Season of the Epiphany - Just and Righteous Sunday

A message from Fr. Dr. Antoine Tarabay:

Dear parishioners and friends of St Charbel’s Parish,

This Sunday is the 'Sunday of the Righteous and the Just' in our Maronite Church. We read the Parable of the Sheep and the Goats from the Gospel of St Matthew. Jesus’ words about His second coming after His last public teaching in the Temple are a clear warning of the Final Judgment, pictured as the divine separation of the righteous sheep from the unrighteous goats. As Catholics, we firmly believe that we are not saved by faith alone but also by our works. The Corporal Works of Mercy are practices of charity towards our neighbor and they compliment our faith.
May we always be prepared so that, when the time comes, we may be counted amongst the sheep on God's right hand and we may inherit his kingdom.

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Australia Day
Today, we celebrate Australia Day. We thank God for the beauty of this country and for the better life it has offered to thousands of immigrants. As citizens or residents of Australia, we vow to work together with all our differences to safeguard its values and make our contribution to make it a greater nation. We respect the Indigenous people and all the cultures that exist in this beautiful country. Once again, we thank God today and reflect on the blessings we have received.

I wish you all a blessed week!
In God’s Love,
Fr. Dr. Antoine Tarabay

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21st Year—Number 1045 Sunday 27/01/2013
Season of the Epiphany 
Just and Righteous SundaySunday’s Readings: Hebrew 12: 18-24 & Matthew 25: 31-46

Lord, when did we see you?
“'When the Son of man comes in his glory, escorted by all the angels, then he will take his seat on his throne of glory. All nations will be assembled before him and he will separate people one from another as the shepherd separates sheep from goats. He will place the sheep on his right hand and the goats on his left.

Then the King will say to those on his right hand, "Come, you whom my Father has blessed, take as your heritage the kingdom prepared for you since the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you made me welcome, lacking clothes and you clothed me, sick and you visited me, in prison and you came to see me."

Then the upright will say to him in reply, "Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? When did we see you a stranger and make you welcome, lacking clothes and clothe you? When did we find you sick or in prison and go to see you?"

And the King will answer, "In truth I tell you, in so far as you did this to one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did it to me." Then he will say to those on his left hand, "Go away from me, with your curse upon you, to the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you never gave me food, I was thirsty and you never gave me anything to drink, I was a stranger and you never made me welcome, lacking clothes and you never clothed me, sick and in prison and you never visited me." Then it will be their turn to ask, "Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty, a stranger or lacking clothes, sick or in prison, and did not come to your help?" Then he will answer, "In truth I tell you, in so far as you neglected to do this to one of the least of these, you neglected to do it to me." And they will go away to eternal punishment, and the upright to eternal life.' ”

Matthew 25: 31-46

Reflection Of The Week

A warning sign
In the Gospel of today, Jesus is telling his disciples about the last days. This teaching of Jesus is very different from all his other teaching in the Gospel of Matthew. For in the previous chapters, Jesus is telling parables. But in this text, Jesus is looking into the future, explaining in graphic detail, what
sort of judgment day awaits every one of us. It is truth, coming right out of the mouth of Jesus. It tells us that God does, in fact, watch the way we live our lives, and the way we live matters and at judgement day the people will be separated as sheep are separated from goats. The division will be
according to our actions and the actions are based on a conviction that as we have done them to the people in our lives and in our world, we have done them to Jesus: "As you have done it to the least of these," Jesus says, "you have done it to me!"”

Today's Gospel is a warning sign: it directs us to be aware of the reality that we humans have both goat and sheep potential. This Gospel teaches us that our salvation lies in
our willingness to show compassion for each other.

What does our lifestyle say about us?
Goats and sheep have different eating habits. Goats browse on leaves, shrubs, twigs and vines. Sheep graze on grass and clover. Goats are curious and independent in nature, while sheep prefer to stay put with the flock. This is what goats and sheep like to do every day.

What do you do every day?
We are not judged by our ability to accomplish great and noble deeds of faith. We are judged by the one who said that we would be evaluated on our efforts for the “least of these,” those whose greatest needs are for the small things that most of us, in our privileged status, take for granted—small things like a cup of clean, clear water, a visit to those who are down and out, a small show of concern. It’s the small things that we do on a day to day basis that shows concern and compassion for the least of these is what Christ asks of us.

True love
Responding to Jesus is not like a job. Responding to people in this world is not like a job. We respond to the needs of those in the world out of true love.

True love is the love that Jesus showed as he died for us on the cross. True love is the love that gives freely and unconditionally. To love someone else, to have compassion, to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, and visit those in prison is the result of acknowledging that Jesus is present in all people. We may not like them. We may not like what they do, but we love them as Christ loves us. And the most important aspect of true love is giving without waiting for a reward.

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When did we see you, Lord?
Was it during the hours we spent in front of the TV or out shopping just for fun? Was it getting the house all perfect to impress our friends? Or was it those extra hours we put in at work, hoping to impress our boss’s favour and get that promotion?
There’s nothing wrong with such pursuits, but if we allow them to crowd out Christian service, we just may be taking our place among the goats.

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Prayer
Oh Lord, give us guidance, more self-denial, more likeness to you. Teach us to sacrifice our comforts to others and our likings for the sake of doing good. Make us kindly in thought, gentle in word,  generous in deed. Teach us that it is better to give than to get, better to forget ourselves than to put ourselves forward, better to care for than to be cared for. And to You, the God of love, be all glory and praise, now and forever.

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 Saint Of The Week

28 January
St Ephrem the Syriani
Doctor of the Church

Ephrem was born in Nisibis at the beginning of the fourth century. He was educated at Edessa. As a disciple of Bishop James of Nisibis, he was ordained to the diaconate and was a lecturer in the newly established school at Nisibis. After the fall of Nisibis, Ephrem departed from the city and began to teach in Edessa, where he lived as a "solitary" in a cell on a rocky hill. After a life of good works, preaching, religious writings and ascetical exercises, he died in 373.

Ephrem was a prolific writer and left the Church an abundance of sermons, commentaries and hymns. Because of this enormous amount of material, he was given the titles "Pillar of the Church" and "Harp of the Holy Spirit." The body of his writing comprises a central part of the liturgical prayer life of the Antiochene Churches.

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COMMUNION AND WITNESS
APOSTOLIC EXHORTATION for the MIDDLE EAST (15)

PART TWO (5)

The laity
55. Through Baptism, the lay faithful are fully incorporated into the Body of Christ and associated with the mission of the universal Church.[52] Their participation in the life and internal activities of the Church is the perennial spiritual source enabling them to reach beyond the confines of ecclesial structures. As apostles in the world, they translate the Gospel, the doctrine and social teaching of the Church into concrete actions.*53+ Indeed, “Christians as fully-fledged citizens can and must do their part with the spirit of the Beatitudes, becoming builders of peace and apostles of reconciliation to the benefit of all society.”*54+

56. Dear lay faithful, since temporal affairs are your proper domain,[55] I encourage you to strengthen the bonds of fraternity and cooperation that unite you with all people of good will in pursuing the common good, sound administration of public funds, freedom of religion and respect for the dignity of each person. Even when the Church’s mission encounters obstacles in environments where the explicit proclamation of the Gospel is hindered or not possible, “maintain good conduct among the Gentiles, so that ... they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation” (1 Pet 2:12).

Be concerned to give an account of your faith (cf. 1 Pet 3:15) by the consistency of your daily life and your activity.[56] To make your witness truly bear fruit (cf. Mt 7:16, 20), I urge you to overcome divisions and all subjective interpretations of the Christian life. Take care not to separate that life – with its values and its demands – from the life of your family or from life in society, the workplace, the political and cultural spheres, since all the many areas of the lay person’s life fall under God’s plan.*57+ I invite you to be bold for the sake of Christ, in the confidence that neither tribulation, nor anguish, nor persecution can separate you from him (cf. Rom 8:35).

57. In the Middle East, lay people have long had fraternal and lasting relationships with the Catholic faithful of the various patriarchal or Latin Churches, and are used to attending one another’s places of worship, especially when there is need. To this impressive reality, which demonstrates an authentic experience of communion, one must add the fact that within a single territory various ecclesial jurisdictions overlap in a beneficial way. In this particular area, the Church in the Middle East sets an example for other local Churches in the rest of the world. The Middle East is thus, in a certain sense, a laboratory where the future of the Church is already being developed. Exemplary as it is, this experience also needs to be constantly improved and purified, as does the experience acquired locally in the field of ecumenism.

Next Sunday: The family

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Season of the Epiphany - First Sunday after Epiphany

Dear parishioners and friends of St Charbel’s Parish,


Welcome to this week's edition of Kadishat for the First Sunday after the Epiphany!

In this week's gospel, St John the Evangelist tells us about John the Baptist's proclamation about Jesus. He tells us that Jesus is the Lamb of God that takes away the sins of the world. In  His death Jesus was the sacrificial lamb who paid the penalty for our sins. Do we, like John the Baptist, present Jesus to the world through our actions and words?

To read more about this week's gospel, please click on the link below:
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St Anthony's Feast Day
This Thursday 17 January, we celebrate the feast day of St Anthony the Great, founder of the Monastic life.

On the occasion of this feast, the Monks of the Lebanese Maronite Order renew their vows. We invite you to join us for a solemn mass on Thursday 17 January at 6pm. The novena will be prayed every night at 6pm until the feast day.
I wish you all a blessed week and a Happy Feast Day to all those who bear the name of Anthony!
 
In God’s Love,
Fr. Dr. Antoine Tarabay

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21st Year—Number 1043 Sunday 13/01/2013
Season of the Epiphany
First Sunday after Epiphany
Sunday’s Readings: 2 Corinthians 10: 1-11 & John 1: 29-34

I myself have seen and have testified
“The next day he saw Jesus coming towards him and declared, ‘Here is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! This is he of whom I said, "After me comes a man who ranks ahead of me because he was before me." I myself did not know him; but I came baptising with water for this reason, that he might be revealed to Israel.’ And John testified, ‘I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it remained on him. I myself did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptise with water said to me, "He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain is the one who baptises with the Holy Spirit." And I myself have seen and have testified that this is the Son of God.” John 1: 29-34

Reflection of the week

The Lamb of God
This Gospel conveys three key aspects of Jesus' identity. He is the apocalyptic lamb who destroys evil. He is the Suffering Servant willing to give his life for the redemption of his people. He is the paschal lamb who takes away our sins and leads us from bondage to liberation. Jesus is the Lamb of God. He shed his blood so that we could be forgiven of our sins.

Believe in the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.
John the Baptist says that Jesus is the Lamb that takes away the sins of the world. In His death Jesus was the sacri-ficial Lamb who paid the penalty for our sins.

The first step in becoming a Christian is to repent of sins and believe in the Lord as Saviour. He will forgive us, take away our sins, and help us live an abundant life.

Accept God's call and work with a whole heart in His kingdom.
John the Baptist knew that He was not the Christ; he simply was the forerunner of Christ. His role was to prepare the people for the Messiah. He did this with great zest as he preached repentance and salvation.

Each of us has a role in the kingdom of God. The Holy Spirit (I Corinthians 12:7) enables everyone to have a part in the work of God. We should recognize the gift or gifts that God has given us, accept our role, and fulfil that role with all our hearts and minds.
Be baptized by Jesus in the Holy Spirit.

John the Baptist tells us that he baptized people in water "so that He [Christ] might be manifested to Israel." Then, he tells us that Christ will baptize us in the Holy Spirit. Jesus poured out the Spirit on the Day of Pentecost to empower the disciples to witness to the world.

Thus, the Baptist baptized in water to make Christ known to Israel; Jesus baptizes in the Spirit to enable us to make Christ known to the world. It should be the desire of our hearts to be empowered by the Spirit for this task.
 
Present the Lamb of God to the world.
Christ, the Lamb of God, takes away our sins and makes it possible for us to work in the kingdom of God. The Spirit came upon Him, and He baptizes us in the Spirit. Our task is to present the Lamb of God to the world.

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 Lambs

Lambs were commonly used by Jews in ritual sacrifice and, when a lamb was specified, it was to be a "lamb…without blemish." Sometimes a single lamb would be sacrificed; at other times, it could be as many as twelve or more.

As Christians, we don't practice ritual sacrifice. In part, this goes along with what Jesus taught his disciples when he said,
 

"But you go and learn what this means:
'I desire mercy, and not sacrifice,'
for I came not to call the righteous,
but sinners to repentance." (Matthew 9:13)

More to the point, we don't offer sacrifices in the church today because we believe that Jesus made the ultimate sacrifice in dying, once and for all, for the forgiveness of sins. He died for us that we might live for others. When we make an offering today, it's in response to the freedom and forgiveness we've already received.

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 Saint of the Week

St Anthony the Great,
17 JanuaryOur venerable and God-bearing Father Saint Anthony the Great was born in to a wealthy family in up-per Egypt about 254 AD. Also known as Anthony of Egypt, Anthony of the Desert, and Anthony the Anchorite, he was a leader among the Desert Fathers, who were Christian monks in the Egyptian desert in the 3rd and 4th centuries AD.
 
One day after a teaching on Jesus saying to the people, "If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasures in heaven; and come, follow Me" (Matthew 19:21), St. Anthony sold everything he owned, gave the proceeds to the poor, and left the city behind to live in the desert.

 
Although he held no titles or position, his holiness marked him as one whose wisdom commanded respect. When the Synod of Nicea was convened, he was invited to participate. His eloquent defence of the doctrine concerning the person of Jesus Christ was instrumental in weakening the position of Arianism. His witness led to the eventual and complete elimination of Arianism.

He instructed his followers to bury his body in an unmarked, secret grave, lest his body become an object of veneration. The monastic rules of Saint Anthony, the "patriarch" of monastic life, have

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 Jesus Prays for All Believers (John 17:20-23)

 
“My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one— I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.

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 COMMUNION AND WITNESS

APOSTOLIC EXHORTATION for the MIDDLE EAST (13)

PART TWO (3):
 

Priests, deacons and seminarians

45. By his ordination the priest is configured to Christ and becomes a close collaborator of the Patriarch and Bishop in whose threefold munus he shares.[42] This itself makes him a servant of communion; the fulfilment of this role demands that he remain closely united to Christ and be zealous in charity and works of mercy towards all. Thus he will be able to radiate that holiness to which all the baptised are called. He will teach and encourage the People of God to build up the civilisation of evangelical love and unity. To this end he should renew and confirm his flock in the life of faith by wisely passing on God’s word and the Church’s Tradition and teaching, and by celebrating the sacraments.[43] The Eastern traditions are marked by great insight into the practice of spiritual direction. May priests, deacons and consecrated persons avail themselves of this practice and thereby open to the faithful pathways to eternity.

46. Bearing witness to communion also requires a solid theological and spiritual formation which in turn calls for ongoing intellectual and spiritual renewal. Bishops should provide priests and deacons with the means necessary to enable them to deepen their life of faith and thus benefit the faithful, giving them “food in due season” (Ps 145[144]:15). The faithful also rightly expect of them an example of unblemished conduct (cf. Phil 2:14-16).
 
47. Dear priests, I invite you to rediscover each day the ontological dimension of Holy Orders, which inspires you to live the priesthood as a source of sanctification for the baptised and for the betterment of every man and woman. “Tend the flock of God that is your charge … not for shameful gain, but eagerly” (1 Pet 5:2). Hold in high esteem the practice of living and working together, when possible, as a ministerial team, whatever difficulties this may entail (1 Pet 4:8-10); this will help you to esteem and experience more fully priestly and pas-toral communion at the local and universal levels. Dear deacons, in communion with your Bishop and the priests, serve the people of God in exercising your ministry in the specific responsibilities entrusted to you.
 
48. Priestly celibacy is a priceless gift of God to his Church, one which ought to be received with appreciation in East and West alike, for it represents an ever timely prophetic sign. Mention must also be made of the ministry of married priests, who are an ancient part of the East-ern tradition. I would like to encourage those priests who, along with their families, are called to holiness in the faithful exercise of their ministry and in sometimes difficult living conditions. To all I repeat that the excellence of your priestly life[44] will doubtless raise up new vocations which you are called to cultivate.
 
49. The calling of the young Samuel (cf. 1 Sam 3:1-19) teaches us that we need competent guides to assist us in discerning the will of the Lord and in responding generously to his call. Hence the flowering of vocations must be supported by a specific pastoral plan. It has to be sustained by prayer in families, parishes, ecclesial movements and educational institutions. Those who answer the Lord’s call need to experience growth in specific centres of formation and be guided by suitable and exemplary formators, who will train them in prayer, communion, witness and missionary awareness. There should be appropriate programmes to deal with the spiritual, intellectual and pastoral aspects of human life, while taking prudent account of differing social contexts, origins and cultural and ecclesial backgrounds.[45]
 
50. Dear seminarians, a reed cannot grow where there is no water (cf. Job 8:11); nor can you be true builders of communion and authentic witnesses of faith without being deeply rooted in Christ, without constant conversion to his word, without love of his Church and self-less love of neighbour. Even today you are being called to live and build communion for the sake of a courageous and blameless witness. The strengthening of God’s People in faith will depend on the quality of your own witness. I ask you to grow in openness to the cultural diversity of your Churches by coming to know other languages and cultures with a view to your future mission. Be open likewise to diversity in the Church and among all Christians, and to interreligious dialogue. A careful reading of my Letter to Seminarians should be of help in this regard.[46]
 
Next Sunday: The consecrated life

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Season of the Birth of Jesus - The Revelation to Joseph Sunday

Dear parishioners and friends of St Charbel’s Parish,

Welcome to this week's Kadishat!
As we continue to prepare for the Birth of Jesus, we reflect this Sunday on the Revelation to Joseph. The truth is revealed to Joseph after doubts concerning his beloved Mary. Joseph was in front of a great Mystery, the Virgin is with child, and a great vocation: to become an earthly father of the Son of God. Joseph was a righteous man, and he is an example to every one of us to be men and women of prayer surrrendering completely to God’s Will.

To read this week's Kadishat, please click on the link below:
Please click here to download the full Kadishat newsletter.
And as we approach the feast of Christmas, we also remember and pray for our brothers and sisters in Lebanon, Syria, Iraq and all the Middle East that the Prince of Peace may bring peace and happiness to their families and nations at this time. We especially pray for the children being massacred or exposed to violence that they may know peace at this time and enjoy the love and warmth of their families.

Christmas Carols
St Charbel's Choir is holding its Annual Christmas Carols this coming week. On Wednesday 19 December, the English Choir will perform at 7.30pm and on Friday 21 December, the Arabic and College choirs are performing at 7.30pm. All parishioners are invited.

I wish you all a blessed week!
In God’s Love,
Fr. Dr. Antoine Tarabay

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21st Year—Number 1039 Sunday 16/12/2012
Season of the Birth of Jesus
The Revelation to Joseph Sunday
Sunday’s Readings: Ephesians 3: 1-13 & Matthew 1: 18-25

He did as the angel of the Lord commanded him

“Now the birth of Jesus the Messiah took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been engaged to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. Her husband Joseph, being a righteous man and unwilling to expose her to public disgrace, planned to dismiss her quietly. 

But just when he had resolved to do this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, ‘Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.’ All this took place to fulfil what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet: ‘Look, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel’, which means, ‘God is with us.’ When Joseph awoke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him; he took her as his wife, but had no marital relations with her until she had borne a son; and he named him Jesus. ..” Matthew 1: 18-25

Refelection of the Week

St Joseph the model of Faith
In today’s Gospel, the advent of the birth of Jesus is seen as the fulfilment of the prophecy. The Gospel carefully notes the divine origin of Jesus. It does this by painstakingly pointing out that Joseph, though betrothed to Mary, was not the biological father of Jesus. Mary, a virgin, conceived “through the Holy Spirit”. The naming of Jesus is important. He is the true presence of God, Emmanuel, and His mission will be to save His people, a reference to the meaning of the name Jesus.

The importance of Joseph as the husband of Mary and the foster father of Jesus lies not only in his portrayal as an honourable, compassionate and faithful man of God but also because through his family Jesus could be seen as belonging to the House of David, the royal family from whom the Messiah was to come.


“The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son and they will call him Emmanuel, a name which means God is with us“. (Matthew 1:v23 ). The angel told Joseph to name the Child Jesus because he will save his people from their sins. Joseph played a humble but indispensable part in salvation history. This gospel portrays Joseph’s most evident contribution and actions in the New Testament, along with displaying Joseph’s true nature, that is, a righteous and honourable man willing to follow the will of the Lord.

Prepare the Way of the Lord
At this time, the people of God are asked to prepare for the com-ing of Christ and the coming of the Kingdom. Time and again we hear that the Kingdom is at hand. And yet to where do we wander? Do we isolate ourselves in our worldly possessions and forget to welcome Jesus into our lives? The Christmas Season asks us to be uncompromising in our choices as we wait for the coming of Jesus on Christmas Day. We must be honourable and definitive just like Joseph. We must faithfully submit to God’s will and humbly follow Him. As we approach the birth of the Messiah, we ourselves must renew and revive our faith and become true followers and believers. Believers who celebrate the Birth of Jesus, by morally preparing themselves and their families for a period of joy, love and togetherness. This season, lets us commit ourselves to the Lord; in our prayer, in the choices we make in our day to day living, in our openness to let something new come into our lives and transform us.

The more we come to know Jesus, the more we un-derstand why it is right to choose him as the One to follow. If we as believers can have a mere fraction of the faith and belief that Joseph had, we will truly become children of the Lord.

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Now is the Time

Have faith and be strong, because now is the time to believe. 

Don’t delay, and don’t put things off, because this shows God that we are not ready for salvation. 

In this time where society has lost its faith, and secularism is expanding at rapid rates, it is essential we the Christians turn to our faith and be more devout than ever. In doing so we will save ourselves, and just like Joseph, illustrate to God our strong faith and devotion to God. As we prepare for the coming of our Saviour at Christmas, we need to find God in others, not in our isolated self. It is a process of moving from our self-centredness to an openness to others. This is what we should strive for this Christmas Season.

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 Saint of the Week

Daniel, Prophet (628 BC)
Maronite Feast Day: December 18.

The name Daniel (Hebrew dnyal or dnal) is also held by two other persons in the Old Testament and means "God is my judge". In the Book of Daniel, God's judgments are repeatedly pronounced upon the Gentile powers.

Daniel belonged to the tribe of Juda and was of noble, or perhaps of royal, descent. When still a youth, probably about fourteen years of age, he was carried captive to Babylon by Nabuchodonosor.

There, with three other youths of equal rank named Ananias, Misael and Azarias, he was entrusted to the care of Asphenez, the master of the king's eunuchs, and was educated in the language and learning of the "Chaldeans", which were the professors of divination, magic, and astrology in Babylon. After exceeding others in wisdom, Daniel and his companions were appointed to the court.

Daniel was shown great favour when he was able to interpret the emperor’s dream where all else had failed. As a result he was made ruler of the whole province of Babylon and chief governor of all the wise men.

Daniel's fidelity to God exposed him to persecution by jealous rivals within the king's administration. Later, he was cast into a den of lions for continuing to practice his faith but was miraculously delivered.

Christians regard Daniel as a prophet, and Jesus is quoted as referring to him as "Daniel the prophet" in Matthew 24:15. In the context of the books of the Bible, Christians refer to Daniel as one of the four great prophets.
 

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COMMUNION AND WITNESS
APOSTOLIC EXHORTATION for the MIDDLE EAST (9)

PART ONE(8): Migrant

31. Life in the Middle East is rich in diversity, but all too frequently restrictive and even violent. This affects all the inhabitants of the region and every aspect of their lives. Christians, who frequently find themselves in a delicate position, feel keenly, at times with weariness and little hope, the negative consequences of these conflicts and uncertainties. They experience frequent humiliation. They know from experience that they are often the victims when trouble breaks out. After taking an active part for centuries in the growth of their respective nations and helping to forge their identity and prosperity, many Christians are now seeking more favourable horizons and places of peace where their families will be able to live a dignified and secure life, and spaces of freedom where they can express their faith openly without fear of various constraints.[24]

This is a heart rending decision. It has a profound impact on individuals, families and Churches. It dismembers nations and contributes to the human, cultural and religious impoverishment of the Middle East. A Middle East without Christians, or with only a few Christians, would no longer be the Middle East, since Christians, together with other believers, are part of the distinctive identity of the region. All are responsible before God for one another.

Thus it is important that politicians and religious leaders appreciate this and avoid those policies or partisan strategies which would result in a monochromatic Middle East that would be completely unreflective of its rich human and historic reality.

32. The Pastors of the Eastern Catholic Churches sui iuris realize with regret and concern that the numbers of their faithful are dwindling in the traditional Patriarchal territories, and for some time now they have had to develop a plan of pastoral care for emigrants.[25]

I am certain that they are doing all in their power to exhort the faithful to continue to hope, not to leave their homelands and not to sell their possessions.[26] I ask them to continue to show affection for their priests and faithful in the diaspora, and I encourage them to stay in close contact with their families and Churches and above all to remain steadfast in their faith in God through their religious identity, built as it is upon venerable spiritual traditions.[27]

By preserving this closeness to God and to their respective Churches, and by cultivating a deep love of their Latin brothers and sisters, they will greatly benefit the entire Catholic Church. I also exhort the Church’s Pastors in those places where Eastern Catholics have settled to welcome them with charity and fraternal esteem, to facilitate the bonds of com-munion between emigrants and their Churches of origin, and to enable them to celebrate in accordance with their own traditions and, wherever possible, to develop pastoral and parish activities.[28]

33. The Latin Church in the Middle East, which has also seen a dramatic decline in the number of its faithful, operates in different circumstances and has to deal with a variety of new pastoral challenges. In countries with strong economies, her Pastors have to respond to a massive influx of workers coming from Africa, the Far East and the Indian sub-continent. These groups, comprising many single men and women or entire families, face insecurity on two fronts. They are aliens in the country where they work, and they frequently experience discrimination and injustice. God has a special concern for the foreigner, who thus deserves respect. The way we treat strangers will be taken into account at the Last Judgement (cf. Mt 25:35, 43).[29]

Next Sunday: Migrants (2)

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Season of the Birth of Jesus - The Birth of John the Baptist Sunday

Dear parishioners and friends of St Charbel’s Parish,

Welcome to this week’s edition of Kadishat!

This Sunday, we reflect on the Birth of John the Baptist in our Sunday masses.
The Birth of John anticipates the feast of Christmas.

St Augustine tells us that “The Lord willed to announce to men His own coming through the Baptist, lest if He appeared suddenly, they would fail to recognize Him. John represented the Old Covenant and the Law. Therefore he preceded the Redeemer, even as the Law preceded and heralded the new dispensation of grace."

We ask the Lord to grant that we may walk in the way of salvation and, attentive to what Saint John the Precursor urged, may come safely to the One he foretold, our Lord Jesus Christ.

St Charbel's Christmas Carols

As mentioned in my message last week, St Charbel’s Choir is holding its Annual Christmas Carols, titled ‘Come, Lord Jesus, Come’ on Wednesday 19 December 2012 at 7:30pm in English and on Friday 21 December 2012 at 7:30pm in Arabic with the participation of St Charbel’s College Choir. All parishioners are invited.

Also, a reminder that today is the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. It is worth noting that, apart from Our Lord Jesus Christ, only 2 persons were born without the stain of original sin. Mary, already in the first moment of her existence, was free from original sin, for which reason her conception is commemorated by this feast, and John the Baptist who was cleansed of original sin in the womb of his mother when she was visited by Mary.

I invite you all to click on this link to view/download this week's edition of Kadishat.

I wish you all a blessed week by the intercession of St John the Baptist and all the saints!
In God’s Love,
Fr. Dr. Antoine Tarabay

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21st Year—Number 1038 Sunday 09/12/2012
Season of the Birth of Jesus
The Birth of John the Baptist Sunday
Sunday’s Readings: Galatians 4: 21—5:1 & Luke 1: 57-66

He began to speak, praising God

“Now the time came for Elizabeth to give birth, and she bore a son. Her neighbours and relatives heard that the Lord had shown his great mercy to her, and they rejoiced with her. On the eighth day they came to circumcise the child, and they were going to name him Zechariah after his father. But his mother said, ‘No; he is to be called John.’ They said to her, ‘None of your relatives has this name.’ Then they began motioning to his father to find out what name he wanted to give him. He asked for a writing-tablet and wrote, ‘His name is John.’ And all of them were amazed. Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue freed, and he began to speak, praising God. Fear came over all their neighbours, and all these things were talked about throughout the entire hill country of Judea. All who heard them pondered them and said, ‘What then will this child become?’ For, indeed, the hand of the Lord was with him..” Luke 1: 57-66

Reflection of the week

John: God is merciful
The birth of John the Baptist signifies the beginning of the new covenant. John’s mission was to pave the way for Jesus’ arrival. In today’s gospel, we witness the significance of the naming of John,
and Zechariah submitting to the will of the Lord. God himself gave John that name and it was revealed to his father Zechariah in a vision (Luke 1:13) as we heard in the Announcement to Zechariah Sunday.

The Gospel story of the birth of John focuses on the naming ceremony. Why does the Gospel show such an interest in the naming of the child? In biblical times, and still today in many cultures, personal names function the way business names do, that is, they aim to convey what the bearer of the name stands for. When Simon shows that he could be relied on as a leader of the apostles,
he gets the name “Rock.” When the sons of Zebedee, James and John, petition Jesus to call down lightning from heaven to burn up the inhabitants of a Samari-tan village who do not welcome Jesus, they get a new name “Sons of Thunder.” Names re-veal an essential character or destiny of the bearer.

In the Jewish tradition, the name ‘John’ means God is merciful and under this banner God has started his salvation plan. God is a God of exact justice, of righteous and holiness. But he is also merciful -- granting us forgiveness that we do not deserve and have no right to expect.

Traditionally, the Church celebrates the feast of a saint once a year, on the anniversary of the saint’s death. In the case of John the Baptist we celebrate his death as well as his birth. John is the only saint after Christ whose birth we celebrate with a solemn feast. This is the church’s way of saying with Jesus that “among those born of women no one is greater than John.” This signified John’s importance in proclaiming the good news to the people. The news that the messiah will come and redeem all people.

God’s sign to us
Zechariah revealed a sign to the world. A sign that times are changing. A sign that there will be new rulings and teachings. Zechariah willingly forwent tradition by naming his child John, displaying God’s willingness to declare and embrace a new covenant.

Zechariah regained his speech the instant he exclaimed that the child’s name shall be John. This was a sign from God, that he truly forgave Zechariah for his lack of faith when he was visited by the angel Gabriel. God displayed his compassion and illustrated his loving nature to the world. Society can look back at this moment and realize that God is all loving and merciful. Regardless of mis-takes and wrong doings, if you are truly sorry, and genuinely seek forgiveness, God will openly accept you back into His kingdom.

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Accept God’s calling
God is constantly calling us to return to Him، even in our darkest hour. All of us go through hardships and all of us struggle in our day to day life, but it is essential that we remain patient and persevere in order to reap the rewards from God. Think of every hardship as a mere fraction of Jesus’ suffering for us, so that we may eventually turn to Him and accept him into our hearts. God is always calling, will you answer?

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Saint of the Week

St Nemtallah El-Hardini
St Nimatullah Youssef Kassab Al-Hardini (1808-1858) 

Youssef Kassab Al-Hardini was born in 1808 in Hardin Lebanon. As a child he was strongly influenced by the monastic tradition of the Maronite Church. The young man began religious life at the monastery of St Anthony in Qozhaya near the Qadisha (Holy Valley)، where he remained for two years until he began his novitiate and was given the name "Nimatullah". During the novitiate he deepened his life of personal and community prayer and dedicated time to manual labour while also learning to bind books.

Love for the Blessed Sacrament

Nimatullah was especially noted for his love of the Blessed Sacrament. During his free time - frequently at the sacrifice of sleep - he was often found in the chapel on his knees arms raised in the form of a cross and eyes fixed on the tabernacle.

On 14 November 1830 he made his religious profession and was sent to the monastery of Sts Cyprian and Justina in Kfifan to study philosophy and theology. On 25 December 1833 he was ordained a priest and became director of the scholasticate and a professor. During the two civil wars of 1840 and 1845 he suffered greatly with his people. His brother Fr Elisha suggested he withdraw to a hermitage، but he replied: "Those who struggle for virtue in commu-nity life will have greater merit". He observed that the ordinary everyday life is a continuous martyrdom since the monk must always be a model to his brother monks guarding himself from becoming a source of scandal; instead the hermit lives alone away from all external temptations. It was also a decisive moment in his spiritual life and he offered himself to God for Lebanon and his Order. His motto was: "The greatest is he that can save his soul"، and he would often repeat this to his brother monks. The "first concern' of a monk

Fr Nimatullah was at times also reprimanded by his superiors for being too hard on himself and too merciful and indulgent towards his brothers. He understood holiness in terms of communion and fraternal charity and is said to have remarked: "A monk's first concern night and day should be not to hurt or trouble his brother monks". Throughout his life he had a special devotion to the Virgin Mary his "source of strength". He never tired of repeating her holy name and carried a special place in his heart for the mystery of the Immaculate Conception (a dogma proclaimed by the Church in 1854). After the Angelus he would often repeat: "Blessed be the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin". In 1845 the Holy See appointed him Assistant General of the order. A man of culture Fr Nimatullah asked the Superior General to send monks to further their studies at the new college founded by the Jesuits in Ghazir. A truly humble man of God He served as Assistant General for two more terms، but refused to be appointed Abbot General: "Better death than to be appointed Superior General"، he is reported as saying. His reluctance to assume positions of authority in his Order came from his deep humility and his earnest belief that he was far from living in continual contact with God so necessary to properly serve the monks and the Order.

"O Mary، I entrust my soul to you'

In December 1858 while teaching at the monastery of Kfifan he became gravely ill a result of the bitter cold in that region. His condition worsened leading to his death on 14 December. He died holding an icon of the Blessed Virgin and saying: "O Mary، to you I entrust my soul". He was 50 years old.When the then Patriarch Boulos Massad heard of Fr Nimatullah's death he commented: "Congratulations to this monk who knew how to benefit from his monastic life". While still alive Fr Nimatullah was known as the "Saint of Kfifan"، a monk who gave himself completely to his brother monks and neighbours during a time of suffering in his Land and difficulty within his Order.
Fr Nimatullah was beatified by Pope John Paul II on 10 May 1998.

14 December 

Feast day of St Nemtallah El-Hardini
Readings of the day: Romans 12: 1-8.&Matthew 4: 18-25

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 COMMUNION AND WITNESS
APOSTOLIC EXHORTATION for the MIDDLE EAST (8)

PART ONE(7): Two new realities

29. Like the rest of the world، the Middle East is experiencing two opposing trends: secularization with its occasionally extreme consequences and a violent fundamentalism claiming to be based on religion. Some Middle Eastern political and religious leaders whatever their community, tend to look with suspicion upon secularity (laïcité) as something intrinsically atheistic or immoral. It is true that secularity sometimes reduces religion to a purely private concern، seeing personal or family worship as unrelated to daily life، ethics or one’s relationships with others. In its extreme and ideological form، secularity becomes a secularism which denies citizens the right openly to express their religion and claims that only the State can legislate on the public form which religion may take. These theories are not new. Nor are they confined to the West or to be confused with Christianity.

A healthy secularity، on the other hand، frees religion from the encumbrance of politics، and allows politics to be enriched by the contribution of religion، while maintaining the necessary distance، clear distinction and indispensable collaboration between the two spheres. No society can develop in a healthy way without embodying a spirit of mutual respect between politics and religion،
avoiding the constant temptation either to merge the two or to set them at odds.

The basis of a constructive relationship between politics and religion is، first and foremost، human nature – a sound understanding of man – and full respect for inalienable human rights. A sense of this correct relationship should lead to the realization that relations between the spiritual (religious) and the temporal (political) spheres should be marked by a kind of unity in distinction، inasmuch as both are called، while remaining distinct، to cooperate harmoniously in the service of the common good.

This kind of healthy secularity ensures that political activity does not manipulate religion while the practice of religion remains free from a politics of self-interest which at times is barely compatible with، if not downright contrary to، religious belief. For this reason، a healthy secularity، embodying unity in distinction، is necessary and even vital for both spheres. The challenges raised by the relationship of politics and religion can be met patiently and courageously through a sound human and religious formation. Constant empha-sis needs to be put on the place of God in personal،
family and civic life، and on the proper place of men and women in God’s plan. Above all، greater prayer is required for this intention.

30. Economic and political instability، a readiness on the part of some to manipulate others، and a defective understanding of religion help open the door to religious fundamentalism. This phenomenon afflicts all religious communities، and denies their long-standing tradition of coexistence. It wants to gain power، at times violently over individual consciences، and over religion itself، for political reasons.

I appeal urgently to all Jewish، Christian and Muslim religious leaders in the region to seek، by their example and by their teaching، to do everything in their power to eliminate this menace which indiscriminately and fatally affects believers of all religions. “To use the revealed word، the Sacred Scriptures or the name of God to justify our interests، our easy and convenient policies or our violence، is a very grave fault”.*23+

Next Sunday: Migrants

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Season of the Birth of Jesus - Announcement to Mary Sunday

Dear parishioners and friends of St Charbel’s Parish,

This week, the Maronite Church reflects on the Annunciation to Mary. As a young girl, Mary trusted in God and said "Yes" to His plan without fully understanding it. As Catholics, we look up to Mary, the Mother of God and our mother, in accepting God's will in our lives. Mary's life with God was one of deep faith and great trust. She had a grace-filled openness to the mystery of God in her life.

To read more about the Gospel and our parish events, please click on the link below:

Please click here to view/download the full Kadishat newsletter.

Patriarch Bechara Rai to be appointed Cardinal
In great news for the Maronite Catholic Church, His Beatitude Bechara Boutros Rai, Maronite Patriarch of Antioch and all the East is one of six Church leaders to be made Cardinal in the upcoming Consistory on the 24th of November. We congratulate the Patriarch on this occasion and we pray for him as he leads the Maronite Church through very difficult times in the Middle East.

Seminar on the Apostolic Exhortation- The Church in the Middle East
This is a reminder that St Charbel's Centre for Research is holding a conference about "The Apostolic Exhortation: The Church in the Middle East, Communion and Witness" led by Their Graces Bishop Ad Abikaram and Bishop Robert Rabbat on Thursday 29 November 2012 at 7:30pm at St Mary Mackillop's Hall. This is a public invitation. We hope you are able to attend.

St Barbara's Feast Day
We would also like to remind you that St Charbel's Parish is holding a 'Family Day' for the occasion of St Barbara's Feast Day on the 30th of November 2012 at 6:30pm. Entry is $10 per person. The program includes rides, games for the kids, a masquerade costume parade and prizes. We encourage all families from the parish to attend. For more information, please contact the Monastery on 9740 0998.

I wish you all a blessed week by the intercession of Our Lady!
In God’s Love,
Fr. Dr. Antoine Tarabay

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21st Year—Number 1036 Sunday 26/11/2012
Season of the Birth of Jesus
Announcement to Mary Sunday
Sunday’s Readings: Galatians 3: 15-22 & Luke 1: 26-38

He will be called Son of God
“ In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. And he came to her and said, ‘Greetings, favoured one! The Lord is with you.’ But she was much perplexed by his words and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. The angel said to her, ‘Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favour with God. And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his ancestor David. He will reign over the house of Jacob for ever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.’

Mary said to the angel, ‘How can this be, since I am a virgin?’ The angel said to her, ‘The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be holy; he will be called Son of God. And now, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son; and this is the sixth month for her who was said to be barren. For nothing will be impossible with God.’ Then Mary said, ‘Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.’ Then the angel departed from her..” Luke 1: 26-38

Reflection of the week

A model believer
The announcement of Mary is one of the most inspiring stories in the gospel. Luke in his whole telling of the Gospel, wants us, to get a particular message: the message, that in the events he is describing, something wonderful, unique, supreme, and unimaginably special is taking place in the world.

The announcement to Mary sets up a parallel to John's birth and mirrors a number of birth announcements in the Old Testament. But this passage's mood is very different from the Zechariah account. A simple calmness rules the exchange between Mary and Gabriel. Where Zechariah was in the midst of activity before the whole nation in its religious centre, this announcement comes to the future child bearer privately, in the country.

The fulfilment of God's promise came to earth in an unadorned package of human innocence, with-out any spectacular announcement, far away from any palace. The promised one entered human life as he still seeks to meet it: at the level of everyday experience with everyday people.

The portrait Luke paints of Mary is significant. She is a model believer, taking God at his word, in contrast to Zechariah .She is favoured of God, thoughtful, obedient, believing, worshipful and a faithful follower of God's law. It must be emphasized, however, that despite all these qualities, God's choice of Mary to bear this child springs from his grace, not from any inherent merit that she possesses. She is the object of God's unmerited, graciously provided goodness. Her description as one who has found favour with God makes it clear that God has acted on her behalf and not be-cause of her. In fact, Mary is totally perplexed by the sudden announcement. “How can this be since I am a virgin?”. Mary didn’t question God’s grace and ability, she was just curious as to how she shall conceive. The angel Gabriel reveals to her that she will be conceived through the Holy Spirit.

Will you be Mary or Zachariah? How will you react to God’s call? Both Mary and Zachariah were sincere believers in God. We should be more like Mary. Of course every one of us dream of aspiring to Mary and her devout life. But we should all strive to take God’s word and message in such a beautiful stride, just like she did.

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Think About
We are Mary’s children:
We are children of the obedient and the faithful. We are called to be loyal and dedicated. God asks every one of us to take that leap of faith; just as Mary did. When we can do this, we will finally be able to follow Mary’s example, and submit to God and His will.

Fear Not
Fear not, but place your trust in God as Mary did, for the Lord says:
'Do not be afraid, for I have redeemed you, I have called you by your name: you are mine. Should you pass through the sea, I will be with you, or through the rivers, and they will not swallow you up. Should you walk through fire, you will not be scorched, and the flames will not burn you. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, you Saviour.' (Is 43:1-3)

~Prayer To The Virgin Mary~
O most beautiful flower of Mount Carmel,
Fruit of the vine,
Blessed Mother of the Son of God,
Assist me when in need.
O star of the sea,
Help me and show me that you are my mother,
O Holy Mary,
Mother of God,
Queen of Heaven and Earth,
I humbly ask you
To be beside me in times of need
There are none that can survive your power.
O show me you are my mother.
O Mary, conceived without sin,
Pray for us who have chosen you
Holy Mary I place this cause in your hands.
Thank you for your mercy
Amen.

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Andrew, Apostle (+62)
Maronite Feast Day: November 30St. Andrew, the Apostle, son of Jonah, or John was born in Bethsaida of Galilee. He was brother of Simon (Peter). Both were fishermen, and at the beginning of Our Lord's public life occupied the same house at Capharnaum.

From the fourth Gospel we learn that Andrew was a disciple of John the Baptist, whose testimony first led him and John the Evangelist to follow Jesus. Andrew at once recognised Jesus as the Messiah, and hastened to introduce Him to his brother, Peter. From that moment the two brothers were disciples of Christ and were soon called to leave everything and follow Him.

As one of the Twelve Apostles, Andrew was close to Our Lord during His public life; he was present at the Last Supper; beheld the risen Lord; witnessed the Ascension; shared in the graces and gifts of the first Pentecost, and helped, amid threats and persecution, to establish the Faith of the early Church.

Andrew is said to have been martyred by crucifixion. He was bound, not nailed, in order to prolong his suffering. The shape of his cross was an X and is known as a Crux Cross, commonly known as Saint Andrew’s Cross. This shape was requested by Saint Andrew as he did not consider himself worthy to be crucified in the same way as Jesus. Even unto death, the Apostle Andrew displayed the greatest humility and died in the service of the Church established by Jesus.
 

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COMMUNION AND WITNESS
POST-SYNODAL APOSTOLIC EXHORTATION for the MIDDLE EAST (6)

PART ONE(5): Interreligious dialogue
 22. Relationships between the two communities of believers bear the marks of history and human passion. Misunderstandings and reciprocal distrust have abounded. Past persecutions, whether surreptitious or violent, are inexcusable and greatly to be deplored. And yet, despite these tragic situations, the interplay between both communities over the centuries proved so fruitful that it contributed to the birth and expansion of the civilisation and culture commonly known as Judeo-Christian. It is as if these two worlds, claiming to be different or opposed for various reasons, had decided to unite in offering humanity a noble alloy. This relationship, which both unites and separates Jews and Christians, ought to open both groups to a new sense of responsibility for and with one another.[18] For both peoples have received the same blessing and the eternal promises which enable them to advance trustingly towards fraternity.

23. The Catholic Church, in fidelity to the teachings of the Second Vatican Council, looks with esteem to Muslims, who worship God above all by prayer, alms-giving and fasting, revere Jesus as a prophet while not acknowledging his divinity, and honour Mary, his Virgin Mother. We know that the encounter of Islam and Christianity has often taken the form of doctrinal controversy. Sadly, both sides have used doctrinal differences as a pretext for justifying, in the name of religion, acts of intolerance, discrimination, marginalisation and even of persecution.[19]

24. Despite this fact, Christians live daily alongside Muslims in the Middle East, where their presence is neither recent nor accidental, but has a long history. As an integral part of the Middle East, Christians have developed over the centuries a type of relationship with their surroundings which can prove instructive. They have let themselves be challenged by Muslim devotion and piety, and have continued, in accordance with their means and to the extent possible, to live by and to promote the values of the Gospel in the surrounding culture. The result has been a particular form of symbiosis. It is proper, then, to acknowledge the contribution made by Jews, Christians and Muslims in the formation of a rich culture proper to the Middle East.[20]

25. The Catholics of the Middle East, the majority of whom are native citizens of their countries, have the duty and right to participate fully in national life, working to build up their country. They should enjoy full citizenship and not be treated as second-class citizens or believers. As in the past when, as pioneers of the Arab Renaissance, they took full part in the cultural, economic and scientific life of the different cultures of the region, so too in our own day they wish to share with Muslims their experiences and to make their specific contribution. It is because of Jesus that Christians are sensitive to the dignity of the human person and to freedom of religion which is its corollary. For love of God and humanity, thus honouring Christ’s two natures, and with eternal life in view, Christians have built schools, hospitals and institutions of every kind where all people are welcomed without discrimination (cf. Mt 25:31ff.). For these reasons, Christians are particularly concerned for the fundamental rights of the human person. It is wrong to claim that these rights are only “Christian” human rights. They are nothing less than the rights demanded by the dignity of each human person and each citizen, whatever his or her origins, religious convictions and political preferences.

Next Sunday: Interreligious dialogue (3)

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Season of the Birth of Jesus - Sanctification of the Church Sunday

Dear parishioners and friends of St Charbel’s Parish,

"You are Peter' and on this rock I will build My Church and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it." (Matt 16:18)

The Maronite Church, guided by the Holy Spirit, has chosen the Gospel reading of Matthew 16:13-20 which gives the Catholic Church the foundation for the office of the Pope to read on the Sunday of the Sanctification of the Church.

In this Gospel, Jesus asks His apostles, "Who do people say that the Son of Man is?" The Apostles responded, "Some say John the Baptist, others Elijah, still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets." Our Lord then turned to them and asked them, "And you, who do you say that I am?" St. Peter, still officially known as Simon, replied, "You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God." Our Lord recognized that this answer was grace-motivated: "No mere man has revealed this to you, but My heavenly Father."

Because of this response, our Lord said to St. Peter, "You are 'Rock,' and on this rock I will build My Church and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it." In this Gospel reading, Jesus confers the leadership of His Church on earth to His apostles.

And this leadership has been passed on throughout the centuries to all the popes and to our current Pope Benedict XVI to lead 'in persona Christi'. We pray for the intentions of the Holy Father and all the Bishops on this Sunday and always.

New Liturgical Year

As we approach the season of Christmas, the Maronite Church starts a new Liturgical Year beginning this Sunday 4 November with the Sanctification of the Church and is followed by the Sunday of the Renewal of the Church. The Church's year of worship, year by year, helps us to recall the mysteries of Christ's life among us but always in the light of the Easter mystery and in the awareness that Jesus is ever-present to us through His Spirit and in His Church. For us, each liturgical year should be like climbing a spiral by which we become more like and ever closer to our Saviour Jesus Christ, so that ultimately we may be one with Him in His glory.

Prayer for a new Maronite Bishop of Australia

As you may be aware, the Vatican is in the process of appointing a new Bishop for the Maronite Diocese of Australia, as a successor to His Grace Bishop Ad Abikaram.

We pray that Our Lord will guide the Church and the Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI in selecting a new bishop to shepherd our Maronite Eparchy of Australia. May our new Bishop be according to the heart of our Lord Jesus Christ.

I wish you all a blessed week!

Please click here to download the full Kadishat newsletter.
In God’s Love,
Fr. Dr. Antoine Tarabay

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21st Year—Number 1033 Sunday 04/11/2012
Season of the Birth of Jesus
Sanctification of the Church Sunday
Sunday’s Readings: Hebrews 9: 1-12 & Matthew: 16: 13-20

Upon this rock I will build my church
“And Jesus came into the quarters of Caesarea Philippi: and he asked his disciples, saying: Whom do men say that the Son of man is?
 But they said: Some John the Baptist, and other some Elias, and oth-ers Jeremiah, or one of the prophets. Jesus says to them: But whom do you say that I am? Simon Peter answered and said: You are Christ, the Son of the living God. And Jesus answering said to him: Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jona: because flesh and blood has not revealed it to you, but my Father who is in heaven. And I say to you: That you are Peter; and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. And I will give to you the keys of the kingdom of heaven. And whatsoever you shall bind upon earth, it shall be bound also in heaven: and whatsoever you shall loose on earth, it shall be loosed also in heaven. Then he commanded his disciples, that they should tell no one that he was Jesus the Christ.” Matthew 16: 13-20

Reflection Of The Week

The Holy Church
In today’s Gospel Peter speaks up with his answer ‘You are the Christ, the Son of the living God’” Peter gives a brief answer, but one which contains the whole sum of our salvation. In this answer, Peter confesses Jesus as Savior “You are the Christ”, and as Son of God.

“You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” That confession is the rock on which the church is to be built. The importance is not on Peter but on Christ, the Son of the Living God. Christ is the rock and foundation on which the church is to be built. Christ is the Rock on which the Church shall stand.

Jesus is the real foundation of the church; but it is by this confession—modelled by Peter and the other apostles—that the real foundation is held and believed upon by God's people throughout the church age. On the basis of this confession, believers all around the world are members together of the household of God.

Reflection
We need to respond to Christ’s call. Amid all the voices we hear each day, we need to take the time to listen to the voice of Jesus in our lives, but not only to hear His voice but also to follow Him, for it is only through Christ and His mystical Body, the Church, of whom we form a part, that we can gain salvation.

As the season of the birth of Jesus commences let us prepare to welcome Jesus into our lives. Each of us, at times, is a lost sheep when we stray from God through sin, rebellion or a lack of faith. At times like this, the important thing to remember is God’s infinite love for us. Not only does God welcome us back after we turn from Him; He goes out to find us and volunteers to carry us back to His graces.

May we learn to lay out our burdens and sins before Him, in particular seeking His forgiveness in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. It is then that the light will shine through us, the light of Jesus, who is the Light of the World.

(By Gwen Simon)

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The Liturgical Year
The Church's year of worship, year by year, helps us to recall the mysteries of Christ's life among us but always in the light of the Easter mystery and in the awareness that Jesus is ever-present to us through His Spirit and in His Church. For us, each liturgical year should be like climbing a spiral by which we become more like and ever closer to our Saviour Jesus Christ, so that ultimately we may be one with Him in His glory.

In the Maronite Rite, the first Sunday of November marks the beginning of the Liturgical Year. The year commences with the Season of Announcement. The Sundays of the Church, even though not directly related to the Season of Announcement, form a fitting introduction to it. If the first of November falls on either a Monday or Tuesday, the feasts of the Renewal and Consecration of the Church are celebrated on the same Sunday. If November 1st falls on any day other than Monday or Tuesday, the Consecration and Renewal of the Church are observed separately, on the first two 

Sundays of November.
The Sundays in honour of the Church, ini-tially four or five in number, originated in Jerusalem on September 13, 335 in honour of the newly built Church of the Resurrection, the Anastasis. Outside of Jerusalem, this cycle of Sundays was observed, not in honour of any particular Church, but in honour of the universal Church. Before the close of the fourth century, the cycle had spread northwards and was being ob-served annually in Tyre and Sidon. The physical church structure becomes a symbol of the spiritual realities of Christ's redemptive act. These Sundays of the Church remind us that the entire saving mission of Christ today takes place through His Church.

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Saint of the Week

Saint Michael Archangel
Maronite Feast Day: September 6, November 8
Saint Michael the Archangel is one of the principal angels appointed by God to his service. He appears in Jewish and Catholic tradition as the field commander of the army of God. He is directly referred to in scripture in the Book of Daniel and in Revelation. According to Saint Thomas, he is the prince of the last and the lowest choir, the angels. However, Saint Basil and other Greek Fathers place him at the head of all angels, and call him the Archangel in reference to his rank.

From scripture, Catholic tradition gives Saint Michael four offices:
1. To fight against Satan;
2. To rescue the souls of the faithful from the power of the enemy, especially at the hour of death;
3. To be the champion of God's people, the Jews in the Old Law, the Christians in the New Testament; therefore he was the patron of the Church, and of the orders of knights during the Middle Ages;
4. To call away from earth and bring men's souls to judgement.

We can turn to Saint Michael the Arch-angel in our darkest hour and when we are most afraid. He protects all who call on him. He has the power to overcome all evil.

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COMMUNION AND WITNESS
POST-SYNODAL APOSTOLIC EXHORTATION for the MIDDLE EAST (3)
PART ONE(2): The Christian and ecumenical life (1)

11. It is in this restrictive, unstable and lately violence-prone context that God has permitted his Church to grow. She lives there in a remarkable variety of forms. Along with the Catholic Church, a great number of venerable Churches and Ecclesial Communities of more recent date are present in the Middle East. This mosaic demands a significant and continued effort to build unity in respect for the riches of each, and thus to reaffirm the credibility of the proclamation of the Gospel and Christian witness.[6] Unity is a gift of God which is born of the Spirit and which must be cultivated with patient perseverance (cf. 1 Pet 3:8-9). We know that it is tempting, whenever our divisions make themselves felt, to appeal to purely human criteria, forgetting the sage counsel of Saint Paul (cf. 1 Cor 6:7-8). He entreats us: “Be eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (Eph 4:3). Faith is the centre and the fruit of true ecumenism.[7] Faith itself must first be deepened. Unity is born of constant prayer and the conversion which enables each of us to live in accordance with the truth and in charity (cf. Eph 4:15-16). The Second Vatican Council encouraged this “spiritual ecumenism” which is the soul of true ecumenism.[8] The situation in the Middle East is itself a pressing summons to holiness of life. The vari-ous martyrologies are proof that saints and martyrs of every ecclesial community have been – and certainly remain today – living witnesses of this untrammelled unity in the glorified Christ, a foretaste of our “being gathered together” as a people finally reconciled in him.[9] For this reason, within the Catholic Church herself we need to consolidate the communion which bears witness to the love of Christ.

12. On the basis of the indications set forth in the Ecumenical Directory,[10] the Catholic faithful can promote spiritual ecumenism in parishes, monasteries and convents, in schools and universities, and in semi-naries. Pastors should ensure that the faithful come to see themselves as witnesses of communion in all areas of their lives. Communion in this sense is certainly not confusion. Authentic witness calls for acknowledgement and respect for others, a willingness to dialogue in truth, patience as an expression of love, the simplic-ity and humility proper to those who realize that they are sinners in the sight of God and their neighbour, a capacity for forgiveness, reconciliation and purification of memory, at both the personal and communal levels.

13. I encourage the efforts of theologians who work tirelessly for unity, and I express my appreciation for the activities of local ecumenical commissions at different levels and of the various communities which pray and work for the goal of unity by promoting friendship and fraternity. In fidelity to the Church’s origins and her living traditions, it is also important that all speak with one voice in addressing the great moral questions dealing with the truth about man, the family, sexuality, bioethics, freedom, justice and peace.

14. An “ecumenism of service”, moreover, already exists in the fields of charity and education between Christians of the different Churches and Ecclesial Com-munities. The Middle East Council of Churches, to which the Churches of the various Christian traditions in the region belong, offers a promising setting for a dialogue which can develop in love and reciprocal respect.

Next Sunday: The Christian and ecumenical life (2

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