Weekly Newsletter for the week Friday, July 17, through Thursday, July 23, 2009

THIS COMING WEEK

ARCHDIOCESE CONVENTION - The national convention for the whole Antiochian Archdiocese will be held July 20 - 26 at Desert Springs JW Marriot Hotel, Palm Desert , California, hosted by St. Michael Church, Van Nuys.   Check their website for schedules and  more information:  www.archdioceseconvention2009.org  

St. Mary Church Offices will be closed Monday through Friday, July 20 - 24.

Our winning Teen Bible Bowl team (Thomas Marge, Theo Smith, and Gabe Smith, coached by Violet Robbat)   will be representing our Diocese in the Bible Bowl, which will be held Wednesday evening, July 22.

Daily coverage of the convention can be found at http://www.antiochian.org/2009Convention

NEW ANNOUNCEMENTS

FR. ANTONY WILL BE AWAY - Father Antony will be gone for the next three weeks:

He will be attending the Archdiocese Convention July 20 through 26

He will then be serving at the Antiochian Village July 27 through August 8

In case of emergency while he is at the Village, please contact Fr. Timothy Ferguson of St. George Church, West Roxbury at 617-323-0323.

BISHOP ALEXANDER TO VISIT - On the evening of Saturday, October 3, 2009, we will welcome His Grace Bishop ALEXANDER for a visit to St. Mary's.  The evening will begin with Vespers at 6:00 pm, followed by a Welcome Reception and Cocktail Party at 7:30 pm.  The ticket price  of $35.00 per person will include a wide array of hot and cold hors d'oeuvres, open bar, dessert and Arabic dancing.   Prepaid reservations only - no tickets will be sold at the door. Tickets will be limited to 175 people.   For tickets and table reservations of eight, contact Renay DiFiore at (617) 327-6361, Melissa Nassiff at mnassif@gmail.com  or Mary Winstanley O'Connor at either (617) 523-1010 or moconnor@koilaw.com.

On Sunday, October 4, His Grace will be with us for Orthros at 8:45 am and Hierarchical Divine Liturgy at 10:00 am, followed by a celebratory Coffee Hour.

HELP WITH ANNIVERSARY VIDEO - Production of the 80th Anniversary Video has begun for presentation during the visit of his Grace, Bishop Alexander - and there is lots to do!  If you have historical video, photographs and/or knowledge of the history of St. Mary's, we need your help!  For historical video/photographs, please contact Juliet Burch directly at jburch@brandeis.edu. If you are generally interested in helping, but aren't sure how, please contact Erick Straghalis at stmaryvideo@erickstraghalis.com.

For those interested in being interviewed on-camera: interviews will be scheduled over the course of the next few weeks, and into the month of August.  At this time, no interviews will be done in September in order to accommodate the production schedule.  Scheduling will begin within a few weeks - keep an eye out for sign-up sheets and announcements in the bulletin and church email list.

REMINDERS

COFFEE HOUR VOLUNTEERS NEEDED - Please sign up to provide a coffee hour this summer - it can be as simple as coffee, juice, and cookies, and it's easier now when attendance is lighter.  Signup sheets are on the bulletin board downstairs outside the Hall, or call Marilyn in the office.

LITURGICAL SERVICES HELP NEEDED - If you've ever assisted with Liturgical Services (holding the Communion Cloth or the bread basket), and you see one of those positions unfilled this summer, please feel free to step up and fill it.

ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN PRISON MINISTRY - OCPM, the official prison ministry of SCOBA, announces the 2009 Convocation, which will take place July 28-30 in Denver , Colorado .  The purpose of the convocation is to bring together the many Orthodox clergy and laity from throughout North America who are participating in prison ministry, or are interested in participating in prison ministry for a time of fellowship, education, encouragement, communal worship and the free exchange of ideas.  To register, please visit www.ocpm-scoba.org. Financial assistance is available. If you have questions, please contact Liz Straghalis at liztutella@gmail.com.

ANOTHER TANGLEWOOD OUTING - If you couldn't make it last Sunday - or if you'd like to go again - a second trip to Tanglewood is scheduled for Sunday, August 2. This time pianist Leif Ove Andsnes will join the BSO in playing Beethoven and Rachmaninoff - for more information see  http://www.bso.org/bso/mods/perf_detail.jsp?pid=prod2880027. The concert starts at 2:30; lawn tickets are just $18. Bring lawn chairs if you want them, and picnic food for yourself and to share.  Please let us know if you're coming so we can save plenty of space in the shade, and let us know if you'll need a ride - contact Melissa Nassiff by email (mnassiff@gmail.com) or phone (508 877-7483). 

PILGRIMAGE TO NEW SKETE -  The Monastic Communities and Chapel Community members of New Skete Monastery in Cambridge, New York, invite you to join them for a day of prayer and reflection celebrating their feast day on Saturday, August 8, 2009 (rain or shine).  The theme of the pilgrimage is "Jesus: The Heart of Renewal." As is the rule of monastic life, the day will begin and end with prayer--Matins at 8:30 am, followed by the celebration of the Divine Liturgy at 9:30 am, and Vespers and Vigil at 5:30 pm.  In addition, a healing service will be held at approximately 4:15 pm.  Two main presentations will be held in the afternoon--"Christ in Theology: Conversion and Purification" with Dr. Peter Bouteneff, Associate Professor of Systematic Theology at St. Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary, who will bring a theological perspective to the theme and "The Face of Christ in the World" given by Sr. Rebecca, a nun of New Skete, who will explore the theme through the lens of iconography. In addition, the day will include tours of the monastery Churches, a demonstration of the monks' dog program, and time for hiking, conversation, reflection and quiet.  Activities for children and teens are also planned. Traditional ethnic and American style food will be available for purchase.  For more information, contact Teva Regule at teva@mit.edu.

WOMEN'S CLUB SUMMER READING -  This summer Women's Club members (and anyone else who'd like to join us) will be reading Eat Pray Love by Elizabeth Gilbert, a New York Times best seller. Read the book over the summer, and join us in the fall, Monday, September 14, for an enjoyable evening of discussion,  refreshments and fellowship!

SONIA'S RUN - You are invited to take part in an inaugural 5K road race to benefit the Theophany School, in honor of its beloved friend Sonia Belcher, on Saturday, September 19, 2009.  "Sonia's Run ... Building on a Dream" will start and end at St. George Church, West Roxbury, and includes both a 5k Run starting at 9:00 am and a Kids' 50-yard Dash which starts at 8:30 am.  For more information, go to:  www.SoniasRun.org

NEW CD AVAILABLE - The Voice of the Lord:  Selected Hymns from the Feast of Theophany is a new CD recorded by the Friends of the Theophany School under the direction of Rassem El-Massih. Each CD sells for $15 and all proceeds will benefit the "Building on a Dream" campaign for the Theophany School in memory of the school's founder, Sonia Daly Belcher.  To place an order online or listen to sample tracks, visit www.theophanyschool.org/cd.   For bulk orders (10 or more),  contact them directly at music@theophanyschool.org or 617-470-0546.

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:

PARTICIPATION

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 reader and six people to hold cloths and baskets.  If you would like to read the Epistle or assist during the 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.org or 617-547-1234.

VOLUNTEERING

Holy Resurrection Open Doors - The Holy Resurrection Open Door Meal Ministry in Allston needs volunteers every Monday evening (there is a special need in the summer).  The official hours of the project are 4:30 pm-7:30 pm, but it is fine to come anytime and leave any time.  Best times would be 5:30-5:45 to 7:15-7:30 pm.  You can serve meals, coffee and tea to the people who arrive for dinner (6-7 pm) or just stay behind the scenes doing set-up and clean-up.  It is a very rewarding, hands-on, face-to-face way to serve the community with (mostly) other Orthodox Christians-we even chant the Our Father together before the meal begins. Church info can be found at  http://hrocboston.org.    Questions? Please contact Liz Straghalis at liztutella@gmail.com  phone 617-974-5005,  or Tiffany Conroy at trattus1@gmail.com, 617-990-7162.

St Paul's Food Pantry - Two to four volunteers help each week in the food pantry at St Paul 's Roman Catholic Church in Harvard Square , Saturday mornings from 9:30-11:45.  If you are interested in helping, please contact Christian Alcala at cmalcala1989@yahoo.com, or (617) 876-5684.

DONATIONS

Food and Clothing - Holy Resurrection in Allston takes donations of non-perishable food items and clothing to distribute at the Open Door Ministry on Monday evenings.  You can bring your donations by on Monday nights between 4:30 pm and 7:30 pm or contact Tiffany Conroy, trattus1@gmail.com, 617-990-7162, for more information.

- St. Paul 's Food Pantry in Harvard Square , where volunteers from St. Mary help every Saturday, depends upon regular donations of canned and packaged foods.  To help, contact Christian Alcala at cmalcala1989@yahoo.com, or (617) 876-5684.

Monetary Contributions - The Agape Canister Program is an Orthodox non-profit development program of the Orthodox Christian Mission Center .  It is dedicated to meeting the needs of children, families, and communities throughout the world, regardless of race, color, or creed. All funds collected by the Agape Canister Program are earmarked for medical care and clinics, water wells, agricultural development, food and clothing, support personnel (e.g. doctors, nurses, teachers), the construction of schools, and the education of indigenous people in their own communities.  Please contribute each Sunday - A clear plastic box is on the Bengarri.

"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

FOOD PANTRY

July 18:   David Vermette

LITURGICAL SERVICE

July 19:   Epistle: Melissa Nassiff;  Communion Cloth: Linda Arnold and    ;  Left Bread:  Jeanne Brickman;  Right Bread: Brooke Wilcox

COFFEE HOUR

July 19:   The Hamwey family

LITURGICAL SCHEDULE FOR THIS WEEK

Saturday, July 18:  Great Vespers 5:00 pm

Sunday, July 19:  Summer hours - Orthros 8:15 am, Divine Liturgy 9:30 am, followed by 40-day Trisagion Prayers of Mercy for Bob Hamwey

SCRIPTURE READINGS for July 19: 

Epistle:  St. Paul's Letter to Titus 3:8-15  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. But avoid stupid controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels over the law, for they are unprofitable and futile.

Gospel: Matthew 5:14-19  The Lord said to his disciples, "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hid. Nor do men light a lamp and put it under a bushel, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. "

LOOKING AHEAD

Saturday, July 25:  No Vespers at St. Mary (Archdiocese Convention)

Sunday, July 26:  Summer hours - Orthros 8:15 am, Divine Liturgy 9:30 am

INSIGHT

Let the light of your good works shine before men, and let not Christ be blasphemed on your account. Wear a garment of incorruption, resplendent in good works; and whatever matter you receive from God to administer as steward, administer profitably.

   - St. Cyril of Jerusalem, Catechetical Lectures: Lecture 15 no. 26

Whoever bears fruit with works of faith and love, he is a real disciple of Christ.

   - Saint John Chrysostom

Come now, my brethren - all who have received the name of faith, who have been deemed worthy to be called people of Christ - do not put aside our calling; let us not violate our faith through improper works. It is not enough for someone merely to be known as a believer, so let us show our faith through works.

   - St. John of Damascus, Homily on the Withered Fig Tree and the Parable of the Vineyard

Every day you provide your bodies with good to keep them from failing. In the same way your good works should be the daily nourishment of your hearts. Your bodies are fed with food and your spirits with good works. You aren't to deny your soul, which is going to live forever, what you grant to your body, which is going to die.

   - St. Gregory the Great, Be Friends Of God

Grace has been given mystically to those who have been baptized into Christ; and it becomes active within them to the extent that they actively observe the commandments. Grace never ceases to help us secretly; but to do good - as far as lies in our power - depends on us.

   - St. Mark the Ascetic,  Philokalia, Vol. 1