January 28, 2007 Bulletin # 4 Our Lady of 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) Sunday of the Priests

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. *Marriage: Kindly phone the Pastor at least six months in advance for Marriage Preparation *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         *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 2 ALLEY spaces Gospel Reflection: Sunday of the Priests Readings: 1 Tim 4:6-16 & Lk 12: 42-48 The priest is a man of prayer. This is one of main reasons for which he is ordained, as is written in the Letter to the Hebrews, which is quoted in the Rite of Ordination to the Priesthood, “The priest is taken from among men to offer sacrifice not only for their sins but for his own sins as well.” One of his primary tasks and responsibilities is to offer public prayer for the 2007 Bulletins/Bulletin #4 2 01.28.2007 Bulletin people. He does this, of course, especially when he celebrates the Sacraments. When the priest baptizes, through his words and actions in the Sacrament of Baptism, he brings the baptized out of original sin and makes them a children of God and members of God’s holy people for all eternity. When the priest absolves, through his words and actions in the Sacrament of Reconciliation, the penitent’s sins are forgiven, and healing and reconciliation with God and His people once again become a reality. When the priest confirms (the bishop delegates the pastor as the extraordinary minister for this Sacrament in certain situations), through his words and actions in the Sacrament of Confirmation, the candidate receives the outpouring of the gifts of the Holy Spirit and is strengthened to share them with God’s people. When the priest stands in the place of God and officially represents God’s people as he witnesses the exchange of vows between a man and woman as they become one through the Sacrament of Matrimony, the relationship between those two people becomes not only holy and permanent but also they, themselves, become one of the Sacraments of the Church. When the priest anoints with the holy oil, through his words and actions in the Sacrament of the Sick, the infirm receive the healing which they most need from God at that time. And in a very special way, when the priest offers the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, each time he celebrates the Sacred Mysteries of the Holy Eucharist through his words and actions, God, Himself, gives the Body and Blood, the Soul and Divinity of His Only Begotten Son, Jesus Christ, to His people to be Strength for the journey.

Reflections: The Beautiful Hands of a Priest We need them in life’s early morning, we need them again at its close. We feel their warm clasp of true friendship, we seek them when tasting life’s woes. At the altar each day we behold them, and the hands of a king on his throne; Are not equal to them in their greatness, their dignity stands alone. And when tempted and wander, to pathways of shame and sin; It’s the hand of a priest will absolve us, not once, but again and again. And when we are taking life’s partner, other hands may prepare us a feast; But the hands that will bless and unite us, is the beautiful hand of a priest. God bless them and keep them all holy, for the Host which their fingers caress; When can a poor sinner do better, than to ask Him to guide you and bless? When the hour of death comes upon us, may our courage and strength be increased; By seeing raised over us in blessing, the beautiful hands of a priest!!!!

Celebration of the Holy Mysteries

This Weekend: January 27-28: “Sunday of the Priests” Saturday, January 27, at 4:00 p.m.: Ida Lewis by George, Cindy and George Jr. Ida Shia Lewis by Ed & Betty Shia Sunday, January 28, at 10:30 a.m.: 2007 Bulletins/Bulletin #4 3 01.28.2007 Bulletin Sally Malatinski & John Dusick family by Sandra Dusick Adib Chidiac by Josephine Joseph

Weekday Masses Monday, January 29: No Mass. Tuesday, January 30: No Mass. Wednesday, January 31, at noon: Helen Fielding by her husband Don (FL) and Special Intention Adib Chidiac by Peter, Mary and Christine Solberg (MN) Thursday, February 1 at noon: Helen Fielding by her husband Don (FL) and Special Intention Anna Bargiel by her sister Mrs. P. Bargiel Allen Friday, February 2 at noon: Helen Fielding by her husband Don (FL) and Special Intention Adib Chidiac by Joe & Jocelyn Chahine (Pittsburgh)

Next Weekend: February 3-4: “Sunday of the Righteous & Just” Saturday, February 3, at 4:00 p.m.: Steve & Margaret Schlog (Birthday) by Bob & Fran Saseen Special intention of Suzi Ferreira (CA) (on her birthday) by her cousin Lucille Gibbons Sunday, February 4, 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. Adib Chidiac by Shirley & Jim George Building Project Income for January 2007 Total donations toward the Building Fund received in December 2006: $4,925.00 The actual ground breaking will take place in the spring of 2007. Day and time will be announced and published in our bulletin. All active parishioners are invited to share in the memorable photo that will be taken prior to this event, kept in the church archives, sent to the local newspaper and sent to the Maronite Voice. Please prepare your shovels and we will spray them in gold. From the breaking of the ground until the project is completed a daily prayer will be raised to God and the Blessed Mother to afford for their house. Donations towards the Building Project during January 2007: Donations Gem Level Received Requested Donor’s Name & Date $500 Alexandrite Florence John (FL) (1.3.2007) $65 Sapphire Michael & Nicole Breit (NC) (1.4.2007) Upcoming Calendar of Events Sunday, January 28 50/50 January Building Fund Raffle Drawing after Mass Sunday, January 28 Women's Society Meeting – at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, January 31 First Communion, Confirmation & Bible Study Classes Friday, February 9 Fun Night and Fr. Bakhos’ Birthday – 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Sat., Feb., 10 - Fri., Feb. 16 Week of Faithful Departed Masses 2007 Bulletins/Bulletin #4 4 01.28.2007 Bulletin Sunday, February 11 "Sweetheart" Gift Basket Drawing Tuesday, February 13 Cedar Club Meeting at 7:00 p.m. Monday, February 19 Ash Monday Mass at 8:15 a.m. & 7:00 p.m. Sunday, February 25 50/50 February Building Fund Raffle Drawing after Mass Sunday, March 18 St. Dinner 50/50 Monthly Building Fund Raffle (drawing: Sunday, January 28, 2007) The Women’s Society is sponsoring the 50/50 Monthly Building Fund Raffle. The drawing– from entries received from the blue tickets provided at the back of the church– will take place in the Social Hall following Mass on Sunday, January 28, 2007. Tickets for the February drawing– from entries received from the white tickets provided at the back of each week’s Bulletin– will take place in the Social Hall following Mass on Sunday, February 25, 2007. 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 or call: Mary Lish (740) 695-9452. Your generosity and cooperation will enhance our Church. Rita Strawn who won the $80 December 50/50 prize and donated it to the Building Fund. Women's Society Meeting (Sunday, January 28, at 11:30 a.m.) The Women's Society will hold its next meeting on Sunday, January 28, at 11:30 a.m. We ask that everyone try to be in attendance so we can make plans for our New Year. st 1 Communion & Confirmation Classes (Wednesday, January 31st) Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament (Saturday & Sunday, February 3-4) Pope Benedict XVI said, “The whole of Jesus’ earthly existence, from his conception until his death on the cross, was an act of love, to the point that we can summarize our faith in these words: ‘Jesus, caritas’ -- Jesus, love.” He continued, “in the Eucharist, the Lord gives himself to us with His body, with His soul and with His divinity, and we become one with Him and among ourselves … Many and varied are the forms of service that we can offer our neighbor in everyday life, if we pay a little attention. The Eucharist becomes in this way the source of the spiritual energy that renews our life every day and, in this way, renews the love of Christ to the world.” The Holy Father gave the example of the saints, “who drew from the Eucharist the strength of an operative and often heroic charity” like St. Vincent de Paul who used to say, “What joy to serve the person of Jesus in his poor members!” And Mother Teresa of Calcutta, who in the poorest of the poor, loved Jesus, received and contemplated every day in the consecrated Host. “Let us pray,” he said, “so that every Christian, nourished by the Body and Blood of the Lord, will grow ever more in the love of God and in the generous service of his brothers.” Fr. Bakhos’ Birthday (Friday, February 9th) I will celebrate my 56th birthday on Friday, February 9th. I was born in Lebanon on February 9, 1951, ordained priest in Sydney, Australia on December 21, 1991, and arrived to 2007 Bulletins/Bulletin #4 5 01.28.2007 Bulletin the United States on January 16, 1994 and became American citizen on December 10, 2002. I served this parish since June 6, 2001. It is the longest time I served in one parish since my ordination. Last year, it was the 100-year anniversary of Our Lady of Lebanon Church, we celebrated it with pride, joy, and success; but this year we are all looking forward to completing the building project. As I pray for you and forgive your shortcomings, please forgive me for any misunderstanding. Fr. Bakhos Fun Night and Fr. Bakhos’ Birthday (Friday, February 9th, 6:30-9:30 p.m.) All invited to a Family Fun Night with the Cedar Club in the Church Hall on February 9 from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. We are celebrating Father Bakhos' Birthday with a Pot Luck Dinner. Those attending are asked to bring a $1.00 wrapped gift for a prize and your favorite dish. Call Nini Miller at 243-0057 or Danielle Lavoie at 277-2013. Lets get together to play games, cards, and celebrate with Father. Week of the Faithful Departed (Saturday, February 10, to Friday, February 16th) Throughout the week of the faithful departed, offer prayers for the Repose of the Souls of your beloved ones. The Communion of Saints unites those working out their salvation here on earth -The Church Militant- with those being purified in Purgatory -The Church Suffering- and those Saints in Heaven who are the Church Triumphant. Masses for Our Faithful Departed: Parents & Beloved Ones Deceased Family Members of Fr. Bakhos Chidiac Deceased family members of all the benefactors of Fr. Bakhos Chidiac, Pastor Deceased members of the Khourey and Howard families by Lou & Charlotte Khourey Deceased members of Thomasina Geimer by Thomasina Deceased members of the Breiding and Wurtzbacher by Dr. John & Roxanne Jim Garvey by his wife Kay and daughter Sue Helen Fielding by her husband Donald Fielding (Sarasota, FL) Deceased members of John Jacobs and John Dusick families by Sandra Dusick Barkett & Sadie Coury by their children and families The Aowad & Coury Families by their families Mr. & Mrs. Ira Sengewalt by the Sengewalt family Cathy (Sharp) Howard by the Sengewalt family Charles F. Custer by his mother Mary Custer Francis & Anna Emmerth by their children Joseph A. Benline by his wife Helen Francis P. Emmerth Jr. by his sisters Anthony Shia by Ed & Betty Shia Deceased members of the Habdo & Dougherty families by Carol & Bill Dougherty Roberta Daniel Connelly by Carol Dougherty Charles & Anna Przelenski by Irene Schuler Adelaide & Daniel Schuler by Paul Schuler Anna Bargiel by her nieces LeAnn Cook and Marie Canziani 2007 Bulletins/Bulletin #4 6 01.28.2007 Bulletin Anna Bargiel and her sister Frances Bargiel by their niece LeAnn C. Cook Richard L. Weekly by his wife Deceased members of the Saseen and Schlog Families by Bob & Fran Saseen Deceased members of the DiDomenico & Tom Jalad Families by Anna Jalad

(Please complete the attached Mass Form and return it to Fr. Bakhos. All intentions will be published in the upcoming bulletins.)

Basket Raffle Scheduled (Drawing: Sunday, February 11, 2007) Pink colored tickets for the “Sweetheart” Gift Basket Raffle are available now at $1.00 each or 6 for $5.00 from the church office or from Women's Society members and will also be published in our weekly Bulletins. This wonderful "Sweetheart" basket contains: a bottle of Andre Champagne, 2 goblets, a valentine Teddy Bear, a box of Ferrero Prestige chocolates, a box of Russell Stover chocolates, peanut butter truffles, a box of champagne crackers, a jar of red raspberry jam, a box of dark chocolate hearts, an apple cinnamon scented pillar candle, cherry almond hand wash, apple pomegranate body cream, a tub of mocha cappuccino filled wafers, and a red & white terry kitchen towel. The gift basket raffle is sponsored by the Women's Society in its effort to raise funds for our Building Fund. The drawing will be held on Sunday, February 11, 2007, after mass.

Please Note: The Women’s Society of our church has been sponsoring basket raffles monthly with proceeds going towards our building fund. The ladies have been most generous with their donations of items and baskets to be used for this purpose. They also welcome your donations towards this goal. Examples for Donations: Baskets in good condition, grocery or movie gift certificates, soups, crackers, ladle, herbs, soup beans, matching bowls, salsa, jars of olives, jar of peppers, good coffee, mugs, cookie and muffin mix, cake mixes, herbal and regular tea, potholders, kitchen towels, measuring spoons, mixing spoons. Your help is appreciated.

St. Maron Dinner (Sunday, March 18th, 11:30-5:30 p.m.) Mark your calendar with the date for our St. Maron Dinner and look for more information in upcoming bulletins.

Ash Monday–Blessing with Ashes & Mass (Mon., Feb. 19, 8 a.m. & 7 p.m.) “Remember, You Are Dust and Unto Dust You Will Return” Please FAST ON ASH MONDAY & GOOD FRIDAY. On Monday, February 19, we will have two Masses: 8:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. to give all our working parishioners the opportunity to attend. Each Mass will be followed by a Blessing with Ashes ushering in the 2007 Bulletins/Bulletin #4 7 01.28.2007 Bulletin beginning of the Great Lent Season. Please receive the ashes with a repentant and contrite heart pleasing to God.

Lenten Light Dinners Need 6 Generous Host Families Every Friday during Lent, we celebrate the Stations of the Cross and the Benediction of the Cross at 7:00 p.m. Spiritual Reflections series will take place every Friday. We need six generous families – each willing to host a light meal to be served in the parish hall at 8:00 p.m. following the Friday prayers. (All desserts each Friday will be provided by the Cedar Club.) Please schedule yourself for one of these evenings. Thanks for your hospitality. 1st Family: Fri., February 23 Spiritual Reflection: Dr. Rajai Khoury Light dinner: Fadoul & Duffy Families 2nd Family: Friday, March 2 Spiritual Reflection: ? Light dinner: Women Society Members: Carol, Sandra, Kay, Julia, Charlotte 3rd Family: Friday, March 9 Spiritual Reflection: Dr. MaryAnn Cater Light dinner: ? 4th Family: Friday, March 16 Spiritual Reflection: Dr. Rob Vawter Light dinner: ? 5th Family: Friday, March 23 Spiritual Reflection: ? Light dinner: ? 6th Family: Friday, March 30 Spiritual Reflection: ? Light dinner: ?

Refresh Your Lebanese Vocabulary: Theme: Numerical Expressions English Lebanese Once MarRa Twice MarrTain Thrice Tlet MarRat Four times Arba MarRat Half Nuss Quarter Rubeh A third Tilt Two third TilTain A lot, much, very Kteer A little, few Aleel

Is Anyone Sick? Please remember those hospitalized recently in your prayers: Frances Linton, Jim Fahey, John Vawter (brother of Dr. Rob Vawter), Martha Ruggiero

Also please pray for: 2007 Bulletins/Bulletin #4 8 01.28.2007 Bulletin Joe Linton, John Stan, Ed & Betty Shia, Alice (Thomas) Holmes, Peg Emmerth, Jennie Bedway, Mary Shipley, Philip Ruggiero, Shipley Shipley, Catherine (Geary) Simon, Leona Albaugh, Manell Brice (Arlington), Rose Mary Bris-Roybal (Albuquerque)

Your Church Support Last Week $1,066 Collection $44 Votive Candles $50 Parking $10 Utilities $250 Refund $100 Donations to Church $1,520 Total. May the Blessed Mother reward you manifold! Around Us Annual Reverse Raffle (Friday, February 16th, at 6:00 p.m.) Central Catholic High School (CCHS) Boosters are sponsoring the their annual Reverse Raffle/Give A Way dinner Friday, February 16th at the White Palace. Doors open at 6 p.m. Over $7,500 cash plus prizes will be given. For tickets call Joyce 242-7476, Marilyn 212-2012, or Kathy 243-1472 Family Service Volunteers Needed If you have time, consider volunteering to deliver meals to homebound senior citizens within the Wheeling area Monday-Friday. Routes are approximately from 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. To Volunteer call Lori Rice, Nutrition Program Coordinator at (304) 232-6730

Bible Trivia (see answers on next page) 1. Which gospel writes, "Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth?" 2. What was Esau's profession? 3. To whom did God say, "Be strong and of a good courage? 4. Which of the following was a harlot? (a) Rahab, (b) Esther, (c) Shiphrah 5. Who nursed the baby Moses? 6. What were the names of Zechariah's two staves? 7. What was the name of John the Baptist's father? 8. Who, according to Ecclesiastes, know "not any thing"? 9. Who threw Jonah into the water? 10. Pharaoh gave Solomon the most generous wedding gift in Biblical history. Name it. Wisdom: Grandpa’s Wisdom --Whether a man winds up with a nest egg or a goose egg depends a lot on the chick he marries. --Trouble in marriage often starts when a man gets so busy earning his salt but forgets his sugar. --Too many couples marry for better, or for worse, but not for good. 2007 Bulletins/Bulletin #4 9 01.28.2007 Bulletin --When a man marries a woman, they become one; trouble starts if he has to decide which one. --If a man has enough horse sense to treat his wife like a thoroughbred, she will never turn into an old nag. --On anniversaries, the wise husband always forgets the past - but never the present. --A foolish husband says to his wife, "Honey, you stick to the washin', ironin', cookin', and scrubbin'. No wife of mine is gonna work." --The bonds of matrimony are a good investment, only when the interest is kept up. --Many girls like to marry a military man - he can cook, sew, make beds, is in good health, and he's already used to taking orders. --Eventually you reach a point when you stop lying about your age, and start bragging about it. --The older we get, the fewer things seem worth waiting in line for. --Some people try to turn back their odometers. Not me, I want people to know "why" I look this way. I've traveled a long way and some of the roads weren't paved. --How old would you be if you didn't know how old you are? --When you are dissatisfied and would like to go back to your youth, Remember about Algebra. --You know you are getting old, when everything either dries up, or leaks. --I don't know how I got over the hill without getting to the top. --One of the things no one tells you about aging is that it is a nice change from being young. --Ah, being young is beautiful, but being old is comfortable. --Old age is when former classmates are so gray, wrinkled and bald, they don't recognize you. --If you don't learn to laugh at trouble, you won't have anything to laugh at when you are old.

Trivia Answers 1. Matthew 2. Hunter 3. David 4. Rahab 5. His natural mother 6. Beauty & Bands 7. Zacharias 8. The dead 9. His shipmates 10. The city of Gezer

Great People from Lebanon (Elias El-Hoyek) “Lebanese Patriarch and Supreme Delegate of Lebanon” 2007 Bulletins/Bulletin #4 10 01.28.2007 Bulletin This is how Patriarch Elias E1-Hoyek was proclaimed by the Administrative Council, which was established for Lebanon in 1918 at the end of World War I and which presented the requests of the to the Peace Conference at Versailles. Elias Peter El-Hoyek was born on December 30, 1843 in the small village of Hilta, near lbrine in the Batroun district of North Lebanon. He came of pious Catholic parents and began what constituted school at the age of five on a bench under an oak tree near the parish church. At eight he entered St. School at Kfarhai in the Batroun, where he studied and . In 1859 at 16 he was sent to the Jesuit Seminary of in the Kesrouan district, where he studied French, Italian, Greek and Latin in preparation for the priesthood. His brilliance of mind and strong motivation for learning attracted the attention of Patriarch Paul Peter Massad, who arranged for him to enter in 1865 the Propaganda College in Rome, where he studied philosophy and theology. In June 1870 he was ordained a priest and several months later he earned a doctorate in Theology and Canon Law. Upon his return to Lebanon, Father E1-Hoyek taught theology at St. John Maron Seminary in Kfarhai. After teaching for several years he was appointed in 1872 as secretary to Patriarch Paul Massad. Father El-Hoyek remained secretary for 17 years, serving as adviser and intimate to the Patriarch. In 1889 Father El-Hoyek was consecrated titular Archbishop of Arka. As archbishop for 10 years he traveled extensively. He journeyed as patriarchal vicar to Rome where he reopened the Maronite College with the blessing of Pope Leo XIII. He then went to , , where he obtained from the French government scholarships for Maronite seminarians at St. Sulpice Seminary in the French capital. On his way back to Lebanon in 1892 Bishop El-Hoyek stopped in Istanbul where he received from the Sultan an honorary decoration and funds for the support of the Maronite College in Rome. In 1893 he represented Patriarch John Al-Hajj at the World Eucharistic Congress in Jerusalem and also at the observance of Pope Leo’s priestly jubilee in Rome. He also attended the Synod of Patriarchs convened in Rome to discuss matters relating to the Eastern Churches. While in Rome he worked on the reformation of the Maronite College for which a new site was purchased. Following his return to Lebanon he acquired a new Maronite patriarchal residence in Jerusalem. In 1895 he founded the Congregation of the Maronite Sisters of the Holy Family. In 1897 he was again called to Rome to direct the Maronite College, where he remained until Dec. 27, 1898, when he was called back to Lebanon with the passing of Patriarch El-Hajj. On January 6, 1899 at 55 he was elected by the Synod of Bishops as Patriarch of Antioch and All the East. He was installed on Jan. 9, 1899 and Pope Leo XIII sent him the pallium and confirmation on June 20, 1899. In June 1903 a new patriarchal residence, begun in 1899, was completed in Diman, Lebanon near the old residence. In 1908 at Harissa in Kesrouan a huge monument and statue of Our Lady of Lebanon was inaugurated. The edifice and statue with the arms of Our Lady outstretched as the appeared to St. Catherine Laboure’ in Paris in 1830, took four years to complete. In 1910 the Patriarch wrote a constitution for the congregation of the Maronite Nuns of the Holy Family which he had founded earlier. This order established many schools in Lebanon and abroad and also directed orphanages and hospitals. In 1913 he established his patriarchal vicariate in Paris where he obtained a church and residence from the French government. A vicariate was also established in Egypt and Maronite emissaries were sent to Africa and America to establish missions there. It was during his Patriarchate in 1926 that the cause for beatification of Father Sharbel Makhlouf, who was canonized by Pope Paul VI in 1977, was introduced and the three Massabki brothers who suffered martyrdom for their faith in 1860 in Damascus, were declared Blessed. World War I, when Lebanon suffered for four long years from Turkish persecution and tenor and nearly half the population of the country perished from famine, locust plagues and disease, tested the true mettle of the Patriarch. Throughout the war he dedicated himself totally to the relief of his suffering countrymen. From his patriarchal coffers he distributed food and money to the suffering Lebanese people. When the harsh Turkish governor sought to exile the Patriarch, Pope Benedict XV interceded with the Austrian Emperor Charles 1, who 2007 Bulletins/Bulletin #4 11 01.28.2007 Bulletin appealed to his ally, the Turkish Sultan, to stop the harassment of the Patriarch. As a result the Patriarch was allowed to return to his seat at Bkerke, where he redoubled his efforts in behalf of his oppressed people. After the war Patriarch El-Hoyek was called upon to play a leading role in achieving the political independence of Lebanon. In September 1918 after the Turks evacuated their forces and Allied troops occupied Lebanon, an Administrative Council was established to guide the country temporarily. The Council assumed the responsibility of presenting the requests of the Lebanese people to the Paris Peace Conference. Representatives of all the ethnic communities in Lebanon - both Christian and non-Christian - convened at Bkerke and besought the Patriarch to head the Lebanese delegation to the peace conference. The conferees proclaimed him the “Lebanese Patriarch and Supreme Delegate of Lebanon.” The Patriarch readily assumed the patriotic task thrust upon him and carried it to a successful conclusion. After eloquently submitting, in impeccable French, the Lebanese requests to the peace conference on Oct. 25, 1919, he succeeded in obtaining for Lebanon its natural and historic frontiers, “.” it was called by the French instead of Mt. Lebanon, and the new nation, which included , Baalbek, Tripoli, Sidon, Tyre and the Bekaa Valley was proclaimed independent on Sept. 1, 1920 by French General Henri Gouraud. Patriarch El-Hoyek died on Dec. 24, 1931 at the age of 88. To his funeral came Lebanese officials, high French officials and heads of all religious communities, Christian and non-Christian. Patriarch El-Hoyek may be appropriately termed the architect of Modern Lebanon. Today he is recognized and remembered not only as a great Patriarch of the Maronite people but also as a courageous national hero and leader of all the Lebanese people. Story: Acts of Kidness My eleven-year-old daughter and I were recently in a huge chain store. She headed over to the school supply section while I went for groceries. I finished shopping before she did and was standing in line at one of the fifteen checkouts. Her view of me was blocked by a huge book display. As I had plenty of time to spare, I watched her observing a bewildered elderly man shuffle around the front counter area. The poor soul had on shower slippers and clothing that had seen much better days. It was obvious that he was homeless. I saw the sad look on Amanda’s face as she scrabbled around in her small purse. I knew what she was doing, and had to restrain myself from giving her the money to give to the gentleman. She wanted to use her own money, so I squashed my motherly instincts. She left her cart in line, and walked a short distance behind the man, where she dropped the rolled up one dollar bills to the floor. My heart and eyes filled as she gently tapped him on the shoulder and pointed the money out to him. As he joyfully scooped up the money, I could read his lips telling Amanda “God bless you.” My daughter sweetly shook her head no. She smiled up at him, said a few words, and then skipped back to her cart. I pretended to be busy with my checkbook as I quickly wiped my eyes. Once back in our car and heading home, Amanda shyly related the story of how she had noticed the man looking at the cookies in the store. He had counted the change in his pocket then put the cookies he wanted to buy back on the shelf. She said, “Mom, I knew he was hungry and he seemed sort of confused. I didn’t want him to be hungry.” So, did you give him some money or buy him some food?” I asked her. My little angel replied, “No, Mama. I didn’t want him to be embarrassed that I thought he was poor, so I told him I found some money on the floor, and that I thought it was his. He said, “God bless you, and I really do feel blessed. Then I showed him the bananas on sale.” This little “random act of ‘kidness’ from my own child will continue to bless me for many years to come. A Time to Laugh (433) “Police Seek Vandals for Graffiti Work” “Volunteers Needed for Suicide Program” “Analyst’s Couch Maker Finds a Niche in Shrinking Market” 2007 Bulletins/Bulletin #4 12 01.28.2007 Bulletin ************************** Just after hurricane Katrina hit, I watched an interview with a New Orleans businessman who kept his bar open by candlelight when the electricity failed. O kay, so he had had light. But, wondered the reporter, “You have no running water. How can you stay open?” “Sir,” said the bar owner in a lazy drawl, “folks don’t come to New Orleans to drink the water.” ************************** Part of my job at the District Attorney’s office is to send letters to people accused of crimes, informing them when a court date is scheduled. One such notice was returned, clearly by a criminal mastermind, with this jotted on the envelope: “I DO NOT LIVE HERE.” ************************** Funny Quotes about Marriage The key to a long and healthy marriage is that, honestly, there’s nothing worth fighting about. Why does a woman work ten years to change a man’s habits and then complain that he’s not the man she married? I love being married. I was single for a long time, and I just got so sick of finishing my own sentences. Until you become a parent, you can’t begin to discover your capacity for strength, love and fatigue. The perfect man? A poet on a motorcycle. Kids. They’re not easy. But there has to be some penalty for sex. You should never marry anybody until you’ve seen each other miserable sick with the flu. My wife tells me that if I ever decide to leave, she’s coming with me. It ain’t what people call you. It’s what you answer to. Marriage is like a 5,000-piece jigsaw puzzle—all sky. Questions & Answers Q.: What do you do if you’re attacked by a troupe of circus performers? A: Go for the juggler. ************************** BOB: Al, when did you get a trombone? Al: I borrowed it from my neighbor’s kid. Bob: I didn’t know you could play the trombone. Al: I can’t. And now, neither can he. ************************** The last thing my friend remembered was ordering a drink at the bar. After that, it was all a blur, except for the nagging feeling that people were staring at him. The next day, he couldn’t find his hat. Figuring he’d left it at the bar, he took a walk over. “Looking for your hat?” asked the bartender. “Yes,” said my friend. As the bartender handed it over, he added, “And would you like your pants too?” *************************** A man and his wife are sitting in the living room. He says to her, “Just so you know, I never want to live in a vegetative state, dependent on some machine. If that ever happens, just pull the plug.” So she gets up and unplugs the TV. Bob Dylan announced he will have a weekly music show on XM Satellite Radio. It will be an hour show followed by another hour show that translates what Bob Dylan said in the first hour.