- Readings: Ephesians, 3:1-13
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- Gospel: Matthew, 1: 18-25 (English & Lebanese):
St. Joseph did not know about the Sacrament of Incarnation until
nine months had gone by on the Announcement to Mary. God did
not unveil the Sacrament of Incarnation in one shot, he did it
gradually: Mary, Elizabeth, Joseph…The Church invites us
to contemplate on the Announcement to St. Joseph, and God's appearance
in his life to unveil to Sacrament of Incarnation to him. Joseph
was invited to participate strongly in realizing this Sacrament,
by being the father of the Holy Family. Joseph is a righteous
man who is suffering from a conscience dilemma, mainly because
of Mary's discretion about the Sacrament of Incarnation, on one
side and her holy pregnancy on the other. St. Joseph thought
of leaving her secretly; this way he will protect Mary's freedom
and social dignity.
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- The angel appeared to Joseph to uncover the truth and illuminate
the darkness. Joseph and Mary's lives are a part of our daily
lives, where higher influences force us to sacrifice our own
good. How would have I reacted if I lived the lives of Mary and
Joseph? Do I use the light of the Gospel to clarify my daily
problems and try to solve my problems with a Christian thinking?
Lord, you have chosen St. Joseph and gave him the responsibility
of caring for the Holy Family, give us holy fathers like Joseph
and mothers like Mary, who live depending on God and on unconditional
love for each other.
- Last Week's Collection: $ 1,600.00
- Thank you for your continued support and generosity. May
God bless you and your families.
- Masses &Celebrations during the Week:
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Sun. Dec. 16th
10:00AM
Mikhail & Shamma Jraiche (Jawad Jraiche & Family)
12:00PM
Antonios & Maryin Najem & Rangi & Yacoub Khalife
& Rangi Khalife (Denise Najem)
1:30PM
Baptism: Brianna Rebecca Zakaria
6:00PM
Opening of Christmas Novena
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Mon. Dec. 17th
6:00PM
Antonios Sarkis Youssef & Tannous Jabbour & Deceased
Family members (Marzouka Youssef)
Tue. Dec. 18th
6:00PM
Tony Badaoui (Family)
Wed. Dec. 19th
5:00PM
Mother Mary's Prayers
6:00PM
George & Bassam Obeid (Marie Obeid)
Thu. Dec. 20th
5:30PM
St. Charbel's Prayers
6:00PM
Raffoul Bakhos & Wife & Deceased Children (George Raffoul)
Fri. Dec. 21st
5:30PM
Sacred Heart Prayers
6:00PM
Antoune Nohra (Lorraine Nohra)
Sat. Dec. 22nd
6:00PM
Hanna & Eugenie Yacoub (Family)
Sun. Dec. 23rd
10:00AM
Theresa Jabbour (6 Mths. Mem.) (Family)
12:00PM
Louie Iskandar George (1 Yr. Mem.)(Family)
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Leamington Ministerial
Association invites all the Christians to pray for each other.
This week we pray
for :
Leamington Christian Centre |
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- We would like to welcome Rev. Father Paul Oneid to
St. Anthony's Parish for the Christmas Spiritual Retreat. May
God bless him and give him the strength and health to continue
his mission with zeal and enthusiasm to bring the Good News to
all.
We would like to thank all the ladies who prepared the food
for the Ministers' Lunch. May God bless you all with your
families and give you the health and strength.
Altar Servers Practice: Altar Servers will meet with Mr.
Nicholas El-Kada on Monday, December 17th, 2001 from 4:30 to
5:30PM. Everyone is welcome.
Christmas Play Practice, today, Sunday, December 16th,
2001, 5:00 to 6:00PM for all the children participating in the
Christmas play with Barbara Gaspard & Nicholas El-Kada.
Youth Meeting: All the Youths will meet with Mr. Nicholas
El - Kada on Tuesday, December 18th, 2001 at 7:00PM. All are
welcome.
Please mark your calendars for our next Bingo Session,
which will be held at Leamington Bingo Country, 14 Mill St. East,
Monday, December 28th, at 6:30PM & 9:30PM. Please call Mrs.
Gladys Tannous @ 326-8080 for more information.
Christmas Party: Leamington Lebanese Club invites all
the children of Lebanese and Maronite Communities to the Annual
Christmas Party, on Sunday, December 23rd, 2001, 3:00 to 5:00PM.
Hot dogs, chips, and beverage to be provided by the Club. Our
Lady of Lebanon Auxiliary will provide all the gifts. St. Anthony's
Parish will provide the organizational team. Please register
your name at the Church entrance on the sheet provided. All the
children are invited to come and have some fun and be entertained.
Arabic Speaking Play: We need 20 Arabic speaking adults
to participate in the Lord's Passion and Easter Play. If interested,
please contact Daoud Nohra @ 326-3997 or Nicholas El-Kada @ 322-2282
or register your names on the sheet provided at the Church entrance.
Christmas Novena Schedule:
- Sun. Dec. 16: Opening of the Novena: Days of Salvation
and grace.
- Mon. Dec. 17: The way to heaven is narrow; the way
to hell is wide.
- Tue. Dec. 18: The Commandments are the way to eternity.
Man is all for God.
- Wed. Dec. 19: Christian, save yourself.
- Thu. & Fri. Dec. 20 & 21: A Saviour has been
born (1 & 2)
- Sat. Dec. 22: Good Marriage & Bad Marriage. (1
& 2)
- Sun. Dec. 23rd: Closing of the Novena: An invitation
to live a true Christian life
Elf Center: This is a place where parents or caregivers
can come with their children for: fun, stories, songs, games,
art activities, and snacks. A free program led by an Early Childhood
Educator who works with parents to prepare a child for success.
Talk about child rearing, making new friends. Open Monday through
Thursday, 8:30 to 11:30AM. Stop in anytime. To bear and see more
please join us at: Leamington Child Care Center, 10 Wilkinson
Dr. (326-3703)
Catholic Men's Fellowship Breakfast: On the last Saturday
of each month, Catholic Men from all over Essex County gather
together to pray and to encourage one another in their Christian
walk. Breakfast is at 8:30AM at Roseland Golf & Curling Club.
All men are welcome to attend. For more information, contact:
Greg Mailloux @ 254-9137.
Women's Anger Group: Are you having trouble controlling
your anger, expressing your anger or do you feel angry much of
the time? The Women's Anger Group is going to be held Tuesdays
from now up to December 18, 2:00 to 4:00PM at Mennonite Brethren
Church, 219 Talbot St. East, Leamington (across from "No
Frills). Cost to be determined during initial assessment. For
information, contact Tanya de Jong, the Group Facilitator at
326-3778 ext. 2. All are welcome.
Congratulations to Matthew Andrew Raffoul & Kaitlyn Amelia
Stravato who received the Sacraments of Baptism and Confirmation,
on Sunday December 9, 2001. May God bless them both and give
them a long and happy life with their families.
Separated & Divorced Catholic Support Group: The Group
meets at the John XXIII Center, (2275 Wellesley Ave.) every Wednesday
at 7:30PM. For more information, please call 734-6960. All are
welcome.
Job Opportunity: St. Agnes Parish, Chatham, Ontario, is
seeking a Director of Music. Part-time position (18-22 hours)
Responsibilities include: plan and coordinate the music program,
active participation of the assembly in the Liturgical, prepare
choirs for Sunday Masses, provide music ministry for weddings,
funerals and school celebrations, membership on the Parish Liturgy
Committee and involvement in Diocesan workshops. Interested?
Please send a resume and three written references to: Music Search
Committee, St. Agnes Parish, 52 Croydon St., Chatham, Ontario,
N7L 1L3. Deadline, December 23, 2001.
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Prayer for Youth
We offer You, loving God, the gifts and needs of youth. Bless
them with your guiding grace as they face the Challenges and
opportunities in their lives.
Send your Spirit of hope to their lives, that they may believe
in themselves and know they are needed in this world. May they
celebrated live through laughter and tears alike.
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- Guide us, as we continue to grow in our appreciation of the
many gifts of young people, in the journey of faith we walk with
them, in our shared mission as a community called to discipleship
in the world. We ask this in Jesus' name.
-
Amen.
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