Update for the week Thursday, February 7, through Thursday, February 14, 2013

THIS WEEK

BIBLE STUDY – The new Bible Study group, sponsored by the Fellowship of St. John the Divine, will begin this Thursday, February 7. This discussion group will meet in a home every other Thursday, from 7:00-8:30 pm, and is open to all interested participants. We will be using the course Search the Scriptures, by Dr. Jeannie Constantinou, originally broadcast on Ancient Faith Radio. For more information contact Greg Patrick (greg@dailytradealert.com) or Fr. Antony (frawhj@gmail.com). 

PASTORAL CHALLENGES IN MARRIAGE - A conference  at Holy Cross School of Theology this Thursday through Saturday, February 7-9, 2013, will address ways to effectively meet the pastoral challenges of marriage. The conference is open to all who minister to Orthodox Christian couples. Speakers include our own bishop, His Grace, Bishop John  (D.Min.), Kyriaki Karidoyanes FitzGerald (M.Div., Ph.D.), and Ary Christofidis (Ph.D., LCP). For more information and to register, see  http://www.goarch.org/archdiocese/departments/family/pc2013conf.

TEEN SOYO – Teens are welcome to attend an evening of discussion and fun after vespers this Saturday, February 9 (from after vespers till 8:30 pm). We'll have guests from the Crossroad Summer Program, pizza, and snacks. Feel free to bring a friend. Last year's event was a great success and everyone had a great time. We'll be talking about life, the future, and vocation!

ORTHODOX RELIGIOUS AWARDS FOR SCOUTS – Is your son or daughter a Boy Scout or Girl Scout? St. Mary's Church School invites them to work with other parish scouts to earn their religious awards as outlined by the Eastern Orthodox Committee on Scouting. There are three award levels based on age: http://eocs.org/religious-awards/youth-emblems Scout meetings towards the awards will begin this Sunday, February 10, at 11:30 during coffee hour, in the church library. Two additional meetings will be arranged based on participants' schedules. Marie Bernardi will be coordinating this effort. Please let us know if you wish to participate by emailing Marie at mariebernardi114@comcast.net or Andrea Popa at maryandreapopa@gmail.com.

TEEN SOYO BREAKFAST SEARCH – Teens and young adults are welcome to join St. Mary's 2nd Breakfast Search after liturgy this Sunday, February 10. We will get a brief orientation by Theo Smith and will head out into the streets of Cambridge to provide smiles and doughnuts to those in need of either! Please consider joining us, as the last event was a huge success!

WOMEN’S CLUB – The next meeting of the Women’s Club will be this Tuesday, February 12., in hthe kitchen. New members are always welcome!

CHINESE NEW YEAR BREAKFAST– Join the FSJD for the 2013 Chinese New Year Missions Breakfast, to benefit the Chinese Translation Project via the Orthodox Fellowship of All Saints of China (OFASC), on Sunday, February 17.  Suggested minimum donation is $5.00 per adult.  RSVP to Nelson Mitrophan Chin at mitrophan@orthodox.cn by Wednesday, February 13.

NEW ANNOUNCEMENTS

ORTHODOXY ON TAP – For great conversation and drinks come to Sunset Grill & Tap in Allston (130 Brighton Ave.) on the next three Thursdays. (Please note this is a 21+  event.)
         February 12 – Fr. Gregory Christakos:  “What’s Glory Got To Do – Got to Do with it?”
         February 19 – Costa Magimbi:  “What is in Your Hands??”
         February 26th – Dr. George Stavros

NO COFFEE HOUR – When no one volunteers, we may have no coffee hour.  Please take your turn – just put your name on the signup sheet on the bulletin board outside the coat room, and bring simple snacks or goodies, juice, and coffee. Gather a few friends to help you. Call the church office if you have any questions (617-547-1234).

MEATFARE SUNDAY BREAKFAST - The annual Meatfare Sunday Breakfast sponsored by the Fellowship of St. John the Divine will be Sunday, March 10.  The suggested donation – $7 per person, $14 per family – will help support the many activities of the Fellowship at St. Mary's, including the annual Lessons and Carols evening; Learning in Lent lecture series; Wednesday evening potluck suppers after Pre-Sanctified Liturgies during Lent; the annual Father John vonHolzhausen lecture; Coffee Hours and special meals; the weekly St. Mary Update e-mail newsletter; and more. If you would like to know more about the Fellowship or join, contact Julie at Julie31415pi@gmail.com.

SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE - The 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).  Completed applications must be postmarked by March 31, 2013.

 CROSSƗROAD –  CrossRoad is a summer institute for high school juniors and seniors on the campus of Hellenic College/Holy Cross.  Participants take part in daily classes, visit neighboring Orthodox parishes and participate in service activities.  CrossRoad now offers two sessions this coming year (2013):  CrossRoad June: June 22-July 1 AND  CrossRoad July: July 8-18.  Download an application and view a video clip at www.crossroad.hchc.edu

REMINDERS

BLESSING OF HOMES – Fr. Antony will be blessing homes after Epiphany/Theophany (January 6)  and between Pascha (May 5) and Pentecost (June 23).  We bless homes to reveal the home as what God created it to be, a way to heaven; to rid the home of every evil;  to show that the family is a small church unit in Christ; to consecrate the home and all activity in it to God; and to fill the home and all who live in it with the fullness of God.  To schedule the blessing of your home, please use the form in the weekly Bulletin or call the church office at 617 547-1234.

ST. MARY’S GOT TALENT – Wanted: performers (singers, instrumentalists, bands, dancers, stand-up comedy) - contact Julie (julie31415pi@gmail.com)
   Wanted: art to display (painters, drawers, sculptors, needlework) - contact Julie (julie31415pi@gmail.com)
   Wanted: bakers (so the audience can buy dessert to eat while enjoying the show) - contact Julie (julie31415pi@gmail.com)
   Wanted: an audience - plan to join us on the evening of Saturday, February 16, after vespers. More information to come.  Note: this event is not a competition, it is a talent expo.

ANTIOCHIAN VILLAGE WINTER CAMP –  Winter Camp is a weekend of fun and spiritual growth at the Antiochian Village Camp, and is open to all campers in grades 7-12. It is held over Presidents Day holiday weekend,  February 15-18, 2013. For more information and to register, see http://antiochianvillage.org/camp/programs/wintercamp.html.

ORTHODOX CONCERT – On Sunday, February 17, 2013,  The Holy Cross School of Theology Choir will be joined by St. Tikhon's Seminary Mission Choir, Holy Trinity Seminary Choir, and the Eastern American Diocesan Youth Choir in the performance of "The Good Thief: Two Paths Diverged at the Wood," a story of struggle and redemption ending at the wood of our Savior's Cross, told through sacred song and spiritual passages. The concert will be performed at the Maliotis Cultural Center (Hellenic College Holy Cross) at 6:30 pm, following the Vespers service at 5:00 pm. The concert is open to the public and free of charge.

WINTER DELEGATES MEETING - The Fellowship of St. John the Divine, Teen SOYO and Antiochian Women will hold their Diocesan General Assembly on Saturday, February 23, at St George Cathedral, Worcester.  Morning Prayers at 10:00 am, followed by meetings.   Luncheon at 12:30.

SCOUT SUNDAY OBSERVANCE – Scout Sunday is the primary date to recognize the contributions of young people and adults to Scouting.  This year, St. Mary’s will observe Scout Sunday on February 24, which falls in between the anniversaries of The Boy Scouts of America (February 8) and the Girl Scouts of the USA (March 12).  Look for the scouts in our parish to be involved in liturgical service that day.  If your child is a Boy Scout or Girl Scout (all ages) and would like to participate in Scout Sunday, please send an e-mail to Charlie Marge:  marge@alum.mit.edu

PRE-LENTEN RETREAT – The Antiochian Women of the Diocese invite you to a Pre-Lenten Retreat on Saturday, March 2, 2013, at St. George Church in Norwood. Featured speakers will be father-daughter team,  Dr. John Dalack and Kh. Laila Ellias, who will talk about “Slow to
Anger
” (see James 1:19-20). To register, send  $15 registration fee per person,  payable to Antiochian Women – DOWNE,  to Kh. Erin Kimmett, 17 Austin Street, Norwood, MA 02062. Lunch is included.  All (men as well as women) are welcome. Note – advance registration, by February 24, is required.

ANTIOCHIAN VILLAGE SUMMER CAMP – Summer Camp registration for 2013 is now open.  For information see  http://antiochianvillage.org/camp/programs/summercamp.html   To register see http://antiochianvillage.org/camp/programs/registration.html.  Please don't wait to register - camp fills up very quickly.  Please note that you are not registered until you have paid the $100 deposit and receive a confirmation email.  Also note that to take advantage of the early-bird discount you must have your camper tuition fees paid in full by March 1st.  Scholarships are available – contact Fr. Antony.

LENTEN FOOD SALE – The Women's Club is now taking orders for Hoomos (hummus), Mjadara (lentils with rice), and Spinach Triangles.  Please use the order form in the Sunday bulletin.  Order deadline is Sunday, March 10;  pickup date is Sunday, March 24.  Also, please plan to come help make the Spinach Triangles on Saturday, March 23, at 9:30 am.

LENTEN RETREAT AT NEW SKETE – New Skete Monastery, in Cambridge, NY, invites you to a Lenten Retreat on Saturday, March 16, 2013 from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm. The theme of the retreat is "Lent and the Experience of Sin, Forgiveness and Gratitude.”  To see their flyer and information on accommodations go to http://www.newskete.org/pdfs/2013%20Lenten%20Retreat%20Flier%20and%20accommodations.pdf For the registration form see http://www.newskete.org/pdfs/2013%20Lenten%20Retreat%20Response%20form%20FINAL.pdf  

WINTER CAMP  AT  ST. METHODIOS – We are invited to participate in camps for Youth ages 12-18 (February 15-18) and for Families (March 1-3) at the St. Methodios Faith and Heritage Center in Contoocook, NH, sponsored by the Metropolis of Boston. For information and registration see http://www.boston.goarch.org/youth_ministries/mbc/winter_camps.html Registration is open now.

REAL BREAK – This spring, be a light to the world! Real Break is a popular alternative to the traditional spring break for college students.  Entering its 12th year, OCF Real Break continues to offer transformative, priest-led trips both domestically and internationally.  To find detailed information regarding the Real Break trips in March 2013 and to register, please visit www.ocf.net/realbreak.  Be a part of this year's life-changing week-long Real Break experience.

FAMILY MISSION TO ALBANIA – All Orthodox Christians from North America who have experience with children are invited to prayerfully consider helping with a family retreat program in Albania this coming July, sponsored jointly by the Orthodox Christian Mission Center (OCMC) and the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese Center for Family Care. Families with children, couples, and individuals are encouraged to apply. The mission will be led by our own Panayiotis and Shannon Sakellariou. For more information see http://www.ocmc.org/resources/view_article.aspx?ArticleId=899

PLEDGE CARDS – If you have not yet made your pledge for 2013, please return your signed card right away. Or you can make your pledge online at  https://www.stmaryorthodoxchurch.org/ministries/stewardship.php

REGULAR REMINDERS

DONATE VIA eGIVE– Did you know that you can make your donations to St. Mary through eGive, and have no 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.”
     If you missed the opportunity to contribute to some of the special collections held recently,  you can still do so online – Special Categories have been set up in eGive for these one-time donations. 
     Parishioners can also use their credit cards to make one-time donations on our website:  https://www.stmaryorthodoxchurch.org/contact/donate.php    Just type the donation target (e.g. Hurricane Sandy) in the Additional Notes area.

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 at live@stmaryorthodoxchurch.org.

PROTECT YOUR VALUABLES – Please do not leave valuables unattended in the Church Hall or Coat Room.

CONFESSIONS –  Confessions are heard each Saturday evening before and after Vespers, which start at 5:00 pm,  or by appointment.

PARKING –  If you park in the Church parking lot, you need to plan on remaining until after the Coffee Hour or other church function.  Do not park in the Church parking lot if you need to leave immediately after church. 
   Additionally, do not park beyond the sign that prohibits parking at the corner of Inman Street and Bishop Allen Drive.  It is difficult for large vehicles to turn the corner if cars are parked there.  Failure to heed this warning may result in the City preventing parishioners from parking on Inman Street.  Your cooperation is appreciated.

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 – If you do not sing in the choir, or chant, serve in the Altar or at the Bengarri, and  are not a Church School teacher,  please consider serving the Church as a GREETER!  Greeters arrive at 9:45 am., get a Greeter Name Tag  from the Bengarri, pin it on and greet visitors/parishioners at the Church Entrance and direct them upstairs to the Church, or to the CloakRoom or RestRooms.  Greeting time ends when Communion starts.  Send your name and e-mail address to Buddy Mabardy: buddymabardy@cjmabardy.com or phone him 781-729-6303. 

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 new 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.org or 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 SUNDAY'S VOLUNTEERS

GREETER:  Barbara Shoop

COFFEE HOUR:  No volunteers - no coffee hour

LITURGICAL SCHEDULE FOR THIS WEEK

Saturday, February 9:  Great Vespers 5:00 pm, followed by Teen SOYO gathering

Sunday, February 10:  Orthros  8:45 am; Enquirers’ Class 9:00 am;  Divine Liturgy 10:00 am; Church School Lesson 15

SCRIPTURE READINGS for Sunday, February 10:
   Epistle: St. Paul's Second Letter to Timothy 2:1-10
Timothy, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus, and what you have heard from me before many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. … An athlete is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. It is the hard-working farmer who ought to have the first share of the crops. Think over what I say, for the Lord will grant you understanding in everything.

   Gospel: Matthew 25:14-30
The Lord spoke this parable: "A man going on a journey called his servants and entrusted to them his property; to one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. … For to everyone who has will more be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who has not, even what he has will be taken away. … As he said this, he called out, "He who has ears to hear, let him hear."

LOOKING AHEAD

Saturday, February 16:  Great Vespers 5:00 pm, followed by St. Mary’s Got Talent

Sunday, February 17:  Chinese New Year Missions Breakfast, sponsored by FSJD; no Church School

Saturday, February 23:  Great Vespers 5:00 pm

Sunday, February  24:  Scout Sunday;  Orthros  8:45 am; Enquirers’ Class 9:00 am;  Divine Liturgy 10:00 am; Church School Lesson 15

Saturday, March 2:  Antiochian Women 2013 Pre-Lenten Retreat

Sunday, March 10:  FSJD Meatfare Sunday Breakfast following Liturgy

Monday, March 18:  Lent begins

REFLECTION

Let us become like Christ, since Christ became like us. Let us become God's for His sake, since He for ours became Man. He assumed the worse that He might give us the better; He became poor that we through His poverty might be rich; He took upon Him the form of a servant that we might receive back our liberty; He came down that we might be exalted; He was tempted that we might conquer; He was dishonored that He might glorify us; He died that He might save us; He ascended that He might draw to Himself us, who were lying low in the Fall of sin. Let us give all, offer all, to Him Who gave Himself a Ransom and a Reconciliation for us.
   - St Gregory the Theologian, On Holy Pascha

You see, to love of God is joined also love of neighbor: the person who loves God doesn't neglect his brother; nor esteem money ahead of a limb of his own but shows him great generosity, mindful of Him Who has said, 'Whoever did it to the least of My brothers did it to Me.' He is aware that the Lord of all considers as done to Himself the service given to his fellow servant, and so he will perform every service with great enthusiasm and give evidence of great generosity in almsgiving, considering not the lowliness of appearance but the greatness of the One Who has promised to accept as done to Himself what is given to the poor.
   - St. John Chrysostom

...in spite of the fact that you are weak and faulty, you are accounted guilty for all the wrong things you do. For since you possess a will, all that comes forth from you is subject to it, and so everything good is counted in your favor and everything bad - to your detriment. Therefore, conscious of your general wickedness, admit yourself guilty also in the particular wickedness into which you have fallen at the present moment. Judge and condemn yourself, and only yourself; do not look around, seeking on whom you could put the blame. Neither the people around you nor the circumstances are guilty of your sin. Your bad will alone is to blame. So blame yourself.
   - Lorenzo Scupoli, Unseen Warfare

Our God...is a consuming fire. And if we, by love, become transformed into Him and burn as He burns, His fire will be our everlasting joy. But if we refuse His love and remain in the coldness of sin and opposition to Him and to other men then will His fire (by our own choice rather than His) become our everlasting enemy, and Love, instead of being our joy, will become our torment and our destruction.
   - Thomas Merton

He is not yet a faithful servant who bases himself on bare knowledge alone; a faithful servant is he who professes his faith by obedience to Christ, Who gave the commandments.
   - St. Mark the Ascetic

Human beings have accumulated in their coffers gold and silver, clothes more sumptuous than useful, diamonds and other objects that are evidence of war and tyranny; then a foolish arrogance hardens their hearts; for their brothers in distress, no pity. What utter blindness! . . . Attend not to the law of the strong but to the law of the Creator. Help nature to the best of your ability, honor the freedom of creation, protect your species from dishonor, come to its aid in sickness, rescue it from poverty .... Seek to distinguish yourself from others only in your generosity. Be like gods to the poor, imitating God's mercy. Humanity has nothing so much in common with God as the ability to do good.
   - St. Gregory Nazianzen, On Love of the Poor