April 9, 2017 Bulletin #15 Our Lady of Lebanon Maronite Catholic Church 2216 Eoff Street, Wheeling, WV 26003 Rectory: 304-233-1688 • Fax: 304-233-4714 E-Mail: [email protected] • Web Site: www.ololwv.com Msgr. Bakhos Chidiac, Pastor Evelyn Ghaphery, Organist Palm Sunday *Weekend Masses: Saturday evening at 4:00 p.m. [Rosary & Litany start 20 minutes before Mass] Sunday morning at 10:30 a.m. [Rosary & Litany start 20 minutes before Mass] *Weekday Masses: Monday and Friday No Mass Tuesday to Thursday at Noon. [Rosary & Litany start 20 minutes before Mass] *Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament: First Saturday of the month at 3:30 p.m. First Sunday of the month after 10:30 a.m. Mass *Confession: Saturday: 3:00 p.m. to 3:45 p.m. or any other time by appointment *Baptism: Please call the Pastor as soon as baby is born; at least one Godparent must be Catholic *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 at 304-233-1688 *Parish Council: Lou Khourey, Mike Linton, Rita Strawn, P.J. Lenz, Mary Stees *Choir Members: Earl Duffy, George Thomas, Lou Khourey, Robert Harris, Shelly Hancher, Ted Olinski *Bulletin Coordinator: Thomasina Geimer *Sacristan: Mike Linton *Altar Boys: Dalton Haas, Shaun Hancher & Luke Lenz *Cedar Club: Linda Duffy, President 304-242-6853 *Women’s Society: Sandra Dusick, President 304-232-7395 *Bulletin Announcements: Submit all Bulletin Information to Msgr. Bakhos by Noon on Tuesday every week *New Parishioners: We welcome you with great joy & invite you to officially register as one of our parishioners *Cedar Hall Rental Fees: Call the Church Office at 304-233-1688 or 304-639-1372 *Parking: Saturday & Sunday parishioners may park in both lots; Monday-Friday park ONLY in the 3 Alley spaces *Remember the Church in your Last Will & Testament: Her prayers will accompany you to heaven 04.09.2017 Bulletin 2 Epiphany: Palm Sunday Readings: Phil 1:1-13 and Jn 2:12-22 “Blessed is he who comes as king in the name of the Lord!! Mother Teresa said, “Jesus comes to meet us. To welcome him, let us go to meet him. He comes to us in the hungry, the naked, the lonely, the alcoholic, the drug addict, the prostitute, the street beggars. If we reject them, if we do not go out to meet them, we reject Jesus himself.” Like Jesus, Mother Teresa triumphed by giving to others. Today Saint Luke’s passion story presents the image of Jesus, a person who is for the other. Jesus prays, forgives, shows deep concern for the outcast, and asks us to follow him in this holy task. We sing today of Jesus’ triumph because of his powerful love for the poor. We praise God in singing the Hosanna because the Lord rides in on a donkey, an animal that the poor of his day rode. If we are to triumph like Jesus, we also must ride with the poor. We must triumph in extending ourselves to those who have less, who are sick, who are dying. If we do so, the Lord will sing a Hosanna to us when we pass into heaven, as we do today to the Lord! Meditation for Lent: God’s Glory Revealed “Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness.” (Philippians 2:5-7) Precisely when Jesus is being handed over into his passion he manifests his glory. “Whom do you seek? . I am he” are words that echo all the way back to Moses and the burning bush: “I am who I am. I am the one” (see Exodus 3:1-6). These words are the glory of God manifesting itself, and those present fell flat on the ground. Then Jesus was handed over. But already in the handing over we see the glory of God handing himself over to us. God’s glory revealed in Jesus embraces passion as well as resurrection. “The Son of Man,” Jesus says, “must be lifted up as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert, so that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him” (John 3:14-15). He is lifted up as a passive victim, making the cross a sign of desolation. And he is lifted up in glory, so the cross becomes at the same time a sign of hope. Suddenly we realize that the glory of God, the divinity of God, is bursting through in Jesus’ passion precisely when he is most victimized. Lord Jesus, help us to share your view of the world, especially when we suffer injustice. Divine Liturgy Schedule This Weekend, April 8-9: Palm Sunday Palm Processions: On Palm Sunday, we commemorate Christ’s entry into Jerusalem where people came out to meet Him and shout, “Hosanna,” “Save us, O Lord.” On that day, we bless olive branches (symbol of peace) and palm branches (symbol of victory), and we process inside the church with candles to welcome Christ as the King of our life. The palms will be blessed during both weekend Masses and distributed. We will have a procession with the children inside the church in every Mass. Please bring your children and grandchildren and let us welcome Christ the King in our hearts with the shouts of “Hosannas.” Saturday, April 8 at 4:00 p.m.: Mass & Procession with Palms Intentions of the babies & children of the parish & their parents Sunday, April 9 at 10:30 a.m.: Mass & Procession with Palms Eugene Blum (Anniversary) by his wife Mary Margaret and Family Intentions of Joe & Nikki Popovich (wedding anniversary) by Dalton Haas 04.09.2017 Bulletin 3 2017 Passion Week & Easter Schedule We are entering the most important week of the liturgical year, the week that prepares us to live intensely the Christian Mystery of the Death and the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ: Holy Week. The Holy Week is the memorial of those great days of our salvation when Jesus Christ died on the Cross to redeem and save our human race and give us the opportunity to share in His Divine Life. Lent was for us the time to reflect more and meditate upon our lives so that we can renew ourselves and prepare to live again the mystery of our salvation. Now we are approaching Holy Week and Easter Sunday when we will celebrate the death and the Resurrection of Our Lord. On Palm Sunday, the children and people have received Jesus Christ as king. They welcomed Him into their city, Jerusalem. They proclaimed "Hosanna to the Son of David; blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord; hosanna in the highest." Jesus found an ass and sat upon it, as is written: "Fear no more, O daughter Zion; see, your king comes, seated upon an ass's colt." He was so humble and so meek. The King of the kings, Lord and Master, the Creator of all, born in a manger, entering Jerusalem sitting on a donkey, and finally crucified between two criminals. Holy Week, in our Maronite Church, is considered an independent Liturgical Season inside the Season of Lent. It starts with the "Coming to the Harbor" on Monday and is over on Easter Sunday. One week seems to be too short to be considered an independent Season; however, the intensity of ceremonies and celebrations, and the deep spirituality found in those old Syriac texts, prayers and hymns in that week, make it worthy to be the most important week of the year. I would like to present the ceremonies celebrated during this blessed week so that we may understand its importance and realize the importance of our participation in all services. Monday April 10 at 6:00 p.m.: Rite of the coming to the Harbor, Mass, Stations of the Cross For the persecuted Christians in the Middle East by Pam Lantz Tuesday April 11 at 6:00 p.m.: Rite of the Coming to the Harbor, Mass, Stations of the Cross Rosella Saseen, parents Nancepe & Helen, grandparents Shikrey & Helen Saseen by her Will The "Coming to the Harbor" is an old rite of the Maronite Church. It reminds us that Jesus is the Harbor of Salvation. The ship or the vessel, which is the Church, and is often compared to Mary, the New Vessel of life, reaches the Harbor after the safe journey of Lent. Wednesday April 12 at 6:00 p.m.: Rite of the Lamp, Mass, Stations of the Cross Nancy Ferris Coffield (Anniversary) by Mary Zaid Stees and Libby G. Magnone Wednesday of the Passion Week is also called Wednesday of Ayoub (Job). Job suffered a lot, and lost his health and wealth, even his sons and daughters, but never cursed God and was known for his patience. He represents Christ who willingly received suffering and death, and committed himself into his Father's hands. On that day, the Rite of the Lamp is celebrated. Once again, it is an old rite of the Maronite Church. Dough with seven wicks inserted into it represents the seven lamps envisioned by the Prophet Jeremiah and by John the Apostle in his Revelation. During the celebration, the oil is blessed and all the faithful receive the anointing. Thursday of the Mysteries, April 13 at 6:00 p.m.: Mass of the Lord’s Supper & Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament (Choir will sing) On Holy Thursday or Thursday of the Holy Mysteries, Jesus had his Last Supper with his disciples and washed their feet.