Update for the week Friday, August 30 through Thursday, September 5, 2013

THIS WEEK

VESPERS - There will be no Vespers at St. Mary this Saturday, August 31.

REGULAR HOURS RESUME – This Sunday, September 1, we will return to regular hours: Orthros 8:45, Divine Liturgy 10:00 am

BIBLE STUDY – The Bible Study at St. Mary, sponsored by the Fellowship of St. John the Divine, meets every other Thursday and is based on a lecture series originally broadcast on Ancient Faith Radio. Join us at 7:00 pm this coming Thursday, September 5, in the church library as we begin discussing Genesis (http://orthodoxbiblestudy.info/introduction-to-genesis/ and http://orthodoxbiblestudy.info/genesis-part-1/). For more information contact Marianna Sayeg (mksayeg@gmail.com) or Fr. Antony (frawhj@gmail.com). New members are always welcome. Don't worry if you don't have time to listen to all the material, you can still participate in the discussion!

PILGRIMAGE – The annual St. Thekla pilgrimage at the Antiochian Village has been expanded this year to include supplication to St. Raphael, who is buried on the grounds of the Village. The Pilgrimage will be September 20-22, 2013; registration is due by September 1. For information and registration form see http://www.antiochian.org/sites/antiochian.org/files/2013_brochure.pdf

NEW ANNOUNCEMENTS

COFFEE HOUR VOLUNTEERS NEEDED – When no one volunteers, we won’t have a coffee hour.  So please sign up to sponsor a coffee hour, individually or with friends.  Some do this to celebrate a special event or anniversary, but you don’t need a reason, and it can be as simple as coffee, juice, and cookies.   Signup sheets are on the bulletin board downstairs outside the Hall.

HABITAT FOR HUMANITY POSTPONED – The Fellowship of St. John the Divine’s Habitat for Humanity building project,  originally announced for September, has been  postponed until November 16. Watch for further details.

COLLEGE & UNIVERSITY STUDENTS – If you are a new or returning college or university student, please fill out a green “College Student Address Form” on the Bengarri (desk in the Narthex) so that we have your current address and information and you can receive announcements about activities at St. Mary's and on campus.  Please leave the form on the Bengarri.  See Charlie Marge if you have questions.

PARENTS OF ST. MARY PARISH COLLEGE STUDENTS –  If you would like your sons or daughters to receive a copy of the CORNERSTONE each month while they are away at school to keep them in touch with what’s going on at St. Mary’s, please fill out one of the green “College Student Address Forms” and return it to the church office.

ENQUIRERS’ CLASS - The St. Ignatius Catechetical Group (Enquirers’ Class) will begin meeting on Sunday, October 6 at 9:00 A.M in the library, next door to Fr. Antony’s office. The group is for non-Orthodox adults who are interested in exploring the Christian Faith as it has been – and continues to be – understood, preached, and lived by members of the Holy Orthodox Church, who descend from the early Christian community of Antioch where “the disciples were for the first time called Christians” (Acts 11:26). Bob Kowalik will be teaching the group, using materials developed and piloted by St. Mary catechist emeritus David Vermette.  If you would like to participate, please talk to Bob during coffee hour; or get in touch by phone 617-889-3436 or e-mail r.kowalik@comcast.net

REMINDERS

CHURCH SCHOOL – The Church School is still looking for a few additional substitutes for the 2013-2014 school year. Teachers are provided with all the materials they will need. If you are interested, please see Barbara Shoop or contact her in the Church office (617-547-1234 or secretary@stmaryorthodoxchurch.org) as soon as possible.
   Church School registration (age 3 and up) will be Sunday, September 8, and Church School classes start Sunday, September 15, 2013.
   There will be a Church School Teachers/Assistants/Substitutes meeting immediately following Registration on September 8.  Please plan on attending this very important meeting.

WOMEN’S CLUB – The next meeting of the Women’s Club will be Monday, September 9, at 7:30 pm.  All women are encouraged to attend.  We look forward to seeing both old and new members and discussing future activities of the organization.

MARRIAGE SEMINAR WITH BISHOP JOHN – St. Mary will host the first evening of a two-day marriage seminar to be held Friday and Saturday, September 13-14. On Friday at St. Mary, Evening Divine Liturgy for the Feast of the Elevation of the Holy Cross with His Grace Bishop JOHN, at 6:30 pm, will be followed by the first session which will last approximately an hour and a half.  A light dinner will be provided.  The second session will be held at the Chancery in Westborough on Saturday morning from 10:00 am to 3:30, with lunch provided. Everyone, married or unmarried, is welcome and encouraged to attend and learn about the Orthodox approach to marriage. To register, contact Fr. Antony at frawhj@gmail.com. A fee of $25.00 is required to cover the cost of food.

PARISH COUNCIL – The next meeting of the Parish Council will be Wednesday, September 18, at 7:30 pm.

THEOPHANY SCHOOL - Theophany School has limited openings in our preschool and full day kindergarten classes for the 2013 school year!  Our low student: teacher ratio, loving Christian environment, and engaging thematic curriculum enable our students to flourish academically, socially, and spiritually.  We are conveniently located off Route 128 at 754 Greendale Avenue in Needham, MA.  Call 781-444-3058 or visit www.TheophanySchool.org today to schedule a tour and see how Theophany School can make a difference in your child's life! 

SONIA’S RUN –The 5th annual Sonia’s 5K Run/Walk at St. George Church, West Roxbury, will be held on Saturday, September 21, beginning at 9:00 am.  All proceeds will benefit Sonia’s dream of finding a permanent home for Theophany school. For more information see http://theophanyschool.org/ways-to-help/sonias-run

“WELCOME BACK COLLEGE STUDENTS" BREAKFAST – After Liturgy on Sunday, September 22, 2013, the Fellowship of St. John the Divine (FSJD) will host a special breakfast to welcome college students back to their "Church home away from home." Please join us in welcoming and supporting students who strive to remain connected to the Church while away from their families.  All are welcome! A suggested minimum donation of $5 will be gratefully accepted from non-students.

FR. ANTONY’S  20th ANNIVERSARY -  Be with us on Saturday and Sunday, October 5 & 6, 2013, as His Grace, Bishop John joins us to celebrate Fr. Antony’s first 20 years at St. Mary and his first 25 years in the priesthood!
   On Saturday, October 5, Great Vespers at 5:00 pm will be followed by a Banquet with Bishop John in the Church Hall.  Tickets – Adults:  $50.00 per person includes dinner, beer, wine & entertainment; Children under 18:  $25.00 per person. (All proceeds will be used to send our children to Antiochian Village in July, 2014).  No tickets will be sold at the door – for reservations  please see Marc Patacchiola or Deno Takles or call Mary Winstanley O’Connor at 617-523-1010. Prepaid tables of 8 may be reserved in advance.
   Sunday, October 6:  Orthros at 8:45 am;  Hierarchical Divine Liturgy at 10:00 am, followed by a Coffee Hour.
   We are looking for Sponsors for the Banquet:  Platinum $2000, Gold $1000, And Silver $500.  To date we have $4500 in sponsors and are looking for an additional $2000 in Sponsorships.  See Mary Winstanley-O’Connor if you are interested in being a Sponsor for this joyous event.

DANCING WITH THE AABA STARS- On Friday, October 11, 2013 the American Arabic Benevolent Association will present the annual “Dancing with the Stars.”  Representing St. Mary’s Church will be Amanda Noonan, daughter of Karen Winstanley Noonan.  This event is a fundraiser to benefit senior affordable housing at Cheriton Heights in West Roxbury.  The event will take place at The Norwood Theatre, Norwood, MA. Ticket price is $45.00 per person.  For tickets, sponsoring or information contact David Franciosi, 617-347-1005.  Sponsor seating will have 10 seats reserved plus an AABA Gift bag.  Sponsors names will appear in program and donations may be applied as points to dancer.   

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

PARKING RESTRICTIONS – Please do not park in the Church parking lot if you need to leave quickly after church. Cars parked there will be staying until the end of coffee hour.
   Additionally, do not park beyond the sign that prohibits parking at the corner of Inman Street and Bishop Allen Drive. (An orange cone will be placed in that No Parking area.) 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.
   And remember, there is no parishioner parking in the church parking lot Monday through Friday until after 6:00 pm.

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:

BE 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 15 minutes before Liturgy, 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.  All Orthodox Christians in the Parish are welcome and encouraged to participate. We usually need one Epistle reader and four people to hold the cloths.  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 monthly Cornerstone), 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.
   Also - please donate unwanted past issues of Orthodox magazines such as The Word, OCMC or other periodicals to our prison ministry to hand out to inmates.  Please remove any personal mailing address for security purposes and give them to Mitrophan Chin.
   Our own Deacon Jeff Smith can be heard in a recent interview with Ancient Faith Radio at http://www.ancientfaith.com/podcasts/features/prison_ministry_awareness_sunday1  

VIDEO EDITING – Volunteers are wanted to assist with video editing of sermons and lectures.
We are looking for volunteers to assist with some basic video editing to post the sermons and lectures from St. Mary's online.  If you have experience with digital video editing, please let Jamil Samara or Erick Straghalis know you are interested - email live@stmaryorthodoxchurch.org.

PHOTOGRAPHERS AND GRAPHIC DESIGNERS – Are you a photographer or a graphic designer? Would you be willing to share your talents with St. Mary Church and her ministries?  We are looking for you to help photograph the divine services and events and to design promotional material for events and programs at our parish. Please contact Jamil Samara at webmaster@stmaryorthodoxchurch.org with any questions, and to let him know that you are interested in getting more involved.

"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

Greeter:  None

Coffee Hour:  No volunteers; no coffee hour

LITURGICAL SCHEDULE FOR THIS WEEK

Saturday, August 31: No Vespers at St. Mary

Sunday, September 1:  Regular Worship Schedule Resumes – Orthros  8:45 am,  Divine Liturgy 10:00 am
SCRIPTURE READINGS for Sunday, September 1:
   Epistle: St. Paul's First Letter to Timothy 2:1-7
… God our Savior… desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all, the testimony to which was borne at the proper time.

   Gospel:  Luke 4:16-22
Jesus … went to the synagogue, as his custom was, on the Sabbath day. And he stood up to read; and there was given to him the book of the prophet Isaiah. He opened the book and found the place where it was written, "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord." … And he began to say to them, "Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing."
 

LOOKING AHEAD

Saturday, September 7:  Great Vespers 5:00 pm

Sunday, September 8:  Orthros  8:45 am,  Divine Liturgy 10:00 am, followed by Church School registration, and meeting for teachers, assistants & substitutes

Friday, September 13:  Evening Liturgy for Feast of the Elevation of the Holy Cross
6:30 pm with His Grace Bishop JOHN, followed by Marriage Seminar part 1.

Saturday, September 14:  Marriage Seminar part 2 at the Bishop’s Chancery in Westborough 10:00 am to 3:30 pm

Sunday, September 15:  Church School classes begin

Saturday, September 21:  No Vespers

Sunday, September 22:  Orthros  8:45 am,  Divine Liturgy 10:00 am, followed by FSJD “Welcome Back College Students” Breakfast
 

REFLECTIONS

The Martyrs earned paradise with their blood; the Monastics, with their ascetic life. Now we, my brethren, who beget children, how shall we earn paradise? With hospitality, by relieving the poor, the blind, the lame, as Joachim (the father of the Theotokos) did…. Almsgiving, love, and fasting sanctify man, enrich him in both soul and body, and bring him to a good end; the body and the soul become holy.
   - St. Cosmas of Aetolia 

Holiness is not simply righteousness, for which the righteous are rewarded with blessedness in the Kingdom of God. Rather, it is such a height of righteousness that people are so filled with the grace of God that it flows from them even upon those who associate with them. Great is their blessedness, which proceeds from their direct contemplation of the glory of God. Being filled also with love for men, which proceeds from love of God, they act as mediators and intercessors for others before God.
   - St John of Shanghai and San Francisco

… remember that the heavenly Father sent His only-begotten Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, into the world for your salvation from sins and from eternal condemnation for them. Turn then with faith to this Mediator before God for men, imploring Him from the depths of your soul to wash away by His all-cleansing Blood, shed for us on the cross, your iniquities too; … draw near to the holy cup and you shall be cleansed of your sins: peace shall flow into your soul like a river and you shall be the son of the heavenly Father, “who was dead and is alive again, and was lost and is found” (Lk. 15:32).
   - St. John of Kronstadt

 Be persecuted, rather than be a persecutor. Be crucified, rather than be a crucifier. Be treated unjustly, rather than treat anyone unjustly. Be oppressed, rather than zealous. Lay hold of goodness, rather than justice.
   - St Isaac the Syrian