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] April 2, 2017 Rev. Bartholomew Leon, Administrator, [email protected] Pastor’s Advisory Council Ramiz Askar, Marlene Saad Secretary Richard Sleiman, Chairman Sunday of the Blind Man Paul Sleiman, Linda Wickett, Jack Yacu In Mark’s Gospel, this Sunday, we Finance Committee George Azan, Joseph Chebeir, encounter Jesus as the one who restores Chairman our vision and grants us his new light and Tony Sleiman, Paula Howard-Casby opens our eyes. But the Church reminds her children that to receive this light of Administration Christ we need to boldly and in faith ask for it – as we see in the example of Richard, Wickett, Financial Secretary Bartimaeus the Blind. Joseph Chebeir, Administrative Assistant to the Pastor Like the woman who touched Jesus’ tassel in faith and with courage, and was healed, so is the blind man, this Sunday, healed from his blindness. He then follows Jesus on his way. Clearly the theme of coming into the Light here is symbolic for + understanding who is Jesus; what he is about, and how to follow him. The Church – herself filled with the light of Christ – Continued next page understands this as she reflects it in her Opening Prayer: “O Christ the Light, you had mercy on the man who was blind and opened his eyes, and he was in awe before your majesty. Shine the light of your knowledge and holiness into the recesses of our souls, that we too may be filled with wonder and awe in your presence.” In the tradition of our Church’s faith, this light that Jesus gives, is understood to be the light of his resurrection: “During this Lent, grant us the light of your glorious resurrection, and we will glorify you, O Christ, now and forever.” In the Hoosoyo the Church recalls the title of Jesus as the one who is “Light from Light” and through the priest she asks the Lord: We implore you: with the light of your knowledge, shine in our hearts and in the hearts of all people. Let us rejoice in the vision of your face, as did Bartimaeus on the road to Jericho. Thus, the image of the Light comes to symbolize for us Christ Jesus himself. As in a mosaic it is combined with other Christ-centered spiritual themes from the New Testament fused together: knowing Jesus as the Christ; accepting his message (the Good News); entering the life of the Kingdom; living in the light of Christ’s resurrection. Alongside these Gospel themes other spiritual themes are emphasized by the various gospels: The courage to ask so that we may receive (as in Mark’s Gospel); The humility to accept one’s blindness so that one may come to ask to be healed (as in John’s Gospel, Ch. 9); Conversion by the Light (as in the conversion of St. Paul in Luke-Acts 9:3). All these are graces that we need to ask for ourselves – and for each other – in prayer during this passage of Lent: that we too may come to know Christ Jesus better; that we may follow him more dearly in humility and with true conversion of heart; and that we may come to enter into the glorious light of his resurrection: the light of Easter. To Bashlom! Come in peace, O true Light of God, and shine in our hearts! Father Steve Bonian, S.J. There will be a Catholic Engaged Encounter Weekend on the following dates: St. Mary Magdalene, Simpsonville on April 29-30, Our Lady of the Hills, Columbia on June 3-4, and St. Andrews, Clemson on July 29-30. Please see the web site at: www.cee-sc.org for more information and to register. The Nazarene Fund to aid Christians in need of assistance. Funded and sponsored by local Catholic Christians from Saint Mary’s. 40 Days for Life You are invited to join other Christians throughout the Upstate to take part in our local 40 Days for Life effort from March 1 through April 9. 40 Days for Life. Please join us in Prayer…To find out more and sign up to help please contact: Ingrid Ireland 864-329-0044 or visit www.40daysforlife.com/greenville and www.facebook.com/40daysgreenville. Help to spread the word to others about this important life-saving effort. 40 Days for Life Closing Celebration Saturday, April 8, 9:30 AM, Greenville Women's Clinic, 1142 Grove Road. Guest speakers: SC Rep. Garry Smith, will speak about current pro-life legislation in SC and how we can become better involved. Prayer warriors will share their life-saving testimonies and other encounters. Call Ingrid 864-329-0044 DJ NEEDED DJ needed for a upcoming church fundraising function. Must have own equipment and be willing to donate time and talent for a one-time event. If this is you, or Lenten Liturgies this Week Saturday, 4 PM, Vigil Liturgy Sunday, 11 AM, Divine Liturgy 3 PM, Holy Hour 7 PM, Last Chance Mass Monday, 7 PM, Ramsho Tuesday, 7 PM, Ramsho and Novena to Saint Rafka Wednesday, 7 PM, Divine Liturgy and Anointing of the Sick Thursday, 7 PM, Ramsho Friday, 7 PM, Ramsho and Benediction of the Cross Abouna’s Corner Dear Parishioners and Friends, Saint Sharbel is coming! Through the generosity of Fadi Nobarak and his family, a statue of Saint Sharbel was purchased in Italy and will arrive on Monday. It is my hope to have a garden area prepared and the statue in place for Shaneenee Sunday. A picture sent by the fabricating company is shown here. It is hard to believe that we will soon enter Holy Week. The schedule of the Liturgies is in this bulletin and can be picked up at the door of the church. Easter Flower Memorials are also further back in the bulletin. Please join us for the Liturgies of this special week in which we commemorate Our Lord’s Passion, Death and Resurrection. After the funeral liturgy for Father Chris Henderson, his body was cremated for later burial in his family plot in Charlotte. The cremains were given to me this week and will be in repose in the sacristy until the burial on May 15. The Forty Day Liturgy will be the day before, May 14, offered by Nazar and Nawal Yacu. Thanks for all your patience and understanding as Wickett Hall undergoes needed renovations. Francis House has worked well for the coffee hour, but it will be nice to be back in a much larger space. Thanks again for your generosity to the Building Fund! Have a great weekend. See you in Church!! Salaam! Ab. Bart First Sunday of the Month 2nd Collection Building Fund Thank you for your generosity! ★Calendar April 1, 4 PM, Vigil Liturgy 2, 11 AM, Divine Liturgy 3 PM, Holy Hour 7 PM, Divine Liturgy 3, 7 PM, Ramsho 4, 7 PM, Ramsho and Novena to Saint Rafka 5, 7 PM, Divine Liturgy and Anointing of the Sick 6, 7 PM, Divine Liturgy 7, 7 PM, Ramsho and Benediction of the Cross 8, 4 PM, Vigil Liturgy 9, 11 AM, Divine Liturgy 7 PM, Divine Liturgy 10, 7 PM, Coming the Harbor Liturgy 11, 7 PM, Coming to the Harbor Liturgy 12, 9 AM, Day of Confessions LIFE LINE SCREENING Life Line Screening, a leading provider of community-based preventive health screenings will be in our community on Thursday, April 20, 2017 at Saint Rafka Maronite Catholic Church. Ultrasound screenings to Identify risk factors for Cardiovascular disease include; Carotid Artery (plaque buildup-a leading cause of stroke), Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (an enlargement or weak area in the main blood vessel that carries blood from the heart to the rest of the body), Peripheral Arterial Disease (hardening of the arteries in the legs), a Heart Rhythm Screening (an EKG to detect Atrial Fibrillation-irregular heartbeat) and an Osteoporosis Risk Assessment for men and women. Being proactive about your health by knowing your risks helps you and your doctor address problems early. Register online TODAY at www.lifelinescreening.com/advantageclub and receive your “Advantage” club discount and your Preferred Appointment! We are looking forward to a wonderful event. Please don’t hesitate to contact me if you need any additional marketing materials to share Novena to Saint Rafka with your community! Join us each Tuesday evening, 7 PM, to Kimberly Reeser pray Ramsho and the Novena to Saint Life Line Screening Rafka as we prepare for the 2017 NAM Phone: ext. Convention. Mobile: 803-556-7274 Fax: (888) 286-7452 Email: [email protected] 87 Days till NAM! How will you help? Contact Greg or Mary Anne Lepak Easter Flower Memorials 2017 Paul & Joan Bussemey Deceased Bussemey Family Members Paul & Joan Bussemey Deceased Lemire Family Members Mark & Dolores Kalata Richard Anthony Kalata Abouna Captain Joseph E & Margaret W Leon First Sunday Holy Hour Exposition and Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament Chaplet of Mercy Confessions Sunday, April 2, 2017 3 PM MAROMNIAROTE YOUNITENG YOU ADNGULT ASD ULTS AGES 18 AGESTO 35 18 TO 35 MICHELME IHCHOEULME IHSO UMIS YOUTHY PORUOTGHR PARMO GRAM MARMONARITOEN ITE Michele MicheleHoumis holdsHoumis a holds a THURSDAYTHURSDAY BA in TheologyBA in Theology from from YOUTYOH UTH 12 Noon12 MYA Noon Divine MYA Liturgy Divine Liturgy FranciscanFranciscan University University of of AGES 12 ATGOE 1S8 1 2 TO 18 SteubenvilleSteubenville and a and a THURSDATYH URSDAY 5:30-7:30pm5:30-7:30pm THEOLOGY THEOLOGY ON TAP ONwith TAP BISHOPS with BISHOPS Master’sMaster’s in Religious in Religious 1 2 Noon 1MYA2 No Divineon MYA Liturgy Divine Liturgy 3:00—5:030:0p0m— 5:00pm @ BRAZWELLS@ BRAZWELLS PREMIUM PREMIUM PUB PUB EducatonEducaton from Providence from Providence College.