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Sunday December 14, 2003
The Announcement to Joseph
Gospel: Matthew 1: 18 - 25
Readings: Ephesians 3: 1 - 13 The Announcement to Joseph is a saving event, celebrated by the Liturgy as a preparation for Jesus' birth. Joseph, who will adopt Jesus and provide for him and his mother the protection and help, has the right to be informed by God about the secret of His Son's incarnation.
The Gospel of Matthew describes for us Joseph's personality ready to accept the announcement and work by it. Joseph's personality is clarified from few words said about him.
He was righteous and he was looking form a solution to Mary's situation without disobeying the laws which prevent him from adopting a child that is not his. He is from the family of David.
He understands the prophecies about the Messiah: He is Emmanuel who is born from a Virgin. He is the man chosen to accompany Mary and care for her Son. He is ready to obey all the angel of the Lord's orders.
He is invited to remember the promise given to his father David one thousand years ago, that the Messiah was to be born from his offspring.
Joseph, who was confused, is transformed after the angel's words to Mary's partner in the secret she carries. Joseph became committed to what the Lord ordered. When he woke up, he did what was ordered by the Lord.
Last Week's Collection $ 3,318.00
Leamington Ministerial Association invites all the Christians to pray for each other. This week we pray for Leamington United Mennonite Church
Masses & Celebrations during the week: Week Ending Sunday December 21, 2003 Sun. December 14th. 2003 Sunday of the Announcement to Joseph
10:00AM
Hanne Issa (1 Yr. Mem. Mass) (Family)12:00PM
Louie Iskandar George (3 Yrs. Mem. Mass) (Family)
Mon. December 15th, 20035:30PM
St. Anne's Prayers6:00PM
Antonios Youssef Elbaresh (Family)6:30PM
Christmas Novena
Tue. December 16th, 20035:30PM
St. Anthony's Prayers6:00PM
Sarkis Boutros (Theresa Boutros & Family)6:30PM
Christmas Novena
Wed. December 17th, 20035:00PM
Mother Mary's Prayers6:00PM
Hanna & Eugenie Yacoub (Family)6:30PM
Christmas Novena9:00AM
Visit of Our Lady of the Cape. Rosary Prayers & Litany & Blessing @ Salim Nohra's Residence, 24 Gerard Ave., Leamington, (519) 326-2514
Thu. December 18th, 20035:30PM
St. Charbel's Prayers6:00PM
Tony Badaoui (Family)6:30PM
Christmas Novena
Fri. December 19th, 20035:30PM
Sacred Heart Prayers6:00PM
Louie Mikhail & Deceased Family Members (Sam & Laura Tannous)6:30PM
Christmas Novena
Sun. December 21st, 2003 Sunday of the Genealogy of Jesus10:00AM
Yasmine Youssef & Her parents & Brother (Family)12:00PM
Tom Badaoui (1 Yr. Mem. Mass) (Family)3:00PM
Children Christmas Party & Play @ the Leamington Lebanese Club.
Comunity News & Events Week Ending Sunday December 21, 2003 Christmas Novena:
Christmas Novena will start tomorrow, Monday December 15th, 2003 at 6:30PM following the evening Mass. All are welcome to attend as we prepare for the birth of our Lord.
Bingo Sessions:
Please mark your calendars for our next Bingo Sessions which will be held at Leamington Bingo Country, 14 Mill St. East, on Thursday December 18th, 2003 at 6:30 & 9:30PM. For more information please call Mrs. Gladys Tannous @ (519)326-7642. Thank you.
Mother Mary's Visit:
If you would like for Mother Mary to come and bless your house, please register your name on the sheet provided at the Church entrance. Thank you.
Our deepest sympathies to the Nohra Family:
Our deepest sympathies to the Nohra Family on the loss of Antonios Nohra who passed away in Venezuela at the age of 57 on Friday December 6, 2003. A Memorial Mass was held for the rest of his soul on Sunday December 7, 2003 in St. Anthony's Parish. May God rest his soul in peace and grant consolation for his family and relatives.
Christmas Party:
All the children of St. Anthony's Parish are invited to a Christmas Party on December 21st, 2003 at the Leamington Lebanese Club . Please register your name on the sheet provided at the Church entrance. All are welcome.
St. Anthony's Parish Council:
If you are interested in being a member of St. Anthony's Parish Council for the next three years term, please register your name on the sheet provided at the Church entrance. The new Council will commence working starting January 2004.
Christmas Play:
All the children from St. Anthony's Parish who are participating in this year's Christmas Play will have a Dress Rehearsal on Friday December 19, 2003 from 4:00 to 5:00PM. Please be there on time.
Arabic Choir Practice:
Arabic Choir Practice will take place on Friday at 4 to 5:30PM. You can still register on the sheet provided at the church entrance. Responsible for the Choir is Mr. Daoud Nohra.
Congratulations to Hasna Delvalle Isase:
Hasna Delvalle Isase received the Sacraments of Baptism & Confirmation on Sunday November 30, 2003 in St. Anthony's Parish. May God bless her and give her a long and happy life with her family.
Big Brothers needed:
Big Brothers are urgently needed in Leamington. For further info, call Marg Simpson at Big Brothers at 945-5909 ext. 29 or 322-3535 (Leamington Office.
New Year's Even Party:
Ring in the New Year with Shadia Aboul Hosn at the Leamington Lebanese Club, Hwy. 77 (519) 326-3883. Join us for a magical New Year's Eve on December 31, 2003. Also appearing DJ English Music. Adults: $ 70.00, 12 & under: $ 50.00. Ticket price includes: Appetizer Table, Dinner, Party Favors & more. Reservations available for tables of 8 or more.
Prayers - Saints Section Week Ending Sunday December 21, 2003 Blessed Hardini, December 14th Youssef Kassab was born in the year 1808. His father was George Kassab and his mother Mariam Raad. He entered the school of the monks of St. Anthony at Hboub from 1816 to 1822.
He adopted the name Fr. Nehmetallah Kassab Hardini. He professed his first vows on November 14, 1830. After he finished his theological studies, he was ordained a priest in the monastery of Kfifan on December 25th, 1833. He lived a very holy life. He was a man of prayer, totally "enraptured by God." He spent days and nights in meditation, prayer and adoration of the Eucharist.
The Virgin Mary was his patron and he prayed her Rosary. He took his monastic vows of "obedience, chastity and poverty" to perfection. One of his students was St. Charbel, 1853 to 1858. The Blessed Hardini died in the monastery of Kfifan on December 14, 1858. He was fifty years of age. His last words were: "O Virgin Mary between your hands I submit my soul." People who were nearby at the moment of his death witnessed a heavenly light illuminating his room and an aromatic smell which remained in his room for a number of days afterwards.
Some time later, the Monks opened his tomb and to their surprise they found his body incorrupt. He was then removed and placed in a coffin near the Church where his body stayed intact until 1927. The blessed Hardini was transferred to a little Chapel where masses are celebrated for visitors. Through his intercession many cures occurred: blind, paralyzed in a chair, child raised from the dead, cure of another child, cure of nervous system, cure of cancer.
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