, You who are the first-fruits of those who died, raise us with you for a new life. Raise our minds to the light of faith ! Raise our will to the way of good in hope ! Raise our hearts to communion and love ! Make us among the first-fruits of those who rose from the dead.

Christ rose from the dead, he indeed did !

Bkerkeh, 22 April 2011 .

Hooked on the Maronite Church

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Joan Hanley & George Campbell with Sister Marla Marie.

By Joan Hanley, at Our Lady of Mercy in Worcester MA

After attending our first Maronite Mass, I was hooked. I felt like I was home. With every fibre in my body resonating with the Maronite tradition, it felt like I had changed religions and was finally where I had longed to be.
For many, many years, ever since I was a child really, I felt like something was missing in our Roman Catholic religion. For whatever reason, I could never understand why if God was a Jew, why we weren't Jewish. It just never seemed to make sense to me. In attending Jewish ceremonies of friends, I always felt comfortable in their temples or homes and was surprised to observe how much their religion, I felt, mirrored ours.
When we attended our first Maronite mass at Our Lady of Mercy Maronite Catholic Church in Worcester, MA, Father Paul Mooradd mentioned that the Maronite religion was the closest religion there was to the Jewish religion. He also said that the presentation of the body and blood of Christ was still spoken not only in Jesus' words but also in the language Jesus used at the last supper. All I could say to myself was this religion just keeps getting better and better. Here I was, exactly where I have always felt I belonged.
From the first day we entered the Maronite church we were embraced and enveloped with love. If you have never been in a Maronite church, you probably wouldn't know what we were talking about. For those of you who have attended Maronite services, you know of what I speak. When arriving in Florida for the winter, our first mission was to locate a Maronite church. We joined Mary Mother of Light Maronite Catholic Church in Greenacres, FL and immediately felt at home. We also felt all the love and warmth in Florida, just like we did back in Massachusetts.
Meeting the nuns this weekend who are Maronite Servants of Christ the Light was rather timely. After coming home this week from our Maronite women's group meeting, I said to George "You know, I don't think the Maronite church could operate without the women." In both Florida and Massachusetts it is apparent that the women are the true movers and shakers of the church. I have never seen more dedication of women anywhere than in the Maronite church. These women are so truly loving and kind that they not only want to help their parish; but they want to help everyone in it. They are all true servants of God. I can't leave the men out. Once it is decided what types of events are to be held, the men jump in to help. The children of our Maronite churches also are great and can always be seen selling raffle tickets, assisting on the altar, or helping out in some way. Those of us who have discovered the Maronite religion are truly blessed to have it in our lives.
Thank you Sisters for dedicating your lives to the Maronite Servants of Christ the Light. May you always feel the love surrounding you of the Maronite family. Thank you Bishop Gregory also, for recognizing the women in our church and for beginning this ministry.

Sunday of the Glorious Resurrection

2011-04-23T12:00:00.004-04:00

Al Masseeh.. [q]aam! Ha[qq]an [q]aam!

Maronites, as all Eastern Christians, greet one another all through the six weeks of Easter with "Christ is risen!" and the reply, "He is truly risen!"

"Today the Church and her children rejoice for our Lord and Savior has risen from the dead. The resurrection of the Lord is the central event of our salvation, the one that gives meaning to who we are and what we do. Every celebration of the Eucharist and the other mysteries refers to it as the source of inspiration and meaning.

The resurrection is the feast of feasts, the queen of all feasts. Originally the Church celebrated only one feast, the resurrection itself, which was recalled and renewed each Sunday at the celebration of the Divine Mysteries. Soon, however, it began to recall the Passover of the Lord and his victorious resurrection in a special way once a year, in addition to the weekly commemoration of the resurrection. Eventually this annual celebration of the Lord's resurrection was prepared for by a season of prayer, fasting and penance - Lent, and the feast itself was extended for fifty days.

Today's feast is one of joy and peace; 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. And so filled with peace and with joyful hearts we proclaim:

'A glorious morning has dawned, and night has fled Light has conquered, and night has been destroyed.'

Season 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 Sundays of the Season of Resurrection are as follows: Resurrection of the Lord- New Sunday: First Sunday of Resurrection- Second Sunday of Resurrection- Third Sunday of Resurrection- Fourth Sunday of Resurrection- Fifth Sunday of Resurrection- Sixth Sunday of Resurrection: Sunday after the Ascension- Pentecost.

The Season of Resurrection begins with the feast of the Resurrection and ends with the gift 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."
(From “Prayer of the Faithful According to the Maronite Liturgical Year”).

Passion Play - Danbury CT

2011-04-20T16:18:00.000-04:00

By Sister Therese Maria
On Hosanna Sunday, April 17, the Maronite Servants visited St. Anthony’s Church in Danbury Connecticut. We attended morning Divine Liturgy, celebrated by Father Jean Younes,pastor, and then joined the congregation in the procession outside the Church. That evening at 8:00PM we participated in the MYO Passion Play. It was spiritually moving and much creative effort was put into the costuming, design and overall production. This play was to help the parishioners
enter more deeply into the passion of Christ. The MYO will also perfom this play at St. Anthony’s on Great Friday.

2011-04-16T10:19:00.001-04:00

Watch this short video on Confession done by one our Maronite youth in the Westchester Mission parish, Hameed Mourani. A good reminder in these holy days to seek the Lord's healing and forgiveness.

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See below for photos of our visit to Worcester, MA.

Passion Week in the Maronite Tradition - Explained

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(Taken from Aboona Anthony J. Salim's explanation in his parish bulletin of St. Theresa, Brockton MA)

Service (Teshmeshto) of the Coming to the Harbor

This Service and the Wednesday Service (Teshmeshto) of the Lamp are ancient and authentic liturgical services that had fallen into disuse in the last few hundred years. They were revived and published in the US several years ago. Our Great Fast has two parts: the Lenten Fast, from “Ash Monday” to Saturday before Hosanna Sunday, and the Passion Week Fast that begins today and ends on Saturday of the Awaited Light (“Holy Saturday”). The prayers of today’s rich service speak of our pre-Easter journey of fasting, which is now coming to an end as we enter the Fast of Passion Week. We are sailing in the spiritual ship through stormy waters to the “Harbor of Safety,” lighted by the Beacon of the Resurrection, which we will reach in a week, on Pascha-Easter.

This second “new” Service (Tesmeshto) centers on the symbols of light (knowledge and faith) and strength (oil). The prayers reflect the Psalms and there is an anointing of the forehead with the blessed oil. The reminder of the oil may be taken home for use in holiday baking.

Thursday of the Holy Mysteries
Qoorbono (Holy Eucharist) and Ritual of the Washing of the Feet.

This traditional Service (Tesmeshto dQoorbono) commemorates Jesus’ Institution of the Holy Eucharist (in Latin-rite terms, the First Mass) and dramatizes the Gospel of John by the washing of the feet of 12 parishioners representing the Apostles. Jesus’ humble ministering to others is highlighted. This is also a fine day to remember those young children who will receive the Lord on Holy Communion in a few weeks. All parishioners are encouraged to attend, of course, but the families of the First Communicants especially ought to come to this Service.

Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament.

The Holy Eucharist is reserved for adoration and will be used at the Service (Teshmeshto) of the “Signing of the Chalice” on the next day.

Great Friday of the Crucifixion (Obligatory Fast and Abstinence)
12:00 noon: Anaphora (Greek for “Eucharistic Prayer”) of the Signing of the Chalice (“Pre-Sanctified Liturgy”) with Holy Communion.
This service is one of the most ancient in the Church. It is called “Pre-Sanctified” because it uses the Sanctified Host from the night before (Eucharist and Washing of the Feet). There is therefore no consecration of a new host; however, there is an epiklesis (Greek for “calling down”) of the Holy Spirit over the wine, to change it into the Blood of Christ. Into this is dropped a portion of the (Pre-sanctified) Body of Christ. The symbolism here is deep, stemming from ancient Jewish thought. Namely, as body and blood are separated, death occurs. Therefore, when they are reunited, new (Eucharistic), grace-filled life is evident to the eyes of faith as we receive Holy Communion.

Service of the Burial of the Lord

A scriptural and liturgical meditation Service (Teshmeshto) on the Death of the Lord, Eastern-Church style. Flowers, which have been brought by the Faithful will placed into the Shroud for the Burial Procession. These will be seen on Pascha-Easter as symbols of the New Creation in the Risen Lord (see Rev 21:1) As the Faithful pass under the Shroud, we heed the idea of St. Paul and the early Church that “If we die with the Lord, we shall live with the Lord” (see Rom 14:8).

Saturday of the Awaited Light

Service (Tesmeshto) of Forgiveness (Penance Service & Confessions).

This is basically a communal Penance Service (Tesmeshto dHoosoyo) with individual confessions. The Service is timed to end at noon, which signals the end of the Great Fast. In fact, the Service ends with the traditional Pascha greeting: “Christ is risen!” with the faith-filled reply: “He is truly risen!” In Lebanon, the bells of the churches ring joyfully at noon.

Saturday Vigil for Easter Sunday

First Qoorbono (Divine Liturgy) of the Resurrection, with blessing of Easter baskets and distribution of flowers.

Great Sunday of the Resurrection
Divine Liturgy of the Resurrection with the “Ceremony,” or Service (Teshmeshto), or “’Rite’ of Peace, followed by distribution of flowers and egg cracking and sharing

Visiting Worcester - MA

2011-04-13T14:48:00.001-04:00

By Sister Therese Maria

On April 10th, the Maronite Servants had a blessed visit at Our Lady of Mercy parish in Worcester, Massachusetts. Mother Marla Marie spoke at the conclusion of the Liturgy about our mission as Maronite Servants and the important need of praying for and supporting religious and priestly vocations among our Church family. Father Paul Mooradd, pastor of the Worcester parish, graciously welcomed us and invited us to share in the lenten lunch which followed the Liturgy in the parish hall. All the proceeds from the lunch were generously donated to our mission. We are grateful to Fr. Paul and the parishioners for their goodness, generous hospitality and support of our mission.

Latest Events

2011-04-07T17:11:00.004-04:00

Blessing of the Oils - Brooklyn

On Monday 4th April, we joined our Maronite faithful at the noon Liturgy of the Blessing of the Oils at Our Lady of Lebanon Cathedral, Brooklyn. The Divine Liturgy was celebrated by Bishop Gregory Mansour and concelebrated by Bishop Stephen Hector Doueihi, Chorbishop Michael, Chorbishop Beggiani, Chorbishop Kaddo, Chorbishop Peter Azar, Fr. Jim Root (Rector of the Cathedral) and about twenty priests from the Eparchy.

The Sisters join with the parish of St. Anthony/St. George from Wilkes Barre
where Father Karam is the pastor (pictured right).

Ordination to the Subdiaconate

The Sisters pictured with Subdeacon Camille Jean Atallah.

On April 3^rd, we attended the ordination to the Subdiaconate of Camille Jean Atallah at Our Lady of Lebanon, Waterbury, CT. The ordination was conferred by Chorbishop Seely Beggiani, rector at the Maronite Seminary in Washington DC., and concelebrated by Fr. Jack Morrison, Fr. Naji Kiwan, pastor, Fr. David George and other priests from the area.

Foster Vocations in the Parish

2011-04-01T08:00:00.000-04:00

By Sister Marla Marie Lucas

"Proposing Vocations in the Local Church" is the theme of a letter written by Pope Benedict XVI for the 48th World Day of Prayer for Vocations to be celebrated on May 15, 2011. The Holy Father calls on parishes and the wider community to make it a priority to foster vocations to the priesthood and religious life. He writes, “It is essential that every local Church become more sensitive and attentive to the pastoral care of vocations, helping children and young people in particular at every level of family, parish and associations – as Jesus did with his disciples.”

Abouna Anthony Salim, pastor of St. Theresa Parish in Brockton with
youth at the Valentine Breakfast hosted by the parish MYO.

He also calls on the Christian community to assist men and women who are being called to serve the Church, especially since they face struggles and resistance in our secularized society. “Particularly in these times, when the voice of the Lord seems to be drowned out by ‘other voices’ and his invitation to follow him by the gift of one’s own life may seem too difficult, every Christian community, every member of the Church, needs consciously to feel responsibility for promoting vocations.”

The Holy Father, first and foremost, urges that parishes and families pray for vocations. “Vocations to the ministerial priesthood and to the consecrated life are first and foremost the fruit of constant contact with the living God and insistent prayer lifted up to the ‘Lord of the harvest’, whether in parish communities, in Christian families or in groups specifically devoted to prayer for vocations.”

In addition, he stresses the need to embrace those who have recognized the “call” with the embrace of the parish family. “It is important to encourage and support those who show clear signs of a call to priestly life and religious consecration, and to enable them to feel the warmth of the whole community as they respond ‘yes’ to God and the Church.”

Perhaps your parish can highlight this year’s World Day of Prayer for Vocations by offering at least one opportunity to respond to the Holy Father’s teaching. Here in the US, our young Maronites have the opportunity to offer their lives in service to the Church as a priest or consecrated religious nun or monk. Prayers for vocations are available on our US Maronite Vocations website, www.vineyardofthelord.com. Also available on this website are video and print resources promoting vocations.

Catholics Come Home

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Catholics Come Home

Visit and share this website. Invite others to come home during this season of Lent.

Sharing Our Story on Local Cable TV

2011-03-25T08:09:00.002-04:00

On Wednesday March 16^th, the Maronite Servants were interviewed about their mission at a local television cable station, Weymouth Community Access. The program, “Witnessing the Word” is produced and hosted by the parishioners of Immaculate Conception where the Sister’s currently rent a convent. These photos were taken at the studio with our host Anne Mc Laughlin.

Catechesis at Annunciation Melkite Parish

2011-03-24T11:23:00.000-04:00

At the invitation of Rev. Father Robert Rabbat, pastor of Annunciation Melkite Cathedral Parish, the Maronite Servants are offering catechesis to the third grade in preparation for the Mystery of Penance.

We Have A Patriarch

2011-03-15T14:36:00.010-04:00

His Beatitude Bechara Peter Rai.

The Synod of Bishops in Lebanon have elected a new Patriarch of the Maronite Church the morning of March 15, 2011. The 77th Patriarch is His Beatitude Bechara Peter Rai, who was the Bishop of Jbeil (Byblos).
“The Glory of Lebanon is given to Him.”

For more information, you can visit the Patriarchate’s website or in English.
Also, view a recent video interview of the Patriarch while he was Bishop (video in Arabic). Also, videos on Telelumiere.

Congratulations to Lebanon and to the whole Church. May God bless him for many many years. We will accompany Patriarch Peter Rai in prayers, and we are grateful as well to His Beatitude Nasrallah Peter Cardinal Sfeir who served the Church for the last 25 years as Maronite Patriarch of Antioch and all the East.

LENT, THE “GREAT FAST”:

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By Aboona Anthony J. Salim, pastor of St. Theresa Parish, Brockton MA
Many of us from childhood have learned a basic idea about what Lent is all about. For example, we think that we do something during this Season in imitation of Christ’s suffering. This is good, as far as it goes. Our self-denial in imitation of Christ makes us more mature Christians and strengthens us for the Christian “battle” against the very real power of the Evil One, a power that is once again quite evident in our day. Therefore, the Eastern Traditions, of which we are one, have known this time as the “Great Fast.”

Ash Monday 2011 at St. Anthony in Lawrence with the Pastor,
Abouna Peter Azar, and Associate Pastor, Abouna Vincent.

To this day Lebanese Maronites commonly call these days leading up to Easter as simply, “The Fast.” (Ask any of those born in the Middle East the Arabic word for Lent.) What many have never learned is that Great Lent was also seen in the early Church—and revived correctly in the Roman Tradition—as one piece of a whole process whereby men and women who were never baptized prepare themselves for entrance into the Community of the Saved, that is, the Church. These people are known as “catechumens,” as they are learning about Baptism, Chrismation and the Eucharist. For those in the process Great Lent was the “Period of Enlightenment.” Enlightened, they looked forward eager to the Easter Vigil to be baptized.

The Sundays of this Season in our Maronite Church are:

Cana Sunday/Entrance into Great Lent
Sunday of the Man with Leprosy
Sunday of the Hemorrhaging Woman

Sunday of the Prodigal Son

Sunday of the Man Who Was Paralyzed
Sunday of the Man Who Was Blind

Hosanna Sunday

NY Teens on Mission visit our Monastery

2011-03-04T08:00:00.001-05:00

By Sister Therese Maria, mscl

The "Boston Plunge" crew in our chapel in Weymouth, MA.

On Sunday February 20th, we had an enthusiastic group of youth from Immaculate Conception Parish in Fayetteville, NY visit our monastery. Kelly Colangelo, their youth minister and a friend of Mother Marla Marie, arranged for a “Boston Plunge” designed to engage the youth in various mission work for five days. Some of their events included helping the Little Brothers of St. Francis with street ministry, and visiting with the elderly at the Little Sisters of the Poor nursing home.

On Mission at the Little Sisters Nursing Home in Somerville, MA.

It was certainly a gift for me to join them on one of their mission days with the Little Sisters of the Poor. I enjoyed being with the teens as they took great initiative in entertaining the residents by their joyful singing and dancing, and in helping the residents make different crafts. They sure brightened their day with their energetic presence and smiles!

Overall, I could see how this mission trip gave the teens the unique opportunity to reach out to others with compassion, and to see Jesus in the person they speak to and serve. One of the teens happily shared with me that this trip has been “enlightening”. Their perspectives on the Church was broadened for the better, as they met with and spoke to various religious brothers and sisters throughout the Plunge.

We enjoyed a game on the court during their visit with us!

Statue of Saint Maron Enshrined at Vatican

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On February 23, 2011 the Holy Father blesses the statue of
Saint Maron (right background) at St. Peter's in Rome.

Vatican Radio Reports "As the Maronite church celebrates the sixteenth centennial of its founder Saint Maron, Pope Benedict on Wednesday called the faithful to look to the 5th century Syrian monk as an example to follow. The Holy Father was speaking during a brief ceremony for the unveiling of a new statue of the saint placed in a niche along the exterior of St. Peter’s Basilica before greeting pilgrims at the General Audience."

Also, Rome Reports offers a video of this exciting news event.

Inscription at the base of the statue.

Father Boyle - May he rest in peace.

2011-02-17T11:19:00.001-05:00

Father Boyle in June of 2010 during his
45th Anniversary Mass.

By Sister Marla Marie Lucas

During this week that our Maronite Church commemorates the Deceased Priests, to my sorrow, I lost a good priest and friend this Wednesday February 16, Rev. Monsignor Patrick J. Boyle. May he rest in peace.

Father Boyle was the first pastor I served as a young sister assigned in 1987 to St. Brendan’s parish in the Bronx. Father Boyle was a beloved priest and pastor to so many, serving at St. Brendan's for 28 years. After St. Brendan's, he was assigned as pastor at the Church of the Resurrection in Rye, New York where he died peacefully after suffering lung cancer.

Father Boyle was known for his kindness, generosity, humor, faith, patience, ... to only name a few of his outstanding qualities. I was blessed to attend his 45th Jubilee Mass last June at which 1,000 people gathered to honor and celebrate Father Boyle's priestly ministry. Please read here for a well-done story on that event which also highlights the life of one of Our Lord's beloved priests.

I was always inspsired by his genuine love and respect for each person whom he met. He once told me that Ash Wednesday was one of his favorite days as a priest because he would meet people he did not ordinarliy see the rest of the year. He would spend the whole day in Church to meet those folks and give them a warm welcome.

Father Boyle will be missed and mourned by many. I offer this prayer for him, taken from the Hoosoyo of the Deceased Priests celebrated in our Maronite Liturgy:

O Christ, our Lord and God, you have chosen your priests in your likeness and have sanctified them that they may minister your mysteries. You, O Lord, are truly the fount of life and the giver of all good gifts. Accept, O Lord, the prayers we raise on behalf of those you have sent to shepherd your Church. As you raised up righteous Aaron and the sons of Levi, you have also illumined your Church with worthy ministers and servants. Let their true faith reign in our hearts. Let the memory of their deeds inspire us to virtuous lives. Grant peace and serenity to the priests who have gone before us to your holy dwellings. May their works precede them as a record of their faith and a memorial of their lives. May the Evil One flee at the sight of their coming from the path that leads to you. Let none of your deceased ministers be tempted by the devil and his legions. May the marks of your holy Mysteries shelter and protect them on their journey to you. We will glorify and thank you, O Christ, your Father, and your Holy Spirit, now and for ever. Amen.

Photo Gallery Updated

2011-02-11T11:02:00.002-05:00

Our Lady of the Cedars Bazaar - Boston

Please visit our website Photo Gallery to view eight new albums containing over 100 photos of the Maronite Servants on mission.

With our good friend, Therese Abouzied

Visiting Cedars Assisted Living, Dartmouth MA.

Catechesis in New Bedford

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Using an icon, the Sisters offer catechesis on the life of Saint Maron to the second grade class at
Our Lady of Purgatory on February 7, 2011.

Sunday Of Deceased Priests

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Toward the end of the Season of Epiphany, and right before Great Lent (The Great Fast), our ancient Maronite tradition reserves three Sundays and three weeks to remember the departed: from among priests, The Righteous and Just (All Saints), and the faithful departed in general. The priest, or the bishop, is our faithful companion in our journey to God; he has two faces: the face of the Good Shepherd, who governs the flock in wisdom and good governance, and the face of the mediator who always keeps his gaze fixed on heaven, through the ministry of the Holy Mysteries and continuous prayer for his parish.
Read here for more information on this icon.

Saint Maron - February 9th

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This excerpt is from the 25th letter of His Eminence and Beatitude Nasrallah Peter Cardial Sfeir on the Occasion of the 1600th Jubilee of the passing of Saint Maron. Full text of this letter can be found at the Eparchy website: stmaron.org

"Introduction: As the year 2010 coincides with the passing of one thousand six hundred years since the death of Saint Maron the hermit, priest, and father of our Maronite Church described as 'the gilding in the choir of the divine saints,' we decided, with the synod of our bishops, to declare this year as a Jubilee Year starting on the 9th of February, 2010 the feast day of our father Saint Maron and ending on the 2nd of March, 2011, the feast day of Saint John Maron the first Patriarch, under the title of 'Saint Maron – a testimony of faith and a spiritual journey of a people.'
This Jubilee Year aims to pray, think, repent, go back into history, meditate on it, learn lessons, revive and relive our Maronite faith that will allow us to draw a new strategy for our Church in the third millennium."

The Life of Saint Maron
(From "Faith of the Mountain" - By Monsignor Dominic Ashkar)

Saint Maron encourages us to live a life of solitude. He directs us to find our own mountain, our own desert, our own heritage. He was born around the middle of the 4th Century, in the land of Cyr, between Aleppo and Antioch. Maron did not aspire to form a Kingdom or a Nation. He did not start an Army to lead fights or wars. He was not a philosopher or a writer. He rather was a hermit. He removed himself from the world. He was a man who was inspired to live the Faith of the Mountain. Even though, Maron removed himself from the world, people followed him. They were attracted by his goodness and power that were the fruits of his solitude and ascetic life. As Maron chose a hill to lead his ascetic life, he became for the people that were attracted to him, the hero, a living image of the God he adored. His Way of Life and his miracles attracted more and more people to him. On that hill Maron found an ancient Pagan temple. He consecrated it to the Living God. It became a place of worship and prayer. But like John the Baptizer he lived in the wilderness, or under a tent. And most of his time was dedicated to prayer, meditation and contemplation. Men and women used to come begging his prayers and sharing his penance. And as he ministered to them as priest, he became their spiritual “director”. He became the healer, healing the body and the soul. Bishop Theodoret summarized the life of the saintly hermit saying: “After all, the Saint has cultivated numerous plants of celestial wisdom. He has sown his garden for the Lord God, and it has blossomed far and wide in all the land of Cyrrhus.” In the Liturgy of “Visitation Sunday”, we say: “The Lord of heaven and earth, of the sea and the land, fled to the mountain of Judea. For, the Lord of the heights and depths dwells on a mountain top.” Saint Maron fled to the mountain and through him, many people were attracted to worship the Living God. Thus, before giving up his soul to God, towards the year 410, he had already formed a spiritual school with numerous followers.

Grouped originally in Syria, the Maronites finally settled in the Valley of the Orontes. But persecutions obliged them to come to Lebanon. They lived on the mountain of Decars and later they pushed toward the center and to the south of Lebanon. The organization of worship was their first care; that is why they built churches.

The great majority settled in Lebanon, but history shows that one part remained in Syria, and the foundation of a monastery in Cyprus (towards the 9th Century) proves that they spread to distant places. In our days we find that the Maronites are spread all over the world. Their Faith in God helped them, as it is helping them today, to roll away every great stone that attempted and attempts to put them in a tomb.

The Hermit Maron died but his spirit survived among the numerous disciples, among the men and women who were attracted by his life. They formed the nucleus of the Maronite Church. His Way of Life became theirs. During the second half of the 5th century the Maronite Family was created. It was created and organized on the banks of the Orontes River, in Syria. From the main monastery, Bait Maroon the disciples of Maron radiated into all directions to preach the True Faith. Like Maron, their Way of Life bore witness to their attachment and their commitment to this Faith and to this Community, the Family of Maron.

In the early part of the 6th century, three hundred and fifty of Maron's disciples were killed by the Monophysites who professed that there is only one nature in the person of Christ. The Maronite Church continues to commemorate the 350 Martyrs, Disciples of Saint Maron on the 31st of July.

These political and religious struggles made the Maronites feel the meaning of independence and the necessity of electing a leader. Thus they elected Bishop John Maron who was declared Patriarch of Antioch.

In spite of all the difficulties, the Maronite People continued to believe and to hope. The leaders of the Maronite Church were not able to live in the city of Antioch: circumstances and religious and political events obliged them to live elsewhere. They lived first at the Monastery of Saint Maron, then after the establishment of the Patriarchal See in Lebanon, they settled in the monasteries of the mountain. The patriarchal residence was definitely transferred to Lebanon in the year 939 by John Maron, II. Living in the mountains of Lebanon, the Maronite People were able to create for themselves a life of their own and to enjoy under the direction of their spiritual leaders, a certain autonomy. Religious authority settled both ecclesiastical and civil questions. This custom began to disappear only in the 19th Century. Even in the present time, the Patriarch is the leader in important questions. This shows us the Faith and the Hope of the Maronite People in the authority, which for them, translated the Voice of God.

The monastery of Saint Maron had priority over all other convents, but this cradle of the Maronite Church was destroyed around the middle of the tenth century. It was most probably at this time that the Maronite Patriarchate was transferred to Lebanon. This Monastery of Saint Maron gave its name, not only to its monks, but also to all the faithful who came to place themselves under their guidance. This is a New Name, for a New Community which the "hand of the Lord” was guiding in order to struggle against every error and to safeguard the holiness of the Faith, This New People which bore this New Name were to accomplish the New calling or Vocation which was presented to it. What will the New Community be? Maybe, what each of us will make it, but it will be what God wants it to be.

The Faith and Maron's Family were not an imposition on people. On the contrary, people chose to make this Faith and this Maronite Family their own. That is why, as Maronites today, we should not be satisfied to call ourselves Maronite because we were born into Saint Maron's Family, we become real Maronites when we decide to make His Faith and His Family, our own.

March for Life - 2011

2011-01-26T20:51:00.002-05:00

By Sister Therese Maria

This was the first time I participated in the March for Life in Washington D.C.. My experience of this event was positive as we joined with a massive crowd of people (it was reported approximately 400,000 people) came from all over the country to witness to the dignity and sacredness of human life.

Overall, I was deeply impressed by the witness of so many groups and their banners promoting the child’s right to life. I found the people in the march to be calm, as they prayerfully walked to protest against the American law allowing abortions

The night before the March, we attended the vigil Liturgy at 6:30pm in the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. This beautiful Liturgy was celebrated by Cardinal DiNardo, Archbishop of Galveston-Houston and concelebrated by many bishops and priests, including our own Bishop Gregory J. Mansour.

Several Religious communities, priests, seminarians (including our Maronite seminarians), youth, laity and groups from all over the country participated in the Divine Liturgy. The procession of bishops, priests, and seminarians was an awesome sight to behold as the entrance procession on its own took 40 minutes.

On Monday January 24th at noon on the Mall, we connected with Bishop Gregory and a group of Maronites, and joined with all those gathered in solidarity and prayer. It was beautiful to see our young families and children came out to give witness and march for life, even in the freezing weather!

In the morning, before the March, we attended the Youth Rally and Mass for Life at the DC Armory. The dynamic program commenced at 8:00AM and included praise and worship, confession, the rosary and Divine Liturgy at 10:30AM. I was reminded of the joyful celebrations of World Youth Day 2008 in Sydney. Jesus Christ is the joy of our lives! He is the reason why we come together to celebrate, to worship and to encounter Him in the Mysteries (Sacraments).

Maronite Servants on EWTN

2011-01-20T08:06:00.000-05:00

Our Maronite Bishops were hosted on "EWTN Live", July 7, 2010, by Fr. Mitch Pacwa during our NAM Convention in Birmingham, Alabama. Sister Marla Marie was asked to speak a few words on the foundation of the Maronite Servants of Christ the Light.

Vocation on Ice

2011-01-14T08:00:00.002-05:00

Will Franjieh, Julie Lattouf, Sister Marla Marie, Sister Therese Maria, Evette Franjieh.

By Sister Therese Maria Touma

In our congregation’s Typicon (Rule of Life), Chapter 3 article 26 on our life of the vows, it reads:
“…The sisters shall exercise the virtues of humility, prudence and temperance, and use the means necessary to promote health of mind and body which includes daily exercise, recreation, work and rest.”
On Tuesday January 11th, the Maronite Servants went ice skating at Patriot Place in Foxboro with Evette Franjieh, her dad Will Franjieh, and Julie Lattouf (pictured in the photo). These energetic college students are faithful parishioners at St. Theresa’s in Brockton, and have visited our Monastery previously for a retreat. They were great fun and we were blessed with good weather, as we skated under the warm sun, encouraging one another in our skating skills and consoling one another in the falls (thank God not too many of those!).

The Season of Epiphany

2011-01-12T15:55:00.001-05:00

In our Maronite Church we are currently in the first week of the season of Epiphany which began last Thursday January 6th on the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord.

Commentary by Father Anthony J. Salim

”In the Eastern Catholic Churches the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord is celebrated on 6 January; whereas in the Latin Tradition it is celebrated on another day. It is known in Syriac as Denho.
• The Syriac term Denho itself may be related to the word for the act of diving into water, as we see Jesus descending into the Jordan River to be baptized by JohnOther names for this feast are “Epiphany” and “Theophany.” Both terms are based on Greek words which together mean “manifestation,’ i.e., of a god.
• “Epiphany” means a manifestation in a more general way; we even speak today of “having an epiphany” (having an “A-ha! moment”) when we get a flash of insight. Obviously, though, in a Christian liturgical context such as this feast, we understand that the Godhead is being revealed in Jesus. He of course was always God, but at the Jordan the Gospel writers are showing us that he is being revealed as such.
• “Theophany” is more religiously explicit. This word comes from two Greek words—originally in pagan Greek culture—that mean that a god is revealed (Zeus, Apollo, Artemis, et al.). In Christian terms the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob (the Patriarchs) is revealed in Jesus, THE only God of Jewish and Christian (and later in history) Muslim faith—although, of course Jews and Muslims do not accept Jesus as divine.

Aboona Anthony Salim offers a demonstration Baptism & Chrismation
at the parish Heritage Day afternoon on Jan. 8, 2011.

All three words—Denho, Epiphany and Theophany—are proper terms. However, as Eastern Christians we should prefer Theophany, and as Syriac Christians we should know and use Denho.

Taking the Baptism of Jesus as a model, the Maronite Church celebrates our new life of Baptism and Chrismation in this Season. For some Syriac Churches, this season may be the traditional time of reception of catechumens (people who are being instructed in the Catholic faith) into the Church.
In Maronite culture many people wait to have their babies initiated (i.e., baptized and chrismated) on or after Denho. However, for all Syriac Christians, Denho is a time to reflect on the consequences of at least the first two stages of our Initiation, namely, what happened to us by being baptized (incorporation into the Church, the Body of Christ; and the door to life in the Holy Trinity being opened); and in Chrismation and outpouring of the Gifts of the Holy Spirit (wisdom, knowledge, understanding, courage, counsel, piety and holy fear), leading us to experience the Fruit of the Holy Spirit (joy, peace, love, gentleness, self-control, patience, kindness, faith, etc.).”

For more information on this season and associated Maronite traditions carried out at this time read Father Anthony Salim’s book “Captivated by Your Teachings.”

Vocation Prayers

2010-12-31T08:00:00.002-05:00

The Maronite Servants of Christ the Light have written prayers of petition for vocations according each Sunday of the Maronite Liturgical year. These brief, one-sentence prayers are designed to be included the weekly church bulletin as a reminder to the faithful to pray for vocations. The prayers are available on the vocations website: VineyardoftheLord.com at the “Get Involved” link, under the category of “vocations”. Please encourage your bulletin editor to make use of these weekly prayers by including a vocations corner in each bulletin.

Here is a sample of an up-coming prayer for the Third Sunday After Epiphany: “’Very truly, I tell you, no one can enter the Kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit.’ Gracious Father, grant that the families of our parish may grow in your spirit of holiness. We especially pray that parents may encourage their children to seek first the Kingdom of God in choosing their life’s vocation.”

For more information on the mission and life of the Maronite Servants, visit our website at MaroniteServants.org and our blog at RadiateHisLight.blogspot.com.

Feast of the Circumcision of Our Lord

2010-12-28T21:02:00.000-05:00

(Taken from the Synaxarion of the Feast.)

"The entire Maronite Liturgical year is centered on the life, death and resurrection of Jesus. The Season of Announcement recalls for us the great events in the history of our salvation leading up to the Birth of our Lord.
The Feast of the Circumcision of Our Lord celebrated in our Maronite Church on January 1st, commemorates an event in the life of Jesus which took place eight days after his birth: his naming and circumcision.
According to Hebrew Law, every male child was to be circumcised on the eight day after his birth (Genesis 17:11-12). Circumcision was the sign God gave to Abraham of his covenant with his chosen people. Through circumcision the Hebrew child received the physical sign of his membership in the chosen people of God. At the time of circumcision the child was also given the name by which he was to be known among God’s people.
It is thus that Jesus is circumcised and given his name which means, 'Yahweh is Savior.'
Jesus, as God’s true Son had no need of circumcision and yet, in order to show that he was the fulfillment of the law, he submitted to its prescriptions. Jesus was already a member of God’s chosen people; for, in fact, he was God’s chosen One, the Son of the Most High. And yet, Jesus not only observed the prescription of the law, he also surpassed them since after his death and resurrection, the New Covenant would be established and the Old Covenant would be abolished.
The infant church questioned whether circumcision was necessary for those who wished to become Christians. Saint Paul who brought the gentiles into the Church asserted that circumcision is no longer required in the light of the death and resurrection of Jesus. One becomes a member of the new Israel, not by circumcision of the flesh, but by faith and baptism in Christ Jesus (Colossians 2:11f)."

2010-12-24T08:13:00.002-05:00

Glorious Nativity! Milaad Majeed! Joyeux Noel! Merry Christmas!

You are remembered in prayer and especially thought of during this Christmas Season of the Glorious Birth.
“Today the Lord Jesus is born of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and he has freed all people from their captors. Let us raise a hymn of glory.” (Christmas Divine Liturgy, Proemion)

Winter Newsletter

2010-12-16T15:25:00.000-05:00

Read the Maronite Servants of Christ the Light Newsletter, Winter Issue.

St. Maron - Philadelphia, PA

2010-12-16T15:23:00.000-05:00

By Sister Therese Maria

Last weekend, December 10-12th, the Maronite Servants took a road trip to Philadelphia to visit Saint Maron’s Maronite Church. Father Michael Marone, parish administrator gave us a South Philly welcome and provided us with great hospitality. We were right at home in this community.

As part of the mission trip, Mother Marla Marie spoke the Divine Liturgies and shared of her unique vocation journey and the founding of the Maronite Servants’ mission, and the importance of praying for and supporting vocations. She also made an appeal to the people for financial help sustaining our vital mission. After the Sunday Liturgy, the parish hosted a reception in the center where we enjoyed visiting with the parish family.
Father Michael was good to take us on visits to some of the historic sites of Philadelphia including the National Shrine of St. John Neumann, the Shrine of the Miraculous Medal, and one of the important landmarks of America’s history, Independence State Park.

Visiting the Westchester Maronite Mission

2010-12-09T18:52:00.001-05:00

On Sunday December 5th, we joined with the Westchester Maronite Mission in White Plains, New York and enjoyed visits with the religious education children, the MYO, and Divine Liturgy celebrated by Abouna Jean Younes, pastor. We are grateful for the hospitality and generous welcome of our Maronite Servants' message and mission. This growing mission Community is able to use the facilities of the Sisters of the Divine Compassion. Here are a few scenes from the day...

Pro- Life Efforts After the Elections - - What Can We Do Now?

2010-12-03T08:00:00.000-05:00

By Deacon Nicholas Mammi

Office of Family & Sanctity of Life for the Eparchy of Saint Maron

Many faithful Catholics wonder what they can do politically once they have voted. Above all, we must continue to press our elected leaders to uphold pro-life principles. Write your sena-tors and congressman and encourage them to support the following bills; each represents a “cornerstone” of Catholic pro-life ethic.

No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act (HR5939) will establish a consistent government-wide prohibition on abortion funding. The bill is likely to receive priority consideration in the new 112th Congress. Not only will this bill repeal the pro-abortion portions of the will establish a government-wide prohibition on abortion funding. The bill is likely to be a priority in the new 112th Congress. Not only will the bill repeal the pro-abortion portions of the health care bill, but it will make the Hyde amendment, the Hyde-Weldon conscience protection clause, and other pro-life amendments permanent federal law. Sponsors: Reps. Chris Smith (R-NJ) and Dan Lipinski (D-IL).

Title X Abortion Provider Prohibition Act (HR614) would prohibit the Secretary of Health and Human Service from providing federal family planning assistance to an entity unless it certifies that it will not perform abortion (or fund another entity that does) while it is receiving aid. Excludes abortion in cases of rape or incest against a minor, or when a physician certifies the woman suffers from a physical condition that would place her mortal danger without an abortion. Sponsor: Mike Pence (R-IN).

Protect Life Act (HR 5111) would prohibit taxpayer funding of abortion in the health care bill. The Senate version of this bill (S 3723) includes the same prohibitions.

Unborn Child Pain Awareness Act (HR 5276) would ensure women seeking an abortion are made aware that a child may be able to feel pain at 20 weeks gestation. Also allows a woman to choose anesthesia for the baby if she chooses to abort.

Join in the 2011 March for Life - DC

The Eparchy of Saint Maron of Brooklyn Office of Family and Sanctity of Life invites all youth and young adults throughout the Eparchy to come to Washington, D.C. to join in the 2011 March for Life! Our Lady of Lebanon parish will host a limited number of young men and women overnight in its social hall from Sunday through Monday, January 23-24.

Partake in prayer, sacraments, prolife talks, interaction with prolife young people, advocacy, and dialogue with members of Congress. MYA and MYO members are encouraged to attend. Adults 39+ are welcome as chaperones.

To register, contact Deacon Nicholas Mammi (nmammi@swva.net or 540-420-4725) or Joseph Elhallal (jhallal@verizon.net or 540-815-2104). RSVP by December 13th.

Watch the Video of Sister Being Received

2010-11-27T11:36:00.001-05:00

Maronite Servants Receive First Novice

2010-11-26T14:30:00.000-05:00

The Maronite Servants of Christ the Light announce the reception to the Novitiate of Therese Touma. This next step in the formation of religious life took place at Our Lady of Lebanon Cathedral in Brooklyn on November 21st, 2010 during the 11:00 AM Divine Liturgy with Bishop Gregory J. Mansour presiding, and concelebrating, Father James Root, rector.

It was the Sunday of the Announcement to Mary and the feast of the Presentation of the Virgin Mary, both fitting themes for the sacrifice and dedication of religious life. Also adding blessing to the day was the unexpected visit of six Sisters of Life who stopped in for the Divine Liturgy, as well as, a Sister of St. Joseph and a Franciscan Sister.

After the homily, Bishop Gregory blessed Therese as she was led to the sanctuary by Mother Marla Marie, who then presented Therese saying, “She has completed a period of Postulancy, and has asked to be received into the Novitiate of the Congregation of the Maronite Servants of Christ the Light, in the Eparchy of Saint Maron of Brooklyn. As her Superior, I have granted her request and welcome her as a Novice with the Religious name of Sister Therese Maria. We ask your blessing upon her habit and rosary, the rich symbols of Religious life, and also upon the Typicon of the Congregation, which Sister Therese Maria will study in preparation to embrace the evangelical counsels of our Congregation.”

After Bishop Gregory’s blessing upon the articles of the habit, Mother Marla Marie presented them to Sister Therese Maria, and clothed her with the white veil of the novitiate. Sister Therese Maria is the first member to join with the foundress, Mother Marla Marie, in this new congregation of Maronite religious in the Eparchy of Saint Maron. Sister Therese Maria began a postulancy period last February to help her make the transition into monastery life. Following the postulancy is the novitiate, at which time the Maronite Servant is given the title of “Sister” and receives the habit. Then begins a two-year formation, which is a foundational period for the deepening of the spiritual life in preparation for vows.

Reflecting on the ceremony, Sister Therese Maria said, “One of the highlights was when Mother Marla Marie handed me the white veil which I then kissed, symbolizing the vow of chastity.” She also added, “I see the Novitiate, as a precious time of deepening my love and commitment to Jesus. These two years of formation will be a beautiful opportunity to humbly grow in my understanding of what it means to be a Maronite Servant of Christ the Light.”

Sr. Therese Maria, 26, is from Sydney, Australia and is the daughter of Joseph and Jacqueline Touma. She was raised in the Maronite Church and cherishes her early memories of family members’ teaching her the faith. She also has a strong devotion to the Maronite saints, and says St. Rafka in particular has been “a great role model” as she strives to live out her faith.

More information on the Maronite Servants can be found on the website: maroniteservants.org.

Reception into the Novitiate this Sunday

2010-11-19T08:54:00.000-05:00

Please keep Therese Touma in prayer as she prepares to be received into the Maronite Servants Novitiate on Sunday November 21 at the 11:00 AM Divine Liturgy in Our Lady of Lebanon Cathedral, Brooklyn.

Growing Vocations

2010-11-19T08:52:00.001-05:00

Therese Touma, a postulant in the Maronite Servants and MYO members
at the October retreat in Litchfield, CT.

By The Maronite Servants of Christ the Light

The late Pope John Paul II used the image of a garden to help parents understand their responsibility in nurturing religious vocations, "the task of Christian parents is as important as it is sensitive, because they are called to prepare, cultivate and protect the vocations which God stirs up in their family.” The Pope explains that God generously sows the seeds of vocation and the family is the “garden” where a vocation to priesthood and religious life blossom and grow.

How can you, as a parent, tend the seed of vocation? Pope John Paul II gives guidance, “They must, therefore, enrich themselves and their family with spiritual and moral values,

· such as a deep and convinced religious spirit,

· an apostolic and ecclesial consciousness,

· and a clear idea of what a vocation is."

Parents are to be living models of mature self-giving love, flowing from generous hearts bound in the Sacrament of Matrimony. "Christian parents, demonstrating a loving care for their children from their earliest years, communicate to them, by word and example, a sincere and lived-out relationship with God, made up of love, fidelity, prayer and obedience. In this way, parents encourage the holiness of their children and render their hearts docile to the voice of the Good Shepherd, who calls every man to follow him and to seek first the kingdom of God.” (Pope John Paul II, XXXI World Day of Prayer for Vocations)

The Maronite Servants of Christ the Light pray each day for an increase of vocations in our Maronite Church in holy priests, generous nuns and monks, and faithful marriages. Young women are invited to consider giving their life in service to the Maronite Church as the spiritual mothers of the parish family. Contact MaroniteServants.org for more information on a religious vocation in our Church.

St. Theresa’s Conducts First Maronite Heritage Day

2010-11-12T08:00:00.011-05:00

By Fr. Anthony J. Salim

Brockton, Massachusetts

On 6 November, Saturday of the Weekend of the Consecration of the Church, our liturgical New Year, the parish Religious Education Staff conducted the first of six Maronite Heritage Days of the 2010-11 Religious Education Program. The parish has, of course, a weekly Sunday School program which is conducted before the Sunday Qoorbono (Divine Liturgy). This program is composed of students attending area public schools.

But what about those children whose parents send them to Latin Catholic schools, and who get religion classes five days a week? Traditionally the parents of these children often think that this education is enough for the Faith. Consequently, too often they do not see the need to send them to the parish Sunday School program. The problem with this, of course, is that while getting a Catholic education from the Latin-rite vision, how will the children learn about anything Eastern and Maronite?

To address this common eparchial problem, pastor Fr. Anthony Salim, working with the parish religious education staff, notably Coordinator Gordon McKinnon and catechist Alison Saade, Heritage Days Coordinator, has developed six sessions to address this need. These sessions are called “Maronite Heritage Days.” Held on selected Saturdays from 1:30 to 3:40 pm (ending before the 4 pm Saturday vigil Qoorbono), the program offers teaching in 4 areas: Maronite Identity; Maronite Worship; Syriac Culture, and Basic Catholic Beliefs. Helping with these special days are Sr. Marla Marie Lucas and Postulant Therese Touma, of the Maronite Servants of Christ the Light. Alison taught about the background of the Maronite Church; Sister and Therese taught about St. Maron, and Fr. Anthony explained about the Syriac—the written form of Jesus’ Aramaic—that we use in the Qoorbono, and focused on the meaning of the Trisagion (Qadeeshat Aloho) and how the variable responses of the Liturgical Year help us to enter into the spirit of the seasons and their meanings. The children impressively sang this ancient hymn in Syriac and leaned to sing it in English as well.

Our first session was a big success, with about 35 children—of both public and Catholic schools—and a dozen parents, some of whom stayed for the entire session, then took their children to Divine Liturgy. All in all, with staff, about 50 people participated.

The next session, on Saturday 4 December, will focus on the Righteous and Just (i.e, the Saints), including St. Barbara (feast day 4 December) and St. Nicholas (6 December). The children will plant legumes, according to the custom, and the sprouted plants will be brought to the Créche-Manger for Christmas. We will also begin to explain the Service of the Word and about our Lectionary, among other items.

Maronite Young Adult Workshop- Miami

2010-11-05T08:00:00.016-04:00

By Therese Touma
Last weekend (October29th-31st), the Maronite Servants took part in the Maronite Young Adult (MYA) Leadership workshop in Miami, FL. Fr. Elie Mikhael pastor of Our Lady of Lebanon, Miami hosted the event along with the help of Fr. Elias Sleiman (Los Angeles), Fr. Jean Younes (Danbury/ Westchester), and the MYA Board.

Over 100 Maronite young adults were present, traveling from across the U.S. to learn more about leadership and growing the MYA. Also in attendance were some of their clergy, Fr. Vincent Farhat (Lawrence), Fr. Naji Kiwan (Waterbury), Fr. Pierre El Khoury (Houston), Fr. Toni Akouri (Somerset) and Fr. Rudolf Wakim (Carnegie/Aliquippa).

The guest speaker for the workshop, Fr. John Cusick, addressed how to effectively initiate parish young adult groups and strategies to keep them going. Fr. Cusick suggested a number of key ideas to get a group started, such as the following:

• Think of the people before getting the program and activities started. Be direct with people, get to know them personally, think of a suitable time and invite them to come to the parish.

• Have a realistic goal of how many people you will need to form this group. Be optimistic!

• To create an effective group, dream BIG, go slow (a few things done well is vital) and think small.

In one of the workshops, Dorothy Polchinski, director of young adult ministry in the Archdiocese of Atlanta and close collaborator with St. Joseph’s MYA, gave a talk on practical strategies for ministry. She also spoke about travel plans to attend World Youth Day 2011 in Madrid. Dorothy invited Maronite adults ages 18-35 to attend World Youth Day in conjunction with her group from Atlanta. She emphasized that this would be a great opportunity to give witness and celebrate the gift of our faith with other Catholic youth from around the world. For more information, see the Archdiocese of Atlanta website http://www.yam.org/events/wyd2011.php.

The weekend concluded with the Divine Liturgy at Our Lady of Lebanon, Miami followed by a luncheon in the parish hall to honor of those who attended the workshop.

MYO – Regional Retreat Weekend 2010

2010-10-29T08:00:00.007-04:00

MYO retreatants. Abouna Jean and Abouna Jack are center.

By Therese Touma

The Maronite Servants were able to participate in the MYO regional retreat for New England held on October 22-24 at the Wisdom Retreat House in Litchfield, Connecticut. Fr. Jean Younes (Danbury) and Fr. Jack Morrison (New Bedford) directed a dynamic group of 50 teens from several parishes, and were assisted by a great crew of adult advisors.

Speaking on the theme of the Theology of the Body, Dr. Allan Ramey, a Maronite, was the main presenter. Dr. Ramey is a member of St. Anthony’s in Lawrence and a dedicated father of eight children.
In his engaging talks, Dr. Ramey explained some of the teachings on Theology of the Body citing the work of Pope John Paul II. He directed his presentation to the challenges faced by teens, and how the Theology of the Body can help them to understand and seek their vocation “calling”, to either marriage, the priesthood or religious life.

Dr. Ramey beautifully pointed out that just as God created man and woman to become one flesh in matrimony and bring forth a child as a fruit of their love, God too is also here revealing to us something of his own inner life. In married life, we can see a reflection of the Trinitarian nature of God as love between the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.

I was inspired by Dr. Ramey’s sharing of his journey of faith. He witnessed how daily prayer, frequenting the mysteries (sacraments) and the attendance of at daily Liturgy have strengthened and sustained him throughout his life, especially in the difficult times. He inspired the teens and I to aim higher in knowing and living the virtues, in seeking good choices and staying close to the Mysteries of Penance and Eucharist.

On Saturday, the group visited Our Lady of Lourdes Shrine in Litchfield, and under the remarkably colored fall leaves, we prayed the outdoor Stations of the Cross led by Father Jack.
That evening, Fr. Vincent, Fr. Jack and Fr. Jean heard confessions in the chapel. This was an awesome way to conclude the day in thanksgiving, and in seeking and receiving the ever-flowing mercy of God.

Special Assembly for the Middle East of the Synod of Bishops

2010-10-22T08:00:00.035-04:00

Middle East Synod Opening Liturgy at St. Peter's Basilica, Rome.
Our Patriarch Sfier concelebrating with His Holiness.
Read more about this important Synod
which convened on Oct. 11th and concludes this week.

Sunday Scripture Reflection
In the Maronite Church this Sunday is the 6th Week of the Season of the Holy Cross.
By Abouna Anthony J. Salim, Pastor of St. Theresa's Maronite Church, Brockton MA

This Sunday’ s Readings make a practical point, which is good deeds that get us ready for the 2nd Coming of our Lord and for entering into his joy, as the Lord Jesus promises in the parable of the talents.

First Reading: Galatians 6:1-10
The believer is “ spiritual” as long as one submits to the Holy Spirit, and as long as the Spirit bears fruit in that one, so that one may see, understand, and compare Christian spiritual truths, in order to have a deep, correct, and global knowledge (1Corinthians 2:15). “ The Law of Christ” is the Law of the Spirit that Christ himself lived during his life on our earth, and the one who accomplishes this law becomes like Christ Jesus. Love is the first fruit of the Spirit and the fulfillment of the Law. It compels us to bear our brothers’ and sisters’ sins and shortcomings in order to assist them and lead them to conversion. This is the rule of participation among believers, and every believer has to express this Law of love, the Law of Christ, in one’ s life, acts, and relations with everyone. Next, the Apostle Paul warns believers about growing tired of doing good. He exhorts them to a personal and serious work, a faithful and unceasing struggle, as they long for the Day of the 2nd Coming of the Lord, who comes to reward them and repay everyone according to one’ s deeds. There is herein an application of the Lord Jesus’ teaching on the Parable of the Talents, this Sunday’ s Gospel.

“T’was grace that brought us safe thus far and grace will lead us home!”

Gospel: Matthew 25:14-30
This parable highlights the responsibility of the believer and the obligation of investing God’ s gifts, to settle a growing account to God on the Day of his Coming. The talent is a coin of gold or silver whose value is six thousand denarii (pl.), a denarius (sing.) being the daily wage of a laborer. This is an expression of God’ s richness and unending bounty: He gave us not only mind and will, a physical body
and health, and the earth’ s goods; he gave us also his heavenly Kingdom and allowed us to share in his divine life itself (in baptism), everyone according to his capacity. The Master’ s journey is, then, his return after a long time. It is a proof of the sufficient time given to us to act with our liberty and full responsibility until the 2nd Coming of the Lord, who will settle account with us. The reward is also gratuitous, freely given, an eternal joy with the Master! Punishment is for the servant who hid the talent in the ground and disobeyed his Master’ s command: “ … you should have put my silver on the money changer’ s table!” Furthermore, he disfigured his Master’ s image and represented him as authoritarian, unjust, greedy, and harsh, thus damaging is relationship with his Master as well. The adventure of faith is the thing that is needed, and faith is the acceptance of and faithfulness to God’ s grace freely given to
us!

Pro-Life Update - Election Day

2010-10-15T08:00:00.002-04:00

By Deacon Nicholas Mammi
EPARCHY OF SAINT MARON OF BROOKLYN

Office of Family and Sanctity of Life

Election Day is three weeks away. Please exercise your right as a U.S. citizen and fullfill your Christian duty at the polls. More than 460 seats of Congress (both in the House and the Senate) will be determined by this mid-term election. Additionally, each vote as a voice of the people, contributes toward a message to the White House. I urge you to visit the polls on election day and vote pro-life. If you are not familiar with the candidates, begin your research now and examine the candidates' platform and voting history. Spread the word about pro-life candidates among friends and colleagues. Exhort the Christian assembly to vote pro-life.

I hope the following links will offer assistance in the development of an informed vote.

good article on the mid-term effect
2010 Senate Races
2010 Senate endorsements by National Right to Life
U.S. House of Representatives scorecard by National Right to Life

I will close with the following reflection by Archbishop Raymond Burke, Archbishop of St. Louis --
"Some will say that the defense of innocent life is only one issue among many, that it is important but not fundamental. They are wrong. In the natural moral law, the good of life is the most fundamental good and the condition for the enjoyment of all other goods."

Eastern Christian New Media Awards -- Nominate Us

2010-10-11T20:14:00.002-04:00

Nominate RadiateHisLight.blogspot.com for Best Group Blog & Most Visually Attractive Blog for Eastern Christian New Media Awards.
Nominations have opened for this year for the 2010 awards. Please send in your nominations and spread the word, the deadline October 31st.
Help us to get nominated for voting. In 2009, we were awarded the Most Visually Attractive Blog.

Witnessing For Life

2010-10-08T08:00:00.003-04:00

Sister Marla Marie (r), Abouna Salim (c), Therese Touma (l), praying the rosary.

by Therese Touma

On Wednesday October 6th, the Maronite Servants along with Fr. Anthony Salim, pastor of St. Theresa’s Maronite Church, Brockton participated in the 40 Days for Life prayer vigil in Attleboro, M.A. In the wind and rain, holding our umbrellas and rosaries, we offered up an hour of prayer outside a local abortion facility in witness to the sanctity of life.
With October being the month of the Holy Rosary and Respect Life, we prayed the four mysteries and asked our Blessed Mother to pray with us for the intentions of all the unborn children, for the conversion of those who work at the abortion centers and for the closure of all these facilities.

40 Days for Life is a pro-life campaign organized by lay people promoting the value and dignity of life.
Through the use of peaceful prayer and fasting, constant vigil and community outreach, 40 days for Life seeks to make the public aware of the consequences of abortion in their own neighborhoods, and ultimately put an end to the evil of abortion in America, and all over the world. Visit the website for more details.

The 40 day period began September 22nd and will continue through to October 31st. In total there are 238 locations in the US, Canada, Australia, England, Northern Ireland and Denmark participating 40 Days for Life. On day 15, it has been reported on their website that campaigns of prayer and fasting have so far saved 166 babies from abortion!

Statistics:
In 2005, in America alone, 1.21 million babies were aborted. Since 2007 six coordinated 40 Days for Life campaigns have taken place. As a result of these joined efforts, participants have witnessed many blessings from God. Some are noted below.

Reports document 2,811 lives that have been spared from abortion — and those are just the ones that have been reported 36 abortion workers have quit their jobs and walked away from the abortion industry.
Seven abortion facilities completely shut down following local 40 Days for Life campaigns.
Hundreds of women and men have been spared from the tragic effects of abortion, including a lifetime of regrets.

More than 850 news stories have been featured in newspapers, magazines, radio shows and TV programs from coast to coast ... and overseas.

Sisters Request Your Help

2010-10-01T08:00:00.003-04:00

The Maronite Servants of Christ the Light Sisters now have a place to call home “Mary, Mother of the Light Monastery”, in Dartmouth, Massachusetts. “This home will help our current and future Sisters to live a life of prayer, ministry, and study. Our doors are open to welcome you, the faithful, for retreats, conferences, days of prayer and other apostolic works and activities,” said Sister Marla Marie, superior.

Founded in 2008 in collaboration with Bishop Gregory J. Mansour, this new Congregation of nuns serve the faithful in our Maronite parishes. Sr. Marla Marie accepted the first two candidates this past February, Therese Touma and Tresa Van Heusen. These young women are in the formation program preparing to consecrate their lives in service to the Church.

The recently purchased home is situated on five acres and had served as the former novitiate of the Dominican Sisters of Hope who owned this home since 1960 after acquiring it from the original owners, the Prescott Family, who had it built in 1895. Over the years, as the Dominican Sisters declined in numbers and advanced in age, this property became too much for them to maintain.

“We are grateful to be able to purchase this property, thanks to the help of seed money from the Eparchy of St. Maron and a mortgage,” Sr. Marla Marie explained. “We are happy to think that soon we will be able to move into this permanent home, but before we can move in, much required renovation work must be done.”

This is a lovely house, but it is in need of great repair. The Sisters immediate needs are to repair the roof and gutters; update the plumbing; install furnace safety valves; install a security fire/alarm system; paint the interior; bring the electrical service up to code; upgrade the bathrooms, among other renovations.

“I ask for your help to provide the needed funds to get this new Monastery up and running so that we can move in before Christmas,” requests Sr. Marla Marie, adding, “would you please donate to our renovation fund and enlist others to help us too? Our postulants, Tresa and Therese, and I have a huge task at hand, but with your help our burden will be considerably lightened.”

For more information on how to help the Sisters refer to the “News and Events” section of their website or call Sister Marla Marie at 781-331-3290. Tax deductible donations can be given via the website through PayPal or they can be mailed to Sr. Marla Marie, 109 Remsen Street, Brooklyn NY 11201. Thank you for your support.

Maronite Servants Present Catechesis on St. Maron

2010-09-24T09:00:00.004-04:00

In response the 1600th anniversary commemorating the death of Saint Maron, the Maronite Servants of Christ the Light have creatively developed a curriculum on Saint Maron for religious formation to present to grades K-6, and the teens in MYO. In presenting these interactive lessons, the Sisters use various props, Scripture, visual technologies and activities, to help the youth to deepen their knowledge and understanding of Maronite spirituality, traditions, and way of prayer. Also, the Maronite Servants have a presentation prepared for the MYA.

St. Theresa's Maronite Church in Brockton has already requested the Maronite Servants to offer this program as part of their Heritage Day catechesis. The presentations on St. Maron will teach on his history, his importance in the founding of our Maronite Church, and his current influence on Maronite spirituality, and way of worship. In the teen presentation, the Sisters discuss growing in virtue and weeding out vice in our lives. St. Maron compared this to the analogy of cultivating the garden of our hearts, to make them fertile in receiving and living God’s Word.

Overall, this curriculum will provide children with inspiring information about St. Maron and engaging activities to reinforce the lesson. If your parish is interested in these presentations, contact Sister Marla Marie at sister@maroniteservants.org or phone 781-331-3290.

September Events

2010-09-23T08:45:00.002-04:00