Virtual LoL Bible Camp

We were blessed to offer a virtual Light of Life (LoL) Bible camp for children ages 5 to 12. The theme this year was in the footsteps of Saints Peter and Paul. We focused on the courage of Saint Paul and the trust and faith of Saint Peter as the first pope. It was such a gift to see the children, do fun crafts, share Bible stories, sing, dance, and pray with the children. Next year we hope to be able to offer our camp in person.

Catechists and Youth Advisor Enrichment

By God’s grace an eparchial team of people have been working on ways to enhance our catechists, youth leaders and family life volunteers. What you will read about below is an optional, but highly recommended, program to strengthen our competent and faithful laity to better carry out their roles in our parishes.  

I am pleased to launch this eparchial initiative for our catechists and MYO youth advisors, called Franciscan at Home. It has long been a desire of mine to assist our laity in their service. Franciscan at Home is an excellent opportunity to continue to train and deepen our spiritual journey.    

This is a free online program of workshop tracks through the Catechetical Institute  of Franciscan University, open to all of our parish volunteers. There are over 100 dioceses already partnering with Franciscan University and benefiting from the high-quality content offered.  

Catechists in our parish religious programs and our MYO youth advisors are invited to participate in these 12 one-hour workshops expertly filmed with a staff of professionals in the fields of catechesis and youth ministry. Also, two of these workshops will focus on our Maronite Tradition. The content is presented to inspire, educate, train, and enhance one’s knowledge and skills in presenting the Catholic faith.  

These workshops are available in the convenience of one’s own home according to one’s schedule and require some reading and writing.  Please see the attached flyers for the details of these programs. I have asked the Maronite Servants of Christ the Light to assist, and they are available by phone or email to help if there are any questions.  

It is my hope that as many as possible will join these programs, which will enhance one’s faith and in turn enhance the faith of the youth we serve. With parish meetings suspended for the time being, this might be a good opportunity for personal training. 

Our Office for Family and Pro-life has also created an excellent website, including seminars on Natural Family Planning. I highly encourage young people, engaged couples, and married couples with families, to strengthen their love for the sacred dignity of marriage and family life. Please also see the flyer attached.

Thank you for serving our youth and be assured of my prayers.  

+ Gregory

Light of Life Bible Camp

Please take a few minutes to watch highlights from our annual summer vacation Light of Life Bible Camp at St. Anthony of the Desert Maronite Church, Fall River. Enjoy!

Family Catechesis – Jamaica Plain, MA

The Maronite Servants of Christ the Light facilitated an afternoon of catechesis on March 23

centered on the Passion of Jesus and the celebration of Passion Week in the Maronite Church.   Several catechists, parents and children attended the day sponsored by Our Lady of the Cedars Church in Jamaica Plain, Boston. 

While the children were learning about the true meaning of Great Lent and Christ’s ultimate sacrifice on the Cross, Sr. Therese Maria was with the catechists and parents facilitating a guided meditation on the Gospel of the Prodigal Son.

The combined group came together for a discussion and catechesis on Passion Week according to the Maronite Church. Using Maronite iconography, Sr. Natalie Sayde walked through the different rituals of of each day during Passion Week, beginning with Hosanna Sunday, culminating with Great Friday of the Crucifixion and the Sunday of the Glorious Resurrection. Our Maronite liturgy offers different prayer services and rituals for each of these days, drawing the church into the richness and depth of the Paschal Mystery.

We all joined in praying the 14 Stations of the Cross with a guided meditation at each station and then attended the Saturday Vigil Liturgy with Monsignor Georges as celebrant.  The children beautifully served at the Liturgy.  The day concluded with a  potluck dinner and fellowship in the church hall.  

Weekend Events of the Sisters

Catechetical Workshop

On Saturday, September 22, the Maronite Servants of Christ the Light facilitated a Catechetical Workshop for the Catechists of Our Lady of the Cedars Church of Boston. The Workshop took place at the Mother of Light Convent. 

This was the first workshop in a four-part series that the sisters are offering to help catechists serve their parish and the classroom more effectively. 

The first workshop focused on some key areas in Catechesis: 

1.    The mission of a Catechist (especially the Role, Qualities, Knowledge and Skills required of a Catechist);

2.    The place of the family in catechesis, as the Domestic Church, and how the Catechist can encourage more participation and involvement in Catechesis from the family;

3.    The content and tasks of catechesis, especially witnessing to our faith, not merely in word, but more importantly, in example.

The next three Catechetical workshops to be offered by the sisters will cover other important topics which include, but are not limited to, Curriculum and lesson planning; disciplinary and communication skills; child engagement; creating a safe environment and so forth.

Our Lady Of Purgatory Church Festival

On Saturday, October 22, the Maronite Servants attended the Festival of Our Lady of Purgatory Church honoring the Feast of the Holy Cross in New Bedford, MA. 

Before the Vigil Liturgy, Sr. Therese Maria gave a presentation on the meaning of the Feast of the Holy Cross in our Maronite Liturgical Year, and the significance of the Cross in our everyday lives. 

Vocation Presentation – Assonet, MA

By Sr. Natalie Sayde Salameh, MSCL

The Maronite Servants of Christ the Light gave a vocation presentation on Wednesday, August 9, and witness for the children enrolled in the one week “Summer Fun” program at St. Bernard Roman Catholic Church in Assonet, MA.

We taught the children a number of beautiful things about a religious vocation, specifically, what a nun is and what is her role, mission and purpose in the Church. We explained to them the religious habit and the three vows of obedience, chastity and poverty.  The group also had the opportunity to ask us questions which they did with enthusiasm. Some of them asked whether we were born as nuns, what we do on a daily basis, and where do we live.

At the end of the presentation, we prayed with the children and  gave each a cross necklace to remind them of God’s great love for them.   

LoL Bible Camp - 2018 in Fall River

By Sr. Natalie Sayde Salameh, MSCL

The LOL Club (Light of Life) began on July 23^rd, the Feast of St. Sharbel, with five days of learning about the life and spirituality of St. Sharbel in engaging video, crafts, bible sharing, games, prayer, choir practice, dabke rehearsal, and snacks. Our theme this year was “In the Footsteps of St. Sharbel”, and each day focused on his four great loves: prayer, the Holy Eucharist, our Blessed Mother, and his loving service.

Day one centered on St. Sharbel’s deep devotion to prayer. The children learned all about the importance of prayer in their lives, especially the prayer of the ‘Our Father’. Day two was on St. Sharbel’s great devotion to the Liturgy and especially to the Holy Eucharist, where he spent many hours of the day in adoration. The children learned how to pray before the Blessed Sacrament. Day three focused on St. Sharbel’s tender love for our holy Mother, Mary, and how we can show her great love, like Sharbel, by praying the Rosary everyday. Day four focused on St. Sharbel’s loving service toward others, especially the sick and those in need.   

LOL Club Maronite summer camp concluded July 27^th with Divine Liturgy celebrated at St. Anthony of the Desert Maronite Church by Monsignor James Root, pastor, and  attended by LOL members, volunteers, and parents. 

After the closing Liturgy, all those in attendance enjoyed a performance by their children in the Church Hall, which included skits, sing-a-longs and the dabke, along with lunch. After lunch, all children, volunteers and parents enjoyed an afternoon of arcade games, bumper cars and boats at Grand Prix in Seekonk. The children enjoyed our time together, and it was great to hear that affirmed by the parents who mentioned to us that their kids were learning, having fun, and making so many new friends.

Weekend Events of the Sisters

Day of Recollection at St. Julie Billiart Parish

On Saturday, February 3^rd, the Maronite Servants attended a Day of Recollection for Consecrated Religious hosted by the Diocese of Fall River, held at St. Julie’s Catholic Church in Dartmouth.

It was a beautiful day of prayer, reflection, conferences, and group sharing. It was a great joy to meet and greet the other consecrated men and women in the Diocese of Fall River.  Mass was celebrated by His Excellency, Bishop Edgar de Cunha of the Diocese of Fall River, himself a consecrated religious. The Bishop gave a beautiful homily on the importance of keeping our love for Christ burning brightly in our hearts, and how this is the key to effectively transforming and touching the lives of others.

Catechesis on St. Maron and Great Lent

On Sunday, February 4^th, following Divine Liturgy, the Maronite Servants offered a lesson of Catechesis to the children of the parish on the Feast of St. Maron on February 9^th and Great Lent.

Sr. Natalie Sayde spoke to the children about the extraordinary life of St. Maron and how and why he is important to us as Maronites. Sister reminded the children that for Maronites, the Feast of St. Maron on February 9, is a Holy Day of Obligation, and that we should attend Mass, if we can.

 

Mother Marla Marie spoke to the children about the importance of the upcoming season of Great Lent, and how Lent is a time for us to exercise our muscles of love, loving God and our neighbor, in a more intentional way. With the help of the sisters and other catechists, each child was able to come up with their own plan for Lent.   

Maronite Bible Camp 2017 – Fall River, MA

The LOL Club (Light of Life) began on August 7^th with three days of learning about Mary’s tender love and watchful care in engaging video, crafts, bible sharing, games, prayer, choir practice, dabke rehearsal, and snacks. Our theme this year was “In the Footsteps of Mary”, and focused on the specific ways that Our Blessed Mother exemplifies the virtues of faith, hope and charity.

 

Day one centered on the apparitions of Fatima and the virtue of faith. Day two was on the apparitions of Lourdes and how Our Lady gives us hope in the healing power of God. Day three focused on Our Lady of Guadalupe and how our Mother Mary is lovingly watching over us with her tender care. 

LOL Club Maronite summer camp concluded August 9^th with Divine Liturgy celebrated at St. Anthony of the Desert Maronite Church by Fr. Alex Joseph, attended by LOL members, volunteers, and parents. A very big thank you to Fr. Alex who made the trip from Worcester, MA to be with us and offer Divine Liturgy.

  

After the closing Liturgy, all those in attendance enjoyed a performance by their children in the Church Hall, which included skits, sing-a-longs and the dabke, along with lunch. After lunch, all children, volunteers and parents enjoyed an afternoon of arcade games, bumper cars and boats at Grand Prix in Seekonk. The children enjoyed our time together, and it was great to hear that affirmed by the parents who mentioned to us that their kids were “having so much fun” and making so many new friends.

Fatima Presentation – Acushnet, MA

By Sr. Natalie Sayde Salameh

On Friday, July 21, the Maronite Servants of Christ the Light facilitated a morning of prayer, reflection and catechesis for the children enrolled in the three week “Summer Fun” program at St. Francis Xavier Elementary School in Acushnet, MA.

The theme of our morning’s catechesis was Our Lady of Fatima’s message of prayer and sacrifice for peace in the world.

It was a delight to learn that many of the children already knew about the apparitions of Our Lady in Fatima in 1917. After showing them a video on the apparitions, the sisters asked the children whether they could think of some things that they often don’t feel like doing, which they could offer as a sacrifice to God for those who don’t know or love Him. One child cleverly said “anything that our parents tell us do”.

The children made a pennant flag to Mary as their craft activity, which they waved enthusiastically during our procession towards the outdoor shrine of Our Lady of Fatima, while singing “Ave Maria”. We offered a decade of 

the rosary  for peace in the world.