"Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of services, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who activates all of them in everyone."- 1 Corinthians 12:4-6
Many parents are having to make decisions about what to do with their children this year. There are a few things to consider. Parents are called to be the primary educators and formators. The decision of how to educate your children is ultimately up to you. Jesus is the truth. (John 14:6) As such Christians hold that all truth points to Jesus Christ, and no truth is contrary to the truth of faith. Good scientific and medical recommendations are not contrary to Christianity. "It is not good for man to be alone." (Genesis 2:18) Whether it is immediate family or extended friends, social skills and interactions are part of education. Faith formation is part of education. I encourage you to help your children know God and know about God. The arts are an important part of education. The creative process is a small participation in God's creation of the world. Your health physical and mental are important. It is important to do your best to balance good self-care with the education of your children. We are here to help. If there is anything that the parish or I can do to support you, please speak with me. -Fr. Alex Festival The 2020 Annual Greater Dayton Lebanese Festival will be drive-thru only this year with no rides, vendors, or alcohol due to COVID-19 concerns. We are offering kefta platters, chicken shawarma platters, and falafel platters, soda, and Baklava on a drive-thru/pick-up take home basis only. Platters include entree, loubie (green beans) and rice, pita bread, and salad. The "festival" will be held at 5915 Springboro Pike (Route 741), Miami Township, Dayton, Ohio, and the food sales will be on the same weekend but limited to two days only, Saturday, August 29 & Sunday, August 30 from 11-7 pm with volunteers needed from 10-8. Kefta Sales We will be selling frozen Kefta. $3 each or 10 for $25. We will have 100 available each Sunday after liturgies. Volunteers Please let me know if you are available to volunteer for the festival. Ideally we would like to accomodate groups of volunteers from one household, but welcome individual volunteers as well. We will follow all public health requirements for volunteers including masks, social distancing, and hand washing as required by law. We will also need volunteers to set up the festival the week before, there will be less to set up, but we will not be able to rely on community service workers. Office Manager We have hired a part time office manager to work 6-10 hours per week. Welcome Catherine Marasch! Finances Please consider supporting our $15,000 matching grant. This is a great opportunity for our parish to get $15,000 in "free" money. Any donation of $250 or more may be used for this. A donation of $1000, $5000, or more would be a great way toward meeting this grant. Jan-Jun 2020 Net Income $ -17,826.08 Jan-Jun 2018 Net Income $ 7,689.62 July 1, 2020 balance of all bank accounts including restricted funds $135,883.42 Liabilities: we currently have $282,500 in gap loans, and we're in the 3rd month of a $200,000 5-yr loan that has a monthly payment of $4,000. If you are able to support our parish in these times visit https://www.stiparish.org/donate to make a contribution via credit card or paypal, mail a check, or make an offering at liturgies. Please support "St Ignatius of Antioch Maronite Catholic Church" if you use amazon at https://smile.amazon.com/ Wish List Help the church save money and possibly get rid of things you no longer use. - Fire Resistant Safe with interior dimension of at least 14 x 9 or a fire resistant filing cabinet for church records. - An 8-10 in x 4-6 in glass or silver tray to hold the water and the wine on the altar. - A pool table or fooseball table for the basement. Chore/Maintenance List Help the church save money by donating your skills, talents, or interests. -Staining the podiums to match the altar and staining/ repairing a damaged section of a pew end. -Landscaping around our entrance sign. -Mulching the street facing wall of the church. Liturgy Schedule We will have 3 options to attend liturgy: 1. Outdoors. 2.Indoors with a mask. 3. Join us ONLINE for live broadcast at facebook.com/DaytonPrays/ or at stiparish.org Restrooms are available during all liturgies. Saturday, August 1 3:30-4:30 pm Confessions 4:30 pm Indoor Public Liturgy (Mask Required) Sunday, August 2 9 am Outdoor Public Liturgy 10 am Morning Prayer 11 am Indoor Public Liturgy (Mask required) (Columbus) 4:30 pm (Columbus) liturgy at St. Andrew Church Upper Arlington Monday, August 3 4-5:30 pm Confession 5:30 pm Indoor Public Liturgy Tuesday, August 4 4-5:30 pm Confession 5:30 pm Indoor Public Liturgy Wednesday, August 5 (No Confession) 5:30 pm Indoor Public Liturgy Thursday, August 6 4-5:30 pm Confession 5:30 pm Indoor Public Friday, August 7 4-5:30 pm Confession 5:30 pm Indoor Public Liturgy Saturday, August 8 3:30-4:30 Confession 4:30 pm Indoor Public Liturgy (Mask Required) Sunday, August 9 9 am Outdoor Public Liturgy 10 am Morning Prayer 11 am Indoor Public Liturgy (Mask required) "ALL VULNERABLE INDIVIDUALS (1. Elderly individuals. [age 60+] 2. Individuals with serious underlying health conditions, including high blood pressure, chronic lung disease, diabetes, obesity, asthma, and those whose immune system is compromised such as by chemotherapy for cancer and other conditions requiring such therapy.) should continue to shelter in place. Members of households with vulnerable residents should be aware that by returning to work or other environments where distancing is not practical, they could carry the virus back home. Precautions should be taken to isolate from vulnerable residents. All individuals, WHEN IN PUBLIC (e.g., parks, outdoor recreation areas, shopping areas), should maximize physical distance from others. Social settings of more than 10 people, where appropriate distancing may not be practical, should be avoided unless precautionary measures are observed." https://www.whitehouse.gov/openingamerica/ Safety protocols: 1. Wear a mask. 2. Practice social distancing of 6 feet. Free tutoring available. Please call 937-428-0372 to sign up your children. Anointing of the Sick is available particularly for those in danger of death, please call . Join daily for live streamed services-facebook.com/DaytonPrays/ Check for facebook.com/DaytonPrays daily prayers and Bible studies Glory to God always, Fr. Alex Harb "Pray, hope, and don't worry." St. Padre Pio