Saint Joseph Melkite Greek Catholic Church

130 North Saint Francis Cabrini Avenue Scranton, PA 18504

Rev. Protodeacon Michael Jolly
Administrator pro tempore
570-213-9344

Reader Michael Simon Parish Office 570-343-6092

E-Mail: Web: Webmaster:

scrantonmelkite@yahoo.com http://melkitescranton.org Sal Zaydon

November 27, 2011 Tone 7 and Orthros Gospel 2 Liturgy Schedule: Saturday Vespers 4pm Compline Weds 8:30PM

31th Sunday After The Holy Cross Sunday Orthros 8:55 am Sunday Divine Liturgy 10:00 am

Liturgy Intentions:
November 27, 2011 Angela Scavo By her daughter, Boots Zaydon December 4, 2011 In thanksgiving for the Health and Healing of the servants of God, the members of our parish.

Parish Notes:

Welcome back Father Jerome Wolfort who serves liturgy today . The Qurban used in todays liturgy was baked by Betty Clark Childrens Saint Nicholas and Barbara Party next Sunday after Divine Liturgy. If you would like to donate to this event, there is a sign-up sheet on the bulletin board at the rear of the Church. Ladies Society Holiday Luncheon will be held at 1PM on December 11 at La Trattatoria Restaurant on Moosic Street.

Todays Icon: The Great Martyr James the Persian

THE BISHOPS APPEAL: In todays Gospel, Our Lord warns us how earthly riches
can be an obstacle to our faith, and He calls us to seek our treasure in Heaven by giving of our earthly goods. If our Lord has blessed us with riches, He does so, not only for ourselves and our families, but for the good of His Church. We are able to enjoy the blessings of our beautiful Melkite faith and tradition only because of the labor and sacrifice of our forebears in the faith who have gone before us. Store up treasure in Heaven by giving a generous gift to the Bishops Appeal. If you have not already sent your gift, please do so today so that 100% of our parish will be counted. Thank you for your generosity

The Divine Liturgy of Saint John Chrysostom

Antiphons:
First Antiphon Through the prayers of the Mother of God Second Antiphon O Son of God, Who are risen from the dead Hymn of incarnation Third Antiphon Tone 2 Tone 2 Tone 4 Tone 7 Tone 7 Tone 4

Hymns:
Resurrectional Troparion Troparion of St. James the Persian
Your martyr O Lord, received the crown of immortality from You, O our God, on account of his struggle. Armed with your strength he has vanquished his persecutors and crushed the powerless arrogance of demons. Through his supplications, O Christ God, save our souls.

Troparion of St. Joseph Kontakion for the Preparation for the Nativity of Our Lord
Today the Virgin is on her way to the cave where she will give birth to the Eternal Word of God in an ineffable manner. Rejoice, therefore, O universe when you hear this news, and glorify with the angels and the shepherds, Him who shall appear as a Child being God from all eternity

Tone 2 Tone 3

Prokiemenon

(Tone 7) Ps.28: 11,1

The Lord will give strength to His people; the Lord will bless His people with peace. Stichon: Give to the Lord, you Sons of God, give to the Lord glory and praise.

Reading from the Epistle of St. Paul to the Ephesians 2:14-22

BRETHREN, Christ is our peace. He it is Who has made both [Jews and Gentiles] one, and has broken down the intervening wall of the enclosure, the enemy, in His flesh. He has voided the Law of commandments expressed in decrees, so that of the two He might create in Himself one new man, and make peace, and reconcile both in one body to God through the cross, having destroyed their enmity within Himself. And as He came, He announced the good tidings of peace to you who were far away, and of peace to those who were near: because through Him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father. Therefore, you are now no longer strangers or foreigners, but citizens with the saints and members of Gods household: you are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets (Cf.Is.28: 16) with Christ Himself as the chief cornerstone. In Him the whole structure is closely fitted together and grows into a temple holy in the Lord; in Him you too are being built together into a dwelling place for God in the Spirit

Alleluia (Tone 7) Ps.91: 1, 2

It is good to give thanks to the Lord, to sing praises to Your name, O Most High! Stichon: To proclaim Your kindness at dawn and Your faithfulness throughout the night.

The Holy Gospel according to St. Luke

18: 18-28

At that time a certain man approached Jesus and asked Him, saying, Good Master, what shall I do to gain eternal life? But Jesus said to him, Why do you call Me good? No one is good but only God. You know the commandments; Thou shat not kill. Thou shalt not commit adultery. Thou shalt not steal. Thou shalt not bear false witness. Honor thou father and mother. And he said, All these I have kept ever since I was a child. But when Jesus heard this, He said to him, One thing is still lacking to you; sell everything you own, and give to the poor, and you shall have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me. When he heard these things, he was much grieved, for he was very rich. But Jesus, seeing him become sad, said, With what difficulty will the wealthy enter the kingdom of God! For it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God. And they who heard it said, Who then can be saved? He said to them, Things men cannot do alone, they can do with Gods help.

A Camel Passing Through the Needle s Eye

Jesus said to His disciples, Assuredly, I say to you that it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. And again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God. When His disciples heard it, they were greatly astonished, saying, Who then can be saved? (Matthew 19:23-25) This is a difficult saying to interpret. One might argue that since it is impossible for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, and this has never happened in the history of mankind, this implies that no rich man has ever entered the kingdom of God. Yet Abraham and Job were very wealthy, and they are referred to as saints and as models for the righteous to imitate. John Chrysostom taught that wealth is a major impediment to the Kingdom of Heaven, like a needles eye is an impediment to a camel. Poverty is not such an impediment, but is actually conducive to obtaining Life. The advantages which we gain from riches include drunkenness, gluttony and kinky pleasures. If we were so minded, we could win heaven itself for our inheritance by our riches. So then riches are good. It is not riches, but the will of the possessor that accomplishes this; it is the will that does this, it is in the power even of a poor man to win heaven. God does not regard the amount of the gifts, but the will of the givers; it is possible even for one in poverty, who has given little, to surpass everyone. Since God requires a measure proportioned to our ability, riches wont secure heaven to us, nor will poverty secure hell; but a good will can obtain heaven. These then let us correct; this let us repossess; this let us regulate, and everything will be easy for us. As the craftsman works the wood the same, whether his axe is made of iron or of gold, or rather he does it the better with an implement of iron, so the straight path of virtue is more easily kept in a state of poverty. Regarding riches we read, It is easier for a camel to go through a needles eye, than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of Heaven (Matthew 19:24). But God has made no such declarations about poverty; in fact, the opposite. Sell your goods, and give to the poor, and come follow Me (Matthew 19:21); as if the act of following were to spring from the selling of ones goods. Never then let us flee from poverty as an

evil, for we can use it to obtain heaven. Again, let us never follow riches as a good; for they are the ruin of such as walk unwarily. In everything let us direct our eyes to God, let us, as occasion requires, use those gifts which He has granted us, both strength of body, and abundance of money, and every other gift. John Chrysostom also pointed out that affliction and poverty can be good things in that they keep us off the broad way that leads to destruction, and on the narrow way that leads to Life (Matthew 7:13-14). Paul took this path. On the other hand, great evils have arisen from wealth. Just as a true father might send his sons mistress into exile rather than allow her to lead the son astray, so our heavenly Father might choose to send our wealth into exile. Affliction is a great good. Narrow is the way (Matthew 7:14), so that affliction shoves us into the narrow way. He who is not pressed by affliction has difficulty entering. Notice how Paul enters into this narrow way. He disciplines his body and brings it into subjection (1 Corinthians 9:27), so as to be able to enter. Therefore, in all his afflictions, he continued giving thanks to God. Have you lost your property? This has lightened you of the most of your wideness. Have you fallen from glory? This is another sort of wideness. Have you been falsely accused? Have the things said against you, of which you are not aware, been believed? Rejoice and leap for joy. For blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven (Matthew 5:11, 12). Do you wish to be set free from temptations? Paul wished to be set free, and often requested of God, but did not obtain. Three time for this I sought the Lord, and He said to me, My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness (2 Corinthians 12:8-9). By weakness, he means afflictions. When Paul heard this he received it thankfully, and said, I take pleasure in infirmities (2 Corinthians 12:10); that is, I am pleased, I rest in my afflictions. Let us give thanks, both for comfort, and for affliction. Naked I came out of my mothers womb, naked shall I depart also (Job 1:21). You were brought to life naked, penniless, having no glory, and no honorable name. Consider how great evils have often arisen from wealth. It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of Heaven (Luke 18:25). Wealth is a

hindrance for many good things, and do you still seek to be rich? So narrow is the way, which lead to the Kingdom; broad is the way of wealth. Therefore Christ said, Sell what you have (Matthew 19:21), that the narrow way may receive you. Why do you yearn for wealth? For this cause He took it away from you, that He might free you from slavery. When a mistress corrupts a son, and his father cant talk him out of parting with her, true fathers send the mistress into exile. Abundance of wealth is a mistress for some of us. Because the Lord cares for us, he delivers us from the harm, by taking wealth away from us. Let us not then think poverty is an evil: sin is the only evil. Wealth is not a good thing by itself; to be well pleasing to God is the only good. Let us seek poverty; by doing so, we shall we lay hold on heaven. The Problem with Wealth The young man said to Jesus, All these things I have kept from my youth. What do I still lack? Jesus said to him, If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me. But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions (Matthew 19:20-22). The young man seemed to have a desire for the things of God, and his keeping of the Commandments was an indication that he had prepared himself to receive the things Christ asked. Jesus didnt ask the rich young ruler to do anything that the Twelve Apostles hadnt already done. Each of the Twelve had not only left their jobs and their worldly wealth, but they had also given up worldly pleasures7 with their spouses (Matthew 19:29). Clement of Alexandria noted that the rich young ruler was confident about the things of the Law, but he realized he lacked something. Jesus did not charge him with violating the Law, since the Law was meant to lead one to Christ (Galatians 3:24). As a free man, Jesus gave him a choice, in order that he might take ownership of his own salvation. The choice Jesus offered was similar to that illustrated in the example of Mary and Martha. The rich young ruler was perfectly persuaded that nothing was lacking to him regarding righteousness, but yet he felt himself entirely destitute of life. Therefore he asked Him who alone is able to give it. With reference to the Law, he carries confidence; but the Son of God he addresses in supplication. He is transferred from faith to faith. As perilously tossing on the waves and occupying a

dangerous anchorage in the Law, he goes to Jesus to find a haven. Jesus does not charge him with violating all things out of the Law, but loves him, and fondly welcomes his obedience in what he had learned. He says that he is not perfect regarding eternal life; that is, he had not fulfilled what is perfect, and that he was a doer indeed of the Law, but ignorant of true life. The things of the Law are good, for the commandment is holy (Romans 7:12), as far as a sort of training with fear and preparatory discipline goes, leading as it did to the culmination of grace. But Christ is the end of the Law for righteousness to everyone that believes (Romans 10:4); not as a slave making slaves, but as sons, brethren, and fellow-heirs, who perform the Fathers will. Consequently, he was not yet perfect. The expression if you want showed the self-determination of the soul speaking with Him in a divine manner. The choice depended on the man as being free; but the gift depended on God as the Lord. God gives to those who are willing, those who are eager, and those who ask, so that their salvation may become their own. For God does not compel us, for compulsion is repugnant to God, but He supplies to those who seek, grants to those who ask, and opens to those who knock. If you want, then, if you really want, and are not deceiving yourself, acquire what you lack. One thing the rich young ruler lacked, the one thing which lasts, the good, that which is above the Law, which the Law does not give, which the Law does not contain, which is the special right of those who live. He who had fulfilled all the demands of the Law from his youth, was not able to complete this one thing, which the Lord asked, so as to receive the eternal life he desired. He departed sad, bothered at the commandment of the life, which he sought. He did not truly want life, as he claimed, but aimed at the mere reputation of having made the good choice. He was capable of doing many things; but the one thing, the work of life, he was powerless and unable to accomplish. This is similar to what the Lord said to Martha, who was occupied with many things, and distracted and troubled with serving. She blamed her sister, who quit serving, and set herself at His feet, devoting her time to learning. You are troubled about many things, but Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her (Luke 10:39-42). Similarly Jesus asked the rich young ruler to leave his busy life, cling to Him and adhere to the grace of Him who offered everlasting life.

John Chrysostom tells us that Christ advised the if they will, from making the poor partakers and sharers rich young ruler to strip himself of his money, not that he of the abundance, which they possess. would lose what he had, but that he would add to his At the end of todays Gospel reading, Jesus possessions. Christ would give him more than He required addressed this in the lives of the Twelve. Peter asked, See, him to give up; and not only more, but as much greater as Heaven is greater than earth. He called it a treasure, showing we have left all and followed You. Therefore what shall we the plenteousness of the recompense, its permanency, its have? (Luke 18:28). Jesus answered: security, so far as was possible by human examples to convey You, the Twelve, will sit on 12 thrones and judge the 12 to the hearer. tribes of Israel (Matthew 19:28) For they that have little are not equally held in subjection, as they that are overflowed with great affluence; for then the love of it becomes more tyrannical. The increase of acquisitions kindles the flame more and renders the consumers poorer, inasmuch as it puts them in greater desire, and makes them have more feeling of their want. John Cassian commented that the Lord tests peoples faith, examining our faith in two methods, those in prosperity and those in adversity, and these come about in three ways. The three ways are (1) proving our faith, (2) improving our life to rid it of minor sins and (3) discipline because our sins deserve it. Cassian went into great detail regarding the 2nd and 3rd ways. We dont normally think of prosperity as a method of examining our faith, but it can be just exactly that, if our love of our goods overpowers our love for God. We dont usually think of great prosperity as a time when God is testing us, but that is exactly what He did with Israel (Deuteronomy 8:2, 1118) when they became prosperous after the Conquest. When His disciples heard Jesus statement about the difficulties of a rich man entering the Kingdom of God, they were astonished (Matthew 19:25, Mark 10:26) and said, Who then can be saved? (Luke 18:26) As part of their culture, their concept of a rich man was someone who was blessed by God more than most people. If hes more blessed than most and still he cant be saved, who can? Cyril of Alexandria comments on this as follows: But what does the Lord reply? The things that are impossible with men, are possible with God. He has reserved, therefore, for those who possess wealth, the possibility of being counted worthy. Yet it is possible for them in another way to obtain honor. Christ Himself has shown us how this can happen, Make to yourselves friends of the unrighteous mammon; that when it has failed, they may receive you in an everlasting house (Luke 16:9). There is nothing to prevent the rich, Everyone who has given up riches or relationships for My Names sake will receive a hundredfold in this life (i.e. spiritual gifts) along with persecutions15, and in the age to come, eternal life (Mark 10:30). Many who are first will be last and the last first (Mark 10:31). That is, those taking oaths of poverty may do quite well on their investment after all!

Congratulations to the newly baptized Gabriel Joseph Fitzpatrick

To his family and sponsors May God grant you many years

Among Today s Saints

The Holy Great Martyr James the Persian (the Sawn-Asunder) was born in the fourth century into a pious Christian family, both wealthy and illustrious. His wife was also a Christian, and the couple raised their children in piety, inspiring in them a love for prayer and the Holy Scriptures. James occupied a high position at the court of the Persian emperor Izdegerd (399-420) and his successor Barakhranes (420-438). But on one of the military campaigns James, seduced by the emperor's beneficence, was afraid to acknowledge himself a Christian, and so he offered sacrifice to idols with the emperor. Learning of this, James' mother and wife wrote him a letter, in which they rebuked him and urged him to repent. Receiving the letter, James realized the gravity of his sin. Faced with the horror of being cut off not only from his family, but also from God Himself, he began to weep loudly, imploring the Lord for forgiveness. His fellow-soldiers, hearing him pray to the Lord Jesus Christ, reported this to the emperor. Under interrogation, St James bravely confessed his faith in the one True God. No amount of urging by the emperor could make him renounce Christ. The emperor then ordered the saint to be put to death. They began to cut off his fingers and his toes one by one, then his hands and his feet, and then his arms and legs. During the prolonged torture St James offered prayers of thanksgiving to the Lord, Who had granted him the possibility of redemption from his sins by enduring these terrible torments. Finally, the martyr was beheaded. Christians gathered up the pieces of his body and buried them with great reverence.

Annual

Saint Barbara Saint Nicholas

Celebration Next Sunday After divine liturgy
Fun, snacks, carols, games

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How can we help our children to "grow up" with Holy Scriptures, while keeping everything in context?
Here are some ideas: Purchase an age-appropriate Bible or Bible story book for your child, and keep updating it as your child grows. (Consult your parish priest if you have any doubts about the content or presentation.) Use the Bible story book for younger children's first bedtime story each night, and move the fairy tales to the second position. Our Katie usually enjoys three stories: a Bible story, an Arthur book, and something else. On Saturday night, read the Gospel story that will be read in Church at Liturgy the next morning from your child's Bible storybook, then mark the place and take the storybook with you to Liturgy. If the child doesn't read yet, have him look at the pictures that go with the story. Be sure to point out (often) that the beautiful book that Father or Father Deacon reads, blesses us with during Liturgy, and offers to us to kiss at Matins, is the Gospel - the first four books of the New Testament. After services one day, ask Father if you can look at the Altar Gospel; point out that the words are big so Father can see them easily, so he can read to us very clearly. Discuss the Epistle and Gospel with your children on the way home from Church, reinforcing (or "translating for little ears") any points made about them during the homily. It doesn't have to be a deep philosophical discussion, just a few words on the meaning of the story and how it applies to us today. Children have "favorite" Bible stories that they ask to have read over and over. Introduce the "big kid's Bible" to your child by reading his favorite story from the Orthodox Study Bible, and pointing out how the "big kid's Bible" tells the same story with more detail than his Bible storybook. As children get older, you can begin to read more from it and to point out chapter and verse numbers. As children get older, begin to read the "daily readings" from the Epistle and Gospel together at the dinner table. Fr. Peter relates that, in his own house he read the Epistle and Gospels at the table only for feast days and during fasting seasons, to prevent his children from "dreading another reading". They enjoyed the dinner-table readings so much, they actually asked when the next fasting season began, and looked forward to them! Encourage older children to speak with the cantor and learn to read the Epistle during Liturgy. Let your children - at every age - see you reading the Bible at home or attending a study group at Church. More than anything else, our children learn from our example.

Call to Prayer and Fasting

On 15 November the Christmas Fast begins, according to the tradition of our Melkite Greek Catholic Church. Other Churches start it on 10 December. In view of the tragic circumstances and dangers that beset our Arab world in general and Syria in particular, I am calling upon all our faithful in our Church, in Damascus and eparchies in Syria, to begin a voluntary fast, especially on Wednesdays and Fridays, from 15 November until the Feast of Christmas. Fasting should be accompanied by prayer, so that prayers go up in homes, churches, monasteries and convents, at the start of confraternity meetings and all parish activities. In that way we shall be obeying the command of our Lord, who said, This kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting, (Matthew 17: 21) and fulfilling our national and Christian duty to our Arab homelands. We beseech our Lord to preserve our homeland of Syria, all our countries and our fellow-citizens from the dangers of riots, conspiracies and divisions. We pray too for needful reforms and appropriate changes to be implemented at all levels, for a better future for Syria, our homeland, and for all Arab countries. Further to this letter we suggest some prayers (litanies) be sung during the liturgy in monasteries, parishes and homes, asking for divine mercy and for God to preserve us from dangers and perils. We beseech the Virgin Mary, our Mother, to unite and reconcile all Syrias sons and daughters in love, dialogue, harmony, concern and brotherhood. With my affection and blessing, Gregorios III Patriarch of Antioch and All the East Of Alexandria and of Jerusalem

Devotions and Readings for this week

Mon 11/28 Tues 11/29 Weds 11/30 Thurs 12/1 Fri 12/2 Sat 12/3 Martyrs Stephen the New and Irenarchos Martyrs Paramon and Philomenes Apostle Andrew, the first called Prophet Nahum Prophet Habakkuk Prophet Zephaniah 2 Thess 1:1-10 2 Thess 1:10-2:2 1 Cor 4:9-16 2 Thess 2:3-12 2 Thess 2:13-3:5 2 Thess 3:16-18 Gal 1:3-10 Lk 19:37-44 Lk 19:45-48 Jn 1:35-51 Lk 20:1-8 Lk 20:9-18 Lk 20:19-26 Lk 12:32-40

The Preparatory Season for the Nativity of Our Lord - The Phillipian Fast
Rev. Msgr. Russell A. Duker, Archdiocese of Pittsburgh The oldest Christian feast is the Resurrection of our Lord (Pascha). This Holy Day includes a whole cycle of feasts such as the Ascension and Pentecost. It is the great feast of our redemption and sanctification. Later Holy Days followed slowly until the fourth century. After the Church won official recognition and full freedom of worship and evangelization, our present calendar of festal celebration began to develop. This development was motivated by the Church's desire to honor both the events in the life our our Lord and the memory of the holy martyrs. Eventually the Church established a full year Christian calendar. We are familiar with the preparatory period before the Resurrection. This is the "Great Fast" or the "Holy Forty Days' Fast". The celebration of the birth of our Lord cannot be ascertained before the middle of the fourth century. The Church at Rome was the first to celebrate our Lord's birth. Many think that the date of December 25 was chosen to supplant the feast of the god Mithra and the solemn celebration of the birth of the invincible sun god. Others think that the date was chosen for the same reason that the Roman pagans honor the victory of the sun. It is around this date that the sun overcomes the darkness and the days become longer. Several times the prophets call Jesus Christ "Sun of Justice." It was deemed proper to choose the day when the sun begins its victorious cycle of light by shortening the duration of the night.

celebration. St. John Chrysostom tells us how he introduced this feast at Antioch sometime around 380. He explicitly says how he introduced it in imitation of the Church at Rome. St. John believed that the Roman Christians knew the date of Christ's birth better than anybody else since the imperial city archives were accessible to them. The first mention of a preparatory period before Christmas is mentioned in a decree of the Council of Saragossa (380). The Council Fathers stated that every Christian should daily go to church from December 17 until the Theophany (January 6th). At the Synod of Mac (581) in present day France it was decreed that from November 11, the day of St. Martin, until December 24 every Christian should fast 3 times a week (Monday, Wednesday, Friday).

Our pre-Nativity period of preparation developed rather late. Scholars do not agree about the exact time it began. Some hold that it began in the sixth century. Others believe it began in the seventh or eighth century. The present liturgical pre-Nativity season was finally established at the Council of Constantinople (1166). The Council decreed that the fast would begin on November 15 and last until December 24 inclusive. Thus, there was created According to some sermons of St. Gregory of another 40 day fast. Nazianzus, he introduced this feast into the Eastern The pre-Nativity fast is often called "Phillip's Fast" Church about the year 379 or 388. After his because it begins on the day after the feast of St. departure from Constantinople the celebration of Phillip. The fast was introduced to prepare the Christ's Nativity on December 25 was neglected. In Church for a worthy celebration of the great and 395 Emperor Honorius reinstituted the

holy day of the Birth of Christ. The regulations for the fast were far more lenient than the Great Fast before Pascha. Only Monday, Wednesday, and Friday were days of strict fasting without meat, dairy products or oil. On Sundays fish was permitted. Laymen were at first permitted to eat fish on other days, too, until the monastic rigoristic influence prevailed. It is interesting to observe that the famous 12th century Byzantine canonist Balsamon expressed the opinion that it would be enough if laymen fasted only one week before Christmas. In 1958 a modern Greek author, Christos M. Enislides, welcomed Balsamon's suggestion and believed that the best solution would be for the Church at large to abstain from meat and dairy products for 33 days. During the last seven days of the fast everybody should observe the strict fast. To worthily meet our Lord and Savior, we should sanctify this pre-Nativity season of the Phillipian Fast. Sanctifying means spending our time in faith and in the service of God and in kindness towards our neighbor, especially those who are in need of our assistance. And we should think of what we would have been had Christ not come to our lowliness and poverty. Together with the whole of the Byzantine Church we should try to meet Christ as he deserves to be met and as it will, in His mercy, best serve our spiritual benefit!

YOU ARE LONELY AND DEPRESSED? Wherever you live, go out in the evening-time as the light begins to fade, before night falls. Look at the setting Sun and the rising Moon. See the beauty of their color's. Wait for the stars to come out. Know that the whole of Creation is the sign of God's presence among us. The Sun that gives hope in the light of day is Christ. The Moon that gives hope in the dark of night is the Mother of God. And all the starways are but the pathways of the angels and the saints, a mighty host in number, praying for you. You live by a lake? Listen to the tiny waves lapping on the shore. You are listening to the gentle touch of God, Who envelops your soul with His mercy. You live by the sea? Listen to the ocean breakers crashing on the shore. You are listening to the strength of God, Whose laws govern the whole universe. The Spirit is on the waters. By the Will of the Almighty, know that the waves have broken on these shores for thousands of years before you. And if God grants it, long after you have left this world, the waves will still be breaking on the countless grains of sand and listened to by generations unborn. It is raining? Each raindrop contains within itself a rainbow. It is snowing? Each snowdrop is a miracle which cannot be imitated. Rain or snow, know that God is purifying His world. You live in a great city? Go out into the avenues lined with trees, the squares, the parks and the gardens. Listen to the rustling whisper of the leaves in the breeze. The breeze is the breath of God, the Holy Spirit giving life. The leaves speak of the wisdom of the Creator. Look at the blades of grass, almost infinite in number, but never as many as God's mercies. Look at the faces of the flowers, each grown by miracle from a tiny seed, all different, as the faces of humanity looking up to God. However clever man may grow, however many his workshops and laboratories, he will never be able to create a single leaf, or a single blade of grass, or a single blossom. The forests and the fields, the mountains and the streams, the hills and the lakes, the oceans and the seas, the whole of Creation is but a mirror of the power and beauty of God. In the freshness of the spring green, in the stillness of the summer heat, in the suddenness of the autumn gale, in the coldness of the winter ice, know that God is here, with you.

Saint Joseph Ladies Society Annual Holiday Luncheon

Sunday December 11 1pm La Trattoria Restaurant

Prayer Requests

Parish Calendar
Rev. Father Philip Azoon Rev. Deacon John Karam Rev. Seraphim Michalenko Rev. Basil Samra Rev. Peter Boutros Rev. Deacon Bryan McNiel Rev. Deacon Irenaeus Dionne

December 4 Childrens Saint Nicholas and Saint Barbara Celebration after Liturgy 9 Conception of the Theotokos by Saint Anne 11 Ladies Society Holiday Luncheon 1PM La Trattoria Restaurant

Marie Abda Marie Abda Marie Barron Joseph Barron Mary Sue Betress Chris Carey Nikki Boudreaux Dr. Frances Colie John Colie Ann Coury

Margaret Dillenburg Mark Dillman Karen Kane Niko Mayashairo Mary McNeilly Marie Patchoski Joanna Simon William Simon Dr. Thomas Zaydon
Candles Weekly Monthly Sacrificial Giving 11/20/2011 $ 3.00 $ 716.00 $ 87.00

The Weekly Quiz

What creepy creature did Solomon write about, that is even in King's palaces? lice spiders cockroaches ants
Last Weeks Answer Q. Out of whom did Jesus cast seven devils? A. Mary Magdelene

All those Serving in our Armed Forces The Christian Community in the Middle East