Update for the week Thursday, January 17 – Wednesday, January 23, 2019

THIS WEEK AT ST. MARY’S

SUNDAY 1/20 - Orthros 8:45am, Enquirers’ Class 9:00am; Divine Liturgy 10:00am, Church School following Liturgy

THIS WEEK ELSEWHERE
FRIDAY-MONDAY 1/18-21 –Winter Family Camp at Antiochian Village will be held this weekend, Martin Luther King Jr. Weekend.  Family Camp is an opportunity for your family to get away from everyday life and take a weekend as a family to grow closer to Christ. See https://avcamp.org/other-programs/winter-family-camp/   Cost: $150/parent, $50/child, includes meals and lodging.

NEW ANNOUNCEMENTS

VESPERS AND YOUNG ADULTS –  Join the Young Adults on Saturday, February 2 for Great Vespers at 5:00pm, followed by an evening of connections with fellow Orthodox Christians., "Young Adults Connections Beyond Coffee Hour: An Evening of Networking.”  Whether you’re a student, just starting your career, or bringing years of experience, engage with other Orthodox Christians in the area to enhance your current role or network for your next career steps. We encourage all to attend! Dinner and drinks will be provided. Please email Hannah Hakim at hoakley18@gmail.com or Katia Reilly at katerina.reilly5@gmail.com to register or get more information. 
 
TEEN SOYO SERVICE DAY – Diocese of Worcester and New England Teen SOYO will hold a service day on Saturday, February 2 from 12:30pm-6:00pm at St. George Cathedral, Worcester.  Teens will meet at the Cathedral then head into town for a day of service projects and activities.  Lunch and rides will be provided.  Vespers at 5:00pm.  Cost: $10. RSVP by January 27 to https://goo.gl/forms/5VK1VVUjwE6eGZnul
 
PARISH COUNCIL – The next meeting of the Parish Council is scheduled for Wednesday, March 6 at 7:30.
 
WE WANT YOUR PHOTOS - The Young Adults are collecting photographs from the past and present of St Mary and its parishioners, for a slide show to commemorate our 90th anniversary on Saturday, May 18. If you have photographs you would like to share please contact Theo Smith at smithrtheo@gmail.com.
 
FAMILY CAMP - Register now for Family camp at Antiochian Village, Friday-Monday, May 24-27.  The theme is “Fostering a Healthy Family” with Speaker Fr. Nicholas Louh.  Visit www.avcamp.org for more information.

CROSSROAD SUMMER INSTITUTE - CrossRoad Summer Institute, a 10-day academic summer institute for Orthodox high school juniors and seniors to help them grow closer to Christ, will be held June 15-25 and July 2-12 at Hellenic College Holy Cross.  Apply today at www.crossroadinstitute.org   Priority deadline: February 1.

REMINDERS

ANNUAL PARISH MEETING - The Annual Meeting of St. Mary’s parish will be held Sunday, January 27, immediately after Liturgy (snow date: Sunday, February 3). At this meeting the members of the parish will approve the Year 2019 budget. The proposed budget will be available this Sunday, January 20. It is important that all members of St. Mary’s Church attend this meeting.

HELP WANTED - At the end of this Church School year our current Superintendent, Barbara Shoop, will be retiring.  Therefore we are looking for someone willing to take over the position.  The Church School ministry is extremely important to our children in helping them understand the faith, learn church doctrine and how to use their faith in their everyday lives.  Barbara is willing to stay on as Assistant Superintendent for the first year to assist with the weekly responsibilities.  If you are interested in taking on this role, please see Fr. Antony or Barbara Shoop.

BLESSING OF HOMES – Fr. Antony will be blessing homes after Epiphany (also called Theophany) and between Pascha and Pentecost.  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.

PRESENTATION OF OUR LORD – On Friday, February 1, there will be an Evening Liturgy for the Feast of the Presentation of Our Lord in the Temple at 6:30pm

SCOUT SUNDAY - On Sunday, February 10, the scouts of our parish will be performing liturgical service. If your cub scout, boy scout, or girl scout would like to participate, please contact Charlie Marge:  charlie.marge@verizon.net.

WINTER CAMP - Grades 7-12 register now for Winter Camp at Antiochian Village, February 15-18.  Winter Camp will examine how faith, hope, love and wisdom play an important role in the Orthodox Christian faith. See https://avcamp.org/other-programs/winter-camp 
 
SUMMER CAMP – Registration for Summer Camp at the Antiochian Village is open NOW. See https://avcamp.org/summer-camp.  Be sure to register early, as sessions fill up quickly.  St. Mary’s children attend 3rd Session, July 14-26.

SCHOLARSHIPS - Students graduating in 2019 from high school who are children of membersof St. Mary’s may apply for the Diocese of Worcester and New England Scholarship.  Deadline is March 31, 2019. Contact Mary Winstanley O’Connor at 617-523-1010 or email at moconnor@koilaw.com for more information, including what it means to be a member.
   + Scholarships ($1,000) are available from the Syrian-Lebanese Women’s club of Greater Boston to young women of Syrian and Lebanese origin, residing in Massachusetts within 50-mile radius of Boston, who plan to pursue a four-year college education.  Scholarships are based on outstanding academic achievement, extra-curricular activities, charitable and civic involvement and good character; and applicants must be in good academic standing in her school and possess those personal attributes, which best serve the community.  Applications are available through the Church Office and must be postmarked by March 31, 2019.  If you have any questions, contact Mary Winstanley O’Connor at 617-523-1010 or email at moconnor@koilaw.com .

ST. MARY’S ANNIVERSARY – Save the date: On Saturday, May 18 we will celebrate our 90thAnniversary at the Crown Plaza in Woburn.  Plan to join us for dinner, dancing and other festivities.  More details to follow.

ANTIOCHIAN ORTHODOX CONVENTION – This year’s Convention will be in Grand Rapids, MI, July 21-28, 2019. Hundreds of Antiochian Orthodox have already registered and purchased tickets. 60% of hotel rooms are already booked. See https://ac2019gr.org 

2019 COFFEE HOURS - The 2019 Sign-Up Sheet for Coffee Hour has been posted! Please sign up to provide a coffee hour – it can be as simple as coffee, juice, and cookies.   Plenty of help is available! Signup sheets are on the bulletin board outside the Hall, or contact Linda Arnold (mmarmee52@aol.com) or the Church Office (617-547-1234 or Secretary@stmaryorthodoxchurch.org ).  Remember, no volunteer = no coffee hour!

PRISON MINISTRY- Please continue to bring or mail all your Orthodox books, icon cards, magazines and/or icons to the church office so they can be taken to the prison for use by our prison ministry team.  Thank you!

JOIN US ONLINE - 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 or online). If you have questions or comments about this ministry please contact us at live@stmaryorthodoxchurch.org
 
REFLECTION
We carry as in earthen vessels - that is to say, in our bodies - the Father's Light in the Person of Jesus Christ, and so can experience the glory of the Holy Spirit.
   - St. Gregory Palamas, Those Who Practice a Life of Stillness
 
Let no one deceive you! God is light, and to those who have entered into union with Him He imparts of His own brightness to the extent that they have been purified. When the lamp of the soul, that is, the mind, has been kindled, then it knows that a divine fire has taken hold of it and inflamed it. How great a marvel! Man is united to God spiritually and physically, since the soul is not separated from the mind, neither the body from the soul.
   - St. Symeon the New Theologian