3.16.2018

Mission at St. Ann’s– Watervliet, NY


By Sr. Natalie Sayde Salameh, MSCL

On the Weekend of March 9 – 11, 2018, the Maronite Servants of Christ the Light facilitated a parish-wide mission at St. Ann’s Maronite Catholic Church in Watervliet, New York.  At the invitation of  Fr. Alaa Issa, administrator,  the theme of the weekend’s retreat was “Give and Forgive”, focusing especially on the loving embrace of the merciful Father who is always waiting to welcome us home back into His compassionate heart.

On Saturday, March 10, Mother Marla Marie facilitated a morning of recollection with the ladies of the parish, who appreciated the silence and space they needed to allow God to speak more intimately to their hearts.

Sr. Therese Maria and Sr. Natalie Sayde spent Saturday morning with the children of the parish, with a number of the teens helping us facilitate a morning of catechesis, prayer, fun, games, crafts, and activities. In the afternoon, Sr. Therese Maria led a beautiful hour of adoration where all the teens present experienced Jesus in the Mystery of Penance and praying before the Holy Mysteries.
 
Following Sunday’s Divine Liturgy, the sisters had a chance to meet and mingle with the parishioners at a special pancake breakfast and coffee hour. Sr. Therese Maria met again with the teens of the parish and facilitated a Q & A  on those issues that were affecting the teens the most.

On Sunday afternoon, the sisters accompanied Fr. Alaa on a number of home visits to the sick and homebound of the parish.


We thank God for the opportunity to spend a beautiful weekend with the parish family of St. Ann’s. We thank Fr. Alaa and his beautiful parish for their warm welcome and hospitality and for all those who opened their hearts and homes to us.