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January11th, 2004
First Sunday after Epiphany
Gospel: Luke 2: 41 - 52
Readings: Galatians 1: 11 - 17 John bore witness to Jesus. "Here is the Lamb of God", "I myself have seen and have testified that this is the Son of God". "The two disciples heard him say this, and they followed Jesus." Based on this testimony, the story of the two disciples who followed Jesus came about. It is the first station of their journey.
It is very important to start from the tradition and the inherited faith. The parents, the Church, the friends, the school… they were all like John. They guided us to Jesus, the Messiah. Faith comes from listening.
Jesus asked them: What are you looking for? They answered: Where are you staying? They remained with him that day. Experiencing the real Jesus is the second station of their journey. What is more important is to live an experience with Jesus.
Talking about Jesus is different than talking with Jesus. Experiencing Jesus does not necessarily mean witnessing a miracle. It is the experience of joy and true salvation by letting Jesus interfere in our lives. One of the two found his brother and said to him: "We have found the Messiah. He brought him to Jesus." He entered a direct relationship with Jesus by calling him by his name.
The most important station of them all is the importance of not keeping Jesus to ourselves. We ought to be like John the Baptist. We must carry the Good News to others. Today's Gospel is an invitation to reflect on the stations of our faith journey and make these stations work to preach the news about the kingdom on earth.
Last Week's Collection $3,711.65
Leamington Ministerial Association invites all the Christians to pray for each other. This week we pray for Mersea United Church
Masses & Celebrations during the week: Week Ending Sunday January 18, 2003 Sun. January 11th, 2004 First Sunday after the Epiphany
10:00AM
Mikhail Jraiche & wife Shamma (Jawad Jraiche & Family)12:00PM
Antonios & Maryin Najem & Rangi & Yacoub Khalife & Granddaughter Rangi
(Denise Najem)
Mon. January 12th, 20045:30PM
St. Anthony's Novena6:00PM
Manuel Martinho (Georgina Martinho)
Tue. January 13th, 20045:30PM
St. Anthony's Novena6:00PM
Taleb Nasr & Wife Rosa (Lisa Younan)
Wed. January 14th, 20045:00PM
Mother Mary's Prayers / St. Anthony's Novena6:00PM
Thanksgiving to St. Anne (Joanne Jeffrey)7:00PM
Visit of Our Lady of the Cape. Rosary Prayers & Litany & Blessing @ The Residence of Leila Taouil, 76 Foundry St., Leamington, (519) 326-7522
Thu. January 15th, 20045:30PM
St. Anthony's Novena6:00PM
Sarkis Boula Boutros (Boula & Alice Boutros)
Fri. January 16th, 20045:30PM
St. Anthony's Novena600PM
Youssef Bakhos Raffoul & Wife & Deceased Family Members (Mr. & Mrs. Tom Raffoul)
Sat. January 17th, 20046:00PM
St. Anthony's Feast
Solemn Mass (For the Intentions of all Parishioners)
Sun. January 18th, 2004 Second Sunday after the Epiphany of the Lord10:00AM
Sarkis Raffoul & Wife Alia (George Raffoul & Family)12:00PM
Antonios Nohra (40 Days Mem. Mass) (Family)
Comunity News & Events Week Ending Sunday January 18, 2003 St. Anthony's Feast:
We celebrate St. Anthony's Feast on January 17th. A Solemn Mass will take place in St. Anthony's Parish on Saturday, January 17th, 2004 at 6:00PM followed by a Reception and a Talent Show in the Church Hall. All are welcome to attend as we celebrate the feast of our Patron Saint.
St. Anthony's Reception:
As we prepare for St. Anthony's Feast, we ask all the ladies of the Parish to bring dessert for the reception of St. Anthony's Feast. Thank you in advance for your help and generosity. May God bless you with your families.
Noursat / Tele Lumiere:
Now in Canada Noursat / Tele Lumiere, Hot Bird 4, 13º East, Transponder 122, Frequency 10949 Ver. Satellite 5-KU, Email: Info@telelumiere.com,
Website: www.telelumiere.com Pan Sat Dish or Samsung or Cruiser Sat. Check it out for Christian Catholic News and Events. Noursat is direct from Lebanon.
Marriage Preparation:
All couples seeking marriage in St. Anthony's Parish in 2004 are asked to attend a Presentation Night at our Parish on Monday January 19th, 2004 at 7:00PM. Your presence is very important as you prepare for your future life as a couple.
2004 Envelopes:
Please pick up your 2004 Envelopes from the Church. Please inform us of any change in your address. Thank you in advance for your support.
Bingo Sessions:
Please mark your calendars for our next Bingo Sessions which will be held on Thursday January 15th, 2004 at 12:30 & 6:30PM. For more information, please call Bingo Country @ 322-2251. Thank you in advance for your help and support.
Children's Arabic Choir:
All the children interested in participating in the Arabic Choir will have a practice meeting on Friday, from 4 to 5:30PM. All are welcome.
Our deepest sympathies:
Our deepest sympathies to the Zakaria Family for the loss of Rev. Sister Simone Mikhail Zakaria who passed away in Lebanon at the age on 68 on December 31st, 2003. A Memorial Mass was held in St. Anthony's Parish for the rest of her soul on Sunday January 4th, 2004 at 3:00PM. May God rest her soul in peace and grant consolation for her family and relatives.
Also our heartfelt sympathies go out to the Daher Family for the loss of Youssef Sleiman Daher who passed away in Lebanon at the age of 85 on January 1st, 2004. A Memorial Mass was held in St. Anthony's Parish on Sunday January 4th, 2004 at 12:00PM. May God rest his soul in peace and grant consolation for his family and relatives.
Kindergarten Registrations:
Junior Kindergarten registration for École Saint-Michel, Leamington continues the week of January 12th and 19th, 2004. If you would like your child to receive a French Language education, please contact the principal at 326-6125. Parents should bring the child's proof of age-Birth Certificate, and Baptismal Certificate. Both, the Junior Kindergarten and the Senior Kindergarten programs at École Saint-Michel are full day/every day programs. Bussing is provided.
Week of Prayer for Christian Unity:
January 18th to 25th, 2004. Come worship together in the Unity of the Spirit, Sunday January 18th, 2004 at 7:00PM at Holy Family Chaldean Church, 686 Marentette @ Wyandotte St. East, Windsor. Speaker: Father James Roche. All are welcome.
Prayers - Saints Section - Messages Week Ending Sunday January 18, 2003 St. Anthony, Abbot January 17 St. Anthony was born in the village of Koman, Upper Egypt in 250. He was born into a wealthy Christian family, and when his parents died in 269, he and his sister were left alone.
About six months after his parents' deaths, while in Church, he heard the words of the Gospel: "If you will be perfect, go sell all you have, and give to the poor; and come, follow me and you will have a treasure in heaven." Anthony felt as if God were speaking directly to him. He immediately left the Church and gave all his property to the poor people of his village. Then, after providing for his sister, he left home to follow Christ.
He chose to live in a deserted place not far from Koman, where he devoted himself to prayer and work with his hands. About 285, Anthony moved and settled on the top of a mountain were he lived in solitude for nearly twenty years.
The devil continually tempted him, but he became a stronger person. About 305, Anthony came down from the mountain and established the first Christian monastery in Fayum. In 312, he returned to a cave on Mount Kolzim with his disciple, Macarius, and remained there for the rest of his life.
People from all over Egypt and throughout the world heard of this holy man living in the desert. Some adopted his life style and many became monks. As a result, Anthony is called the Father of Monasticism. He died in 356 on Mount Kolzim.
God of truth, may we hear your word, and do your will.
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