Our Lady of the Cedars Festival - Boston

Our Lady of the Cedars Festival - Boston

On Saturday, August 9, the Maronite Servants of Christ the Light attended the annual festival hosted by Our Lady of the Cedars Church, Boston, in honor of Our Lady’s Assumption.  We enjoyed meeting and greeting the parishioners, and participating in the festivities.

We had the blessing to meet the Maronite Archbishop of Cyprus, His Excellency, Youssef Soueif. His Excellency was very encouraging and supportive of our mission as Maronite Servants, and was delighted to see the growth in our congregation.

Light of Life (LOL) – Maronite Bible Camp 2014

By Natalie Salameh

LOL Maronite Club summer camp concluded today with Divine Liturgy celebrated at the Mother of Light Convent by Father Jack Morrison of Our Lady of Purgatory, New Bedford. There were LOL members, volunteers, and parents in attendance. 

The LOL Club began on Monday, August 4 with a week of learning about how much God loves them through DVD's, crafts, bible sharing, games, prayer, choir practice, and snacks. This year’s program was written and coordinated by Mother Marla Marie and Sr. Therese Maria, with an Australian “Outback” theme. We were riding the Boomerang Express all the way to Jesus and the children were able to learn some fun facts about Australia along the way!

 

Each day’s spiritual program and catechesis presented a different theme: self-worth as God’s children; friendship and its true meaning; obedience to God and our parents; and the virtue of courage.

 
After the closing Liturgy today, all those in attendance enjoyed mini-golf at Caddy Shack and bumper boats followed by lunch. The children very much enjoyed themselves, and it was great to hear that affirmed by the parents who mentioned to us that their kids were “having so much fun”.

Speak Up Against the Violence in Iraq...

Bishop Gregory J. Mansour speaks on the violence against Christians in Iraq.

Also, the USCCB issued this article:

Bishop Pates Urges National Security Advisor Rice To Provide Humanitarian Assistance, Work With Other Government To Stop Violence In Iraq

WASHINGTON—The United States should help Christian communities and other Iraqis plagued by violence through humanitarian assistance and international collaboration, said the chairman of the U.S. bishops’ Committee on International Justice and Peace in a July 25 letter to National Security Advisor Susan Rice. Bishop Richard E. Pates of Des Moines, Iowa, had written to Rice on June 19 about the escalating violence in Iraq and wrote that the situation had only deteriorated. Read More

URGENT - AUGUST 1st, DAY OF PRAYER  

WE BEG ALL CATHOLICS TO JOIN IN ADORATION ON AUGUST 1st, DAY OF PRAYER, ADORATION AND SOLIDARITY FOR PERSECUTED CHRISTIANS IN IRAQ, SYRIA & MIDDLE EAST

We are all Nazarenes now!

URGENT - WE BEG ALL CATHOLICS TO JOIN IN ADORATION ON AUGUST 1st, DAY OF PRAYER, ADORATION AND SOLIDARITY FOR PERSECUTED CHRISTIANS IN IRAQ, SYRIA & MIDDLE EAST

 Mark it on your calendars, and in your hearts. We are all Nazarenes now!

Friday, August 1, 2014

The letter "nun" marking Christian homes (Nazarenes).

This was the day chosen by the Priestly Fraternity of Saint Peter (FSSP) for a worldwide day of Public Adoration of Our Lord Jesus Christ in the Blessed Sacrament in supplication for our persecuted brethren in Iraq, Syria, and the Middle East:

The Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter asks all of its apostolates around the world to dedicate Friday, August 1 to a day of prayer and penance for the Christians who are suffering terrible persecution in Iraq, Syria and elsewhere in the Middle East.

August 1 is the First Friday of the month and the Feast of St. Peter in Chains, which is celebrated as a Third Class Feast in FSSP houses and apostolates. It is the feast in which we read of the great power of the persevering prayer of members of the Church: “Peter therefore was kept in Prison. But prayer was made without ceasing by the Church unto God for him.” (Acts 12:5)

This feast of our Patron should be an invitation to the faithful to join us in Holy Hours and other fitting prayers to beg the Most Holy Trinity that these members of the Mystical Body may persevere in the faith, and that, like St. Peter, they may be delivered from this terrible persecution. May such a day serve as a reminder to us of the stark contrast that stands between our days of vacation and ease, and their daily struggle for survival as they are killed or exiled from their homes.

It is a day, we believe, chosen wisely by that Fraternity: we please upon all our Catholic brethren, East and West, attached to the Ordinary Form (Mass of Paul VI) or to the Extraordinary Form (Ancient Mass), whatever their theological bent, to join this worldwide prayer day. Whether you consider yourself a more liberal, conservative, traditional, or just plain Catholic, let us join together in this worldwide Adoration of Our Lord Jesus Christ, together with all the Angels and Saints.

It is also appropriately chosen because Pastors and Chaplains will have 10 days to prepare properly, to contact projects that help Christians in need and collect all kinds of contributions for the Christians of the Middle East (from Aid to the Church in Need to CNEWA, the Syrian and Chaldean Catholic Churches, and other organizations), and, in particular, to add to their bulletins and convey to their congregations how to participate next Sunday, July 27.

Please, spread this initiative around. No need to link to us, or to even mention you saw it here -- just copy, paste, and just let this idea spread around throughout the world, through the web, through social networks, to your family and friends.

Bishops, Pastors, priests, join us. First Fridays are a special day of the month, and nothing better next First Friday, August 1, than for all Catholics around the world to join in Adoration before Our Lord to implore his mercy and kindness for our most neglected brethren in Iraq, Syria, and throughout the Middle East.

"Think nothing else but that God ordains all, and where there is no love, put love, and you will draw love out.” –St. John of the Cross