St. Mary Orthodox Church

Update for the week Friday, February 11, 2011 through Thursday, February 17, 2011

THIS WEEKEND

FR. ANTONY AWAY - Fr. Antony will be out of town at a retreat in Michigan this  Thursday through Sunday, February 10 – 13.  In case of emergency, please contact Fr. Timothy Ferguson at St. George Church, West Roxbury, MA at 617- 323-0323. 

This Sunday we welcome Fr. Ephraim Peters, who will be celebrating the Divine Liturgy with us in Fr. Antony’s absence

CHANT WORKSHOP – The Diocese of Worcester and New England is pleased to offer a Pre-Lenten “Introduction to Byzantine Chant” workshop at St. Mary’s thisFriday February 11, 7:00 – 9:30 pm and Saturday February 12, 9:00 am – 2:30 pm.  The classes will be taught by Fr. Michael Vanderhoef, pastor of Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church in Madison, WI and our own Charlie Marge, St. Mary’s Head Chanter and Director of the Boston Byzantine Choir.  This is the same course they taught this past summer to 40 students of the Sacred Music Institute at the Antiochian Village.  This course will focus on chanting from text in the characteristics of the eight tones and is appropriate for both beginners and those who have experience chanting and would like their questions answered.  Suggested donation to cover materials:  $10.     Note:  Please register  so they’ll know you’re coming.  Download the registration form at https://www.stmaryorthodoxchurch.org/newsevents/2011-chantworkshop.php

PRE-LENTEN RETREAT– The Antiochian Women of the Diocese invite you to a Pre-Lenten Retreat thisSaturday, February 12, 2011, at St. George Church in Norwood. Featured speaker will be Presvytera Maria Mossaides, Executive Director of Cambridge Family and Children’s Service and one of Massachusetts Law Weekly’s “Top Women of Law.” Her topic will be “The Reluctant Presvytera: My Life’s Journey in the Church.” To register, call Erin Kimmett at 781-775-0789. All are welcome, including men, women, teens, and clergy. 

IOCC FUNDRAISER - Come to  Lir Irish Pub and Restaurant on Boylston St. on Sunday, February 13, to watch the Bruins take on the Red Wings and celebrate with friends, food, and a chance to win awesome last minute Valentine's Day gifts! Tickets are $15 in advance at www.iocc.orgor $20 at the door. This is a 21+ event. Feel free to email bostonmet@gmail.comif you have any questions or want to donate an item for the raffle!  

NEW ANNOUNCEMENTS

THANK YOU FROM FSJD- The Fellowship of St John the Divine is pleased to report that $932 was raised during this past Sunday's Chinese New Year's Breakfast after Liturgy, with a higher than expected turnout compared to previous years. Special thanks go to everyone who helped and those who contributed, as the event shows true synergy from the kitchen to the church hall and among the parishioners, both young and old.  All food and drinks were donated, so 100% of the contribution goes straight to the Chinese Translation Project, via the Orthodox Fellowship of All Saints of China. The funds will go towards the liturgical translation effort of our translator in Shanghai, who has completed portions of the Great Book of Needs, Horologion, Sunday Octoechos, Festal Menaion, Lenten Menaion and Pentecostarion. This will familiarize the Chinese with the sacramental and liturgical life of the Orthodox Church. When indigenous clergy are ordained in due time in China, this will provide opportunity for the Faithful to worship in their local language.

ANTIOCHIAN WOMEN’S MONTH – Marchis Antiochian Women’s Month throughout the Archdiocese. Our women will be reading the Epistle (1 woman), taking the Collection each Sunday (2 women) and assisting during Communion (6 women).  We are inviting all Women of St. Mary Church to be included:  If you wish to participate please sign up on the sheet at the Bengarri or, contact MaryEllen Mabardy at 781-729-6303. 

THEOPHANY CD- Experience the beauty of the Feast of Theophany all year around – The Voice of the Lord: Selected Hymns from the Feast of Theophany is available for purchase either as a hard copy or as a download through iTunes and Liturgica.com!   Chanted in a traditional Byzantine style, this CD was made in memory of Sonia Daly Belcher, the founder of the Theophany School in Boston, MA. For more information or to purchase, go to http://www.theophanyschool.org/cd .

LECTURE/DISCUSSION SERIES– The 20/40 club at St. George West Roxbury is sponsoring a three-part series of lectures and discussion  at Roggies bar in Cleveland Circle, with Dr. Timothy Patitsas, Professor of Ethics at Holy Cross Seminary. The first one will be on "Acting Thinking Being an Orthodox Christian," and will be held on Thursday, February 17th, at 7:30 pm. The next two will be held on February 24th and March 3rd. Each one begins at 7:30 pm in the downstairs room at Roggies. Admission is free, full bar and food menu will be available. Open to all (21+) in the Boston area.

MEMORY ETERNAL- We are saddened to inform you of the falling asleep in the Lord of John Duane Thornbrugh of Lincoln, Nebraska on February 6, 2011.  John was the brother/brother-in-Law of Trish and Alex Orlovsky and uncle of Nika, Tasha and Elias Orlovsky.  He was the Academic Dean of Our Lady of Guadalupe Seminary.

REMINDERS

PARISH COUNCIL –The next meeting of the Parish Council will be Wednesday, February 16, at 7:30 pm, at the home of Mary Winstanley O’Conner, Parish Council President.

RETREATS AT ANTIOCHIAN VILLAGE– Two more retreats and conferences at the Village are coming up next week:
   Marriage Enrichment Retreat February 18-20.
   Winter Camp @ Antiochian Village,   Theme: “We Need a Hero,”  February 18-21
 For more information see http://antiochianvillage.org/center/special_events/upcoming.html

COFFEE HOUR – Several upcoming Sundays are available,  so please sign up to sponsor a coffee hour, individually or with friends.  Some do this to celebrate a special event or anniversary, others simply as an act of hospitality. It can be as simple as coffee, juice, and cookies.   Signup sheets are on the bulletin board downstairs outside the Hall. Isn't it your turn by now?

ST. MARY’S ANTIOCHIAN VILLAGE CAMPAIGN, Part 2 – In support of the parish’s goal to provide financial help  for all our children and teens interested in attending AV camp,  St. Mary will host a Hafli on Saturday, February 26 at 7:30 in the church hall.  Mitchell Kaltsunas and his band will be there for a night of dancing, mazza and wonderful company.  Beer and wine and soda will be available for purchase.  Ticket price is $40.00/person and includes hot/cold mazza.  For tickets please call the Church Office at 617-547-1234, Mary Winstanley O’Connor, 617-523-1010 or Paul Nahass, 617-547-9065.

MEATFARE SUNDAY BREAKFAST – The annual Meatfare Sunday breakfast sponsored by the Fellowship of St. John the Divine will be  held on Sunday, February 27, 2011 after Liturgy.  Suggested donation: $7 per person, $14 max per family.  Your donations will help support the many activities of the Fellowship at St. Mary's, including the annual Lessons and Carols evening; Learning in Lent lecture series; Wednesday evening potluck suppers after Pre-Sanctified Liturgies during Lent; the Annual Father John vonHolzhausen lecture; Coffee House ministry; coffee hours and special meals;  the weekly St. Mary Update e-mail newsletter; and more.

LENTEN FOOD SALE – The Women's Club is now taking orders for Hoomos (hummus), Mjadara (lentils with rice), and Spinach Triangles.  Please use the order form in the Sunday bulletin.  Order deadline is Sunday, February 27;  pickup date is Sunday, March 13. 

If you would like to help make Spinach Triangles, join us on Saturday, March 12,  at 9:00 am.

CREATIVE ARTS RETREAT POSTPONED–The Church School’s Creative Arts Retreat scheduled for February 5 was postponed because of weather. Please stay tuned for more information on an alternate date. Meanwhile, students wishing to prepare creative art projects for entry to the Antiochian Archdiocese Creative Arts Festivals on their own (including entries in drawing, clay, fabric, photography, performance, poetry, or creative writing) should contact Andrea Popa at maryandreapopa@gmail.comor their church school teacher for further information.

BLESSING OF HOMES – Fr. Antony will be blessing homes after Epiphany (January 6)  and between Pascha (April 24) and Pentecost (June 12).  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.

DIOCESAN SPRING MEETINGS– St. George, Lawrence, will be hosting the General Assembly meetings of the Fellowship, Women, and Teens on Saturday, March 5.  Morning prayers begin at 10:00 am, with meetings following at 10:30. 

SCHOLARSHIPS  - Syrian Lebanese Women’s Club of Greater Boston will make available a number of scholarship awards in the amount of $1000.00 each to young women of Syrian and Lebanese origin, residing in Massachusetts within a 50 mile radius of Boston, who plan to pursue a four-year college education.  Applications are available in the Church Office or by calling or e-mailing Mary Winstanley O’Connor (617-523-1010 or moconnor@koilaw.com) and must be postmarked by March 31, 2011.

VONHOLZHAUSEN LECTURE– The Fellowship of St. John the Divine  invites you to the annual vonHolzhausen Lecture following coffee hour on Sunday, May 1, 2011.   This year’s speaker will be   Fr. Michael Plekon, professor at Baruch College’s Weissman School of Arts and Sciences, Orthodox priest,  and author.  Watch for more information.

OCF REAL BREAK– College Students: Do something REAL this spring Break! The Real Break program provides alternatives to the “traditional” Spring Break for college students. It exists to provide students with the most authentic experience possible, and is modeled as a full Christian lifestyle, which includes fellowship, prayer within community, witness and service. Each Spring, over 100 students attend various trips, both domestic and international, to give of themselves to those less fortunate and to do something “real” for themselves and for God. OCF Real Break has been running since 2000 with over one thousand students participating in these life-changing opportunities. Past and current trips include: Mexico, Guatemala, Jerusalem, Constantinople, Raphael House, St. Basil Academy, Greece, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Romania, Buenos Aires, Alaska, and more. For information about the 2011 trips see http://www.ocf.net/wikis/programs/real-break-2011-trips.aspx

MISSION TEAM OPPORTUNITIES- The Orthodox Christian Mission Center has announced their 2011 Mission Teams.  Teams will be heading to 9 locations around the globe to share the teachings of the faith and offer the gift of service through hands-on experience.  For more information go to  http://teams.ocmc.orgor call the OCMC at 877-463-6784.

PARISH LIFE CONFERENCE – This year’s New England Parish Life Conference will be held  Friday, June 17, through Sunday, June 19,  at the Resort & Conference Center in Hyannis, hosted by St. John of Damascus Church of Dedham.  Register today - early bird discount through 5/14.  Look for us on Facebook: “2011 Parish Life Conference”.

CROSSROAD – Attention High School Juniors & Seniors:  CrossRoad is an exciting summer vocation exploration program designed to help students discern their life callings and match their God-given gifts with the needs of the world.  CrossRoad session dates for summer 2011 are June 18-28 (first session) and July 5-15 (second session). For more information and to download an application:  www.crossroad.hchc.edu

STREAMING VIDEO- Divine Liturgy at St. Mary is broadcast live every week!  Do come to church…  but if you can’t, then join us on your computer! To see live broadcasts go to https://www.stmaryorthodoxchurch.org/livestream. Divine Liturgy starts at 10:00 am every Sunday September through June, and at 9:30 am during the summer. 

If you are interested in helping, please contact Erick Straghalis (estraghalis@gmail.com). 

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

FIRST IN, LAST OUT– Please do not park in the small lot behind the church unless you intend to stay through the end of coffee hour. The only way out is the single lane driveway.  Please pull all the way in to the parking space, and please do not block the driveway – if the lot is full, you can park on the street or in the lot at the corner of Prospect Street and Bishop Allen Drive.

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:

PARTICIPATION
Liturgical Service - Each Sunday, members of the congregation are needed to read the Epistle and assist during Communionby 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 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.orgor 617-547-1234.

VOLUNTEERING
Holy Resurrection Open Doors - The Holy Resurrection Open Door Meal Ministry in Allston needs volunteers every Monday evening (there is a special need in the summer).  The official hours of the project are 4:30 pm-7:30 pm, but it is fine to come anytime and leave any time.  Best times would be 5:30-5:45 to 7:15-7:30 pm.  You can serve meals, coffee and tea to the people who arrive for dinner (6-7 pm) or just stay behind the scenes doing set-up and clean-up.  It is a very rewarding, hands-on, face-to-face way to serve the community with (mostly) other Orthodox Christians—we even chant the Our Father together before the meal begins. Church info can be found at  http://hrocboston.org.    Questions? Please contact Liz Straghalis atliztutella@gmail.com  phone 617-974-5005,  or Tiffany Conroy at trattus1@gmail.com.

St Paul’s Food Pantry - Volunteers are needed each week in the food pantry at St Paul's Roman Catholic Church in Harvard Square, Saturday mornings from 9:30-11:45. 

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

DONATIONS
Food and Clothing – Holy Resurrection in Allston takes donations of non-perishable food items and clothing to distribute at the Open Door Ministry on Monday evenings.  You can bring your donations by on Monday nights between 4:30 pm and 7:30 pm or contact Tiffany Conroy, trattus1@gmail.com, for more information.

Canned Goods-The annual Food For Hungry People canned food drive  is  held  October through  December each year.  Bring  in your canned goods to the Church and place them in the large, blue plastic containers outside the Church Office – they will be distributed to local food pantries in our area.

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

THIS WEEK'S VOLUNTEERS

LITURGICAL SERVICE  - Epistle: Natasha Smith;  Left Cloth: George Abi-esber and Rose Njuguma;  Right Cloth: Ioana Chirieac and Larissa Patacchiola;  Left Bread: Albert Wang , Right Bread: Ruxandra Paul

COFFEE HOUR – The Shoop family

LITURGICAL SCHEDULE FOR THIS WEEK

Saturday, February 12:  Pre-Lenten Retreat sponsored by Antiochian Women, at St. George, Norwood;
No Vespers at St. Mary

Sunday, February 13, Sunday of the Publican and Pharisee:  Orthros 8:45 am,  Divine Liturgy 10:00  am;  Church School lesson 15

SCRIPTURE READINGS for February 13:
Epistle:  St. Paul's Second Letter to Timothy 3:10-15
But as for you, [Timothy,] continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings which are able to instruct you for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.

Gospel:  Luke 18:10-14
“The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, 'God, I thank you that I am not like other men, … I fast twice a week, I give tithes of all that I get.' But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, 'God, be merciful to me a sinner!'”

LOOKING AHEAD

Saturday, February 19:  Great Vespers 5:00

Sunday, February 20, Sunday of the Prodigal Son:  Orthros 8:45 am,  Divine Liturgy 10:00  am;  NO Church School

Sunday, February 27, Sunday of the Last Judgment (Meatfare Sunday):   Orthros 8:45 am,  Divine Liturgy 10:00  am;  Church School lesson 16; followed by FSJD Meatfare Breakfast

Sunday, March 6, Forgiveness Sunday (Cheesefare Sunday):   Orthros 8:45 am,  Divine Liturgy 10:00  am;  Church School lesson 17;

Monday, March 7:  Great Lent begins

Sunday, April 24:  Pascha

Sunday, May 1:  vonHolzhausen Lecture 12:30

Friday-Sunday, June 17-19:Parish Life Conference

INSIGHT

Better someone who has sinned, if he knows he has sinned and repents, than a person who has not sinned and thinks of himself as righteous.
   - The Desert Fathers

Even without any other passion, self-esteem can ruin a man; and in the same way, if we have formed the habit of judging, we can be utterly ruined by this alone; for indeed, the Pharisee was condemned for this very thing.
   - St. John Climacus

The humbler our opinion of ourselves, the more swiftly our prayer rises to God. So soon as we lose humility, each and every ascetic effort is nullified. If pride is active in us, or fault-finding, or unfriendliness, the Lord stands remote from us.
   - Archimandrite Sophrony,  His Life is Mine

All the holy Prophets, Apostles, Martyrs, Confessors, Monastic Saints, and Righteous ones, old and new, would not have attained salvation without humility. All their deeds, their virtues, their labors, their sweat, their struggles, their prayers, their fasts, their almsgiving would not have benefited them, as they did not benefit that proud and boastful Pharisee.
   - Blessed Elder Philotheos Zervakos

Even if we should have mounted to the very pinnacle of virtue, let us consider ourselves last of all; having learned that pride is able to cast down even from the heavens themselves him who takes not heed, and humbleness of mind to bear up on high from the very abyss of sins him who knows how to be sober. For this it was that placed the publican before the Pharisee.
   - St. John Chrysostom

But look: if we are humble, God helps us to fight our sinfulness; if we are proud, He does not. And how can we acquire humility unless we are constantly humbled through seeing ourselves as we are,  the worst of sinners – unless we are constantly brought to our knees in penitence?
   - St. Macarius, the Elder of Optina