The Vine الكرمة

1. The Vine الكرمة Sunday of the Paralytic Our Lady of Peace - Calgary Our Lady of Good Help - Edmonton MARCH 2009 Day 22: Saint Serge Paul & Pope Leo the IX. Day 23: Saint Rafqa, a Lebanese nun (1832-1914) Day 24: Saint Artamon, bishop of Selokia Day 25:Announcement to Mary Day 26: Gabriel, the angel & The thief crucified on Jesus’ right Day 27: Metrona, (female) martyr & Saint Bembo Day 28: Martyrs: Philanos, his wife Lidia, and their two children. Rev. Fr. Esper Antoun Rev. Fr. Michel Kassas Pastor Pastor Our Lady of Peace Our Lady of Good Help 504, 30th Ave. N.W 9809, 76th Avenue Calgary, AB T2M 2N6 Edmonton, AB T6E 1K6 Phone: 403-289-8954 Phone: 780-433-8571

2. Sunday of the Paralytic A Reading from the letter of St. Paul to the Timothy. (1 Timothy 5:24-6:5) Some people's sins are public, preceding them to judgment; but other people are followed by their sins. Similarly, good works are also public; and even those that are not cannot remain hidden. Those who are under the yoke of slavery must regard their masters as worthy of full respect, so that the name of God and our teaching may not suffer abuse. Those whose masters are believers must not take advantage of them because they are brothers but must give better service because those who will profit from their work are believers and are beloved. Whoever teaches something different and does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the religious teaching is conceited, understanding nothing, and has a morbid disposition for arguments and verbal disputes. From these come envy, rivalry, insults, evil suspicions, and mutual friction among people with corrupted minds, who are deprived of the truth, supposing religion to be a means of gain. Praise be to God always. A Reading from the Holy Gospel according to St. Mark, (Mark 2:1-12) When Jesus returned to Capernaum after some days, it became known that he was at home. Many gathered together so that there was no longer room for them, not even around the door, and he preached the word to them. They came bringing to him a paralytic carried by four men. Unable to get near Jesus because of the crowd, they opened up the roof above him. After they had broken through, they let down the mat on which the paralytic was lying. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, "Child, your sins are forgiven." Now some of the scribes were sitting there asking themselves, "Why does this man speak that way? He is blaspheming. Who but God alone can forgive sins?" Jesus immediately knew in his mind what they were thinking to themselves, so he said, "Why are you thinking such things in your hearts? Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Rise, pick up your mat and walk'? But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority to forgive sins on earth"-- he said to the paralytic, "I say to you, rise, pick up your mat, and go home." He rose, picked up his mat at once, and went away in the sight of everyone. They were all astounded and glorified God, saying, "We have never seen anything like this."This is the Truth, Peace be with you.

3. Sunday of the Paralytic Holy Week Program for Our Lady of Good Help Parish * Passion Monday April the 6th, 2009 Holy Mass + Procession of the Cross at 7:00 pm * Passion Tuesday April the 7th, 2009 Holy Mass + Procession of the Cross at 7:00 pm * Passion Wednesday April the 8th, 2009 Holy Mass +Right of the Lamp at 7:00 pm * Thursday of the Mysteries April the 9th, 2009 Washing of the feet at 7:00 pm Great Friday of the Crucifixion April the 10th, 2009 Signing of the Chalice at 10:00 am Adoration of the Cross at 6:00 pm Great Saturday of the Light April the 11th, 2009 Holy Mass at 12:00 Noon Great Sunday of the Resurrection April the 12th, 2009 Midnight Mass at 12:00 am English Mass at 10:00 am Arabic Mass at 11:00 am Monday April the 13th, 2009 English Mass at 10:00 am Arabic Mass at 11:00 am Saint Rafqa was born in Himlaya, one of the villages of Northern Metn near Bikfaya, on June 29th, 1832. She was the only child of Saber El-Choboq El Rayess and Rafqa Gemayel. On July 7th, 1832, she was baptized and named Boutroussieh. Boutroussieh became a novice on St Maroun feast day, February 9 1855 She pronounced her religious vows in 1856 in Ghazir. On the 23rd of March 1914, supplied with the Holy Sacrament, she called upon Jesus, the Virgin Mary and St. Joseph, then she rested in peace after a life of prayer, service and years of unbearable pain. She was beatified as Blessed Rafqa on November 17, 1985 and canonized as Saint Rafqa on 10 June 2001 in both instances by His Holiness Pope John Paul II In 1885 Our Lady of Good Help – Edmonton Our Lady of Peace – Calgary www.mcparish.org www.mcparishcalgary.org

4. Sunday of the Paralytic Our deepest Condolences who believes in me if died will survive (John 11:1-44) Sunday 22nd of March 2009 at 11:00 am Forty (40) Memorial Mass Mr. Elias Sassine Father of Mrs. Najwa wife of Mr. Francis Mechaalani Mrs.Youmna wife of Mr. Bassam Mounsef Sunday 29th of March 2009 at 5:00 pm Forty (40) Memorial Mass Mr. Mtanios Issa Father of Mrs. Rima wife of Mr. Joseph Akle Catechises Classes Our Lady of Good Help Parish will start the Catechises classes for all children on the New Sunday the 19th of April 2009 at 11:40 am. We ask all the parents to please cooperate with us and register their children. There will be a sheet in the front of the Church and one in the back of the Church. Or Contact Father Michel. The Ladies of the Sorority will start cooking and preparing the Easter cookies (Maamoul) please we ask all the parishioners to encourage them and start placing orders or to contact Mrs. Marie Rose El- Cid & Mrs. Antoinette Estephan. Thank you in advance Decorated Palm Sunday Candles will be on sale next Sunday for $ 10 Quantities are limited The Hall of the Church will be run by the Good Help Society All eventswill be charged separate from the Church First Communion will be celebrated on the 1st week of June. Saturday the 6th of June 2009 at 5:00 pm at Our Lady of Good Help Church There will be a sheet for the readings on the front table. Please, who is interesting to read in English or in Arabic during the coming Masses let him sign his name.