Our Lady of Purgatory

Maronite October 31 – November 1, 2020 CONSECRATION OF THE CHURCH QUOTE OF THE WEEK

“It is Jesus that you seek when you dream of happiness; He is waiting for you when nothing else you find satisfies you; He is the beauty to which you are so attracted; it is He who provoked you with that thirst for fullness that will not let you settle for compromise; it is He who urges you to shed the masks of a false life; it is He who reads in your heart your that day, unless they have an excellent most genuine choices, the ALL DAY excuse, such as serious illness. choices that others try to stifle. All Saints' Day is a solemn holy day of Other countries have different rules It is Jesus who stirs in you the the Catholic Church celebrated annually according to their national bishop's desire to do something great on November 1. The day is dedicated to conferences. The bishops of each with your lives, the will to the saints of the Church, that is, all those conference have the authority to amend follow an ideal, the refusal to the rules surrounding the obligation of who have attained heaven. It should not allow yourselves to be ground be confused with All Souls' Day, which the day. All Saints' Day was formally started by down by mediocrity, the is observed on November 2, and is courage to commit yourselves dedicated to those who have died and Boniface IV, who consecrated the not yet reached heaven. at to the Mary humbly and patiently to Although millions, or even billions of and all the Martyrs on May 13 in 609 improving yourselves and people may already be saints, All Saints' AD. Boniface IV also established All society, making the world more Day observances tend to focus on Souls' Day, which follows All Saints. human and more fraternal.” known saints --that is those recognized The choice of the day may have been Pope John Paul II in the canon of the saints by the Catholic intended to co-opt the pagan holiday Church. "Feast of the Lamures," a day which All Saints' Day is also commemorated pagans used to placate the restless by members of the Eastern Orthodox spirits of the dead. Church as well as some protestant The holy day was eventually established churches, such as Lutheran and on November 1 by Pope Gregory III in Anglican churches. the mid-eighth century as a day Generally, All Saints' Day is a Catholic dedicated to the saints and their relics. Holy Day of Obligation, meaning all The May 13 celebration was Catholics are required to attend Mass on subsequently abandoned.

Fr. Vincent Farhat, Pastor | Rev. Mr. Jean Mattar, Deacon | , Sub-deacon Address: 11 Franklin Street, New Bedford, MA 02740 Office: 508-996-8934| Fax: 774-202-0758| Evening Emergency Number: 561-371-5316 | Website: www.ourladyofpurgatory.org Email: [email protected] | Facebook Page: Our Lady of Purgatory Catholic Church - Maronite Rite OFFICE HOURS: The Church office will be open Monday through Thursday from 10:00 am until 3:00 pm.

In Ireland, the Church celebrated All In some places, such as the Philippines, WELCOME FR. PATRICK Saints' Day on April 20, to avoid graves can be painted and repaired by associating the day with the traditional family members. Many of these ARMANO AND DEACON harvest festivals and pagan feasts practices blur the distinction between CHARCHAFLIAN associated with Samhain, celebrated at All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day. I would like to welcome to Our Lady of the same time. These celebrations often blur the Purgatory Church Fr. Patrick Armano Following the establishment of the distinction between All Saints' Day, and Deacon Michael Charchaflian from Frankish Empire, and following the which is properly dedicated to those Methuen, MA. Fr. Patrick has been a reign of Charlemagne, the holy day, who are in heaven, and All Souls' Day, friend of the Maronites in Lawrence, which was already celebrated on on which prayers are offered for all MA, for many years and has recently November 1, became a holy day of those who have died, but have not yet become Bi-ritual for the Maronite obligation by decree of Pope Gregory reached heaven. Church. IV and Louis the Pious, who was king In Mexico, the Day of the Dead holy Deacon Michael has also been serving over a portion of Charlemagne's former days extend from October 31 through Anthony in Lawrence, MA, for the empire. November 2. past 2 years. Thank you for caring for Following the Protestant Reformation, It is important to remember these basic this flock while I am away. You are many Protestants retained the holy day, facts: always welcome. although they dismissed the need to is a secular holiday that pray for the dead. Instead, the day has comes the night before All Saints' Day. MANY THANKS TO YOU been used to commemorate those who All Saints' Day is on November 1, and it I would like to thank all of the workers, have recently died, usually in the past is a Holy Day of Obligation. sponsors, and those who donated to year, and to remember the examples of All Souls' Day in on November 2, and it make our Mini Bazaar a success. This those who lived holy lives. is NOT a Holy Day of Obligation. community has demonstrated that The Catholic practice however, The Day of the Dead is a Mexican nothing will stop us from caring for the celebrates all those who have entered holiday that has spread in popularity Church and each other, especially heaven, including saints who are into parts of the United States and across during these trying times. Much love recognized by the Church and those America. It is celebrated from and hard work went into making this who are not. October 31 through November 2, to event a success and I thank each of you. Holy day customs vary around the coincide with both the American May God bless this community and world. In the United States, the day tradition and the Catholic holy days. Church. before is Halloween and is usually Those three days are dedicated to all of celebrated by dressing in costumes with the dead. THEME BASKETS RAFFLE themes of death commonly associated. https://www.catholic.org/saints/allsaints/ Children go door-to-door in costume, DONATIONS trick-or-treating, that is soliciting candy FR. VINCENT OUT OF Our Annual Christmas Bazaar Theme Baskets will be available, and the from their neighbors. The holiday has TOWN lost much of its connection to its drawing will be held on November 22. Fr. Vincent will be on vacation from religious origins. These baskets will be seen via October 27-November 5. Fr. Patrick Although nearly everyone celebrates livestream as well as on our website. In Armano will be covering for me on the Halloween for the fun of the secular addition to the theme baskets, we are weekend. Fr. Patrick is a friend of mine holiday, the following religious selling our money raffles which will be from Lawrence, MA who is Bi-ritual solemnity, is not widely practiced or drawn on November 22 as well. If you and will offer Divine Liturgy in the acknowledged by most Americans a have any questions please see or call Maronite Rite. He also gives a unless they are Catholic. Smitty Cabral at 508-961-8599, or wonderful homily. I know you will In other countries, such as Portugal, Lorraine at 508-965-8824. enjoy his mass and that you will Spain and Mexico, traditional practices welcome him in the true OLOP style. include performance of the play, "Don IN OUR PRAYERS Deacon Michael will also be joining Juan Tenorio" and offerings made to the Amal Assaf, Officer Vincent Peters, him as well from Lawrence, MA. dead. All Saints' Day occurs on the same Peter Helmer, Denise Magaletta, For any emergencies, please contact day as the Mexican "Dide los Fernanda Thomas, Hiam Cheiab, Leo Deacon Jean at 774-421-9232. Msgr. Innocentes" a day dedicated to deceased and Ida Roderick, Theresa John, Jim Root will be on call for any children. Laurette BouRamia, Annie Peter, emergencies during the week. Thank Across much of Europe, the day is Jeannie Francis, Mariam David, Norma you. commemorated with offerings of Thomas, Zita Drouin, Lucienne flowers left on the graves of the dead. In Rodrigues, Ed Da Rocha, Edmond Eastern Europe, candles are lit on graves Salameh, and Alice Daher. If anyone is instead of offerings of flowers. missing from this list, please contact the Church office.

LITURGY INTENTIONS EUCHARISTIC ADORATION NOVEMBER LECTORS Tuesday, November 17, we will gather Sunday, November 1 Saturday, October 31, @ 4:30 PM, for Eucharistic Adoration at 6:00 PM. Ann Dupre/Jano Baroody (Feast of Sts. Cosmas and Damian) This is an opportunity to spend some liturgy is being offered for the soul time with Jesus and ask for His help. Saturday, November 7 of Nicholas Haddad requested by Ida Mark your calendars and please join us Rose David for this beautiful service. Sunday November 8 Farhat. May his soul rest in peace. Joan Mello/Gaby Baroody Sunday, November 1, @ 10:30 WINE AND HOST PM, (Consecration of the OFFERINGS Saturday, November 14 Church/All Saints Day) liturgy is Carol Ann Maslanka This month of November, the wine and being offered for the soul of George Sunday November 15 bread offerings are in memory of John, M. Thomas requested by Reggie Jean Barbour/Jano Baroody Malvina, and Joseph David requested Thomas and Family. May his soul by their family. May their souls rest in Saturday, November 21 rest in peace. Liturgy is being peace. Mae Dickinson offered for the soul of Virginia Anyone who would like to give an Sunday, November 22 Farhat requested by her children. offering in memory of a loved one or for Ann Dupre/Jano Baroody May her soul rest in peace. a special intention for the month of June

2021, please see Fr. Vincent. The cost Saturday, November 28 for the month is $75.00, which covers Monday, November 2, @ 6:00 PM, Smitty Cabral the cost of the communion bread and (Feast of St. Demetrius) Sunday, November 29 wine. Thank you and God bless. Tuesday, November 3, at 9:00 AM, Mae Dickinson/Gaby Baroody NO LITURGY Wednesday, November 4, at 6:00 SECOND COLLECTION ADULT BIBLE STUDY AT PM, NO LITURGY As per the directive of the Eparchy of Saint Maron of Brooklyn, there will be OLOP Thursday, November 5, @ 9:00 Monday, November 2, we will have AM, NO LITURGY a second collection November 7 and 8, for the Maronite Patriarchal Charities. adult bible study in the rectory This money is collected and sent to the basement. This will begin at 6:30 PM. Saturday, November 7, @ 4:30 to help those who are in most If we have a large number of people PM, Liturgy is being offered for the need. Thank you for your generosity. attending, we will move to the Church soul of Steven Ladoulis by Naja and in order to practice social distancing. Ida MouJabber and family. May his Prayer for Spiritual There will be a sign-up link to follow this week. We ask you to please sign- soul rest in peace. Liturgy is being Communion offered for the souls of Raymond up as you would for Divine Liturgy. I O Divine Ocean of Mercy and Janet Charron requested by will send the link to you this week. I Compassion, be with us in our time hope many of you will be able to join us. Subdeacon Joseph Abraham and of trial and difficulties. Today I https://www.signupgenius.com/go/Bibl Carol Ann Maslanka. May their make an act of spiritual eStudy souls rest in peace. communion with you, the Life- Sunday, November 8, @ 10:30 Giving Trinity, Father, Son and SACRAMENT OF AM, Liturgy is being offered for the Holy Spirit. At this time, I am not souls of Hanna and Mariam Barbour RECONCILIATION able to receive the sacred body and requested by Hyatt Thomas and (CONFESSION) blood of my Lord, God and Savior family. May their souls rest in Please know that confession is Jesus Christ, but I choose to live in peace. Liturgy is being offered for available before liturgies. You may union with him and in the unity of the soul of Toufic Hanna Abi Ramia also call to set up an appointment. the Holy Spirit. I offer my day, my by Marianne Zeedy. May his soul daily life, my joys and sorrows to rest peace. you, for those around me, and for WEEKLY COLLECTION FOR the whole world. Be with us O life- October 24-25, 2020 PLEASE NOTE THAT DAILY giving Triune God, for we know Sunday Collection $ 1,193.00 DIVINE LITURGIES WILL that nothing in this world has Candles $ 22.00 RESUME ON WEDNESDAY, power over us. O Lover of all NOVEMBER 11. Total: $ 1,215.00 people, have mercy on us and on the whole world.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR KINDNESS AND GENEROSITY BY SENDING IN YOUR WEELY COLLECTIONS VIA MAIL. THIS HAS BEEN VERY HELPFUL FOR THE CHURCH. GOD BLESS YOU AND YOUR FAMILY.

How empty life is without you. Your Love and Patience has made

us into who we are today. Your Guidance has set our path in life.

We Miss seeing your face, hearing your voice, seeing your smile and hearing your laugh. We Love you and miss you even more with each passing day Your Loving Children

Joseph & Marie Kenyon