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January 1st 2003

NEW YEAR'S DAY WORLD DAY OF PEACE

Readings: Ephesians, 2:11:18, Gospel: John, 7:19-24 (English & Lebanese): Before being the Son of man, Jesus is the Son of God, the Father. He transforms our homes into the Lord's house and his law into a way of living. Jesus obeyed his Father, listened to him; He prayed and more importantly He unveiled the relationship between God and His Son. Are we similar to Him? Do we protect what is God's with love, obedience to each other? Do we bring forth the Good News so we could be the light of the world? By doing so, we build on earth a holy temple for God where we walk the journey to the city of the light in heaven glorifying him with Mary, Joseph and all the saints because Jesus came to unite all the civilizations on earth in one law: the law of love. He wants his peace to reign in the hearts so his people could live in peace and harmony and shine his light so the earth will be filled with his glory. We could understand the spirit of God if we open our hearts and lived according to the law of God not ours, otherwise we become like the Pharisees who hated Jesus after greed, and arrogance blinded their hearts. When Jesus healed the paralyzed on the Sabbath, He did not do it against the law, instead He did it to glorify life. The law is originally an instrument of understanding, and a way of love, peace and brotherhood. Last Week's Collection: $ 6,036.83 Thank you for your continued support and generosity. May God bless you and your families. Masses & Celebrations during the Week: Wed. Jan. 1st 12:00PM New Year's Day (Parishioners) Thu. Jan. 2nd 5:30PM St. Charbel's Prayers 6:00PM Tony Badaoui (Nehmetallah Nehmetallah & Family) Fri. Jan. 3rd 5:30PM Sacred Heart Prayers 6:00PM All Forgotten Souls (Sarkis Yacoub & Family) Sun. Jan. 5th 10:00AM Deceased Members of the Raheb Family (Tony Raheb & Family) 12:00PM Youssef Yacoub Zakaria & All deceased Family Members (Youssef & Therese Obeid & Family) Mon. Jan. 6th Baptism of the Lord (Blessing of the water) 6:00PM Youssef Nohra & Wife Shamma (Antonios Nohra & Family) Tue. Jan. 7th 5:30PM St. Anthony's Novena 6:00PM Youssef Bakhos Raffoul & Wife & Deceased Family members (Mr. & Mrs. Tom Raffoul ) Wed. Jan. 8th 5:30PM St. Anthony's Novena 6:00PM Youssef Abbas & Wife Najibe & Sons Saleh & Boula (Nehmetallah Nehmetallah & Family) Thu. Jan. 9th 9:00AM Blessed Sacrament Adoration Day 9:05AM Mother Mary's Prayers 10:00AM St. Charbel's Prayers 10:30AM Sacred Heart Prayers 11:00AM Blessed Sacrament Adoration Hour. 12:00PM Blessing & Conclusion of the Day. 5:30PM St. Anthony's Novena 6:00PM Hanna & Eugenie Yacoub (Sarkis Yacoub & Family) Fri. Jan. 10th 5:30PM St. Anthony's Novena 6:00PM Sarkis Wakim Raheb & Wife Badiha (Max Abraham) Sun. Jan. 12th 10:00AM Boutros Saba & Deceased Family Members (Hanné Saba & Family) 12:00PM Khalil Raffoul (40 Days Mem. Mass) (Family)

Leamington Ministerial Association invites all the Christians to pray for each other. This week we pray for Mennonite Brethren Church

We would like to express our most sincere thanks to all of you who made the Christmas Season a very happy and memorable one. Our thanks go out especially to those who donated the roses, those who helped with the choir and the Christmas play, those who helped decorate the inside and outside of the Church. Thank you all for your help and generous support. May God bless you all. Calendars Sale: All the proceeds from the calendars sale go to the Building Fund of Our Lady of the Rosary Maronite Parish in Edmonton. Thank you all for your support. Please mark your calendars for our next Bingo Session, which will take place at Leamington Bingo Country, 14 Mill ST. East, on Friday, January 3rd, 2003 at 12:30PM. St. Anthony's Parish has sent 111 Masses in memory of the faithful departed of our Parish to the Diocese of St. Maron. You can see the list of the Masses on the Bulletin Board. Schedule for the Eucharist Ministers, Deacons, Ushers, Altar Servers and Bingo Committee, for the next three months, are ready to be picked up at the Church entrance. Thank you in advance for your help. 2003 Offertory Envelopes: Please pick up your Offertory Envelopes for the year 2003 at the Church entrance. Please call the Church Office at 322-2282 if you moved to a new address. Thank you for your help in bringing our records up top date. Anger Management: Shalom Counseling Services in Leamington present the Anger Management Men's Group for Winter 2002 - 2003. Thursdays, 7:00 to 9:00PM starting December 19th to January 9, 16, 23 at the Community service center, 215 Talbot ST. East, Leamington. Group Leader: Russell Bailey. Cost: $ 200.00 payable at 1st meeting. For registration, call Shalom Counseling Services at 326-3778 extension 3. All are welcome. Message of His All Holiness Pope John Paul II for the Celebration of World Day of Peace "There is an unbreakable bond between the work of peace and respect for truth. Honesty in the supply of information, equity in legal systems, openness in democratic procedures give citizens a sense of security, a readiness to settle controversies by peaceful means, and a desire for genuine and constructive dialogue, all of which constitute the True premises of a lasting peace. Political summits on the regional and international levels serve the cause of peace only if joint commitments are then honored by each party. Otherwise these meetings risk becoming irrelevant and useless, with the result that people believe less and less in dialogue and trust more in the use of force as a way of resolving issues. The negative repercussions on peace resulting from leaders. If at all times commitments ought to be kept, promises made to the poor should be considered particularly binding. Especially frustrating for them is any breach of faith regarding promises which they see as vital to their well-being. The suffering caused by poverty is compounded by the loss of trust. The end result is hopelessness. The existence of trust in international relations is a social capital of fundamental value. "Pope John Paul II, January 1, 2003" Mary the Mother of God January 1st The Christian Year begins with a feast in honor of Mary, the Mother of God. First among the saints, she is the loving Mother of Jesus and Mother of us all. God chose Mary for a special role in history. She was to give birth to the Messiah, whom God would send to save all people from sin and bring joy and peace to the world. Like a new Eve, Mary became the "Mother of all the living" because her child could bring all generations new life. The prophets of the Old Testament spoke of her in their promise that a virgin would bear a son whose name is Emmanuel, "God with us". And St. Paul would describe her role in this way: "When the fullness of time came, God send this Son born of a woman." God prepared Mary with special care and grace. Coming to her home at Nazareth, the Angel Gabriel hailed her as "Full of Grace," the beloved of the Holy Spirit. Even before her birth God made her holy and free from sin. Loving Mother of the Redeemer, gate of heaven, star of the sea, assist your people who have fallen yet strive to rise again. You who received Gabriel's joyful greeting, have pity on us poor sinners. Amen. A Prayer for peace making Jesus, rightful Advocate of peace, Elegant Champion of reconciliation, You taught me the way towards peace My assurance of congenial oneness, Teach me to carry the torch of peace That it may reside within my heart And radiate in my surroundings. Through the grace of Your power, Transform the world into a heaven. You are the only hope of mankind You are the most gracious Peace Maker. A Prayer for the sick Creator of life, We believe that you accompany All those who are sick and suffering. As family members and caregivers We implore you to lift their burdens And comfort their hearts When they are afraid, give them courage. When affected, give them patience When dejected, offer them hope, And when alone assure them of the support of their families and those who care for them. Amen.

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