Update for the week Thursday, November 28 - Wednesday, December 4, 2019 

Important notice: Some parishioners have been targeted by a phishing scam that appears to be sent from Fr. Antony, or from another priest. If you engage with the perpetrator, you will be asked to buy gift cards and take a picture of the cards or send the card numbers back via email, which is essentially an untraceable way to transfer the money from the victim to the criminal. Do not reply to the message or click on any links, download any attachments, or use the contact information provided in the email, or share personal or financial data via email or phone!

THIS WEEK AT ST. MARY’S

SUNDAY 12/1 – Orthros 8:45am; St. Ignatius Catechetical Group, 9:00am; Divine Liturgy 10:00am, followed by Church School. No Church School classes
   + Parish Christmas Card deadline
 
WEDNESDAY, 12/4 – Parish Council meeting in the church at 7:30pm.
   + The Parish Life Conference meeting scheduled for 12/4 has been cancelled
 
THURSDAY, 12/5 – Rehearsal for Christmas concert 8:00pm

THIS WEEK ELSEWHERE

SATURDAY 11/30 – The Nicholas G. Beram Veterans Association will hold its 73rd anniversary celebration and 53rd Scholastic Achievement awards banquet this Saturday, November 30,from 12:00 noon to 4:00pm at the Holiday Inn, Dedham.  Andrew Bargoot II, one of our teens, will be receiving a Scholastic Achievement award.  Tickets for the luncheon are $35.00 and tables of eight may be reserved.

NEW ANNOUNCEMENTS

PLEDGE CARDS DUE ASAP – Please return Pledge Cards to the church or ePledge on St. Mary’s website as soon as possible.  We ask everyone to fill out a new pledge card every year. If you would like to become a member, please see Fr. Antony or Bob Kowalik for a new member packet.

FEAST OF THEOPHANY - His Grace Bishop JOHN and the Diocese clergy invite you to The Great Feast of Theophany at St. George Church, West Roxbury, on Monday, January 6, 2020  Matins: 5:30pm, Divine Liturgy 7:00pm with Blessing of the Water.

FAMILY CAMP – Register now for Winter Family Camp at Antiochian Village, January 17-20, 2020.  Family Camp is an opportunity for your family to get away from everyday life and take a weekend as a family to grow closer to Christ, in the beautiful setting of the Antiochian Village Camp.   Registration is now open at https://avcamp.org/other-programs/winter-family-camp Cost: $150/parent, $50/child  includes meals and lodging.

REMINDERS

NATIVITY FAST – The Nativity fast (also known as Advent) began on Friday, November 15, and continues through December 24.
 
YOUNG ADULTS PAINT NIGHT – On Saturday, December 7, the Young Adults will have a 2nd Annual Orthodox Paint Night following Great Vespers. All young adults are invited to participate. 

HOLIDAY CONCERT – You are invited to the MetWinds (Metropolitan Wind Symphony) 2019 Holiday Pops Concert at St. John of Damascus Church, Dedham, on Saturday, December 7, 6:00pm-9:00pm. Adults: $15 Children: $5. To purchase tickets, visit at http://www.stjohnd.org/pops.

WOMEN’S CLUB - The next Women’s Club meeting has been rescheduled for next Sunday,December 8, during coffee hour.  We invite all women of the parish to bake for our bake sales and to join us at our monthly meetings.  E-mail Melissa Nassiff (mnassiff@gmail.com) if you have any questions or would like to join us.

NATIVITY DONATIONS – If you would like to donate toward the poinsettias and other decorations for Nativity please use the form in the Sunday bulletin or mail a check to St. Mary’s Church, 8 Inman St., Cambridge MA 02139-2407. Deadline is December 8, 2019.
 
CHRISTMAS PAGEANT – The Church School Christmas Pageant is scheduled for Sunday, December 22, after Liturgy. If your child is interested in participating, please see Sarah Byrne-Martelli or Chris Addis.  We also need parents to assist at the rehearsals, which will take place during Coffee Hour on Sunday, December 8 and Sunday, December 15.

ST. MARY’S CHRISTMAS CONCERT – St. Mary’s will be hosting a concert of Christmas carols and hymns from the Eastern and Western Christian traditions featuring local Orthodox Choirs on Sunday, December 8 at 4:00pm, followed by a reception to be sponsored by the Young Adult Ministry and the Hospitality Group.  Joining St. Mary’s Parish Choir and the Boston Byzantine Choir will be the Arabic Choir of the Theotokos from St. Mary’s Pawtucket and the St. Romanos the Melodist Byzantine Choir from Hellenic College/Holy Cross. The concert will conclude with St. Mary’s choir leading a Western Christmas Carol Singalong accompanied by strings from the Boston Civic Symphony.
 
FOOD FOR HUNGRY PEOPLE – Help support our Canned Food Drive! From October through December 31, bring in canned goods and place them in the plastic bins in the room outside the kitchen. (Canned goods only, please.) They will be distributed to food pantries in our area.
 
CHOIR MEMBERS NEEDED - The Choir is looking for new members, especially Alto (woman) and Bass/Baritone (men), but of course we welcome all parts.  Please e-mail Michelle Mabardy at mmmabardy@gmail.com if you are interested.

JOIN US ONLINE - 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 or online). If you have questions or comments about this ministry please contact us at live@stmaryorthodoxchurch.org

REFLECTION

The soul cannot know peace unless she prays for her enemies.
   - St Silouan the Athonite
 
However you should realize that as soon as you intend to live in peace, at once evil comes and weighs down your soul through accidie (sloth and depression) faintheartedness and evil thoughts. It also attacks your body through sickness, debility, weakness of the knees and all the members. It dissipates the strength of the soul and body, so that one believes one is ill and no longer able to pray. But if we are vigilant, all these temptations fall away.
   - Amma Theodora 
 
But it can all take a turn for the good if each one of us begins with himself, if the transformation starts with us. We should try to have good thoughts which will radiate from us. A meek and humble person is always very pleasant to be with, for he emanates peace and warmth. That person may not say a single word, yet we rejoice to be in his presence. So, if we all begin with ourselves, transformation will take place. Goodness will be renewed and established all around us, in our country and further abroad.
   - Elder Thaddeus of Vitovnica