St. Mary Orthodox Christian Church

Update for the week Friday, April 19, through Thursday, April 25, 2013

THIS WEEK

vonHOLZHAUSEN LECTURE – The annual Father John von Holzhausen lecture, sponsored by the Fellowship of St. John the Divine, will be held Saturday, April 20, at 7:00 pm (not 6:30 as originally announced.  Vespers is at 5:00 pm, supper at 6:00.) This year’s speaker will be Dr. Tiffany Ann Conroy Moore, who will talk about Performing Faith: Can you be God’s Actor?  Dr. Moore currently teaches literature, writing, public speaking and film at several New England colleges, and has also been working as a professional actor for over twenty-five years in film, television, print, internet media and theater, with a specialization in Shakespeare.

Her presentation will consider the relationships between creativity and spirituality; in particular, the spirituality of the performing arts from the point of view of an Orthodox Christian.  What are the gifts and costs for an actor in the pursuit of a spiritually-rich life?  How can the models provided by the spiritual path of actors, performers, or other creative artists, contribute to the spiritual growth of every Christian? This presentation will consider the practical and the metaphysical, combining research, Scripture, theology, literature, personal experience, and, hopefully, the audience members’ points of view as well in a discussion to follow the lecture.
   This event is open to the public – free-will donations to The Fellowship of Saint John the Divine are welcome.

TRISAGION PRAYERS – April Trisagion Prayers will be celebrated this Sunday, April 21, following Liturgy, remembering those departed in the Marathon Bombing and in the month of  April.

PASCHA BAKE SALE – The Women’s Club’s Pascha Bake Sale is scheduled for Sunday, April 21, the Sunday before Palm Sunday. Plan on purchasing all your Pascha/Easter desserts, pastries and goodies!  If you can help bake or bring something for us to sell, please call Priscilla Goss at 781-762-1527.

NEW ENGLAND’S GOT TASTE AND TALENT – Attention All Talents & Chefs!!  If you have a hidden talent or can cook an award winning appetizer, showcase your talent at this year's New England's Got Taste and Talent event hosted by Saint George Antiochian Orthodox Church - Lowell, held on Friday, May 17 at 6:00 pm at our sister Parish in Dedham, MA! Download the document and please review our rules and details of the event on the website: http://www.saintgeorgelowell.org.  If you are interested in signing up for either a chef or as a talent, please e-mail Soraya at LowellPLC2013@gmail.com; deadline to register is Monday, April 22!
   Everyone – get your tickets for New England's Got Taste and Talent by Friday, May 10. Tickets will NOT be sold at the door. They are $20 for Adults and $10 for Children under 12. Please send in the ticket purchase form along with your checks; you can find this form at the end of the New England's Got Taste and Talent Document located on the Saint George Lowell website.

PRESANCTIFIED LITURGY and Lenten Potlucks – Every Wednesday during Lent there is a Presanctified Liturgy at 6:30 pm, followed by a Potluck Supper sponsored by the Fellowship of St. John the Divine.  Do plan to come and bring something to share.  Any Lenten fare is welcome:  main courses, sides, salads, desserts, as well as beverages and snacks.  This is a wonderful opportunity for fellowship during Lent, plus we get to sample each other's Lenten recipes.  
   The final Lenten potluck of the year will be Wednesday, April 24. FSJD Coordinator for this event is Ioana Chirieac (chirieac@gmail.com).

WERE SOME WORDS DELIBERATELY REMOVED FROM THE BIBLE? – This is just one example of the kind of questions we address in our Bible Study here at St. Mary's. For more examples, look for the handout on the bengarri. Our Bible Study meets every other Thursday and is sponsored by the Fellowship of St. John the Divine. If you'd like to join us, our next meeting will be Thursday, April 25. For more information contact Greg Patrick (greg@dailytradealert.com) or Fr. Antony (frawhj@gmail.com).

NEW ANNOUNCEMENTS

PREPARE EGGS FOR PASCHA – Ten volunteers are needed to each hard-boil and dye three dozen brown eggs for Pascha eve. Khourieh Carol will provide the red dye and instructions. Names of volunteers are needed by Palm Sunday, April 28.    See Khourieh Carol or call Fr. Antony at 781-507-5938.

HOLY FRIDAY RETREAT – The annual St. Mary Children’s Holy Friday Retreat will be held on
Friday, May 3, 2013. From 9:30-12:30 (including lunch). Spend the morning in fellowship and activities with friends . A variety of activities will be provided and luncheon served.  Recommended for ages 5 to adult.  Younger children welcome but must be accompanied by an adult.  Please contact Trish Orlovsky at t_orlovsky@hotmail.com or 781-641-0182 if you plan to attend or can help with activities that day.  We welcome your energy and talent if you are able to provide a craft, read stories, or spend time coloring with the children as part of the morning’s activities.  Teens are welcome to assist with egg dying and pysanky decorating, crafts with the children, or decoration of the tomb upstairs.  Fr. Antony will be available to hear the children’s and teen’s confessions before lunch.  Lunch will be provided for everyone! ($5 donation per person donation requested – checks payable to St. Mary Orthodox Church)
   RSVP to Trish by Palm Sunday, April 28.

TEENS HOLY FRIDAY VIGIL – Following the Lamentations Service on Holy Friday evening, May 3, St. Mary's Teen SOYO will hold an All-Night Vigil at the Church.  All youth, ages 12-18 (grades 7-12), are encouraged to participate in reading Psalms, keeping watch at the tomb, and joining a discussion led by a special guest.  The Vigil culminates Saturday morning with Vesperal Liturgy at 9:00 am.  Teens across the Diocese will participate in similar vigils at their respective churches.  The Church will be locked and several chaperones will remain with the Teens throughout the night, into the morning.

HOLY SATURDAY VESPERAL LITURGY – There will be a Vesperal Liturgy of St. Basil on Saturday, May 4, at 9:00 am, which will include Baptism and/or Chrismation of our Catechumens. Liturgy will be followed by a coffee hour/reception offered by Nadia & Bahig Kaldas for the continued good health and happiness of all St. Mary clergy and parishioners.

VIDEO EDITING HELP WANTED – We are looking for volunteers to assist with some basic video editing to post the sermons and lectures from St. Mary's online.  If you have experience with digital video editing, please let Jamil Samara or Erick Straghalis know you are interested in helping by emailing live@stmaryorthodoxchurch.org.

PHOTOGRAPHERS AND GRAPHIC DESIGNERS WANTED – Are you a photographer or a graphic designer and want to share your talents with St. Mary Church and her ministries?  We are looking to get you involved to help photograph the divine services and events and to design promotional material for events and programs at our parish. Please contact Jamil Samara at webmaster@stmaryorthodoxchurch.org with any questions and to let him know that you are interested in getting more involved.

REMINDERS

LAZARUS SATURDAY – Please come and bring your friends and family on Saturday, April 27, to celebrate the Divine Liturgy (Matins 8:00 am; Liturgy 9:00 am), and enjoy a Communion Breakfast at 10:15 presented by the Women’s Club and offered by Selma Winstanley in loving memory of brother, Mitchell Mabardi. 
   Following the Communion Breakfast, there will be a Church Clean-Up in preparation for Pascha.  Everyone is encouraged to bring Swiffer dusters, cleaning supplies (Brasso, Windex, Murpy’s Oil Soap, furniture polish), small buckets; brown paper bags, irons and extension cords for wax removal; etc.  The Fellowship of St. John the Divine will coordinate this activity, and needs not only willing workers but also leaders for the six cleaning teams. Contact Julie Wasilko, julie31415pi@gmail.com, if you’re willing to lead a team. Please come and lend a hand in preparing God’s House for the Feast of Feasts. 

CHOIR REHEARSAL – Choir Rehearsal for Palm Sunday/Good Friday/ Pascha will be held after Liturgy/Breakfast on Lazarus Saturday, April 27,  (approximately 10:45AM).

DONATIONS FOR HOLY WEEK – For the special services of Holy Week, the Church needs donations of olive oil for the Unction Service (Wednesday), flowers for the tomb of Christ (Friday), flowers to distribute on Great and Holy Friday, rose water to anoint the faithful (Friday), incense, Paschal lilies and other flowers,  and candles. Deadline is Palm Sunday, April 28. Please use the donation form in the Bulletin.

PALM SUNDAY FISH DINNER – The Fellowship of St. John the Divine invites you to their annual Palm Sunday Fish Dinner on Sunday, April 28, after Liturgy, donated by Ed and Lisa Brylczyk. Spend Palm Sunday with your family and friends at Church and let us do the cooking!

FOOD FOR HUNGRY PEOPLE – You are urged during this season of prayer, self-discipline and fasting, to be very generous in your contribution to the Food for Hungry People program of our Archdiocese . Money Boxes for collecting alms at home will be on the Bengarri; please pick one or two up and place them throughout your home, fill them up, and return them on Palm Sunday, April 28. Please be generous!

OCMC AGAPE CANISTER PROGRAM –  The is an Orthodox non-profit development program of the Orthodox Christian Mission Center.  It is dedicated to meeting the needs of children, families, and communities throughout the world, regardless of race, color, or creed. All funds collected by the Agape Canister Program are earmarked for medical care and clinics, water wells, agricultural development, food and clothing, support personnel (e.g. doctors, nurses, teachers), the construction of schools, and the education of indigenous people in their own communities.  Please contribute each Sunday—a clear plastic box is on the Bengarri.

THANK YOU TO THE CHURCH SCHOOL KIDS – The Prosphora (holy bread) we will be using in Divine Liturgy for the next several weeks was made by the Church School students at the recent Liturgy Workshop. 

SCHOLASTIC ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS – The Nicholas G. Beram Veterans Association announces its 47th annual Scholastic Achievement Awards, a program to encourage and support the education of students of Arabic speaking backgrounds.  High school seniors can obtain an application with instructions by visiting the web page at: www.stjohnd.org/ngberam (note corrected website address) or by contacting our Church Office.   All applications must be postmarked no later than June 1, 2013.

CROSS†ROAD –  CrossRoad is a summer institute for high school juniors and seniors on the campus of Hellenic College/Holy Cross.  Participants take part in daily classes, visit neighboring Orthodox parishes and participate in service activities.  CrossRoad now offers two sessions this coming year (2013):  CrossRoad June: June 22-July 1 AND  CrossRoad July: July 8-18.  Download an application and view a video clip at www.crossroad.hchc.edu

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.  Scholarships are available – contact Fr. Antony.

PARISH LIFE CONFERENCE – The 2013 Parish Life Conference for our diocese will be held June 27 – 30, 2013, at the Wyndam Hotel in Andover, MA, hosted by St. George Church, Lowell. Room Rate is just $99.00 per night – this special price ends May 30.  Book your hotel rooms at:  http://www.wyndham.com/groupevents2013/BOSAM_STGEORGE/main.wnt.
   For Registration, please go too: https://www.antiochianevents.org/event/96, or go to St. George’s site: http://www.saintgeorgelowell.org. Please feel free to e-mail the Chairperson, Soraya or Co-Chair, +Rt. Rev. Fr. Leonard at: LowellPLC2013@gmail.com.

ROOMMATE WANTED –  Jerred Endsley and Tom Perkins are looking for a roommate to move in in June. Nice three bedroom apt, 2 baths, spacious kitchen, fireplace. Near BC and on the T line in Brighton.  Call Jerred @ 317-938-3543 if interested or if you know someone who might be. Thank you.

ARCHDIOCESE CONVENTION – The 2013 national convention of the  Antiochian Archdiocese will be held July 21-28 in Houston TX, hosted by St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church. For information and registration see http://www.achouston2013.com.

ORTHODOX MISSION TEAMS –  The Orthodox Mission Center has announced their 2013 Mission Teams.  Mission teams will be heading to 10 locations around the globe to share the teachings of the faith and offer the gift of service through hands-on experience.  For more information call the OCMC at 877-463-6784 or e-mail teams@ocmc.org, or see 
http://www.ocmc.org/about/open_teams.aspx. Note that the July mission to Albania is led by our own Panayiotis and Shannon Sakellariou.

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.

PRISION 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.
   If you are interested joining the Prison Ministry, there will be an upcoming training.  Training is required if you would like to come into prison to volunteer.  Please see Deacon Jeff or Father Anthony if you have questions or would like to join, and are not already a member of the OCPM online listserv.

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 –  The parish Council reminds all parishioners that there is no parishioner parking in the church parking lot Monday through Friday until after 6:00 pm. Our parking lot is rented to others during the day.
   If you park in the Church parking lot on Sunday morning, 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. (That No Parking area is now being marked with orange cones.) 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.
Also - please donate unwanted past issues of Orthodox magazines such as The Word, OCMC or other periodicals to our prison ministry to hand out to inmates.  Please remove any personal mailing address for security purposes and give them to Mitrophan Chin.

"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:  Women’s Club Pascha Bake Sale

LITURGICAL SCHEDULE FOR THIS WEEK

Friday, April 19:  Final Akathist (Madayeh) Service 7:00 pm

Saturday, April 20:  Great Vespers 5:00 pm, followed by supper, and FSJD von Holzhausen lecture 7:00 pm

Sunday, April 21, Commemoration of St. Mary of Egypt:  Orthros  8:45 am; Enquirers’ Class 9:00 am;  Divine Liturgy 10:00 am; Church School Lesson 21

SCRIPTURE READINGS for Sunday, April 21:
   Epistle: St. Paul's Letter to the Hebrews 9:11-14
Brethren, when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things that have come, then through the greater and more perfect tent (not made with hands, that is, not of this creation) he entered once for all into the Holy Place, taking not the blood of goats and calves but his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption.  

   Gospel: Mark 10:32-45
At that time, Jesus taking the twelve again, he began to tell them what was to happen to him, saying, "Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem; and the Son of man will be delivered to the chief priests and the scribes, and they will condemn him to death, and deliver him to the Gentiles; and they will mock him, and spit upon him, and scourge him, and kill him; and after three days he will rise." ... And Jesus called them to him and said to them, "You know that those who are supposed to rule over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great men exercise authority over them. But it shall not be so among you; but whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. For the Son of man also came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."

Wednesday, April 24:  Pre-Sanctified Liturgy 6:30 pm, followed by Pot Luck Supper

Thursday, April 25:  Bible Study sponsored by FSJD 7:00 pm in the Library

LOOKING AHEAD

Saturday, April 27, Lazarus Saturday:  Matins 8:00 am, Divine Liturgy 9:00 am, Communion Breakfast 10:15 am, followed by Church Cleanup and choir rehearsal; Great Vespers 4:00 pm

Sunday, April 28, Palm Sunday:  Matins 8:45 am;  Divine Liturgy 10:00 am; followed by FSJD annual Fish Dinner.  Bridegroom Matins 7:00 pm

Holy Monday, April 29:  Presanctified Liturgy 7:00 am; Bridegroom Matins 7:00 pm

Holy Tuesday, April 30:  Presanctified Liturgy 7:00 am; Bridegroom Matins 7:00 pm

Holy Wednesday, May 1:  Presanctified Liturgy 7:00 am; Holy Unction 7:00 pm

Holy Thursday, May 2:  Vesperal Liturgy 7:00 am; Washing of the Feet 6:45 pm, and Twelve Gospels 7:00 pm

Holy Friday, May 3:  Children’s Retreat 9:30 am;  Royal Hours 1:00 pm;  Unnailing Vespers 3:00 pm; Lamentations 7:15 pm with Procession to Central Square; Teen Vigil overnight

Holy Saturday, May 4:  Vesperal Liturgy 9:00 am, followed by coffee hour/reception

Saturday-Sunday, May 4-5:  Vigil/Rush Service 10:00 pm; Resurrection Matins 11:00 pm; Great and Holy Pascha Divine Liturgy 12 midnight,  followed by Paschal Festivities in the Church Hall

Sunday, May 5: Joint Agape Vespers (Baouth) 11:00 am at St. John Church, Dedham, with reception following

REFLECTION

More integrated into Lent are the commemorations of St. John of the Ladder on the fourth Sunday, and of St. Mary of Egypt on the fifth Sunday. In both the Church sees the supreme bearers and proponents of Christian asceticism – St. John having expressed the precepts of asceticism in his writings and St. Mary in her life.  Their commemoration during the second half of Lent is obviously meant to encourage and to inspire the faithful struggling through their Lenten spiritual effort.
   -Alexander Schmemann, Great Lent

[St. Mary of Egypt] did not feed any hungry pauper or give drink to any thirsty person or clothe the naked or visit those in prison or give hospitality to strangers. (cf. Mt. 25:35ff). On the contrary, she had driven many into the pit of perdition, and had received them as guests in the abode of sin! How then, tell me, will this woman be saved, and enter into the kingdom with the merciful? She had never forsaken wealth, nor given her possessions to the poor (Mt. 19:21, Lk. 12:33), nor ever performed any work of mercy, but instead became the cause of perdition for thousands of others.
   See how, if we claim that it is only by giving money and physical food that works of mercy are performed, and that the Lord is fed by these alone, and that only they are saved who so feed Him and give Him drink and minister to Him, and that those who fail to do so perish, we reach an absurd conclusion, and thus cast many of the saints out the kingdom!
   - St. Symeon the New Theologian, The Discourses, Chapter IX On Works of Mercy

Bowing before the divine laws of Christ, thou has drawn near to Him, forsaking the unbridled longings of sensual pleasure; and in fear of God thou has gained all the virtues as if they were one.
   - Great Canon of St. Andrew of Crete

Having been a sinful woman, You became through repentance a Bride of Christ.
Having attained angelic life, You defeated demons with the weapon of the Cross;
Therefore, O most glorious Mary you are a Bride of the Kingdom!
   - Kontakion of St. Mary of Egypt

…repentance is the ever more acute awareness of the love of God and of our inadequate response. It is not an act that can be finished, but a constant state of the soul which deepens the nearer it approaches the end.
   - Paul Evdokimov, The Ages of the Spiritual Life

Repentance is not a theory to be worked out but a way of life; that is why the stories about repentance are more useful than any amount of teaching on the subject.  …  It is not a pattern to follow but an experience to be shared.
   - Benedicta Ward, Harlots of the Desert