14
Oct 2018
We thank God always because his mercy is upon us and he made us in his image and likeness – he made us very unique. He made us like Him. If we remember we are in the image of our God, whatever we do we will do differently. If anybody is faithful, he will always try to do the best for that person, make them happy and make the best thing ever. That is our way with God. As Jesus tells the disciples in Luke 16:10, “He who is faithful in what......
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07
Oct 2018
When I look to the cross, I see Jesus not only was crucified for us, but he is telling us his heart, his bosom us open for us. For every and each one of us. The only thing we need is to believe in him, run to him and receive his blessing. Especially the parents among us, when you come back from a long day of work or travel, and you come back home. When your children run to you, that is the most noble thing. The same thing for your heavenly......
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30
Sep 2018
In Matthew 12, the Pharisees criticized the disciples for picking grains on the Sabbath. According to the Jewish law, there is no work on the Sabbath day, because it is for prayers and rest. You have to honor the day of the Lord. “How do you allow your disciples to do what is not lawful to do on the Sabbath?” they asked. Jesus said do you remember that one day David gave food to people? I am very happy you memorized the law. But don’t try to find someone who made a......
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23
Sep 2018
Note: Father Eli Shabo passed away on January 23, 2019. He was a great man and did so much for our people and our faith. Here is his last sermon he gave at the Assyrian Orthodox Church of the Virgin Mary in Paramus, NJ on September 23, 2018. May God bless his soul: 1 Corinthians 18: “For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” Oh holy father we stand before you today asking that......
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21
Sep 2018
The floods in recent weeks occurring in Kerala, India has left thousands of people without homes and lacking clean water and proper food and necessities. Echoing the appeal by His Eminence Mor Dionysius John Kawak, the Board of Trustees of our Assyrian Orthodox Church of the Virgin Mary, are calling on our churches and other fellow Christians to help our brothers and sisters at our Syriac Orthodox Church in Kerala, which is going through much suffering due to the floods and many are left still trying to recover. We have had special......
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16
Sep 2018
On September 14, we celebrated the feast of the discovery of the Holy Cross. We all have an opportunity to go to heaven, not because of the cross itself, but because Jesus put himself on the cross, the sign of victory. We feel we are protected by the power of the cross. The cross has blessings. In the 4th century, there was Helen the mother of the emperor Constantine. She was the daughter of a Syriac priest. She had a wish that she can find the cross one day. And after she......
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02
Sep 2018
Today’s gospel from Luke 11 speaks about 2 things. First, he speaks about the importance of prayer and to keep asking. And second, the importance of being “one” – a divided house cannot stand. So what does it mean “a divided house cannot stand”? We see this passage in 3 different gospels in which our Lord Jesus Christ says this. Luke 11, Mark 3 and Matthew 12. In response to the Pharisees’ accusation that Jesus was casting out demons by the power of Satan. And Jesus responds, and his argument to the......
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29
Aug 2018
As expressed in the letter sent to everyone from the Board of Trustees a few weeks ago, we want to embark on a Bible Reading Program called DAILY BREAD and want you to join us. We will email the reading plan to everyone on a weekly basis, in which a chapter of the Bible is planned to be read by all of us every day of the week. Questions about the readings can be answered by Father Andrew the following Sunday. This program will begin first week of September. Visit www.VirginMaryNJ.org/Bible each......
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04
Aug 2018
The Feast of the Transfiguration of Christ is celebrated in a guest sermon from Mor Justinus Boulos Safar, Patriarchal Vicar in Zahleh and Beqaa: Today is a very special feast, where we celebrate the transfiguration of Jesus. Jesus went to the mountain and took three disciples with him — Peter, John and James — and during this time, he started to pray. And during the prayer – Jesus’s face became a sun shining, and his dress so white. The disciples could not see his face because it was so shiny. And then......
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31
Jul 2018
Dearly Beloved Parishioners, We praise God for His grace in helping us reach the 50th Anniversary of our beloved church in Paramus as we commemorate the Church’s consecration in April 1968 with high hopes for the future. We believe in the Syriac traditions which embody our values and beliefs that unite us as parishioners, our faith that strengthens us and the importance of preserving the Aramaic language through our Holy Liturgy. As you may know, the mission for the Board of Trustees is to represent all the parishioners, our church’s rich history......
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