Saint Rafka Maronite Catholics of the East in the Upstate! 1215 S. Highway 14, Greer, SC 29650 864.469.9119 www.saintrafka,net [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] Rev. Bartholomew Leon, Administrator, [email protected] October 23, 2016 Rev. Christopher Henderson, Retired, [email protected] Pastor’s Advisory Council Ramiz Askar, Marlene Saad Secretary Richard Sleiman, Chairman Paul Sleiman, Linda Wickett, Jack Yacu 6th Sunday of Holy Cross Finance Committee The themes of being vigilant, alert, and George Azan, Joseph Chebir Chairman prepared - from the Gospel of the Apostle Tony Sleiman, Paula Howard Matthew - continue to be our main accent for this holy season of the Cross. To these lessons, Administration Richard, Wickett, Financial Secretary the Parable of the Talents and the reading Nemr Farhat, Volunteer from Galatians, add a new perspective on the Administrative Assistant to the Pastor quality of the waiting for the Lord. The delay of the Master’s coming is seen according to our scriptures as opportunity to do good for God in the world; to help + increase the riches and the joys of his goodness in his creation. In today’s parable we are invited to be good stewards in God’s vineyards: and to double up the goods that he Continued next page 6th Holy Cross ★Calendar has already bestowed upon us. This parable-theme is October accentuated in Saint Paul’s letter as he says: “Let us 22, 4 PM, Vigil Liturgy not grow tired of doing good; for in due time we shall 23, 11 AM, Divine Liturgy reap our harvest.” 7 PM, Divine Liturgy 26, 7 PM, Divine Liturgy These scriptures therefore contribute to our 29, 4 PM, Vigil Liturgy understanding of the kind of waiting we are to 30, 11 AM, Divine Liturgy engage-in while awaiting our Lord’s coming. It is an 7 PM, Divine Liturgy active waiting where we are to be involved in active works of service and caring for others. We therefore November need to look into our particular environments and 1, 7 PM, Divine Liturgy examine to see in what ways we can be servants of Christ - as we are called to be in Scripture and at our Holy Day of Obligation Communion. 2, 7 PM, Divine Liturgy 3, 5:30 PM, Pasta Supper Should our stewardship include visiting the sick, the 5, 4 PM, Vigil Liturgy poor? How about the elderly? And since we are living 6, 11 AM, Divine Liturgy in a shrinking cultural and economic world on this 3 PM, Holy Hour planet, how about the poor in other countries? Saint 7 PM, Divine Liturgy Paul comments: “while we have the opportunity, let 9, 7 PM, Divine Liturgy us do good to all, especially to those who belong to 12, 4 PM, Vigil Liturgy the family of the faith” (another way of saying charity 13, 11 AM, Divine Liturgy begins at home.) 7 PM, Divine Liturgy 16, 7 PM, Divine Liturgy It is most interesting how Saint Paul from his Christian 19, 4 PM, Vigil Liturgy perspective sees his fellow Christians as a family. 20, 11 AM, Divine Liturgy How should this effect our way of perceiving others 7 PM, Divine Liturgy and working in the service of Christ? Clearly he draws 23, 7 PM, Divine Liturgy us beyond our immediate families, beyond or parish 24, 10 AM, Divine Liturgy boundaries, to care even for those who are far away. Father Steve Bonian, S.J. NEW Church Office Hours 9 AM - 2 PM St. Mary’s Catholic School Tradition Virtue Excellence Open House Grades K3-8 7-11 November SACS Accredited Call to schedule your school tour: 864.679.4117 National Blue Ribbon School 101 Hampton Avenue, Greenville, SC 29601 www.stmarysgvl.org/theschool The Annual Radiothon for Catholic Radio in South Carolina will be broadcast on Thursday and Friday November 17th and 18th on WCKI 1300 AM in the Upstate, and WLTQ 730 AM along the Coast, and on-line at www.CatholicRadioInSC.com. Radiothon gives listeners a chance to participate in the New Evangelization through their support of Catholic Radio Broadcasting. For more information about how to pledge your assistance to Catholic Radio during Radiothon, representatives can be reached at 864-877-8458 or donations can be accepted securely online at www.CatholicRadioInSC.com. Voter Guide for Serious Catholics Catholic Voter Guide Political Activity Guidelines for Catholic This is a great reference, published in Entities 2012, on forming our consciences as Prayer Intentions Catholics as we prepare to vote for Presidential Candidate Guide - English various candidates seeking public office. I offer this for your careful reading and reflection. Click here. Abouna’s Corner Dear Parishioners and Friends, Autumn Greetings from Saint Rafka! It is now a bit cooler on Saturday morning than earlier in the week. Indian Summer is upon us so we have up and down temps till the cool weather finally sets in. Enjoy this great tine of year. Get out and enjoy the beauty of nature that God has given us. Our Liturgical Year is also coming to the finish line. Next Sunday, October 30, is the 7th and last Sunday of Holy Cross and also the Feast of Christ the King. The following Tuesday is November 1, the celebration of All Saints, a holy day of obligation. The First Thursday Pasta Supper follows on November 3. Lots of things in one week! Keeps our parish active and in touch with each other! The NAM Board of Directors met in Greenville last weekend. Part of their agenda was to look at the hotel venue, meeting rooms and the nearby attractions. Needless to say, the group was duly impressed! On Friday night, a number of committee chairpersons met with Mike Naber and several Board members to discuss work already done and things that need to done in the future. Greg and Mary Anne Lepak and the various chairs have done a great job with planning and the board members seemed very impressed with the work done to date. There is still lots to be done and you may be called upon to lend your own particular gifts and talents. Please, if asked, help! We can only do this together!! As we end the liturgical year, I want to thank everyone in the parish for all your love and support. I thank you for your financial support the parish as well as your work at our various events to further support the parish. For all you do, thanks! You make me proud to be the pastor of this great parish! Have a great weekend. See you in Church! Salaam! Ab. Bart The Poinsett Club 807 East Washington Street Greenville, South Carolina Please join us for the second annual St. Jude Miracles in Greenville - a night of fun and philanthropy! This celebration of support for the kids of St. Jude will include cocktails, food, a live and silent auction and entertainment. By attending and supporting this event, you will help St. Jude in its mission of finding cures for childhood cancer and other life-threatening diseases. Thanks to the generosity of friends like you, no family ever receives a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing or food - because all a family should worry about is helping their child live. Individual - $100 For more information, please contact Megan Hannon at [email protected] or (704) 554-7710 or visit our event site. 249 Days till NAM! How will you help? Contact Greg or Mary Anne Lepak Biblical Perspectives of Kids! When Mary heard she was the mother of Jesus, she sang the Magna Carta. When the three wise guys from the east side arrived they found Jesus in the manager. ! ! WCKI 1300 AM www.catholicradioinsc.com Opps! Don’t let worry kill you off — let the Church help. There will be a Catholic Engaged Encounter Weekend Retreat at Camp Hope in Clemson, SC on November 18-20, 2016. Please see the web site at: http://cee- sc.squarespace.com/ for more information and to register. Prayer List Father M. T. Phillips, Paul Cote and Family, Paul Bussemey, Ramza Sleiman, Jack Yacu, Moe Mercier, Joan Bussemey, Priscilla Watson, Denise Steinker, Special Intention by Abouna, Bob Brown, Joe Durham, Michael Bays, Patrick Lavelle, Tara Galvin, Susan Connor, Bill Hines, Beth Banks, Andrea Fiorni-Frazier, Shawn Sexton, Alice Howard, Robert Mercier, James and Kaleigh, Mark Pelletier, Antonella, Stephanie, Derek Gerard Solomon, Connie Brushaber, Billy, JoAn Salloum, Susie, Health and Saints We Celebrate recovery of W. F. William B. (Bill) Rodgers, Jr., Jim Hopka, October 26, Saint Demetrius, Martyr Family of Colbert Arthur, November 1, All Saints Day, Saints Cosmas and Berma Darlene Bell, Terry Damian Vadnais, Elaine Gillen, Elizabeth Gallagher, Special November 3, Saint Risha, Confessor Intention, Amy Hunter, Shawn November 5, Saint Assia the Just, Confessor Sexton, Cindy Miller, Deacon November 8, Saint Michael the Archangel Bob Smith, Adrian Kassentar, Beth Hopsecger, Mark November 10, Saint Moura, Confessor Barnard, Special Intention of November 11, Saint Mennas, Martyr MKS, Janice Radich, Paula Saint Martin, Confessor Lemire, Becky Jarvis, Lillian Moon, Vito Fortuna, Sam November 13, Saint John Chrysostom, Confessor Howard, Jr., Betty Braun, Saint Francis Cabrini, Virgin- Deanne Valencia, Mary Yacu, Confessor, Saint of the United States Sister Mary Emmanuel, Katie Frank, Adelaide George, Beverley Davis, Maryanne Polidoro, John Fender, Katherine Dennman, Alan Howard, Intentions of Nancy Gegorian, Greg Howard, Thomas Shaluly, Someone in need of prayer? Let me know! Prince of Peace Catholic School MIDDLE SCHOOL OPEN HOUSE Faith, Knowledge, Friendship, Service – Find out how Prince of Peace can offer your middle school student a unique middle school experience! Please join us for our Middle School Open House on Tuesday, October 25th at 9:40AM or 7PM in the Middle School building.