"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
Jesus speaks to us about a choice that we have to make- to live for this life only, or to live for the next life. In John 12:25, Jesus says, "Those who love their life lose it, and those who hate their life in this world will keep it for eternal life." Paul says something similar, "Indeed, all who want to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted." In the lives of the righteous and the just and in the life of St. Maron we see people who laid down their lives for love. Parents often lay down their lives spiritually and practically for their children. Husbands and wives lay down their own lives for the sake of their beloved. Friends give up themselves sometimes even laying down their lives for their friends. Jesus says, "Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends." (John 15:13) Jesus himself laid down his life for us. This was a great act of love to show us that we are loved. That we were created for love. That we were created in love. That our whole existence rests on the love of God, without which we could not exist. St. Maron chose to leave the world to go out into the wilderness. He knew the power of prayer, and he was drawn to the love of God. St. Maron never ran from others. Rather he ran to the love of God. In his hermitage, Maron developed a deeper love for all mankind. He showed that love to those who came to him, through prayers, miracles, and words of encouragement. In fact people went to see Maron because they were drawn to the man who loves. They were drawn to Maron because in him they saw Jesus who is love incarnate. As Christians we do not seek out persecution and we do not run from life. Rather we run to a love which challenges us to challenge the wickedness in the world. As Christians we have found the Life of which this life is merely a sign, and in that Life we have our life. 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 February 14th at St. Ignatius Church $35 for adults, $20 for childrenFeast 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 Ephrem family would like to invite you to the baptism of Anthony, Laurette, Alessandra, and George children of George and Kendra Ephrem after the 11 am liturgy on February 9th with reception to follow.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 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.January 26, Sunday Collection- $1684 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 Righteous and Just February 9, 2020