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May 20th, 2007
Seventh Sunday of the Easter Season
Gospel: John 13: 31 – 35
Readings: Ephesians 1: 15 – 23 Today’s reading from the Acts of the Apostles focuses on the faith, love and hope, the most precious gifts from God through Jesus the risen Lord of the universe who is seated on the right hand of the Father.
This is an invitation to the Christian unity and the new life in Christ through continuous prayers and courage in the Gospel mission. The commandment to love one another even the enemies as Jesus had taught us to do through his life, death and resurrection, is the symbol of time.
God’s unconditional love is the conclusion of Jesus’ public life. It is manifested like the grain of wheat that dies to give abundantly. By his ascension, Jesus drew many to follow God’s glory leaving behind their earthly glory. God’s love is not chained or limited. It is the fountain of love.
Collection Last Week’s Collection: $ 4,322.37
Fund Raising Goal: $ 250.000.00
$ 17,326.08 Total Received For the next phase of our plan.
Please Remember St. Anthony's Church In Your Will.
Leamington Ministerial Association invites all the Christians to pray for each other. This week we pray for Mennonite Brethren Church Masses & Celebrations during the week:
Sun. May 20th, 2007
Seventh Sunday of the Easter Season
الأحد السابع من زمن القيامة
9:30AM: Sarkis Boula Boutros (5 Yrs. Mem. Mass) (Majdeline Boutros)
11:00AM: Maryann Youssef (40 Days Mem. Mass) (Family)
Mon. May 21st, 2007
9:00AM: Rosary Prayers (4 Mysteries)
5:30PM: Rosary & Litany.
6:00PM: Bakhos Iskandar Georges & Deceased Family Members
(Family)
Tue. May 22nd, 2007
St. Rita’s Feast عيد القديسة ريتا
5:00PM: St. Rita’s Prayers.
5:30PM: Rosary & Litany.
6:00PM: Fouad Azar & Son John (Mr. & Mrs. Louie Raffoul)
Wed. May 23rd, 2007
5:00PM: St. Nehmetallah’s Prayers.
5:30PM: Rosary & Litany.
6:00PM: Cathy Jacobs (Paul Jacobs & Family)
Thu. May 24th, 2007
5:30PM: Rosary & Litany.
6:00PM: Alec Mouawad (Mr. & Mrs. Maurice Yacoub)
Fri. May 25th, 2007
3:00PM: Divine Mercy Chaplet.
5:30PM: Rosary & Litany.
6:00PM: Wajih Nohra (Mr. & Mrs. Paul Jacobs Jr.)
Sat. May 26th, 2007
6:00PM: Knights of Columbus Mass & Celebration.
Sun. May 27th, 2007
Pentecost Sunday
أحد العنصرة
9:30AM: Blessing of the water رتبة تبريك المياه Michael Boutros & Wife Anna (Joe Boutros & Family)
11:00AM: Blessing of the water رتبة تبريك المياه Youssef Habib Saad & Wife Zarife & Son Habib (Max Saad & Family)
Community News & Events During This Week
Pentecost Sunday: Next Sunday we celebrate Pentecost Sunday. The water will be blessed during both Masses at 9:30 & 11:00M. Please bring a container for Holy Water.
Masses in Memory: We received the Masses in memory of Assad Haifa. Thank you all for your generosity. May God rest his soul in peace and grant consolation for his family and relatives.
Parish Council Meeting: Sunday, May 27th, 2007, 7:00 – 8:00PM.
Office Closed: The office will be closed on Monday, May 21st, 2007 for Victoria Day. Have a safe and happy holiday.
Bingo Session: Thursday, May 31st, 2007 at 1:00 & 7:00PM.
Free Concert: The Maronite Order of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the Maronite Community of Metro Detroit announce a Free Concert to be performed by the Choir of Notre Dame University, Louaize, Lebanon on Tuesday, May 22nd, 2007 at 7:30PM at St. Sharbel Maronite Church, 31601 Schoenherr Rd., Warren, MI. Refreshments following the Concert. All are welcome.
Shrine Sunday: Eighth Annual Knights of Columbus Shrine Sunday, Our Lady of the Rosary will take place at the Diocesan Shrine, Merlin, on Sunday June 10th, 2007 at 3:30PM. Outdoor Mass, procession of the Blessed Sacrament, Living Rosary & Benediction. Everyone welcome. Bring your family to pray the Living Rosary and visit the London Diocesan Shrine. Dinner available afterwards at the K of C Hall: $ 17.50 per person. For more information, call S. K. Larry Gagnon at (519) 687-3347.
Church Etiquette: Please wear decent clothes when you come to Church, which is a place for worship and prayers. Thank you.
Knights of Columbus News:
- Mass & Social Dinner For Members & Families: All K of C Members and their families are invited to a special function. Saturday May 26th, 2007 Mass Celebration at 6PM for the intention of members and their families and everyone is invited to a dinner and social time at the Church hall complimentary of our council. Please contact Bro. Elias Khayat at 322-2187 for R. S. V. P.
- General Membership Meeting & Election of Executive Members: Sunday, June 3rd, 2007 at 3:30PM. Please reserve this date and send in your nomination form to the F. S. Bro. John Semaan.
- Council Survey & Membership Recruitment: All members, please complete and return the survey sheet, we like to hear from you (copy in K of C news box at Church entrance) and one mailed out to all members with no email.
- 1st & 2nd Degree Initiation: Two dates are available for anyone who likes to become a member, May 27th, 2007 in Windsor Council 9671 and June 10th, 2007 in Essex. Degree starts at 1:30PM.
St. Rita, Patron Saint of Impossible Cases, May 22nd
St. Rita of Cascia, whose feast is celebrated on May 22nd, was born at Rocca Porena, Italy of elderly parents. Being along in years, they did not want to see their only child alone in life and so they opposed her desire to become a nun and persuaded her to marry a man against her will at the age of 8 and soon twin boys were born to them.
After eighteen abusive years, her husband was killed in a brawl but not before Rita had converted him from his wicked ways. When her two sons died, a year after their father, Rita applied several times for admission into the Augustinian Convent at Cascia, but was refused each time, as its rule permitted only virgins.
Finally in 1413, she was allowed to enter where she remained for 42 years. She became known for her austerities, penances and brought many back to their religion with her prayers. She was tempted by the devil in many ways, but she remained steadfast to her faith.
Upon hearing an ardent sermon about Christ’s passion, Rita prayed to God that he might share with her at least part of his pains. Slowly one of the thorns from the Crucifix was loosened, and implanted itself so deeply into Rita’s forehead that she fainted. Her wound became putrid and fetid.
She was banished to a small room far from the others’ rooms. There she remained cheerfully for 15 years while the wound grew steadily painful and made even sleep very difficult.
At the moment of her death, with all the nuns surrounding her, the convent bell began to chime, the chord being pulled by a spiritual force. At the same time, the nuns realized a wonderful fragrance had filled the rooms.
Rita’s wound had healed and her face glowed with an eternal smile. Rita’s saintly remains, which were preserved so well, spread a sweet odour throughout the Church.
She remained there for 38 years before being moved into the Church. People still come to see her to this day. Rita trained herself to see everything with a view of eternity. Rita died on May 22, 1457. Her body, which has remained incorrupt, is venerated today in Cascia and all over the world.
Saint Rita, patroness of impossible cases, pray for us.
Novena to St. Rita
O holy protector of those who are in greatest need, you who shine as a star of hope in the midst of darkness, blessed Saint Rita, bright mirror of God’s grace, in patience and fortitude you are a model of all the states of life.
I unite my will with the will of God through the merits of my Saviour Jesus and through the merits of the Holy Virgin Mary and your own graces and virtues, I ask you to obtain my earnest petition, provided it be for the greater glory of God and my own sanctification. O Holy Advocate, guide and purify my intention (Mention the Request). Saint Rita, advocate of the impossible pray for us.
Pray 3 times: 1 Our Father, 1 Hail Mary, and 1 Glory be.
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