Dear parishioners and friends of St. John Maron:

Our Eleventh Annual Festival is scheduled for July 24-26. I pray that, with your support and cooperation, it will be another successful event. As we introduce new items every year, we hope to keep everyone interested.

Articles and brochures about the Maronite Tradition will be displayed in Church. The book that I have translated, entitled The Virgin Mary in the Maronite Church, is available and would make a nice gift. It reveals the face of the Blessed Mother as seen through the lens of the Catholic Church and more specifically through the Maronite spirituality, tradition and way of life.

Our Souvenir Festival Sponsor Booklet was a big hit in 2008; we intend to have it again this year. Not only was it a nice way to acknowledge our parishioners and sponsors, but also a good vehicle for advertisement and public relations. A contract ad form and a letter explaining the purpose of the booklet were mailed to you recently. If you wish to advertise in it, please fill out the ad form and return it before the 30th of June.

The Gift Shop, the Children’s Attractions and the Lebanese Café never cease to be creative and are quite interesting. They provide a good sense of entertainment and camaraderie. Because the Sajj is popular, we are going to have two this year: one for the bread, the other for the open-faced zaatar pizza. The Lebanese Beer & Wine made a superb impression last year. We ran out of the Lebanese Beer even before the Saturday evening rush. If you are interested in a case or more, please call the rectory to pre-order.

Raffle prizes continue to evolve and grow. More than ever before local businesses are donating to our raffle, which makes it more appealing. We are aiming at record sales this year. If you can help sell $5.00 booklets in your neighborhood, call the rectory or the Raffle Committee. Your help in selling raffle tickets would be greatly appreciated. You, as parishioners, are the most effective selling and marketing vehicles. To help publicize the Festival, please make as many flyers as you can, use them at your stores and businesses and share them with your neighbors and local markets.

A festival flyer, a $20.00 Raffle Booklet, a return-address envelope and a venue’s list are enclosed for your convenience. Please return the raffle tickets as soon as you possibly can. The Festival requires volunteers. We depend on you for help. Locate a venue on the list and contact a chairperson for the schedule.

Through the grace of God, the protection of his Blessed Mother and the intercession of St. John Maron, our parish is steadily growing. Being a teacher myself, I dream of having an archetype educational facility at Saint John Maron, whereby we can provide parishioners, not only with Sunday school, but also with Arabic classes and Faith Formation for all ages. A more adequate teaching-learning accommodation is truly needed. Therefore, our next project is the Education Center. The Festival revenues along with all parish fundraisings will be earmarked to expand the Education Center. Together, we have accomplished many monumental projects. I am quite certain that, through your continued support and generosity, we will be able to make this dream a reality.

Looking forward to having the Eleventh Festival another chapter of our success, I remain
Devotedly yours in the Lord,

Rev. Georges Y. El-Khalli, Pastor

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