Beloved Parishioners and Friends of Saint Anthony’s,

As we enter into the Season of the Glorious Birth of our Lord Jesus Christ we should remember to join each other for spiritual celebration, to embrace those less fortunate with charity, and to reflect and to be grateful for our blessings. 

Christmas calls us to radiate God’s compassion and forgiveness.  Each year, the MYO’s service reminds us all to embrace the true spirit of the holiday season. Please take time to thank them for their efforts distributing twenty-five Thanksgiving dinners and spearheading the annual Bread & Roses gift drive for the less fortunate people in our community.  Each of you who volunteer to cook, read, serve, or to teach Sunday school, on a weekly and monthly basis, adds to the charitable life of our parish and remind us to give back during this season.

I want to take the opportunity to express my gratitude to all of you for your continuous love toward your home of Saint Anthony’s and thank you for using your time, talents, and treasures to strengthen our community and unite it stronger.  Jesus came so that we may have life and have it abundantly. This is the life that I hope all of you will discover and experience during this time of year. May your homes and families be blessed with the presence of Christ. 

As we move towards the New Year 2012, let us reflect on all of the wonderful accomplishments that our parish has been blessed with in 2011.
 

• The continued support of Club 50 members has allowed us to replace an air conditioner unit in the church, replace the ceiling tiles and windows in the church hall, and to update accessories in the kitchen.
• Mahrajan 2011: It was a Great S-U-C-C-E-S-S!!! The Good news that our Mahrajan of 2011 made $ 34,000.00!  Thank you and congratulations on a job well done! Our annual Mahrajan would not be possible without the hard work and generosity of our parishioners and friends.
• Let us be grateful for the Maronite Young Adults that represented our parish at The third National MYA Leadership Conference in Los Angeles CA; the Nine MYA bring back with them the passion to help our Church continue to grow. 
• The Maronite Young Adults (MYA) T-shirt Fundraiser.
• We have expanded the group of women who quietly pray for the sick of our parish.
• The ladies Guild: Ashley Farms and craft fair: what a great event it was and what great vendors participated. We're counting on you to be a source of encouragement for next year's event by telling those parishioners unable to attend.
• The Successful "Gold Buying Fundraiser".  We raised $ 7,875.00.   Once again, thank you to everyone who participated.
• St. Anthony’s has teamed up with Viridian, a Connecticut Electrical Supplier. We earned so far $ 2,500.00. There are NO contracts, NO fees, or NO cancellation fees. I encourage you to switch for FREE, support St. Anthony's Church and save money on your electric bill. You may sign up on the church website from the following states CT,NJ,PA,MD, www.viridian.com/stanthony click on become a customer , select Rate: Everyday Green. It will take 1 to 2 billing cycles to switch over. For questions call Independent Associate Mary Shakro at (203) 792- 4077.
• Our successful celebration of St Maron Jubilee year was held on Feb 2011. Bishops, priests, guests and more than 450 parishioners and friends were present.
• Special Recognition during the Jubilee Year of St Maron for our parishioners who have reached the age of 70 and above.
• It is remarkable to see participation of parishioners of all generations in spiritual and cultural activities such as the Choir, Altar boys, Ushers, Passion Play, Christmas Play, Christmas Party, Halloween Party, Easter Hung Hunt, MYO Scholarship Dinner, Father’s day Breakfast, Lentil Meal on Fridays, Mercy Meal, Knights of Columbus, Girls Scout Living Rosary and the Lebanese Language classes, I hope this continues to grow. 
• Six Flags trip for our teenagers on July 21, 2011 to NJ.
• Father Jean Younes’ Graduation on Saturday May 21st, 2011.
• George Jabbour’s Ordination as Subdeacon on June 4th, 2011.
• Submission to Bishop Gregory Mansour of the application form of Randy Michael to become our second Subdeacon.
• We have been able on a monthly basis to visit the sick members of our parish either in their homes, at the hospital, or in nursing homes and assisted living facilities. We have tried to show our love and concern for them even though they are unable to come to church.
• We are pleased that five new families have joined our parish and we welcome them.
• Three young ladies of our parish: Lauren Kilcourse, Jacqueline Salame and Alexandra Salame spent one month living at the orphanage in Lebanon. We hope to repeat the same experience next summer.
• The Lebanon American Club proudly announces the awarding of the 1st Annual Persons of the year Award to Edward Jowdy, James Jowdy, Sr. Taffy Jowdy from our Church and to our friend Lila Shaker from St Ann Church.
• 12 parishioners and friends with Father Jean Younes represented our community at the big reception of our new Patriarch Bechara Peter Rai in Fall River, MA on Tuesday October 18, 2011.

Throughout this season, St. Anthony’s invites you to join us to celebrate the Living Rosary in honor of the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, Friday, December 9, at 7 p.m. Our Annual Children’s Christmas party will take place on Sunday, December 18 after 10 a.m. Mass; please bring your children. Finally our children will perform their Christmas Play on Saturday, December 24 as we celebrate Christmas Eve Mass at 5 p.m. On January 7, 2012, the MYA will host their annual party at the Lebanon American Club. The event will be open to all young adults 18 and older. The MYA will sponsor a fundraising for renovations in the Church Rectory.

During the storms Irene and Albert many of us experienced difficult times with power outages and lack of water, trees down and so many other problems. Christmas is at our door; let’s hold hands together and pray for a calm winter; we all deserve it.

As your pastor, I am so pleased to inform you of the following joyous events which occurred from July1, 2010 to November 10, 2011:
 

Born in Christ  

• We rejoice with Mr. and Mrs.  Paul and Danyele Jaber on the Baptism and confirmation of their son Paul Nicholas Jaber III.
• We also rejoice with Mr. and Mrs.  Edgar and Rima Hajjar on the Baptism and confirmation of their sons Jacques F. Hajjar and Charles hajjar.
• We also rejoice with Mr. and Mrs.  Dany and Pascale Tawk on the Baptism and confirmation of their daughter Gabrielle A. Tawk.
• We also rejoice with Mr. and Mrs. Wissam and Diana Mounayar on the Baptism and confirmation of their Son Nicholas W. Mounayar.
• We also rejoice with Mr. and Mrs.  Mark and Tammy Fezza on the Baptism and confirmation of her Son Luke Fezza.
• We also rejoice with Mr. and Mrs. Hector Torres and Tabitha Taylor on the Baptism and confirmation of their Son Albert A. Taylor III.

 May Christ Jesus bless his children with grace and holiness.
 

Confirmed in Christ  

• We Rejoice with Chelsea R. Maigis who was confirmed at St Anthony Church and who announced her profession of Faith as Maronite Catholic.
• We Rejoice with Gabriel Lahoud who was confirmed at St Anthony Church and who announced his profession of Faith as Maronite Catholic.

 Married in Christ 

Our congratulations and best wishes go out to the newly wedded:

• Mr. and Mrs. Jack and Amanda Madkour
• Mr. and Mrs. Anthony and Lara Najamy

 First Holy Communion 

This year we were blessed to have 4 children making their First Holy Communion. 
Congratulation to: Gabriella Lagueux, Matthew Langdon, Luke Rioux, and Blake Taylor 
 

Died in Christ

During the past year it is with sadness that we experienced the deaths of nineteen of our loved ones:
Adam Taylor, Harry Ramey, Isabelle Kalil, Rose M. Lahoud, Lorice Nassif, Arlene Jowdy, Charles Simon, Joseph Howard, Sr., Victoria Shawool, Celia Basher David, Genevieve Deep, Elizabeth “Betty” McGran, Rose Murad, Viola Lubus Dorr, Mgr Ronald Beshara, Alice Caram Haddad Armbruster, Nellie Habetz; Elias Murad, and Joseph E. Estepfan.
We ask our Lord to give them the eternal life.

Finally, I would like to thank all the volunteers, the benefactors, and every individual who has made a difference in our community. I know that I could not have accomplished many of these things without your unselfish service and support. I also know that I cannot accomplish the goals of the future without your participation and commitment which will be necessary to achieve our future projects. Jesus came so that we may have life and have it abundantly. This is the life that I hope all of you will discover and experience during this time of year. May your homes and families be blessed with the presence of Christ. 

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year   -
In Lebanese we Say: (Milad Saeed wa Sanaa Mubarakah)
Father Jean Younes M.L.M