Holy Cross Melkite Catholic Church Bulletin.
Sunday, April 5, 2020. Palm Sunday.
During the fourth century, the glorious entrance of Jesus into Jerusalem was commemorated by a public reading of the Gospel in which Christ is hailed as the King of Israel taking possession of his capital city, Jerusalem, symbol of the Heavenly City. Then a bishop, riding on a donkey and a multitude of people carrying palms and singing hymns, processed to the Church of the Holy Resurrection. Every Eastern Church took up this celebration in the form of a procession. This was adopted by the Church of Rome in the year 1039.

April 5. Commemoration of the Holy Martyrs Claudius, Diodorus, Victor, Pappius, Nicephorus and Serapion. These Holy Martyrs died for their faith at Corinth under Emperor Decius (249-251).

Holy Cross Church is here for you and your family during this difficult time.
Helping Hands. If you are homebound and cannot make it to the grocery store or pharmacy, please contact the church office. We will pick up and deliver any necessities, medications, or anything else you need.
Food assistance. If your family is facing financial difficulty we are able to assist you financially to purchase food or other items.
Health Concerns. If you have any questions regarding your health or are concerned about symptoms you or a family member might be exhibiting, health care professionals in our parish are available to assist and answer your questions.

If you wish to spend some private time with the Lord in Church during Holy Week, please contact the church office for hours. The Church is available for private prayer and are carefully practicing social distancing.

We will Bless Palms this Sunday and they will be available for anyone pick up at the entrance of the Church.

A family in our Church is making face masks. If you need a limited amount or are able to donate any of these items please contact the office.
-Cotton fabric. If you are able to cut the fabric into 9x7 rectangles that would be ideal. If you can’t whatever size you have is ok.
-1/4” elastic bands.
-Bobbins for a Brother sewing machine .
-Please wash the fabric and dry on the highest heat.
-In addition to cotton fabrics the following materials are effective against 1-micron particles: dish towel (83%), cotton blend (74%) or 100% cotton (69%) t-shirt or clothing, antimicrobial pillowcase (65%), scarf (62%), pillowcase (62%), linen (60%), silk (58%).
-Bedsheets and table cloths are not good for masks.

We will be live streaming all our prayers on our Facebook Page where you will also find some spiritual reflections and parish updates: Facebook.com/HolyCrossMelkite

We will be recording and posting all our prayers on the parish youtube page. To get automatic notifications please subscribe at: YouTube.com/HolyCrossMelkite

You may subscribe to Father François Beyrouti's homilies at: YouTube.com/MelkiteTV

Saturday, April 4. Lazarus Saturday.
11:00 a.m. Divine Liturgy.
John 11:40-44. “Jesus said to Martha, ‘Did I not tell you that if you would believe you would see the glory of God?’ [41] So they took away the stone. And Jesus lifted up his eyes and said, ‘Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me. [42] I knew that thou hearest me always, but I have said this on account of the people standing by, that they may believe that thou didst send me.’ [43] When he had said this, he cried with a loud voice, ‘Laz'arus, come out.’ [44] The dead man came out, his hands and feet bound with bandages, and his face wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, "Unbind him, and let him go.”

4:30 p.m.-5:00 p.m. Confession.
5:00 p.m. Triumphal entry Vespers.

Sunday, April 5. Palm Sunday.
11:00 a.m. Divine Liturgy and blessing of the Palms.
John 12:12-13. “A great crowd who had come to the feast heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem. So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, crying, ‘Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel!’ ”

Monday, April 6. Great and Holy Monday.
6:15 p.m. - 6:45 p.m. Confession.
7:00 p.m. Bridegroom Service.
Matthew 25:5-6, 13. “The bridegroom was delayed and they all slumbered and slept. But at midnight there was a cry, ‘Behold, the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.’ … Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.”

Tuesday, April 7. Great and Holy Tuesday.
6:15 p.m. - 6:45 p.m. Confession.
7:00 p.m. Bridegroom Service.

Wednesday, April 8. Great and Holy Wednesday.
6:15 p.m. - 6:45 p.m. Confession.
7:00 p.m. Mystery of Holy Anointing.
Luke 4:17-21 (Cf. Isaiah 61:1-3). “Jesus opened the book and found the place where it was written, ‘The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord.’ And he closed the book, and gave it back to the attendant, and sat down; and the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him. And he began to say to them, ‘Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.’ ”
James 5:13-16. “Is any one among you suffering? Let him pray. Is any cheerful? Let him sing praise. Is any among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord; and the prayer of faith will save the sick man, and the Lord will raise him up; and if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. Therefore confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man has great power in its effects.”

Thursday, April 9. Great and Holy Thursday.
11:00 a.m. The Divine Liturgy of Saint Basil the Great. Institution of the Holy Eucharist.
Matthew 26:26-28. “Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed, and broke it, and gave it to the disciples and said, ‘Take, eat; this is my body.’ And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, ‘Drink of it, all of you; for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.

6:15 p.m. - 6:45 p.m. Confession.
7:00 p.m. Passion Gospels and Crucifixion Service.
John 13:3-5, 12-14. “Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going to God, [4] rose from supper, laid aside his garments, and girded himself with a towel. [5] Then he poured water into a basin, and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel with which he was girded. … [12] When he had washed their feet, and taken his garments, and resumed his place, he said to them, ‘Do you know what I have done to you? [13] You call me Teacher and Lord; and you are right, for so I am. [14] If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet.’ ”

Friday, April 10. Great and Holy Friday.
6:15 p.m. - 6:45 p.m. Confession.
7:00 p.m. Service of Lamentations (Funeral of Christ / Genaz Al-Maseeh).
Isaiah 53:5. “He was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that made us whole, and with his stripes we are healed.”

Saturday, April 11. Great and Holy Saturday.
11:00 a.m. Blessing of the New Light, Vespers, and Discovery of the Empty Tomb. The Divine Liturgy of Saint Basil the Great.
1 Peter 3:18-20. “For Christ also died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit; [19] in which he went and preached to the spirits in prison.”

10:00 p.m. Hajmeh, Paschal Resurrection Matins, and Easter Sunday Divine Liturgy. Christ is Risen. Al-Maseeh Qaam.
1 Corinthians 15:20-22. “Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep. For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive.”

Sunday, April 12. The Saturday evening Divine Liturgy celebrates the Resurrection of Jesus (Easter Sunday). There will not be a Sunday morning Divine Liturgy. Christ is Risen. Al-Maseeh Qaam.

If you are able to continue financial assistance to your parish you may mail your donation to the Church or donate with your credit card at: holycrossmelkite.org/donate.
You can also find us on Givelify App.

Gather as a family for daily prayers, watch the live-stream prayers together, and spend time with each other reading the Bible.

If you have any questions or requests please contact the office. We are praying for you every day. Keep in mind Psalm 23:4. “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil; for You are with me.”

Continue to pray for God’s guidance and protection. “Jesus Christ, you traveled through towns and villages to cure every disease and illness. At your command, the sick are made well. Come to our aid now, in the midst of the global spread of the coronavirus, that we may experience your healing love. Heal those who are sick with the virus. May they regain their strength and health through medical care. Heal us from our fear, which prevents nations from working together. Heal us from our pride, which can make us claim invulnerability to a disease that knows no borders.”

Noah's family was confined in the Ark for 40 days and 40 nights. There were no windows, no balconies, no terrraces, no internet, no phone, no TV, no Youtube, Facebook, or Netflix. They only heard the rain. They spend their time praying, loving each other, and caring for the animals. God took care of them as Noah was a man of faith and obeyed His word. Remember even though there is out there an ocean of viruses and life seems like a stormy ride, Our God is watching over us. Do not be afraid. Be faithful to Him and wait patiently. The rain will stop and a rainbow will shine and all be well again.

Hymns: (See our Church’s website for Audio Recordings: holycrossmelkite.org/Melkite-hymns)
First Troparion of the Feast (Tone 1). O Christ God, when You raised Lazarus from the dead, before the time of your passion, you confirmed the future resurrection of all. We too, like the children of old, carry before You the symbols of your triumph and victory and cry out to You, the conqueror of Death: “Hosanna in the highest! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!”
Second Troparion of the Feast (Tone 4). O Christ our God, we have been buried with You in baptism: wherefore we merited eternal life through your resurrection. We cry out to You, singing a hymn of praise: “Hosanna in the highest! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!”
Troparion of the Holy Cross (Tone 2). O Lord save your people and bless your inheritance, granting peace to the world; and protect your community by the power of your Cross.
Kondakion of the Feast (Tone 6). O Christ God enthroned in heaven, and on earth riding upon an ass; You have accepted the praise of the angels and the hymns of the children who were crying out to You: “Blessed are You who come to restore Adam.”

Epistle: Philippians 4:4-9..
Gospel: John 12:1-18. Full reading below.

Today’s Divine Liturgy is celebrated for the repose of the souls of:
Fr. Stephen Casmus (March 24, 2020), Morched Ibrahim (March 23, 2020), Claire Andraos Saikaly (March 22, 2020), Iman Farah (March 21, 2020), Jeanne d’Arc Nassar (March 10, 2020), Maroon Karam (March 10, 2020), Sr. Paule (Toufica) Wehbe (February 24, 2020), Anne Bernadette Rembisz (March 4, 2020), Michel Absi (March 3, 2020), Bassem Fouad Sidhom (March 2, 2020), Anise Eramya (February 29, 2020), Niko Albanis (February 27, 2020), Mufid Kashou (February 26, 2020), Adibee Elhosni (January 8, 2007), Dib Elhosni (April 8, 2002).
The health, safety, and salvation of:
Rowena Angeles, John Bastian, Joseph Bechara, Inaam Bottomley, Carmen Kassouf, Brigette Lao, Salem Madanat, Conchita McElrafth, Violette Saghbini, Marie Semaan, Florence Shaib, Father Saba Shofany, Tom Tomey.
For vocations to the priesthood, monastic life, and lay parish ministries.
For peace in Egypt, Iraq, Lebanon, Palestine, Syria, and all the troubled regions around the world.

Scripture Memory:
“Have no anxiety about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. [7] And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, will keep your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. [8] Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things” (Philippians 4:6-8).

“The next day a great crowd who had come to the feast heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem. [13] So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, crying, ‘Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel!’ ” (John 12:12-13).

Father François Beyrouti’s Homilies. You can listen and subscribe to the homilies on YouTube.com/MelkiteTV or these podcasts: Apple’s iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher, and TuneIn + Alexa, Google Podcast, and iHeart Radio podcasts.
If you would like to receive the emailed weekly parish bulletin or homily please sign up on our website (HolyCrossMelkite.org) or contact the office. Most recent homilies by Father François Beyrouti:
-“Are You Still Alive?” March 29, 2020.
-“Is There Peace in Your In-vironment?” March 22, 2020.
-“Spiritual Control of the Corona Virus.” March 15, 2020.
-“Confession, Not Just to God.” March 08, 2020.
-“Are you Saved?” February 23, 2020.

Listen to Melkite audio links on our parish website at holycrossmelkite.org/Melkite-hymns
We uploaded many Melkite hymns for the Divine Liturgy and other important services. To practice or become more familiar with our beautiful liturgical hymns you can listen or download them by visiting the above link.

Your Sunday donation envelopes are mailed to you every two months. These envelopes are dated with your envelope number on the back. Please contact the office if you are not registered or did not receive your envelopes. Thank you.

Do you want to be inspired and learn more about your Catholic Faith? Listen to Relevant, a Catholic Radio station on 930 am. For further information visit their website or call 1-888-887-7120.

Listen to Melkite audio links on our parish website at holycrossmelkite.org/Melkite-hymns
We uploaded many Melkite hymns for the Divine Liturgy and other important services. To practice or become more familiar with our beautiful liturgical hymns you can listen or download them by visiting the above link.

Thank you for your ongoing generous donations:
-Thursday April 2. Palm Sunday Donation: $175.
-Tuesday March 31. Holy Land deposit: $25.
-Tuesday March 31. Memorial – Building fund deposit: $25.
-Tuesday March 31. Building fund deposit: $625.
-Tuesday March 31. Sunday donation deposit: $1,175 + candles $15 = $1,190.
-Friday March 27. Sunday donation: $175.
-Friday March 27. Charity Account deposit: $260.
-Friday March 27. Funeral. Building fund deposit: $300.
-Friday March 27. Building fund deposit: $2,740.
-Friday March 20. Building fund deposit: $2,600.
-Friday March 20. Memorial. Building fund deposit: $600.
-Sunday March 15. Divine Liturgy colletion: $339 in 6 envelopes (average $56 per envelope) + $19 loose plate + $52 candles = $410.
- Thursday March 12. Falafel Luncheon deposit: $1,132.
- Thursday March 12. House Blessings. Building fund deposit: $3,295.
-Thursday March 12. Building fund deposit: $3,730.
-Thursday March 12. Charity fund deposit: $100.
-Sunday March 8. Divine Liturgy collection: $940 in 28 envelopes (average $34 per envelope) + $263 loose plate + $76 candles = $1,279.
-Wednesday March 4. Building fund red envelopes deposit: $1,883.
-Wednesday March 4. House Blessings. Building fund deposit: $1,590.
-Sunday March 1. Divine Liturgy collection: 1,065 in 23 envelopes (average $46 per envelope) + $362 loose plate + $179 candles = $1,606.

Total deposits in the past four months: December: $116,145, January: $30,322, February: $18,027, March: $20,790, April: $175.

Sample Holy Cross Church Expenses:
$131.59 paid March 25, 2020. Sparkletts.
$118.63 paid March 25, 2020. Photocopier lease (Great American Financial Services).
$94.30 paid March 12, 2020. SoCal Gas.
$62.94 paid March 11, 2020. SoCal Gas.
$177.39 paid March 6, 2020. Republic Trash Services.
$359 paid March 6, 2020. Servant Keeper parish database computer program.
$58.64 paid March 4, 2020. SoCal Edison.
$528.69 paid March 3, 2020. Golden State Water Company.
$118.63 paid March 1, 2020. Photocopier lease (Great American Financial Services).

Epistle for Palm Sunday, Philippians 4:4-9. Read by Gabriel Saada.
Prokimenon (Tone 4). Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. God is the Lord and he has appeared to us.
Stichon: Sing to the Lord, for he is good, for his mercy endures forever.

A Reading from the Epistle of St. Paul to the Philippians (4:4-9).
Brethren, rejoice in the Lord always; again I say rejoice. Let your moderation be known to all men. The Lord is near. Have no anxiety, but in every prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your petitions be made known to God. And may God’s peace that surpasses all understanding guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
For the rest, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever honorable, whatever just, whatever holy, whatever lovable, whatever of good repute, if there be any virtue, if anything is worthy of praise: consider these things. And what you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, these things practice — and the God of peace will be with you.

ALLELUIA (Tone 3)
Sing to the Lord a new song; for the Lord has done wonderful works.
Stichon: All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.

The Holy Gospel According to St. John (12:1-18. The Glorious Entry into Jerusalem).
Six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany the home of Lazarus, he had raised from the dead. And they made him a supper there; and Martha served, while Lazarus was one of those sitting at table with him. Mary therefore took a pound of ointment, genuine nard of great value, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and with her hair wiped his feet dry. And the house was filled with the odor of the ointment. Then one of his disciples, Judas son of Simon the Iscariot, the one who was about to betray him, said, “Why was this ointment not sold for three hundred denarii, and given to the poor?” Now he said this, not that he cared for the poor, but because he was a thief, and holding the purse, used to take what was put in it. Jesus therefore said, “Let her be: she was to keep it for the day of my burial. For the poor you have always with you, but you do not always have me.” Now the great crowd of the Jews learned that he was there; and they came, not only because of Jesus, but that they might see Lazarus, the man he had raised from the dead. But the chief priests planned to put Lazarus to death also. For on his account many of the Jews began to leave them and to believe in Jesus. Now the next day the great crowd which had come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, took up palm fronds and went out to meet him. And they cried out, “Hosanna! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord, the king of Israel!” And Jesus found a young ass, and sat upon it, as it is written, “Fear not, daughter of Sion; behold, thy king comes, sitting upon the colt of an ass.” These things his disciples did not at first understand. But when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered these things were written about him, and that they had done these things to him. The crowd therefore, which was with him when he called Lazarus from the tomb and raised him from the dead, bore witness to him. And the reason why the’ crowd also went to meet him was that they heard he had worked this sign.

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Holy Cross Melkite Catholic Church.
451 West Madison Avenue, Placentia, CA 92870-4537
Telephone: (714) 985-1710.
E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Parish Web site: HolyCrossMelkite.org
Facebook Page: Facebook.com/HolyCrossMelkite
YouTube Page: Youtube.com/HolyCrossMelkite
Twitter: https://twitter.com/HCMelkite

Pastor: Father François Beyrouti.
Electronic mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. - Cellular phone: (714) 914-1710.

Pastoral Associate: Deacon Elias Kashou.
Office Manager: Carol Nasr.
Choir Directors: Saad Tashman and Lupe Ojeda.
Sunday School / Eastern Christian Formation Program: Every Sunday after the Divine Liturgy from September-May. Pre-School to Grade 8.
Our Lady’s Society: Iman Lutfi (714) 595-7999.

LITURGICAL SCHEDULE
SATURDAY: 4:30 p.m. Confession. 5:00 p.m. Vespers (Evening prayer).
SUNDAY: 9:45 p.m. Orthros (Morning prayer). 11:00 a.m. The Divine Liturgy.

ARABIC DIVINE LITURGY: 5:00 p.m. Saturday before the first Sunday of the month. In 2020: May 2, June 6, July 4, August 1, September 5, October 3, October 31, December 5.

ENGLISH DIVINE LITURGY: 11:00 a.m. First Sunday of the month. In 2020: May 3, June 7, July 5, August 2, September 6, October 4, November 1, December 6.

HOLY DAYS AND WEEKDAYS: Please check the bulletin.

THE HOLY MYSTERIES
MYSTERIES OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION: The three Mysteries of Baptism, Chrismation and Holy Eucharist are always celebrated together in one ceremony. One month notice is required and one baptismal preparation meeting is required with the priest.
MYSTERY OF HOLY CROWNING: Six month notice, an initial meeting with the priest, marriage preparation sessions, and a wedding license are required. You must be an active member of the parish.
MYSTERY OF HOLY CONFESSION: Saturday at 4:30 p.m.
MYSTERY OF HOLY ANOINTING: Available for anyone who is ill.
PLEASE NOTE: There is no charge for the celebration of the Sacramental Mysteries, however, it is appropriate to offer a gift of thanksgiving. Therefore the Parish Advisory Council suggests an offering of $200 for Baptisms; $500 for Weddings; $300 for Funerals; and $100 for a Memorial Service.

HALL RENTAL POLICY.
MERCY-MEAL ON THE DAY OF THE FUNERAL, MERCY-MEAL FOR THE 40th DAY OR OTHER MEMORIALS: $200.00 for registered parishioners of Holy Cross Church who regularly use donation envelopes.
A PARTY WITH MUSIC, FOOD, AND DRINKS (up to 5 hours of use): $400.00 for parishioners + $100 insurance payable to the diocese. $500.00 for non-parishioners + $100 insurance payable to the diocese.
DAMAGE/CLEANING DEPOSIT: $200.00. Refundable if the hall is left in the condition it was given to you.
SECURITY FEE: $150 charge will be added to cover security for 5 hours.
A MEETING (Use of the chairs and tables only. No use of the kitchen, oven, or refrigerator). $75 / hour for parishioners. $100 for non-parishioners.
ADDITIONAL CHARGE FOR A RENTAL OVER 5 HOURS: $100 / hour.