Update for the week Friday, May 13, 2011 through Thursday, May 19, 2011
THIS WEEKEND
CHURCH SCHOOL GRADUATION– The Church School year will come to an end this Sunday, May 15. A brief graduation ceremony and a blessing will take place at the end of liturgy.
Graduation festivities, with food and activities, will follow in the church hall. Volunteers will be needed to assist with the tie-dye station and with crafts. A sign-up sheet will also be available on Sunday for anyone wishing to assist with food contributions for a sandwich bar and ice cream sundae bar. Please contact Andrea Popa at maryandreapopa@gmail.com or Arlene Marge at lanciani@alum.mit.edu if you are interested in helping out.
FOOD FOR THE HUNGRY– If you haven’t remembered to turn in your Food for Hungry People boxes, please do so this Sunday. (They were due on Palm Sunday.) Pass them in at the Bengarri or give them to Violet Robbat.
“FELLOWSHIP OF NEW SKETE” –New Skete is forming a "Third Order" group for those wishing to have a closer spiritual relationship with the monastery and incorporate monastic values in their own lives (in their own life circumstances). An inaugural retreat will be held at New Skete May 27–29, 2011.From their proposal: "At the heart of the vision of New Skete has always been the desire to live the Christian life as fully as possible by becoming true disciples of the Gospel. While this expressed itself initially through the life and witness of the three monastic communities, there have always been friends who sense a deep connection with the values of New Skete and who wish to be involved in its ministry from the context of their own lives. The Fellowship of New Skete supports such individuals who seek to deepen their spiritual lives through a more formal connection with the monastic life of New Skete...." A group formed in Portland a few years ago. How this will look in other contexts is still to be determined.
This retreat is for those interested in the possibility of such a connection with the monastery (no commitment necessary at this time). A few of us for the Boston area will be going out for this. Anyone interested, please let Teva Regule (teva@mit.edu) know by this Sunday, May 15 so she can add you to the list and relay any further developments.
NEW ANNOUNCEMENTS
BAPTISM – On Saturday May 28th at 2:30pm, Nadia Straghalis will be baptized at St. Mary's. Nadia's parents, Erick and Elizabeth Straghalis, cordially invite the parish family to join in celebrating this Sacrament with them. Refreshments will follow in the church hall. (No gifts, please.)
COFFEE HOUR VOLUNTEERS NEEDED – Volunteering always falls off this time of year, but the need for fellowship and hospitality stays strong. Please sign up to sponsor a coffee hour, individually or with friends. Iit can be as simple as coffee, juice, and cookies, and plenty of help is available. Signup sheets are on the bulletin board downstairs outside the Hall. Isn't it your turn by now?
BLESSING OF GRAVES – On Memorial Day, Monday, May 30, Fr. Antony will be blessing graves at Fairview Cemetery in Hyde Park, MA. starting at 9:00 am. If you would like him to bless the graves of loved ones in other cemeteries, please let him know by calling the Church Office at 617-547-1234 or e-mail frawhj@gmail.com
REMINDERS
COED BABY SHOWER - Help Larisa and Marc Patacchiola prepare to welcome their daughter Ellie! You’re invited to a co-ed baby shower next Sunday, May 22 at 12:30 pm, in the Parish Hall. Larisa and Marc are hoping to be able to bring Ellie home from Taiwan next month, or possibly in July, when she will be about 7-8 months. They are registered at Amazon.com and Babies R Us. RSVP to Ann Bezzerides (abezzerides@gmail.com) or Lea Crea (leacrea@hotmail.com).
NO VESPERS – There will be no Saturday Vespers services at St. Mary during the month of May.
NO FASTING – There is no fasting on Wednesday or Friday, not only during Bright Week (April 25-30), but until the Feast of the Ascension (June 2) – for the whole forty days that Christ remained on earth following his resurrection. This is the decision of the Holy Synod of the Church of Antioch. (This cessation of fasting, however, is purely voluntary; you may fast if you wish.)
BOOK DRIVE FOR ALBANIA – We’re having a charitable collection of gently used books (in English) to begin the upper elementary library (Grades 4-9) at Protagonist School in Tirana, Albania. This school was founded and is maintained by the Orthodox Church of Albania under His Beatitude Archbishop Anastasios. Please deposit books in the box outside of the Church Office May 1 – June 15. See Shannon Sakellariou or srsakellariou@gmail.com with any questions.
ANTIOCHIAN WOMEN – The Antiochian Women’s General Assembly Meeting (10:00 am) and Luncheon (Noon) will be held at the Parish Life Conference on Friday, June 17, 2011. Please remember to return your reservation form (Cost of Luncheon: $30) along with your Registration Fee of $10.00 by June 1. Checks should be made payable to Church of St. John of Damascus. A Reservation Form will be included in this week’s Sunday Bulletin.
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 in Dedham. Register today - discounted hotel rates are only guaranteed through May 1, and early bird discount through May 14. Look for us on Facebook: “2011 Parish Life Conference,” or visit us at www.stjohnd.org/conference2011. You can email questions to the conference chairpeople at Conference2011@stjohnd.org
STREAMING VIDEO - Did you watch any of our live streaming video through Lent and/or Holy Week? Tell us what you think! We'd love to hear your feedback. Send a message to Erick Straghalis at estraghalis@gmail.com or post a comment on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/StMaryCambridge
CHURCH SCHOOL TEACHERS NEEDED– St Mary’s Church School needs teachers for several classes for next year, as well as persons interested in helping with administration or event planning. If you would like to be considered for a teaching or coordinating role, please contact Andrea Popa at maryandreapopa@gmail.comor Arlene Marge at lanciani@alum.mit.edu.
SCHOLARSHIPS and AWARDS:
The Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North Americaannounces
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
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.
N. G. Beram Veterans Association: The N. G. Beram Veterans Association is pleased to announce the continuation of its Scholastic Achievement Awardsfor the 45th year. This program was established to encourage, promote and support the education of students of Arabic-speaking backgrounds. High school seniors can obtain the application along with the instructions by visiting the web page at: www.stjohnd.org/ngberam. All applications must be postmarked no later than June 1, 2011.
BECOME A GREETER FOR ST MARY’S -The Parish Council has enacted the Greeter Program, similar to other churches, to greet and aid parishioners, guests and visitors each Sunday. As a Greeter, you will welcome people into the Church and help to direct visitors upstairs to the Liturgy, as well as keeping an eye on the Vestibule, Hallways and Entrance ways during church. If you would like to help and volunteer as a Greeter once every few months, please contact Buddy Mabardy at 781-729-6303 or email at Buddy@cjmabardy.com
WEEKLY ENVELOPES – If you currently receive weekly envelopes to fulfill your pledge and you either (a) don’t use them, or (b) are planning on not using envelopes next year, please send an e-mail to Charlie Marge (marge@alum.mit.edu). We are currently trying to decide how many boxes of envelopes to order for 2012. Thanks for your help!
COOKBOOK AVAIILABLE – St. John Church, Dedham, is offering their Centennial Cookbook (back by popular demand!): 350 Arabic, other ethnic & American Recipes. Padded hardcover, 3-ring binder book, Durable metal binding snaps open to add pages, Book Stand included $25.00 each (add $5 for shipping) or also available from the St. John’s Church Office 781-326-3046. For more information, contact cookbook@stjohnd.org Download order form at www.stjohnd.org/pdf/cookbook.pdf or check St. Mary Bulletin Board
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
VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL - St. George Church, West Roxbury announces Vacation Bible School, Monday, June 28 through Thursday, July 1, 8:45 am-1 pm. Registration is open to preschoolers (at least 3 yrs old and potty trained) through 4th grade. Registration: $15/1 child; $20/2 children; $25/3 children Volunteers needed. Contact Elisabeth Lourie at elisabeth@stgeorgeofboston.orgor 617-323-0322 if you have any questions or would like to help.
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! Visithttp://teams.ocmc.org, or e-mail teams@ocmc.org, for more information or to apply.
2011 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
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
REGULAR REMINDERS
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 atlive@stmaryorthodoxchurch.org.
DONATE VIA eGIVE – Recently we have had special
collections for Japan, for Seminarians, for the Antiochian Women’s
project: the Convent of St. Thekla, and other causes. 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.
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 notblock 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.
PRISON MINISTRY – If you would like to find out more about Prison Ministry at St. Mary Church, please subscribe to our mailing list at http://groups.google.com/group/ocpm-concord.
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: Volunteers needed - if you would like to assist during Communion, please contact Jeff Wasilko, 781-820-0882, jeffw@smoe.org.
COFFEE HOUR– Church School Parents
LITURGICAL SCHEDULE FOR THIS WEEK
Saturday, May 14: NoVespers at St. Mary
Sunday, May 15: Orthros 8:45 am, Divine Liturgy 10:00; Church School Graduation and Closing of Church School festivities
SCRIPTURE READINGS forMay 15, the Sunday of the Paralytic:
Epistle: Acts of the Apostles 9:32-42
IN THOSE DAYS, as Peter went here and there among them all, he came down
also to the saints that lived at Lydda. There he found a man named
Aeneas, who had been bedridden for eight years and was paralyzed. And
Peter said to him, "Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you; rise and make your
bed." And immediately he rose. … Now there was at Joppa a disciple named
Tabitha, which means Dorcas [who had died]. … Peter … knelt down and
prayed; then turning to the body he said, "Tabitha, rise." And she
opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter she sat up. And he gave her his
hand and lifted her up. Then calling the saints and widows he presented
her alive.
Gospel: John 5:1-15
At that time, Jesus went up to Jerusalem. Now there is in
Jerusalem by the Sheep Gate a pool, … One man was there, who had been
ill for thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him and knew that he had been
lying there a long time, he said to him, "Do you want to be healed?"
The sick man answered him, "Sir, I have no man to put me into the pool
when the water is troubled, and while I am going another steps down
before me." Jesus said to him, "Rise, take up your pallet, and walk."
And at once the man was healed, and he took up his pallet and walked.
LOOKING AHEAD
Saturday, May 21: No Vespers at St. Mary
Sunday, May 22: Orthros 8:45 am, Divine Liturgy 10:00
Saturday, May 28: NoVespers at St. Mary
Monday, May 30: Memorial Day - Blessing of Graves at Fairview Cemetery, Hyde Park, starting at 9:00 am
Wednesday, June 1: Evening Liturgy for the FEAST Ascension of our Lord 6:30 pm
Friday-Sunday, June 17-19: Parish Life Conference in Hyannis
Sunday-Sunday, July 24-31: Archdiocese Convention in Chicago
INSIGHT
Observe … the faith of the
paralytic. When he had heard, "Take up your bed and walk," he did not
mock, nor say, "What can this mean? An Angel comes down and troubles the
water, and heals only one, and do You, a man, by a bare command and
word hope to be able to do greater things than Angels?"... But he
neither said nor imagined anything like this, but at once he heard and
arose, and becoming whole, was not disobedient to Him that gave the
command.
- St. John Chrysostom, Homily 37 on the Gospel of St. John.
By your divine intervention, O Lord, raise up my soul, which by every
kind of sin and unbecoming deeds is so grievously paralyzed, as of old
you did raise up the paralytic; that, being saved, I may cry to you:
Grant healing unto me, O Christ Compassionate.
- Troparion to Jesus Christ, the Compassionate God (Tone 3), from The Office of Holy Unction on Holy Wednesday Evening
Since you are a divine river of mercy, like a fathomless gulf of
plentiful sympathy, O Bountiful One; manifest the divine streams of your
mercy, and heal everyone. Pour forth abundantly fountains of wonders
and cleanse all: for resorting ever unto you, we fervently implore your
grace.
- Kathisma (Tone 8) from The Office of Holy Unction on Holy Wednesday Evening
Physician and Help of those in sickness, Redeemer and Savior of the
infirm; do, you who are the Master and Lord of all, grant healing to
your infirm servants. Be clement, show mercy to those who have sinned
much, and deliver them, O Christ, from their iniquities, that they may
glorify your divine might.
- Kathisma (Tone 4) from The Office of Holy Unction on Holy Wednesday Evening
O Lord our God, who chastens and again heals; who raises the poor man
from the earth, and exalts the beggar from the dunghill; the Father of
orphans, and Haven of the tempest-tossed, and Physician of the sick; who
painlessly bears our weaknesses, and receives our infirmities; who
shows mercy with gentleness, who overlooks transgressions, and takes
away unrighteousness; who are quick to help, and slow to wrath; who did
breathe upon your disciples and say, “Receive the Holy Spirit; if you
forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins
of any, they are retained," and takes away unrighteousness; who accepts
the repentance of sinners, and has power to forgive sins manifold and
grievous, and grants healing to all who continue in weakness and
lingering illness; … grant healing to your servants who are weak of soul
and body, giving them remission of sins and forgiveness of their
transgressions, both voluntary and involuntary. Heal their incurable
wounds, and every ailment and every sore; bestow upon them psychic
healing. O you who did touch the mother-in-law of Peter, whereupon the
fever left her, and she arose and ministered to you: do, O Master, grant
healing to these your servants, and alleviation of every emaciating
illness; and be mindful of your rich bounties and your mercy.
- The Fifth Prayer, from The Office of Holy Unction on Holy Wednesday Evening
The spiritual life is about complete healing. Healing of mind, body,
and spirit, of every level of consciousness of which there are many, of
attitudes, feelings, and conditioning most of which we are oblivious.
Repentance begins with what we know about ourselves and proceeds in a
mysterious process led by the Holy Spirit to what we do not know.
Everything we are must be converted and transformed. It is an adventure
without parallel, an ascent “from glory to glory.” How sad it is if
we are unwilling to make the journey!
- V. Rev. Fr. Antony Hughes (Cornerstone message for September, 2010)