June 24, 2007 Bulletin # 25 Our Lady of Lebanon Church (Maronite Catholic Rite) Faith  Family  Friends 2216 Eoff Street, Wheeling, WV 26003 Rectory: (304) 233-1688 • Fax: (304) 233-4714 E-Mail: [email protected] • Web Site: www.ololwv.com Rev. Bakhos Chidiac (Pastor) Evelyn Ghaphery (Organist) Charlotte Khourey & Thomasina Geimer (Secretaries)

Sts. Peter & Paul

Schedule of Divine Liturgies

*Weekend Masses: Saturday evening at 4:00 p.m. Sunday morning at 10:30 a.m. [Rosary & Litany start at 10:10 a.m.] *Weekday Masses: At Noon. But please refer to the Mass schedule on page 3 of this bulletin for Mass times and changes due to special events. Thank you for your cooperation. *Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament: Every 1st Saturday & Sunday of the month after Communion *Miraculous Medal Novena: Every 2nd Sunday of the month at 10:00 a.m. *Reconciliation: Saturday: 3:00 p.m. to 3:45 p.m. or any other time by appointment *Baptism: Kindly phone the Pastor as soon as the baby is born. Godparents must be Catholics. *Weddings: Please make arrangements at least six months in advance before any other plans are made. *Sick Calls & Anointing of the Sick: Please notify the pastor any time at (304) 233-1688 *Parish Council: Lou Khourey 277-3230, Linda Duffy 242-6853, Tom George 336-7142, P.J. Lenz 242-5606 and Carol Dougherty (740) 782-0146 *Choir Members: Rita Thomas Strawn, Jim Dellget, Shirley George, Allison Duffy, George Thomas, Ted Olinski, Lou Khourey, Earl Duffy, Robert Harris         *Please support Our Lady of Lebanon Church by patronizing our Advertisers *Bulletin Announcements: Submit all Bulletin Information to Fr. Bakhos. Deadline: Every Tuesday by Noon *Remember the Church in your Last Will – Her prayers will accompany you to heaven *New Parishioners: We welcome you with great joy & invite you to be officially listed as one of our parishioners *If you support the Church and need a Bulletin mailed to you, please call the Rectory *Parking: Saturday & Sunday–all spaces for parishioners; Monday through Friday–park ONLY in the 3 ALLEY spaces Gospel Reflection: Saints Peter & Paul Readings: 2Cor 11:21-30 & Mt 16:13-20 Peter and Paul. The twin pillars of the Church were never separated either in the ancient liturgy or in iconography. Even today the Church’s Magisterium in its solemn acts makes reference to their authority, as if the ecclesial communion could only be expressed by the complementarities of these two apostles. Simon’s confessing of his belief earned for him the 2007 Bulletins/Bulletin # 25 2 06.24.2007 Bulletin surname Peter, the responsibility for guiding and strengthening his brothers and so for building up the Church. God’s amazing ways are shown by his giving a position of such importance to an unpolished individual, a man seemingly untalented in any way and, moreover, not always completely faithful to him! How much wiser to have given it to St Paul! Though a late-corner to christian belief, Paul was apparently so much better equipped by birth and by his intellectual formation. He is always alert, full of energy, and devoured by love of him whom he had first persecuted in his Church; he will become God’s chosen instrument to make known to the pagans the good news of salvation. No trial could separate him from the love of Christ, whom he will never deny. Each of them had his place in the development of the faith. Peter, the guide, by his role of direction and confirmation: Paul, the sower, by his energy of movement and adaptation. Their meetings at Jerusalem and at Antioch show up their common inspiration as well as their differences. It is in Rome, where both were martyred, that they were finally united in that love which they strove to promote. The ‘dialogue’ between institution and charism is not always untroubled, but such tension is the necessary price of progress. In order to avoid stagnation the Church of Peter and Paul must reconcile stability and movement, the overall view of the whole body and the particular intervention of a charism. St. Peter Simon was a fisherman. His brother Andrew said to him, “I have met Jesus. Come and see Him.” Simon loved Jesus and Jesus gave him the name Peter, which means “a rock.” Jesus picked eleven other Apostles and said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” He meant He would send them to do His work of bringing people to God. The Apostles gave up their homes to follow Jesus. One day Jesus said to them, “Who do you think I am?” Peter answered, “You are Christ, the Son of God.” Our Lord was pleased and said, “You are Peter, a rock, and I will build My church upon you. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven.” This is the power to help people get to heaven. After His Resurrection, Jesus asked Peter three time, “Peter, do you love Me?” Three times Peter answered, “Lord, You know that I love You.” And Jesus said to him, “Feed My lambs, feed My sheep.” In this way Jesus made it clear that Peter was to be the first Pope. Peter was crucified, head downward, in Rome, because he said he was not worthy to die the same way as Jesus. St.Paul St. Paul was a Jew who hated the Christians. He was on his way to the city of Damascus to arrest them when a light from heaven suddenly shone around him. He fell to the ground as he heard a voice saying, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute Me?’ He asked, “Who are You, Lord?” And the voice answered, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.” Saul asked, “Lord, what do You want me to do?” The voice said, ‘Go into the city; you will be told what to do.” Saul had to be led by his companions into the city, as he had been struck blind. After three days, a man named Ananias came to him and said, “Brother Saul, the Lord has sent me -Jesus who appeared to you on your journey- that you may get your sight back and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” At once Saul could see. He was baptized and was called Paul. He began to preach the word of Jesus to the pagan world. He wrote many letters (Epistles) to the Christians. After years of travel and suffering, Paul was taken to Rome as a prisoner and beheaded. Mass Intentions This Weekend, June 23-24: “Saints Peter & Paul” Saturday, June 23, at 4:00 p.m.: Cathy Sharp Howard (on her 11th Anniversary) by the Sengewalt Family Amera Chartouni and her son George Chafic and her nephew Joseph Sader by Susan Meyer (Davis, WV) Sunday, June 24, at 10:30 a.m.: Helen Fielding (on her Anniversary) by her husband Donald (FL) 2007 Bulletins/Bulletin # 25 3 06.24.2007 Bulletin Arthur Long (on his Anniversary) by his wife Sylvia Long Mimi Rohanna (on her Anniversary) by Mary & Frank Lish and Family

Weekday Masses Monday, June 25: No Mass Tuesday, June 26: No Mass Wednesday, June 27, at Noon: Arthur Long (on his Anniversary) by his wife Sylvia Long Zaidan Chahine & Deceased family members by his family (Pittsburgh) Thursday, June 28, at Noon: Mike & Sadie Thomas and Deceased Family members by Rosemary & Ervin Splatt (WI) Mike George by Nettie Seidler Friday, June 29, at Noon: Helen Fielding by her husband Don (FL) and for a Special Intention Adib Chidiac by Lucille Gibbons & Family

Next Weekend, June 30 - July 1: “6th Sunday of Pentecost” Saturday, June 30, at 4:00 p.m.: Constantine & Thomas Shia and Don Vince and Bill Vargo by their children Special Intention Sunday, July 1, at 10:30 a.m.: Living and Deceased members of the Nicholas and Nimnoom Ghaphery Family and the David Abraham Ghaphery Family by the Ghaphery Family. Helen Fielding by her husband Don (FL) and for a Special Intention

Building Project Income for June 2007 Total donations toward the Building Fund received in May 2007: $826.00 During the last two weeks, the contractor mailed the architectural plans to many subcontractors for bids. When all bids are received, he will add them and call the pastor and the parish council for a meeting. Once we accept the estimate and sign the contract, the ground breaking will take place. The day and time will be published in our bulletin. A daily prayer is raised to God and the Blessed Mother to shower their graces on the faithful who contribute generously toward the building project. We are looking for finishing the project without debt. Parishioners will be informed weekly in this section about the progress of the building project.

Donations towards the Building Project during June 2007: Donations Gem Level Received Requested Donor’s Name & Date $200 Alexandrite Albert & Annette Togliatti, Mansfield, OH (6.2.2007) $500 Topaz Sara (Joseph) McLaughlin (Memorial) (06.15.2007) $100 Alexandrite Frank & Mary Lish (6.21.2007)

Upcoming Calendar of Events Sunday, June 24 50/50 Building Fund Raffle Drawing after Mass Sunday, July 15 "A Basket Case" Gift Basket Raffle Drawing after Mass Sunday, July 29 50/50 Building Fund Raffle Drawing after Mass Saturday, August 11 Mahrajan Eve Hafli (held at St. Vincent De Paul Church) Sunday, August 12 Mahrajan – Lebanese Festival ( held at Oglebay Park) 2007 Bulletins/Bulletin # 25 4 06.24.2007 Bulletin nd 2 collection: Peter’s Pence (Sat-Sun, June 23-24) As brothers and sisters in Christ, Catholics have a moral duty to support the needs of the Church as a whole – primarily in USA. The Second Collections (blue envelopes) are for our generous contributions that go beyond the needs of our local church in Wheeling and they reach their destination via our Diocese. This collection is taken up in every Catholic Church throughout the world, and assists the Holy Father the Pope in his manifold ministries in the Church throughout the world. Please be generous and thank you. Monthly 50/50 Building Fund Raffle (Drawing: June 24& July 29) The Women’s Society is sponsoring the Monthly 50/50 Building Fund Raffle. The drawing– from entries received from the salmon –May 50/50 Raffle tickets provided at the entrance to the church– will take place in the Social Hall following Mass on Sunday, June 24. Proceeds will benefit the Building Fund. The Women’s Society is also sponsoring the Monthly July 50/50 Building Fund Raffle. The drawing-from entries received from the green – July tickets provided at the entrance of the church-will take place in the Social Hall following Mass on Sunday, July 29. Proceeds will benefit the Building Fund. Raffle Tickets are $1.00 each or 6 for $5.00. Buy or sell the tickets, and return the completed stubs as soon as possible in the collection or mail to: Our Lady Of Lebanon Church, 2216 Eoff Street, Wheeling, WV 26003. For more information or additional tickets, contact the church office at (304) 233-1688. Your generosity and cooperation will enhance our Church. Congratulations to Rita & Rex Strawn who won the May 50/50 prize of $70. Gift Basket Raffle Scheduled (Drawing: Sunday, July 15, after Mass) Cherry tickets for the “A Basket Case” Gift Basket Raffle sponsored by the Women's Society are available now at $1.00 each or 6 for $5.00 at the church entrance, in our weekly Bulletins or from the Women's Society members. The drawing will take place on Sunday, July 15, after Mass. Some of the items include: Sugar Cookie Mix;Cornbread Mix; Brownie Mixes; Pancake Mixes; Blueberry Muffin Mix; Chocolate Chip Cookie Mix; Lemon Poppy Seed Mix; Marzetti Croutons & Sweet & Sour Dressing; Angel Hair Pasta; Folgers Coffee; Olive Oil; Marinara Sauce; Acini di Pepe; and more….And to make you happy while baking-a bottle of Andre’s Champagne. The Gift Basket Raffle is sponsored by the Women's Society in its effort to raise funds for our Building Fund and is donated by Nettie Seidler. Mary Stees won the May "Wine & Dine" Basket – proceeds were $266. Mahrajan 2007 Update (Saturday - Sunday, August 11-12, 2007)

Mahrajan Eve Hafli (Saturday, August 11th) On Saturday, August 11th, we will have a Mahrajan Eve Hafli at St. Vincent De Paul Hall, Elm Grove. Full Lebanese dinner menu will be prepared and catered from Pitaland in Pittsburgh. We will have live entertainment with a singer performing. Tickets are $25 each.

2007 Bulletins/Bulletin # 25 5 06.24.2007 Bulletin

Silent Auction during Mahrajan Eve Hafli (Saturday, August 11th) Mrs. Carol Dougherty is the Chairperson of the Silent Auction for Baskets being donated by the generous families of our church which will be auctioned during the Hafli on Saturday, August 11th. You may donate from your family or work together with a friend to put one together. Cash may also be donated. Please call Carol at (740) 782-0146 if you have any questions or to sign up your basket donation. Any idea for themes is welcomed. The following are some examples of baskets for which you may sign up: Seafood, Children's Items, Sports, Men Only, Labor Day or other Holiday … Some families signed up for the following baskets: Italian (Carol & Bill Dougherty), Taste of Lebanon - two (Pitaland) and (Dr. MaryAnn Cater and Rob Vawter), Mexican (Lou & Charlotte Khourey), Beach Party (Mary Stees & Libby Magnone), Friendship basket (Cedar Club), Christmas basket (Linda & Earl Duffy), Ladies basket (Ann Jalad, Jean Weisner, Sandra Dusick, Julia Tappe, Rosella Saseen & Fran Saseen), Garden basket (PJ & Nikki Lenz), Pet basket (Thomasina & Phillip Geimer), Bed & Bath basket (Shirley George, Rita Strawn & Mary Thomas), Wine Basket (Roxanne & John Wurtzbacher), Spirit Basket (Nettie Seidler), Dinner & Movie Basket (Dr. Adel & Diane Frenn), Tool basket (Gary Weisner & Linda Hostutler), Car Care Products basket (Tom & Kathleen George), products of the Holy Land (Dr. Rajai and Nahla Khoury), Glassworks basket (Luane Frazier), Kitchen basket (Joe & Nikki Popovich), Golf basket (Randy Weisner & Janet Shutler),

Mahrajan Souvenir Book in progress (Last date for ads: Strictly by Sunday, July 22nd) Please put in a Memorial or Business ad in the “2007 Mahrajan Souvenir Book”. The printer needs the book in his office by Monday, July 23rd. So strictly no ad will be accepted after Sunday, July 22nd. Volunteers will gather on Monday, July 30th at 1:00 pm to collate the ad book. All proceeds benefit our Building Project coming soon. Thank you for your dedication to the church. --Fr. Bakhos Notes: --Thanks to Janet Shutler who is helping Fr. Bakhos with the Artwork of the Ad Book --Back page and inside front and back pages of the Ad Book are already sold. --If you want to put a family picture in the book, bring it soon with names of persons shown.

Mahrajan Raffle (Early Bird drawing: Sunday, July 29 after Mass) Please return the raffle tickets for the $1,000 and the Afghan prizes to be eligible for the early bird drawing on Sunday, July 29th. If you need more tickets or are able to sell tickets to your friends and family members and help the church, please call the church at 233-1688.

Is Anyone Sick? Please remember those hospitalized recently in your prayers: John John, Bob Wiles, Clara Joseph-Malone (daughter of Josephine Joseph), Peg Emmerth, Nader Khoury (brother of Dr. Rajai Khoury, CA), John Vawter (brother of Dr. Rob Vawter) Also please pray for those on our Prayer List: 2007 Bulletins/Bulletin # 25 6 06.24.2007 Bulletin Shipley Shipley, Bernard Olako Sr., Ed Shia, Josephine Joseph, Joe Pagendarm (friend of Fr. Bakhos), Mike Sobota, Debbie Laughlin (Columbus), Virginia Khourey Bryan (aunt of Lou Khourey), Mary Ryncarz (Shadyside), Jim Fahey, Martha Ruggiero, Joe Linton, Alice (Thomas) Holmes, Jennie Bedway, Philip Ruggiero, Leona Albaugh, Manell Brice (Arlington), Rose Mary Bris-Roybal (Albuquerque), Mary Sisson Your Church Support Last Week $772 Collection $78 Candles $265 Utilities $60 Parking $500 Building fund $40 Fundraising (Cookbooks) $1000 Mahrajan – (Ad Book) $196 Mahrajan – (Raffles $1000 Prize) $141 Mahrajan – (Afghan Prize) $270 Mahrajan – (Table Reservations) $350 Mahrajan – (Hafli of Sat. August 11) $3672 Total. May the Blessed Mother reward you manifold! What’s New? Parish Condolences: Tom Moses The pastor and the parishioners of Our Lady of Lebanon Church, Wheeling, offer their heartfelt sympathy to the Moses Family on the loss of their beloved Tom who passed away, last Sunday, June 17. Fr Bakhos celebrated the Funeral Mass at Our Lady of Lebanon Church on Wednesday, June 20th, at 10:00 a.m. The choir of the church served the Mass and the Women’s Society served the Mercy Meal at the Social Hall of the church after the interment. May the Blessed Mother intercede for him and lead him to the light of Christ. May the Almighty God grant repose of the soul to His servant Tom and we extend the parish’s condolences to his Family in their time of sorrow. Our Lady of Lebanon church is so grateful to Tom Moses’ Family for directing all memorial contributions toward the new building project funds. May his Memory be eternal. AMEN Women's Society Holds Cookbook Sale The Women's Society of our church has been able to obtain a limited number of The Original Lebanese & Middle East Millennium Edition Cookbook written by Agnes Johns (Portland, OR). Contact Kay at 232- 0492. List price is $24.95 but our sale price is only $20.00. Checks should be made out to: OLOL Church with Memo: Women's Society Cookbook. For more information call the church at 233-1688. Poor Box Please consider sharing your blessings with the brothers and sisters of Christ who knock at our door daily. Many people in the area need assistance in many ways. Some are in dire need some are not, but God alone knows what’s in everyone’s heart. The Poor Box is located at the rear of the church near the Holy Water tank. Fr. Bakhos is using his judgment to help the poor on your behalf and ask them to pray for you. Around Us 2007 Bulletins/Bulletin # 25 7 06.24.2007 Bulletin Support Our Troops – Operation Beat the Heat Fundraiser June 30, 2007 – 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. at the Dollar Tree, Moundsville, WV 1) Pick the Raffle # that interest you from the list below. 2) Decide the number of tickets needed for each raffle and 3) Send your check and raffle requests to: Boatsie’s Boxes Inc. 33 Forest Hills Drive, Wheeling, WV 26003. As soon as request is received, Raffle Tickets will be mailed to you. All ticket requests must be received by June 15th. For additional information contact Gail Van Vranken at 304-232-5277 Raffle # 1 – Let’s eat out – Value 500; Raffle #2 – Summer of Fun – Value $750; Raffle #3 – Just the two of Us – Value $500; Raffle #4 –Sports of all Sorts – Value $700; Raffle #5 – Best of Country Music – Value $700; Raffle #6 –Treats for Tasting – Value $350.

Wisdom: Grandma’s Wisdom If you're too open-minded, your brains will fall out. Don't worry about what people think; they don't do it very often. It isn't the jeans that make your butt look fat. Artificial intelligence is no match for natural stupidity. My idea of housework is to sweep the room with a glance. Not one shred of evidence supports the notion that life is serious. 2007 Bulletins/Bulletin # 25 8 06.24.2007 Bulletin It is easier to get forgiveness than permission. For every action, there is an equal and opposite government program. If you look like your passport picture, you probably need the trip. Bills travel through the mail at twice the speed of checks. A conscience is what hurts when all your other parts feel good. Eat well, stay fit, die anyway. (Just remember how lucky you were to get a free trip around the sun.) Men are from earth. Women are from earth. Deal with it. No man has ever been shot while doing the dishes. A balanced diet is a cookie in each hand. Middle age is when broadness of the mind and narrowness of the waist change places. Opportunities always look bigger going than coming. Junk is something you've kept for years and throw away three weeks before you need it. There is always one more imbecile than you counted on. Experience is a wonderful thing. It enables you to recognize a mistake when you make it again. By the time you can make the ends meet, they move the ends. You shall not weigh more than your refrigerator. Someone who thinks logically provides a nice contrast to the real world. If you must choose between two evils, chose the one that you've never tried before.

Story: Believe Always Upon exiting the operating room, Dr. John Witt of St. Alexius Hospital in Bismarck, North Dakota, approached his patient’s husband and parents with some difficult news. “I’m sorry but Lois may not make it through the night,” he said. “I’ve completed only half of the surgery I intended to do. Severe bleeding had caused a dangerous drop in Lois Mautz’s blood pressure, thus precluding the removal of her uterus. Recurring fibroids, called Asherman Syndrome, wove in and out of the uterus so that it had become inhospitable to life—the life of the child that Lois and her husband, Carey, so much desired since their marriage four years earlier. Carey and Lois Mautz were married November 3, 1 990 and wanted to start a family right away. She was twenty-eight and anxious to become a mother. “I had great parents,” she says, and I wanted to be like them.” Her parents had taught her that God was always in control, that trust in Him would sustain her through any of life’s trials. Little did Lois imagine that her faith would be tested to such a degree! The couple was thrilled when their first baby was conceived in April, 1991. Their delight was short-lived, however. In August, the baby miscarried, apparently suffocated by inter-uterine fibroids. Lois needled surgery to remove the invading tissues. “It all seemed like a nightmare,” she said, though it became her reality for several more years. In December of the same year, Lois and Carey were expecting for the second time, and once again their joy knew no bounds. Though she found herself vacillating between elation and fear, Lois knew that in God’s Providence, all would turn out the way it should. Just two months later, in February of 1992, heartache returned when this baby also died. “I don’t think God listens to my prayers, Carey told his wife with deep sadness. Lois assured him with affirmations such as, “Keep trusting, everything happens for a reason, and God’s will be done. When two ob-gyn specialists informed the Mautzes that they would likely never have children, Lois had to lean heavily on her own words. 2007 Bulletins/Bulletin # 25 9 06.24.2007 Bulletin In April of 1994, four large fibroids which threatened to destroy any possibility of a child for the hopeful couple were scheduled for surgical removal. Dr. Witt warned the Mautzes that he would probably remove the uterus if he saw that it was too badly scarred from the recurring fibroids. Indeed, it was scarred, but after Lois’ left ovary was removed, serious complications developed, halting the removal of the uterus. Dr. Witt had to abandon his plan to extract the only means for supporting the life of the baby they prayed for. Because of her doctor’s expert care, Lois survived the crisis. Returning to the conscious world, she asked almost immediately, “Do I still have my uterus?” When told that it had not been removed, she says, “that was music to my ears.” She decided right then that she would accept the fact that she may never have a child. Once again, her faith played a strong role in her resolve to accept the hand dealt her. After all, she was alive and she and Carey were blessed with six godchildren who would be a part of their lives. Lois and Carey did their best to surrender to God their hopes and dreams for a child, trying hard not to dwell on the subject too much. She continued her job as a hospital lab technician. Life seemed to just be getting back on an even keel when in October of 1995, a home pregnancy test revealed that Lois had conceived once more. Again the Mautzes were excited, even though they had already experienced such severe disappointments. Dr. Witt, however, was not at all excited when Lois came in for her prenatal exam. He did not believe she could ever carry a child to term. “You are no longer my patient, but God’s!” Dr. Witt declared. He ordered an ultrasound to determine the condition of the uterus. He was, however, not expecting what he saw: No scars and no adhesions! Lois’s uterus looked totally normal. The word “miracle” passed over her doctor’s lips. The pregnancy advanced normally until January of 1996, when serious bleeding began. Lois was put on bed rest. The bleeding subsided in March, but as a precaution, bed rest was continued. Carey bargained with God that if their child survived, he would be a more faithful Catholic. Lois, for her part, had already decided on the baby’s name, so sure was she that the Lord had spared her uterus in order for this child to be born. It was two o’clock in the morning of June 17, 1996. The Mautzes, followed closely by Lois’s anxious parents, raced to the hospital. “It was a wild ride,” Lois recalls. “I kept praying that we wouldn’t hit a deer.” An emergency surgery team assembled quickly, headed by Dr. Witt. Lois and Carey prayed and thanked God for the incredible miracle about to happen. At 6:08 a.m., Kendal Thomas Mautz was born, weighing a healthy 9 lbs., l oz. Tears of joy streamed down Carey’s face as he gently placed little Kendal into his loving mothers arms. Six years of painful, emotional agony paled as Lois and Carey beheld their precious son. As she held her baby for the first time, a flood— gate of emotion swept over Lois an incredible release of long years of tension and frustration. As Lois says so eloquently, “It is truly God that carries our future in His hands.” Carey agrees! Always believe! Maronites = The First Lebanese in USA The first Lebanese immigrant to come to the United States was a native of Salima near Beirut, an Antoun al-Bishallany, Who was influenced by the work and teaching of the early American Missionaries in Lebanon. He landed in Boston in 1854 to study for missionary work under the auspices of American Missions. Despite being an avid student, he succumbed to illness only two years later and died in New York at the young age of 29. 2007 Bulletins/Bulletin # 25 10 06.24.2007 Bulletin In 1865 Sarkees Abraham, a Lebanese youth of 22, landed in New Orleans and over a period of 2 1/2 years made his way on foot to Philadelphia. Several years later other Lebanese immigrants arrived in New Orleans and followed in Sarkees’ footsteps north to Pennsylvania. The earliest family to come to America from Lebanon was that of the learned Dr. Joseph Arbeely, a scholar and educator, who at one time had served as President of the Patriarchal College in Damascus. After the Druze massacre of Christians in 1860, which he miraculously survived, he moved with his entire family from Damascus to Beirut, where he lived more securely until 1878, when he decided to emigrate to America to provide a better and safer life for his children. He arrived in New York in 1878 with his wife, niece and six sons. Two of his sons, Abraham and Fudlallah, were doctors; one, Khalil, was a druggist, and another, Najeeb, was a college teacher of French. His two youngest sons, Habeeb and Nasseem, later founded the first Arabic newspaper in the new world, Kowkab Amerika, or the Star of America. Another notable early immigrant, Amin G. Beder, left his native Shweir in Lebanon in 1886 and settled in New York. Though poverty-stricken and with only a smattering of Arabic, he was determined to acquire a college education. After studying enough English to qualify for admission to St. Lawrence departmental honors in English! In 1905, following the mercantile instincts of many of his fellow Lebanese Americans, Beder established Amin Beder & Co., a business firm dealing in Oriental goods such as laces, embroideries, needle work and white goods. In a few years Beder’s firm became one of the most prosperous and successful businesses in America, importing and selling Oriental goods on a worldwide scale. Another early immigrant, Betrus Saad, after hearing glowing accounts about America from a neighbor in Lebanon, left his native village of Baskinta for the United States in 1888. Accompanied by three other young fellow-Baskintans, the foursome left Lebanon and traveled together through Paris, Dublin and Belfast, and finally arrived in New York. There they arranged immediately to travel farther on a peddling expedition through the United States that was to last three years. The four peddlers loaded themselves with religious articles, handkerchiefs, linens, table cloths and other sundry dry goods items, then proceeded to travel, mostly on foot, and peddled their goods from one community to another. While traveling through the Mohawk Valley in upper New York State, the quartet stopped in Utica, where a small Lebanese colony was already established, and while awaiting the slow arrival of some dry goods items from New York City, they decided to stay in Utica for the winter and to study English in evening school. Following this sojourn in Utica and fortified by their better command of English, the foursome resumed their travels westward, going on as far as California and then returning east again to New York, where they settled permanently. Later in New York City Betrus Saad invested some of his peddling earnings in a banking business. For many years he operated jointly with his brothers the successful banking firm of Betrus Saad & Brothers on Washington Street of New York City. Before the turn of the century, Michael Shadid came as an immigrant from Mount Lebanon to Elk City, Oklahoma. Like many of his fellow-countrymen, he started to peddle jewelry and managed to save in a short time $5,000 for his medical education. After graduating from medical college, he became one of the first American-trained physicians of Lebanese background. After several years of successful medical practice, he established the first cooperative hospital in the United States, which provided inexpensive medical care to the poor. He wrote a book about his medical experiences entitled “Doctor for the People.” Abraham Mitre Rihbany was another early Lebanese immigrant who arrived in New York City in 1891 like many others, destitute and illiterate, and became a well-known minister in Boston and a widely-traveled lecturer and writer in the United States. He wrote several popular books, the best known being “A Far Journey” and “The Syrian Christ.” The former is a colorful autobiographical sketch of the author, describing the many obstacles he incurred and surmounted in his odyssey from ancient Mount Lebanon to his new home and min- isterial career in America, while the latter book describes with feeling a Near Eastern Christian’s strong commitment to his faith and its exemplification in his daily living and habits of speech. Naoum Mokarzel was an early nationally-known Lebanese American publisher. He started publication of A1-Hoda (The Guidance) in Philadelphia in 1898. He moved the paper in 1903 to New York, where he was joined by his brother Salloum. Al-Hoda was the first paper to use Arabic characters in a linotype machine, replacing type-setting by hand. The paper was strongly anti-Ottoman and promoted the independence of 2007 Bulletins/Bulletin # 25 11 06.24.2007 Bulletin Lebanon from Turkey. It was also a strong supporter of the Arabic reawakening in the Near East and stirred considerable interest throughout America in Arabic letters and culture. Salloum Mokarzel was not only co-publisher of Al-Hoda with his brother Naoum but also he was an avid and inspired writer. Among his works were The History of Syrian Business Among Immigrants in America, 1920-1921, The History of Syrian Trade in the American Colonies and The Story of Lebanon and Its Emigrants. Also, he joined with H.E Otash in 1908 to compile the First Edition of The Syrian Business Directory and wrote a History of the Syrians in New York City for the New York American newspaper in October of 1927. KhaIil Gibran (1883-1931) was the best known of the early Lebanese immigrants who came to America. The author of the widely-read philosophical poem, “The Prophet”, arrived in Boston in 1895 as a poor and illiterate lad of twelve. He showed an early talent for drawing, which was recognized by American teachers and friends. He was encouraged and assisted to develop this ability and eventually he found success as a popular artist. Later, under the tutelage of an American educator friend, Mary Haskell, he began to write poetry in English and turned his attention particularly to philosophical prose poems, parables and precepts. His books were illustrated with his own artistic drawings. Gibran wrote in both Arabic and English. Among his works written originally in Arabic are: Nymphs of the Valley, Spirits Rebellious, Broken Wings, Tears and Laughter, The Procession, The Tempests, Best Things, Spiritual Sayings, The Spikes of Grain. Among his works written originally in English are: The Madman, The Forerunner, The Prophet, Sand and Foam, Jesus the Son of Man, The Earth Gods, The Wanderer, and The Garden of the Prophet. Gibran’s writing career spanned the quarter century between 1906 and 1931. His last two books, The Wanderer and The Garden of the Prophet, were published posthumously. His most famous work, The Prophet, was published in 1923. Among other early Lebanese American writers who are worthy of mention are the other members of the New York Pen League, whose leading light and most distinguished member was Khalil Gibran. These included: Naseeb Arida, a poet and publisher of the works of the Pen League in a literary journal called Al-Fanun (The Arts). Abdal-Masih Haddad, who published a semi-literary paper called AlSayeh (The Traveler). Iliyya Abu Madi, publisher of the magazine Al-Sameer (The Entertainer). Mikhail Naimy, a native of Baskinta, poet and organizer of the Pen League, studied at the Russian Teacher’s Institute in Nazareth, Palestine, at the Theological Seminary in Poltava, the Ukraine, at the University of Washington in Seattle, USA, and at the University of Rennes in France. Among his voluminous writings are: The Frozen River (a poem), A Dawn of Hope after a Night of Despair (an article that appeared in Al-Fanun), Fathers and Sons, Memoirs of a Vagrant Soul, Hunger (first English poem), Food for the Godward Journey (a collection of lectures), Once Upon a Time (a collection of short stories), Eyelid Whisperings (a collection of poems), The Idols, The Book of Mirdad (first English work), Gibran, A Biography, A Straw in the Wind (a collection of lectures), Pathways (a collection of essays), The Man with the Fat Calf (short stories), The Last Day, Job (a 4-act play), Oh Son of Adam (a novel), The Complete Works (10 volumes). Ameen Rihani, poet and friend of the American poet Edwin Markham, emigrated to New York in 1889 and started writing for the Arabic paper Al-Hoda. Among his writings are The Quatrains of Abu’l-Ala’ (translation from the Arab poet Ma’arri), Myrtle and Myrrh (a collection of his English poems, Al Rihaniyyat (a collection of addresses and essays), The Book of Khalid (his chef d’oeuvre), Lily of the Jordan Valley (a novel), Out of the Harem (a novel), The Descent of Bolshevism, The Path of Vision (a collection of essays), The Arab Kings, lbn Saud of Arabia, His People and His Land, Around the Coasts of Arabia, Arabian Peak and Desert, Faysal the First, The Heart of Iraq, Morocco, and Heart of Lebanon. A Time to Laugh (458)

Hearing Different Messages 2007 Bulletins/Bulletin # 25 12 06.24.2007 Bulletin Two old women were sitting on the front porch one evening. One was listening to the crickets chirping. The other was listening to a choir rehearsing in the church across the street. The latter said to the former, “Isn’t that heavenly music?” “Yes,” said the first woman. “And I understand they do it by rubbing their legs together.”

Gonna Have a Wife At Sunday school the teacher was teaching about how God created everything, including human beings. Little Tommy, a kindergartner, seemed especially intent when he heard how Eve had been created out of one of Adam’s ribs. Later in the week his mother noticed that he was lying down as though he were ill. She asked, “Tommy, what’s the matter?” Tommy responded, “I have a pain in my side. I think I’m gonna have a wife.”

Office Essentials An office worker went around telling everybody about the new office policy. To save energy, lighting in nonessential areas was to be cut down. When he returned, he noticed that the light over his desk had been turned off.

Hung Up to Dry After hearing that one of the patients in a mental hospital had saved another from a suicide attempt by pulling him out of a bathtub, the director reviewed the rescuer’s file and called him into his office. “Mr. Phillips, your records and your heroic behavior indicate that you’re ready to go home. I’m only sorry that the man you saved later killed himself with a rope around the neck.” “Oh, he didn’t kill himself,” Mr. Phillips replied. “I hung him up to dry.”

Move the Rock A woman told the following parable at the end of what one suspects was a long day of meetings. Now all of you nice ladies just imagine that you live in a house by a road on the top of a mountain. There was a big rock slide, and a large boulder came down right around the corner on this mountain road. And every car that came around the corner hit the boulder and smashed up. Now I understand what you would do. You would run right out and take those people out of the smashed cars. You would bandage them up and bring them into your house, and you would feed them and pray with them. And when they got well, you would send them home. Well, sisters, what I think you ought to do is send somebody out to move the rock!

Reflections: Jesus Source of Grace Jesus of Nazareth, without money or arms, conquered more millions than Alexander, Caesar, and Napoleon; without science and learning, He shed more light on things human and divine than all the philosophers and schools combined; without the eloquence of learning, He spoke 2007 Bulletins/Bulletin # 25 13 06.24.2007 Bulletin words of life such as never were spoken before or since, and produced effects which lie beyond the reach of any orator or poet; without writing a single line, He has set more pens in motion, and furnished themes for more sermons, orations, discussions, learned volumes, works of art, and sweet songs of praise, than the whole army of great men of ancient and modern times. Born in a manger and crucified as a criminal, He now controls the destiny of the world, and rules a spiritual empire which embraces one-quarter of the world’s inhabitants. There was never in this world a life so unpretentious, modest, and lowly in its outward form and condition, and yet producing such extraordinary effects upon all ages, nations, and classes of men. The annals of history produce no other example of such complete and astonishing success in spite of the absence of those material, social, literary, and artistic powers and influences which are indispensable to success for a mere man. His grace will sustain you in times of trial. (An adaptation of a poem written by Phillip Schaff, an American theologian and historian of the 19th century.)

Prayers: The heavenly hosts The heavenly hosts stand with us in the sanctuary. They carry in procession the body of the Son of God, immolated before us. Let us all approach and receive him for the forgiveness of our sins and faults. Alleluia! May our parents, brothers and sisters, and teachers be commemorated at your altar, O Lord, and may they stand at your right hand on the day of judgment, O Christ the King. Alleluia! Blessed is the Lord who gave us his living body that we may find pardon in them. Praised and exalted are the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Glory to them for ever and ever. Alleluia! Famous Quotes: Words to live by * Kind words are short and easy to speak, but their echoes are truly endless. — Mother Teresa * The best exercise for strengthening the heart is reaching down and lifting people Up. — Ernest Blevins * The world says, “the more you take, the more you have.” Christ says, “the more you give, the more you are.” — Frederick Buechner * When were the good and the brave ever in a majority? — Heny Thoreau * Any fool can criticize, condemn, and complain, and most fools do. — Benjamin Franklin * If you hear that someone is speaking ill of you, instead of trying to defend yourself you should say, “He obviously does not know me very well, since there are so many other faults he could have mentioned. — Epictectus