1. religion and spirituality
2. christianity
3. catholicism

ST. SHARBEL MARONITE CATHOLIC CHURCH
WARREN, MICHIGAN
SUNDAY OF THE ENTRANCE INTO LENT
MIRACLE AT CANA IN GALILEE - FEBRUARY 15, 2015
SAINT SHARBEL MARONITE
CATHOLIC CHURCH
31601 Schoenherr Road
Warren, Michigan 48088-1977
Email: stshar belwar r en@aol.com
Website: www.stshar belwar r en.com
Church Office: (586) 826-9688
Church Fax:
(586) 826-3521
PASTOR
Chorbishop Alfred Badawi
ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT
Dianne Bartolomeo
WEEKEND LITURGIES
Saturday: 4:00 PM
Sunday: 9:30 AM and 11:30 AM
FIRST SATURDAY DEVOTION AND PRAYERS
1st Saturday: 3:00 PM
ROSARY
2nd Wednesday at 12 Noon in Chapel
ST. SHARBEL FAMILY PRAYERS
22nd Day of Every Month: 6:30 PM
Liturgy at 7 PM [except on Saturday/Sunday]
Ash Monday Liturgy and Distribution of Ashes
February 16, 2015
9 AM 12 Noon 7 PM
CONFESSION: Available anytime upon request and one-half hour prior to Weekend Liturgies.
BAPTISM & CHRISMATION: You must be a registered and active member of this parish.
Please inform the Church Office
when your child is born. Arrangements should be made with the Church three (3) weeks in advance of the date you desire to have your
child Baptized and Chrismated. Godparents must be baptized, at least age 14 and must provide a letter of “Good Standing” from their
lawful pastor. If you have any questions, please make an appointment.
MARRIAGE:
You must be a registered member of this parish and fulfilling your financial obligations to the parish. Allow a minimum
of six months for all necessary preparations including pre-marriage sessions. The Code of Canons for the Oriental Churches (CCEO)
makes this time frame an absolute necessity. Exceptions will be made only for extreme, valid reasons. The couple to be married
should themselves contact the church prior to making any other arrangements.
SICK CALLS:
Please notify the Parish Office or one of the priests as soon as possible if a family member is in the hospital or nursing
home. Please also notify us if any family member is a shut-in.
NEW PARISHIONERS WELCOME!
Liturgies.
Register in the Chur ch Office dur ing r egular hour s or in the Sacr isty following Weekend
St. Sharbel Church, Warren
WEEKEND LITURGIES
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 14TH
4:00 pm— Mae Moses, by Family
4:00 pm— Raymond Moses, by Family
4:00 pm— Helen Shaker, by Family
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 15TH
9:30 am— Edna Migala, by Don & Chr istine Her ber t
9:30 am— Paul Hellow, by Ed and Ther ese O’Brien
9:30 am— Adele Samonie 3 Year Remembrance, by
Children & Grandchildren
9:30 am— John Samonie 18 Year Remembrance, by
Children & Grandchildren
11:30 am— Mariam Smaha Sakr 2 Year Remembrance, by Son,
Joseph and Daughter-In-Law, Nahla Sakr & Family
11:30 am—Antoine Sakr 13 Year Remembrance, by Son,
Joseph and Daughter-In-Law, Nahla Sakr & Family
11:30 am— Mahboub Eid 8 Year Remembrance, by Daughter and
Son-In-Law, Rima and Fadi Habib & Family
11:30 am— Steve Garmo, by Fadi and Rima Habib & Family
11:30 am— Faraj Fajou, by Fadi and Rima Habib & Family
11:30 am— Georgette Fajou, by Fadi and Rima Habib & Family
11:30 am— Yousef Maroun El-Sayeh, by Family
11:30 am— George and Mary Ann Sassin, by Pastor
1:00 pm— Baptism George James Sassin
WEEKDAY LITURGIES
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 16TH
ASH MONDAY
9:00 am— Helen Shaker, by Family
12:00 pm— Theresa Simon Special Intentions, by Pastor
7:00 pm— Antoine Hawilo, by Pastor
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 17TH
9:00 am— Samuel Roukoz Sfire, by Pastor
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 18TH
NO LITURGY
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 19TH
NO LITURGY
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 20TH
6:30 pm— Living and Deceased Members of Mr. & Mrs.
Ike and Roxanne Allam Family, by Pastor
7:00 pm— Stations and Benediction of The Holy Cross
WEEKEND LITURGIES
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 21ST
4:00 pm— Rena Farah Taylor, by Cousin, Dr . Paul and Mr s.
Linda Thomas
4:00 pm— Gordon Paul, by Don and Mar lene Paul
4:00 pm— Joanne Coules Special Intentions, by Family
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 22ND
9:30 am— Josephine Michael 40 Day Remembrance, by Sons
9:30 am— John Abdella 2 Year Remembrance, by Maribeth Koss
and Family
9:30 am— John Harb, by The Solomon and Hazkial Families
11:30 am— Louis Joseph, by Family
11:30 am— Virgil Medley, by Family
11:30 am— Michael Gabriel, by Family
12:30 pm— Prayers of Family of Saint Sharbel
COLLECTION
February 8, 2015 - $5,418.00
May God bless you in return for your generosity
and support of your parish!
Page Two
READERS FOR:
Sat., February 14th 4:00 pm
John Cafagna
Sun., February 15th 9:30 am
Kimberly Ejbeh
Sun., February 15th 11:30 am
Joseph Sakr,, Jr. - English
Pauline Saba - Arabic
READERS FOR:
Sat., February 21st 4:00 pm
Dixie Hunrath
Sun., February 22nd 9:30 am
Maribeth Koss
Sun., February 23nd 11:30 am
Simon Mourani - English
Mirna Mourani - Arabic
GREAT SEASON OF LENT
LENT BEGINS MONDAY, FEBRUARY 16th
Lent begins this week and it is devoted to the Passion
of Our Lord. One form of observance is to pray before
the Stations of the Cross in church and meditate on
Jesus’ walk to Calvary.
February 16 – Ash Monday. The fir st day of Lent.
Ashes from the burnt palms of the previous Hosanna
Sunday are blessed and placed on the forehead as a
sign of penance. Lent is our chance to amend our
ways and become “new” at Easter.
ASH MONDAY
Monday, February 16th is Ash Monday, a day of total
fast and abstinence. Holy Mass will be offered at 9:00
AM, 12 NOON and at 7:00 PM, and ashes will be
blessed at the three (3) Masses.
LENTEN REGULATIONS
Abstinence from meat and meat products is observed on
Ash Monday and all Fridays of Great Lent. Abstinence is
binding on everyone over the age of fourteen years.
Fasting from food and drink (except water and medicine)
is observed from Midnight until Noon on Ash Monday
and Good Friday. Fasting is binding on everyone
between the ages of eighteen and sixty years. Those
unable to fast due to ill health must perform other
penances and works of charity; like regularly attending
daily Mass, Stations/Benediction of the Cross and making charitable donations. Weddings are not celebrated
during Lent.
LENTEN DEVOTIONS
On the Fridays of Great Lent, the daily Mass will be
celebrated at 6:30 PM, followed by the Stations/
Benediction of the Cross.
A GREAT LENTEN MEAL… will be held every
Friday of Lent from 5:00 pm till 6:15 PM and from 8 PM
till 9:30 PM. Please join us and break bread with your
follow family members, parishioners and friends.
St. Sharbel Church, Warren
Page Three
OPEN DOORS...WELCOME!
Over the past few weeks, I have been overwhelmed with the outpouring of support I have
received from many local churches and pastors. I especially want to thank the Rev. George
Shalhoub, pastor of St. Mary Antiochian Basilica in Livonia, the Rev. Michel Cheble, pastor of
Our Lady of Redemption Melkite Catholic Church in Warren, and the Rev. Bogdan Milosz of
St. Faustina Catholic Church in Warren, MI. Thank you for your generous open heart and open
doors to myself and the parishioners of St. Sharbel Church during our upcoming time of
transition. I have spoken with and met with each of them who have expressed their brotherhood
and charity to help keep our community in spiritual union and prayer during the upcoming
months. Your hospitality is deeply appreciated.
Dear Father Alfred and Members and Officials of St. Sharbel Community. This is an
invitation to offer you our home, our church, to be open for your needs for any liturgical
or sacramental use. Please let us know and a key will be given to you.
Your brother,
Fr. George Shalhoub
FRIDAY LENTEN DINNERS
As the season of Lent draws near, so do thoughts of our annual Friday Lenten Dinners.
These will begin on Friday, February 20th through Friday, March 27th, served 5 PM - 6:15
PM and again from 8 PM - 9:30 PM.
Individuals, families, organizations/clubs and businesses
are being sought to sponsor our Lenten Dinners. If you or
your group would like to be a sponsor, please contact the
Parish Office or see Chorbishop Alfred.
The food will be prepared by a different restaurant each
Friday. We are also asking for donations of sweets and
desserts. If you are willing to assist with these,
please contact the Parish Office.
The following are the Fridays of the Lenten Dinners and current sponsors:
Friday, February 20th - Ike’s Restaurant
Friday, February 27th - In Loving Memory of Steve Garmo, Georgette Habib Fajou,
and Faraj Habib Fajou by Vilda Garmo & Family
Friday, March 6th
- Elie’s Restaurant of Birmingham
Friday, March 13th
- La Saj Lebanese Bistro
Friday, March 20th
- Please call if interested
Friday, March 27th
- Please call if interested
Volunteers are also needed to help serve. Please see Sign-up Sheet in the Gathering Room.
St. Sharbel Church, Warren
Page Four
Those who need our prayers
Akl Abiragi
Elizabeth Abraham
Sadie Abraham
Jeanette Aesy
Lou Albert
Zina Bassil
Benjamin Benjamin
Dominic Bologna
Mary Bringer
Paul Burch
Amira Butrise
Baby Jaxon Carlson
Lawanda Davey
Nemo Dawood
Delores Eggen
Alice Fay Elias
Paul Elias
Samira El Khoury
Natalie Epstein
Patricia Farrar
Joseph Ferrante
Terry Francis
Anna Elias Gleason
Gerald Grazadzinski
Ilene Grobbel
Sylvia Grobbel
John Grzadzinski
George Hanna
Youssef Issa Hattar
Don Herbert
Newborn John Hopper III
Georgette Kaddo
Jacob Hirmz
Joseph Jacob
Barbara John
Edward & Suham John
Louis Jolet
Jason, Joseph &
Jeffrey,
Randa & Ashton
Najat Kalil
Lena Kanan
Marlene Khames
Michael Kosinski
Antowan Kriam
Michael Kriam
Janice Kroll
Agnes Langschied
Al Latouf
Teresa Logan
Matt Lomasney
Mary Ann Lucas
Raphael Malkoun
Aldo Marchesi
Silvio Marchesi
Saher Marry
Joe Mattar
Maureen McKernan
Tony Michael
Brian Miller
Peter Moffett Jr.
Elizabeth Moore
Anne Nader
Rose Nader
Genevieve Nicholas
Tony Nofar
Dolores Pustelny
Sonia Ragland
John Rubel
Lorraine Rubel
Salwan and Son, Sam
Hiyam Salim
Jamila Shina
Silvana
Theresa Simon
Christine Najor Smith
Emily Toma
Victoria Toma
Deborah Tosolt
Tringali Family
Laura Turkaly
Daniel Warren
Jad Yacoub
Dear God, we place all our intentions in your hands.
We place our sick under your care and humbly ask
that you restore your servants to health once more…..Amen.
St. Sharbel Church, Warren
UPCOMING EVENTS/MEETINGS
February 13-15
February 15
February 15
February 16
February 20
February 22
March 14
MYO Retreat
LAS Meeting 10:30 am
Men’s Club Meeting 10:30 am
Ash Monday - Lent Begins
Friday Lenten Dinners begin 5 PM
Prayers of Family of St. Sharbel following
11:30 AM Mass
St. Sharbel Church Lenten Retreat
2015 ANNUAL BISHOP’S APPEAL
Dear Parishioners and Friends of Saint Sharbel,
As we are beginning our annual penitential journey of Great Lent, it
is also the time for our Annual Maronite Bishop’s Appeal. The
quota for our parish this year is $14,000.00. Last year it was
$12,900.00. Based upon past years, each parishioner is asked to
contribute between $35 to $50 in order to reach our goal. If we do
not meet the goal, we will have to make up the difference out of our
general collections. Last year we were short of $1,600.00. I know
that some of you are experiencing hard times, while some of you are
doing well financially. So, I am asking you to give what you can
afford, whether it is less or more than the suggested amount. The
Lord will bless you for whatever you are able to give. Please
remember that the poor economy also means that there is a greater
need for the charitable works supported by the Bishop’s Appeal.
Bishop Elias Zadain’s personal appeal will be mailed out from the
Chancery Office directly to your home. Please take the time to read
it. Also for your convenience a pre-addressed remittance envelope
will be included, which may be either placed in the collection basket
or mailed to the Church Office. Checks should be made payable to
Saint Sharbel Maronite Church. This contribution will appear on
your parish contribution record for 2015 and is tax deductible. Please
give what God has put on your heart to give. Thanking you for your
continued generosity and support.
2015 Eparchial Assessments $28,000.00
2015 Eparchial Appeal $14,000.00
2015 Property Insurance Catholic Mutual Group $27,000.00
2015 Clergy Health Insurance and Retirement $19,800.00
CONFESSIONS DURING LENT
You are encouraged to approach the
Sacrament of Reconciliation during this season
of Lent. Catholics MUST go to confession at
least once a year. However, confession is a
sacrament that we should receive frequently
throughout the year in order to examine our
lives and
consciences, be repentant of our
sins before God, and be cleansed and restored
to a state of grace. This is also a sacrament of
healing of the affects of sin in our lives, which affects all our
relationship, especially that with our Lord. Do not miss this great
opportunity to encounter the unfathomable mercy of God.
A schedule of Lenten confession dates and times will appear next
week. As always, confessions are heard 1/2 hour before the
beginning of weekend Masses.
MARK YOUR CALENDARS!
A spiritually enriching and uplifting Lenten Retreat will be held on
Saturday, March 14th from 9 am - 3 pm at St. Shar bel Chur ch.
Our retreat masters will be Deacon John Sfire and Bobbi Sfire. There
will be separate sessions for men and women. Please save the date
and prepare to attend this wonderful opportunity during Lent!
Page Five
PASTOR’S CORNER
Dear Parishioners and Friends of St. Sharbel Community,
Anyone giving a party tries to figure out how many people to
expect and will try to prepare enough food and beverages to make
sure everyone will be satisfied. No one wants to be embarrassed
by running out of food. On the other hand, no one wants to pay
for food that will be wasted. There are personalities that take
great delight in the mistakes and shortcomings of others. There
are personalities that come to life trying to rescue people who are
experiencing the consequences of their mistakes and shortcomings. In various ways both personalities are trying to find
fulfillment in what they are doing. To find fulfillment we cannot
find it in rejoicing in imperfections or mistakes of others. God
does not take joy in our pains and hurts. He did come to rescue us
and fulfill us. He rescues us with our obedience to Him, doing
what He tells us.
Very often He does it through others. Sometimes an ignorant
person who is trying to help others can be dangerous. The line
where we are enabling and crippling a person to stay dependent
in areas where they should be independent and self supportive is
not an easy line to see, especially for parents. Jesus can take
what is empty, fill it with what is ordinary, and change it into
something extraordinary. Mary was a rescuer in this story. She
knew that their hosts would be embarrassed that they were
running out of wine. She also knew that if she didn’t say
something, they were going to run out, and she knew who to talk
to about the dilemma.
We need to do the same thing. When we can do something that
will save someone an embarrassment, we need to do it. However,
there are times when we should not. The person to talk to is still
Jesus. Sometimes it is not time for Him to do it, and sometimes it
is. This miracle happened because all involved were obedient.
Mary told them the right thing, “Obey Jesus.” The waiters did the
right thing; they obeyed Jesus. It is the right thing for us also.
Obedience rightly understood is fulfillment, our emptiness is
transformed, and life becomes filled with a rich flavor of joy.
This is because when it comes to what God wants for us, it is
motivated by immense love.
God is always creating and planning ways for us to grow and
drink from His wisdom to find peace and joy. Jesus did not tell
everyone He was going to make the best tasting wine tonight, and
then give the directions. Sometimes without knowing how and
why we just simply have to listen, do what seems ordinary, like
put water in empty water jars. We have to be willing to taste and
trust the words of Jesus to give us what we need. God’s plans are
always better than our own. If you are like me, you still find it
hard to do at times, especially if you are hurt, and holding on to
the pain or fear of embarrassment. In the end, His words, His
plans will bring you to deep feelings of praise and thankfulness to
Him.
LITURGY INTENTIONS FOR THE PARISHIONERS
The pastor is obliged by church law to celebrate Liturgy for his
parishioners on all major feast days and at least 12 other times
during the liturgical year. These celebrations are to be celebrated
on the weekend or the day of the major feast. This is why you
will sometimes see the intention for a Sunday Liturgy as being
for the parishioners. We usually have other requested Liturgy
intentions. But I must fulfill my obligation as your pastor to pray
for you and your intentions. I invite you to join me on those
Sundays to pray for one another, the needs of our parish, and for
those most in need of our prayer.
In Christ,
Chorbishop Alfred Badawi