The Vine الكرمة

1. The Vine الكرمة WEEK OF THE REVELATION OF CHRIST’S MYSTERY TO NICODEMUS & THE JEWISH PEOPLE OUR LADY OF PEACE - CALGARY OUR LADY OF GOOD HELP - EDMONTON Saint Ephrem JANUARY 2009 Day 25:Memorial of the conversion of Saint Paul & his baptism  Day 26: Saint Agnes, a virgin  Day 27: Saint Paula, the widow  Day 28:Saint Ephrem, a Doctor in the Church  Day 29: Saint Baladius & Saint Apiolitos, a martyr  Day 30: Saint Maximus, the confessor  Day 31: Don John Bosco Rev. Fr. Esper Antoun – Pastor Deacon Michel Kassas – Assistant 504, 30th Ave. N.W 9809-76th Ave. N.W Calgary, AB T2M 2N6 Edmonton, AB T2E 1K6 Tel: (403) 289-8954 Tel: (780) 433-8571

2. WEEK OF THE REVELATION OF CHRIST’S MYSTERY TO NICODEMUS & THE JEWISH PEOPLE A Reading from the letter of St. Paul to the Galatians (Galatians 3:23-29) Brothers and Sisters: Before faith came, we were imprisoned and guarded under the law until faith would be revealed. Therefore the law was our disciplinarian until Christ came, so that we might be justified by faith. But now that faith has come, we are no longer subject to a disciplinarian, for in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith. As many of you as were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus. And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to the promise. Praise be to God always. A Reading from the Holy Gospel According to St. John (John 3:1-16) The Apostle said: Now there was a Pharisee named Nicodemus, a leader of the Jews. He came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God; for no one can do these signs that you do apart from the presence of God.” Jesus answered him, “Very truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above.” Nicodemus said to him, “How can anyone be born after having grown old? Can one enter a second time into the mother’s womb and be born?” Jesus answered, “Very truly, I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit. What is born of the flesh is flesh, and what is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not be astonished that I said to you, ‘You must be born from above.’ The wind blows where it chooses, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.” Nicodemus said to him, “How can these things be?” Jesus answered him, “Are you a teacher of Israel, and yet you do not understand these things? “Very truly, I tell you, we speak of what we know and testify to what we have seen; yet you do not receive our testimony. If I have told you about earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you about heavenly things? No one has ascended into heaven except the one who descended from heaven, the Son of Man. And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life. “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life. This is the truth. Peace be with you.

3. WEEK OF THE REVELATION OF CHRIST’S MYSTERY TO NICODEMUS & THE JEWISH PEOPLE INTERCESSIONS 1- Heavenly King, Illumine with the light of Your grace all who have given up who hold heretical teachings and draw them to Yourself, uniting them to Your holy, catholic and apostolic Church. We pray to the Lord 2- Heavenly King, Consoler, the Spirit of Truth, present in all places and filling all things, the treasury of blessings and the giver of life, come and dwell in us, cleanse us of all stain and save our souls. We pray to the Lord. 3- Heavenly King, O never failing protection of Christians, and their ever present advocate before the Creator, turn not away from the prayers of us sinners, but in your goodness extend your help to us, who call upon you with faith. Hasten, We pray to the Lord. 4- Heavenly King, save Your people and bless Your inheritance. Strengthen our public authorities in every good deed and protect our nation by the power of Your cross. We pray to the Lord. 5- Heavenly King, The grace that shines forth from your mouth like a torch has enlightened the universe, bestowed treasures of generosity upon the world, and shown us the eminence of humility. While you teach us by your words, Saint Ephrem, pray to the Word, Christ our God, that He may save our souls. We pray to the Lord. Prayer of Saint Ephrem O Lord and Master of my life, Grant not unto me a spirit of idleness, of discouragement, of lust for power, and of vain speaking. But bestow upon me, Thy servant, the spirit of chastity, of meekness, of patience, and of love. Yea, O Lord and King, grant that I may perceive my own transgressions, and judge not my brother,for blessed art Thouunto ages of ages. Amen.

4. WEEK OF THE REVELATION OF CHRIST’S MYSTERY TO NICODEMUS & THE JEWISH PEOPLE Masses Schedule JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2009 Sunday 25th January 2009 Our Lady of Peace Calgary 11:00 am Our Lady of Good Help Edmonton 5:00pm (English) 6:00 pm (Arabic) Sunday 1st February 2009 Our Lady of Peace Calgary 6:00 pm Our Lady of Good Help Edmonton 11:00 am (English) 12:00 Noon (Arabic) Sunday 8th February 2009 Our Lady of Peace Calgary 11:00 am Our Lady of Good Help Edmonton 11:00 am (English) 12:00 Noon (Arabic) Sunday 15th February 2009 Deacon Michel Kassas’s Ordination at Our Lady of Peace Calgary at 12:00 Noon Sunday 22nd February 2009 Thanksgiving Mass For Newly Ordained priest Michel Kassas at Our Lady of Good Help Edmonton at 12:00 Noon Sunday March 1st 2009 Our Lady of Peace Calgary11:00 am Our Lady of Good Help Edmonton 11:00 am (English) 12:00 Noon (Arabic) Sacrament of First Communion 2009 Eucharist is our coming together as a community to “Give thanks" to our loving God in Jesus. As children prepare for First Eucharist, sharing your own faith in Jesus and understanding of the Eucharist is important and is essential to your child's growth in faith. Registrations January 18th , 2009 to February 1st , 2009 Our Lady of Peace Calgary Please Contact Mrs .Alice El- Hajj Our Lady of Good Help Edmonton Please Contact Miss. Nada Youssef & Miss. Nancy Halabi EPIPHANY’S SEASON Our Lady of Good Help – Edmonton Our Lady of Peace – Calgary www.mcparish.orgwww.mcparishcalgary.org