The Gospel today reminds us that being busy for the Lord is not as important as prayer. Jesus says, "Martha, Martha, you are busy with many things, only one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the better part and it will not be taken away from her." (Luke 10: 40-41)
In this week of the festival, despite the temptation or status quo of working tirelessly, we must remember to stop and pray. Prayer reminds us that God is in control, and that what we cannot do by our own strength, God can do in an instant. Our festival can be an opportunity for people mad at God, mad at the church to find peace. Our prayers and our love can help those who do not know God to come to know God. On Pentecost, the apostles were timid and ineffective, but through the power of prayer and the descent of the Holy Spirit 3000 people were baptized on that day. Through prayer conversions happen. Through prayer peace is restored. Through prayer impossible situations are resolved. For those of you whose first reaction to this sentiment is to turn to anger, I would offer a quote from the epistle, " For our appeal does not spring from deceit or impure motives or trickery, but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the message of the gospel, even so we speak, not to please mortals, but to please God who tests our hearts." (1 Thessalonians 2:4)
There will be liturgy this week. Sunday, August 19 9 am and 11am
Wednesday- 7 pm
Saturday at 11:30 pm workers liturgy
Sunday 9 am workers liturgy
Sunday 10 am Liturgy under the tent
- This Sunday, we will be picking and washing parsley. We would love to have 40-50 people to stick around and help.
- Monday 10 am cook grape leaves, chop onion and garlic.
- Wednesday 10 am make taratore, cook grape leaves, pick through rice.
- Thursday 10 am Chop parsley, chop tomatoes, chop onions
- Friday-Sunday August 24-26 Festival
- Monday August 27 Clean up.
- St. Vincent dePaul First Saturday of Every month 6:30 pm- 8 pm serving meal at men's Gettysburg shelter 1921 S Gettysburg Ave, Dayton, OH 45417.
- Initiatives- To what is God calling you? What are your hopes, dreams, and ideas for our parish? What do you want to do? Mission, charity, prayers, work, fundraisers, or maintenance? How can we support you?
- House of Bread Monday, August 13 9 am - 2:30 pm. Come all or part time.
-Thank you to all who participated in our $15,000 matching grant. You helped raise $30,000 for our parish.
- We are 6 days away from hosting The Greater Dayton Lebanese Festival. Sign up sheet will be available in the hall. With 250 volunteers, we only need to volunteer 3 hours each the weekend of the festival. With 125 volunteers, we only need to volunteer 6 hours each the weekend of the festival.
Weekly events:- Young adult meet up this Tuesday at church, we will work, then eat and enjoy.
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