Update for the week Thursday, November 6, through Thursday, November 13, 2014

THIS WEEK AT ST. MARY'S

BIBLE STUDY - Join us tonight - Thursday, November 6 - at 7:00 pm in the church library, as we conclude our study of Leviticus, using the podcasts found at http://orthodoxbiblestudy.info/leviticus-part-7-2/ and http://orthodoxbiblestudy.info/leviticus-part-8-2/ The Bible Study at St. Mary, sponsored by the Fellowship of St. John the Divine, meets every other Thursday, and is based on a course originally broadcast on Ancient Faith Radio, entitled Search the Scriptures. For more information contact Marianna Sayeg (mailto:mksayeg@gmail.com) or Fr. Antony (mailto:frawhj@gmail.com). New members are always welcome.

PARISH COUNCIL ELECTIONS - If you are interested in serving on the Parish Council please speak to Deno Takles or Fr. Antony by Saturday, November 8. To be eligible to serve you must be a member of St. Mary’s for two years and in good financial standing.

SPAGHETTI DINNER - St. Mary's teens invite you to a spaghetti & meatball dinner on Sunday, November 9, 2014 following Liturgy. A suggested minimum donation of $5.00 per person will be welcomed to help support the Teen SOYO services and activities for this coming year.

ANGEL TREE MINISTRY - Give joy to a prisoner's child this Christmas - participate in the Angel Tree Ministry! On Sunday, November 9, Linda and Kate Arnold will be available at the Angel Tree Ministry Table in the parish hall during coffee hour.  For those of you who participated last year, thank you!  We hope you will once again, or for the first time, volunteer to take the name of a child and shop for designated gifts, wrap them and return them with tag to the church by the predetermined date.   This is a wonderful opportunity to share the love of Christ with those in need! We are also looking for volunteers to assist with gift delivery.  Please talk with either Linda or Kate about this wonderful experience.

FALL LITURGY RETREAT FOR CHURCH SCHOOL STUDENTS & FAMILIES – Save the date: On Tuesday, November 11 (Veterans Day), from 9:30 - 3:00 pm there will be a retreat at St. Mary entitled The Liturgy of the Body. The retreat will explore the theme of the "Body" from different perspectives—physical, ecclesial, social, etc. In particular, we will look at the body in Worship, the body at Work (e.g. making Prosphora for the church), the body in the Body of Christ (with a particular focus on understanding baptism), and the body of the Community in Motion (e.g. learning dances from the various ethnic traditions here at St. Mary). Open to all children, teachers, parents and friends. Donation: $5/Child; $10/Family, helps to cover the expense of lunch, snacks and materials. For more information or to register contact Doreen Bargoot: dbargoot@aol.com

THIS WEEK ELSEWHERE

MEDICINE, PSYCHOLOGY, AND RELIGION CONFERENCE - The Orthodox Christian Association of Medicine, Psychology, and Religion presents "Exploring the Mind-Body-Soul Connection: Spirituality in Illness and Healing" at Hellenic College Holy Cross, Thursday-Saturday, November 6–8, 2014. For more information see https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B464h2ZqeC_oeTl0NEdoSHIzRzg/edit

BAZAARS AND FESTIVALS:

St. John of Damascus, Dedham will hold its annual Bazaar Friday-Sunday, November 7-9. Fri. 12 noon-9pm, Sat. 10am-9pm and Sun. noon-2pm. Live and silent auctions, Middle Eastern Cuisine, Country Store, craft items, kid’s games and face painting.

St. Mary Antiochian Church, Pawtucket will hold their annual Holiday Bazaar Friday, November 7 (5:00pm-8:00pm), Saturday, November 8 (10:00am-8:00pm), and Sunday, November 9 (11:00am-4:00pm). For more information call 401-726-1202.

St. George's Orthodox Church, Lawrence, is having a Food Fair on Saturday, November 8 from 10:00 am to 7:00 pm, with lunch served 11:00-3:00 – Mediterranean and American foods and baked goods for sale. Questions? Call 978-685-4052.

MEN'S RETREAT - The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese Center for Family Care will host a day-long men's retreat, "Finding Peace and Wisdom in our Prayer Time," on Saturday, November 8, 2014, at the campus of Saint Basil Academy in Garrison, New York. The schedule will begin with Divine Liturgy at 9:30 a.m. and conclude at approximately 3:30 p.m. The retreat leader will be Holy Cross alumnus Rev. Dr. Alexander Goussetis, whose latest book, Seed for the Sower, is now available from Holy Cross Orthodox Press. For more information or to RSVP, please visit www.family.goarch.org/mensministry or call 845-424-8175. 

NEW ANNOUNCEMENTS

TEEN BOWLING NIGHT - The Teens will be going bowling on Saturday, November 15 (note revised date) from 7-9pm at Lanes and Games in Cambridge. Please notify Greg or Hannah (grehakim@gmail.com) if you plan to come so we can reserve lanes!

LOCK-IN AT ST. JOHN'S IN DEDHAM - On Friday, November 21 at St. John of Damascus Church in Dedham, teens are invited to come stay the night for fun and fellowship with teens from all over the Boston area! Please notify Greg or Hannah (grehakim@gmail.com) if you plan to come.

PARISH COUNCIL – The next Parish Council meeting will be held on Tuesday, November 25 at 7:30pm at the church.

ANNIVERSARY BANQUET - A banquet to honor Father Timothy Ferguson of St. George Antiochian Church in West Roxbury, will be held on Saturday, December 13, on the occasion of his 35th Anniversary of his Ordination to the Holy Priesthood. Great Vespers will begin at 5:30pm followed by a reception and banquet in the church hall. $35 for adults and $10 for children up to 18. For reservations contact Amal Hourani, 781-793-0219, ahourani19@comcast.net by December 6th.

LESSONS AND CAROLS - Please join us for a Diocesan Christmas Concert, which will be our Western Rite Lessons & Carols service with the Hallelujah Chorus on Sunday, December 14, at 5:00pm. If you are a singer, join us for rehearsals: Sunday, November 16, 4pm – 6pm @ St. John’s in Dedham; Sunday, November 30, 7pm – 9pm @ St. Johns’ in Dedham; and Dress Rehearsal with brass quintet on Sunday, December 7, 4pm – 6pm @ St. Mary’s in Cambridge. If you would like to sing or have questions, please e-mail Charlie Marge:  marge@alum.mit.edu

MEMORY ETERNAL: ROBERT MABARDY - We regret to inform you of the falling asleep in the Lord of Robert L. Mabardy of Bolton on Sunday, November 2, 2014, at the age of 68. Robert was the father of Joseph and Jennifer Mabardy, Marianne and William O’Rourke, Andrea and Jeremy Seamans and Casey Mabardy., and “Gido” of Allyn, Timothy, Daniel, Megan, Madison, Rebecca and Jenna. He was the brother of Charles (Chuck) and Joseph (Buddy) Mabardy and Joanne Maloof. Funeral Services were held at St. Mary on November 6, with interment at Woodlawn Cemetery in Acton. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Robert’s memory may be made to St. Mary’s Church or the American Heart Association, 20 Speen St., Framingham, MA 01701 or to the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, 450 Brookline Ave. Boston, MA 02215.

MENTAL HEALTH WEBINAR – If you missed the webinar entitled Mental Health 101: Caring for Emotional Distress in Pastoral Ministry, sponsored by the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese Center for Family Care, you can now watch it online at www.family.goarch.org/events/mental_health_101. This was an incredibly informative and important presentation that will greatly benefit all those working in pastoral ministry.

REMINDERS

BYZANTINE MUSIC FESTIVAL - The Mary Jaharis Center for Byzantine Art and Culture at Hellenic College Holy Cross invites you to its Second Boston Byzantine Music Festival, presenting a dynamic and engaging collection of performances that explore the musical tradition of the Byzantine Empire and its points of contact with the music of Western Europe and the Ottoman Empire. A series of free lectures and workshops related to the concerts will be presented throughout the day on November 14 and 15. For details and to buy tickets see www.BostonByzantineMusic.org

NATIVITY FAST - The Nativity Fast, also known as the season of Advent, begins Tuesday, November 15. This is the forty days of fasting and prayer in preparation for the Great Feast of the Nativity of Christ. Every Wednesday during this period (except November 26, the eve of Thanksgiving) there will be a Paraklesis service at 6:30 pm.

NATIONAL CONVENTION – There will be a meeting of the 2015 National Convention committee on Tuesday, November 18, at the church.

PRESENTATION OF THE THEOTOKOS - The Feast of the Presentation of the Theotokos in the Temple will be celebrated with Evening Divine Liturgy on Thursday, November 20, at 6:30pm

CHARITY BAKE SALE –The Women’s Club will hold its annual Thanksgiving Charity Bake Sale on Sunday, November 23, 2014 (the Sunday before Thanksgiving).  Plan on purchasing all your holiday breads, pies, goodies, Syrian pastries and much more!  All proceeds will benefit the Convent of Saidnaya in Syria.  Call Mary Ellen Mabardy at 781-729-6303 if you can help bake or donate something to sell.

CHURCH SCHOOL CHRISTMAS PAGEANT - If your child is interested in participating in the 2014 Christmas Pageant, please see Sarah Byrne-Martelli (not Charlie Marge as announced earlier).  We also need parents to assist at all rehearsals. Rehearsal #1 will be Sunday, December 7, during coffee hour; Rehearsal #2 is Sunday, December 14, during coffee hour; and Dress Rehearsal is Saturday, December 20, 2:30 – 4:30pm. The Pageant will be Sunday, December 21, after liturgy.

FOOD FOR HUNGRY PEOPLE - Canned Food Drive: October, 2014 – December 31, 2014. Since 1984, we have collected over 3,281,200 pounds of food. Please bring in canned goods ONLY and place them in the plastic bins in the room outside the kitchen. They will be distributed to food pantries in our area.

THIS WEEK'S VOLUNTEERS

Greeter: Paul Demerjian

Liturgical Service:

Procession: Mary Neguse, Maedot Kassa, Elias Orlovsky, Gabi Mazzoni & David Porr

Epistle: Bob Kowalik

Communion: Michelle Chin, Anna Higgins, and others TBD

Coffee Hour: Teen Spaghetti Dinner

LITURGICAL SCHEDULE FOR THIS WEEK

Thursday, November 6: Bible study 7:00 pm

Saturday, November 8: Great Vespers 5:00 pm

Sunday, November 9: Enquirers Class (St. Ignatius Catechetical Group) 9:00 am; Orthros 8:45 am, Divine Liturgy 10:00 am, followed by Church School lesson 7; Teen SOYO Spaghetti Dinner

Scripture Readings for Sunday, November 9:

   Epistle: Ephesians 5:8-19

Brethren, walk as children of light … and try to learn what is pleasing to the Lord. ...Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, making the most of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore, do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.

   Gospel: Luke 8:41-56

... As he went, the people pressed round him. And a woman who had had a flow of blood for twelve years and had spent all her living upon physicians and could not be healed by anyone, came up behind him, and touched the fringe of his garment; and immediately her flow of blood ceased. And Jesus said, "Who was it that touched me?" When all denied it, Peter said, "Master, the multitudes surround you and press upon you!" But Jesus said, "Some one touched me; for I perceive that power has gone forth from me." And when the woman saw that she was not hidden, she came trembling, and falling down before him declared in the presence of all the people why she had touched him, and how she had been immediately healed. And he said to her, "Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace."

Tuesday, November 11 (Veterans Day): Church School Family Retreat

LOOKING AHEAD

Saturday, November 15: Nativity Fast begins; Great Vespers 5:00 pm

Sunday, November 16: Enquirers Class (St. Ignatius Catechetical Group) 9:00 am; Orthros 8:45 am, Divine Liturgy 10:00 am; followed by Church School lesson 8

Wednesday, November 19: Paraclesis 6:30 pm

Thursday, November 20: Evening Divine Liturgy for the Feast of the Presentation of the Theotokos in the Temple 6:30 pm

Saturday, November 22: No Vespers at St. Mary's

Sunday, November 23: Enquirers Class (St. Ignatius Catechetical Group) 9:00 am; Orthros 8:45 am, Divine Liturgy 10:00 am; followed by Church School lesson 9; Women's Club Thanksgiving Bake Sale

Wednesday, November 26: No Paraclesis (Thanksgiving eve)

Saturday, November 29: No Vespers at St. Mary's

Sunday, November 30: Enquirers Class (St. Ignatius Catechetical Group) 9:00 am; Orthros 8:45 am, Divine Liturgy 10:00 am; no church school.

Wednesday, December 3: Paraclesis 6:30 pm

Thursday, December 4: Bible Study 7:00 pm

REFLECTION

Remember that while you pray, God expects from you a positive answer to His question: "Do you believe that I can fulfill your prayer?" You must be able to answer from the bottom of your heart: "Yes, I believe, O God," and then you will be answered according to your faith.

   - St. John of Kronstad

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, On the Mystical Life

For the act of faith is an act in which the intellect is content to know God by loving Him and accepting His statements about Himself on His own terms.

   - Thomas Merton, New Seeds of Contemplation

Since thou art a divine river of mercy, like unto a fathomless gulf of plentiful sympathy, O Bountiful One, manifest the divine streams of thy mercy, and heal all men. Pour forth abundantly fountains of wonders and cleanse all; for resorting ever unto thee, we fervently implore thy grace.

   - Kathisma for Wednesday of Holy Week