"Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good."- Romans 12:21
The joke about firefighters is that they do not have to work hard. The firefighters on duty sit around much of the day, sleeping, eating or playing cards and only rarely respond to a fire. Yet, everything they do is ordered to fighting fires. Their clothes are all in place. Their training is current. Their trucks are maintained. The on-duty firefighters must be well-rested, well-fed, and be a good team. Sleeping, eating, and relaxing on the job are each directed toward being ready to fight fires. Firefighting is their goal and mission, everything else is at the service of firefighting. A fireman can do other things besides fighting fires, but they cannot do anything that gets in the way of fighting fires.
As a parish we likewise have a mission. Our mission is to proclaim the Gospel and make disciples. We proclaim the Gospel to others and we pursue sanctity ourselves. Everything that we do should serve this goal.
This week we will also be nominating members for the pastoral council. The pastoral council likewise is at the service of our mission, the great commission, given to us by Jesus, Himself. Everything that we do on the pastoral council is at the service of helping our parish individually and collectively to fulfill our mission. As Paul writes to the Corinthians, "I am obligated to preach. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel!" (1 Corinthians 9:16b)
Jesus loves us so much, and he sets us free. Our response to His love and redemption should be to make disciples, to help others know that love as well.
- Fr. Alex Harb
-All Saints Day Holy Day Liturgy Friday, November 1 at 7pm.
-Family Dedication, renewal, and consecration- November 3 and November 10 we celebrate the Consecration of the Church and the Renewal of the Church, on December 15th Bishop Elias will be dedicating and consecrating our new home, and during Christmas we see Jesus entering the Holy Family. During this period, we should take time to renew, dedicate, and consecrate our families.
-Home Bible Q & A! Do you have questions about faith or the Bible? Host a Home Bible Q & A. 1) Schedule a date and location with Fr. Alex. 2) Invite your friends. 3) Prepare your questions. Note: this is not a Bible study or Bible meditation, which anyone can initiate
-Church Organizing and cleaning November 9th at 50 Nutt Rd.
-Pastoral Council Elections will be Sunday, November 24th after liturgy. We would like to thank those whose three year term of service will end December 31st: Claire Daoud, Joe Eid, Al Faris, Marianna Hartshorne, Don Little, Rita Najem, William Thomas, Jim Zaidan, and Trish Zennie. Their contributions, dedication, consultation, initiatives, and leadership have served the parish through 3 administrators and the purchase of our new home. Please begin submitting your nominations of people, including yourself by turning in the names on a folded sheet of paper in the collection basket with “Nomination”,written on the outside now through October 27th.
-We are beginning a feasibility discussion for starting a Daycare. Please speak with Fr. Alex if you have input or would like to be involved in this discussion.
-We have had suggestions for a men’s club, for a grief support group, and for a retiree get-together club. Please let Fr. Alex know if you would have any interest in any of these groups.
-Thanksgiving Dinner Sunday, November 24th after the 11 am liturgy.
-Christmas decorations- Sunday, December 1 after both liturgies.
- Annual St. Ignatius of Antioch Banquet Saturday, December 14th with Bishop Elias at Yankee Trace at 7pm with live music planned $65 per person with discounted ticket for kids 12 and under.
-Photo directory- during the banquet and before and after the dedication December 14th and 15th, we will have the opportunity to take free family photos, you will receive a free directory. We want every family to take photos.
-Consecration and dedication: Bishop Elias will consecrate and dedicate our new home on December 15th at 11.
-We will need at least 6 adults to read, 8 adults to dress the altar, and at least 10 youth for the processions for the dedication of our new Church.
- Christmas Novena December 16th - December 24th.
- Initiatives- To what is God calling you? What are your hopes, dreams, and ideas for our parish? What do you want to do? Mission, charity, prayers, work, fundraisers, or maintenance? How can we support you?
-Religious education sign up. This year we are planning to have religious education every Sunday after 11 am liturgy. We hope to have classes for all ages. Please submit a form into the collection basket with your name, number, email address, and your child(ren)’s name(s), age, and grade.
- Our prayers for those who are recently engaged in our parish.
-We need volunteers to read during the liturgy and to bring the gifts. If you would like to do so, please see George Najem for 11 am liturgy or Jim Zaidan for the 9 am Liturgy.
- Our prayers for new births and new parents in our parish.
- Bible Study every Sunday at 10 am.
- Sunday liturgies 9 am and 11 am
- Confessions immediately before and after liturgies or by appointment.
- The preliminary festival numbers are $41,077.92 Net Profits
- Yellow Springs Street Fair- Gross of $4985
New parish improvement needs
Replacing of water heater Tree Trimming Playground cleaning Framing for two large icons
Asphalt crack repair- should be done before the weather gets cold Roof repair- should be done asap
Carpet repair
St. Ignatius of Antioch 7th Sunday of Holy Cross October 27th, 2019