Update for the week Friday, March 25, 2011 through Thursday, March 31, 2011

THIS WEEKEND

ANNUNCIATION LITURGY – This Thursday there will be an Evening Liturgy for the Annunciation of the Theotokos at 6:30 pm

LEARNING IN LENT –There will not be a Learning in Lent speaker this Friday, March 25, which is the Feast of the  Annunciation of the Theotokos.   Next week the series will resume, with Luis Smith speaking  after the Akathist service on the topic, “Maximus the Confessor and ‘the inflexible habit of virtue.’”

The Akathist service will be held this Friday,  as usual, at 7:00.  

RETREATS:

DIOCESAN TEEN SOYO – There will be a retreat for teens in grades 7-12,  this Friday through Sunday, March 25-27,  at St. Methodios Faith & Heritage Center, Contoocook, NH.  Uncle Paul and Aunt Deborah Finley, from the Antiochian Village, will be guest speakers. Cost is $95 per teen, $50 per advisor.  Registration forms were to be returned no later than Friday, March 18, 2011.  For more information contact Fr. Joseph Kimmett at geonorwood@aol.com (781-762-4396), or  Greg Abdalah at abdalah.g@gmail.com (508-752-9150)

NEW SKETE – New Skete Monastery is offering a one-day Lenten retreat on Saturday, March 26, 2011, entitled, "Living Our Baptismal Covenant."  The day will consist of presentations on Christian Initiation as well as Monastic Life, and will include time to discussions, meditation, and reflection. Our own Teva Regule will be a presenter.  An opportunity for spiritual direction and sacramental confession will also be available.  See the flier on the bulletin board and at http://www.newskete.org/pdfs/lentenretreat2011-Flyer.pdf 

HOLY RESURRECTION – Sts. Martha and Mary Sisterhood at Holy Resurrection Orthodox Church in Alston invites you a Lenten retreat for women on Saturday, March 26, 2011.  Featured speaker is Molly Sabourin, author of  Close to Home: One Orthodox Mother’s Quest for Patience, Peace and Perseverance. For more information see the flyer on the bulletin board downstairs, or contact Popadia Paula Tishel at ptishel@yahoo.com or 617-522-1057. Advance registration is required.

ADORATION OF THE HOLY CROSS – This Sunday is the Feast of the Adoration of the Holy Cross, and a procession with the Cross will be held at the end of Liturgy.  Church School students will have a shorter than usual lesson.  Also,  a talk will be given by Violet Robbat, Vice President of the North American Board of Antiochian Women and a collection will be taken for their Project 2011:  The Convent of St. Thekla at Antiochian Village.  Make checks payable to St. Mary Women’s Club.

ANTIOCHIAN WOMEN’S MONTH – March is Antiochian Women’s Month throughout the Archdiocese. Each  Sunday our women will be  reading the Epistle, taking the Collection, assisting during Communion, and giving the Homily.  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. 

NEW ANNOUNCEMENTS

WOMEN’S CLUB – The next meeting of the Women’s Club will be Monday, April 4, at 7:30 in the kitchen.

DONATE VIA eGIVE – Last week we had a special collection for Japan; the previous week there was one for Seminarians.  If you didn’t have a chance to contribute to those collections, or would like to give more, you can do so through eGive  at www.egive-usa.com.  If you have not yet set up an account, you can do it there, or contact Charlie Marge (marge@alum.mit.edu) for help. The Recipient Organization is “St. Mary’s Orthodox Church,” and when you get to Step 4 after selecting that, you have the option of designating how your gift will be used.

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 Sunday, April 10, 2011.    See Khourieh Carol or call Fr. Antony at 781-507-5938.

CONFESSIONS - It is preferred that you make your confession before Holy Week. However, if you are unable to do so, Fr. Antony is available for Confession before and after services from Monday to Wednesday evenings only of Holy Week, or by appointment.  Please note that no confessions will be heard on Great and Holy Saturday before the Rush procession.

HOLY WEEK PARKING - The Church Parking Lot will be available for parking throughout Holy Week;  however it is not available for parishioner parking from 9:00 am. to 5:00 pm Mondays - Fridays at any other time.

SCHOLARSHIPS – The Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America announces the availability of scholarships for those graduating from high school, as well as those that will be in college during the 2011-2012 academic year.  Scholarships are as high as $2,500 each.  Deadline is May 15.  Applications are now available on the Archdiocese website at www.antiochian.org/Scholarships   

REMINDERS

PRESANCTIFIED LITURGY and LENTEN POTLUCKS – Every Wednesday during Lent there will be a Presanctified Liturgy at 6:30 pm, followed by a Potluck Supper sponsored by the FSJD.  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.  Please stay for supper even if you can't bring food--there's room at the table for everyone. 

HELP STREAM LENTEN SERVICES OVER THE INTERNET - As we have been doing for the past several years, we are continuing our free live streaming ministry over the web this year for those who cannot join us in person.  This ministry has already reached thousands of people across the country and in more than 40 countries around the world, who join us online to celebrate services with us through their computer!  Erick Straghalis still needs additional people who plan to attend services regularly or semi-regularly throughout Lent, who can help to set up the video stream before each service.  No experience is needed!   You can be trained on how to turn on the computer, camera and microphones and start the streaming application in just a few minutes.  If you are interested and able, please contact Erick Straghalis at estraghalis@gmail.com for more information and to set up schedules.

PASCHA BAKE SALE – The Women’s Club will be holding their annual Pascha bake sale on Sunday, April 10 (the Sunday before Palm Sunday).  Plan on purchasing all your Pascha/Easter desserts, pastries and goodies then. This year we will also be offering Hoomos and Mjadarra – please use the order form in the Sunday bulletin; order deadline is Sunday, April 3, 2011.  If you can help bake or bring something for us to sell, please call MaryEllen Mabardy at 781-729-6303.

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 17. Our Church School Students will also be given their own boxes to fill. Please be generous!

LENTEN RETREAT – St. Michael the Archangel Orthodox Church, Cotuit, MA will be holding a Lenten Retreat on Saturday, April 2, 2011.  For more information, call Lorraine Reiley  508-240-2412.

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.

Antiochian Women:   Scholarships are available to Antiochian Women 25 years of age or older, who choose to continue their education.  You must be a member in good standing of the Antiochian Archdiocese, be actively involved in your parish, be applying for an academic or trade study program and demonstrate financial need.  Scholarship applications are available in the office.  Deadline to apply is May 27, 2011.

Fellowship of St. John the Divine:  Graduating High School Seniors, who are actively involved in the parish  and whose parents are members of the parish, are eligible for the FSJD Scholarship.  Please call the Church Office with your name so that an application will be mailed to you by Mary Winstanley O’Connor, or contact her directly at moconnor@koilaw.com or 617-523-1010.

BENEFIT FOR THEOPHANY SCHOOL – On Saturday, April 20 (note new date), starting at 6:30,  there will be a Benefit Evening & Auction for  Theophany School at Apollo Functions, Norwood, MA   For more information, call the school at 781-444-3058.

VON HOLZHAUSEN LECTURE & BOOK – 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 (see http://www.baruch.cuny.edu/wsas/academics/anthropology/mplekon.htm)   We have copies of his book, Hidden Holiness, to sell and read before he comes.  See Tiffany Conroy to get a copy for $18, a big discount over the retail price of  $25! This would be an excellent book to read during Lent, and Fr Plekon is eager to have people prepared for a good discussion!  The book is great!!!

2015 ARCHDIOCESE CONVENTION - St. Mary has obtained the permission of Metropolitan PHILIP to bid on the 2015 Archdiocese Convention.  The Parish Council is preparing a bid to have the convention be held at the Sheraton Boston Hotel in Boston, MA from Sunday, July 19, through Sunday, July 26.  The determination as to which church will be chosen will be made at the July 2011 National Convention.  The convention co-chairs will be Mary Winstanley O’Connor and Raymond Sayeg.  Mary and Ray are looking for volunteers to assist with a number of committees – see the list in Sunday’s bulletin.  The Parish Council will need all parishioners to provide their time and talent to make this convention a significant success.  Please call Mary at her office at 617-523-1010 or email her at moconnor@koilaw.com  with any questions or your willingness to participate.  Or contact Ray at his office at 617-742-1184 or email him at rsayeg@dennerpellegrino.com

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 May 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

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.org or call the OCMC at 877-463-6784.

BE PART OF A FAMILY MISSION TEAM – This year the Orthodox Christian Mission Center (OCMC) is proud to announce a collaboration with the Center for Family Care (of the Greek Archdiocese) by offering a Family Mission Team.  For two weeks, July 17-29, 2011, families from North America, along with Albanian families, will participate in this outreach assisted by OCMC missionaries and Albanian church leaders. The primary focus is to offer a “family witness” while sharing the faith and growing as a family in Christ. Consider being part of this first OCMC and Center for Family Care collaboration and family mission witness! Visit http://teams.ocmc.org1, or e-mail teams@ocmc.org, for more information or to apply.

ARCHDIOCESAN CONVENTION – The 50th Antiochian Archdiocese Convention will be held July 24-31 at the  Marriott Chicago Downtown, Chicago, Illinois.   For more information see www.archdioceseconvention2011.org or email info@archdioceseconvention2011.org 

REGULAR REMINDERS

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. 

PROTECT YOUR VALUABLES  - Please do not leave valuables unattended in the Church Hall or Coat 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 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 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  -  St. Mary Women

COFFEE HOUR – The Sakellariou, Crea and Popa families

LITURGICAL SCHEDULE FOR THIS WEEK

Friday, March 25:  Akathist (Madayeh) Service 7:00 pm;  no speaker

Saturday, March 26:  Great Vespers 5:00

Sunday, March 27:   Orthros 8:45 am,  Divine Liturgy 10:00;  Church School lesson 19

SCRIPTURE READINGS for March 27, Feast of Adoration of the Holy Cross:

Epistle:  St. Paul's Letter to the Hebrews 4:14-5:6

…  Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

Gospel:  Mark 2:1-12

The Lord said:  "If any man would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.  … "

Wednesday, March 30:   Presanctified Liturgy 6:30 pm, followed by pot luck supper

LOOKING AHEAD

Friday, April 1:  Akathist (Madayeh) Service 7:00 pm,  followed by “Learning in Lent” Lecture Series

Saturday, April 2:  Great Vespers 5:00

Sunday, April 3:  Orthros 8:45 am,  Divine Liturgy 10:00;  Church School lesson 20

Wednesday, April 6:   Presanctified Liturgy 6:30 pm, followed by pot luck supper

Friday, April 8:  Akathist (Madayeh) Service 7:00 pm,  followed by “Learning in Lent” Lecture Series             

Saturday, April 9:  Great Vespers 5:00

Sunday, April 10:  Orthros 8:45 am,  Divine Liturgy 10:00;  Church School lesson 21

Saturday, April 16, 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 5:00 pm.

Sunday, April 17, Palm Sunday:  Orthros 8:45 am,  Divine Liturgy 10:00 am with Procession,  followed by FSJD annual Fish Dinner (no Church School);  Bridegroom Matins 7:00 pm

Holy Monday, April 18:  Presanctified Liturgy 7 :00 am; Bridegroom Matins 7:00 pm

Holy Tuesday, April 19:  Presanctified Liturgy 7 :00 am; Bridegroom Matins 7:00 pm

Holy Wednesday, April 20:  Presanctified Liturgy 7 :00 am; Holy Unction 7:00 pm

Holy Thursday, April 21:  Vesperal Liturgy 7 :00 am; Washing of the Feet 6:45 pm and Twelve Gospels 7:00 pm

Holy Friday, April 22:  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, April 23:  Vesperal Liturgy 9:00 am

Saturday-Sunday, April 23-24, Great and Holy Pascha:  Vigil/Rush Service 10:00 pm; Resurrection Matins 11:00 pm; Great and Holy Pascha Divine Liturgy 12 midnight;  Paschal Festivities in the Church Hall following

Sunday, April 24:  Joint Agape Vespers (Baouth) 11:00 am here at St. Mary; Reception following

Sunday, May 1:  vonHolzhausen Lecture 12:30

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

INSIGHT

And the Savior also, when He manifested Himself to the world in the Jordan, began at this point. For after His baptism the Spirit led Him into the wilderness and He fasted for forty days and forty nights. Likewise all who set out to follow in His footsteps make the beginning of their struggle upon this foundation. For this is a weapon forged by God, and who shall escape blame if he neglects it? And if the Lawgiver Himself fasts, who among those who keep the law has no need of fasting? This is why the human race knew no victory before fasting, and the devil had never experienced defeat from our nature; but this weapon has made him powerless from the outset.   

   - St. Isaac the Syrian,   Ascetical Homilies

Brethren and fathers, fasting is good if it possesses its own special characteristics, which are to be peaceable, meek, well-established, obedient, humble, sympathetic and all the other forms of virtue. But the devil hurries to suggest the opposite to fasters and to make them insolent, angry, bad-tempered, puffed up, so as to produce hurt more than gain.  But let us not be ignorant of his plans, but continue our path peaceably, gently, meekly, and steadfastly bearing with one another in love, knowing that this is what is acceptable to God; for though you bend your neck double like a hoop and smother yourself with sackcloth and ashes, if these qualities are lacking to you, you would not be well-pleasing to him."

   -  St. Theodore the Studite, Catechesis 59

The whole warfare of the demons against us is waged with the one purpose of alienating those who obey them from the glory of God and the grace of the Holy Spirit. But, as I see it, we have already deprived ourselves of such a gift before they even attack us, because we have forsaken the commandments of God and have not been eager to seek Him with all our soul. Had we sought Him we should not have lived so idly and carelessly! Had we been concerned for the things of heaven we should not have shown such great eagerness for the things of earth. Had our thoughts been on things incorruptible we should not have gaped greedily after the things that are transitory and corruptible. Had we striven for things eternal we should not thus have pursued things temporal. Had we loved God we should not thus have turned away from those who guide us to Him. Had we sought to acquire virtues we would not have abhorred the teachers of virtues. Had we gladly embraced fasting we should not have complained of the lack of food and drink. Had we fought to gain control over our passions we should not have given ourselves unrestrainedly to pleasures. Had we a right and firm faith we should not have performed the works of faithlessness...Had we been found worthy to attain true love we should have known God.

   - St. Simeon the New Theologian,  The Discourses

If we practice true fasting we shall trample here and now on the fire in our flesh and quench it, and in the time to come we shall pass unharmed through the furnace when each one's work will be tried by fire.

   - St. Gregory Palamas, Homily Thirteen.

O Lord, save Thy people and bless Thine inheritance, and to Thy faithful people grant victory over their adversaries; and by the power of Thy cross, protect all those who follow Thee.

   - Troparion of the Holy and Life-Giving Cross