Mary Livonia , October 4, 2015

AL-NOUR
The Light of Christ
October 4, 2015
Issue 489
PUBLISHED WEEKLY BY:
THE ANTIOCHIAN ORTHODOX BASILICA OF ST. MARY
18100 Merriman Road Livonia, Michigan 48152 www.saintmarylivonia.com Office: (734)-422-0010 Sunday Services
Confession: 8:30AM
Matins: 9:00AM
Divine Liturgy: 10:00AM
St. Mary’s Cultural
and Banquet Center
(734) 421-9220
“And the disciples were first called
Christians in Antioch.” Acts 11:26
Daily Confession by Appointment - Call the Church Office
October 4, 2015
THE PROTECTION OF THE MOSTMOST-HOLY THEOTOKOS
October 1
F
rom time immemorial, the Church has celebrated the Most-holy Theotokos as the
patroness and protectress of the Christian people, who, by her intercessory prayers,
implores God’s mercy for us sinners. The help of the Most-holy Mother of God has been
clearly shown numerous times, to individuals and to nations, in peace and in war, in
monastic deserts and in densely populated cities. The event that the Church
commemorates and celebrates today confirms the Theotokos’ consistent protection of
Christian people. On October 1, 911, during the reign of Emperor Leo the Wise, there was
an All-night Vigil in the Blachernae Church of the Mother of God
The Antiochian Orthodox
in Constantinople. The church was full of people. St. Andrew the
Basilica of St. Mary
Fool-for-Christ was standing in the rear of the church with his
Fr. George Shalhoub - Pastor
Fr. Jim King - Director of Youth &
disciple Epiphanius. At four o’clock in the morning, the Most-holy
Pastoral Outreach
Programs
Theotokos appeared above the people, holding her omophorion
Archdeacon Issa Rizkallah
outstretched as a protective covering for the faithful. She was
313-690-2030
Deacon Dr. Dennis Bojrab
clothed in gold-encrusted purple, and shone with an ineffable
Deacon Samer Hanna
Nidal Fakhoury - Parish Council
radiance, surrounded by apostles, saints, martyrs and virgins. St.
Chairman
Andrew said to Blessed Epiphanius: “Do you see, brother, the
Linda Lawson - Choir Director
Stacey Badeen - Church Administrator
Queen and Lady of all praying for the whole world?” Epiphanius
Christina Stavros - Parish Ministries
Coordinator
replied: “I see, Father, and am struck with amazement!” The
Haitham Fakhouri - Communications
Feast of the Protection was instituted to commemorate this
Richard Shebib/Sami Azzouz Ushers
event, and to remind us that we can prayerfully receive the
Dr. Tom Saba - Young AdultsSt. John Divine
unceasing protection of the Most-holy Theotokos in any time of
Irene Saba - Ladies Society President
difficulty.
Gloria Sultani - Teen Soyo President
The Prologue of Ohrid
Lina Nunu - Arabic School
Keith Rowe - Cultural Center General
Manager 734-421-9220
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The Antiochian Orthodox Basilica of St. Mary
THE EPISTLE
Let Thy mercy, O Lord, be upon us.
Rejoice in the Lord, O ye righteous.
The Reading is from the Second Epistle of St. Paul to the Corinthians
Chapter 9:6-11
B
rethren, he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows
bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must do as he has made up his
mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God
is able to provide you with every blessing in abundance, so that you may always
have enough of everything and may provide in abundance for every good work. As
it is written, “He scatters abroad, he gives to the poor; his righteousness endures
forever.” He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and
multiply your resources and increase the harvest of your righteousness. You will be
enriched in every way for great generosity, which through us will produce
thanksgiving to God.
THE GOSPEL
The Reading from the Holy Gospel according to St. Luke
Chapter 6:31-36
T
he Lord said: “As you wish that men would do to you, do so to them. If you
love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love
those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what
credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. And if you lend to those
from whom you hope to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend
to sinners, to receive as much again. But love your enemies, and do good,
and lend, expecting nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you
will be sons of the Most High; for He is kind to the ungrateful and the selfish.
Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful.”
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The Antiochian Orthodox Basilica of St. Mary
PRAYER CORNER
L
Thank You
T
oly Bread of Oblation is
offered by the families, for the month
of October, for the health and well
being of:
Fouzi and Mary Shaya
Steven and Samantha Shaya
and family
Charlene Shaya
Julian and Rita Shaya and family
he following parishioners and
friends of the Basilica of St.
Mary have given special donations
to the Church in the past few
weeks:
$100-In loving memory of Natalia
Elmasri offered by her daughter
Basima and Muin Rumman,
$100-In loving memory of Natalia
Elamsri offered by Elaine
Rumman,
$100-In loving memory of Issa
Khoury and for the health and well
being of Dalal, John, Rami and
Rana Khoury offered by Dalal
Khoury,
$100-In loving memory of George
A. Zakhem offered by Joanne
Zakhem,
$275-For the health and well being
of Assad Najjar offered by his
family,
$300-For the health and well being
of Anis and Jamilah Okab offered
by their children and grandchildren,
$300-For the health and well being
of newly baptized Eliana Jawan
Elizondo offered by parents Juan
and Nicole (Qaoud) Elizondo,
$1000-For the health and well
being of newlyweds Nibal and
Zaineb Fakhouri,
SAVE THE DATE
Arabic School
ord, You ar e the physician of
our souls and body. We pray You
grant the following parishioners
good health and blessings:
Metropolitan PAUL Yazigi,
Archbishop Youhanna Ibrahim,
Rimon Warra, Andre, Johnny Isam
Qassis, Anis, Louis,
HOLY BREAD OF
OBLATION
H
oly Bread of Oblation
is offered by the families, for the
month of October, in loving memory
of:
Issa Ajlouni
Patricia Mason
Jerry Mughannem
H
St. Mary’s will be holding their
Family and Fellowship Hafli on
Saturday, November 7th at St.
Mary’s Cultural Center.
Live entertainment—Arabic
(Dubke) and American music.
More information to follow.
We are looking for donations for
a Chinese raffle. Please contact
Andria Bojrab at 248-302-0522,
Arwa Ansara at 248-635-2923, or
Amelia Brady at 734-788-3601
memorials
Arabic School begins Sunday,
October 4th from 12:30-1:30pm.
Cost is $40.00 per student.
Please contact Lina Nunu at
313-516-9986 for more
information or to register your
child.
Ladies Society
The next meeting will be held
on Tuesday, October 6th at 7pm
in the library.
I
am the Resurrection and the
Life. He who believes in Me shall
never die.”
(John 11:25)
Oct. 4th - 40 day memorial in loving
memory of Nabih Qassis Tawfic offered
by his wife Juliet Qassis and family,
Oct. 4th - 40 day memorial in loving
memory of mother Natalia Elmasri
offered by Basima and Muin Rumman
and family,
“A Vigil Light is Burning”
In Loving Devotion
F
or The Health and Well Being Of:
Sister Xavier, JoAnn Asfour, Jacob
Arabbo, Assad Najjar, Niba and Zaineb
Fakhouri, Malik and Nun Fakhouri,
I
n Memory Of: J oseph Michael
Mouaikel, George Abodeely, Nawal
Fakhouri,
Condolences
T
he clergy and
parishioners at the Basilica
of St. Mary extend their deepest
sympathy to Fares Asfour,
children Osta (Hanan) Asfour,
Ghassan (Amani) Asfour,
Hanan (Malke) Ahou, the grandchildren and the entire Asfour
family on the passing of their
beloved wife/mother Rose Asfour.
T
he clergy and
parishioners at the Basilica of
St. Mary extend their deepest
sympathy to Yousif (Rana) Al
Yacoub, Ziad Al Yacoub, the
grand-children and the entire Al
Yacoub family on the passing of
their beloved mother Yusra Al
Yacoub.
May their memories be eternal.
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The Antiochian Orthodox Basilica of St. Mary
@ the Basilica of Saint Mary
Habits of Highly Ineffecve Churches:
Habit #1:
Treat the Youth
as “Future Parishioners”
There is a chronic bad habit that almost every church has. And even though on
the surface it seems harmless, it has a profound and lasng impact on our
Parish Life—the way we “be” and “do” Church. Here is the bad habit: thinking,
believing, acng, and making decisions as though “the Youth” —everyone
college-age and younger—are somehow not yet “full members” of the parish
simply because they are young.
Since the me of Christ, it has been a temptaon to under-priorize the youth
in the Church and dismiss them as “passive” or “unimportant”. However, this
idea is false and destrucve and directly contradicts our Orthodox Chrisan
Faith. “As many of you who have been bapzed into Christ, have put on Christ!
Alleluia!” is the hymn we chant as a new Chrisan is made in the Holy Mystery
of Bapsm and Chrismaon—whether that person is a baby, 10 years old, or 72
years old. It is a quotaon from Saint Paul’s le8er to the Galaans (3:27) in
which he is telling the Church—every individual Chrisan as well as the Church
as a whole—that each one has become a “li8le Christ”. That is, he or she
possesses everything that Christ has, because he or she has been bapzed into
His death. Each one has become His son or daughter—a full member of Christ’s
body, irrespecve of age, class, ethnic background, gender, “… for you are all
one in Christ Jesus” (Galaans 3:29).
To be the Church and realize the beauty, goodness, and truth in it, we must
“live into” what we believe. We must get rid of old habits. We must always be
thinking, believing, acng, and making decisions in ways that show what we
believe. We need to priorize our youth because they are easily cast aside. The
Youth have a unique opportunity to be an example to the rest of us and
potenal to teach us a great deal. O?en, they possess energy and idealism that
we need to rub off on us. We need to love them, provide for them, respect
them and give them everything that they need to connue to grow in Christ and
His Church. The youth are not the future, they ARE our Church … now.
- Chrisna T. Stavros, MDiv
2015-2016 THEME: We are the Church! The Body of Christ on this Earth!
“…YOU are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy naon, God's special
possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you
out of darkness into his wonderful light.” – 1 Peter 2:9
“Don't let anyone look
down on you because you
are young, but set an
example for the believers
in speech, in conduct, in
love, in faith and in purity. “
- 1 Timothy 4:12
GOOD BOOKS ANY
ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN MUST READ
ON BEING THE CHURCH:
1) The Holy Bible:
Old and New Testaments
2) For the Life of the World
By Alexander Schmemman
3) The Orthodox Way
By Met. Kallistos Ware
4) Of Water and of Spirit
By Alexander Schmemmann
Please visit www.saintmarylivonia.com for details about events and acvies happening
at the Basilica of Saint Mary. If you have any quesons regarding Youth and Outreach Events,
please contact Fr. Jim or Ms. Chrisna Stavros at (734) 422-0010.
visit our website: www.saintmarylivonia.com
The Antiochian Orthodox Basilica of St. Mary
18100 MERRIMAN ROAD LIVONIA, MICHIGAN 48152
Return service requested
NON-PROFIT ORG.
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
LIVONIA, MI
PERMIT NO. 413
Dated Material
The Antiochian Orthodox Basilica of St. Mary
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