Bulletin for 19 April 2015--The Sunday of the Holy Myrrh-Bearing Women

ST 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

www.MelkiteChurch.org   /   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 Myrrh-Bearing Women (Tone 2)

The angel stood by the tomb and cried out to the myrrh-bearing women:

“Myrrh is for the dead, but Christ has proved Himself free from corruption.

Cry out, then: ‘The Lord has risen and has bestowed great mercy upon the world.’”

 

19 April 2015—2^nd Sunday after Pascha:  The Holy Myrrh-Bearing Women.  Holy Hieromartyr Paphnutios and Holy Father John the Hermit. (Tone 2)

Readings    Apostolos:  Acts 6:1-7                                             Gospel:  Mark 15:43-16:8

10:30 am    Orthros (Morning Prayer)

11 am          Divine Liturgy of St John Chrysostom for the health and salvation of Maroun Daher, Dennis Flint, Eleanora Lindo, 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 and Liz, Cam, Janice, Jeanne, Wayne, Lucy Palmer, Kelsey, Kathleen Edwards, Edgar & Katherine Fickenscher, David & Sandi, Kamal & Eugenie Neimat, Clay Thomas, Michael Maslowski, Elaine & Eva-Genevieve Scarborough, Michael Harmuth, Antonio Carvalho, Elias Haggar, Marie Dahdouh, Josephine Faris, Dn. Joe & Marge Daratony, Fr Joseph Haggar, Fr Damon Geiger, Fr James Babcock; in memory of Fr Michael Jolly, James Rashid (19 years by Elaine Rashid), Iskandar Indraous (Monah & Esperance Hourani), Nickolas Nakfoor (Maroun Anid), Louis Zarka (Pete Badawy), Steve Marschke, Margaret Andrews & Marion MacDonald (Fr James).

26 April 2015—3^rd Sunday after Pascha:  The Paralyzed Man.  Holy Hieromartyr Basil of Amasia.  (Tone 3)

Readings    Apostolos:  Acts 9:32-42                                                  Gospel:  John 5:1-15

10:30 am    Orthros (Morning Prayer)

11 am          Divine Liturgy of St John Chrysostom in memory of Fr Michael Jolly, Iskandar Indraous (Fawaz & Awatef Fawaz), Nickolas Nakfoor (Sandy Oade & Dr David Fisher), Louis Zarka (Isabelle Raad-Farah & Sons), Steve Marschke, Margaret Andrews & Marion MacDonald (Fr James).

3 May 2015—4^th Sunday after Pascha:  The Samaritan Woman.  Holy Martyrs Timothy and Maura.  (Tone 4)

Readings    Apostolos:  Acts 11:19-30                                                Gospel:  John 4:5-42

10:30 am    Orthros (Morning Prayer)

11 am          Divine Liturgy of St John Chrysostom in memory of Fr Michael Jolly, Nickolas Nakfoor (Ron & Alma Albert), Louis Zarka (Isabelle Raad-Farah & Sons), Steve Marschke, Margaret Andrews & Marion MacDonald (Fr James).

 

CHRIST IS RISEN!  HE IS TRULY RISEN!

CHRISTOS ANESTI!  ALITHOS ANESTI!

AL-MASSIHU QAM!  HAQQAN QAM!

 

Music for Today

Antiphons and Little Entrance Hymn (Eisodikon) of Pascha.

1. Troparion of the Resurrection in Tone 2, Liturgikon, p. 183.
2. Troparion of Joseph of Arimathea, in Tone 2.
3. Troparion of the Myrrh-Bearing Women, in Tone 2.
4. Kontakion of the Myrrh-Bearing Women, in Tone 2.
5. Kontakion of Pascha, in Tone 2, page 214.
   Hirmos and Communion Hymn (Kinonikon) of Pascha.

The Paschal Liturgy Intentions

The Liturgy of Pascha was offered for all the parishioners of St Joseph Church, and especially for the intentions of those who made offerings for the Paschal flowers.  The following intentions were received too late to be included in the bulletin for Pascha:

Nimer A. Bulos for the living and deceased

Jenevieve Ferrar for the health and salvation of Isabel and Isaiah Medina

Georgette Haeck & Family in memory of Anis and Rosie Bulos

Fayrouz Raad for the living and deceased

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.  About 85 people attended last Sunday’s Liturgy.  Our offering totalled $1262 in the ordinary collection, $90 for Pascha, $105 for liturgy intentions, $50 for the new roof, and $56 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 your many blessings from God.

Thomas James Butler Receives Holy Illumination

Congratulations to Thomas James, infant son of Reader Robert and Katrina Butler, who received the Holy Mysteries of Christian Initiation—Baptism, Chrismation, and Holy Eucharist—last Sunday.  God grant him many years!

Welcome Fr Alam Back to St Joseph’s!

Fr James will be on vacation in California from 20 April through 5 May.  Many, many thanks to Fr Alam and Khouriyeh Salima, who will stay in the rectory and take care of the parish while Fr James is away.

Memorial Service for Sandy Oade, Saturday 18 April

A Memorial Service for the beloved departed servant of God Sandy Oade will be celebrated at St Joseph Church at 10 am on Saturday 18 April at the request of Mr & Mrs John Mansour.

Special Collection Next Sunday for Home Missions

All Catholic churches in the USA will take a special collection next Sunday, 26 April, for the American Home Missions.  The bishops distribute this money to help the Church grow in places that need extra support, such as the South, Native American lands, and the Eastern Catholic Churches.  Please be generous.

St Joseph’s Gives $600-Plus to The Shepherd’s Care

The Shepherd’s Care is our national diocesan Lenten charity collection.  All donations go to charity.  The people of St Joseph’s donated $613.27 this year.

23^rd Annual Food Festival Will Run 7 & 8 May

Our Lady’s Society of St Joseph Church will present the 23^rd Annual Mid-East Food Festival on Thursday and Friday, 7 and 8 May.  Everyone’s cheerful cooperative support is needed to make the Food Festival a great success!

Food Festival Cooking Begins 27 April

Preparation of kibbee and grape leaves for our annual Food Festival will take place on Monday 27 April at 4 PM in the parish hall kitchen.  Also, anyone wishing to donate baked goods for the pastry booth, please contact Pat Kuri.

Flea Market Items Needed by 5 May

Our Lady’s Society will again have the flea market during the Food Festival this year.  No Flea Market donations can be accepted after Tuesday 5 May.  See Dee Farhat about bringing your donations.  Do not just dump them in the Flea Market room.  No clothing.  We welcome nearly new and lightly-used items, such as glassware, dishes, scarves, purses, interior decor, children’s games (complete), toys, books, music, jewelry, and accessories.

Cedar Club Hafli Will Benefit Veterans, St Joseph’s

The Ladies Cedar Club of Lansing will present their Spring Hafli on Saturday 16 May at 7 pm at the Grand Ledge Country Club, 5811 E. St Joe Highway.  Tickets at $35 each are available from Simone Ayoub, Lamia Haddad, Kay Nakfoor, and Dalida Raad.  The proceeds from the hafli will benefit Wounded Warriors, a veterans’ support organization, and the New Roof Fund of St Joseph Church.

Parish Council Establishes Charity Fund

The Parish Pastoral Council and Fr James have decided to establish a Parish Charity Fund.  The money given for candles every month will be reserved for the Charity Fund.  Charity Fund contributions will be made to local charitable organizations and if appropriate to members of the parish community in need.

Vision Statement Discussion Groups Begin 15 May

The first small group discussion of our parish Vision Statement will be hosted by Nimer & Lamia Haddad on Friday 15 May at 7 pm.  These discussions will start after Pascha.  They will allow people to come to a deeper understanding of the spiritual foundations of our parish vision statement.  Please contact Nimer or Lamia if you would like to take part in the discussion group.  The Vision Statement says what we believe our church should be.  It does not lay out a plan for what our church will do.  And it is not a criticism of what we are now or what we are doing now.

Bulletin for 29 March 2015--Holy and Glorious Palm Sunday

ST 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

www.MelkiteChurch.org   /   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 Lazarus Saturday (Tone 1)

O Christ God, when You raised Lazarus from the dead before the time of your Passion,

You confirmed the future resurrection of all.  We, too, like the children of old,

carry before You the symbols of victory and cry out to You, O Conqueror of Death:

“Hosanna in the highest!  Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!”

29 March 2015—Palm Sunday:  Triumphal Entry of the Lord into Jerusalem.  Holy Father Mark of Amethusa, Deacon Cyril, and Companions martyred under Emperor Julian the Apostate.  (Tone 1)

Readings    Apostolos:  Philippians 4:4-9                                      Gospel:  John 12:1-18

10:30 am    Orthros (Morning Prayer)

11 am     Divine Liturgy of St John Chrysostom for the health and salvation of Fr Brendan, Fawaz, Joseph, Maarouf, Taylor Wood, Dennis Flint, Eleanora Lindo, 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 and Liz, Cam, Janice, Jeanne, Wayne, Lucy Palmer, Kelsey, Kathleen Edwards, Edgar & Katherine Fickenscher, David & Sandi, Kamal & Eugenie Neimat, Clay Thomas, Michael Maslowski, Elaine & Eva-Genevieve Scarborough, Michael Harmuth, Antonio Carvalho, Elias Haggar, Dn. Joe & Marge Daratony, Fr Joseph Haggar; in memory of Iskandar Indraous (Kay Nakfoor), Nickolas Nakfoor (Dr & Mrs John Broviac), Louis Zarka (Pete Badawy), Elizabeth McCarthy, Jennie Morey & Fred Doelker (Fr James).

Blessing of & Procession with Palm Branches following the Divine Liturgy.

Special Little Entrance Chant Today

Priest:    Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord; the Lord is God and
                has appeared to us.

People:   O Son of God, who rode upon a donkey’s foal, save us who sing to You,
                Alleluia!

Troparia and Kontakion for Today

1. Troparion of Lazarus Saturday, in Tone 1, Liturgikon, p. 206 (twice).
2. Troparion of Palm Sunday, in Tone 4, page 207.
3. Kontakion of Palm Sunday, in Tone 6, page 207.
   28 March 2015—2 pm:  Great Vespers for Palm Sunday.
   22 March 2015—Fifth Sunday of Great Lent:  St Mary of Egypt.  Holy Hieromartyr Basil of Ancyra.  (Tone 8)
   Readings     Apostolos:  Hebrews 9:11-14                          Gospel:  Mark 10:32-45
   10:30 am     Orthros (Morning Prayer)
   11 am     Divine Liturgy of St John Chrysostom in memory of

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.  About 150 people attended last Sunday’s Liturgy.  Our offering totalled $1773 in the ordinary collection and $150 for liturgy intentions, and $147 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 your many blessings from God.

Special Collection for Seminarians Today

The National Association of Melkite Women asks the women in all parishes to raise money every year to support the men studying to be priests in our American Melkite Church.  Our Lady’s Society will take the second collec­tion today for our seminarians.

 

All Services for Great & Holy Week & Pascha at 7 PM

Tues. 31 Mar.:    Service of Repentance & Forgiveness (Confession), followed
                by Service of Anointing with Holy Oil for Healing

Weds. 1 April:   Vespers-Divine Liturgy for Holy Thursday:  The Last Supper

Thurs. 2 April:   Orthros for Good Friday with Passion Gospels: The Cruci­        fixion of the Lord

Friday 3 April:   Combined Abbreviated Vespers for Holy Saturday (Descent
                from the Cross) and Orthros for Holy Saturday (The Funeral of the
                Lord—Ginnaz al Messih)

Sat. 4 April:        The Procession of Triumph, the New Fire, Hajmeh, Paschal
                Orthros, Divine Liturgy of                the Resurrection of the Lord, Blessing of
                Eggs, Bread, and Easter Baskets

Sun. 5 April:       Holy & Glorious Pascha. No Services; the only services for

                Easter will be on Saturday night

Mon. 6 April:      “Agape” Vespers for Bright Monday

 

Memorial Service for Sandy Oade, Saturday 18 April

A Memorial Service for the beloved departed servant of God Sandy Oade will be celebrated at St Joseph Church at 10 am on Saturday 18 April at the request of Mr & Mrs John Mansour.

Donations for Good Friday and Pascha Flowers

Please make a generous contribution to help pay for the flowers that will decorate the Tomb of Christ on Good Friday and the church on Holy and Glorious Easter Sunday.  The Divine Liturgy of Pascha will be celebrated for the intentions of everyone who donates for the flowers.  Use the form available in the narthex to list your intentions for the living and the departed, put the form with your contribution in an envelope marked “Pascha Flowers,” and put it in the collection basket or send it to the church office.  All intentions received by Thursday 2 April will be printed in the bulletin for Pascha.

The Shepherd’s Care Collection Will Be on 12 April

The Shepherd’s Care is our national diocesan Lenten charity collection.  All donations go to charity.  A dollar a day—less than the price of a cup of coffee—will add up to a $40 contribution at the end of the Fast.  There is an envelope for The Shepherd’s Care dated 29 March, but the collection will be on 12 April.

Help Wanted

Someone is needed to take charge of counting and recording the Sunday col­lections, using our com­puter­ized collec­tion ledger.  He or she would not have to be here every Sunday, but would have to ensure that two people would be present to count and record the collection.  To volunteer , please see Fr James.

 

23^rd Annual Food Festival Will Run 7 & 8 May

Our Lady’s Society of St Joseph Church will present the 23^rd Annual Mid-East Food Festival on Thursday and Friday, 7 and 8 May.  Everyone’s cheerful cooperative support is needed to make the Food Festival a great success!

 

Flea Market Items Needed

Our Lady’s Society will again have the flea market during the Food Festival this year.  We welcome donations of nearly new and lightly-used items, such as glassware, dishes, scarves, purses, interior decor, children's games (complete), toys, books, music, jewelry, and accessories.  No clothing.  See Dee Farhat about bringing your donations.  Do not just dump them in the Flea Market room.

 

Cedar Club Hafli Will Benefit Veterans, St Joseph’s

The Ladies Cedar Club of Lansing will present their Spring Hafli on Saturday 16 May at 7 pm at the Grand Ledge Country Club, 5811 E. St Joe Highway.  Tickets at $35 each are available from Simone Ayoub, Lamia Haddad, Kay Nakfoor, and Dalida Raad.  The proceeds from the hafli will benefit Wounded Warriors, a veterans’ support organization, and the New Roof Fund of St Joseph Church.

 

Vision Statement Discussion Groups

At our Evening of Reflection on the Vision Statement, Kay Nakfoor and Mr & Mrs Nimer Haddad offered to host small group discussions of the Vision Statement.  These discussions will start after Pascha.  They will allow people to come to a deeper understanding of the spiritual foundations of our parish vision statement.  Please contact either Kay or Nimer if you would like to take part in such a discussion group.  The Vision Statement says what we believe our church should be.  It does not lay out a plan for what our church will do.  And it is not a criticism of what we are now or what we are doing now.

St Joseph Melkite-Greek Catholic Church envisions itself to be

a self-sustaining, always-renewing Christian community

in which all people are welcomed and included

so that they can use their gifts of time, talent, and treasure

     for sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ;

     for building up the Body of Christ

           through worship, education, service, and social activities

           according to the Holy Tradition of Byzantine Christianity; and

     for working together with other Churches with whom we have so much in
           common.

Bulletin for 22 March 2015--The Fifth Sunday of Great Lent: St Mary of Egypt

ST 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

www.MelkiteChurch.org   /   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 St Mary of Egypt (Tone 8)

In you, O Mother Mary, was restored the likeness of God,

for you carried your cross and followed Christ. You taught by your deeds

how to spurn the flesh, for it passes away, and how to value the soul, for it is immortal.

Wherefore your soul is forever in happiness with the angels.

22 March 2015—Fifth Sunday of Great Lent:  St Mary of Egypt.  Holy Hieromartyr Basil of Ancyra.  (Tone 8)

Readings    Apostolos:  Hebrews 9:11-14                          Gospel:  Mark 10:32-45

10:30 am  Orthros (Morning Prayer)

11 am   Divine Liturgy of St Basil the Great for the health and salvation of Fr Brendan, Fawaz, Joseph, Maarouf, Taylor Wood, Dennis Flint, Eleanora Lindo, 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 and Liz, Cam, Janice, Jeanne, Wayne, Lucy Palmer, Kelsey, Kathleen Edwards, Edgar & Katherine Fickenscher, David & Sandi, Kamal & Eugenie Neimat, Clay Thomas, Michael Maslowski, Elaine & Eva-Genevieve Scarborough, Michael Harmuth, Antonio Carvalho, Elias Haggar, Dn. Joe & Marge Daratony, Fr Joseph Haggar; in memory of Iskandar Indraous (40-Day Memorial by His Family), David & Victoria Calille (Siham Calille), Tony Rahme (Rahme Family), Raymon Rahall (Rahall Family), Nickolas Nakfoor (Bonnie Dysinger), Louis Zarka (Mr & Mrs Joseph Soyad), Elizabeth McCarthy, Julia Axmacher & Jack Lysaght (Fr James).

 

Troparia and Kontakion for Today

1. Troparion of the Resurrection, in Tone 8, Liturgikon, page 195.
2. Troparion of St Mary of Egypt, in Tone 8, page 205.
3. Troparion of St Joseph, in Tone 4, page 30A.
4. Kontakion of the Annunciation, in Tone 8, page 240.
    
   27 March 2015—6 pm:  Great Vespers for Lazarus Saturday.
   28 March 2015—2 pm:  Great Vespers for Palm Sunday.
   29 March 2015—Palm Sunday:  Triumphal Entry of the Lord into Jerusalem.  Holy Father Mark of Amethusa, Deacon Cyril, and Companions martyred under Emperor Julian the Apostate.  (Tone 1)
   Readings    Apostolos:  Philippians 4:4-9                               Gospel:  John 12:1-18
   10:30 am  Orthros (Morning Prayer)
   11 am         Divine Liturgy of St John Chrysostom in memory of Iskandar Indraous (Kay Nakfoor), Nickolas Nakfoor (Dr & Mrs John Broviac), Louis Zarka (Pete Badawy), Elizabeth McCarthy, Jennie Morey & Fred Doelker (Fr James).
   Blessing & Procession with Palm Branches following the Divine Liturgy.

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.  About 95 people attended last Sunday’s Liturgy.  Our offering totalled $2064 in the ordinary collection and $65 for liturgy intentions, and $147 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 your many blessings from God.

The Fourth Sunday of Great Lent—St John Klimakos

The Fifth Sunday of Lent commemorates St Mary of Egypt as an example of repentance.  A prostitute in Alexandria, she had a conversion experience when she went to Jerusalem on “business.”  Repenting of her sins, she went to live as a hermit in the desert.  In the Gospel (Mark 10:32-45) we read Jesus’s third prediction of His Passion, and the request by James and John to sit at His right hand in glory, which leads to His teaching that those who wish to be great must become the slaves of all, for “the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give His life as a ransom for many.”

Services for the Feast of the Annunciation this Week

The Great Feast of the Annunciation to Mary that she would be the Mother of God occurs on 25 March, exactly nine months before the Nativity of Christ.  We will celebrate Great Vespers for this feast at 6 pm this Tuesday, 24 March, and the Divine Liturgy at 6 pm this Wednesday, 25 March.

Vespers for Lazarus Saturday this Friday at 6 PM

This Friday at 6 pm we will celebrate Vespers for Lazarus Saturday.  This marks the end of the 40 days of Great Lent and the beginning of Great and Holy Week.  Fr James will be available to hear Confession after the service. 

Choir Will Practice this Friday

This Friday, after Vespers for Lazarus Saturday, the choir will practice the chants for Holy Week and Pascha.  All choir members and anyone who plans to sing at those services must come to the practice.

Special Collection for Seminarians Next Sunday

The National Association of Melkite Women asks the women in all parishes to raise money every year to support the men studying to be priests in our American Melkite Church.  Our Lady’s Society will take the second collec­tion on Palm Sunday for our seminarians.

Donations for Good Friday and Pascha Flowers

Please make a generous contribution to help pay for the flowers that will decorate the Tomb of Christ on Good Friday and the church on Holy and Glorious Easter Sunday.  The Divine Liturgy of Pascha will be celebrated for the intentions of everyone who donates for the flowers.  Use the form included with this bulletin to list your intentions for the living and the departed, put the form with your contribution in an envelope marked “Pascha Flowers,” and put it in the collection basket or send it to the church office.  All intentions received by Thursday 2 April will be printed in the bulletin for Pascha.

The Shepherd’s Care Collection Will Be on 12 April

The Shepherd’s Care is our national diocesan Lenten charity collection.  All donations go to charity.  A dollar a day—less than the price of a cup of coffee—will add up to a $40 contribution at the end of the Fast.  Your box of envelopes has an envelope for The Shepherd’s Care dated 29 March, but the collection will be on 12 April.

Help Wanted

We need someone to take charge of counting and recording the Sunday col­lections.  This person would be trained in using our com­puter­ized collec­tion ledger.  He or she would not have to be here every Sunday, but would have to ensure that two people would be present to count and record the collection.  If you would like to help the parish by doing this job, please contact Fr James.

Flea Market Items Needed

Our Lady’s Society will again have the flea market during the Food Festival this year.  We welcome donations of nearly new and lightly-used items, such as glassware, dishes, scarves, purses, interior decor, children's games (complete), toys, books, music, jewelry, and accessories.  No clothing.  See Dee Farhat about bringing your donations.  Do not just dump them in the Flea Market room.  Food Festival dates are Thursday-Friday, 7-8 May.

Vision Statement Discussion Groups

At our Evening of Reflection on the Vision Statement, Kay Nakfoor and Mr & Mrs Nimer Haddad offered to host small group discussions of the Vision Statement.  These discussions will start after Pascha.  They will allow people to come to a deeper understanding of the spiritual foundations of our parish vision statement.  Please contact either Kay or Nimer if you would like to take part in such a discussion group.  The Vision Statement says what we believe our church should be.  It does not lay out a plan for what our church will do.  And it is not a criticism of what we are now or what we are doing now.

St Joseph Melkite-Greek Catholic Church envisions itself to be

a self-sustaining, always-renewing Christian community

in which all people are welcomed and included

so that they can use their gifts of time, talent, and treasure

     for sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ;

     for building up the Body of Christ

           through worship, education, service, and social activities

           according to the Holy Tradition of Byzantine Christianity; and

     for working together with other Churches with whom we have so much in
           common.