If You Want to Cultivate Peace, Protect Creation. Respect for creation is of immense consequence, not least because "creation is the beginning and the foundation of all God's works", and its preservation has now become essential for the pacific coexistence of mankind. Man's inhumanity to man has given rise to numerous threats to peace and to authentic and integral human development - wars, international and regional conflicts, acts of terrorism, and violations of human rights. Yet no less troubling are the threats arising from the neglect - if not downright misuse - of the earth and the natural goods that God has given us. For this reason, it is imperative that mankind renew and strengthen "that covenant between human beings and the environment, which should mirror the creative love of God, from whom we come and towards whom we are journeying".

Pope Benedict XVI

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Life of Saint Maroun
Background
Saint Maroun, born in the middle of the 4th century was a priest who latter became a hermit, retiring to a mountain of Taurus near Antioch. His holiness and miracles attracted many followers, and drew attention throughout the empire. St John of Chrysostom sent him a letter around 405 AD expressing his great love and respect asking St Maroun to pray for him.

The Maronite Movement
St Maroun is considered the Father of the spiritual and monastic movement now called the Maronite Church. This movement had a profound influence on Northern Syria and Lebanon. Saint Maroun spent all of his life on a mountain in the region of Cyrrhus in Syria. It is believed that the place was called "Kefar-Nabo" on the mountain of Ol-Yambos, making it the cradle of the Maronite movement.
The Maronite movement reached Lebanon when St Maroun's first disciple Abraham of Cyrrhus who was called the Apostle of Lebanon, realised that paganism was thriving in Lebanon, so he set out to convert the pagans to Christians by introducing them to the way of St Maroun. The followers of St Maroun, both monks and laity, always remained faithful to the teachings of the Catholic Church.

Spirituality
St Maroun's way was deeply monastic with emphasis on the spiritual and ascetic aspects of living. For Saint Maroun, all was connected to God and God was connected to all. He did not separate the physical and spiritual world and actually used the physical world to deepen his faith and spiritual experience with God.
St Maroun embraced the quiet solitude of the mountain life. He lived his life in open air exposed to the forces of nature such as sun, rain, hail and snow. His extraordinary desire to come to know Gods presence in all things, allowed St Maroun to transcend such forces and discover that intimate union with God. He was able to free himself from the physical world by his passion and fervour for prayer and enter into a mystical relationship of love with God. 

February 7, 2010 - "O, how great is the priest! … If he realized what he is, he would die… God obeys him

SEASON OF EPIPHANY - LITURGIES  INTENTIONS

Sunday of the Faithful Departed
Sunday February 7, 2010,  9:30 AM (Spanish)
For: Jorge, Maria & Jorge Azze  By: Lori Azze
Sunday February 7, 2010, 11:00 AM (English & Aramaic)
For: Jeanine Khoury  By:  Her sister Carole wife of Mr. William Saade

Monday, February 8, 2010, 8 PM- Vigil Liturgy—Feast of Saint Maron
For: Good health & the benefits of the parishioners By:  The Pastor
Tuesday, February 9, 2010, 12 Noon  Feast of St. Maron - Office Closed
Wednesday, February 10, 2010, 12 Noon  
For: Mary & Michel Slan By:  Genenieve Bunassar
Thursday, February 11, 2010, 12 Noon , Our Lady of Lourdes
For: Georges Harb By: His Daughter
Friday, February 12, 2010,  No Liturgy
Saturday, February 13, 2010, No Liturgy

SEASON OF THE GREAT LENT
Cana Sunday
Sunday February 14, 2010,  9:30 AM (Spanish)
For: In Honor of Javier & Andrea Cartaya By: The Pastor
Sunday February 14, 2010, 11:00 AM (English & Aramaic)
For: Emilio Sale By:  Loris Azze

Pope's Prayer Intentions  - February 2010
For all scholars and intellectuals, that by means of sincere search for the truth they may arrive at an understanding of the one true God.

PLEASE WELCOME  ST. JOHN SEMINARIANS
FEBRUARY 14, @ 11AM LITURGY - Reception to Follow in the Parish

Friday Stations & Lenten Meals
Starting February 19, 2010. Volunteers needed for Fridays Lenten Meals. Please contact the office.

New Readers Required
Proclaim the Word of God and make the Truth and the Light shine in our darkened world. Please contact Miss. Hilda Cuglievan @ cuglievan785@bellsouth.net

An Open Letter to those who don't go to Church
Dear Fellow Pilgrim:
I greet you as someone who is looking for meaning and happiness, as we all are. I know you're sincere or you wouldn't be reading this letter. .....
Pondering the praydreams
.......As I dream these praydreams, I pay particular attention to the fluctuating moments of peace vs. disquiet, and of impassioned energy vs. deflatedness.

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