Update for the week Friday, May 27, 2011 through Thursday, June 2, 2011
Update for the week Friday, May 27, 2011 through Thursday, June 2, 2011
THIS WEEKEND
“FELLOWSHIP OF NEW SKETE” – A few people from St. Mary will be going to New Skete for an inaugural retreat this weekend, May 27–29, to explore 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.
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.)
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
NEW ANNOUNCEMENTS
NATIVE AMERICAN ORTHODOX - Check out a newly created website for the Native American Orthodox Christian Fellowship (NAOCF), at www.naocf.org. This is an outgrowth of the experience which the Native Peoples of Alaska have had with the Eastern Orthodox Church since the 18th century. Please pass along the site to anyone who may be interested (Orthodox or nonOrthodox, Christian or nonChristian, Native or nonNative).
REMINDERS
ANTIOCHIAN WOMEN – The Antiochian Women’s summer 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.
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, Thursday, 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.)
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. It 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?
NO VESPERS– There will be no Saturday Vespers services at St. Mary on June 4 or June 11.
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 which was founded and is maintained by the Orthodox Church of Albania under His Beatitude Archbishop Anastasios (see http://www.protagonistschool.org/english/about.htm). Please deposit books in the box outside of the Church Office May 1 through June 15. See Shannon Sakellariou or srsakellariou@gmail.comwith any questions.
SCHOLASTIC AWARD –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.
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
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-1:00 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 are also needed. Contact Elisabeth Lourie at elisabeth@stgeorgeofboston.orgor 617-323-0322 if you have any questions or would like to help.
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.
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.
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.orgor 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.
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:
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
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.
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
"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: If you would like to read the Epistle or assist during Communion, please contact Jeff Wasilko, 781-820-0882, jeffw@smoe.org.
COFFEE HOUR – Azeb Mitiku & Family
LITURGICAL SCHEDULE FOR THIS WEEK
Saturday, May 28: No Vespers at St. Mary
Sunday, May 29: Orthros 8:45 am, Divine Liturgy 10:00
SCRIPTURE READINGS forMay 22, the Sunday of the Blindman:
Epistle: Acts of the Apostles 16:16-34
In those days, as we apostles were going to the place of prayer, we were
met by a slave girl who had a spirit of divination… Paul was annoyed,
and turned and said to the spirit, "I charge you in the name of Jesus
Christ to come out of her." And it came out that very hour. But when her
owners saw that their hope of gain was gone, they seized Paul and Silas
and dragged them into the market place before the rulers … And when
they had inflicted many blows upon them, they threw them into prison,
charging the jailer to keep them safely. Having received this charge, he
put them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks.
But about midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God,
and the prisoners were listening to them, and suddenly there was a
great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and
immediately all the doors were opened and every one's fetters were
unfastened.
Gospel: John 9:1-38
At that time, as Jesus passed by, he saw a man blind from his
birth. And his disciples asked him, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his
parents, that he was born blind?" Jesus answered, "It was not that this
man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be made
manifest in him. We must work the works of him who sent me, while it is
day; night comes, when no one can work. As long as I am in the world, I
am the light of the world." … They brought to the Pharisees the man who
had formerly been blind. Now it was a sabbath day when Jesus made the
clay and opened his eyes. The Pharisees again asked him how he had
received his sight. And he said to them, "He put clay on my eyes and I
washed, and I see." Some of the Pharisees said, "This man is not from
God, for he does not keep the sabbath." But others said, "How can a man
who is a sinner do such signs?" … So for the second time they called
the man who had been blind, and said to him, "Give God the praise; we
know that this man is a sinner." He answered, "Whether he is a sinner, I
do not know; one thing I know, that though I was blind, now I see. …
We know that God does not listen to sinners, but if anyone is a
worshiper of God and does his will, God listens to him. Never since the
world began has it been heard that anyone opened the eyes of a man born
blind. If this man were not from God, he could do nothing."
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 of the Ascension of our Lord 6:30 pm
LOOKING AHEAD
Saturday, June 4: NoVespers at St. Mary
Sunday, June 5: Orthros 8:45 am, Divine Liturgy 10:00
Saturday, June 11: NoVespers at St. Mary
Sunday, June 12, Feast of Pentecost: Orthros 8:45 am, Divine Liturgy 10:00
Friday-Sunday, June 17-19: Parish Life Conference in Hyannis
Sunday-Sunday, July 24-31: Archdiocese Convention in Chicago
INSIGHT
To thee I come, O Christ, blinded
in my soul’s eyes, like the man blind from his birth, crying unto thee
in repentance, thou art the Light of transcendent radiance to those who
are in darkness.
- Kontakion for the Blindman
The Orthodox approach to doctrine has not led it to explain and argue,
but to seek to worship and to stand in the apostolic faith alongside
brothers and sisters in the faith through the ages. Orthodoxy expects
not clarification but adoration, not teaching but praising.
- James R. Payton Jr., Light from the Christian East
Just as the darkness does not go away unless the light is present, so
the disease of the soul is not banished unless He Who takes away our
infirmities comes and unites Himself with us. He is called health when
He comes because He chases away every disease and infirmity of the soul
and gives us back our health; and He is called light, Who transcends all
light, because He illumines us; and life, Who is beyond all life,
because He vivifies us. Shining around us all, and encircling and
cherishing us with the glory of His divinity, He is called raiment, and
so we say that we clothe ourselves with Him Who is intangible in every
way and Who cannot be grasped. Uniting Himself without mingling with our
souls, and making it all as light, He is said to indwell us and,
uncircumscribed, become circumscribed. O the miracle!
- St. Symeon the New Theologian
Unless we look at a person and see the beauty there is in this person,
we can contribute nothing to him. One does not help a person by
discerning what is wrong, what is ugly, what is distorted. Christ looked
at everyone he met, at the prostitute, at the thief, and saw the beauty
hidden there. Perhaps it was distorted, perhaps damaged, but it was
beauty none the less, and what he did was to call out this beauty.
- Metropolitan Anthony of Sourozh