Dear brothers and sisters, members, friends and supporters of Holy Family Maronite Church,    

Greetings to all of you. During this last month of May, Holy Family celebrated Mother’s Day with a spectacular, elegant, stylish, rich and colorful High Tea! The MYA and MYO organized and served a five course luncheon for nearly 73 attendees, the majority from the parish community. We prayed for all mothers and ladies of the parish, appreciating and recognizing their great contribution to our community.

On Sunday May 17, two of our children received their First Holy Communion at Holy Family. The Holy First Communion children, Simona Frederickson and Kenneth Abbott, their parents and siblings, had a special participation in the liturgy in the readings, petitions, presentation of the gifts and sharing of peace. The Faith Formation teachers in charge, Nikki Abbott and Michele Kloncz, worked with unending dedication and commitment the entire year preparing our children in faith and religion. I thank the teachers and the committed parents for encouraging their children in attending these classes and Sunday Masses. Holy Family takes this opportunity to thank the Faith Formation team, for preparing the parish children, ages 6 to 12, with a special focus on First Communion and Confirmation Sacraments for those age 12. The children received a basket of memorable gifts including a bible, candle, Rosary, certificate, and Cross. In addition, there was a breakfast prepared specifically for the children. Faith Formation classes will resume in the fall. Please contact Nikki, Michele or Fr. Emmanuel, ASAP, to ensure your children are registered. Children in second grade, or preparing for First Communion, must attend classes in order to make their First Communion.

 We thank John Corey and the MYO team for leading our MYO, ages 12 to 17, and working year-long with dedication and commitment on a weekly basis. We thank all who continue to support our youth so they may participate in the activities and we commend the MYO for their hard work in fundraising throughout the year to offset some of the expenses. John Corey and team is preparing the beautiful annual summer youth camp in August. It is an opportunity for our children to bond together and learn more about their faith, heritage, history and tradition. Don’t let your children miss it.

 I also thank on your behalf, again and again, the altar staff, lay deacons and readers, altar servers and parents, choir members, organists and our broadcasting team. All of them demonstrate their dedication and commitment through their actions. On behalf of Holy Family Church we thank you for your generosity, support, participation, dedication and commitment to your church, and may the Lord grant you health, peace and joy. Your participation and support makes a huge difference and never goes unnoticed or forgotten. Your support is appreciated now more than ever. God bless you and your families and children and keep you safe and healthy.

Saturday, June 13, is the Feast day of Saint Anthony of Padua. May his prayers be with all of us. On Sunday, June 21, we will celebrate Father’s Day. We pray for all the fathers in the community, the living and the deceased. With the intercession of Saint Joseph, patron of the Holy Family, may the Lord bestow his blessings and mercy on all of them. A gesture of appreciation will be handed to the beloved fathers in the community. Wednesday, June 24 will mark the feast of the birth of Saint John the Baptist, in the solar calendar. We will celebrate it at 9:00 AM liturgy that day. Monday, June 29, is the Feast of Saints Peter and Paul. Based on the New Testament text in the Acts of the Apostles regarding the Conversion of Saint Paul on the way to Damascus, we are told his baptism occurred in Damascus, a few days later by Hanania, the head of the first Christian community of Syria in Damascus.

The National Apostolate of Maronites (NAM) Convention will be held this year in San Diego, California, from Thursday, July 2, through Sunday, July 5. Hundreds of Maronite families, individuals and groups from across the U.S., will gather for 4 days in a very friendly and welcoming atmosphere. Our Holy Family representatives to the NAM are Annemarie Schwery and Sarah Josephs and other MYA members so far. Registrations are still on. To register, purchase an ad, buy raffle tickets, donate to the silent auction or reserve an exhibit table, please visit www.namnews.org or send an email to info@namnews.org.

I was asked by some of you about the annual Lenten Eparchial Appeal Church contribution. It resulted to be approximately $50.00 per contributing member. Thank you to our dedicated donors for your generosity in making this small contribution of $50.00 for this year to Holy Family. 

Please remember in your prayers: all the sick and the suffering in the community. God bless, heal and strengthen them.

Thank you to all donors who keep donating to Caritas Lebanon. The U.S. Caritas Lebanon office sends the donations d from all donors in the U.S. to Lebanon one or twice a month. Caritas Lebanon assists hundreds of thousands of needy people in Lebanon. Caritas sends the donations and keeps us informed about them. The recipients have even notified us about receiving the donations. Your church annual donations receipt includes these donations, since they are made through the church. Thanks again one more time for your thoughts and prayers and actions.

Yours in Christ Jesus,

Father Emmanuel, Pastor +