SAINT GEORGE MARONITE CHURCH

AN EASTERN CATHOLIC CHURCH OF THE

WEST SYRIAC ANTIOCHENE TRADITION

Week of July 16, 2017 Seventh Week of Pentecost

Saint Sharbel

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

Crystel Harb - Religious Education Coordinator

Edmond Karam – MYA President

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

Pre K - 12th grade-See bulletin for schedule

Bible Study

See bulletin for schedule

Church Organizations

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 AT LEAST SIX MONTHS in advance for the necessary arrangements

Sick and Hospitalized

Contact the pastor for visitation

Memorial Sunday

Last Sunday of the month

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Intentions and Readings of the Divine Liturgy

Sat. July 15th 5:00 PM Liturgy for Genevieve Karam Niemeyer req. by her family

Liturgy for Tanya Yamin Raba (40 day) req. by Christopher Raba & family

Acts 13:44-52 Jn 3:31-36

Sun. July 16th 8:00 AM Liturgy for Abraham El-Nakat, req. by the Jajou Family

11:00AM Liturgy for Robert Beathe req. by Jo Ann & Curtis Reed

Rom 8:28-39 St. Sharbel Mt 13:36-43

Mon. July 17th No Liturgy

Acts 14:1-7 Lk 10:8-12

Tues. July 18th 5:30 PM Liturgy for Abraham El-Nakat, req. by Nathalie and George Haidar

Acts 14:8-18 Lk 10:13-16

Wed. July 19th NO LITURGY

Acts 14:19-28 Lk 10:17-20

Thurs. July 20th NO LITURGY

Acts 15:1-12 Lk 10:25-28

Fri. July 21st 12:00 Noon Liturgy for Abraham El-Nakat, req. by George and Norma Bechara

Acts 15:13-21 Lk 10:29-37

Sat. July 22nd 5:00 PM Liturgy for Salim Abi Khalil family req. by their loving family

Acts 15:22-30 Lk 10:38-42

Sun. July 23rd 8:00 AM Liturgy for Abraham El-Nakat, req. by the Jajou Family

11:00AM Liturgy in thanksgiving of Larry and Candy Monsour’s

50th Wedding Anniversary

Rom 8:1-11 Eight Week of Pentecost Mt 12:14-21

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

misspelled or dropped off the list of masses by mistake.

July 16, 2017

Flowers: by Christopher Raba & Family in memory of Tanya Yamin Raba

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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,

Sarah Perillo,

Ashley Polley,

Larry 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,

George Yamin.

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

Nicola Alhaj - May 14, 2017

Abraham El-Nakat - May 16, 2017

Tanya Yamin Raba - June 4, 2017

Alfred Hoffmann - July 8, 2017

Saturday, July 15th (5:00 PM)

Lector: Ray Dustin

Ushers: Dora Cuellar & Kathy Birkner

Greeter: Karen Sacre

Altar Servers: Aaron Mery & Zack Karam

Sunday, July 16th

Lector: (8:00 AM) Ray Dustin

Lector: (11:00 AM) Edward Karam

Ushers: Ray Dustin & Chris Karam

Greeters: Peggy Karam

Altar Server: Anthony Kuri, Andre Kuri,

Christopher Geha & Khalil Malouff

Saturday, July 22nd (5:00 PM)

Lector: Ray Dustin

Ushers: Ameen Al-Bahloly & Simon Salinas

Greeter: Janie Rivas

Altar Servers: Jeremy Daly & Kiersten Salinas

Sunday, July 23rd

Lector: (8:00 AM) Frank Westermann

Lector: (11:00 AM) Larry Karam

Ushers: Toufic Khalife,

Adriana Khalife & Marcel Noujeim

Greeters: Mariana Younes

Altar Server: Eddie Martinez, Dean Martinez,

Maroun Harb & Anthony Chebib

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SUNDAY JULY 16TH Qurbono (Liturgy) 8:00 and 11:00 AM Rosary at 10:40 AM

TUESDAY JULY 18TH 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. Adoration will re-sume at 6:00 PM and will conclude with the Ben-ediction of the Blessed Sacrament.

SUNDAY JULY 23RD Qurbono (Liturgy) 8:00 and 11:00 AM Rosary at 10:40 AM

BACK TO SCHOOL During the month of July, we would like to ask for donations of school supplies as part of our charity drive. The items can be dropped off in the church foyer or office.

ST. BRIGID YOUTH GROUP The youth group of St. Brigid is selling a cook-book to help them raise funds to travel to Canada for the Steubenville Youth Conference. If you would like to purchase a cookbook, you can con-tact St. Brigid church at 210-696-0896 or the youth group that will be at St. George on July 22 & 23.

DEEPEST SYMPATHY Our deepest sympathy to the family and friends of Alfred Hoffmann who passed away Saturday, July 8, 2017. Grant him rest O Lord and may Your perpetual light shine upon Him. Amen.

CHURCH GROUNDS & MAINTE-NANCE

We can use help! We will have a church grounds cleaning on Friday, July 21 and Sat-urday July 22, 2017. We will be power washing, repainting, and stenciling curbs around the church grounds. On both days, we will start at 8:30 AM so we can finish before it gets too hot. Power washing starts on Friday, July 21. On Sat-urday, July 22 at 8:30 AM, we will finish power washing, and begin cleaning the church (from the inside and outside), painting and stenciling the parking lot. We could use another power washer (we have 2) - and eager workers! Please call Tou-fic Khalife (310-9900) or Larry Monsour (651-4543) if you can help. Thanks for your support.

FAITH FORMATION MINISTRY Faith Formation Ministry, centered in Maronite spirituality and tradition, is for all children and teens ages 4-18. This year we are adding a class for adults. It is held every Sunday morning (except the last Sunday of the month) from 9:00-10:45 am in the MCC. Weekly announcements appear in this bulletin and by email to all regis-tered families. Everyone is welcome to attend. Please be advised: for parents seeking to enroll their children to receive First Communion, this is a two-year program taught in the 1st and 2nd grade classes with a well-established curriculum and qualified teachers. Registration will start on Sunday, August 27 after the 11:00 AM liturgy. Registration fees for one child are $35, and for two or more children $60. Please download the registration form through the Church’s website. Faith Formation classes will begin on Sunday, September 17. For addi-tional information, please contact Crystel Harb.

NAM AWARENESS The National Apostolate of Maronites (NAM) is the official lay Apostolate of the Eparchies of St. Maron of Brooklyn and Our Lady of Lebanon. Delegates Miriam Wells and Deborah Fernandez, the newly elected Regional Vice President of the Southern States, will be contacting you in hopes of renewing your membership or recruiting you as a new member. There are different options available for membership. It is important that we support this National Organization uniting the Maronite churches, priests and parishioners here in the United States. Make plans to attend the 55th annual NAM convention which will be held in Houston , July 11-14th, 2018. Consider be-coming a member of NAM today!

NIGHT IN BYBLOS Join Our Lady’s Maronite Parish in Austin for a magical Night in Byblos on Saturday, Sep. 9th at 6:30 pm! There will be a concert in the church followed by a 4-course Mediterranean dinner and dancing to the music of DJ George Chebib. Please contact Lillian at lillianl@grandecom.net or Maria at mgebara2@gmail.com for tickets and more information.

Community Life

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STEWARDSHIP Our Gift to God and our Church

LAS CORNER

Cookbooks for sale, $25.00 each.

August 15 - Feast of the Assumption August 27 - Bishop Michael Boulette Visit

LAS Lebanese Luncheon September 17 - Faith Formation Starts September 23 - Magic is the Night (Co-chair:

Lori and Bruce Mery) October 27-29 - Lebanese Food Festival (Co-

chair: Jackie Hill and George Chebib).

FROM POPE FRANCIS

How beautiful it is to see when young people are “street preachers”,

joyfully bringing Jesus to every street and every corner of the earth!

July 9, 2017 Month to date Year to date Our 2017 Goal

Regular Collection

$2,131.00

Online Donations

$250.00

$6,136.00 $98,567.00 $175,000.00

Overage/Shortage -$76,433.00

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

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

FAITH FORMATION CORNER

August 27 - Registration starts. September 17 - Catechetical Sunday.

Faith Formation classes start.

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St. Sharbel (Charbel) Makhloof

Joseph Makhlouf was born in 1828 at Beqa-Kafra, Lebanon. His peasant family lived a strong faith, were attentive to the Divine Liturgy, and had a great devotion to the Mother of God.

At the age of 23, Charbel (the name he chose when entering Novitiate) left his closely knit family to enter the Lebanese-Maronite Monastery called Notre-Dame de Mayfouk. Following studies and profession at St. Cyprian de Kfifane Monastery, he was ordained in 1859.

For the next seven years, Charbel lived in the mountainous community of Anaya. After that he spent the next twenty-three years in complete solitude at Sts. Peter and Paul Hermitage near Anaya. He died there on Christmas Eve, 1898.

Charbel had a reputation for his austerity, penances, obedience, and chastity. At times, Charbel was gifted with levitations during pray-er, and he had great devotion to the Most Blessed Sacrament.

In all things, Charbel maintained perfect serenity. He was beatified in 1965 by Pope Paul VI and can-onized by Pope John Paul II in 1977.

On May 8, 1828 in a mountain village of Beka'kafra, the highest village in the near-east, Charbel was born to a poor Maronite family. From childhood his life revealed a calling to "bear fruit as a noble Cedar of Lebanon". Charbel "grew in age and wisdom before God and men." At 23 years old he entered the monastery of Our Lady of Mayfouk (north of Byblos) where he became a novice. After two years of novitiate, in 1853, he was sent to St. Maron monastery where he pronounced the monastic vows of poverty, chastity and obedience. Charbel was then transferred to the monastery of Kfeifan where he studied philosophy and theology. His ordi-nation to the priesthood took place in 1859, after which he was sent back to St. Maron monastery. His teachers provided him with good education and nurtured within him a deep love for monastic life.

During his 19 years at St. Maron monastery, Charbel performed his priestly ministry and his monastic duties in an edifying way. He totally dedicated himself to Christ with undivided heart to live in silence before Nameless One. In 1875 Charbel was granted permission to live as a hermit nearby the monastery at St. Peter and Paul hermitage. His 23 years of solitary life were lived in a spirit of total abandonment to God.

Charbel's companions in the hermitage were the Sons of God, as encountered in the Scriptures and in the Eucharist, and the Blessed Mother. The Eucharist became the center of his life. He consumed the Bread of his Life and was consumed by it. Though this hermit did not have a place in the world, the world had a great place in his heart. Through prayer and penance he offered himself as a sacrifice so that the world would return to God. It is in this light that one sees the importance of the following Eucharistic prayer in his life:

"Father of Truth, behold Your Son a sacrifice pleasing to You, accept this offering of Him who died for me..."

On December 16, 1898 while reciting the "Father of Truth" prayer at the Holy Liturgy Charbel suffered a stroke. He died on Christmas Eve at the age of 70. Through faith this hermit received the Word of God and through love he continued the Ministry of Incarnation.

On the evening of his funeral, his superior wrote: "Because of what he will do after his death, I need not talk about his behavior". A few months after his death a bright light was seen surrounding his tomb. The superiors opened it to find his body still intact. Since that day a blood-like liquid flows from his body. Experts and doctors are unable to give medical explanations for the incorruptibility and flexibility. In the years 1950 and 1952 his tomb was opened and his body still had the appearance of a living one.

(Continued on page 7)

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(Continued from page 6)

The spirit of Charbel still lives in many people. His miracles include numerous healings of the body and of the spirit. Thomas Merton, the American Hermit, wrote in his journal: "Charbel lived as a hermit in Lebanon—he was a Maronite. He died. Everyone forgot about him. Fifty years later, his body was discovered incorrupt and in short time he worked over 600 miracles. He is my new companion. My road has taken a new turning. It seems to me that I have been asleep for 9 years—and before that I was dead."

At the closing of the Second Vatican Council, on December 5, 1965 Charbel was beatified by Pope Paul VI who said:

"...a hermit of the Lebanese mountain is inscribed in the number of the blessed...a new eminent mem-ber of monastic sanctity is enriching, by his example and his intercession, the entire Christian people... May he make us understand, in a world largely fascinated by wealth and comfort, the paramount value of poverty, pen-ance, and asceticism, to liberate the soul in its ascent to God..."

On October 9, 1977 during the World Synod of Bishops, Pope Paul VI canonized Blessed Charbel among the ranks of the Saints.

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