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Synod of Bishops 2017

Ten New Year’s Resolutions for Maronites

Accompanying the Elderly and Dying – Death with Dignity. A Maronite Perspective

And they will know we are Christians….

Facing the reality of death

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Recently some beautiful friends in our Parish, had to deal with the unexpected death of their mother. At a time when how we deal with end of life is being challenged and in this season of the Cross, the ladder to salvation, this is the faith filled story of one of her daughters... THE GRACE OF A HAPPY DEATH We were five siblings in shock to see mum laying in the emergency room critically injured after being hit by a car. She suffered severe head injuries, and we were faced with a decision - to operate or not to operate. Being children of faith - the way our parents raised us, we knew we could not make this decision on our own. So we invoked the Holy Spirit and prayed a novena around mums bed. This novena repeatedly told us not to worry and to surrender to the will of God. And from that point on, I had a sense of peace. The burden was too much for me to carry, so I gave it all to our Lord. I trusted that what is to happen in the days to come, were meant to be. As that is how God willed it. That was the theme of the week my mum died - Surrendering to the will of God. We all agreed to no surgery. And God let us know this was the right choice, after several of the neurosurgeons agreed we made the right decision. During this time, we asked all our family and friends to pray. Masses were offered, candles lit, prayers were said for our family. The power of prayer did not heal mum physically but most certainly did spiritually. Our prayers gave us so many graces that we are all so immensely grateful for to our Lord. Mum was blessed to have six different priests come visit her and she was anointed. She was absolved of all sins which prepared her for her journey home. On the first day, mum had speech, but she was in that much pain she barely could talk except to say it hurts. We quickly managed to figure out how to communicate with her without her talking. We would ask her to answer our questions by squeezing our hand. Rare moments she would open her eyes. And to Mary-Jo she was able to mouth ‘I love you’. This gift of communication allowed all of us including all 24 grandchildren and her sisters, to let her know how much she is loved. As we enter the season of the Glorious Cross, a reflection on the final weeks of Pentecost where women appear in the Gospel’s in the Maronite lectionary. Read more in the link in our bio Like tonight, St Helena found the True Cross of Christ. She lit bonfires on mountains all the way from Jerusalem to Constantinople to notify her son the Emperor Constantine. In the Maronite tradition tonight, the eve of the Feast of the Glorious Cross, candles are lit outside houses as a reminder that salvation has come through the Cross. We encourage you to share this beautiful tradition with your family and to light candles outside your house tonight. Be a witness to the triumph of the saving Cross which radiates its light in the darkness. We would love to see your photos. Tag us in your photos for a share or DM to us This year the eve of the Feast of the Glorious Cross falls this Friday night. That is an excellent opportunity to participate in the traditions surrounding the feast and involve the whole family. Light a bonfire, invite family and friends and attend your local Parish. In Maronite and Eastern tradition, on the night of the feast, huge bonfires and candles illuminate houses and villages as far as the eye can see. Bonfires are lit on mountains and in villages, huge crosses with lights are hung and candles in sandbags are placed around the houses. It is a wonderful tradition to teach our children and is one which you can prepare for on Friday night. You can light candles and place them around your house and teach your children of the triumph of light over darkness! Read more about why we participate in these traditions at the link in our bio The day after the feast celebrating the birth of Mary we also celebrate the feast of Her parents St Youwakim and Anna. We also celebrate the feast on 22 November. From the Protevangelium of James we know the name of Mary’s parents (Joachim, or Youwakim and Anna), and that Our Lord was born in a cave outside Bethlehem. It opens with the story of Joachim, and then goes to the birth of Mary, which is presented as a virginal conception. From the text it appears that the author also believed in the Immaculate Conception. From the age of three, we are told, Mary was placed in the Temple, and remained there until the age of 12 (puberty, at which age should would be impure according to Jewish law), weaving the veil of the Temple. Learn more at the link in our bio “Blessed are you, Mary, born in poverty, you became mother of the Lord of Kings: He whose glory filled the heavens Dwelt in your womb in sacred fashion. Blessed are your breasts which lovingly suckled Him, Blessed your tongue that eagerly sang to Him, Your arms clasped Him, and you became the chariot Conveying the Fiery One!” (Prayer from Sebastian Brock, Bride of Light – Hymns on Mary from the Syriac Churches)

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