We are walking to help reclaim the future for millions. By participating in the 2012 Alzheimer's Association Walk to End Alzheimer's™, we are committed to raising awareness and funds for Alzheimer research, care and support. More than 5 million Americans currently have Alzheimer's and that number is expected to grow to as many as 16 million by 2050. Our future is at risk unless we can find a way to change the course of this disease. We need your support to do our part! Please make a donation to help the Alzheimer's Association advance research into prevention, treatments and a cure for Alzheimer's.
It looked like a sea of people gathered around the Blessed Virgin statue on the Assumption Feast at the National Shrine of Our Lady of Lebanon. The wave of faith and prayer traveled throughout the crowd warming hearts and lifting spirits. We were happy to host our clergy and friends for lunch and welcome guests at our house as usual. We also thank God for the many spiritual graces that He showers on his faithful through the intercession of Mary, the Mother of God.
In the Maronite Church, the month of May is dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary. On Sunday May 20, we decided to go visit the Basilica and National Shrine of Our Lady of Consolation in Carey, Ohio. It was certainly a beautiful day as we attended liturgy, savored a good lunch then enjoyed walking out in the shrine's park, meditating on the stations of the cross. On the way back we prayed the rosary together asking the Mother of God for her intercession for us and for all those who are in need of prayers. Click here for the Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Friends and benefactors joined us on Saturday April 14 
for the annual appreciation dinner for the members of Saint Anthony's Guild. Our community is thankful to God for His many blessings and is very appreciative of the love and support of the people who assist us in our mission and believe in the work that we do. We pledge our prayers to the clergy and laity who kindly donate their time and resources to help us. It is only through their generosity that we are able to reach out to others.
Invited by Father Rodolphe Wakim, pastor of Our Lady of Victory Maronite Church, we joined the Maronite community of Pittsburgh, PA for their Saturday evening celebration of Divine Liturgy, then attended their annual dinner in honor of Saint Maron's feastday, which was on February 9. It was a blessing to pray with our Maronite brothers and sisters there and to see many of our dear friends. 
In his homily focused on the gospel passage of Luke 8:40-56, Father Rodolphe explained that many illnesses we have may be invisible such as the hemorrhaging women's illness. Unlike the man with leprosy (Mark 1:35-43) whose healing we meditated on last week, the woman's pain was mostly concealed to the human eye. She must have been weak and exhausted, desperate for an end to her pain. She spent twelve years in agony and humiliation, rejected by those who knew her ailment considered shameful at the time. She had drained all her resources in hope for a cure but found none. Then she decided to go to Jesus. Instead of Him being her first resort, He was her last, Father Rodolphe remarked. In many ways, we are like the hemorrhaging woman. We know Jesus is the Healer of our body and soul and yet we seek help elsewhere, away from Him the source of light and life. We have recourse to things that drain us from within and have a meager ability to cure us. Our faith in Jesus is our only hope and cure, Father Rodolphe concluded. Fervently he asked God to shower His love and mercy on us so that we can reach out to Him in time of need and touch Him and delight in His peace.
On Saturday, February 4 and Sunday, February 5, 2012 the Maronite Christian Formation (MCF) students of Saint Maron Church in Youngstown, Ohio, held their first sleepover. Seventeen students, grades 1 thru 6, gathered for an afternoon and evening filled with prayer, games, and fellowship... and of course, pizza! Saturday evening completed with a movie, popcorn and ice cream before it was time for lights out. The weekend was capped off by the children taking part in the 8:30 a.m. liturgy by serving, reading and singing. Finally came the awards ceremony. Gifts and certificates were presented by Sister Celine Nohra, Director of Religious Education, to different students and classes based on regular attendance and participation. After all recognitions were given, the children were "let loose" to their parents and families.
Today is the feast of Saint Anthony of the desert, also known as Anthony The Great. He is the patron Saint of the Antonine Sisters and monks. We wish all the Antonine religious communities throughout the world a very happy and blessed feastday. For more information on Saint Anthony and the Antonine religious order please refer to our website.
