As you are reading you know that we’re continuing with our second edition of St. Paul Church’s Newsletter and one question in front of us currently is what should be the name for this newsletter?

So far we have received so many names, both Syriac and English ones, with few examples such as “Faith, Hope, Message, Good Samaritan, Pearl, Shrarah, Nuhra, Thawa, Qala” and so on. We’re hoping that the next issue coming in 2006 would be in your hands with the official name of this newsletter.

You’ll also see that in this issue we have articles and news in different languages as we receive them from various contributors to this publication, enabling us to reach various groups with different background before coming to US.    

From Fr. Noel’s Desk:

 

Nativity of the Lord

To all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God.

 (John 1:12)

 This one, simple verse tells us why Jesus was born- so that we could become children of God. Could there possibly be a greater Christmas gift? All we have to do is receive him and believe in him.

How do you welcome a guest into your home? Don’t you try to make him or her feel welcomed and comfortable? What if this guest had something that you desperately needed? Wouldn’t you go out of your way more than usual? This is how Jesus wants us to welcome him today- with arms open to receive his salvation; with a willing heart to embrace his counsel and protection; and ready to drop everything to take our place of honor in his kingdom. Brothers and sisters, Jesus came as an innocent, lovable baby, but he is still the almighty Son o f God. He is still the One who gives us the “grace and truth” we need to overcome sin and become united with him forever (John 1:17). He is still the One who will come back at the end of time to judge the living and the dead. Clearly, receiving Jesus means so much more than a sense of happiness when we look at a manger scene!

According to St. John, believing is Jesus and receiving him means putting him first, far ahead of the fading glory and shifting hopes offered by this world. It means listening to his voice, doing his will, and letting his means laying down our self-directed lives and following t=his Spirit instead (7:37-39). And, best of all, it means being completely satisfied by him, the Bread of Life (6:35).

So as we celebrate Christmas today, let’s rejoice that we can be made into children of God- coheirs with Christ himself. Let’s embrace everything that this little child came to give us.

 

“All praise to you, Jesus, for coming among us! With an open heart and a willing spirit, I want to receive you today and every day of my life!”

 

Contacts: Parish Priest (Fr. Noel Gorgis (818) 765-3665); Parish Council (Mr. Fathollah Thomassi (818) 341 4113); Social Activity (Mr. Ashour Khowsroabadi (818) 486 3129); The Sacred Heart (Mrs. Azhar Neesan (818) 957 2331)

 

میلاد پیام

 و در آن نواحی شبانان در صحرا بسر می بردند و در شب پاسبانی گله های خویش میکردند. ناگاه فرشته خداوند برایشان ظاهر شد و جلال خداوند بر ایشان تابید (لوقا 2:8-9). انجیل لوقا واقعه تولد "نجات دهنده" را از تاریکی شب شروع میکند. با آمدن فرشته خدا سیاهی شب تبدیل به روشنائی میگردد. پیام "یلدا" پیام نور در تاریکی است. اما اولین کلام فرشته خدا به چوپانان این است که نترسید. زیرا "آن نوزاد" به شما بخشندگی و مهربانی عطا میکند. او پادشاه است. او شفا دهنده و بخشنده گناهان ماست.  او امید دهنده به ناامیدی ماست. او دوست واقعی و برادر  ماست که هیچگاه ما را ترک نمیکند. و بالاخره او مرگ ما را به حیات جاویدانی تبدیل میکند. آن شبانان ساده دل اما دانا پس از شنیدن خبر شادی بخش  فرشتگان تصمیم گرفتند که بسوی بیت لحم رفته و آن نجات دهنده را ببینند.

آری برادران  و خواهران عزیز در این ایام شادی بخش تصمیم نهائی با ماست که اراده کرده و لباس ایمان را به تن کنیم و بسوی دیدن آن منجی عالم براه افتیم. بدون شک برای پیمودن این جاده احتیاج به آب فراوان که همان دعای مستمر  و خستگی ناپذیر است داریم. همچنین نیاز به خوراک روحانی که همان "قربانی مقدس" (قربانا قدییشا) برای گرفتن قدرت و رسیدن به آن نور جهان داریم. اما در ضمن یادمان باشد که باید در تدارک هدیه ای برای آن "عزیز پدر " باشیم. آیا میتوان هدیه ای بهتر از قلبی مهربان و پاک تقدیم کنیم؟

عید میلاد مسیح منجی عالم مبارک باد

کشیش تومی تومیکه

 

 

Announcements:

The Divine Liturgy (Raza-d-Qadisha) is conducted every Sunday at 10:30AM. In respect to Holy Sacraments please see the following guidelines;

            Baptism: Please call three weeks in advance in order to schedule the Baptism.

Marriage: Please schedule your appointment at least six months ahead of time in order to have all the preparations in order.

            Ministry of Sick: In case of terminally ill parishioner please call the church rectory to arrange for the last rites.

           

            If you would like to serve in any of various parish’s groups please contact the office. The followings are the current active groups within the church.

 

            Parish Council: meets on the First Friday of the month in the parish hall at 7:00PM.

 

            Sacred Heart: meets on the First Saturday of the month in the parish hall at 3:00PM

 

Social Activities: meets based on need for the on going activity. I strongly encourage you to join the committee for this group as we’re in need of more volunteers in order to carry on with various required activities in the church.

 

Bible Study: Conducted in Farsi by Fr. Tomey on the First Friday of the month at 7:00PM.

 

Youth Bible Study: Conducted in English on the First Sunday of the month after the holy Mass at 12:00PM.

 

Sunday School: Every Sunday after Holy Mass the classes for the First Communion and Catechism is conducted in Syriac.

 

Church Choir: As you have noticed recently there has been a great improvement with our choir, thanks to the efforts of all participants. Yet we’re still looking for more participation for the choir. If you’re interested please see Fr. Noel.

 

Our Lady of Fatima: The Statue of Our Lady of Fatima is available upon request. Please gather in the family members for Prayer and Rosary. To arrange it please call Mr. Hormozi (661) 992-1072.

 

Aramaic Language: The class for teaching our mother tongue is on Saturday s from 11-2pm. If you would like to enroll see Fr. Noel.

Coming up….

            Christmas Bazaar: the sales are done by Sacred Heart

            New Year Party: plan to buy your ticket ASAP as the New Year is approaching fast!

 

           

From Our Youth Group:

 As you probably read it in our first Newsletter, we asked for participation of all parishioners in contributing to this publication. We’re very happy to print the First article by two sisters Vivian and Brenda Yousef Benjamin. Vivian & Brenda both honor graduates from their high school now are students in California State University, Northridge. We wish them continuous success in their studies.

 

What does Christmas Means to You?

Are you excited about Christmas? This is the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ. It is a great time of year, full of lights, colors, celebration, food and music. Gift giving is also a part of Christmas celebration. It was Saint Nicholas, a good-hearted bishop of 4^th century Asia Minor who brought gifts to the children. In the American tradition, this fellow who is known as Santa Clause, arrives on Christmas eve on a sleigh pulled by reindeer, and lands on the roofs of houses. He then climbs down the chimney, leaves gifts for the children, and eats the food they leave for him. He spends the rest of the year making toys and keeping lists on the behavior of the children. Another part of Christmas celebration is decorating a Christmas tree with lights and ornaments. But what does Christmas tree means? For many Christians the Christmas tree is the symbolism of the Paradise tree. The tree reminds us of the tree in Eden which overcame Adam and Eve and which thrust them into sin. However, more importantly, the tree reminds us of the tree by which our sins was overcome, namely the tree upon which Jesus Christ was crucified. We are getting closer to Christmas now and most of us have wonderful plans for this special season. We are getting ready by providing spectacular gifts for our families and friends. However, have you ever thought to yourself what would be a more valuable Christmas gift:                      Words from the heart or an expensive gift?

By: Vivian & Brenda

 

 

What did happen last month?

Sunday November 20

The First Pacha!

 Social activity group prepared the First Pacha (کله و پاچه) and most of people enjoyed a bowl of it on Sunday, November 20. We would like to thank Mr. John Babasi for his invaluable contribution from the beginning to the end of this project. Also many thanks goes to those parishioners who participated and supported this activity by purchasing a bowl of this delicious traditional food. We’re planning to have another one soon but this time it would be the one, which our sisters and brothers from Iraq used to make it (called Kapayya).