SAINT GEORGE MARONITE CHURCH

AN EASTERN CATHOLIC CHURCH OF THE

WEST SYRIAC ANTIOCHENE TRADITION

Week of April 30, 2017 Third Week of the Resurrection

Annette Garcia - Parish Secretary Ex. 100

Nick Morey – Bookkeeper Ex102

Jo Ann Reed - Financial Consultant

Michele Chebib - Hall Manager Ex. 104

Deborah Mery Fernandez - Cultural Arts Director

Richard Karam - Church Attorney

Edward Karam - Church Realtor & Lector Coordinator

Soumaya Doenges - Greeter Coordinator

Ameen Al Bahloly- Altar Server Coordinator

Regina Aune - Archivist

Fernando Fernandez - Athletic Director

Brendan George - Pastoral Council Chairman

Jose Fernandez - Finance Committee Chairman

Candy Monsour - LAS President

Patricia Karam - Scholarship Committee Chairman

Elyse Karam, Monica Chavez, & Sabrina De La Cruz -

MYO Directors

Samantha Karam Naffah - MYP President

Crystel Harb - Religious Education Coordinator

Crystel Harb & Katy Emerson – MYA Coordinators

Dave Sweeney - Veterans Committee Chairman

Toufic Khalife & Larry Monsour - Grounds Committee

Liturgy Schedule:

Monday-No Liturgy

Tuesday 5:30 PM

Wednesday - Friday 12:00 Noon

Saturday 5:00 PM, Sunday 8:00 AM & 11:00 AM

Saint George Maronite Catholic Church

6070 Babcock Road, San Antonio, TX 78240

Offices: (210) 690-9569 (210) 690-2240

Fax: (210) 690-5093 www.stgeorgesa.org

Hall: (210) 696-5937 www.stgeorgemaronitecenter.com

Fr. Charles Khachan, MLM – Pastor Ex. 101

E-mail: ckhachan@gmail.com

Deacon Tom Billimek

Gym: http://www.sgmgym.com/

Bingo: http://www.randysbingo.com/

Merciful Like the Father!

Religious Education & Bible Study

Pre K - 12th grade-See bulletin for schedule

Ladies Altar Society (LAS)

See bulletin for schedule

Maronite Youth Organization (MYO)

See bulletin for schedule

Adoration

Tuesday 3:00 PM - 5:30 PM

Mystery of Reconciliation (Confession)

30 minutes before Liturgy and upon request

Mystery of Baptism & Chrismation

Parents and Godparents must meet with the pastor to make

arrangements

Mystery of Crowning (Marriage)

Notify the pastor ONE YEAR in advance for the necessary arrangements

Sick and Hospitalized

Contact the pastor for visitation

Memorial Sunday and Lebanese Luncheon

Last Sunday at 11:00 AM

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Intentions and Readings of the Divine Liturgy

Sat. April 29th 5:30 PM Liturgy for Esther Trad req. by Mary Ann Trad Karam & Family

Liturgy for the deceased members of St. George who died in the month of April

1Pet 2:11-17 Mt 22:41-46

Sun. April 30th 8:00 AM Liturgy for the deceased members of St. George who died in the month of April

11:00AM Liturgy for the deceased members of St. George who died in the month of April

2Tim 2:8-13 Third Week of the Resurrection Lk 24:13-35

Mon. May 1st No Liturgy

1Pet 2:18-25 Lk 24:44-49

Tues. May 2nd 5:30 PM Liturgy for Faye Abdellah req. by Regina Aune

1Pet 3:1-12 Jn 6:28-34

Wed. May 3rd 12:00 Noon Liturgy for Roberto Rodriguez req .by his loving family

1Pet 3:13-22 Jn 6:34-40

Thurs. May 4th 12:00 Noon Liturgy for Catherine Do's faith

1Pet 4:1-11 Jn 6:41-47

Fri. May 5th 12:00 Noon Liturgy for Ted Van Delden, Amira Dean & Tony Mery, Jr.

req by Mary Ann Trad

1Pet 4:12-19 Jn 6:48-59

Sat. May 6th 5:00 PM Liturgy for Robert Dieck 40 day mass req. by his loving family

1Pet 5:1-14 Jn 6:60-71

Sun. May 7th 8:00 AM Liturgy for Jamile Nader req. by Ralphie Karam

11:00AM Liturgy for Theresa Rizzo req. by Rizzo & Wartian Family

Heb 13:18-25 Fourth Week of the Resurrection Jn 21:1-14

We apologize for any inconvenience if a name of a loved one was

misspelled or dropped off the list of masses by mistake.

April 30, 2017

Flowers: Ladies Altar Society

Refreshments: LACD and LIC for the unity of Christians in Lebanon and the M.E.

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Bertha Acevedo,

Rocky Anawaty,

Amira Andera,

Regina Aune,

Corey Baines,

Gerry Baines,

Sharon Benson,

Pamela Gabriel Craig,

Terry Griebel,

Marina Curie-John,

Diana Curi-Ryder,

Josephine Daaud,

David Emerson,

Norma Emerson,

Zeyna Faris,

Brendon Fuselier

Muriel Keogh George,

Hank Grage,

Betty Gudat,

Harry Hilton,

Jackie Hill,

James Hughlette,

Sal Isgro,

Marie Joseph,

Al Jowdy,

David Karam,

Elyse Karam,

Eugene Karam,

Mary Anne Karam,

Mary Ann Trad Karam,

Donna Khattar,

Marie La Monica,

Richard La Monica,

Margaret Craig Loyd,

Gloria Maldonado,

Charles Malouff,

Louise Malouff,

Maria Marines,

Karen Martinez,

Elvira Mery,

Maria Mery,

Paul Mery, Jr.,

Tony Moawad,

Connie Moller,

Adele Morrison,

Nancy Nasif,

Tim O’Connor,

Jose Olvera,

Roger O’Shaugh-nessy

Thelma O’Shaugh-nessy,

David Palazzo,

Noel Palazzo,

Ashley Polley,

Larry Raba,

Tanya Raba,

Curtis Reed,

Curtis Michael, Reed

Kirsten Reed,

Rose Ribble,

Johnny Rodriguez,

Pedro Rosas,

Gloria Saliba,

Marie Schechter,

Bella Rodriguez Torres,

Rose Trevino,

Jeanette Van Delden,

Gene Viola,

Joe Walker,

Miriam Wells,

Cathy Turcotte Wolfe,

George Yamin.

Sophie Abdo Karam - June 24, 2016

Ted Van Delden - September 27, 2016

Amira Mery Dean - November 14, 2016

Anthony Mery, Jr. – November 30, 2016

Grant Peisen - December 12, 2016

David Saliba - December 23, 2016

Robert Dieck - February 17, 2017

Roberto Rodriguez - April 3, 2017

Saturday, April 29th (5:00 PM)

Lector: Pat Perillo

Ushers: Simon Salinas & Elizabeth Aboud

Greeter: Sandy Nasif

Altar Servers: Zack Karam & Aaron Mery

Sunday, April 30th (11:00 AM)

Lector: (8:00 AM) Frank Westermann

Lector: (11:00 AM) Edward Karam

Ushers: Ray Dustin, Marcel Noujeim &

Chris Karam

Greeters: Peggy Karam

Altar Servers: Jacob Farah, Diego Medina, Ilya

Noujeim & Harry Doenges

Saturday, May 6th (5:00 PM)

Lector: Joe Khattar

Ushers: Frank Dieck & Gladys Salisbury

Greeter:

Altar Servers: Jeremy Daly & Kiersten Salinas

Sunday, May 7th (11:00 AM)

Lector: (8:00 AM) Frank Westermann

Lector: (11:00 AM) Edward Karam

Ushers: MYO

Greeters: MYO

Altar Servers: MYO

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SUNDAY APRIL 30TH Qurbono (Liturgy) 8:00 and 11:00 AM Divine Mercy Chaplet

TUESDAY MAY 2TH Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament will be

from 3:00 PM to 5:30 PM followed by the Qurbono (Divine Liturgy) at 5:30 PM. Adora-tion will resume at 6:00 PM and will con-clude with the Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament.

Adult Bible Study at 7:00 PM

SUNDAY MAY 7TH Qurbono (Liturgy) 8:00 and 11:00 AM Divine Mercy Chaplet

PARISH MEETING There will be a parish town hall meeting on Friday, May 5, 2017 at 7:00 PM at the church. This is an open forum to inform and update eve-ryone on what is happening in the church and to discuss any concerns or new ideas. If you have any items that you would like to discuss at the meeting, please contact Fr. Charles, Jose Fernan-dez, Brendan George, Frank Rizzo, or Regina Aune by Monday, May 1st, 2017. Please save the date and make plans to attend.

ADULT RELIGIOUS EDUCATION We are preparing to start an adult religious edu-cation class for those who are interested in learn-ing more about the Catholic and Maronite Faith. We offer an opportunity to come together in a small group to learn more about our faith. Ses-sions focus on the teachings and experience of the Church and give participants a better under-standing of the teachings of the Catholic Church. If you are interested, please contact Fr. Charles for more information.

CATHOLICAST Catholicast is an online media source with hours of Catholic talks. You can listen to topics like Theology of the Body, marriage, family, single life and use this resources to strengthen your own understanding about the faith and share it with those around you. Visit: www.catholicasts.com

NAM The National Apostolate of Maronites, in cooper-ation with Jouzour Loubnan, is sponsoring a me-morial grove of 10,000 Cedar Trees in the moun-tains of Lebanon. Each tree sponsored will be commemorated by an inscribed plaque to be mounted on a board which stands at the entrance of the forested area. For more information bro-chures are available in the foyer of the church or you can go to www.namnews.org.

NAM SCHOLARSHIPS The John A. Solomon Memorial NAM

Scholarship is open to active members of the MYO who are graduating seniors.

The Naomi and Paul Kassouf NAM Scholarship is open to high school sen-iors whose parents are members of NAM.

The Thomas and Jennie Ayoob Memorial NAM Scholarship is open to current col-lege students.

USEK and NDU Scholarships are open to college students who are members of NAM or their parents are members of NAM.

See the church office for applications. Deadline May 15, 2017.

BE READY FOR THE LITURGY Join us every Sunday at 10:40 AM as we prepare ourselves to participate in the Liturgy and pray the Rosary, and, on the last Sunday of every month to pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet.

ORDER OF ST. SHARBEL The Order of St. Sharbel provides support to the

Maronite Seminary in the United States by grant-

ing financial assistance to the education of our

seminarians and, whenever possible, retirement

benefits to our clergy. You can make a difference

in the life of the Maronite Church. To join, con-

tact the church office.

Community Life

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Second Collection - Catholic Home Missions - $560.00 Eparchial Lenten Appeal $10,800.00 Our Parish Goal $11,000.00

You can now contribute online, https://www.stgeorgesa.org/donate-online/

“God loves a cheerful giver!” (2 Corinthians 9:7)

STEWARDSHIP Our Gift to God and our Church

LAS CORNER

Cookbooks for sale, $25.00 each. LAS Meeting May 21st

May 5 - Parish Meeting May 7 - First Holy Communion May 14 - Mother’s Day May 25 - Ascension Thursday June 4 - Pentecost Sunday June 9-11 - Texas Folklife Festival

FROM POPE FRANCIS

Let’s promote friendship and respect between men and women of different religious traditions in order to build

a world of peace.

ANNUAL LENTEN APPEAL Thank you for those who have already participated in the Annual Lenten Appeal for the Eparchy of Our Lady of Lebanon and getting us closer to our goal of $11,000.00. The Bishop's Annual Appeal is conducted each year during Lent to ask for support for the most urgent needs in the Eparchy such as training our future Maro-nite priests. Every family is asked to participate in the Appeal at a level which is meaningful for them and be generous. You can mail your donation, drop it in the collection basket, or make it online at https://www.stgeorgesa.org/donations/lenten/. Please be generous and support your Eparchy. Thank you!

April 23, 2017 Month to date Year to date Our 2017 Goal

Regular Collection

$2,307.00

Online Donations

$300.00

$15,197.00 $59,081.00 $ 175,000.00

Overage/Shortage -$115,919.00

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Rashid Ablam

Elias Allem

Albert Nehman Andry, Sr.

Mary Yamin Bailey

Gregory Fares Basila

Henry A. Bassoul

Anastasia Battros

Edward Battros

Salim Battros

Mary Louise de la Garza

Julian Dujardin

Ron Estefan

Rosie Esquivel

Mike Herro

Elva Marie Hoffman

Susan Hughlett-Halverstadt

Marche Faddul Jaer

Freddy LaHood

Zaiter "Z" LaHood

Peter Magaro

Aziz K. Mery, Sr.

Edward K. Mery

Joe Mery

Martha C. Mery

Louise Nasif

Carl F. Raba, Sr.

Robert M. Ramirez

Roberto Rodriguez

George Sabbagh

Emil A. Sacre

Mary Barbara Sacre

Mike S. Sfair

Solomon Sfair

Alfred Smith

Madeline Mae Traber

Charles Trad

Anna Vetters

Adele Page Yamin

Annie Abdo Zaidan

Tarrooze Zena

Today’s Memorial Liturgy is a prayer offering for the souls of the deceased parishioners and friends of

St. George Maronite Church who died in the month of April.

We apologize for any inconvenience if a name of a loved one was

misspelled or dropped off the list by mistake.

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MEETING MARY IN SCRIPTURE

For Catholics, devotion to Mary is part of our heritage and the life of our faith. The sacred Scriptures remind us that Mary’s acceptance of God’s activity in her life is exemplary and serves as a model for all of us.

Mary in the New Testament Mary is referred to 137 times in the New Testament. She is in all of the Gospels (Matthew chapters 1 and 2; Mark 3:31-35, 6:3; Luke 1 and 2; John 2 and 19) and in the Acts of the Apostles (1:14). The Gospel of John calls her “the mother of Jesus” and “his [Jesus’] mother” (Jn 2:1-12; 19:25-27).

Mary, a Woman of Faith In the hectic situations that Mary faced daily, her faith sustained her. Mary’s world radically changed when the angel Gabriel appeared to her saying: “Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with you!” (Lk 1:28) (Some biblical translations render it, “Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you.”) Understandably, Mary was “greatly troubled.” Luke’s Gospel tells us that Mary is not startled by the angel’s greeting but more by his message. First, the angel says, “Hail, full of grace.” No one else in the Bible has ever been honored by an angel with such an exalted title. Second, the angel says, “The Lord is with you!” Often in the Old Testament the words “the Lord is with you” signal that someone is being called to a daunting task. One of the most famous stories that illustrates this is when God calls Moses at the burning bush to confront Pharaoh and lead the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt. Moses’ response is fear and inadequacy. God then tells Moses the one thing he needs to hear: “I will be with you” (Ex 3:12). Similarly, when Mary hears the angel say to her, “The Lord is with you,” she realizes that God is asking a lot of her. But, like Moses, she will not have to face this alone. God will give her the one thing she needs most: the assurance that he will be with her. Third, we learn more of Mary’s voca-tion as the angel says, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God” (Lk 1:30). The notion of finding “favor with God” would bring to mind the Old Testament covenant mediators of God’s plan of salva-tion: Noah (see Gn 6:8), Abraham (Gn 18:2-3), Moses (Ex 33:13-17), and King David (2 Sm 15:15) — all of whom found favor with God. Like these great covenant mediators, Mary has found favor with God. She will be an important cooperator in the divine plan to bring salvation to all the nations. She will bring forth her son, Jesus, who will mediate a new covenant. Mary’s Faith Response It is difficult to even imagine what Mary was going through in these brief moments with the angel. The one response Luke does record is one of complete trust. Mary says, “Behold, I am the handmaiden of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word” (Lk 1:38). The phrase “let it be to me” in the original Greek is not passive but active. It expresses a desire on Mary’s part. She positively desires and fully embraces God’s call for her to serve as the mother of the Messiah

Mary the Mother of God Next, the angel Gabriel gets to the heart of the message and the nature of Mary’s vocation. Mary will bear a son. “And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name 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 fa-ther David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there will be no end” (Lk 1:31-33). Mary is to be the mother of the Messiah (the anointed one of God). Surprised by this angelic an-nouncement, Mary asks, “How can this be, since I have no husband [am a virgin]?” (1:34). Only now does Ga-briel underscore the extraordinary type of motherhood to which Mary is being called. “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 called holy, the Son of God” (1:35). The phrases “Holy Spirit” and the “power of the Most High” are parallel expressions of God’s power. The Spirit (wind) of God that moved over the chaotic waters to bring creation forth from the abyss (see Gn 1:2), now comes upon Mary to bring forth the new creation from her womb. Just as the cloud of God’s presence overshadowed the tabernacle in the desert and the glory of God filled it (Ex 40:35), so too is Mary overshadowed. God’s overshadowing presence fills the womb of Mary. Mary thus be-comes a tabernacle of God’s presence dwelling with God’s people. She is the new Ark of the Covenant in whose womb dwells Jesus, the incarnate presence of God. How will Mary bear a child? Gabriel tells Mary that she will conceive through God’s extraordinary intervention of sending the Holy Spirit upon her, and this is the reason for calling Jesus God’s son.

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