Update for the week Friday, January 11, through Thursday, January 17, 2013

THIS WEEKEND

VILLAGE (CAMP) AT HOME - The Diocese of Worcester and New England will be hosting a “Village at Home” on Saturday, January 19, 2012 from 9:30 am – 5:15 pm at St. Mary  Church in Pawtucket.  All youth ages 8 and up are invited. The cost is $15.00 per person.  For more information see the notice in this week’s Sunday bulletin or contact Greg Abdalah at 508-752-9150 or 724-518-6811, or abdalah.g@gmail.com. RSVP by Friday, January 11.  Come enjoy a day of camp, right in your own back yard.

NO VESPERS – There will not be a Great Vespers service at St. Mary this Saturday.

FR. ANTONY AWAY – Fr. Antony will be out of town this weekend, but we are pleased to welcome Rev. Fr. Gregory Harrigle of St. George Orthodox Church, West Roxbury, who will be serving on Sunday in Fr. Antony’s absence.

ICON OF THEOPHANY NEEDED:  Does anyone have an icon of Theophany they could bring to church this Sunday (at the beginning of liturgy)?  We would like to use that icon in the procession for this week.  If so, please contact Teva Regule at teva@mit.edu.

NEW ANNOUNCEMENTS

PARISH MEETING – The Annual Meeting of the Parish will be held next Sunday, January 20, after Liturgy.  It is important that all members of St. Mary Church attend this meeting.  Note:  Copies of the Annual Proposed Budget will be available this Sunday on the Bengarri for review.

EVENING LITURGY CANCELLED – The Evening Liturgy for the Feast of St. Anthony the Great, originally scheduled for  Wednesday, January 16, will NOT be held at St. Mary.

PARISH COUNCIL MEETING – The next meeting of the Parish Council will be Wednesday, January 16, at 7:30 pm.

MID-WINTER MEETINGS – The annual mid-winter meetings of the Fellowship of St. John the Divine,  Antiochian Women, and Teen SOYO of the Archdiocese will be held at Antiochian Village Friday through Sunday, February 1 - 3, 2013.

PASTORAL CHALLENGES IN MARRIAGE - The Center for Family Care of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America is hosting a conference at Holy Cross School of Theology in Brookline, Thursday through Saturday, February 7-9, 2013,  to inspire and equip those in the front lines of ministry with tools and resources to effectively serve the pastoral challenges of marriage they encounter. The conference is open to clergy, seminarians, pastoral care workers, professional counselors, ministry leaders, and all who minister to Orthodox Christian couples. Speakers include our own bishop, His Grace, Bishop John  (D.Min.), Kyriaki Karidoyanes FitzGerald (M.Div., Ph.D.), and Ary Christofidis (Ph.D., LCP). For more information and to register, see  http://www.goarch.org/archdiocese/departments/family/pc2013conf.

REMINDERS

BLESSING OF HOMES – Fr. Antony will be blessing homes after Epiphany/Theophany (January 6)  and between Pascha (May 5) and Pentecost (June 23).  We bless homes to reveal the home as what God created it to be, a way to heaven; to rid the home of every evil;  to show that the family is a small church unit in Christ; to consecrate the home and all activity in it to God; and to fill the home and all who live in it with the fullness of God.  To schedule the blessing of your home, please use the form in the weekly Bulletin or call the church office at 617 547-1234.

PLEDGE CARDS – 2013 pledge cards have been mailed.  If you have not yet made your pledge, please return your signed card right away. Or you can make your pledge online at  https://www.stmaryorthodoxchurch.org/ministries/stewardship.php

2013 CALENDARS AND ENVELOPES – New Church Calendars and 2013 Offering Envelopes are available for pick-up starting this Sunday, December 2.  They are in the Hallway outside of the Church Office.  If you would like to be issued envelopes, please call Marilyn Robbat in the Church Office during the week 617-547-1234.

ANTIOCHIAN VILLAGE WINTER CAMP –  Winter Camp is a weekend of fun and spiritual growth at the Antiochian Village Camp, and is open to all campers in grades 7-12. It is held over Presidents Day holiday weekend,  February 15-18, 2013. For more information and to register, see http://antiochianvillage.org/camp/programs/wintercamp.html. Also see the notice in  this week’s Sunday bulletin.

ANTIOCHIAN VILLAGE SUMMER CAMP – Summer Camp registration for 2013 is now open.  For information see  http://antiochianvillage.org/camp/programs/summercamp.html   To register see http://antiochianvillage.org/camp/programs/registration.html.  Please don't wait to register - camp fills up very quickly.  Please note that you are not registered until you have paid the $100 deposit and receive a confirmation email.  Also note that to take advantage of the early-bird discount you must have your camper tuition fees paid in full by March 1st.  Scholarships are available – contact Fr. Antony.

WINTER CAMP  AT  ST. METHODIOS – We are invited to participate in camps for Youth ages 12-18 (February 15-18) and for Families (March 1-3) at the St. Methodios Faith and Heritage Center in Contoocook, NH, sponsored by the Metropolis of Boston. For information and registration see http://www.boston.goarch.org/youth_ministries/mbc/winter_camps.html Registration is open now.

REAL BREAK – This spring, be a light to the world! Real Break is a popular alternative to the traditional spring break for college students.  Entering its 12th year, OCF Real Break continues to offer transformative, priest-led trips both domestically and internationally.  To find detailed information regarding the Real Break trips in March 2013 and to register, please visit www.ocf.net/realbreak.  Be a part of this year's life-changing week-long Real Break experience.

FAMILY MISSION TO ALBANIA – All Orthodox Christians from North America who have experience with children are invited to prayerfully consider helping with a family retreat program in Albania this coming July, sponsored jointly by the Orthodox Christian Mission Center (OCMC) and the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese Center for Family Care. Families with children, couples, and individuals are encouraged to apply. The mission will be led by our own Panayiotis and Shannon Sakellariou. For more information see http://www.ocmc.org/resources/view_article.aspx?ArticleId=899

REGULAR REMINDERS

DONATE VIA eGIVE– Did you know that you can make your donations to St. Mary through eGive, and have no more envelopes or checks to worry about?   If you have not yet set up an account, you can do it at www.egive-usa.com, or contact Charlie Marge (marge@alum.mit.edu) for help. The Recipient Organization is “St. Mary’s Orthodox Church.”
     If you missed the opportunity to contribute to some of the special collections held recently,  you can still do so online – Special Categories have been set up in eGive for these one-time donations. 
     Parishioners can also use their credit cards to make one-time donations on our website:  https://www.stmaryorthodoxchurch.org/contact/donate.php    Just type the donation target (e.g. Hurricane Sandy) in the Additional Notes area.

STREAMING VIDEO – St. Mary’s Church services are broadcast live each week through an internet video stream.  If you can't attend a service in person or want to share this ministry with a friend or loved one, the live stream can be viewed at www.stmaryorthodoxchurch.org/live  during regularly scheduled service times (see the schedule of services below or online).  If you have questions or comments about this ministry please contact us at live@stmaryorthodoxchurch.org.

PROTECT YOUR VALUABLES – Please do not leave valuables unattended in the Church Hall or Coat Room.

CONFESSIONS –  Confessions are heard each Saturday evening before and after Vespers, which start at 5:00 pm,  or by appointment.

PARKING –  If you park in the Church parking lot, you need to plan on remaining until after the Coffee Hour or other church function.  Do not park in the Church parking lot if you need to leave immediately after church. 
   Additionally, do not park beyond the sign that prohibits parking at the corner of Inman Street and Bishop Allen Drive.  It is difficult for large vehicles to turn the corner if cars are parked there.  Failure to heed this warning may result in the City preventing parishioners from parking on Inman Street.  Your cooperation is appreciated.

OPPORTUNITIES FOR SERVICE

There are a number of ways you can help the Church, your fellow worshippers and those in need.  Consider serving in one of these ways:

BECOME A GREETER – If you do not sing in the choir, or chant, serve in the Altar or at the Bengarri, and  are not a Church School teacher,  please consider serving the Church as a GREETER!  Greeters arrive at 9:45 am., get a Greeter Name Tag  from the Bengarri, pin it on and greet visitors/parishioners at the Church Entrance and direct them upstairs to the Church, or to the CloakRoom or RestRooms.  Greeting time ends when Communion starts.  Send your name and e-mail address to Buddy Mabardy: buddymabardy@cjmabardy.com or phone him 781-729-6303. 

LITURGICAL SERVICE – Each Sunday, members of the congregation are needed to read the Epistle and assist during Communion by holding the Communion Cloths and Holy Bread Baskets.  All Orthodox Christians in the Parish are welcome and encouraged to participate. We usually need one Epistle  and six people to hold cloths and baskets.  If you would like to read the Epistle or assist during Communion, please contact Jeff Wasilko, 781-820-0882, jeffw@smoe.org

COFFEE HOUR – People are needed every week to provide coffee, juice and cookies, or more if desired, and set it up Sunday morning. To sign up for an available Sunday, please put your name on the new signup sheet on the bulletin board outside the Hall or call Marilyn Robbat in the Parish Office and she will write your name in. If you need any help with figuring out what to bring or do, check the list below the signup sheet (also printed in the Bulletin), or ask Marilyn at secretary@stmaryorthodoxchurch.org or 617-547-1234.

PRISON MINISTRY – If you would like to find out more about Prison Ministry at St. Mary’s Church, please subscribe to our mailing list at http://groups.google.com/group/ocpm-concord

"As you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me," says our Lord.

THIS SUNDAY'S VOLUNTEERS

GREETER:  Andrew Bargoot

COFFEE HOUR:  The Nebiyefo & Mazzoni Families.

LITURGICAL SCHEDULE FOR THIS WEEK

Saturday, January 12:  No Vespers at St. Mary

Sunday, January 13:  Orthros  8:45 am; Enquirers’ Class 9:00 am;  Divine Liturgy 10:00 am; Church School Lesson 11

SCRIPTURE READINGS for Sunday, January 13:
   Epistle: St. Paul's Letter to the Ephesians 4:7-13
… And his gifts were that some should be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.

   Gospel: Matthew 4:12-17
At that time, Jesus heard that John had been arrested, … From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand."

LOOKING AHEAD

Saturday, January 19:  Great Vespers 5:00 pm

Sunday, January 20:  Orthros  8:45 am; Enquirers’ Class 9:00 am;  Divine Liturgy 10:00 am; Church School Lesson 12;  Annual Parish Meeting following Liturgy

Saturday, January 26:  Great Vespers 5:00 pm

Sunday, January 27:  Orthros  8:45 am; Enquirers’ Class 9:00 am;  Divine Liturgy 10:00 am; Church School Lesson 13

Sunday, February 17:  Chinese New Year Missions Breakfast, sponsored by FSJD (note new date)

Saturday, March 2:  Antiochian Women 2013 Pre-Lenten Retreat

Sunday, March 10:  FSJD Meatfare Sunday Breakfast following Liturgy

Monday, March 18:  Lent begins

REFLECTION

The Lord’s Forerunner did not guide men just to the starting point of repentance, which is keeping away from evil things and profitable contrition of heart, but also sought first fruits worthy of repentance (Matt 3:8). What are these? Firstly, confession, as practiced by those who came to him at that time. “Then they went out,” it says, “and were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins” (Matt 3:5-6). Next, he looked for righteousness, almsgiving, moderation, love, truthfulness, … The Baptist also says, “The crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways shall be made smooth; and all flesh shall see the salvation of our God” (Lk 3:5-6). Lying, deceit and slander are crooked, and the rough paths are anger, hatred, envy and remembrance of wrongs, all of which are made straight and level when transformed by the works of repentance. And so “all flesh,” that is, every person of every nation and race who straightens and smoothes himself out through repentance, “shall see the salvation of God.”
   - St. Gregory Palamas, Homily on the Eve of Theophany

Forgetting offences is a sign of sincere repentance. If you keep the memory of them, you may believe you have repented but you are like someone running in his sleep. Let no one consider it a minor defect, this darkness that often clouds the eyes even of spiritual people.
   - St. John Climacus

Open my heart, O my God, by your grace and purify me from any association with sin. Tread out in my heart the path of repentance, my God and my Lord, my hope and my boast, my strong refuge, by whom may my eyes be illumined, and may I have understanding of your truth, O Lord.  Hold me worthy, Lord, to taste the joy of the gift of repentance, by which the soul is separated from cooperating with sin and the will of flesh and blood. Hold me worthy, O Lord, to taste this state, wherein lies the gift of pure prayer.
   - St. Isaac the Syrian

If we knew at what time we were to depart from this world, we would be able to select a season for pleasure and another for repentance. But God, who has promised pardon to every repentant sinner, has not promised us tomorrow. Therefore we must always dread the final day, which we can never foresee. This very day is a day of truce, a day for conversion. And yet we refuse to cry over the evil we have done! Not only do we not weep for the sins we have committed, we even add to them … As long as we are still experiencing the uncertainties of this life, we do not know what end may follow…we must not trust in our own virtues.
   - Saint Gregory the Great, from Be Friends of God