Update for the week Thursday, September 6 - Wednesday, September 12, 2018

Note: Work has begun on replacing the water main on Inman St. from Mass. Ave. to Harvard St. The City has assured us that we will be able to access the church at all times. However traffic patterns and parking on Inman St. will be altered, and expect heavier traffic in the area. They plan to work on the weekends and nights to get the job completed. Expect this situation to last a few weeks.

THIS WEEK AT ST. MARY’S

FRIDAY 9/7 – We will celebrate the Feast of the Nativity of the Theotokos on the eve of the feast, with Divine Liturgy at 6:30pm.

SUNDAY 9/9 Orthros 8:45 am, Divine Liturgy 10:00 am.
   – Church School Registration for new students, and for children who have reached the age of 3, will be held on Sunday, September 9. Classes will begin on Sunday, September 16, with a short lesson.
   – In the parking lot after Liturgy there will be a delicious Welcome Back Barbecue and celebration of the new school year, sponsored by the Young Adults and the Hospitality Group, welcoming parishioners and students back to our parish. (Note: the parking lot will not be available for parking.)

WEDNESDAY 9/12 – The Women’s Club will hold its first meeting of the year on Wednesday, September 12 at 7:30pm.  We welcome all women of the parish to join us. Call Barbara in the church office (617-547-1234) if you have any questions.

NEW ANNOUNCEMENTS

DIOCESAN MEN’S RETREAT – A retreat for the men of the diocese will be held at St. Methodios Retreat Center in NH on Friday-Sunday 9/28-30. This year’s topic is “Theosis: What it is and why it Matters”.  Bishop JOHN will lead the four-part discussion. The cost of $199 includes lodging and meals. Contact John DeVoie at john@hottable.com.

SEMINARIANS RECEPTION – The Antiochian Women of the Diocese are hosting a Welcome Reception for our Seminarians at Hellenic College/Holy Cross Seminary on Sunday 9/30  Please join Bishop JOHN and the clergy at St. George West Roxbury for Vespers at 4:00pm followed by dinner in the Parish Hall. 
 
 
REMINDERS

YOUNG ADULT MONTH – September is Young Adult Month in the Antiochian Archdiocese.  The young adults of St. Mary’s will be taking part in the Great Procession, reading the Epistle and assisting with Communion.

ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN WITNESS PROGRAM – The Diocese of Worcester and New England is offering an opportunity for anyone interested to learn, reflect and be transformed through the Orthodox Faith in preparation for various ministries. It is aimed to empower and equip Orthodox Christians to nourish and share the faith in the 21st Century. This is a 2 year program (4 semesters, 8 Units), starting Thursday, September 13. The leadership team includes His Grace Bishop John, our own Father Antony Hughes, Ioana Popa, Richard Robbat, and Sebastien Falardeau. Registration fee: $100/unit.  For questions e-mail Ioana Popa at popalifecoach@gmail.com or call 617-455-7192.  Pamphlets are at the Bengarri and a poster is on the bulletin board.

GREAT VESPERS - Great Vespers will be held on Saturday, September 15, at 5:00pm
   - Chanters’ Rehearsal will precede Vespers, at 3:30
   - Young Adult Fellowship Night will follow Vespers.

SUMMER CAMP FOR ADULTS – Antiochian Village Adult Camp for ages 21+ will be Friday-Monday, September 14-17. Adult Camp is open to all adults who want to spend the weekend in an Orthodox Christian environment growing in their faith.  Cost of $195 includes lodging, food and activities.  More information can be found at https://avcamp.org/other-programs/adult-camp

ANTIOCHIAN WOMEN DELEGATES MEETING – The Fall Diocesan Delegates Meeting of Antiochian Women – General Assembly Meeting will be held on Saturday, September 15 at St. Michael Church, Cotuit, MA at 10:00am.   If you are interested in attending please contact Barbara Shoop at Barbara@dsaarchitects.com or the church office (617-547-1234).
   - TEEN SOYO MEETING - The Diocesan SOYO meeting will also take place on Saturday, September 15 at Saint Michael on the Cape. If you have questions, please email Father Joseph Kimmett, StGeorgeNorwood@gmail.com

ELEVATION OF THE CROSSNote change: We will not celebrate the Feast of the Elevation of the Cross on Thursday, September 13, as previously announced. Instead we will observe the Feast on Sunday, September 16, with Procession of the Holy Cross.

SONIA’S RUN – The 10th annual Sonia’s Run and Fall Fair, in memory of Sonia Daly Belcher, will be held at St. George Church, West Roxbury on Saturday, September 22. Registration begins at 7:30am, race starts at 9:00am (note change in times). If you would like to be a part of St. Mary’s team, choose “St Mary Cambridge” as your team when you register and e-mail Charlie Marge, charlie.marge@verizon.net. All proceeds from the run will benefit Theophany School. Please visit www.soniasrun.org to register, volunteer or donate.

ENQUIRERS’ CLASS – The St. Ignatius Catechetical Group (Enquirers’ Class) will begin meeting on Sunday September 30 at 9:00am in the hall.  Enrollment will be open until October 21. The group is for non-Orthodox adults who are interested in exploring the Christian Faith as it has been – and continues to be – understood, preached, and lived by members of the Holy Orthodox Church. Bob Kowalik will be teaching the group. If you would like to participate, please talk to Bob during coffee hour; or get in touch by email r.kowalik@comcast.net.  For those seeking to be received into the Orthodox Church, participation in the group and Fr. Antony’s blessing are required.

PARISH COUNCIL - The next meeting of the Parish Council is scheduled for Wednesday, October 3, in the Hall.

SOYO FALL CAMP and FAMILY CAMP – Diocese of Worcester and New England SOYO Fall Camp and Family Camp will be held Thursday–Sunday, October 5-7, at St. Methodios Faith & Heritage Center in Contoocook, NH.  All teens in grades 7-12 are encouraged to attend the Teen SOYO Fall Camp. Family Camp is open to families of all ages. Parents of teenagers are welcome to attend Family Camp while their children attend Teen SOYO Fall Camp. Each camp will have its own distinct program. Watch for more information and registration details.
 
REFLECTION

Your birth, O Theotokos, has filled all the world with joy, for there rose from you the sun of justice, Christ, our God.  He destroyed the curse and replaced it with a blessing, thus confounding death by giving us eternal life.
   - Troparion of the Nativity of the Theotokos

By your holy nativity, O pure one, Joachim and Anna were delivered from the reproach of barrenness; and Adam and Eve were delivered from the corruption of death; your people celebrate it, having been saved from the stain of iniquity, crying to you: The barren gives birth to the Theotokos, who nourishes our life.
   - Kontakion of the Nativity of the Theotokos