"‘You see all these [buildings of the Temple], do you not? Truly I tell you, not one stone will be left here upon another; all will be thrown down.’" -Matthew 24:2
“I die every day! ...If with merely human hopes I fought with wild animals at Ephesus, what would I have gained by it? If the dead are not raised, ‘Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die.’”- (1 Corinthians 15:31,32b)
Do you ever hang out in the TSA line for fun? Do you ever get shots with no medicine in them? Do you ever just go out for a drive in traffic? Paul and the early Christians were often persecuted for their faith. However, they did not seek to be persecuted, rather they desired to reach their destination, they knew that after martyrdom would come heaven and eventually resurrection. We get in the TSA line to reach our destination, we receive shots to achieve better health, we drive in traffic because we want to go home or because we want a home to which we can go. Faith does not make life worse or miserable. Rather, faith makes life better. God gives us “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control." - Galatians 5:22-23 However, the truth of the Gospel infringes on the illusory, shallow or fake happiness of others. Proclamation of the Gospel results regularly in persecution. Paul is saying that this persecution would not be worth it if there were no resurrection. Jesus said something similar, “For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it.” (Matthew 16:25)
-D.A.A.F, one of our festival sponsors would like to invite everyone to their free annual picnic:
Sunday, September 22, 2 pm - 6 pm Oak Creek South Park 790 Miamisburg Centerville Rd, Dayton
-Maronite Young Adults will be attending Theology on Tap Every Thursday this fall from September 19th until October 24th, meetup at 7 pm at the Oregon Express 336 E. 5th St., Dayton. Theme- “Beauty Will Save the World.” Come enjoy a drink or a meal as we learn more about beauty, God’s love, and faith. Open to all ages.
-Greeter training after both liturgies on September 29th, it should take 15 minutes.
-Barbeque and camp out at our new church October 4, 7pm- 11am tents available.
-We will host an open house October 19th and 20th with evening prayer and a blessing with the relic of St. Ignatius of Antioch on October 19th at 6 PM followed by light refreshments and a question and answer session on "Who are the Maronites?" Liturgies on Sunday, October 20th will be at 9 am and 11 am with a lecture on Maronite history and spirituality. Please volunteer to be a greeter/host at this event by submitting your name, number, and the word “greeter” or “host” on a sheet of paper in the collection basket.
-Home Bible Q & A! Do you have questions about faith or the Bible? Host a Home Bible Q & A. 1) Schedule a date and location with Fr. Alex. 2) Invite your friends. 3) Prepare your questions. Note: this is not a Bible study or Bible meditation, which anyone can initiate
-Kids Kickoff Party October 26th more information to follow.
-40 day memorial liturgy for Halim Slilaty on Sunday, October 29th at 11 am.
-Pastoral Council Elections will be Sunday, November 24th at both liturgies. We would like to thank those whose three year term of service will end December 31st: Claire Daoud, Joe Eid, Al Faris, Marianna Hartshorne, Don Little, Rita Najem, William Thomas, Jim Zaidan, and Trish Zennie. Their contributions, dedication, consultation, initiatives, and leadership have served the parish through 3 administrators and the purchase of our new home. Please begin submitting your nominations of people, including yourself by turning in the names on a folded sheet of paper in the collection basket with “Nomination”,written on the outside now through October 20th.
-We are beginning a feasibility discussion for starting a Daycare. Please speak with Fr. Alex if you have input or would like to be involved in this discussion.
-Thanksgiving Dinner Sunday, November 24th after the 11 am liturgy.
- Annual St. Ignatius of Antioch Banquet Saturday, December 14th with Bishop Elias.
-Consecration and dedication: Bishop Elias will consecrate and dedicate our new home on December 15th at 11.
- 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?
-Religious education sign up. This year we are planning to have religious education every Sunday after 11 am liturgy. We hope to have classes for all ages. Please submit a form into the collection basket with your name, number, email address, and your child(ren)’s name(s), age, and grade.
- Our prayers for those who are recently engaged in our parish.
- Our prayers for new births and new parents in our parish.
- Bible Study every Sunday at 10 am.
- Sunday liturgies 9 am and 11 am
- Confessions immediately before and after liturgies or by appointment.
The preliminary festival numbers are
$66,051.02 Gross (Sales + Sponsorships + Donations)
<$24,973.10> Expenses
$41,077.92 Net Profits
New parish improvement needs
Painting Replacing of water heater Weeding Tree Trimming
Dehumidifier for basement Playground cleaning Framing for two large icons
Asphalt sealing- should be done before the weather gets cold
St. Ignatius of Antioch 2nd Sunday of Holy Cross September 22, 2019
Comments