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Sunday March 19th, 2006
Sunday of the Prodigal Son - St. Joseph’s Feast
Gospel: Matthew 1: 18 – 25
Readings: Ephesians 37: 1 – 13 On St. Joseph’s feast, we see a righteous face. He is righteous because he unveiled the depth of the mystery of the Lord and the meaningless life of human kind. He is silent. He didn’t say a word unless to do what was said to him by the angel of the Lord. He is a virgin. He never had a relationship with a woman.
Mary was also a virgin because she never had a relationship with a man. They lived together until they ascended into heaven. God gave Joseph abundantly. The meaning of his name is purity and sainthood. He promoted him from a simple carpenter to be the servant of his household. He deserved to be beatified.
St. Matthew describes for us St. Joseph’s personality, Mary’s fiancé: he is a righteous man who found himself facing a dilemma which tested his conscience and his faith and his love to Mary.
He knew that Mary was with child. According to the law she was his wife even though they didn’t live together. Mary’s situation is faithful to the law which dictates to stone her. He is a Jew; he doesn’t want to ignore the law. His dignity won’t allow him to accept Mary’s situation and live with her.
His righteousness forbids him from hurting her. He decided to disappear from her life secretly. St. Joseph is the servant of the Holy Family. He waited faithfully for the Lord’s coming.
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Leamington Ministerial Association invites all the Christians to pray for each other. This week we pray for Knox Presbyterian Church Masses & Celebrations during the week:
Sunday of the Prodigal Son / St. Joseph’s Feast
أحد الابن الشاطر/عيد مار يوسف البتول
Sun. March 19th, 2006
Ø 9:30AM: For the Intentions of all Parishioners.
Ø 11:00AM: For the Intentions of all Parishioners.
Mon. March 20th, 2006
Ø 10:00AM: Rosary Prayers (4 Mysteries)
Ø 5:30PM: St. Rafca’s Trillium.
Ø 6:00PM: Youssef Nohra & Wife Shamma (Family)
Tue. March 21st, 2006
Ø 5:30PM: St. Rafca’s Trillium.
Ø 6:00PM: All Forgotten Souls (Donated)
Wed. March 22nd, 2006
Ø 4:45PM: Mother Mary’s Prayers.
Ø 5:45PM: St. Rafca’s Trillium.
Ø 6:00PM: Mirchid Youssef & Wife & Grandson (Family)
Thu. March 23rd, 2006
St. Rafca’s Feast
Ø 5:30PM: St. Joseph’s Prayers.
Ø 6:00PM: Semaan Sarkis (Adrian, Angelica & Jaydon Tannous)
Fri. March 24th, 2006
Ø 5:30PM: St. Joseph’s Prayers. .
Ø 6:00PM: Nouhad Nassar(Mr. & Mrs. Gaby Zina)
Ø 6:30PM: Stations of the Cross.
Sun, March 26, 2006
Sunday of the Paralyzed Man
أحد المُخلّع
Ø 9:30AM: Zouein & Abi Nakhoul Deceased Family Members.
Ø 11:00AM: Sarkis Boula Boutros (Fernando & Jania Martins)
Community News & Events During This Week
Ø St. Joseph’s Feast: Today we celebrate St. Joseph’s Feast. May God bless you all through the intercession of St. Joseph the patron Saint of the family and the universal Church.
Ø St. Rafca’s Feast: We celebrate St. Rafca’s Feast on March 23rd. we will have three days of prayers to prepare for this feast starting tomorrow, Monday at 5:30PM, All are welcome.
Ø Marriage Preparation Course: All couples planning on getting married in St. Anthony’s Parish during 2006, have to complete a marriage preparation course. The first available date is: at St. Michael’s Parish, in Leamington, Thursday & Friday March 23 & 24 from 7 to 10PM, Saturday March 25 from 12 to 5:00PM & Saturday April 8th, 2006 and will take place at John XXIII Centre in Windsor. Please call: 254-2090 for more information.
Ø NAM Convention: The NAM Convention, Chicago, July 5 – 9, 2006 is open for persons aged 14 and up. The Patriarch of Lebanon Cardinal Nasrallah Boutros Sfeir will be present at the Convention. For more information, please check the website: nam2006chicago.com.
Ø Easter Egg Hunt: St. Anthony’s Parish is having an Easter Egg Hunt for all the Children J. K. to grade 8 on Saturday April 8th, 2006 starting at 1:00PM. Please sign up your names on the sheet provided at the Church Entrance.
Ø University of Windsor: Volunteers are needed to participate in an M. A. research project dealing with the Significant Symbols of Lebanese – Canadian Maronite Wedding ceremonies. If you are between the ages of 1 8 – 70 and are first or second generation Lebanese Maronite or are new to Canada and you would like to participate in this research project, please contact Paul Gebrael ASAP at: Gebrael@uwindsor.ca or 965-7395. This event will take place at Catholic Central High School in Windsor on Saturday March 18th, 2006.
Ø Congratulations to Michael Xavier Jraige who received the Sacraments of Baptism & Confirmation in St. Anthony’s Parish on Sunday, February 26th, 2006. May God bless him with his family.
Ø Bingo Session: Wednesday, Friday March 31st, 2006 at 1:00PM.
Ø First Communion: Friday, 5:00 to 6:30PM.
Ø Easter Play Practice: Monday & Thursday 4:30 to 5:30PM.
Ø Knights of Mary: Saturday, 4:30 to 5:30PM.
Ø Shalom Counselling Services invites you to our 3rd Annual Pasta Dinner Fundraiser, on Friday April 7, 2006, 5:00 to 7:30PM, at the Roma Club, Leamington. Adults $20.00, Children (3 – 10) $5.00. All you can eat pasta and salad, includes two meatballs, roll, dessert and coffee. Tickets are available at Shalom Counselling Services, 33 Princess St., Suite 212, Leamington at the door. For more information call Shalom at 326-3778. All proceeds to assist local counselling services.
Ø Knights of Columbus News:
- General Membership Meeting: Tuesday, March 21st, 2006 at 7:00PM at Church Hall.
- Car Raffles, tickets are available with the KOC Members to purchase $ 2.00 per ticket, proceeds toward the Arthritis Society of Canada, and 20% goes toward the Church special project.
- Euchre Game: District Tournament, third round in Kingsville, on April 16th, 2006. Cost $ 12.00 includes Dinner at 7:00PM. The Game will start at 8:00PM. We need at least 12 players. We encourage all members to get involved. Final day of tournament is May 11, 2006 at Leamington Lebanese Club.
- Card Night: Every Wednesday night from 7:00 to 9:00PM. There will be a card night Euchre or Tarneeb. Everyone is welcome. $ 3.00 Admission. We had our first game on March 1st, 2006. Next game will be on Wednesday March 15th, at the Church Hall. For any questions, please contact Brother Elias Khayat at 322-2187.
- Membership Dues: Reminder to all members to pay their membership dues $ 45.00/Year. Please contact Brother John Semaan at 322-0609 or 322-5747.
St. Joseph, March 19, Husband of Mary
St. 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, he decided to divorce her quietly when he found out 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, they 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, Isaac and Jacob.
He followed the call of God through the mysterious circumstances 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 honored as the patron of the family and 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. Joseph
Blessed Joseph, husband of Mary, be with us this day. You protected and cherished the Virgin Mother; loving the child Jesus as your Son, you rescued him from the danger of death.
Defend the Church, the household of God, purchased by the blood of Christ. Guardian of the Holy Family, be with us in our trials.
May your prayers obtain for us the strength to flee from error and wrestle with the powers of corruption so that in life we may grow in holiness and in death rejoice in the crown of victory. Amen.
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