Paul knew he was "called to be an apostle", that is, that he had not presented himself as a candidate, nor was his a human appointment, but solely by a divine call and election.
The Apostle to the Gentiles repeats several times in his Letters that his whole life is a fruit of God's freely given and merciful grace (cf. I Cor 15: 9-10; II Cor 4: 1; Gal 1: 15). He was chosen to proclaim "the Gospel of God" (Rom 1: 1), to disseminate the announcement of divine Grace which in Christ reconciles man with God, himself and others.
"Neither death, nor life", he wrote to the Romans, "nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord" (8: 38-39).
From this we can draw a particularly important lesson for every Christian. The Church's action is credible and effective only to the extent to which those who belong to her are prepared to pay in person for their fidelity to Christ in every circumstance. When this readiness is lacking, the crucial argument of truth on which the Church herself depends is also absent.

Pope Benedict XVI

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What's Up

The Tomb of St. Paul
The Tomb
In 61 A.D. Paul arrived in Rome to undergo judgment. Here he was beheaded between 65 and 67 A.D. His body was buried two miles away from the place of his martyrdom, in the sepulchral area along the Ostiense Way, owned by a devout Christian woman named Lucina, which was part of a pre-existent burial place . Even though he was a Christian, it was possible to bury the Apostle Paul in a Roman necropolis, due to his Roman citizenship. Shortly thereafter, his tomb would become a place of worship and veneration. Upon it was erected a cella memoriae or tropaeum, namely a memorial, where during the first centuries of persecution many of the faithful and pilgrims would go to pray, drawing the strength necessary to carry out the work of evangelization of this great missionary .
The Marble Tombstone
At 1.37 meters below the present Papal Altar lies a marble tombstone (2.12 m. x 1.27 m.), bearing the Latin inscription PAULO APOSTOLO MART (Apostle Paul, martyr)... It is composed of various pieces. On the piece where PAULO is written there are three holes, a round and two square ones .
The Sarcophagus
It is above a massive sarcophagus, measuring 2.55 meters long, 1.25 meters wide and 0.97 high, that the "Altars of Confession" were later placed. During recent work in the Basilica, a large window-like opening was made just below the Papal Altar, in order to allow the faithful to see the Apostle's tomb.

Prayer to the Apostle Paul
Glorious St Paul, Most Zealous Apostle, Martyr for the Love of Christ, give us a deep faith, a steadfast hope, a burning love for our Lord so that we can proclaim with you ‘It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me.' Help us to become apostles serving the Church with a pure heart witnesses to her truth and beauty amidst the darkness of our days. With you we praise God our Father ‘To Him be the glory, in the Church and in Christ Now and for ever'. Amen.

Weekly Bulletin - August 24 & 30, 2008

 

Ignorance of scripture is ignorance of Christ." (St. Jerome)

SEASON OF PENTECOST

FIFTEENTH SUNDAY OF PENTECOST
Sunday August 17, 9 AM: (Spanish) For Jose Rohaidy By The Family
Sunday, August 17, 11 AM: (English and Aramaic)
For Elias Kessep By The Family
For Elie Abu-Khalil By Mr. & Mrs. Michael Yunis

SIXTEENTH SUNDAY OF PENTECOST
Sunday August 24, 9AM:(Spanish)
For José Yaber, Estrella Murello, Pedro Rodriguez & Ramira Saavedra
By The Yaber Family
Sunday August 24, 11 AM: (English and Aramaic)
For Khalil Bassil By His wife Victoria

SEVENTEENTH SUNDAY OF PENTECOST
Sunday August 31, 9AM:(Spanish)  For Private Intentions
Sunday August 31, 11 AM: (English and Aramaic)
For Manolo & Georgette Dergan By Her Lourdes, John & Johnny Ermer
For Jimmie Crews By Mrs. Dolores Sirgany

* Due to the absence of Fr. Elie Mikhael for Two Weeks, the daily Mass will be postponed until his return on September 8, 2008. Office will be operated on normal hours, Monday to Friday from 9AM to 4PM. For emergency, you may contact Fr. Jorge Perales @ 305-856-7449 or  786-393-0409

Sunday School Classes and Registration

Orientation Classes : August 24, 2008
First Class : Sunday September 7, 2008.
Classes are available for children ages 4 - 10 years old. ... 
Sunday School Workshop August  17th
Religious Education: Presented By Jean D'Arc
Aspects of Maronite History: Presented by  Japi read , Lourdes Acosta & Suzanne Ghantous
Maronite Synod: Presented by Jean D'Arc Lahoud 

Savoring God's Word
When it comes to reading Scripture, take your time . God didn't give us so many pages of his own words just because he wanted to be a famous author; he gave us Scripture because it contains life.

THE PAULINE YEAR READ ST. PAUL'S WRITINGS
Select a book about St. Paul for spiritual reading.
Invite others to celebrate the life of Paul through a group Bible study.
MAKE A MINI-PILGRIMAGE
Travel to churches and other places of pilgrimage dedicated to St. Paul in your area (see
www.masstimes.org). Visit your diocesan website  for special events.
PRAY IN FAITH AND THANKSGIVING
Pray a novena to St. Paul. Pray for each of the countries to which Paul traveled. How are the Christians in that area of the world living out their faith? Pray for the unity of all Christian churches. Obtain the plenary indulgence offered for this Year of St. Paul.
SPREAD THE  GOSPEL
Volunteer to be a catechist in your parish. Volunteer to serve your parish in some capacity. Tell parish staff you would like to sponsor someone for RCIA. Participate in local ecumenical discussions. Donate to a missionary order and pray for their ministries.

 

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