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March 14th, 2004
March 14th, 2004 Sunday of the Prodigal Son
"This brother of yours was dead and has come to life." (Luke, 15: 32)
Gospel: Luke 15: 11 - 32
Readings: 2 Corinthians, 13: 5 - 13 Some might think that today's Gospel is the center of St. Luke's Gospel, preceded by the lost sheep and the lost penny. They are normal situations that could happen to everyone everyday.
The importance of the two parables comes from Jesus' educational opinion. "I say to you: the angels will rejoice when a sinner repents." This explanation gives the three parables great significance because it explains the value of the sinner in God's eyes. Jesus continues to show "The Forgiving Father" before the tax collectors and the sinners. That Father doesn't deny his son's right of a private life.
Once the son starts to spend wildly, he wares the form of the sinner who throws away all the values and follows the sin. After losing everything he gets a job equivalent to his financial situation.
The son will decide to go back to give meaning to his life. The reality is different. The father does not have time to hear his son. He is only rejoicing because his son is back.
Last Week's Collection $ 2,022.00
Leamington Ministerial Association invites all the Christians to pray for each other. This week we pray for Salvation Army
Masses & Celebrations during the week: Week Ending Sunday March 21, 2004 Sun. March 14th, 2004 Sunday of the Prodigal Son
10:00AM
Antonios & Frangie Jraige.
(Sarkis Kantarjian & Family)12:00PM
Montaha Elias Khalil Sarkis (Mem. Mass) (Family)7:00PM
Meditation Hour before the Crucifix
Mon. March 15th, 20045:30PM
St. Joseph's Prayers6:00PM
Tom Badaoui (Chehade A. Massih)
Tue. March 16th, 20045:30PM
St. Joseph's Prayers6:00PM
Youssef Estepahn Boutros & Wife Alia & Deceased Children Estephan & Antonios & Grandchildren Sarkis & Joseph (Marie Youssef)
Wed. March 17th, 20044:00PM
Baptism: Emily Zina5:00PM
Mother Mary's Prayers6:00PM
Hanna & Eugenie Yacoub (Family)6:30PM
St. Joseph's Prayers.7:00PM
Visit of Our Lady of the Cape. Rosary Prayers & Litany & Blessing @ the Residence of Boula & Therese Raheb, 43 Sherwood Ave., Leamington, (519) 326-2429
Thu. March 18th, 20045:30PM
St. Joseph's Prayers6:00PM
Antoune Hanna Obeid (Family)
Fri. March 19th, 2004 St. Joseph's Feast5:00PM
Stations of the Cross6:00PM
For the intentions of all Parishioners7:00PM
Reception at the Church Hall.
Sun. March 21st , 2004 Sunday of the Paralyzed Man10:00AM
Tannous Sarkis (40 Days Mem. Mass) (Family)12:00PM
Sarkis Boula Boutros (Fernando & Jania Martins & Family)7:00PM
Meditation Hour before the Crucifix.
Comunity News & Events Week Ending Sunday March 21, 2004 St. Joseph's Feast:
We celebrate St. Joseph's Feast on Friday March 19th with a solemn Mass for the intentions of all parishioners followed by a reception at the Church Hall. All are welcome. We ask all the ladies to bring some dessert for the reception. Thank you in advance for your help and support.
Pilgrimage Tour:
St. Anthony's Parish is organizing a Pilgrimage Tour to France and Italy for the occasion of the Hardini's Canonization from May 9 to May 19, 2004. Please pick up a brochure at the Church entrance for detailed information.
Wheels Inn Trip:
The Bus will be leaving St. Anthony's Parish at 9:00AM on Monday March 15th, 2004 and returning at 5:00PM. Please be there on time.
First Communion Preparation:
First Communion Preparation Courses Every Friday from 5:00 to 6:30PM
Children's Arabic Choir:
Children's Arabic Choir Friday 4 to 5:30PM
Marriage Preparation Schedule:
The next sessions for Marriage Preparation Courses will take place on March 25th, 26th & 27th, 2004 from 7:00 to 10:00PM. The fee is $ 75.00 per couple. Registration form is available at St. Michael's Parish, 29 Elliott St., Leamington, 326-2463. All couples seeking marriage in our Parish are asked to participate in the marriage preparation courses. Thank you all for your cooperation.
The Arabs Elvis Alaa Zalzali on March 28, 2004:
World Stars Entertainment proudly presents The Arabs Elvis Alaa Zalzali on March 28, 2004 at the Caboto Club, 2175 Parent Ave., Windsor. Also featuring Tracy & Suha Malak. Tickets: $ 55.00 CND. (No dinner) , $ 80.00 CND. (Dinner & Hot drinks). Doors open @ 7:30PM. Dinner served @ 8:30PM sharp. For reservations call Karim @ (519) 971-9075 or (519) 919-3151.
Open invitation to all parishes of Windsor and Essex County:
St. Anne's Parish in Tecumseh extends an open invitation to all parishes of Windsor and Essex County to attend our Parish Mission which begins Sunday, March 24th, 2004. The Mission will be led by Fr. John Graden, OSFS, a Salestinian priest from Stella Niagara, New York. He will speak on "Heart and Soul Spirituality". The services will be held at the Church each evening beginning at 7:00PM. Everyone is welcome.
Masses in Memory of Melhem Sleiman:
We received the Masses in Memory of Melhem Sleiman. Thank you for your generosity. May God rest his soul in peace and grant consolation for his family and relatives.
We remember in our prayers those who passed away this past week:
Montaha Sarkis, 69, Venezuela.
Melhem Sleiman, 72, Leamington.
Leila Jamil Sarkis, 22, Venezuela.
May God rest their souls in peace and grant consolation for their families.
St. Joseph's Feat
(Husband of Mary) March 19St. Joseph, husband of Mary and foster father of Jesus Christ, was a descendant of King David, according to the genealogy presented by the Gospel. Betrothed to Mary, the decided to divorce her quietly when he found she was with child, but an angel of the Lord told him to take her as his wife, since the child to be born was the "Holy One of God".
Joseph assisted at the birth of Jesus and became his support and guide through childhood. In a dream he was told by an angel to flee from Bethlehem with the infant and his mother, lest Herod kill the child. He accompanied them to the temple where Jesus was presented to God. With Mary, he sought the boy Jesus when he was lost on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem. In his work as a carpenter he shared the many hours of his trade with his young son.
Joseph, a man of faith, a just man, was a worthy successor to the great patriarchs, Abraham and Isaac, and Jacob. He followed the call of God through the mysterious circumstances that surrounded that surrounded the coming of Jesus. God entrusted this silent, humble man with the unique privilege of raising his only Son as a growing child. A saint close to God, he is honoured as the Patron of the Universal Church.
Remember us, St. Joseph, and pray for us to your foster child. Guard and protect the Church on earth, till its time is fulfilled.
Prayer to St. JosephO Blessed St. Joseph, tenderhearted father, faithful guardian of Jesus, chaste spouse of the Mother of God, I pray to you to join with me in praising God the Father through his divine Son who died on the cross and rose again to give us sinners new life.
Through he holy name of Jesus, pray that we obtain from the eternal Father the favour we ask for (State Intention). We have been unfaithful to the unfailing love of God the Father; beg of Jesus mercy for us his brothers and sisters. Amen.
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