Update for the week Friday, January 8 through Thursday, January 15, 2015

THIS WEEK 

THURSDAY, 1/8 – The Bible Study group will meet at 7:00 pm in the church library, as we conclude Deuteronomy using the podcast at http://orthodoxbiblestudy.info/deuteronomy-2, and look at Apostolic Faith and Apostolic Doubt, http://orthodoxbiblestudy.info/apostolic-faith-and-apostolic-doubt/

The Bible Study at St. Mary meets every other Thursday, and is based on a very interesting 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:mksayeg@gmail.com ). New members are always welcome.

SATURDAY, 1/10 – Great Vespers 5:00

SUNDAY, 1/11 – Enquirers Class (St. Ignatius Catechetical Group) 9:00 am; Orthros 8:45 am, Divine Liturgy 10:00 am, followed by Second Blessing of the Waters (Church School children remain upstairs after Communion)

WEDNESDAY, 1/14 - The next Parish Council meeting has been scheduled for Wednesday, January 14, at 7:30pm at the church.

NEW ANNOUNCEMENTS

ST. IGNATIUS GET-TOGETHER - The Order of St. Ignatius of the Diocese of Worcester and New England will hold its Annual Get Together at the home of Bishop JOHN, 2 Lydia’s Path, Westborough, MA from 3-6pm on Sunday, January 18. RSVP to Elizabeth Votruba, Votruba_family@msm.com   or Debbie Laham, debbielaham@aol.com .

NO VESPERS – There will be no Vespers at St. Mary on Saturday, January 24.

CHURCH SCHOOL TEACHERS MEETING – There will be a brief meeting for Church School teachers and assistants on Sunday, February 1, following Liturgy.

CHINESE NEW YEAR BREAKFAST - Please join us on Sunday, February 8, for the 2015 Chinese New Year Missions Breakfast to benefit the Chinese Translation Project via the Orthodox Fellowship of All Saints of China (OFASC). RSVP to Mitrophan Chin at mitrophan@orthodox.cn by Wednesday, February 4. We look forward to your support of this worthwhile project and seeing you at this event!

ANTIOCHIAN VILLAGE SUMMER CAMP - Summer Camp registration is now open. Last year most sessions were full by the end of February, so make sure you register right away! There are currently over 300 campers registered. Please visit the Registration Page for instructions on how to register. Please note that you are not registered until they receive a deposit and you receive a confirmation email. For more information go to http://www.antiochianvillage.org/camp.html

REMINDERS

HOUSE BLESSING - Fr. Antony will be blessing homes after Theophany and between Pascha (April 12) and Pentecost (May 31).  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.

PARISH COUNCIL WORKSHOP – The Diocese of Worcester and New England is holding a Parish Council Workshop at St. John of Damascus Church in Dedham, on Saturday, January 17, from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm. Our own Richard Robbat will be the Facilitator.

CONVENTION COMMITTEE – The next meeting of the National Convention committee is scheduled for Wednesday, January 21, 2015. In case of snow, the meeting will be January 28.

PARISH MEETING – The Annual Meeting of St. Mary's Parish will be held on Sunday, January 25, immediately after Liturgy. (Snow date: February 1)

PLEDGE CARDS - Please return your Pledge Cards, or pledge online at https://www.stmaryorthodoxchurch.org/ministries/stewardship, as soon as possible.

CALENDARS AND OFFERING ENVELOPES - New Church Calendars and 2015 Offering Envelopes are available for pick-up. The envelopes are on the desk in the Church Hall and the calendars are on the Bengarri. Please only one calendar per family.

PASTORAL CHALLENGES IN MARRIAGE – The Center for Family Care of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese will host a second conference on Pastoral Challenges in Marriage, January 28-31, 2015, at the Doubletree Hotel in Santa Ana, CA. This conference will offer resources and tools, along with discussion and networking opportunities for clergy and laity regarding some of the pressing pastoral challenges in marriage today. For info and registration see http://www.family.goarch.org/oneness.

DIOCESAN FAMILY DAY - Save the Date - A Diocesan Family Day will be held at Saint John of Damascus in Dedham, on Saturday, February 14, 8:00am-4:30pm. More details to follow.

SCRIPTURE READINGS FOR THIS SUNDAY, January 11

Epistle:

Brethren, remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God; consider the outcome of their life, and imitate their faith. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever... Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name. Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.

   - Hebrews 13: 7-16

Gospel:

[When] Jesus heard that John had been arrested, He withdrew into Galilee... that what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled: “... the people who sat in darkness have seen a great light, and for those who sat in the region and shadow of death light has dawned." From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand."

   - Matthew 4:12-17

REFLECTION

When thou, O Lord, wast baptized in the Jordan, the worship of the Trinity was made manifest. For the voice of the Father bore witness to thee, and called thee his beloved Son. And the Spirit, in the form of a dove, confirmed the truthfulness of his word. O Christ, our God, who hast revealed thyself and hast enlightened the world, glory to thee!

   - Troparion for Epiphany, Tone 1

Christ manifested Himself to the world; He filled it with light and joy; He sanctified the waters and diffused His light in the souls of men.

   - St. Proclus

As a bright ray of sun penetrates the darkness, enhancing the smallest details found within, so does the Holy Spirit, having descended upon people, disclose to them all the weakness and wretchedness of their soul. Enlightened by the Heavenly light, Christians can no longer boast about their good works, because they realize their soul needs healing and complete renewal. This realization makes them more humble, and they begin to repent and decide to live more carefully. They stop relying on themselves and ask God for guidance and help.

   - St. Innocent of Irkutsk, Indication of the Way Into the Kingdom of Heaven

Therefore silence, prayer, obedience; when you practice these virtues with the help of God, then you will know the light of Christ is within your soul.

   - Elder Ephraim of Philotheou Mount Athos, Counsels from the Holy Mountain

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