october is right to life month
TRANSCRIPT
Liturgy Schedule
Saturday: 5:00 pmSunday: 8:00 am and 10:30 amMon, Tues, Thurs & Fri: 8:00 amWed: 12:00 NOON (unless otherwise noted)Holy Days: 6:00 pm (vigil) and 8:00 amConfessions: Saturday 4:00 pm or anytime upon request.
Weekend Liturgy Intentions
Saturday, 5:00 PM: Intention: Georgia Shalhoop – 40 Days (Req. by Al & Karen Graham)
Sunday, 8:00 AM: Intention: Louis Saad – 40 Days (Req. by Mary Milton)
Sunday, 10:30 AM: Intention: Raymond Garnem – 40 Days (Req. by the family)
A paper copy of the bulletin is available upon request.
St. Elias Maronite Church
836 8thStreet South Birmingham AL 35205-4567
Rectory/Office (205) 251-5057
Web Address: www.stelias.org Email: [email protected]
Reverend Peter Zogbi, Administrator, Cell: (503) 726-9945, [email protected]
Rosa-Marie Sacco, Office Manager, Cell: (205) 903-8700, [email protected]
Reverend Dr. Mark Ferris, Deacon - Reverend Mr. James Wehby, Deacon
Chorbishop Richard D. Saad, Pastor Emeritus, (205) 915-7215, [email protected]
Lector ScheduleOctober 2-3, 2021
Saturday, 5:00 PM: Anthony BolusSunday, 8:00 AM: John BolusSunday, 10:30 AM: Matthew Bolus
October 2-3, 20213rd Sunday After Holy Cross
October is Right To Life Month
Liturgy Schedule & IntentionsWeek of October 4-10, 2021
Daily Liturgy at 8:00 AM unless noted.
Monday: Carol Wittman (Req. by Mark & Jo Anne Hannon)Tuesday: Georgia Shalhoop (Req. by Paul & Theresa Bolus)Wednesday, 10:00 AM: For the Success of the Ladies’ Altar Society Orphanage FundraiserThursday: Sadie Melhem (req Genevieve Bou Akar)Friday: Raymond Garnem (Req. by Paul & Theresa Bolus)Saturday, 5:00 PM: Louis Saad (Req. by Safira Joseph)Sunday, 8:00 AM: Raymond Garnem (Req. by the Marinelli family)Sunday, 10:30 AM: Georgia Shalhoop (Req. by Norman & Lisa Bolus)
Next Week’s Lector ScheduleOctober 9-10, 2021
Saturday, 5:00 PM: Danny BostanySunday, 8:00 AM: Jim MezranoSunday, 10:30 AM: John Parker
CONTRIBUTIONS:
September 26, 2021
General Fund: $1,995.00
To set up your Online Giving, CLICK
HERE. A link is also available at the
Saint Elias website: www.stelias.org.
Please take a couple of minutes now
and sign up for this convenient way to
give to St. Elias and also to Lebanon
Relief. You can schedule it once and
you are done.
Please Pray for Our Parish Sick:
Ghazi Abikhaled, Michael Gray,Louise Josof, Naomi Kassouf, Mike Kassouf, Helen Phipps, Teresa Ragusa, Don Stewart,
Donald Taccone, Josephine Wehby
St. Elias WILL NOT list the name of our parish sick unless they specifically request
to be on the Sick List. Call the church office or email
[email protected] be added to our prayer list.
St. Elias Maronite Church Page 2Oct 2-3, 2021
WEDNESDAY NIGHTS 7:00PM
Via Zoom MeetingLink will be sent each
week via email.
St Elias Church has a benevolent fund which has been established primarily to help
parishioners who may experience an emergency that requires onetime funding help.
Examples include but are not limited to a household fire, flood or other destruction
that requires relocation and unexpected expenses pertaining to the Act of God which
may not be covered by other means. Other circumstances would include a sudden
loss of a job or loved one that results in any costs associated therewith or other
extreme circumstances involving the health or safety of a parishioner or their family.
The priest in charge, at his discretion, can distribute these funds as he sees fit and as
he sees appropriate. The priest in charge may setup an advisory panel to assist in
decisions at his discretion when he has a question about appropriate uses of the
fund. A per family cap of $500 absent special circumstances or any other reasons the
priest in charge believes is compelling will be distributed from this fund. The
preferred method to distribute funds is by paying bills directly.
It is the hope and intent that this fund will aid parishioners and their families in times
of need that they may not want or feel comfortable disclosing to the general parish
but feel comfortable in disclosing to the priest in charge to ask for assistance and
help.
The fund amount will be disclosed quarterly in the church bulletin with a number of
those who have been assisted but will keep those who have been assisted
confidential. At the church annual meeting each year an accounting of funds raised
that year for the benevolent fund and total number of assisted parishioners will be
included in the church annual report.
• Families Helped: 1 Total Requested: $100.62
• Current Fund Balance: $2,259.38
From Abouna Peter
Looking at Life on a Deeper Level: Who Am I ?
St. Elias Maronite Church Page 3Oct 2-3, 2021
What makes a material object valuable? This is hard to answer without acknowledging
God's existence. Diamonds have value. Money has value. Is there something inside of
these things which makes them valuable? Not really. In fact, if we break them down into
their component parts, diamonds and money are made of exactly the same things as dirt
and rocks. All matter is the same, a collection of protons and neutrons. So if on a material
level, everything is the same, where does the value come from? To some degree, it comes
from us. We have decided that diamonds are valuable, because they look attractive. That
is even more clear with money, We have assigned value to the dollar, and that is why we
consider it valuable, not because it is made from cheap paper.
When it comes to material objects, value is imposed from above. Matter is not valuable in
itself, but it is valuable to us. That leaves us with a problem though. Where does our value
come from? If value is imposed on objects by human beings, what is left to give the
human being value? Here we come to a fundamental fact. Human beings are valuable
because they are valuable to God. Remove God from the equation, and there is nothing
left to establish the dignity of the human person.
The world does not want to acknowledge this, but it is an undeniable truth. If we deny
God, we also deny the dignity of the human person. In fact, we wouldn't even have the
word "person," if it weren't for the incarnation. This makes sense in light of what we have
been talking about thus far. We come from God. We are destined for God. Therefore, if
we remove God from the picture, what happens to humans? We wouldn't even exist, let
alone be considered valuable. The value of the human being, and in fact all objective
values (like goodness, truth, and beauty), are tied to the existence of God. We are
precious because we are precious to Him. Only God is ultimately capable of infusing the
world with intrinsic value. Who am I? I am loved by God. This is the only proper way to
answer this question.
To be loved by God. To love God in return. That is what it means to be human.
“Laws which legitimize the direct killing of innocent human beings through abortion
or euthanasia are in complete opposition to the inviolable right to life proper to
every individual; they thus deny the equality of everyone before the law.”
--Pope John Paul II, Evangelium vitae (1995), no. 72.
Taken from “On the "Pro-Choice" Position on Abortion.” To read the paper CLICK HERE.
Last Friday was a very dark day as the House of Representatives voted to pass the most radical abortion bill ever.
The so-called Women’s Health Protection Act, H.R. 3755, would:• Allow abortion on demand nationwide throughout EVERY STAGE of pregnancy• BAN pro-life laws in every state and local government• Force Americans to support abortions with their tax dollars• Likely eliminate conscience protections for doctors—among other extreme actions
Of those present, all but one House Democrat voted for the bill and all House Republicans voted against. The single House Democrat to vote against the bill was Rep. Henry Cuellar of Texas. You can see how
your representative voted here.
In his statement responding to this vote, Archbishop Joseph Naumann, Chairman of the Committee on Pro-Life Activities, called this bill “the most extreme pro-abortion bill our nation has ever seen.” Please contact your Representative today either to thank him/her for voting against H.R. 3755 or to express strong, but respectful, disagreement with their vote for the bill while urging him/her to reconsider support for this radical bill. In addition, we believe it is likely that the Senate will also vote on this bill in the very near future. So, please also contact your two Senators to strongly urge their opposition to the Senate version of this bill (S. 1975) when it comes up for a vote.
TAKE ACTION NOW!
As always, we are grateful for any action you can take on this matter and for all you do to proclaim the Gospel of Life. Please also join us in praying that our nation and its leaders will fully embrace this Gospel.Further background:
• Archbishop Naumann’s letter to Congress urging opposition to this bill• This fact sheet explaining the radical nature of this bill.
Call to Action
“Human rights, without the right to life, are the Kings New Clothes – it’s a fraud,
an exercise in self-deception.”
From Cardinal Sean O’Malley’s Pro-Life Homily
To read Cardinal O’Malley’s homily, CLICK HERE
St. Elias Maronite Church Page 4Oct 2-3, 2021
ORGANIZATIONAL HAPPENINGS
•JR. MYO: No scheduled events this week. •MYO: Parish Breakfast, following 8:00 AM Liturgy on
Sunday, followed by MCF Classes.Both Lebanese & American breakfasts will be offered.
•MCF CLASSES: Sunday at 9:20 AM (see note at right)•MYA: Bible Study, Thursday, Sep. 30, 2021, 7:00PM in
the First Communion Room.•SEMA: Parish-Wide Bible Study Zoom Meeting,
7:00 PM Wednesday.•MMSE (Men’s Group): Parish-Wide Bible Study Zoom
Meeting, 7:00 PM Wednesday. •LADIES’ ALTAR SOCIETY: 10:00 AM Liturgy, Wednesday,
October 6, with meeting & lunch to follow •PASTORAL COUNCIL: No scheduled events this week.
St. Elias Maronite Church Page 5Oct 2-3, 2021
Breakfast News
Due to the rising cost of, well,
EVERYTHING, we are raising the price of
breakfasts to $5.00 effective Sunday,
October 3rd. For that (still small) price, we
offer both American and Lebanese breakfasts
every Sunday after the 8:00 AM Liturgy.
Breakfast is an MYO fundraiser (or
donation) to our youth group and the money
helps pay for upcoming MYO activities.
See you Sunday!
ATTENTION ALL MCF STUDENTS/PARENTS
All MCF students will participate in the Eparchial
Child Safety Program on Sunday,
October 3, 2021.
The class will take place during the regular MCF
class time. Parents are asked to return a
permission slip for your child(ren) to participate if
you have not already done so.
If you have questions please contact Beverly
Kimes (205.837.2558).
Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your
faithful and kindle in them the fire of your
love. Send forth your Spirit and they shall be
created. And You shall renew the face of the
earth.
O, God, who by the light of the Holy Spirit,
did instruct the hearts of the faithful, grant
that by the same Holy Spirit we may be truly
wise and ever enjoy his consolations.
Through Christ Our Lord. Amen.
MYA SPONSORS TRUNK & TREATThe St. Elias MYA is sponsoring a Trunk &Treat on Saturday, October 30, 2021, from 3:00PM to 4:30PM, in the North parking lot (by the interstate).
More info to come later!
SACRED MUSIC CONVENTION
The Office of Sacred Liturgy is hosting a
Diocesan Sacred Music Convocation for
musicians and choir members to learn about the
importance of Sacred Music and how can we
best serve the musical needs of our parishes.
The event is free and will take place on Oct. 23
at St. Bernard Abbey in Cullman from 8:30
a.m.- 5 p.m. Materials and meals provided by
the Office of Sacred Liturgy.
Register at Diocesan Choir Rehearsals or at
St. Elias Maronite Church Page 6Oct 2-3, 2021
St. Elias Clean-up Day – Sunday, October 24, 2021, 1:00PM – 5:00PM(Dinner to be provided around 5:00PM)
If you can help (and to help us in planning what we can actually accomplish) please
CLICK HERE. Also, this will help us in planning dinner.
JOBS (Supplies Needed) (in no particular order)
✓ Pressure wash front steps/porch of church (pressure washer)
✓ Kill all ant beds (ant bait/killer)
✓ Trim shrubbery on fence line north side (hedge trimmer/clippers)
✓ Clean up grotto/plant flowers & shrubs (brooms/flowers/shrubs/shovel)
✓ Coordinate with Joe Aboujaoude
✓ Clean outdoor statues (brush cleaner/cleaning chemicals)
✓ Polish all church door handles (rags/polish)
✓ Clean choir loft/organize (vacuum/rags/cleaning chemicals)
✓ Coordinate with Michael Harrison
✓ Clean classrooms/organize closets & shelves (brooms/rags/chemicals)
✓ Coordinate with Sunday School teachers
✓ Clean/organize library (brooms/rags/chemicals)
✓ Cloth chairs: clean good ones; throw away bad ones (vacuum/rags/cleaning chemicals)
✓ Clean BBQ Pit (brooms/blower/steel brush/chemicals)
✓ Coordinate with Phillip Wehby)
✓ Clean stage area/organize (brooms/mop/rags/chemicals)
✓ Clean out Ladies closet/organize
✓ Coordinate with LaVonne Williamson
✓ Pick up trash around grounds (trash bags)
✓ Trim weeds between grounds & freeway (weed eater/hedge trimmer/clippers)
✓ Clean/organize back kitchen area
✓ Coordinate with Jill Williams & Janice Toner
✓ Clean/organize storage areas of back kitchen
✓ Coordinate with Norman Bolus & Anthony Bolus
✓ Clean fountains
✓ Coordinate with Joe Aboujaoude
✓ Clean areas between storm doors & office doors
✓ Pressure wash landing/walkways/steps around offices
✓ Plan/coordinate dinner
St. Elias Maronite Church Page 7
The St. Elias Ladies Altar Society is once again participating in the 2021 Alzheimer's Association Walk to End Alzheimer's in Birmingham. This event will be held on Sunday, October 17 at Sloss Furnaces.
We are kindly asking you to consider making a contribution to our team as we remember our fellow parishioners who we have lost, their families, caregivers, and those who are living with Alzheimer's and all other dementia.
Join our team by registering (it's free to do so) or donate to our fundraising efforts by clicking on our TEAM PAGE.
You can also mail in your donation directly to our Team Captain, Diane Wehby, 1168 Hardwick Lane, Homewood, AL 35209.
All checks should be made payable to the Alzheimer's Association.
If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to reach out to Diane at Diane Wehby (205) 612-2234 or Kimberly Stephens (205) 908-0787.
If you need help or support, please visit the Alzheimer's Association’s Website,
www.alz.orgor use their free 24/7 helpline at (800) 272-3900.
Saint EliasLadies' Altar Society
Please join the
John Carroll Catholic High School
Class of 2001
20-year Reunion
November 12, 2021
Cahaba Brewing Company
7 PM to 10 PM
For more information and tickets,
please email [email protected].
Deadline to register is
October 15, 2021.
PRINCE OF PEACE CATHOLIC SCHOOLRAFFLE TO BENEFIT FUNDING OF SCHOOL TECHNOLOGY
& SUPPLIES
Prince of Peace Catholic School is having it first ever raffle to help the school keep up with ever-changing technology and curriculum, safety measures and classroom supplies.
Tickets are $25 and are on sale now. There is no limit to how many you can purchase. We are using poppto.org for ticket sales, so you can buy them online and automatically be entered to win one of these fifteen cash prizes listed below:
•One $2,500 prize•One $1,000 prize•Three $500 prizes•Five $250 prizes•Five $100 prizes
To order tickets CLICK HERE
Ticket sales close October 7th at noon. Drawing will be held at an open PTO meeting the night of October 7th starting at 6:00 PM.
Oct 2-3, 2021
October 10th is designated “Order of Saint
Sharbel Sunday” in the Eparchy of Our Lady of
Lebanon of Los Angeles. We will have a brief,
special presentation on the Order that day. The
Order of Saint Sharbel is vitally important in
providing financial and spiritual support for
educating our seminarians, who are crucial for
the future of our Maronite Church. Please
prayerfully consider joining the Order. You may
enroll online at http://www.orderstsharbel.org
or CLICK HERE to print the application for
yourself. Ask Abouna for more information, if
needed.
St. Elias Maronite Church Page 8Oct 2-3, 2021
2022 Lebanese Parliamentary Elections
On Tuesday, September 28, 2021, the Lebanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants announced that Lebanese citizens living abroad could register to vote in the 2022 Lebanese parliamentary elections. The date of elections and the nature of the voting process for Lebanese living abroad has not been announced yet. However, registration for the election will start (online or in person) on Friday, October 1, 2021, and will end on November 20, 2021. To register, eligible voters can access the following link (which is expected to be active on Oct. 1, 2021) or contact Joey Chbeir (at 205.578.2870).
To be eligible to register and vote, individuals are expected to have the following:
1. A Lebanese passport, a Lebanese identity card, OR a civil status bulletin (Ikhraj Qaid);
AND
2. A US Permanent Residency Card (a/k/a Green Card), a US passport, a Lebanese passport with a valid visa, a US Work Permit, OR a valid US driver’s license.
We will provide more updates as we receive them from the Lebanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants.
Carlo H. Joseph III
Executive Vice President
205.365.4796
St. Elias Professional Network
Search for it on Facebook
& request to join.
It’s only open to
parishioners of St. Elias
and is a resource to
support our parishioners in
employment opportunities
and service needs.
TO BECOME A MEMBER OF THELADIES’ ALTAR SOCIETY, CONTACT
JAN JOSEPH [email protected]
MMSE (Maronite Men of St. Elias)Men of Prayer and Action
For St. Elias and the Community.Contact: Maron Boohaker, [email protected]
To place an ad
in the bulletincontactJimmy
To donate flowers forthe altar, contact
LaVonne Williamson205-936-9569
YOU DON’T HAVE TO WEAR A HAZMAT SUIT . . .
. . . but, we dorequest you wear a mask.
MCF Classes
Sundays at 9:20 AM!See you there!
Visit our website at stelias.org to donate online, read the bulletin & see the current church calendar.
SUPPORT THE ADVERTISERS
THAT SUPPORT OUR COMMUNITY
WEDNESDAY NIGHTS @7:00 PM
Via Zoom Meeting
Link will be sent each week via email.
vwplumbingsupply.com
Carlo H. Joseph III
Executive Vice President
205.365.4796
vwplumbingsupply.com