Season of the Pentecost - 12th Sunday

Dear parishioners and friends of St Charbel’s Parish,

I hope you have been in good health and spirits!

I invite you to read our parish newsletter, Kadishat, which explains this week's Gospel about the Canaanite woman who displayed a truly remarkable faith (Matt 15: 21-28), the history of the Maronites during the Ottoman era, the Solemnity of the Assumption of Our Lady and the activities and events of our parish. To read the newsletter, please click on the link below:
 Please click here to download the full Kadishat newsletter with ARABIC translation.

Feast of the Assumption
On the 15th of August, we celebrate the Feast of the Assumption of Our Lady to Heaven. This is one of the most important feasts of Our Lady. We believe that when Mary's earthly life was finished, she was taken up, body and soul, into heavenly glory, where the Lord exalts her as Queen of Heaven (Catechism of the Catholic Church, # 966). On this feast day, let us thank the Lord for the gift of our Holy Mother, and let us pray to Our Lady to lead us to her Son every day.

May God bless you all through the intercession and prayers of His Mother and our Mother, the Blessed Virgin Mary!
In God’s Love,

Fr. Dr. Antoine Tarabay

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20th Year—Number 1021 Sunday 12/08/2012
Season of the Pentecost
12th SundaySunday’s Readings: Ephesians 3: 1-13 & Matthew 15: 21-28

You have great faith
““ Jesus left that place and withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon. And suddenly out came a Canaanite woman from that district and started shouting, 'Lord, Son of David, take pity on me. My daughter is tormented by a devil.' But he said not a word in answer to her. And his disciples went and pleaded with him, saying, 'Give her what she wants, because she keeps shouting after us.' He said in reply, 'I was sent only to the lost sheep of the House of Israel.' But the woman had come up and was bowing low before him. 'Lord,' she said, 'help me.' He replied, 'It is not fair to take the children's food and throw it to little dogs.' She retorted, 'Ah yes, Lord; but even little dogs eat the scraps that fall from their masters' table.' Then Jesus answered her, 'Woman, you have great faith. Let your desire be granted.' And from that moment her daughter was well again.'” Matthew 15: 21-28

Reflection of the week

A "great" faith
In today’s Gospel we look at the story of the Canaanite woman who displayed a truly remarkable faith. A faith which Jesus ultimately commends as a "great" faith. A faith which can still serve as model for each one of us. A faith which was tested by God and a faith which Trusted in God. This woman trusted that Jesus could and would heal her daughter not because of who she was but because of who Jesus was. Let us take the test that the Lord put her through and see how she reacted.
The First test "Lord Son of David, have mercy on me" But he answered her nor a word”. What would most of us do? The chances are that we would quit the church. This woman did not let the silence of Christ turn her away. Her child’s life was more important than her feelings. How many of us would past this first test that Jesus put this woman through.

The Second Test. When Christ did not answer, his disciples said, "Send her away…” Surely this would have been enough to send her away with wounded feelings. But her need was too great to let Christ's disciples stand in her way. She would not let them rob her of blessings needed.

Is your soul more important than your feelings?
We must desire to know the truth regardless of the obstacles that seem to get in our way. We must not quit or give up We must remember that our souls are in danger, and Christ and the church are the only places where safety can be found.

The Third Test. Jesus said to her, "I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel."
What would you do if someone should say the blessings of the Lord are not for you? But this woman said:”Lord help me”.

The Fourth Test. Jesus said, "It is not right to take the children's bread and toss it to their dogs." What would we have done? What would you do if someone should call you a dog? Most of us would think this would be enough to give up. But this woman simply said, "Truth, Lord: yet the dogs eat the crumbs." That is saying, "I know how unworthy I am; I do not ask for anything but the crumbs." This woman obtained the mercy she sought." Was it worth it? It would have been so easy to let her feelings rob her and her daughter of the healing she desired and needed.

Walk by faith not by feelings
Today with the great faith of this Canaanite woman that she showed, we tell the world that we should walk by faith, not by feelings. What are you walking by? Are you a quitter because you have had your feelings hurt? Are you walking by faith, even though your feelings have been hurt?

Sensitivity
Sensitivity is a wonderful thing. We should be sensitive to the physical and spiritual needs of others. We should be sensitive to our personal needs. It is a wonderful thing to see Christians sensitive to their problems. But sensitivity shouldn’t be misdirected. There are many members of he church that are too sensitive. Many have quit the church because someone hurt their feelings. There are others who still attend, but they are no longer active in the Lord's work because someone hurt their feelings. Are you one of them or you are like this Canaanite woman?

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 15 August—Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Readings: Romans 12: 9-15 & Luke 1: 46-55

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Saints Of The Week

15th of August is the Solemnity of the Assumption of the
Blessed Virgin Mary.

"My soul magnifies the Lord my spirit exults in God my saviour; for he has looked upon his servant in her lowliness. From now on all generations shall call me blessed, for he who is mighty has done great things for me. (Luke 1:47-49)

On this day we celebrate the fact that Mary was the first human being to be taken to God's Kingdom. The Assumption of Our Lady into heaven is the fruit of the Resurrection and Ascension of her Son.

In this mystery, we can see Our Lady as the symbol and representative of the whole-redeemed human race. In her, we see effected what is God's desire in respect of each of us.

The whole nature, body and soul, Her desires should be perfected and welcomed into the glory of heaven. Mary's life is an example to us. Her holiness lies in her acceptance of God's will. "Thy will be done". Her life was spent with matching these words with deeds. We need to do likewise. Like Mary, we must try to utilize the gifts and graces, which God has bestowed upon us; to completely co-operate with God's will whenever we know it.

Mary's true greatness is to be found in her faith in God. She trusted in God and accepted the message given her by the angel Gabriel, and as well, all the consequences it implied. We pray to Mary, our Heavenly Mother, to intercede for us, so that we too can accept God's Will and place our complete faith and trust in Him. Through the grace of God, then we will, one day, share like Mary, in a place in His Kingdom.

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The Maronites and Lebanon (22)
The Ottomans Era (1)

During the years of difficulties, and as a result of the multiple occupations of the Lebanese land many tribes inhabited Lebanon especially the southern part of the mountain which will have enormous influence on Lebanon. some of these tribes are the Maanis and the Shahabis.

In 1516 the Ottomans defeated the Mamluks in Marj Dabiq battle in Aleppo, during this battle, the Maanis (Druze tribe moved to Lebanon around the year 1100) fought alongside with the Ottomans to defeat the Mamluks therefore they won the confidence of the Ottomans and Amir Fakhr ad Din (1516-1544) appointed as the ruler.

At the beginning of their era, the Ottomans did not govern Lebanon directly, consequently, having attained a high degree of maturity, a Druze-Maronite alliance was established lasting for hundreds of years; this prosperous principality would be the base of the modern Lebanese Republic, the Maronites were ready for a new era of renewal. The difference between this period and the preceding centuries was great. It can be considered the age of renaissance of the Maronite.

The Maronites were partners in governing the new principality; often the post of Moudabbir (roughly Prime Minister) and the post of Army Commander were given to a Maronite, usually a Khazen or a Hobeich of Keserwan. During this period (1516-1840), the Maronites started returning to southern Mount Lebanon, where they had lived before they were almost exterminated by the Mamlukes in 1307. Thus, the historic Ke-serwan and all the Druze mountains were repopulated. It was this relation between the Maronites and Druze that helped establish the Lebanese identity.

In 1618 Fakhr ed Eddine II army captured Akkar and Tripoli and removed their stones so as to rebuild Dier al Qamar (Lebanon’s capital city then). Next came the turn of the pasha of Damascus, in the battle of Anjar, 4000 Lebanese (Druze and Maronites) captured the pasha and cut down 12,000 of his men. Lebanon, Syria and Palestine was now under the rule Fakhr-al-din II. Nothing was left for Fakhr, in the words of a biographer of his time, but to declare himself sultan. Fakhr-al-din II preferred the title of 'Emir of Mount Lebanon, Sidon, and Galilee'.


In maintaining their Christian identity. In 1610, the Maronite monks of the Monastery of Saint Anthony of Qozhaya imported one of the first printing presses in what is known as the Arabic-speaking world; however that press was printing in the Syriac language and not Arabic. The monasteries of Lebanon would later become key players in the Arabic Renaissance of the late 19th century as a result of developing Arabic, as well as Syriac, printable script.




Next Sunday: The Ottomans era (2)
The Maronite College of Rome

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Season of the Pentecost - 11th Sunday

Dear parishioners and friends of St Charbel’s Parish,

Welcome to this week's edition of Kadishat!

This Sunday, we reflect on the story of Zacchaeus, the tax collector, whose sins were forgiven by Jesus. Tax collectors were hated by the people of Isreal because they extorted money from their countrymen and gave it to the Romans. However, Jesus saw past that and knew that Zacchaeus was open to the grace that prompted him to climb that tree. Jesus invited Himself to Zacchaeus' house offering him forgiveness and mercy.

Zacchaeus knew that by welcoming Jesus in his home, his life had to change. He had over taxed his people and in order to have Jesus, he had to give back this money. Zacchaeus did not hesitate as he knew that what he had to give up was nothing compared to what he was receiving. We are also presented with this situation every day of our lives. Is our choice as clear as that of Zacchaeus?

St Charbel's Annual Fundraising Dinner
As announced earlier, St Charbel's Parish will be holding its Annual Dinner on Saturday 13 October 2012 at St Charbel's Multi-Purpose Hall to raise funds for the launch of St Charbel's Nursing Home. Tickets are $75 and you can start booking your tickets now by calling the Monastery on 9740 0998.

On the night, a raffle on a 2012 Ford Fiesta will be drawn. Tickets are $5 each and are sold outside Church after masses and at the front office.
We thank you for your support.

I entrust you all to the care of Our Lady during this month of August dedicated to her Immaculate Heart!
I invite you all to click on this link to view the KADISHAT newsletter with Arabic translation for this week.

In God’s Love,
Fr. Dr. Antoine Tarabay

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20th Year—Number 1020 Sunday 05/08/2012
Season of the Pentecost
11th Sunday
Sunday’s Readings: Ephesians 2: 17-22 & Luke 19: 1-10

Salvation has come to this house

“He entered Jericho and was going through the town and suddenly a man whose name was Zacchaeus made his appearance; he was one of the senior tax collectors and a wealthy man. He kept trying to see which Jesus was, but he was too short and could not see him for the crowd; so he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore tree to catch a glimpse of Jesus who was to pass that way.

When Jesus reached the spot he looked up and spoke to him, 'Zacchaeus, come down. Hurry, because I am to stay at your house today.' And he hurried down and welcomed him joyfully. They all complained when they saw what was happening. 'He has gone to stay at a sinner's house,' they said.
But Zacchaeus stood his ground and said to the Lord, 'Look, sir, I am going to give half my property to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody I will pay him back four times the amount.' And Jesus said to him, 'Today salva-tion has come to this house, because this man too is a son of Abraham; for the Son of man has come to seek out and save what was lost.”
Luke 19: 1-10

Reflection of the week

Today’s Gospel is about seeking first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness. Where that happens, all other things are added. Christ seeks us where we seek him, in the places where he calls us to be, and the results will be no less wonderful for us than they were for Zacchaeus.

Today’s Gospel talks about salvation. A man named Zacchaeus gets the chance to make a new beginning - and he responds with extraordinary generosity,. And Jesus says, "Today salvation has come to this house..."

Who was Zachaeus
Zacchaeus was a chief tax collector that lived in Jericho. Zacchaeus was rich, but he had become rich by taking more taxes from people than the law allowed. He was dishonest. Most people hated tax collectors because they worked for the Roman government. But he was seeking Jesus and was truly a changed man after he met Jesus and Jesus offered him salvation.

The first step in salvation-seeking Jesus
Zacchaeus shows us the two steps involved in salvation. The first step is the desire to see Jesus. What did he do? He climbed a tree. That is something that usually only a child does. For an adult to climb a tree requires humility. It also takes courage. A limb might break with disastrous consequences. But more important, a man in a tree could provoke laughter. And in the case of Zacchaeus, it would be worse. Seeing him in the tree, the townspeople would not only laugh; they make fun of him and even insult him. The first step to seeing Jesus is to over-come fear - and self-importance.

The second step-What we should do
Zacchaeus beautifully illustrates what we must do when we see Jesus. Zacchaeus said that he would give half his possessions to the poor - and if he cheated anybody, he would pay it back four times over. He repented of all the wrong things he had done.

Jesus was seeking Zacchaeus
Zacchaeus wanted to see Jesus, but Jesus was already seeking him. He called him by name, "Zacchaeus, come down." Then he told him that he wanted to stay in his house. What Jesus was doing was offering him a new start. By his greed Zacchaeus had put himself outside the family. Jesus was welcoming him back in. This is what is called "grace," God's incredible generosity.

We are like Zacchaeus
You and I are in the same position as Zacchaeus. God offers us his grace, his generosity. Salvation depends on our response. Stewardship is salvation. It is our response to God's grace. Like Zacchaeus, we want to see Jesus. That requires humility and courage. When we do find Jesus, there is only one thing we can do in face of his generosity. Like Zacchaeus, we respond to generosity - with generosity.

Jesus is your answer-Go and seek him
If your life lacks meaning, if there is no hope, if everything you have tried has left you defeated, discouraged, disillusioned and looking for more, then Jesus is your answer. You don’t have to climb a tree to meet Him, all you have to do is to respond to His call and come to Him right now. If you will do that and if you will receive Him, He will save your soul!
Are you saved?

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Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord.
On this day we recall how Jesus shared with his three closest disciples the glory and acceptance which He has from the Father. 

Jesus is shown, as he really is - the Son of God. Elijah and Moses appear beside Jesus and Peter sees Jesus, Elijah and Moses as equals for he has not yet discovered the superior destiny of Jesus. 

This revelation will not come until after the Resurrection. 

The Transfiguration event beautifully reminded the disciples of the glory Jesus possessed and that his glory would ultimately overcome the darkness of evil. 

But the glory would come later. First would come the cross. 

The feast of the Transfiguration reminds us also that only perseverance in the service of God leads to the glory of vision and that there is no way to be a disciple of Jesus without the Cross. Whatever the cross in our lives, the way to carry it is in union with Christ. His cross is the symbol of redemption. Our crosses, too, must be redemptive. 

We must look to Jesus for the true meaning of the cross and the strength to bear it.

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Saints Of The Week

Mary Mackillop, Mary of the Cross (+1909)
Maronite Feast Day: August 8.

Mary Mackillop has become famous for being the first recognized Australian Saint. She was named blessed on January 19, 1995 by Pope John Paul II at Randwick Racecourse. And on 17 October 2010 Mary MacKillop was declared a Saint by Pope Benedict XVI and is now known as Saint Mary of the Cross.

Mary was born in Victoria, Australia in 1842 to Scottish parents. She was born in Brunswick St, Fitzroy, where a plaque now exists in the footpath to mark the place of her birth. She was the eldest of eight children and was well educated by her father who had once studied in Rome for the priesthood. Her family did not have their own home due to their finan-cial circumstances and they often shared accommodation with relatives, some-times split apart. From the age of sixteen, Mary earned her living and greatly sup-ported her family, as a governess, as a clerk, and as a teacher at the Portland school.

In 1866, greatly inspired and encour-aged by Father Woods, Mary opened the first Saint Joseph's School in a disused stable in Penola. Following her example, young women began to join in her work. Soon after, the order the Congregation of the Sisters of St Joseph was formed. Mary was asked by Bishop Shiel to come to Adelaide to start a school. The Sisters spread, in groups to small outback settle-ments and large cities around Australia, and New Zealand. Now they can be found working in Peru, Brazil and refugee camps of Uganda and Thailand. The work of these missionaries with the coopera-tion of other religious orders and lay teachers of the time, had a profound influence on the forming of Catholic Edu-cation as we have come to know and experience it today.


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The Maronites and Lebanon (21)

The Years of Difficulties (4)

How did the Maronite reacted in the hardship years?
The hardships endured by the Maronites were not entirely to their disadvantage. Their sufferings united the people under their leaders, in turn under the authority of the Patriarch. The Mukaddam of Bsharri was the chief of this whole region and he established some as-semblance of order however people constantly feared for their lives, a report made by a traveller who visited Kannoubine in 1475 states:

'The Maronite nation has lived under occupation endur-ing continuous oppression and tyranny. All over Lebanon one finds ruin, tears, and terror. Under the pretext of gathering a certain tax called the Gezia, the authorities strip the peasants of all their belongings and beat them with sticks, and torture them in order to extract from them all that they possess. Many would have perished had not their aged patriarch, Peter son of Hassan, come to their rescue. Terrified by the perils that threatened his people, the Patriarch gave away all the revenues of the Church to satisfy the rapacity of the tyrants. The door of the patriarchal monastery was sealed, and the Patriarch sometimes had to hide in caves as did Popes Urban and Sylvester.' (Marcellin de Civezza, His-toire universelle des missions franciscaines, Paris 1858, vol. 3, p. 209)

In Wadi Kannoubine the Maronites had no need to be urged to pray. Wadi Kannoubine is in itself an invitation to the forgetfulness of self, to meditation, and to prayer, an invitation that the Maronites did not refuse. Some of them felt the need to live a life more fully de-voted to prayer; many men and women sought God away from the haunts of men, and soon the caves in the valley became the retreats of hermits devoted to the inner life of union with the Creator.

The Maronites at that time were always under the threat of famine through failure of the crops. They were also under the threat of attack on their persons whenever they went out to their fields but regardless they still convey the message of the Gospel. They made such progress in virtue that in 1515 Pope Leo could write them a letter of encouragement in which he said: 'You have acted without allowing the persecutions and the hardship inflicted on you by the infidels, enemies of Our Savour, and from the heretics and schismatic, to turn you away from the faith of Christ.'

Even though the Maronites endured famine and privation, and were pursued by enemies, they did not bow. They did not accept to be downtrodden. Wadi Kannoubine was indeed their last stronghold, if it was lost, all would be lost. Now the Maronite people reacted with vigor and initiative. These men and women devoted to prayer, and particularly to the life of the hermitage, increased in number. Schools were opened and the pupils flowed in. Religious orders were founded.

Next Sunday: The Ottomans era

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Links:

Join us on facebook to get notified about the next post:

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