Book of Amos 5,21-24

I hate, I despise your festivals, and I take no delight in your solemn assemblies.
Even though you offer me your burnt-offerings and grain-offerings, I will not accept them; and the offerings of well-being of your fatted animals I will not look upon. …..

The present Feast forms a link between the New and the Old Testament. It shows that Truth succeeds symbols and figures and that the New Covenant replaces the Old. Hence, all creation sings with joy, exults, and participates in the joy of this day…. This is, in fact, the day on which the Creator of the world constructed His temple; today is the day on which by a stupendous project a creature becomes the preferred dwelling of the Creator” (Saint Andrew of Crete).

“Let us celebrate with joy the birth of the Virgin Mary, of who was born the Sun of Justice…. Her birth constitutes the hope and the light of salvation for the whole world…. Her image is light for the whole Christian people.”

But may I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which* the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. ~Galatians 6:14

The Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, also known as the Feast of the Triumph of the Cross, commemorates three historical events: the discovery of the True Cross in 326, its initial exaltation for public veneration in 335, and the recovery of the Cross from the Persians in 628. Nowadays, this feast also celebrates the boundless impact of Christ’s Cross upon all of creation.

Preparation for First Communion and First Confession.

The first day of class: Sunday, September 20

Applications for First Communion Class are available in the foyer of church.

Registration and first day of class will be on Sunday, September 20th at 10:30AM- meet in the classroom.

Registration closes on the First Sunday in October.

Your child must be registered by this time if they are to make their First Communion in May of 2027.

For more information please call the parish office. 

At St. Sharbel Church in Clinton Twp., MI

Hosted by: Chorbishop Alfred Badawi, Fr. Christopher Nahra, and the MYA and parish of St. Sharbel

Join Maronite Young Adults from across the U.S. for an electrifying blend of spiritual growth, dynamic group discussions, and inspiring workshops that will ignite your faith and deepen your connections. Experience the energy of the Motor City while building lifelong bonds with your MYA community. Don’t miss this chance to celebrate, grow, and thrive together!

The theme this year is: Faith & Technology in the age of AI

The cost for registration for the conference is $200 per person.

This includes all food, conference swag, and activities for the weekend.

*Transportation to the church/hotel from the airport and back to the airport is not included in registration, that must be booked individually*

Hotel address:
La Quinta Inn
45311 Park Ave.
Utica, MI 48315

Church address:
St. Sharbel Church
43888 Hayes Rd.
Clinton Township, MI 48038

The hotel and church are about 10 minutes from each other.

If you have any questions please reach out to the MYA Board by email at myaofolol@gmail.com

Location:

Big Bear Lake Christian Camp

Big Bear Lake, CA

The miracle recognized for the beatification of Patriarch Elias Hoyek dates back to 1965 and concerns the healing of Nayef Abou Assi, a Druze officer in the Lebanese army who suffered from chronic bilateral spondylolysis. According to reports, he awoke completely healed after dreaming of the patriarch.

Born in Helta, Lebanon, on Dec. 4, 1843, Hoyek entered the seminary at 16 and later traveled to Rome to study theology, where he was ordained a priest in 1870. Returning to Lebanon, he co-founded the Congregation of the Maronite Sisters of the Holy Family with Mother Rosalie Nasr, the first female apostolic religious institute in the Maronite Church.

Elected Maronite Patriarch of Antioch in 1899, Hoyek dedicated three decades to clerical formation and catechesis while becoming a leading voice for Lebanese independence from the Ottoman Empire. During World War I, he opened monasteries and convents to the hungry and displaced regardless of religion. Ottoman authorities sentenced him to deportation, but the intervention of the Pope and Austro-Hungarian diplomacy prevented this from occuring.

Hoyek also played a key role in negotiations that led to the establishment of the state of Lebanon in 1920. He died in Bkerké in 1931, remembered as a man of dialogue, pastoral charity and evangelical poverty, widely revered a Lebanese ‘founding father’.

References:

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2026-05/pope-beatification-spanish-civil-war-martyrs-elias-hoyek-lebanon.html

Join us Friday, Sept 4th For Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament

12:00 PM to 6:00 PM

If you wish to sign up to be on the list of scheduled Eucharistic Adorers,
please contact the coordinator,
Jihad Sleiman
sleimanjf@gmail.com
(619) 915-9249

"Could you not watch one hour with Me?"

Jesus waits for us in the Blessed Sacrament. He waits for our little Acts of faith, adoration, love, thanksgiving, repentance, reparation and charity that we can offer Him as we contemplate -- His Divine Majesty -- in the Blessed Sacrament.

Come be part of a group where you can grow in faith, build friendships, and have fun through activities, retreats, and service.

Ages 12 – 18   –  All are welcome!

“Let your light shine before others.” Said our Lord.

Tele Lumiere and Noursat, like many other institutions in Lebanon and the Middle East, is suffering tremendously and in danger of shutting down if it is not supported.

Very few parishes in the USA, of all Middle Eastern traditions, are supporting it. True there are millions living in poverty in the Middle East and we need to help them, but there are more millions living in darkness and need the message of hope and salvation. It is our responsibility to evangelize them.

We urge you in Christ’s name to help support Noursat. Here are few brotherly suggestions:

Talk about Noursat’s role of evangelization in the Middle East.
Announce this weekend the two-days Telethon. Share on your social media the attached video and flier about the Telethon.
Include in your weekly/monthly bulletin the attached flier about supporting Noursat.

God entrusted Noursat into our hands, let us unite our hands and hearts to keep it shinning.

With prayers and thanksgiving.
Chorbishop sharbel Maroun
President of Noursat, USA