June 25 2017[1]
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Saint Rafka Maronite Catholics of the East in the Upstate! 1215 S. Highway 14, Greer, SC 29650 864.469.9119 saintrafka.org [email protected] Saint Rafka Maronite Church is a Catholic Parish of the Antiochene Syriac Maronite Church, Eparchy of Saint Maron of Brooklyn, NY, Most Rev. Gregory John Mansour, Bishop, 109 Remsen Street, Brooklyn, NY, 11201, 718.237.9913. [email protected] June 25, 2017 Rev. Bartholomew Leon, Administrator, [email protected] Pastor’s Advisory Council Ramiz Askar, Marlene Saad Secretary Richard Sleiman, Chairman Festival of Saints Peter and Paul Paul Sleiman, Linda Wickett, Jack Yacu Finance Committee The Feast of Saints Peter and Paul, or the George Azan, Joseph Chebeir, Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul, is a liturgical Chairman feast in honor of the martyrdom in Rome of the Tony Sleiman, Paula Howard-Casby apostles Saint Peter and Saint Paul, which is observed on 29 June. The celebration is of Administration ancient origin, the date selected being the Richard, Wickett, Financial Secretary anniversary either of their death or of the translation of their relics. In the Roman Catholic calendar of saints, it is celebrated as a solemnity. In the General Roman Calendar of 1962, it is a first-class feast. It is a holy day of obligation in the universal Church, although individual conferences of bishops can suppress the obligation. In England, Scotland and Wales the feast is Continued next page observed as a holy day of obligation while in the United States and Canada, it is not (except for Eastern Rite Catholics). In Malta it is a public holiday and in Maltese known as L-Imnarja. This is the day of the liturgical year on which those newly created metropolitan archbishops receive the primary symbol of their office, the pallium, from the pope. For Eastern Orthodox and some Eastern Catholic Christians this feast also marks the end of the Apostles' Fast (which began on the Monday following All Saints' Sunday, i.e., the second Monday after Pentecost). It is considered a day of recommended attendance, whereon one should attend the All-Night Vigil (or at least Vespers) on the eve, and the Divine Liturgy on the morning of the feast (there are, however, no "Days of Obligation" in the Eastern Church). For those who follow the traditional Julian Calendar, 29 June falls on the Gregorian Calendar date of 12 July. In recent decades, this feast, along with that of Saint Andrew, has been of importance to the modern ecumenical movement as an occasion on which the pope and the Patriarch of Constantinople have officiated at services designed to bring their two churches closer to intercommunion. This was especially the case during the pontificate of Pope John Paul II, as reflected in his encyclical Ut Unum Sint Monday, 6 PM Divine Liturgy, Bishop Gregory presiding Bar-b-que dinner to follow in Ashy Pavilion and Wickett Hall All invited! The Nazarene Fund to aid Christians in need of assistance. Funded and sponsored by local Catholic Christians from Saint Mary’s. Rachel’s Vineyard Retreats bring spiritual healing and strengthening of faith to individuals who have had or participated in an abortion. The retreat is a journey to healing, peace and reconciliation. July 7-9, 2017 in Charleston , SC For information and registration call Christy 803 554 6088 or Kathy 803 546 6010 or [email protected], rachelsvineyard.org Maronite Mission of Charlotte Visit the homepage of our Maronite neighbors to the north of us, the Maronite Mission of Charlotte. This Mission is under the leadership of Father Elias Khalil and is growing in Grace and numbers. The mission bulletin is outstanding and they, like us, are a community that is growing. Pray that God will grant them many holy, good and wise members so that their mission will grow to a large parish community. Bishop Francis Y. Kalabat, Eparchy of the Saint Thomas the Apostle, will make a visit to our community July 7 - 9, the weekend after the NAM Convention. There will be a spiritual conference on Friday evening and the Chaldean Divine Liturgy on Sunday at 11 AM. The Chaldean Catholic Eparchy of Saint Thomas the Apostle of Detroit (Latin: Eparchia Sancti Thomas Apostoli Detroitensis Chaldaeorum) is located with the cathedral episcopal see of Our Lady of Chaldeans Cathedral, located in Southfield, Michigan, United States. It was created by Pope John Paul II on January 11, 1982 as the Apostolic Exarchate of United States of America for the Chaldeans, covering the entire United States. It was elevated to an eparchy, an Eastern-rite Catholic diocese, led by an eparch (bishop) on August 3, 1985. On 21 May 2002 it lost vast territory to establish the Chaldean Catholic Eparchy of Saint Peter the Apostle of San Diego. The eparchy still governs thirteen parishes, ten of which are located in Michigan and two that are located in Illinois. On Saturday, May 3, 2014, Pope Francis accepted the resignation of Bishop Ibrahim Namo Ibrahim as Eparch of the Chaldean Catholic Eparchy of St. Thomas the Apostle of Detroit, and appointed the Reverend Father Francis Y. Kalabat as Eparch- elect. Eparch-elect Kalabat was born in Kuwait, on May 13, 1970. In 1989, he began undergraduate (philosophy) studies at the Seminary of Saint Francis, in San Diego, California. Subsequently, he began the requisite graduate theological training for the Chaldean Catholic priesthood at the Major seminary of the Sacred Heart, in Detroit, Michigan. Ordained a priest on July 5, 1995, he was appointed Parochial Vicar (Associate Pastor) of Mother of God Church in Southfield, Michigan, the city where the Eparchy has its Cathedral. Since 2001, Eparch Kalabat has been Pastor of Saint Thomas Church in Detroit, Director of Vocations for the Eparchy, and has been involved with the Center for Re-Evangelization. He speaks Arabic, English and Chaldean, and knows Spanish and Aramaic. He received his episcopal ordination and was installed as Eparch on June 14, 2014. Abouna’s Corner Dear Parishioners and Friends, Happy and Holy Festival of Saints Peter and Paul! This festival, commemorating the two great Apostles of the Jews and the Gentiles, is a great bridge for Eastern Rite Catholics and the West. From the beginning, there have been differences and variations, different interpretations and understandings. Peter directly established the Church of Antioch as he left Jerusalem before going to Rome. Paul preaches to those who are outside of the people of Israel and brings the light of Christ to the nations. We know that they were not the best of co-workers, but they both had the same ultimate goal, to bring the message of Jesus Christ to the world. This gives me great hope as it is hard to bring the Word of the Lord to those who are confused by the messages of the world that are so contrary to God’s Law. The thing for all ministers to remember is that we preach and minister, planting the seeds. We don’t always get to harvest the fruits! Well, the week we have thought of, planned for and anticipated is upon us. Priests and bishops are arriving as early as Sunday morning and throughout the day. The major portion will arrive on Monday afternoon. My one request is that you pray! Pray for a good clergy conference, and excellent NAM Convention and that the fruits of the Holy Spirit will touch many this week. Also pray for me and all involved. May our smiles be big and our patience in abundance! We will need it! Have a great weekend! See you in Church! Ab. Bart Teaching Position St. Mary's Catholic School in Greenville, SC is seeking a French and a Spanish teacher for the 2017-2018 school year. If interested, please e-mail your resume to school.offi[email protected]." International Rosary An International Rosary for Our Lady of Fatima will be held at St. Philip Neri Catholic Church in Fort Mill, SC on Thursday, July 13 at 7:00pm. Each decade will be prayed in a different language and all nationalities are welcome! Please bring an international dessert to share following the rosary. For questions, please contact us at ★Calendar June 24, 4 PM, Vigil Liturgy 25, 11 AM, Divine Liturgy Coffee Social to follow 7 PM, Divine Liturgy 26, 6 PM, Divine Liturgy, Visiting Bishops and Priests with Parishioners BBQ Supper to follow 28, NO DIVINE LITURGY due to NAM July 01, 4 PM, Vigil Liturgy Grand Hafli, Hyatt Hotel 02, DIVINE LITURGY AT HYATT HOTEL 7 PM, Divine Liturgy 04, Independence Day Church Office Closed Church Office will be closed July 4 - 7 05, 7 PM, Divine Liturgy Anointing of the Sick 07, 7 PM, Spiritual Conference Bishop Francis Kalabat 08, 4 PM, Vigil Liturgy 09, 11 AM, Chaldean Liturgy Social to follow ! Novena to Saint Rafka Join us each Tuesday evening, 7 PM, to pray Ramsho and the Novena to Saint Rafka as we prepare for the 2017 NAM Convention. ! 4 Days till NAM! How will you help? Contact Greg or Mary Anne Lepak 54TH ANNUAL CONVENTION • ST. RAFKA • GREENVILLE SC • JUNE 28–JULY 2 • 2017 Substitute Singer to be announced! PERFORMERS ABEER NEHME AMIN SULTAN MICHEL AZZI Lebanese Angelic Voice Middle Eastern Performer Lebanese Superstar Thursday Spiritual Concert Friday Middle Eastern Banquet Saturday Grand Banquet DR. WILLIAM E. RABIL, MD CHORBISHOP MICHAEL G. THOMAS The Shroud of Turin Marriage: A Vocation Blessed by God Thursday, 10:30–11:30am Thursday, 3:30–4:30pm REV. VINCENT FARHAT & REV. GEORGE HAJJ SR. LINA KHAWAND & SR. CYNTHIA KASSIS Catechesis: Practical Resources & Challenges Workshop for Sacred Art Friday, 10:30–11:30am Friday, 10:30–11:30am REV.