Great Videos on Traditional Marriage

Here is one of six short and beautiful films on the cosmic, social, cultural, and religious importance of traditional marriage between men and women.  These six were shown at the Vatican as part of the International Colloquium on the Complementarity of man and woman in marriage called Humanum.  Sponsored by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, and three Pontifical Councils, Pope Francis opened it with an address on the fundamental importance of traditional marriage.  You can access the other five videos on YouTube or at th Humanum website.

Children’s Retreat -Our Lady of Mercy Parish, Worcester

By Natalie Salameh

On Saturday, November 22, 2014, the Maronite Servants of Christ the Light offered a retreat day for the children of Our Lady of Mercy Parish, Worcester, MA, with the focus on how God teaches us to give ourselves in love in the events of the Season of the Glorious Birth of Our Lord, the “Happy Announcements”.

Mother Marla Marie explained how the Season of Happy Announcements is made up of six Sundays, during which we see how each of the people in the Bible passages is responding generously and lovingly to the call of God in their lives.

The children were reminded of the great gift of Jesus at Christmas, and were challenged to think of ways that they can prepare for Christmas by being more generous and loving. During the day, the children were able to participate in a Nativity Play which they enthusiastically staged for their Pastor, Fr. Gaby Hoyek, and a number of volunteers.

The retreat concluded with the children actively participating in Saturday’s Vigil Liturgy, which celebrated the Feast of the Annunciation. Some of the children read the intercessions and Epistle, all sang the hymns, while others offered the gifts.

Vocation Challenge - Is God calling me?

Vocation Presentation - Brockton

We were invited to the faith formation junior high group at Our Lady of Lourdes in Brockton to offer a presentation of vocations.  The teens especially appreciated Natalie's witness story and Australian accent.