The Vine الكرمة

1. The Vine الكرمة First Sunday after Christmas Visit of the Magi Our Lady of Peace - Calgary Our Lady of Good Help - Edmonton December 2008/ January 2009 Day 28: Saint Marina, known as Margaret the martyr Day 29: The children of Bethlehem, martyrs Day 30: Anisia, martyr & Saint Theodora Day 31: Saint Zotikos Jan 1: The circumcision of Our Lord Jesus Christ  Jan 2: St Silvestrus the first, Pope of Rome  Jan 3: The Prophet Mika/ Malachi & St Gregory the Martyr Rev. Fr. Esper Antoun - Pastor Deacon Michel Kassas – Assistant 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. First Sunday after Christmas Visit of the Magi A Reading from the letter of St. Paul to the Revelation (Revelation 21:9-10, 21-27)The New Jerusalem Brothers and Sisters: Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls full of the seven last plagues came and said to me, “Come, I will show you the bride, the wife of the Lamb.” And in the spirit he carried me away to a great, high mountain and showed me the holy city Jerusalem coming down out of heaven from God. And the twelve gates are twelve pearls, each of the gates is a single pearl, and the street of the city is pure gold, transparent as glass. I saw no temple in the city, for its temple is the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb. And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God is its light, and its lamp is the Lamb. The nations will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their glory into it. Its gates will never be shut by day — and there will be no night there. People will bring into it the glory and the honor of the nations. But nothing unclean will enter it, nor anyone who practices abomination or falsehood, but only those who are written in the Lamb’s book of life. Praise be to God always! Intercession Prayers On the day of Visit of the Magi, and the announcement of the great joy, the earth lifts up the prayers toward heaven with the intentions of the shepherds of your Church, Our Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI (Sixteenth), Mar Nasrallah Peter our Patriarch of Antioch, Mar Joseph our Bishop, with all those who keep watch over the flock of Jesus. May they forget their fear and always protect the flame of Christmas. We pray to the Lord. On the day of Visit of the Magi, and the rejoicing hymns of praise on earth, we pray, for the intention of all the political and spiritual leaders. May they work for the glory of God so we can have the peace of heaven on earth and all nations will live in God’s mercy and salvation? We pray to the Lord. On the day of Visit of the Magi, and in the holiday rush and happiness, we pray especially with the poor and the needy, and those who are grieving. May we remember them during the holiday feasts and the exchange of gifts and wishes? We pray to the Lord. On the day of Visit of the Magi, we ask Mother Mary to wipe away the pain off the hearts of those who cannot enjoy Christmas because of their illness. We pray to the Lord.

3. First Sunday after Christmas Visit of the Magi A Reading from the Holy Gospel according to St. Matthew (Matthew 2:1-12) The Apostle said: In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, asking, “Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage.” When King Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him; and calling together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it has been written by the prophet: ‘And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who is to shepherd my people Israel.’” Then Herod secretly called for the wise men and learned from them the exact time when the star had appeared. Then he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child; and when you have found him, bring me word so that I may also go and pay him homage.” When they had heard the king, they set out; and there, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen at its rising, until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for their own country by another road. This is the Truth, Peace be with you. Our Lady of Good Help – Edmonton Our Lady of Peace – Calgary www.mcparish.org www.mcparishcalgary.org

4. First Sunday after Christmas Visit of the Magi Our Lady of Peace Parish Calgary & Our Lady of Good Help Parish Edmonton wish you a Happy New Year “2009” full of Joy and happiness with the Blessing of Our Lord Jesus Christ