Dear brothers and sisters in Jesus our Lord,    

Greetings and peace. I hope that each of you is doing well as we enter the month of February. I am always grateful to see that neither cold, nor snow, nor ice prevent you from coming to church to attend Divine Liturgy and participate in our many activities for children, youth, adults, and the elderly. All parishioners are warmly invited to attend Sunday Liturgy and to observe the Day of the Lord, as commanded in the Ten Commandments. For those who are sick, elderly, distant, or living out of town, we continue to provide live broadcasting of Sunday Liturgies so that everyone may remain spiritually connected and able to show their support.

The month of January was a busy one for the Church and for me personally. Following New Year’s Day, the clergy of the Eparchy of Our Lady of Lebanon of Los Angeles, held their annual retreat at the Franciscan Center in Phoenix from January 12 to 16. The retreat gathered priests, chorbishops, monsignors, and deacons together with Bishop Elias. The clergy who have served or visited Holy Family of Saint Paul send you their love and prayers.

At the beginning of this year, our Parish Council experienced a transition. We sincerely thank Tony Koury, III, for his six years of dedicated service as a council member and wish him and his family many blessings as they relocate to another state. At the same time, we warmly welcome Karen Yazbeck Mahoney, who has accepted the invitation to join the council and serve the mission of the Church. On your behalf, I thank all council members for their dedication and commitment, especially during this important time of growth and future expansion. This is a beautiful expression of participation in building our parish community.

On Wednesday, January 28, a wonderful group of fourteen members of the Holy Family Ladies Society visited Vivian Coury at her residence in Wisconsin. The group shared lunch and spent meaningful time together. It was a joyful and uplifting visit enjoyed by all.

The month of February is marked by several important celebrations:

• Feast of the Presentation of Our Lord in the Temple – actual day is Monday, February 2, with the observance held on Sunday, February 1, including the Blessing of Candles. The faithful are invited to take a blessed candle home as a reminder of Christ, the Light of the World.

• Feast of Saint Maron – celebrated on Monday, February 9. Saint Maron (350–410 AD) is the Patron Saint of the Maronite Catholic Church, which was formally structured under the first Maronite Patriarch, Saint John Maron, around 686 AD, in full communion with the Catholic Church. On this occasion, we congratulate our sister parish of Saint Maron in Minneapolis and Chorbishop Sharbel, and we ask for Saint Maron’s prayers for all of us.

• Feast of Saint Valentine, the Martyr – celebrated on February 14. Saint Valentine is honored as the patron of Christian marital love between a man and a woman who seek to form a Christian family rooted in Catholic faith. According to Sacred Scripture and Church teaching, marriage is a sacred union between a man and a woman, following the example of Adam and Eve and the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph.

The Season of Lent begins this year on Ash Monday, February 16. The Blessing and Distribution of Ashes will take place at 9:00 AM and 6:00 PM.

A Lenten Retreat Series of three Saturdays will be offered during Lent by Fr. George Younes, following Saturday Liturgy in March. And of course, we look forward to our beloved Lenten Dinners every Friday of Lent.

In the Maronite tradition, Lent follows a weekly liturgical cycle and includes Holy Week, making the season approximately fifty days. The Church invites the faithful to fast on Ash Monday and during Holy Week—especially Good Friday— and to abstain from meat on Wednesdays and Fridays. This practice expresses solidarity with the poor and needy and invites us to share our sacrifices through acts of charity, food drives, or direct assistance. Fasting is also a spiritual discipline that fosters humility, repentance, and preparation for the Passion and Crucifixion of our Lord, in accordance with the teaching of Saint Paul, that we share in Christ’s suffering so that we may also share in His eternal glory.

I strongly encourage parents and families to involve their children in three essential parish activities: Altar Serving, Faith Formation and MYO programs, and volunteering in parish events. These experiences help children grow spiritually, build friendships, and develop a sense of responsibility and commitment to the Church.

The Holy Family Parish sincerely thanks all parishioners and friends for their continued generosity, participation, and dedication. Your support sustains our mission and allows us to move forward with confidence toward a future expansion. I am deeply grateful to all volunteers and ministry teams who generously offer their time and talents. Your trust and commitment have strengthened our parish both spiritually and financially. For those seeking ways to contribute, one meaningful practice is to offer the equivalent of one hour of work income weekly or monthly to support the Church. Please also remember your parish in your will, as prayers and remembrance are a gift that continues beyond our earthly lives.

Thank you for your faith, love, and dedication.

With prayers and blessings,

Father Emmanuel, Pastor +

Copyright (c) 2026 Holy Family Maronite Church, Mendota Height, MN 55118 (v.26.2.a)