Update for the week Friday, September 9, through Thursday, September 15, 2011

THIS WEEKEND

 FRANK SCHAEFFER LECTURE- Frank Schaeffer will present a lecture about his new book, Sex, Mom and God:How the Bible's Strange Take on Sex Led to Crazy Politics - and How I Learned to Love Women (and Jesus) Anyway, at St. Mary this Saturday, September 10, 2011 at 6:00 pm in the Church Hall.  Please join us for a stimulating lecture and discussion!  More information and reviews of the book can be found on his website at http://www.frankschaeffer.com.

PRAYERS FOR 9/11 – This Sunday we will pray for all the families and friends of the victims of September 11, 2001, and Trisagion Prayers of Mercy will be offered for all the victims themselves.

CHURCHSCHOOL - Following Liturgy this Sunday, there will be a blessing of Church School teachers and students.  Church School registration will take place in the Church Hall during Coffee Hour.

THANK YOU COFFEE HOUR - The coffee hour this Sunday (postponed from 8/28 by Hurricane Irene)  is hosted by Marc and Larisa Patacchiola in honor of their new daughter, Elianna (Ellie) Pei-Jyun Patacchiola, born in Kaohsiung, Taiwan 11/22/2010, who arrived home 8/8/2011. Larisa and Marc sincerely thank everyone at St. Mary's for their love, prayers, and support throughout their adoption journey.

NEW ANNOUNCEMENTS

 FSJD ORGANIZATIONAL MEETING– The Fellowship of St John the Divine (FSJD) at St. Mary will have an Organizational Meeting for 2011-2012 on Sunday, September 25th in the Hall during Coffee Hour (around 12:15pm).  This meeting is for all current members, officers and all interested persons!  Membership in the FSJD is open to all adults in the Parish, as well as Inquirers and their friends, families, etc.  Please join us!  If you have any questions, contact Tiffany Ann Conroy Moore, FSJD Chair, at trattus1@gmail.com.  You can also find us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/groups/6722916525, and more information is available on the parish website at https://www.stmaryorthodoxchurch.org/ministries/fellowship.php

“WELCOME BACK COLLEGE STUDENTS" BREAKFAST – After Liturgy on Sunday, October 2, the Fellowship of St. John the Divine (FSJD) will host a special breakfast to welcome college students back to their "Church home away from home." Please join us in welcoming and supporting students who strive to remain connected to the Church while away from their families.  All are welcome! A suggested minimum donation of $5 will be gratefully accepted from non-students.

ORTHODOX INSTITUTE – The Orthodox Institute for 2011 will be held at Antiochian Village Thursday through Sunday, November 3-6. Topic: Scripture through the lens of the Holy Land. Keynote Speaker will be Fr. Thomas Hopko and Tour Guide  Dr. Maria Khourey. Additional speakers will be our own Dr. Ann Bezzerides, as well as Kh. Gigi Shadid, Dr. Nicolae Roddy and Kh. Myra Kovalak.  For more information see  www.antiochian.org/christianeducation/oi2011

REMINDERS

ELEVATION OF THE CROSS– There will be an Evening Liturgy for the Feast of the Elevation of the Cross this Tuesday, September 13, at 6:30 pm.  Come worship with us then.

COLLEGE STUDENTS AND PARENTS - If you are a new or returning college or university student, please fill out a pink College Student Address Form on the Bengarri (desk in the Narthex) so that we have your current addresses and information and you can receive announcements about activities at St. Mary's and on campus.  See Charlie Marge if you have questions.

Parents, If you would like your sons or daughters to receive a copy of the CORNERSTONE each month while they are away at school to keep them in touch with what’s going on at St. Mary’s, please fill out one of the College Student Address Forms and return it to Marilyn Robbat.

ORTHODOX SCHOLARS’ INITIATIVE - Orthodox Christian faculty from colleges and universities across New England are invited to discuss how your Orthodox Christian faith is connected to your work as a professor or researcher - come explore ways in which your faith and reason intersect. Join us nextFriday, September 16, 2011 for the first regional meeting of the Orthodox Scholars’ Initiative at Hellenic College.  The afternoon program runs concurrent with the annual meeting of the Orthodox Theological Society in America.  For more information, including a schedule of events, see www.osi.hchc.edu.  Please RSVP to Dr. Ann Bezzerides at abezzerides@hchc.edu to attend the events free of charge. Panel, reception and lecture will be in the Maliotis Cultural Center, 50 Goddard Ave, Brookline, MA.

SONIA’S RUN - The third annual 5k road race to benefit the Theophany School, in honor of  beloved friend Sonia Belcher, will be held next Saturday, September 17, at St. George Church, West  Roxbury.  The 5K Run/Walk begins at 9:00 am;  Kids Fun Run at 8:30 am.  Be a runner….Be a volunteer….Be a sponsor!   To walk, run, volunteer or sponsor, call Al or Jack Day, 781-608-5138 or go to www.SoniasRun.org.

INQUIRERS CLASS - The St. Ignatius Catechetical Group will begin meeting next Sunday, September 18th at 9:00am in the library (next door to Fr. Antony’s office). The group is for non-Orthodox adults who are interested in exploring the Christian Faith as it has been - and continues to be - understood, preached, and lived by members of the Holy Orthodox Church, who descend from the early Christian community of Antioch, where “the disciples were for the first time called Christians” (Acts 11:26).  Bob Kowalik will be teaching the group, using materials developed and piloted by St. Mary catechist emeritus David Vermette.  If you would like to participate, please talk to Bob during coffee hour; or get in touch by phone 617-889-3436 or e-mail r.kowalik@comcast.net.  For those seeking to be received into the Orthodox Church, participation in the group and Fr. Antony’s blessing are required.

BAKE SALE – The Women’s Club will be having an Early Fall Bake Sale next Sunday, September 18 during coffee hour, to benefit the programs/charities of the Women’s Club including all St. Mary Church School Programs and Operating Supplies, YWCA Family Shelter, Children’s Relief Fund, and General Funds donated to Parish Council.  If you can help bake, please contact Priscilla Goss at 781-762-1527 or Renay DiFiore 617-327-6361.  Enjoy something special with your coffee or take home a special dessert for later.

HONOR OUR SEMINARIANS – The Antiochian Women of the Diocese of New England cordially invite you to Vespers and a Celebration honoring the Antiochian Seminarians serving in our parishes, with special guest, Bishop-Elect  Rt.Rev. John Abdalah. The event will be held on Sunday, September 25, from 4:00 to 7:00 pm at St. George Community Center, 55 Emmonsdale Rd., West Roxbury. Hot and cold hors d’oeuvres and desserts will be served. Come and enjoy refreshments and fellowship – all are welcome!

PARISH COUNCIL – The next meeting of the Parish Council will be held on Wednesday, September 28, at 7:30 pm. Note the change in date.

DANCING WITH THE STARS - The American Arabic Benevolent Association is having a “Dancing with the AABA stars” on Saturday, October 1, 2011, to be held at Our Lady of the Annunciation Church Auditorium in West Roxbury. Cost is $40.00, by reservation only - please contact either David Franciosi at 617-347-1007 or Olivia Waishek at 617-694-9783.  Each parish will have one contestant; St. Mary will be represented by Karen Winstanley Noonan. The winner will be determined based on each entrant’s dancing and the amount contributed by sponsors.  Sponsor forms can be found on the Bengarri and given to Mary Winstanley O’Connor.  Tickets are sold out, but sponsorships are still available.

CHURCH SCHOOL HELP NEEDED– St Mary’s Church School needs teachers or co-teachers for several classes for next year, as well as two administrative assistants to help with administrative tasks such as Church School calendar and registration. If you would like to be considered for a teaching or assisting role, please contact Andrea Popa at maryandreapopa@gmail.comor Lea Crea at leacrea@hotmail.com. (Note personnel change – thanks to Lea for stepping in, and thanks to Arlene Marge for all her hard work.)

COFFEE HOUR  –  Please volunteer! Several Sundays are still available.  Signup sheet is on the bulletin board downstairs.

WHY DOES ST. MARY’S GROW  -  Pravmir.com, a Russian Orthodox Church website, recently asked clergy from different countries and different jurisdictions to share their experience of church attendance in the west, after printing a translation from Russian of Fr. Serafim Gan’s article, “Why is Attendance Declining in Russian Churches in the West?”  Fr. Antony was one of the priests asked to reflect on this topic. His article can be seen at http://www.pravmir.com/the-heart-of-the-parish-community-must-be-love

2015 CONVENTION –  Our bid to host the 2015 Convention was presented by Fr. Antony Hughes, Mary Winstanley O’Connor and Raymond Sayeg, and was accepted! The 52nd Antiochian Archdiocese Convention will be held at the Sheraton Boston Hotel from Sunday, July 19 – Sunday, July 26, 2015, hosted by St. Mary Church, Cambridge, MA. 

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 the Sunday Bulletin.  The Parish Council will need all parishioners to provide their time and talent to make this convention a significant success.  Please contact Mary at her office (617-523-1010 or moconnor@koilaw.com)  or Ray at his office (617-742-1184 or rsayeg@dennerpellegrino.com) with any questions or with your willingness to participate.

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:
 
BE A GREETER -  The Parish Council is continuing the Greeter Program, similar to other churches, to greet and aid parishioners, guests and visitors into the Church 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, arriving at Church at 9:45 am.  Greeting time ends when Communion starts.  We need volunteers.  If you would like to be a Greeter, a Sign-Up Sheet is posted on the Church Bulletin Board.  If you have any questions, please contact Buddy by e-mail buddy@cjmabardy.comor call him at 781-729-6303. “I was a stranger, and you invited me in………”   (Matthew 25:35)  

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: Marc and Larisa Patacchiola

LITURGICAL SCHEDULE FOR THIS WEEK

Saturday, September 10:  Great Vespers 5:00 pm

Sunday, September 11:  Orthros 8:45 am, Divine Liturgy 10:00 am

SCRIPTURE READINGS for September 11, the Sunday before the Feast of the Elevation of the Cross: 
Epistle: St. Paul's Letter to the Galatians (6:11-18)
… But far be it from me to glory except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. For neither circumcision counts for anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation.

Gospel: John 3:13-17
The Lord said, "… as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.  For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God sent the Son into the world, not to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him."

Tuesday, September 13:  Evening Liturgy for the Feast of the Elevation of the Cross 6:30 pm. 

LOOKING AHEAD

Saturday, September 17:  Great Vespers 5:00 pm

Sunday, September 18:  Orthros 8:45 am, Divine Liturgy 10:00 am; Church School classes start

INSIGHT

A Prayer for September 11th
by Bishop Basil

   O Lord our God, Who art Thyself, the Hope of the hopeless, the Help of the helpless, the Savior of the storm-tossed, the Haven of the voyager, the Physician of the sick; be all things to our land which ten years ago on this date was devastated by the cowardly and hateful acts of false martyrs, who imitated wicked Herod in his slaughter of 14,000 innocents whose only crime was to be born at the time of Thine incarnation.
   For those who lost loved ones, grant the comfort you imparted to Mary and Martha before Thou didst raise their brother Lazarus from the dead, and care for them as Thou didst care for Thy Mother from the Cross, putting her in the care of the Apostle John. For the survivors, grant them healing in every sense, as you strengthened and healed the confessors. For those related to and aiding the survivors and the families of the fallen, grant the strength and compassion Thou didst instill in Thine adopted father Joseph, who was Thy guardian in Thine earthly youth.
   For those who died, grant them remission of their every sin in Thy great compassion; both those who like the wise servant and the wise virgins, constantly prepared themselves to enter the heavenly banquet at any hour; and those who emulated the Rich Fool, preferring to enjoy earthly pursuits and ignore heavenly ones.
   To the rest of us, instill in us the knowledge that while the devil still manipulates our Divinely-given free will to his own ends in this world, his power is fleeting and ultimately void, as Thou hast already crushed his dominion, leaving to him only those who freely choose him. Remind us that, while evil at times seems to win, and the death of the innocent seems to signal the destruction of goodness, the innocent are at peace, and while the God-fearing will endure a period of torment, those who choose evil shall endure eternal torment.
   For those who hate us, speak to their hearts as St. Procla sought to speak to her husband Pontius Pilate concerning Thee, and as Thou didst speak to Pharoah concerning the Hebrews, so soften the hearts of those who seek our destruction. Spare us O Lord, from all hatred of the murderers, and from prejudice toward those whose only crime is to be of their ethnicity and/or religion. Spare us O Lord, from paranoia and rash acts by which we trample each other like rabid beasts. Spare, O Lord, those who protect us, the law enforcement agents and the first responders, from despondency, disillusionment, and all things which would undermine their righteous calling to protect us in the manner of our Guardian Angels, and care for us in the manner of the Good Samaritan.
   All this we ask of Thee, our All-powerful and All-loving Savior, giving glory to Thee together with Thine unorginate Father and Thine all-holy and good and life-giving and Comforting Spirit; now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen

Psalm 46
(to be read just prior to Communion on Sunday, 9/11/11

    God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; though its waters roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with its swelling.
   There is a river whose streams shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacle of the Most High. God is in the midst of her, she shall not be moved; God will help her just at the break of dawn. The nations raged, the kingdoms were moved; He uttered His voice, the earth melted. The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge.
   Come, behold the works of the Lord; who has made desolations in the earth.  He makes wars cease to the end of the earth; he breaks the bow, and cuts the spear in two; he burns the chariot with fire. "Be still, and know that I am God! I will be exalted among the nations; I will be exalted in the earth!" The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge.