Weekly Newsletter for the week of Friday, September 28, 2007 through Thursday, October 4, 2007

Weekly Newsletter for the week

Friday, September 28, 2007 through Thursday, October 4, 2007

NEW ANNOUNCEMENTS

NO VOLUNTEERS = NO COFFEE! Please sign up to provide a coffee hour - it need not be more elaborate than coffee, juice, and cookies. The Sundays in October are spoken for, but many  Sundays in November and December are still available.    Signup sheets are on the bulletin board downstairs outside the coat room on the way into the Hall.

PARISH COUNCIL - The next meeting of the Parish Council will be Thursday, October 11, at 7:30, in the small hall next to the kitchen.

FOOTLAMPS - The first lecture in the Footlamps series this year will be held at St. George Church in West Roxbury (not at St. Mary's as announced earlier), on October 20.  Watch for further information.  Footlamps is sponsored by the  Diocesan Fellowship of St. John the Divine.

ORTHODOX INSTITUTE - The Archdiocesan Department of Christian Education is sponsoring its annual Orthodox Institute at the Antiochian Village , November 1 through 4. This year's theme is Orthodox Unity, and the keynote speaker will be The Very Rev. Fr. Peter Gillquist, Director of the Department of Missions and Evangelism.  There will be courses for teachers, church school directors, and those wanting to learn more about Orthodoxy. For more information see http://www.antiochian.org/node/16413

REMINDERS

INQUIRERS CLASS - The St. Ignatius Catechetical Group adult inquirer's class at St. Mary Church is for non-Orthodox persons who are interested in exploring the Orthodox Faith.  This group is for those who would like to be considered for reception into the Church, or for those who would like simply to learn more about our Faith.  We will explore the basic elements of Orthodox teaching and practice, through reading, talks, discussion, and question & answer.  The class, which began last week, meets from 9:00 until 10:00 a.m. on Sundays in the Library.  For more information please see the brochure available at the bengarri or contact David Vermette, phone: 617-776-5635 or e-mail dgvermette@sysmatrix.net.  It's not too late to join.

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

FAMILY CAMP - The Antiochian Village will be have a Family Camp on Friday through Monday, October 5-8, 2007 (Columbus Day Weekend). Family Camp is an opportunity for the whole family take a break from the stress and business of their daily lives, and enjoy time as a family at the Village in fellowship, worship, and fun.  For more information see http://www.antiochianvillage.org/camp.html

DIOCESAN FALL DELEGATES MEETING - Meetings for Antiochian Women, the Fellowship of St. John the Divine and Teen SOYO will be held Saturday, October 13, at St. George  Cathedral, Worcester.  Liturgy at 9 a.m. will be followed by light refreshments.  Meetings begin at 10:30 a.m.;  Luncheon at 12:30. Everyone is welcome to attend.

SFEEHA AND KIBBEH SALE - The Women's Club is offering for purchase freshly made Middle Eastern Sfeeha (ground lamb meat pies with onions, pine nuts & seasonings) and Kibbeh (ground lamb meat with burghul). Orders and checks must be received by Sunday,  October 14 for Kibbeh, and by October 21 for Sfeeha. See the order form in the Sunday Bulletin.

SOUP KITCHEN - Three or four St. Mary's volunteers are needed to help each week at the Open Doors Meal Ministry at Holy Resurrection Orthodox Church in Allston, Mondays any time between 4:00 p.m. and 7:30. Contact Liz Tutella at 617-974-5005 or ETutella@sovereignbank.com.          

INSIGHT

"But I say to you," the Lord says, "love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, pray for those who persecute you." Why did he command these things? So that he might free you from hatred, sadness, anger and grudges, and might grant you the greatest possession of all, perfect love, which is impossible to possess except by the one who loves all equally in imitation of God.

   - Maximus Confessor

Ever let mercy outweigh all else in you. Let our compassion be a mirror where we may see in ourselves that likeness and that true image which belong to the Divine nature and Divine essence. A heart hard and unmerciful will never be pure.

   - St. Isaac of Syria

The key to spiritual progress according to the greatest exemplars of ascesis is, therefore, evangelical love for one's enemies. That is first of all - something very simple, but very difficult - the refusal to judge, the refusal to assert oneself in despising or condemning others. Only such an attitude of mind brings detachment and peace. The rest is secondary.

   - Olivier Clément

Abba Zeno said, "If a man wants God to hear his prayer quickly, then before he prays for anything else, even his own soul, when he stands and stretches out his hands towards God, he must pray with all his heart for his enemies. Through this action God will hear everything that he asks."

   - The Sayings of the Desert Fathers, Translated by Benedicta Ward

If we do not have love we are deprived of everything...Nothing attracts God so much as mercy, philanthropy...Nothing enrages God so much as for us to be uncharitable.

   - Saint John Chrysostom

LITURGICAL SCHEDULE FOR THIS WEEK

Saturday, September 29:  NO Vespers at St. Mary

Sunday, September 30:  Orthros  8:45 a.m., Divine Liturgy 10 a.m.

SCRIPTURE READINGS for September 30:

Epistle:  St. Paul 's Second Letter to the Corinthians 9:6-11  ... he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.   Each one must do as he has made up his mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to provide you with every blessing in abundance, so that you may always have enough of everything and may provide in abundance for every good work. (The entire reading may be found at  http://www.goarch.org/en/chapel/lectionary.asp?type=epistle&code=335  )

Gospel: Luke 6:31-36  The Lord said, "And as you wish that men would do to you, do so to them. ... But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return  ...  Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful."

(The entire reading may be found at http://www.goarch.org/en/chapel/lectionary.asp?type=gospel&code=175&event=1066&DL=EN )

LOOKING AHEAD

Saturday, October 6: NO Vespers at St. Mary

Sunday, October 6:  No Church School

Sunday, October 7: Orthros  8:45 a.m., Divine Liturgy 10 a.m.

Saturday, October 13:  Great Vespers 5:00 p.m.

VOLUNTEER SCHEDULES

FOOD PANTRY

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

September 29: Sandra Kondratiuk and Bill Coyle

LITURGICAL SERVICE

The Epistle each Sunday is read by a member of the congregation, and six members of the congregation hold the cloth and Holy Bread baskets during Communion.  If you would like to help with these services,  please contact Jeff Wasilko at jeffw@smoe.org or 781-820-0882.

September 30:  Epistle - Walter Porr

Communion Assistance - Melissa Nassiff, Tatiana Kish, Larisa Patacchiola, Marc Patacchiola, David Vermette, Amelia Perkins

COFFEE HOUR

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 in the Office 617-547-1234 and she'll write your name in.

October 7:     Olga Hamwey 40 Days, given by her family

October 14:   Frank Hughes 40 Days, given by his family

October 21:  Christian Education Sunday - Lunch donated by Mabardy Family for Sobhy Mabardy's 40 Days

October 28:  Share-Our-Harvest Coffee Hour - Boyko Family assisting with Coffee Hour for Donna Boyko's 40 Days