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Saint Rafka Maronite
Sunday of the Righteous and the Just
Today, we celebrate all the saints of our Maronite-Syriac Church community – the righteous and the just – from its apostolic beginning to our present times. We celebrate them as the light – epiphany – of Christ in the world; and our guides with Jesus on our way to the fullness of the Father’s grace-filled life in the Kingdom.
Our mother, the Church, in her Hoosoyo, asks this from Christ for us her children: the grace and peace to become a holy people like the righteous saints before them; that they may grow and bear fruit by the power of the Holy Spirit; to live righteous and just lives; and to be worthy to enter the dwelling place of the saints. She identifies Christ Jesus for us as: the Light of the
Catholics of the East in the Upstate! 1215 S. Highway 14, Greer, SC 29650 864.469.9119
saintrafka.org [email protected]
Febr
uary
12,
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7 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,
Rev. Christopher Henderson, Retired,
Pastor’s Advisory Council Ramiz Askar, Marlene Saad Secretary
Richard Sleiman, ChairmanPaul Sleiman, Linda Wickett, Jack Yacu
Finance Committee George Azan, Joseph Chebeir,
Chairman Tony Sleiman, Paula Howard-Casby
Administration
Richard, Wickett, Financial Secretary
Joseph Chebeir,Administrative Assistant to the Pastor
Pro Tem
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righteous and Joy of the just hearted!
Thus, in her eyes of faith, the righteous person is the one who has a just heart – enlightened by Christ – who carries the light and joy of the risen Jesus into the world. This is a calling for all of us and not just a select few. Christ, our Lord, expects us to buy the treasure of the heart, the kingdom, and to sell for it all that we have, with our whole lives – everyday – and not to hold anything back (parable of the treasure in the field).
In his parables, Jesus, teaches his followers (and us) to be compassionate at all times and in all situations: “so that they may see your light and praise your heavenly Father” as he would say. It is by letting that which is the best in us come out that the Lord gives us this new life of the resurrection and remolds us into the image of his heavenly Father. In this way he makes us, too, Righteous and Just!
Are we ready to join this company of the righteous and just saints? In Jesus’ teaching parable of the Last Judgment (that we heard today and will hear again on the last day of the liturgical year) he lets us know for certain that whatever we have done for our suffering fellow men and women in this world we have done it for him. Compassion for others is the measure of Christ’s judgment: he does take every opportunity for caring personally!
The Lover Of All People has come into our world to invite and welcome everyone into his heavenly kingdom: everyone who has a heart – a just and a pure heart. The holy saints of our Syriac Maronite-Church have often stressed the importance of having a Transparent Heart – one that purely radiates God’s warmth and goodness.
Let us ask and pray today, for ourselves and for each other, that this holy Gift of the saints, the righteous and the just, may also be ours; that we too may have this Luminous Heart – which reflects the light of Christ in us through our compassionate acts. Steve Bonian, S.J.
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Abouna’s Corner
Dear Parishioners and Friends,
After an exciting and dramatic Super Bowl, another exciting week has flown by! Work in Wickett Hall has slowed down as bit as we await the electrical work to be done, then we move full steam ahead. Thursday brought about some major changes in Francis House as we moved donated furniture from two locations to the complex. First, a huge wooden desk, along with a conference table and chairs were given to us by Dan and Susan Beckman. We also picked up a beautiful dining room set given to us by Don and Jean Higgins, parents of Wendi Hill. Judy Mathis had these in storage in her garage over the past few months. Pictures follow on page 6.
On Wednesday, I almost suffered a stroke as I was so shocked. Our webpage disappeared from the internet. Thanks to the quick and valiant work of our webmaster, Matt Pelicano, all was fixed. BUT, and this is a big but, we had to change our domain name. PLEASE change your browsers to reflect the NEW internet address: saintrafka.ORG. I wish we did not have to make this change, especially with the NAM Convention approaching, but we really did not have a choice. Now Matt will have better control of the website and all the administration that goes along with it.
On Wednesday evening, we had a beautiful vigil celebration of Saint Maron for his patronal feast. A nice crowd attended, but very few Lebanese came for the celebration. Remember, Holy Days of Obligation not a suggestion! Let us keep the Holy Days together!
Have a great weekend. See you in Church!
Salaam!
Ab. Bart
Donation Statements
Click here and the 2016 Donation Statement will be sent by return email in PDF format.
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.
★Calendar
February
11, 4 PM, Divine Liturgy 12, 11 AM, Divine Liturgy 7 PM, Divine Liturgy 13, 7 PM, KC Meeting Francis House 14, 7 PM, Novena to St. Rafka 15, 7 PM, Divine Liturgy 18, 4 PM, Divine Liturgy 19, 11 AM, Divine Liturgy 7 PM, Divine Liturgy 21, 7 PM, Novena to St. Rafka 22, 7 PM, Divine Liturgy 25, 4 PM, Vigil Liturgy 26, 11 AM, Divine Liturgy 7 PM, Divine Liturgy
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 with your community!
Kimberly Reeser Life Line Screening Phone: ext. Mobile: 803-556-7274 Fax: (888) 286-7452 Email: [email protected]
Principal
Saint Mary’s Catholic School in Greenville, South Carolina is searching for a principal to begin in Summer 2017. Saint Mary’s School, founded in 1900 as an apostolate of Saint Mary’s Catholic Church, today serves about 270 students from K-3 through the 8th Grade.
The successful candidate will be a practicing Catholic in full communion with the Church who holds at least a Master’s Degree in an appropriate discipline and has had experience both as a classroom teacher and as the principal of a Catholic school.
Please submit resume and cover letter before 3 March 2017 to Fr Jay Scott Newman at [email protected]. For more information about Saint Mary’s, visit our website at www.stmarysgvl.org.
Virtue ExcellenceTradition
SaintMary’sChurch
& School
136Days till NAM!
How will you help?Contact Greg or
Mary Anne Lepak
Construction Progress
New “secretary” desk in Francis Hall. Little by little the office and building are taking shape!
LEFT: The dining room with proper furniture. RIGHt: The main office, different angle.
WCKI 1300 AM www.catholicradioinsc.com
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Prayer ListMarguerite LaBella, Irma Galvan, Mary Cleary, Joe Lemire, Mary Anne McAfee, Tish Oney, Lois Taylor, Jim Hopsecger, Virginia LaFave, Nabeel Howard, Father M. T. Phillips, Paul Cote and Family, Paul Bussemey, Ramza Sleiman, 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 recovery of W. F. William B. (Bill) Rodgers, Jr., Jim Hopka, Family of Colbert Arthur, Berma Darlene Bell, Terry Vadnais, Elaine Gillen, Elizabeth Gallagher, Special Intention, Amy Hunter, Shawn Sexton, Cindy Miller, Deacon Bob Smith, Adrian Kassentar, Beth Hopsecger, Mark Barnard, Special Intention of MKS, Janice Radich, Paula Lemire, Becky Jarvis, Lillian Moon, Vito Fortuna, Sam Howard, Jr., Betty Braun, Deanne Valencia, Mary Yacu, 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,
Saints We CelebrateFebruary 12, Saint Meletius of Antioch, Confessor February 15, Coptic Martyrs of Libya, 2015 (See special icon in icon file) (description in Bonian File) February 18, Pope Saint Leo I, Confessor February 19, 300 Martyrs of Soor (Tyre) February 20, Saint James the Hermit, Confessor February 21, Saint Ostatius, Patriarch of Antioch, Confessor February 22, The Chair of Peter in Antioch February 23, Saint Polycarp, Bishop of Smyrna, Martyr February 28, Saints Cora and Marana, Virgin-
February 11 & 12
Saturday, 4 PM +Paul Hermes Andy and Ceil Frisari
Sunday, 11 AM +Tasha Georges Greige Faris and Aida Farrah
Sunday 7 PM +Denise Sajous Slusz Family
Wednesday, 7 PM Wilfred Pleau for Good Health Andy and Ceil Frisari
February 18 & 19
Saturday, 4 PM +Alberta Dusthimer Charles Dusthimer
Sunday, 11 AM Open
Sunday 7 PM Open
Wednesday, 7 PM Open
Mass Intentions
Feast New Testament Gospel
Righteous Heb. 12:18-24 Matt 25:31-46English B J Durusse
Arabic Evon Souri
Liturgical Readings
If you would like a Mass offered for your loved ones, please call the church office at 864.469.9119 or send your request to [email protected]. You can also check the Mass Intention calendar on our webpage to see if dates are available.
Liturgical Items
Sanctuary Lamp
To have the Sanctuary Light for your relatives or intentions, please use the envelope provided at the entrance. Donation is $5.00.
Church Offerings and Attendance
February 5 Saturday 4 PM Sunday 11 AM Sunday 7 PM Total Budget +/- Wed. 7 PM
People 69 81 0 150 160 -10 23
Collection $1,265.00 $928.00 0 $2193.00 $2,667.00 -$474.00 0
Average per person $18.33 $11.46 $14.62 Holy Hour 18
Average Attendance 0
Building Fund $497.000 $684.00 0 $1181.00 Year to Date $11,517.00
Average per person $7.20 $8.44 $7.87 Average PP $14.62
Attendance Year to Date 4:00 PM 307 11:00 AM 308 7:00 PM 124 Wednesday 7 PM 94 First Sunday 31 Holy Day 23 Saint Rafka Novena 15
Attendance
How are these totals calculated?
One total graphed to the left is through envelope usage for each week.
The totals to the to the right are counted by the ushers during the Divine Liturgy and tabulated.
Ashy Pavilion Please remember that registered and supporting parishioners are free to use the Ashy Pavilion for family events, reunions, parties, etc. Others are welcome to rent the facilities. More information? Contact Richard Wickett here.
Coffee Socials If you would like to sponsor a Coffee Social In Memory Of or In Honor Of someone, please call or email the office to let us know. Abouna
Wickett HallWickett Hall - Wickett Hall can be used by our registered and supporting parishioners for family events, reunions, etc. Others may request permission to rent the Hall. Contact Richard Wickett.
Masses OnlineWhere to go to Mass when traveling? Look here!
MassTimes.org The Catholic Directory Parishes Online
BirthdaysFebruary
13, Donna Zeimetz 14, Peri Hill 15, Nabel Souri 18, Pascale Sleiman 18, Isabella Marie Saad 20, Christine Howard 23, Judy Mathis 26, Chorbishop Michael G. Thomas 26, Heather Sijon 26, Jordan Plumblee 27, David Howard 28, David Fiorini
Anniversaries 14, Bill and Mary Anne McAfee 19, Leroy and Marie Howard 21, Subdeacon Roger and Paul Dannels
Necrology+Michael Gorgis Issa, February 13, 2014 +Sylvia Lufty Jebaily, February 13, 2015 +Tasha Georges Greige, February 14, 2015 +Stephanie Jean Tabish Dannels, February 16, 2008 +Hind Jawad Ashy, February 23, 2009 +Rose Henderson, February 24, 2004 +Selma Ashy, February 24, 2006
Video on the life of Saint SharbelEnglish subtitles. Click here.