Bulletin for Sunday 28 June 2015--Fifth Sunday after Pentecost

SAINT JOSEPH THE BETROTHED

Melkite-Greek Catholic CHURCH

725 W. Mt. Hope Ave, Lansing, MI 48910                             517-575-6264

FMailing Address:  921 Westover Circle, Lansing, MI 48917E

Website:  www.MelkiteChurch.org            Facebook:  www.facebook.com/MelkiteChurchLansing

Rev. Father James K. Graham, Pastor                                    frjamie@earthlink.net

Rev. Protodeacon Joseph Daratony                                                              248-719-5169

Phone or email Fr James with items for the bulletin by Thursday night.

Troparion of the Apostles Peter and Paul (Tone 4)

O Peter and Paul, higher in rank than any other apostle, teachers of the world,

intercede with the Master of All that He may give peace to the world and great mercy to us all.

28 June 2015—Fifth Sunday after Pentecost.  Transfer of the Remains of the Holy Unmercenary Physicians Cyrus and John.  (Tone 4)

Readings    Apostolos:  Romans 10:1-10                                                                                       Gospel:  Matthew 8:28-9:1

10:30 am    Orthros (Morning Prayer)

11 am          Divine Liturgy of St John Chrysostom for the health and salvation of Theresa Ramsey, George El-Hage, Cameron Maldonado, Nadia Badawi, Fares Eid, Maroun Daher, Dennis Flint, Eleanora Lindo, Max, Angel, Simone, Mikayla Slocum, Samira El-Chaer, Awatef Chahine, Raymond Rashid, Bonita Saba, Griffin Barna, Jim Covello, David Georges, Elias Atallah, Ralph Farhat, Robert Kuri, Pam Nakfoor, Isaac Salim, Iva Butler, Alessandra, BJ & Liz, Cam, Janice, Jeanne, Wayne, Lucy Palmer, Kelsey, Kathleen Edwards, Edgar & Katherine Fickenscher, Kamal & Eugenie Neimat, Clay Thomas, Michael Maslowski, Elaine & Eva-Genevieve Scarborough, Antonio Carvalho, Elias Haggar, Marie Dahdouh, Dn. Joe & Marge Daratony, Fr Joseph Haggar, Fr Damon Geiger, Fr James Babcock, Fr Basil Samra, Fr Maximos, Dn. Robert Spencer, Dn. Daniel Klockowski; in memory of Nickolas Nakfoor (Adel & Nadia Badawi), and Louis Zarka (Louise Shaheen).

4 July 2015—Great Vespers, 6 pm.

5 July 2015—Sixth Sunday after Pentecost.  Holy Father Athanasios of Athos, Holy Wonderworker Lampados, and Holy Woman Martha, Mother of Simeon the Hermit.  (Tone 5)

Readings    Apostolos:  Romans 12:6-14                                                                                              Gospel:  Matthew 9:1-8

10:30 am    Orthros (Morning Prayer)

11 am          Divine Liturgy of St John Chrysostom in memory of Nickolas Nakfoor (Linda & George Snyder), Louis Zarka (Nick & Vera Saade), Rose Hakim, and Carl Naluai.

Music for Today

1. Troparion of the Resurrection in Tone 4, Liturgikon, page 187.
2. Troparion of the Martyrs Cyrus & John, in Tone 5.
3. Troparion of St Joseph, in Tone 4, page 30A.
4. Kontakion of the Theotokos, in Tone 2, page 31.
    
   Read the Bulletin and Homily on our Website
   The bulletin and the homily for each Sunday are posted on our parish website, www.MelkiteChurch.org, every week, for reference and (we hope) inspiration.  Remind those who don’t come to church to check the website.
   Our Offerings to the Lord
   The collection taken in the Liturgy is part of our worship.  We offer the Lord our lives, our prayers, our gifts of bread and wine, and our financial gifts.  Last Sunday, about 85 people attended the Liturgy.  Our offering totalled $1106 in the ordinary collection, $20 for a liturgy intention, and $15.50 for candles.  Not everyone can make an equal gift, but everyone can make an equal sacrifice.  Please make a generous sacrifice to support your church in proportion to the many blessings God has given you.
   NAMY Conference Begins Today
   The annual conference of our diocese-wide National Association of Melkite Youth begins this afternoon at the Colombiere Retreat in Clarkston, MI, and end on Thursday 2 July.  Eight teens from our parish will attend, with Dalida Raad and Fr James as adult advisors.  They have been working hard on their skit about the conference theme, which is Jesus’ question to His disciples, “Who do you say that I am?” from the Gospel of Matthew, chapter 16, verse 15.  We have special NAMY t-shirts designed by Elias Eid and Piere Khouri, which the conference-goers will wear for a group photo today.  We will leave after the Divine Liturgy and social hour to drive to the conference.
   Parish Pastoral Council Will Meet on Monday 6 July
   This month’s meeting of the Parish Pastoral Council will be held in the parish hall at 6:30 pm on Monday 6 July.  Nominations for new members of the Council will be discussed along with other parish business.
   Our Lady’s Society Dinner Set for 14 July
   Our Lady’s Society of St Joseph Church will not hold a regular business meeting in July.  Instead, all members and guests are invited to a dinner in honor of the new officers on Tuesday 14 July at 6 pm at Champp’s restaurant in the Eastwood Towne mall on Lake Lansing Road.  All those attending will purchase their own meals, choosing from the restaurant’s large menu.  Our group will have a semi-private room.  If you plan to attend the dinner, you must sign up by Friday 10 July.  Reservations cannot be accepted after that date.  There will be a sign-up sheet on the bulletin board in the parish hall.
   Parish Clean-Up Day Will be Re-scheduled
   The church cleanup day set for yesterday was rained out.  It will be re-scheduled soon.  We hope that everyone will participate according to their ability.
   New Signs Show Where to Park So Vehicles Will not be Blocked
   Many parishioners have complained that sometimes very large vehicles are parked in such a way that other cars cannot make their way through the parking lot.  The Parish Pastoral Council has approved a parking plan developed by the Property Council to solve this problem if everyone cooperates.  Signs have been posted in the parking lot to indicate what types of vehicles should park in what areas.  Large vehicles—SUVs, vans, and pickup trucks should be parked on the south side of the parking lot, on the right as you enter from Rundle St.  This is the long side of the church building.  On the short side of the church building, the east side of the property, please park only cars, not SUVs, vans, or trucks, both along the church and along the planting strip that marks the edge of the parish property.  Also, please pull your vehicle forward as far as you can, so that it does not stick out into the lane where vehicles drive between the rows of parked cars, and make sure that you park between the lines in only one parking space.  A poster showing the designated areas of the parking lot has been posted on the bulletin board in the church hall.  Your cooperation will make our parking lot safer and more convenient for everyone.
   Tomorrow is the Feast of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul
   On 29 June the Church celebrates Saints Peter and Paul, called the “Princes of the Apostles” for their pre-eminent roles in the founding and expanding of the Church.  We remember all 12 Apostles on 30 June.
   New Facebook Page Connects Great Lakes Melkites
   At the recent Clergy Retreat, it was decided to establish a Facebook page for news of all ten parishes in the Great Lakes Region.  Find it and like it by searching on Facebook for Great Lakes Melkites.  We hope that it will help develop closer relationships among our parishes and people in this large area.

 

Important Saints’ Days in July

On 1 July we commemorate the Holy Wonderworkers Cosmas and Damian.  They also have a feast day on 1 November.  They are part of a group of saints known as the Holy Unmercenary Healers because they had gifts of healing, often being trained as physicians, but refused to accept payment for their services because they were doing God’s work.  On 13 July, if it is a Sunday, or on the next Sunday, we celebrate the Holy Fathers of the First Six Ecumenical Councils, honoring their diligent labor and prayer to establish the true Christian faith. 

Several notable saints’ feasts fall in the last ten days of July.  First is the Holy Prophet Elias, on 20 July.  On 22 July, the Church remembers and honors St Mary Magdalene, called “Equal to the Apostles” for her important part in believing in Jesus, supporting His ministry on earth, and witnessing to the Gospel.  She came from Magdala on the shore of the Sea of Galilee and followed Jesus to the foot of the Cross, brought spices to anoint His body, and was the first to witness and announce His Resurrection.  St Christina, daughter of a Roman army officer, martyred in Tyre of Phoenicia in the year 220, is remembered on 24 July. 

On 25 July we celebrate the Dormition (“Falling Asleep” or death) of the Holy and Wise Anne, the Mother of the Mother of God.  Many Melkite parishes in the US are named for her, because their founding priests studied at St Anne’s Seminary in Jerusalem.  St Paraskeve, martyred in Rome in 140, is remembered on 26 July.  Her intercession is often invoked for diseases of the eyes.  Also on the 26^th, we honor the holy martyred Bishop Hermolaus, killed in Nicomedia in 312; he was a renowned teacher and healer.  His student, the Holy Great-Martyr Panteleimon, also from Nicomedia, is remembered on the 27^th.  His head was cut off in 305 because he practiced the Christian faith while healing the sick.  Many miracles of healing have been performed through his intercession.

Bulletin for Sunday 21 June 2015--Fourth Sunday after Pentecost

SAINT JOSEPH THE BETROTHED

Melkite-Greek Catholic CHURCH

725 W. Mt. Hope Ave, Lansing, MI 48910                             517-575-6264

FMailing Address:  921 Westover Circle, Lansing, MI 48917E

Website:  www.MelkiteChurch.org            Facebook:  www.facebook.com/MelkiteChurchLansing

Rev. Father James K. Graham, Pastor                                    frjamie@earthlink.net

Rev. Protodeacon Joseph Daratony                                                              248-719-5169

Phone or email Fr James with items for the bulletin by Thursday night.

Troparion of the Holy Martyr Julian of Tarsus (Tone 4)

Your martyr Julian, O Lord, received the crown of immortality from you,

O our God, on account of his struggle.

Armed with your strength, he has vanquished his persecutors and crushed the powerless arrogance of demons.

Through his supplications, O Christ God, save our souls.

21 June 2015—Fourth Sunday after Pentecost.  Holy Martyr Julian of Tarsus.  (Tone 3)

Readings    Apostolos:  Romans 6:18-23                                                                                           Gospel:  Matthew 8:5-13

10:30 am    Orthros (Morning Prayer)

11 am          Divine Liturgy of St John Chrysostom for the health and salvation of Our Fathers, Fr Basil Samra, Theresa Ramsey, George El-Hage, Nadia Badawi, Fares Eid, Maroun Daher, Dennis Flint, Eleanora Lindo, Max, Angel, Simone, Mikayla Slocum, Samira El-Chaer, Awatef Chahine, Raymond Rashid, Bonita Saba, Griffin Barna, Jim Covello, David Georges, Elias Atallah, Ralph Farhat, Robert Kuri, Pam Nakfoor, Isaac Salim, Iva Butler, Alessandra, BJ & Liz, Cam, Janice, Jeanne, Wayne, Lucy Palmer, Kelsey, Kathleen Edwards, Edgar & Katherine Fickenscher, Kamal & Eugenie Neimat, Clay Thomas, Michael Maslowski, Elaine & Eva-Genevieve Scarborough, Antonio Carvalho, Elias Haggar, Marie Dahdouh, Dn. Joe & Marge Daratony, Fr Joseph Haggar, Fr Damon Geiger, Fr James Babcock, Fr Maximos, Dn. Robert Spencer, Dn. Daniel Klockowski; in memory of Our Departed Fathers, Nickolas Nakfoor (Jayne Johns), and Louis Zarka (Louise Shaheen).

27 June 2015—Great Vespers, 6 pm.

28 June 2015—Fifth Sunday after Pentecost.  Transfer of the Remains of the Holy Unmercenary Physicians Cyrus and John.  (Tone 4)

Readings    Apostolos:  Romans 10:1-10                                                                                       Gospel:  Matthew 8:28-9:1

10:30 am    Orthros (Morning Prayer)

11 am          Divine Liturgy of St John Chrysostom in memory of Nickolas Nakfoor (Adel & Nadia Badawi), Louis Zarka (Louise Shaheen), and Timothy J. Warford.

Music for Today

1. Troparion of the Resurrection in Tone 3, Liturgikon, page 185.
2. Troparion of the Martyr Julian, in Tone 4.
3. Troparion of St Joseph, in Tone 4, page 30A.
4. Kontakion of the Theotokos, in Tone 2, page 31.
    
    
   Read the Bulletin and Homily on our Website
   The bulletin and the homily for each Sunday are posted on our parish website, www.MelkiteChurch.org, every week, for reference and (we hope) inspiration.  Remind those who don’t come to church to check the website.
   Pope Francis Issues Encyclical Letter on Care for Creation
   On 18 June, Pope Francis issued an encyclical letter (the most authoritative form of papal document) entitled Laudato Si.  Many people have commented on it, including his All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholo­mew, who praised it.  Here is the statement by Roman Catholic Bishop Patrick J. McGrath of San Jose, CA:
        I am grateful to the Holy Father for the courage to address what he calls “the care for our common home,” the Earth. Because the welfare and very existence of humanity is dependent upon the Earth and the environment, this letter becomes part of the social justice teaching of the Catholic Church. The state of the planet and its future have grave moral implications, and it is for this reason that Pope Francis, who readily admits that he is a religious teacher and not a scientist, has issued his second encyclical letter, Laudato Si. There is much in this letter to ponder, to pray over, and to unite all people of good will in solidarity.
        Addressing the “common good” as the moral framework from which future action must be taken, Francis calls for a bold cultural revolution that is marked by charity, solidarity, temperance, political accord and a willingness to sacrifice.
        The encyclical presents a compendium of the Church’s teaching on the care for creation and the environment, citing the Scriptures, the evangelical witness of Saint Francis of Assisi, the patron of ecology, and modern popes: Saint John XXIII, Blessed Paul VI, Saint John Paul II and Benedict XVI. Addressed to all who will listen, the Pope’s message is one of solidarity, uniting both the developing and developed world, since there is only one Earth, one home to all of humanity.
        He is forthright in noting that the Church has “no reason to offer a definitive opinion [on these matters]; she knows that honest debate must be encouraged among experts, while respecting divergent views.” Yet “our common home is falling into serious disrepair… humanity has disappointed God’s expectations.”
        The Pope cites the 97% of climate scientists who attribute the speed of climate change to human actions. He likewise gives consideration to the culture of technology that believes that it alone can heal the planet. Calling the Earth our Sister, in the terminology of Saint Francis, Pope Francis writes that “This sister now cries out to us because of the harm we have inflicted on her by our irresponsible use and abuse of the goods with which God has endowed her.”
        The pontiff calls for a renewed dialogue, a conversation which “includes everyone” since the environmental challenge also affects all. Citing the recurring theme of his papacy, outreach and encounter with those who are marginalized, and quoting the Bolivian Bishops’ Conference, he notes that the poor will be most affected by a “global inequality” by which the gravest effects of the attacks on the environment are suffered by the poorest, who are also the majority of the world’s population. A true “ecological debt” exists, “particularly between the global north and south” because of commercial imbalances and the “disproportionate use of natural resources by certain countries” over a lengthy period of time. Quoting the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, he writes that greater attention must be given to “the needs of the poor, the weak and the vulnerable, in a debate often dominated by more powerful interests.”
        Situating these concerns within a perspective beyond that of the Catholic Church, the Pope quotes Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, who asks us “to replace consumption with sacrifice, greed with generosity, wastefulness with a spirit of sharing, an asceticism which ‘entails learning to give, and not simply give up. It is a way of loving, of moving gradually away from what I want to what God’s world needs. It is a liberation from fear, greed and compulsion.’”
        Near the end of the encyclical, Pope Francis calls “all believers” to return to the beautiful and meaningful custom of giving thanks to God before and after meals. This brief action reminds us of our dependence on God for our lives and strengthens our gratitude for the creation we share, and “it reaffirms our solidarity with those in greatest need.”
    
    
   Our Offerings to the Lord
   The collection taken in the Liturgy is part of our worship.  We offer the Lord our lives, our prayers, our gifts of bread and wine, and our financial gifts.  Last Sunday, about 85 people attended the Liturgy.  Our offering totalled $2027 in the ordinary collection, $100 donation for NAMY, $605 for the new roof, and $23 for candles.  Not everyone can make an equal gift, but everyone can make an equal sacrifice.  Please make a generous sacrifice to support your church in proportion to the many blessings God has given you.
   Happy Fathers Day
   Today is the civil holiday of Fathers Day.  We pray for all of our fathers that they will enjoy good health, happiness, love, and God’s protection.  Let us remember that the model for good fatherhood is God our heavenly Father, who created us in His image and likeness, who knows all of us from our mothers’ wombs, who sustains us and the whole world in love, who overlooks our offenses, who wants us to repent and be saved, and who forgives us our sins and grants us eternal life.  We pray that all human fathers, with God’s grace, will imitate God the Father in love, care, protection, mercy, and justice.
   Pitch In Next Saturday Morning for a Parish Clean-Up Day
   We will have a clean-up day next Saturday, 27 June, from 10 am to 12 noon.  We have lots of weeds to be pulled, bushes to be trimmed, and trash to be hauled.  Bring tools, gloves, hats, lunch, and water bottles.
   New Signs Show Where to Park So Vehicles Will not be Blocked
   Many parishioners have complained that sometimes very large vehicles are parked in such a way that other cars cannot make their way through the parking lot.  The Parish Pastoral Council has approved a parking plan developed by the Property Council to solve this problem if everyone cooperates.  Signs have been posted in the parking lot to indicate what types of vehicles should park in what areas.  Large vehicles—SUVs, vans, and pickup trucks should be parked on the south side of the parking lot, on the right as you enter from Rundle St.  This is the long side of the church building.  On the short side of the church building, the east side of the property, please park only cars, not SUVs, vans, or trucks, both along the church and along the planting strip that marks the edge of the parish property.  Also, please pull your vehicle forward as far as you can, so that it does not stick out into the lane where vehicles drive between the rows of parked cars, and make sure that you park between the lines in only one parking space.  A poster showing the designated areas of the parking lot has been posted on the bulletin board in the church hall.  Your cooperation will make our parking lot safer and more convenient for everyone.
   NAMY Conference Begins Next Sunday
   The annual conference of our diocese-wide National Association of Melkite Youth will begin next Sunday at the Colombiere Retreat in Clarkston, MI, and end on Thursday 2 July.  Eight teens from our parish will attend, with Dalida Raad and Fr James as adult advisors.  They have been working hard on their skit about the conference theme, which is Jesus’ question to His disciples, “Who do you say that I am?” from the Gospel of Matthew, chapter 16, verse 15.  Those going to the conference should bring their bags with them to church next Sunday; we will leave after the Divine Liturgy and social hour.
   New Facebook Page Connects Great Lakes Melkites
   At the recent Clergy Retreat, it was decided to establish a Facebook page for news of all ten parishes in the Great Lakes Region.  Find it and like it by searching on Facebook for Great Lakes Melkites.  We hope that it will help develop closer relationships among our parishes and people in this large area.

Bulletin for Sunday 14 June 2015--Third Sunday after Pentecost

SAINT JOSEPH THE BETROTHED

Melkite-Greek Catholic CHURCH

725 W. Mt. Hope Ave, Lansing, MI 48910                             517-575-6264

FMailing Address:  921 Westover Circle, Lansing, MI 48917E

Website:  www.MelkiteChurch.org            Facebook:  www.facebook.com/MelkiteChurchLansing

Rev. Father James K. Graham, Pastor                                    frjamie@earthlink.net

Rev. Protodeacon Joseph Daratony                                                              248-719-5169

Phone or email Fr James with items for the bulletin by Thursday night.

Troparion of the Prophet Elisha (Tone 4)

The glorious Elias, an angel in the flesh,

greatest of the prophets and second forerunner of the coming of Christ,

by sending a blessing from heaven upon Elisha, dispels diseases, purifies lepers,

and overflows with healing for those who honor him.

14 June 2015—Third Sunday after Pentecost.  Holy Prophet Elisha; Holy Father Methodios, Archbishop of Constantinople.  (Tone 2)

Readings    Apostolos:  Romans 5:1-10                                                                                           Gospel:  Matthew 6:22-33

10:30 am    Orthros (Morning Prayer)

11 am          Divine Liturgy of St John Chrysostom for the health and salvation of Fr Peter Boutros (15^th ordination anniversary),Theresa Ramsey, Therese deSpelder (Happy Birthday from Jim & Boys), George El-Hage (Happy Birthday), Mark F. Massoud, Fares Eid, Georgette & Family (Georgette Haeck), Maroun Daher, Dennis Flint, Eleanora Lindo, Max, Angel, Simone, Mikayla Slocum, Samira El-Chaer, Awatef Chahine, Raymond Rashid, Bonita Saba, Griffin Barna, Jim Covello, David Georges, Elias Atallah, Ralph Farhat, Robert Kuri, Pam Nakfoor, Isaac Salim, Iva Butler, BJ & Liz, Cam, Janice, Jeanne, Wayne, Lucy Palmer, Kelsey, Kathleen Edwards, Edgar & Katherine Fickenscher, Kamal & Eugenie Neimat, Clay Thomas, Michael Maslowski, Elaine & Eva-Genevieve Scarborough, Antonio Carvalho, Elias Haggar, Marie Dahdouh, Dn. Joe & Marge Daratony, Fr Joseph Haggar, Fr Damon Geiger, Fr James Babcock, Fr Maximos, Dn. Robert Spencer, Dn. Daniel Klockowski; in memory of Nickolas Nakfoor (Mike & Marie Nakfoor), Louis Zarka (Madeleine Saab & Family), Deacon Andrew Gerakas, Ralph Reger, Eleanor Randazzo, and Henri.

20 June 2015—Great Vespers, 6 pm.

21 June 2015—Fourth Sunday after Pentecost.  Holy Martyr Julian of Tarsus.  (Tone 3)

Readings    Apostolos:  Romans 6:18-23                                                                                           Gospel:  Matthew 8:5-13

10:30 am    Orthros (Morning Prayer)

11 am          Divine Liturgy of St John Chrysostom in memory of Nickolas Nakfoor (Jayne Johns) and Louis Zarka (Louise Shaheen).

Music for Today

1. Troparion of the Resurrection in Tone 2, Liturgikon, page 183.
2. Troparion of the Prophet Elisha, in Tone 4.
3. Troparion of St Joseph, in Tone 4, page 30A.
4. Kontakion of the Theotokos, in Tone 2, page 31.
   Holy Tradition Supports the Proper Interpretation of the Bible
   Abbot Tryphon, the Hegumen of All Merciful Savior Monastery on Vashon Island, WA (near Seattle), recently posted this explanation of Holy Tradition on his Facebook page.  It is well worth reading and thinking about.
   Many Evangelical Protestants see Holy Tradition as standing in direct contrast to Scripture, as though Tradition is always relegated to “the traditions of men.”  However, there are numerous references in Holy Scripture to Holy Tradition.  For example:
    
   “Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us, just as they were handed down to us by those who from the first were eyewitnesses and servants of the word.  With this in mind, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, I too decided to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught” (Luke 1:1-4).
    
   It must be noted that in this instance, the oral word preceded the written word, hence becoming Holy Tradition.  In John 20:30-3, it is revealed, “Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book,” and in John 21:25, we read, “Jesus did many other things as well  If every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written.”
    
   One of my personal favorite passages regarding Holy Tradition is found in 2 Thessalonians 2:15, “So then, brothers and sisters, stand firm and hold fast to the teachings we passed on to you, whether by word of mouth or by letter.”
    
   Holy Tradition is not apart from the Bible, but supports the proper interpretation of the Bible. Holy Tradition emanates from Christ Himself, and is expressed by the Apostles, the Holy Fathers, and the Church.  The Fathers, in fact, are the very guardians of the Apostolic Tradition, for they, like the Apostles before them, are witnesses of a single Truth, which is the Truth of the God-man, Jesus Christ.
    
   Since Christ is one, unique, and indivisible, so also is the Church unique and indivisible.  The Church is the incarnation of the incarnated God-man, Jesus Christ, and will continue through the ages, and even throughout all eternity.
    
   With love in Christ,
   Abbot Tryphon
   Our Offerings to the Lord
   The collection taken in the Liturgy is part of our worship.  We offer the Lord our lives, our prayers, our gifts of bread and wine, and our financial gifts.  Last Sunday, about 100 people attended the Liturgy.  Our offering totalled $1451 in the ordinary collection, $20 for stole offerings, $465 for the new roof, and $21 for candles.  Not everyone can make an equal gift, but everyone can make an equal sacrifice.  Please make a generous sacrifice to support your church in proportion to the many blessings God has given you.
   Very Successful Food Festival Makes Profit of Almost $11,000
   The 23^rd Annual Middle Eastern Food Festival presented by Our Lady’s Society of St Joseph Church was once again a great success, making a profit of $10,480.  A check for ten percent of that profit--$1048—has been sent to Law Enforcement of Lansing Special Olympics, the charity chosen for support by this year’s Food Festival.  Our Lady’s Society has also transferred $8900 to the parish bank account, keeping in its own account just over $1000, as permitted by diocesan regulations.  Congratulations and many thanks to everyone who worked so hard for the success of this event that not only supports our parish but also makes our parish known throughout the community.
   New Signs Show Where to Park So Vehicles Will not be Blocked
   Many parishioners have complained that sometimes very large vehicles are parked in such a way that other cars cannot make their way through the parking lot.  The Parish Pastoral Council has approved a parking plan developed by the Property Council to solve this problem if everyone cooperates.  Signs have been posted in the parking lot to indicate what types of vehicles should park in what areas.  Large vehicles—SUVs, vans, and pickup trucks should be parked on the south side of the parking lot, on the right as you enter from Rundle St.  This is the long side of the church building.  On the short side of the church building, the east side of the property, please park only cars, not SUVs, vans, or trucks, both along the church and along the planting strip that marks the edge of the parish property.  Also, please pull your vehicle forward as far as you can, so that it does not stick out into the lane where vehicles drive between the rows of parked cars, and make sure that you park between the lines in only one parking space.  A poster showing the designated areas of the parking lot has been posted on the bulletin board in the church hall.  Your cooperation will make our parking lot safer and more convenient for everyone.
   New Facebook Page Connects Great Lakes Melkites
   At the recent Clergy Retreat, it was decided to establish a Facebook page for news of all ten parishes in the Great Lakes Region.  The page went up on Friday evening and in its first week has been liked by almost 350 people.  Find it and like it by searching on Facebook for Great Lakes Melkites.  We hope that it will help develop closer relationships among our parishes and people in this large area.