Announcement to Zachariah

The Season of Announcements is a commemoration of those events surrounding and culminatingwith the incarnation of Jesus. It opens with the Announcement to Zachariah that John, theForerunner of Jesus, was to be born.

Mention of the Archangel Gabriel, whose name means “God is strong,” is found in the OldTestament. The archangel appeared to the prophet Daniel and spoke of the end of time whenGod will come to judge his people (Daniel 8:16 -26; 8:21-27). In the New Testament, theappearance of Gabriel to Zachariah is an indication that Gabriel is completing his mission andthat the final days have begun. Although more than two millenia have intervened since the birthof John the Forerunner, it must always be recalled that we are living in the “end times” - thefulfillment of all that has been promised.

Gabriel appeared to Zachariah, a descendant of Aaron, a member of the priestly caste. Thisappearance took place while Zachariah was fulfilling one of the priestly functions, the offering ofincense at the Temple altar.

The prophecy of a birth of a son was not only good news for Israel, but also good news for theaged Zachariah and Elizabeth. For years they had been living under the curse of having nochildren. Gabriel now told them that Elizabeth, in her old age, was to give birth to a son. Thenews given to Zachariah and Elizabeth recalls the promise given to Abraham and Sarah: they toowere childless, but were promised descendants.

Although he knew that nothing is impossible for God, Zachariah doubted the Message. In orderto bring him to belief, Gabriel gave him a sign: Zachariah was to be mute until the birth of hisson. This sign given to Zachariah is intended for all of us. John the Forerunner is the linkbetween the Old and New Covenants. With the coming of the Savior, the Old will be silencedand the New Covenant proclaimed. Filled with the spirit, we cry out with Zachariah, “Blessedare You, O God!”

The early Fathers provide us with an interesting epilogue to this account. They taught thatZachariah was martyred because he refused to disclose John’s hiding place to Herod’s soldiers(Matt 23:35).

Saint Anthony’s Maronite Catholic ChurchEparchy of Saint Maron of Brooklyn

4611 Sadler RoadGlen Allen, VA 23060

Phone (804) 270-7234; Fax (804) 273-9914 E-Mail: Stanthony@StAnthonyMaroniteChurch.org; StAnthonyMaroniteChurch@Verizon.net

Website: WWW.StAnthonyMaroniteChurch.org

Msgr. George M. Sebaali, Pastor

Sunday, November 16, 2014, Announcement to Zachariah

Sunday, November 16, 2014 at 8:30 a.m.: Margaret, Chris, Harry & Zackia Shaia and Philip & Mary GibrallSunday, November 16, 2014 at 11:00 o’clock George, Rosa and Faiz Oley

Daily Liturgy in the Chapel at 9:00 A.M. (Nov. 17 - 22)Monday: Abe, Julia and Peggy Massad Tuesday: John Malcolm III and deceased Maron & Khoury familiesWednesday: Mike Cooke Thursday: No Morning LiturgyFriday: No Morning LiturgySaturday:Sunday, November 23, 2014 at 8:30 a.m.: Nagieb & Sadie Sanyour and Theresa SharmanSunday, November 23, 2014 at 11:00 o’clock Charles and Alice Anthony & Charles, Jr.

Daily Liturgy in the Chapel at 9:00 A.M. (Nov. 24 - 29)Monday: Abe, Julia and Peggy MassadTuesday:Wednesday:Thursday: Fred and Ethel ShibleyFriday: Margaret Shaia Saturday:Sunday, November 30, 2014 at 8:30 a.m.: Stephen & Mildred Humlan and Nagi, Fred, Steven, Mary and NormanFahedSunday, November 30, 2014 at 11:00 o’clock

James and Mary Netherwood

Scripture Readings, Sunday November 23, 2014Announcement to Mary

Gal 3:15 - 22; Lk 1:26 - 38

Choir PracticeTuesday, November 18, 2014, there will be a Choir

practice at 7:00 p.m.

ReadersSunday, November 23, 2014 at 8:30 a.m.Paul ThomasSunday, November 23, 2014 at 11:00 o'clockLeo Maynes

UshersSunday, November 23, 2014 at 8:30 a.m.Tom Dailey, Tom Anthony, Michael Spooner, MarshallStephenson and Chet WadeSunday, November 23, 2014 at 11:00 o'clockSam Shibley, Justin Ransom, Anthony Harika and Fady Maroun

Altar BoysSunday, November 23, 2014 at 8:30 a.m.Brett and J. T. Shulleeta, Clark Sawyer, Nicholas Shaia andJacob WellsSunday, November 23, 2014 at 11:00 o'clockJulian Chaoul, Jad Kakish, Joseph Shibley and John El-Jor

Ladies Communion BrunchIn order to enhance their spiritual life and to create a strongersocial and communal bond among themselves, on Sunday,November 16, 2014, at the 11:00 o’clock Liturgy, all womenof the parish are invited to sit together as a group in the frontpews of the Church and to receive the Eucharist as a body. Following the Liturgy, they will go to brunch at BT’s Deli. Formore information or any questions, please call Mary Siefke at749-3560.

Christmas Benefit DinnerThe Christmas Benefit Dinner will take place on Sunday,December 7, 2014, following the 11:00 o’clock Liturgy. TheChristmas Benefit Dinner is an annual event to raise funds fororphaned children in Lebanon. Tickets are on sale starting onSunday, November 2. Tickets are $25 per person or $10 for

children 10 years old and under.

Christmas Tree Charitable DriveSunday after Thanksgiving, the Charitable Christmas tree will be setup. If you would like to participate, pick up a star, return the gift tothe Church (gift wrapped) with the star on the outside no later thanSunday December 21, 2014. Thank you for your participation. Monetary contributions in lieu of gifts are also appreciated.

Second CollectionOn Sunday, December 7, 2013, a second collection will be taken forMaronite Patriarchal Charities. This collection, taken at the requestof Bishop Gregory Mansour, allows us, as an Eparchy, to strengthenour Patriarch’s charitable giving. It is like the “Peter’s Pence”collection for our Patriarch.

Christmas PoinsettiasIf you would like to contribute toward

flowers for the Church at Christmas,please let me know on or before

December 21, 2014. The check should bemade to St. Anthony’s Church and should be marked “ChristmasFlowers.” Cost: Poinsettias $20 each. All flower contributions willbe acknowledged in the Christmas Bulletin. Flowers could be inmemory of deceased loved ones, or in honor of a loved one, or evenin thanksgiving for special graces.

Visit of the Relics of Saint RafkaI hope and pray that the visit of the Relics of Saint Rafka was a sourceof blessings and spiritual rejuvenation for all of us. We feel like wenow know her up-close and personal. May her prayers andintercessions always be with you. Thank you for all you have done toprepare for the visit and during the visit.

Sunday SchoolDue to the Thanksgiving Holiday, there will be no ReligiousEducation classes on Sunday, November 30, 2014. ReligiousEducation will resume on Sunday, December 7, 2014.