Sunday of the Forefathers
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LITURGY INTENTIONS
Sunday, Liturgy
9:30 a.m. Divine Liturgy
Health & Speed Recovery of Elie Awad
Health & Speed Recovery of Deedee Spada
Health & Speed Recovery of Rev. Antoine Rizk
Peace, Health & Salvation of John & Lorraine Byda, (50th Wedding Anniversary) by Freida Williams & Family
+Mary Deirany Zeinieh, (40 Day Mem.) by Deacon Ibrahim & Laila Zeinieh
+Shirley Sawayer, by Margaret Moses
+Elias Byda, by Freida Williams & Family
+Francis A. Homsey, by Sylvia Homsey
+William & Patricia Spada, by Rosemarie Shrewsbury +Naim Y. Shofany (Uncle of Rev. Saba Shofany)
+Economos Seraphim Roumie, B.A.O., +Archimandrite Zahar, B.S.O., +Exarch Elias Skaff, +Fr. Beshara Kayata, B.S.O.
12 Noon Divine Liturgy
+Shirley Sawayer, by Sadie & Ronald Ward
+Economos Seraphim Roumie, B.A.O., +Archimandrite Zahar, B.S.O., +Exarch Elias Skaff, +Fr. Beshara Kayata, B.S.O.
The Sanctuary Candle
Will burn this week for
Those Afflicted with CancerThis is a venerable tradition and we ask you to keep them in your prayers.
Please remember to pray for the health and Divine protection of our church family, especially for Tony Abdi, Daad Azar, Edmund Bandar, Eugenia Dolabany, Michele Domaney, Arthur Donley, Kerry Ann Gamel, Saleem Ghazaleh, June Kahaly, Samira Karwashan, Mary Kenneally, Harry McKannon, Theresa Quinn, Frank Skuncik, Maggie Rosenthal, Freida Williams, John Williams.
Church Events and Announcements
Church
Giving Tree Sponsored by the Youth Group
The Christmas Giving Tree is up again this year. Our gifts will be going to many places including Head start in Roslindale and to the Shattuck Shelter. Please consider taking a tag(s) to help those less fortunate. The gifts can be wrapped or unwrapped but with a tag on them so we know what's inside.
If you could please have the gifts ready and returned to church before December 19th (weekend before Christmas) so they can be delivered in time for Christmas
Monetary envelopes on the tree are to be handed to Fr. Robert.
If anyone knows of a family in need this Christmas please let the priests or deacons know.
Thanks for your help and have a wonderful Christmas, Christ is Born.
Save theDate
St. Barbara Hafleh
December 11, 2010
Featuring
Nicolas El Osta & Ensemble
A Reminder Sunday Liturgy
Schedule
On the last Sunday of every month
Orthros 10:00 a.m.
Divine Liturgy 10:30 a.m.
WHAT'S ON YOUR MIND?
Submit your comments, questions, and ideas to Denise Habib at: askthepac@gmail.com or simply insert your message into the Suggestion Box located in the Church narthex.
Feel free to express yourself anonymously or not. Suggestions and emails will remain strictly confidential and we ask that they pertain to 'Church Business' only and not be of a personal nature.
The Parish Advisory Council looks forward to discussing your feedback at its monthly meetings.
THE ARCHBISHOP’S APPEAL 2010
Please send your much-needed gift today.
The annual Archbishop’s
Appeal is an important way in which our parish fulfills its duty to our
larger Melkite family throughout the U.S. Archbishop Cyril has asked every
Melkite household in the U.S. to give at least $100 each year to support the
sowing of the seed of our Melkite Faith in fertile ground. By contributing
to the Appeal, each of us responds to Christ’s call to support the Church
and helps fund its vital works. Cannot every member of our parish respond to
his call? Please send your much-needed gift today.
Arabic Classes
Children’s Classes Level 1,
are being held every Friday at 4:30 p.m.
Adult Classes in spoken Arabic
are being held on Sunday at 10:30 a.m.
Please Email or call Nathalie Homsy at 781-492-7662
Email: n_homsy@hotmail.com
Nicholas G. Beram Veterans and Auxiliary
Christmas Party
Sunday, January 9, 2011
1: 00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
$20
St. John of Damascus Orthodox Church
For more information, see flyer on Bulletin board
Sunday, December 19
10:30 Combined Divine Liturgy
Archbishop Cyril celebrating
Reconciliation (Confession) offered
Christmas Pageant & St. Nicholas Party
A Christmas Open House with Archbishop Cyril after the Divine Liturgy
Friday, December 24
5:00 p.m. English Divine Liturgy of the Nativity, Archbishop Cyril
celebrating
Reconciliation (Confession) offered
10:30 p.m. Combined Divine Liturgy of the Nativity
Reconciliation (Confession) offered
Saturday, December 25
10:30 Combined Divine Liturgy of the Nativity
Archbishop Cyril celebrating
Sunday, December 26
10:30 Combined Divine Liturgy
Saturday, January 1
10:30 a.m. Combined Divine Liturgy
Sunday, January 2
9:30 Divine Liturgy
12:00 Divine Liturgy
Thursday, January 6
No Noon Liturgy
7:30 p.m. Combined Divine Liturgy for Theophany and blessing of the water
Nativity Fast
TNovember 15 marks the beginning of the Advent Season according to the Holy Tradition of the Eastern Churches. The Maronite Church calls this season, the Season of Announcement (Fasl-Al-Bishara in Arabic).
The Advent Season, which spans over 40 days in the Eastern Churches, is a period of "waiting" for the coming of Christ. The Jews were and are still waiting for their Messiah to come, while we Christians are waiting for Christ's Second Coming. And, all the "waiting" periods in the Eastern Churches are associated with a period of fasting leading the faithful to the "moment of encounter," i.e. a new spiritual birth. (Cf. Jn 3:3).
The Roman Catholic Church Advent season begins the Sunday that is closer to November 25. It spans over 30 days (4 Sundays leading to Christmas Day). [40 days if we continue till Theophany].
Overall, fasting in the Catholic Church for the Christmas Season is suggested but no longer emphasized as in the past.
The Melkite Church, though it guides its followers to begin their fasting on Nov. 15, offers them a pastoral clemency reducing the fasting period down to two weeks, i.e. starting Dec. 10.
Regardless of the length of the period chosen to fast, Christians are invited, starting by receiving the Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession), to prepare their souls and bodies throughout this Holy Season to encounter Christ in a special manner that will make of Him a permanent resident in their hearts.
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