Weekly Newsletter for the week Friday, July 24, through Thursday, July 30, 2009
THIS WEEKEND
ARCHDIOCESE CONVENTION - The national convention for the whole Antiochian Archdiocese is in session through July 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
The Parish Office is closed all this week.
FR. ANTONY IS AWAY - Father Antony will be gone for the next three weeks:
He is attending the Archdiocese Convention through July 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.
NEW ANNOUNCEMENTS
BIBLE BOWL RESULTS - Our winning Teen Bible Bowl team (Thomas Marge, Theo Smith, and Gabe Smith, coached by Violet Robbat) represented our Diocese in the Bible Bowl at the Archdiocese Convention. Charlie Marge, one of their chaperones, reports "We came in 3rd in a very close contest. Out of a possible 105 points, the top 3 were: St George, Little Falls, NJ with 96 points; St Elijah, Oklahoma City, OK, with 94; and St Mary, Cambridge, MA with 91 points. The other 4 teams weren't even close. Our teens were much younger than the others, who were all in high school. Their composure under such pressure was amazing. We are all very proud of how well they represented our parish and diocese in front all of our hierarchs. Many thanks to Violet Robbat for all the time she spent preparing our kids."
DORMITION FAST - The fast for the Dormition of the Theotokos begins Saturday, August 1, and continues through Friday, August 14.
DORMITION FEAST DAY - Saturday, August 15 is our Parish Feast Day: Dormition of the Theotokos. Join us as we celebrate the Vigil for the Dormition on Friday, August 14, with Vespers at 4:15 pm, Orthros with Lamentations at 5:30 pm; and Festal Divine Liturgy at 7:00 pm, followed by a Parish Dinner at 8:15 pm. Cost for the dinner is $5.00 for adults and students; children 12 and under are free. Please RSVP by Thursday, August 6 to the Church Office at 617-547-1234. Paid reservations are preferred - checks payable to St. Mary Church.
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. When no one volunteers there is no coffee.
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.
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.
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).
NEW SKETE FEAST DAY CELEBRATION- 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.
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.
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 25: Socrates Deligeorges, Lan Hu, and Christian Alcala
LITURGICAL SERVICE
July 26: Epistle: Bob Kowalik
COFFEE HOUR
July 26: No volunteers = no coffee hour
LITURGICAL SCHEDULE FOR THIS WEEK
Saturday, July 25: No Vespers at St. Mary (Archdiocese Convention)
Sunday, July 26: Summer hours - Orthros 8:15 am, Divine Liturgy 9:30 am
SCRIPTURE READINGS for July 26:
Epistle: St. Paul's Letter to the Galatians 3:23-29; 4:1-5 ... the law was our custodian until Christ came, that we might be justified by faith. But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a custodian; for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. But when the time had fully come, God sent forth his Son, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.
Gospel: Matthew 9:27-35 ... Jesus said to them, "Do you believe that I am able to do this?" They said to him, "Yes, Lord." Then he touched their eyes, saying, "According to your faith be it done to you." And their eyes were opened. ... And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every disease and every infirmity among the people.
LOOKING AHEAD
Saturday, August 1: No Vespers at St. Mary
Sunday, August 2: Summer hours - Orthros 8:15 am, Divine Liturgy 9:30 am
Thursday, August 6: Feast of the Transfiguration - No Services at St. Mary
Saturday, August 8: No Vespers at St. Mary
Friday, August 14: Vigil for the Dormition of the Theotokos - Vespers 4:15 pm, Orthros with Lamentations 5:30 pm, Festal Divine Liturgy 7:00 pm; Parish Dinner 8:15 pm
INSIGHT
The one who is perfect in love and has reached the summit of detachment knows no distinction between one's own and another's, between faithful and unfaithful, between slave and freeman, or indeed between male and female. But having risen above the tyranny of the passions and looking to the one nature of men he regards all equally and is equally disposed toward all. For in him there is neither Greek nor Jew, neither male nor female, neither slave nor freeman, but Christ is everything and in everything.
- Maximus the Confessor
[Jesus prayed] "that they may be one, as We are." In this perfect unity, not only the all-conquering power of the faithful but also the glory of God will be seen; yes, and God's very being. As the Father and the Son are one in essence, differing only in Person, so let it be among the faithful, many and varied in person, but essentially one in love, will and mind.
- St. (Bp.) Nikolai Velimirovic, Homilies
Thus, as has been said, the holy Church of God is an image of God because it realizes the same union of the faithful with God. As different as they are by language, places, and customs, they are made one by it through faith.
- St. Maximus the Confessor, Selected Writings (On the Church's Mystagogy)
It is true that God, in His unbounded mercy, often does good to men without their faith; but in seeking faith from men, God lays emphasis on the dignity of men as free and rational beings. How is man free and rational if he, on his part, is not ready to contribute to his own salvation? God seeks of men the least that it is possible to seek: faith in the living God, in His love for men and His constant readiness to give to man, and do for him, all that works towards his good.
- Bp. Nikolai Velimirovic, Homilies
Faith is taking the first step even when you don't see the whole staircase.
- Martin Luther King, Jr.