"Those who love their life lose it, and those who hate their life in this world will keep it for eternal life." - John 12:25
Christians have prayed for the dead since the time of Jesus. Jews before and during the time of Jesus likewise prayed for the dead. The importance of praying for the dead is mentioned explicitly in 2:Maccabees 12:42-46:"Turning to supplication, they prayed that the sinful deed might be fully blotted out. The noble Judas exhorted the people to keep themselves free from sin, for they had seen with their own eyes what had happened because of the sin of those who had fallen.He then took up a collection among all his soldiers, amounting to two thousand silver drachmas, which he sent to Jerusalem to provide for an expiatory sacrifice. In doing this he acted in a very excellent and noble way, inasmuch as he had the resurrection in mind;for if he were not expecting the fallen to rise again, it would have been superfluous and foolish to pray for the dead.But if he did this with a view to the splendid reward that awaits those who had gone to rest in godliness, it was a holy and pious thought.Thus he made atonement for the dead that they might be absolved from their sin." The scriptures record, Jesus himself makes strong allusions to the need to pray for the dead. In Matthew 12:32 Jesus speaks of sin forgivable in this age or in the age to come. If sin can be forgiven after death, then it is appropriate to pray for the dead. Jesus speaks similarly in Matthew 18:34 of debts that must be repaid after judgement by a man in prison. This man cannot pay back his own debts and must rely on the mercy of others. I believe most importantly in the Song of Songs when love is spoken of we hear of a love that is stronger than death and the grave. (See Song of Solomon 8:6) Our love is meant for eternity and we can keep loving even those who have died and they can keep loving us. Yet, love of people seeks to make the loved ones more holy. We pray for people after death, because we pray for people during life. Love admits when people who die are imperfect. Love sought to make the other more holy in life and continues on after the death of the beloved. We see the example of Jesus in his actions. Jesus sought holiness for Lazarus both before and after his death. Jesus saved the good thief on the cross moments before death. At least three times Jesus raises the dead. Jesus raised the dead, who should have gone to judgement. Jesus potentially affected the destinies of those who had died. Finally, we see it as important that Jesus rising on the third day. There was an expectation embedded in Jewish practice, addressed in prophecy, and fulfilled in Jesus that after death at least for a few days something at least is possible. Financial documents promised at the "state of the parish" are still being prepared. Access to the raw financial data is always available, if requested. Thank you for your patience.Parish family photos please submit photos of your family if you would like to be in the directory. Please find printable photos at the link below. https://drive.google.com/drive/u/0/mobile/folders/1b3sWYlv9zAjjqzX_6-JAoAEoPC-F6UPFPictures of the Dedicationhttps://drive.google.com/folderview?id=14WDuRnc_9cFeO68qYlZ4VWleenOw_LweServing dinner at St. Vincent de Paul Men's Shelter - every first Saturday of the month at 6:30 pm. Saturday, February 1 at 6:30 pm at 1921 S. Gettysburg.Restarting Adult Arabic Class Saturdays at 11 am, please ask if you would like ot be added to the email list. Valentine's Party - What a beautiful Vaentine's day party! Thank you to everyone who volunteered and participated.Feast of St. Maron Sunday, February 9th"Jesus did Lent"- talk at St. Mary's Church in Springboro February 11 at 7 pm - 8:30 pmAsh Monday February 24th 7pm Maronite Youth Organization retreat in Grasslake, MI February 28- March 1 https://www.maroniteyouth.org/ Women's retreat February 15th in Columbus, OH all women are invited all ages. 7am - 3pm. https://www.columbuscatholicwomen.com/ Men's retreat February 22nd in Columbus, OH all men are welcome all ages. 7am-3pm https://www.catholicmensministry.com/ Immaculée llibagiza Retreat Registration now available!!! IImmaculée Ilibagiza, author of Left to Tell, Discovering God Amidst the Rwandan Holocaust, is speaking at St. Ignatius of Loyola Church on Feb. 21, 5pm-9pm & Feb. 22, 9am-12:30pm. Registration can be found here: http://bit.ly/immaculeeregistration, or call the parish office at 513.661.6565 if you are unable to register online. Video links to Immaculée’s 60 Minutes interview and CBS Early Show interview: 60 Minutes http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=3004020n The Hartshorn family would like to invite you to the baptism of Peter Hartshorn, son of Nathan and Mariana Hartshorn (nee AbouJaoude) after the 11 am liturgy on February 23 with reception to follow.Save the Date Fish Fry March 27 6-9pm Parish reflection day retreat April 4 11am - 4pm Palm Sunday / Shanini Sunday, April 5 at 9 am and 11 am Coming to the Harbor April 6 and 7 at 7pm Rite of the Lamp, Wednesday, April 8 at 7pm Thursday of the Mysteries, April 9 at 7 pm (Sign up starting now) Great Friday of the Crucifixion, April 10 at noon and 7 pm Kids Easter Party April 11 - 11 am- 2pm Saturday of the light April 11th noon Easter Sunday April 12 midnight and 11 am (Orthodox Easter April 19th)We have to pay back $200,000 zero-interest loan. We have applied for a loan from the Knights of Columbus. We will most likely be taking out a $200,000 (rather than $150,000) loan within the next weeks. The loan has 4% interest and a 5 year term. However, we would prefer $200,000 in new donations to retire the loan.Feb 9, Sunday Collection- $1465 Our hall is available! If you or anyone you know is interested in using the church hall or church basement for a party or event please call 937-428-0372. We have classroom spaces that we could lease out under the right conditions. If you or a friend need temporary or long term space please call 937-428-0372.Eparchy Capital Campaign eparchy.org https://www.facebook.com/OLOLEparchy/Jesus came and said, “I have not come to be served, but to serve.” The Eparchy of Our Lady of Lebanon of Los Angeles is blessed to have such dedicated and loving priests. As leaders of our faith family, these men have kept our Eparchy vibrant and spiritual throughout their years of committed service. Because they have answered a call to serve us it leaves us with a clear moral obligation. We must ensure the most basic needs of our past, present and future priests are met.Watch our campaign video and learn more about how the Vision for the Future – Mission for Today Capital Campaign will benefit our retired priests who have so faithfully served our Maronite faith communities.
St. Ignatius of Antioch Church Sunday of the Faithful Departed February 16, 2020