Update for the week Friday, October 14, through Thursday, October 20, 2011
Update for the week Friday, October 14, through Thursday, October 20, 2011
THIS WEEKEND
Thursday
ORTHODOXY ON TAP- The 20/40 Fellowship of St. George Boson invites you
to the first of a three-part series of lectures and discussion at
Roggies Brew and Grille (356 Chestnut Hill Ave in Cleveland Circle,
Boston), tonight – if you get this in time - Thursday at 7:30pm.
Tonight’s speaker will be Dr. Aristotle Papanikolaou.Admission is free,
full bar and food menu will be available. Open to all (21+) in the
Boston area.
ST. GEORGE WEEKEND – St. George Orthodox Cathedral of Worcester invites you to join them Thursday through Sunday, October 13-16, for the celebration of St. George weekend with a visit from his Eminence, Metropolitan PHILIP, the Bishops of our Archdiocese, our Bishop-elect Fr. John Abdalah, and members of the Archdiocese Board of Trustees. Thursday night is a women’s fashion show, Saturday Vespers will be followed by a grand banquet, and Sunday Hierarchical Divine Liturgy followed by a luncheon.The first anniversary of Fr. Milad’s ordination to the priesthood will also be celebrated. This weekend is sponsored by the University of Balamand Education Foundation to benefit the Metropolitan PHILIP Saliba Scholarship Fund. For more information and registration form, see http://www.stgeorgeworcester.org/st-george-weekend/site-content/articles/st-george-weekend.html
Saturday
BAPTISM - Marc and Larisa Patacchiola would like to invite
their St. Mary's family to join them in celebrating the sacred Baptism
and Chrismation of their daughter, Elianna Pei-JyunPatacchiola, this
Saturday, October 15th at St. Mary's at 2:00pm. All are welcome!(No
gifts, please.)
VESPERS - There will be no Vespers at St. Mary this Saturday, October 15. Fr. Antony will be at St. George Cathedral, where Vespers will begin at 6:00pm.
Sunday
SPECIAL OLYMPICS AWARENESS - The third Sunday of October is Special
Olympics Awareness Day across our Archdiocese. This Sunday, October
16th, Theo Smith will give a talk on his experiences at the Special
Olympics Sports Camp at Antiochian Village. Following Liturgy, our Teen
SOYO will be asking the financial help of our parishioners in funding
the 2012 Special Olympics Sports Camp, which will be held at the
Antiochian Village August 10-18, 2012. Please make checks payable to St.
Mary Teen SOYO.
CELEBRATORY COFFEE HOUR – The St Mary Church Choir is offering the coffee hour this Sunday in honor of Brooke & James Wilcox and Tatiana Kish for all of their dedication to St. Mary Church Choir, as they leave the Boston area to pursue their careers; and in honor of Maggie Arnold and John Rodriguez with congratulations and best wishes on their recent engagement! May God grant them many years!
SFEEHA AND KIBBEH SALE -The Women’s Club is offering for purchase freshly madeSfeeha (ground lamb-meat pizza pies with onion, pine nuts & seasonings) and Kibbeh (8 ½” x 11” tray made with ground lamb-meat and burghul). Everything is cooked with the finest of ingredients and ready to eat now or freeze for the holidays! Please use the order form in theSunday bulletin, or contact the church office for a copy. Order deadline, originally last Sunday, has been extended to this Sunday,October 16. Pick-up dates are Sunday, October 23 for Sfeeha, and Sunday, October 30, for Kibbeh.
COME SEE THE MESSIAH - Join friends from St. Mary’s for the Handel and Haydn Society’s annual performance of Handel’s Messiah, on Sunday afternoon, December 4, at 3:00 p.m. Tickets are just $20. We will carpool to Symphony Hall after Liturgy and have lunch together before the concert. Those who have done this before have thoroughly enjoyed it - not only do we hear a world-class orchestra and chorus with famous soloists singing glorious words (taken directly from the Bible), but we also have an opportunity to spend time getting to know some fellow parishioners we normally may not encounter. Good seats go fast - please contact Melissa Nassiff at mnassiff@gmail.comby today, Sunday, October 16, or order your own tickets online at http://www.handelandhaydn.org.
NEW ANNOUNCEMENTS
WOMENS CLUB - The next meeting of the Women’s Club will be Tuesday, November 1, in the kitchen. All women are welcome.
PARISH LIFE CONFERENCE – Next year’s Parish Life Conference will be held at The Cliff House, Ogunquit, Maine, June 21-24, 2012.Amazing Room Rate: $149 (Regularly $310)Reservations open October 15: Call 207-361-1000 or visit their websitewww.CliffHouseMaine.com/attendees User Name: PARISH Password: pa986B
REMINDERS
ORTHODOXY ON TAP, FALL EDITION- The 20/40 Fellowship of St. George Boson invites you a three-part series of lectures and discussion at Roggies Brew and Grille (356 Chestnut Hill Ave in Cleveland Circle, Boston), on Thursdays at 7:30pm. Next week, October 20, the speaker will be Dr. Anthony Bashir, and October 27 it will be Dr. Philip Mamalakis. Admission is free, full bar and food menu will be available. Open to all (21+) in the Boston area.
HELP MAKE SFEEHA– Please come to the church nextSaturday,October 22, starting at 9:00 am to help make meat pies with the Women's Club. Lots of help will be needed – young and old, women and men are all welcome - and it's always lots of fun.Come learn some techniques, help and have lunch!
FALL DELEGATES MEETING – The Fellowship of St. John the Divine, Teen SOYO and Antiochian Women will have a General Assembly on Saturday, October 29, at St. George, West Roxbury. Morning Prayers at 10:00 am; Meetings following at 10:30 am
TEEN SOYOAPPLE PICKING – After the Delegates meeting on Saturday, October 29, our teens will go apple picking with members from the entire diocese. This will be a great opportunity for fellowship and fun. Chaperones are needed to help take kids to St. George and also to apple picking. Please let Nadia (nabuelezam@gmail.com) know if you are interested in volunteering your time that day! It'll be lots of fun!
BIBLE STUDY - Interested in joining an Orthodox Adult Bible Study Group conducted by Fr. Antony? Start date will be late November/early December; meetings will be on a weekday night from 7 - 8:30 pm, once per month at a private residence. Please contact the Church Office –secretary@stmaryorthodoxchurch.orgor call617-547-1234 – no later than Sunday, October 30.
OCTOBER IS YOUTH MONTH and SEMINARY MONTH - Our Teens will be helping with Liturgical Service by reading the Epistle, taking the Collection, assisting at Communion and giving sermonettes.
TEEN SOYO - Congratulations to our newly elected Teen SOYO Officers! The following members were elected to serve for 2011-2012:President: Theo Smith; Vice-President: Tatiana Dalton; Treasurer: Victoria Sayeg; Secretary: Esther Porr. Looking forward to a wonderful new year with our newly elected officers!
FELLOWSHIP OF ST. JOHN THE DIVINE –Please consider joining the Fellowship! It’s a great way to meet new people and feel like an integral part of our Parish life.We do not hold regular meetings, but we work together on a variety of projects and events. For example, after coffee hour every Sunday we all pitch in toput away tables and chairs.You can join our members’ email news list by contacting Melissa Nassiff at mnassiff@gmail.com. Also, check us out on Facebook at :https://www.facebook.com/groups/FSJD1
CHURCH SCHOOL SUBS STILL NEEDED - Due to the size of our church school enrollment, we are still seeking a two more persons to serve as subs and assistants for certain age groups. Interested in getting involved? Contact Andrea Popa at maryandreapopa@gmail.com.
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. NicolaeRoddy and Kh. Myra Kovalak. For more information see www.antiochian.org/christianeducation/oi2011
FUNDRAISER HAFLI – Come to a fundraiser Haflifeaturing Mitchell Kaltsunas and ensemble on Saturday, November 12, 2011 at 7:30 pm, here at St. Mary’s.This event will raise funds to help send our childrento Antiochian Village. Your donation of $35.00 per person includes a mazza/appetizer plate, beer, wine and soft drinks.Reserved tables of 8 may be booked in advance ($250.00 per table, prepaid) and are available by calling Mary Winstanley O’Connor at (617) 523-1010, emailing her at moconnor@koilaw.comor calling the church office at (617) 547-1234. Tickets are limited. The evening is donated and all funds raised will be used for camper scholarships.
TEEN SOYO SPAGHETTI DINNER – The Teen SOYO Spaghetti dinner is set to take place on Sunday, November 13th,
following Liturgy. Come enjoy a meal of Spaghetti, Meatballs (just
before the Fast!), Salad and Bread, Dessert and Coffee/Beverage. Your
Goodwill donation will be much appreciated.
If you are interested in helping guide the teens prepare the meal
before/during liturgy that day or go shopping for the ingredients before
Sunday morning, please contact Nadia (nabuelezam@gmail.com). This would be a wonderful help!
N.G. BERAM AWARDS BANQUET – The N.G. Beram Veterans Association’s Scholastic Achievement & Distinguished Service Awards Banquet will be held on Saturday, November 26, 2011, from 12:30-5:00 pm at the Holiday Inn in Dedham. For adbook information seewww.stjohnd.org/ngberamor call 781-784-3341.
CONSECRATION OF BISHOPS - The Elevation of Bishops-Elect John Abdalah, Anthony Michaels and Nicholas Ozonewill take place on December 11 at the Patriarchal Church of Our Lady of Balamand Monastery, Lebanon. If you are interested in traveling for this historic event, please contactFawaz El Khoury 508-864-4000 or 508-351-9000as soon as possible. There is a limited number of spaces available.
CANNED FOOD DRIVE– The annual FOOD FOR HUNGRY PEOPLE Canned Food Drive will be held October through December, 2011. 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. 42 pounds of food will feed a family of four for 3 days - since 1984 we have collected over 3,281,200 pounds of food!
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 – Did you know that you can make your donations to St. Mary through eGive, and haveno more envelopes or checks to worry about ? If you have not yet set up an account, you can do it at www.egive-usa.com, or contact Charlie Marge (marge@alum.mit.edu) for help. The Recipient Organization is “St. Mary’s Orthodox Church.”
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.com or 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: The youth of our parish
COFFEE HOUR:St. Mary Church Choir
LITURGICAL SCHEDULE FOR THIS WEEK
Saturday, October 15: No Vespers at St. Mary’s. Vespers at St. George Cathedral, Worcester, with Metropolitan PHILIP at 6:00 pm.
Sunday, October 16, Sunday of the Holy Fathers of the 7th Ecumenical Council: Orthros 8:45 am, Divine Liturgy 10:00 am;Church School lesson 4
SCRIPTURE READINGSforOctober 16:
Epistle: St. Paul's Letter to Titus 3:8-15
Titus, my son, the saying is sure. I desire you to insist on these
things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to apply
themselves to good deeds; these are excellent and profitable to men. …
And let our people learn to apply themselves to good deeds, so as to
help cases of urgent need, and not to be unfruitful.
Gospel: Luke 8:5-15
The Lord said this parable: "A sower went out to sow his seed; …
The seed is the word of God. The ones along the path are those who have
heard; then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts,
that they may not believe and be saved. And the ones on the rock are
those who, when they hear the word, receive it with joy; but these have
no root, they believe for a while and in time of temptation fall away.
And as for what fell among the thorns, they are those who hear, but as
they go on their way they are choked by the cares and riches and
pleasures of life, and their fruit does not mature. And as for that in
the good soil, they are those who, hearing the word, hold it fast in an
honest and good heart, and bring forth fruit with patience." As he said
these things, he cried out "He who has ears to hear, let him hear."
LOOKING AHEAD
Saturday, October 22: Great Vespers 5:00 pm
Sunday, October 23: Orthros 8:45 am, Divine Liturgy 10:00 am;Church School lesson 5
Saturday, October 29: Great Vespers 5:00 pm
Sunday, October 30: Orthros 8:45 am, Divine Liturgy 10:00 am;Church School lesson 6
INSIGHT
Allow
the Spirit of God to dwell within you; then in His love He will come
and make a habitation with you; He will reside in you and live in you.
If your heart is pure you will see Him and He will sow in you the good
seed of reflection upon His actions and wonder at His majesty. This will
happen if you take the trouble to weed out from your soul the
undergrowth of desires, along with the thorns and tares of bad habits.
- Evagrius of Pontus
Basically, humility is the attitude of one who stands constantly under
the judgment of God. It isthe attitude of one who is like the soil.
Humility comes from the Latin word humus, fertileground. The fertile
ground is there, unnoticed, taken for granted, always there to be
troddenupon. It is silent, inconspicuous, dark and yet it is always
ready to receive any seed, ready to giveit substance and life. The more
lowly, the more fruitful, because it becomes really fertile when
itaccepts all the refuse of the earth. It is so low that nothing can
soil it, abase it, humiliate it; it hasaccepted the last place and
cannot go any lower. In that position, nothing can shatter the
soul’sserenity, its peace and joy.
- Metropolitan Anthony Bloom, Living Prayer
As then it is His[God's] part to plant and to water, so it is yours to
bear fruit: it is God's to grantgrace, but yours to receive and guard
it. Despise not the grace because it is freely given, butreceive and
treasure it devoutly.
- St. Cyril of Jerusalem, Catechetical Lectures
Whoever bears fruit with works of faith and love, he is a real disciple of Christ.
- Saint John Chrysostom