Update for the week Thursday, December 26, 2019 - Wednesday, January 1, 2020

THIS WEEK AT ST. MARY’S

SUNDAY 12/29 – Orthros 8:45am; St. Ignatius Catechetical Group 9:00am; Orthodoxy 102 9:00; Divine Liturgy 10:00am

NEW ANNOUNCEMENTS

MEMORY ETERNAL – We regret to inform you of the falling asleep in the Lord of long-time parishioner Edward Mabardi, who passed peacefully on December 21, 2019. Ed was the husband of Zahie Mabardi, father of Marie Mabardi and her husband Krikor, Diane Mabardi and her husband Peter Abdelmaseh, Peter Mabardi, and Mitchell Mabardi and his wife Katie, and he was grandfather of Alex and Justin Aroyan and Ryan and Mia Mabardi. He was the brother of Selma Winstanley and the late Mitchell Mabardi. Funeral services were held this morning at St. Mary’s and he was laid to rest at Mt. Auburn Cemetery, Cambridge. His obituary may be seen at https://www.kfouryfuneral.com/notices/Edward-Mabardi

ANNUAL PARISH MEETING – On Sunday, February 2, 2020, our Annual Meeting will be held immediately after Liturgy to approve the Year 2020 budget. The Proposed Budget will be available on two Sunday before the meeting, January 20. It is important that all members of St. Mary’s Church attend this brief meeting.

REMINDERS

COFFEE HOUR SPONSORS NEEDED – Please sign up to provide a coffee hour. It can be as simple as coffee, juice, and cookies!  When no one volunteers, there is no coffee hour!  Sign up on the bulletin board downstairs outside the coat room or contact the Church Office: 617-547-1234 or Secretary @stmaryorthodoxchurch.org  
 
FOOD FOR HUNGRY PEOPLE – Help support our Canned Food Drive! From October through December 31, bring in canned goods and place them in the plastic bins in the room outside the kitchen. (Canned goods only, please.) They will be distributed to food pantries in our area.
 
PLEDGE CARDS - Pledges are due by December 31.  If you have not yet done so, please return your annual pledge card or fill out an ePledge on our website:  https://www.stmaryorthodoxchurch.org/ministries/stewardship
 
NEW CD – The Boston Byzantine Choir has recorded a new CD entitled Twelve Days: Byzantine Chant from Christmas to Epiphany. It is for sale during coffee hour or through the church office.

FEAST OF THEOPHANY – No service at St. Mary, but celebrate the Great Feast of Theophany with His Grace Bishop JOHN and the Diocese clergy at St. George Church, West Roxbury on Monday, January 6.  Matins: 5:30pm, Divine Liturgy 7:00pm with Blessing of the Water.
 
PARISH COUNCIL – The next meeting of the Parish Council is scheduled for Wednesday, January 8.
   + The five new members elected to the parish council are: Michelle Mabardy, Theo Smith, Phillip Straghalis, Deno Takles and Cali Touloumes.  Congratulations to them all!
 
WOMEN’S CLUB - Instead of its monthly meeting in January, the Women's Club will host the diocesan Antiochian Women here at St. Mary's on Saturday, January 11. All women of the diocese are welcome to attend this event, which begins with Liturgy at 9:00am, followed by coffee and committee reports, and concludes with luncheon at noon.
 
WOMEN‘S CLUB OUTING - On Sunday, January 26 the Women’s Club will hold a Winter Get-Together at the Bamboo Restaurant in the Holiday Inn Dedham, 55 Ariadne Rd, Dedham. All women of St. Mary’s are welcome to join us there for supper at 5:30pm. E-mail Melissa Nassiff (mnassiff@gmail.com) if you have any questions or would like to join us.
 
FAMILY CAMP – Register now for Winter Family Camp at Antiochian Village, January 17-20, 2020. 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, in the beautiful setting of the Antiochian Village Camp. Registration is now open at https://avcamp.org/other-programs/winter-family-camp Cost: $150/parent, $50/child includes meals and lodging.
 
CHOIR MEMBERS NEEDED - The Choir is looking for new members, especially Alto (woman) and Bass/Baritone (men), but of course we welcome all parts.  Please e-mail Michelle Mabardy at mmmabardy@gmail.com if you are interested.

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

Your Nativity, O Christ our God, has shown to the world the light of knowledge.  For by it those who worshipped the stars were taught by a star to adore You, the Sun of Righteousness, and to know You, the Orient from on high.  O Lord, glory to You.
   - Troparion of the Nativity
 
Today the Virgin gives birth to Him, the Transcendent in essence, and the earth offers a cave to Him whom no one can approach.  Angels with shepherds give glory and Magi journey with a star, for unto us is born a young child, the pre-eternal God.
   - Kontakion of the Nativity