Now that I KNOW I have your attention!

1. The Pastor of St. Monica’s-St. Lucy’s, Fr. Bill Lohan, with his Associate, Fr John Cassani, has most graciously welcomed me to celebrate my anniversary here at St. Monica’s-St. Lucy’s. While residing with them for the last 8 months, they are deeply appreciative of the much-needed assistance I am able to provide.

We will observe my anniversary at 11:30 AM AT ST. MONICA’S — address below — on SUNDAY, 13 NOVEMBER 2016, with the Holy Qurbono [Mass] of the Maronite Catholic Church, in which I was ordained. While it will be predominantly in English, certain central parts will be chanted in the Syriac dialect of Aramaic, the language Jesus Himself spoke. In addition, some hymns/prayers will be sung in Arabic, the language of my ancestral Lebanon.

Afterwards, there will be a simple reception/program in the St. Monica School hall.

2. YES: I WANT MONEY !!! BUT: NOT FOR ME !!! Indeed, I gratefully request that you not give me any money for myself. Rather, I HUMBLY REQUEST THAT YOU DONATE GENEROUSLY TO ST. SHARBEL MARONITE MISSION IN RALEIGH, NC.

I will tell you in a moment HOW to do that; but, first, WHY.

In 2000, I was sent to establish St. Sharbel as a canonical Mission of the Eparchy [Diocese] of St. Maron of Brooklyn. I remained until 2004. In 2001, I visited one-on-one with each of our 65 families to share our plans and receive commitments to build a church. We raised over $ 200,000.00 in cash.

In 2002, we dedicated my 30th anniversary to the effort and it yielded another $ 30.000.00.

With those funds in hand, we were able to purchase — in cash and without any loan whatever — almost 4 acres of land in the up-and-coming Raleigh suburb of Morrisville.

THE TIME HAS NOW FINALLY COME TO BUILD A CHURCH !!!

PLEASE CELEBRATE MY ANNIVERSARY IN A MARVELOUS WAY:
HELP ST. SHARBEL MISSION TO BUILD THEIR CHURCH !!!

THERE WILL NOT BE A ‘SECOND COLLECTION’ DURING QURBONO [MASS]. Rather, we will have receptacles to receive your offerings.

In addition, you can hand me or mail me your donation ANY TIME by check or in cash. If you hand it to me, put it IN AN ENVELOP WITH YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS AND THE WORDS ‘ST SHARBEL MISSION’ ON THE FRONT. If you mail it to me, mail it to: FR. JOSEPH THOMAS, BSO; ST MONICA’S RECTORY; 212 LAWRENCE ST; METHUEN, MA; 01844.

In the Love of the Lord,
Aboona [Father] Joe

PS: I will keep you informed of further developments..