Update for the week Friday, July 20, through Thursday, July 26, 2012
THIS WEEKEND
FR. ANTONY AWAY – Fr. Antony is attending the 17th Biennial Clergy Symposium through Friday, July 20, at the Antiochian Village Heritage and Learning Center.
In case of emergency during his absence, please contact Dino Takles, Vice President of the Parish Council, at 617-650-2417 (cell).
PARISH OFFICE TO BE CLOSED – The Summer Meetings of the Antiochian Women, Fellowship of St. John the Divine, and Teen SOYO will be held this weekend, Friday through Sunday, July 20-22, at Antiochian Village Heritage and Learning Center.
Note: St. Mary Church office is closed Thursday through Sunday, July 19-22, for these meetings.
BEST WISHES TO OUR BIBLE BOWL TEAM – St. Mary’s Bible Bowl team, consisting of Alex Dalton, Anthony Marge, and Theo Smith, and coached by Violet Robbat, won the Bible Bowl at the Parish Life Conference last month. Now they are representing the Diocese of Worcester and New England at the North American Bible Bowl Competition at Antiochian Village at the Summer Meetings this weekend, July 20-22, 2012.
NO VESPERS – There will be no Vespers this Saturday, July 21.
SUMMER HOURS – EverySunday during July and August,Orthros begins at 8:15 am, and Divine Liturgy at 9:30 am.
NEW ANNOUNCEMENTS
VIGIL FOR THE DORMITION – There will be a Vigil for the Dormition of the Theotokos (our Patronal Feast) on Tuesday, August 14, the eve of the Feast. Vespers at 4:15 pm; Orthros with Lamentations 5:30 p.pm; Festal Divine Liturgy 7:00 pm; followed by a reception offered by Charles Arbeely.
REMINDERS
SUMMER GREETERS NEEDED – Volunteers are needed for most Sundays in July and August, plus September 2 (Labor Day Weekend). Please contact Buddy Mabardy at 781-729-6303 or e-mail: buddy@cjmabardy.com. Summer Hours: Orthros: 8:15 am & Liturgy: 9:30 am. Summer might be a GREAT time for you to start participating in this Ministry!
COFFEE HOUR VOLUNTEERS NEEDED– Volunteering always falls off this time of year, but the need for fellowship and hospitality stays strong. Please sign up to sponsor a coffee hour, individually or with friends. It can be as simple as coffee, juice, and cookies, and plenty of help is available. Signup sheets are on the bulletin board downstairs outside the Hall.
ANTIOCHIAN VILLAGE CAMP – A big “Thank you” to the organizers and benefactors of St. Mary’s Antiochian Village Camp Scholarship fundraiser. The fundraiser is enabling eighteen of St. Mary's kids to attend with generous partial scholarships. You can view photos for Session 3, July 15 – 27, 2012, (when our kids attend) at http://www.antiochianvillage.org/camp/memories. The photos will be updated daily from July 15-27. The spiritual growth they experience at The Village returns with them to St. Mary's each fall.
NEW SKETE PILGRIMAGE–The Monastic Communities of New Skete Monastery in Cambridge, New York (www.newskete.org), invite you to their Annual Summer Festival on Saturday, August 11, 2012, between 8:30am - 6:00pm. The day will include Church Services, Church Tours, Food Court, Photo Exhibit, Gardens, Children's Activities, Gift Shops, Guided Hike, and a Healing Service with Anointing. This year’s guest speaker will be Dr. Kyriaki Karidoyanes Fitzgerald, Theologian and Psychologist, whose theme will be Persons in Communion: A Theology of Authentic Relationships. Information and Registration: http://content.yudu.com/Library/A1x7fv/NewSketeAnnualPilgri/resources/index.htm?referrerUrl=http%3A%2F%2Ffree.yudu.com%2Fitem%2Fdetails%2F540613%2FNew-Skete-Annual-Pilgrimage-Program---2012For housing arrangements and more information contact Teva Regule, teva@mit.edu no later than July 29.
DORMITION FAST – The Dormition of the Most Holy Theotokos, August 15, is our Patronal feast day. The Dormition fast begins on Wednesday, August 1, and continues through Tuesday, August 14, the eve of the Feast. There will be a Paraclesis Service at 6:30 pm on the Wednesday evenings during the fast, August 1 and August 8.
BAPTISM INVITATION – Nelson Mitrophan and Michelle Chin cordially invite the parish to the Holy Baptism and Chrismation of their daughter, Mariah Elisabetta, at St Mary’s Orthodox Church on Sunday August 5, 2012 at 2:00 pm, followed by a Chinese reception in the church hall. Please RSVP with number of attendees by August 3 to javachip23@hotmail.com
VACATION CHURCH SCHOOL 2012– St. Mary Church, 535 Salisbury St., Worcester, will offer Vacation Church School for Grades K – 7, Tuesday through Friday, August 14 – 17. Theme: Our God-Bearing Fathers. Registration: $40 per child (includes ticket for Tornadoes Picnic & Game); Adult Ticket: $25. For more information, contact Greg Abdulah 724-518-6811; abdulah.g@gmail.com
VACATION CHURCH SCHOOL 2012– St. George Church, West Roxbury will offer Vacation Church School, Tuesday through Friday, August 21 – 24, for Pre-School (at least 3 yrs. old AND potty trained) through 4th Grade. Theme: Heroes of the Bible. There will be lessons, crafts, playtime, singing and fun! Snack provided each morning. Registration Donation: $15/1 child; $20/2 children; $25/3 children. Volunteers are needed. Contact Elisabeth: Elisabeth@stgeorgeofboston.org or call 617-323-0323.
ARCHDIOCESE SCHOLARSHIPS – In order to download scholarship applications and information available through our Archdiocese, log on to http://www.antiochian.org/scholarships(note corrected link).
CONFERENCE THANKS AND PHOTOS– The Parish Life Conference in Ogunquit was a tremendous success. The PLC Committee in Norwood is so grateful to everyone who traveled to Maine, participated in the events and ate lobster. To Bishop John, to those who made the fine services so beautiful and prayerful, to the Archdiocese Trustees, Clergy, Parish and Diocesan leaders, to those who attended meetings and workshops, to the participants in the Bible Bowl and Oratorical, to the students in the Creative Arts Festival, to everyone who shared their talents, our very generous sponsors, and all of you…A job well done, God Bless. Enjoy the photos at https://www.dropbox.com/sh/4hi2aackz154gtw/TN3PpUQb8M, or check out the slide show at www.stgeorgenorwood.org.
MEN’S WEEKEND – There will be an Orthodox Men's Get-Away Weekend September 21-23, 2012, at The Saint Methodios Faith and Heritage Center - 329 Camp Merrimac Road Contoocook, NH 03229 (www.boston.goarch.org/faith_heritage_center.html), sponsored by St. Stephen's Orthodox Church (www.stsoc.org). Guest Speakers will be Fr. Michael Keiser and Fr. Kenneth DeVoie, both of the Department of Missions & Evangelism for the Antiochian Orthodox Archdiocese of North America, and others TBA. Cost: $189.00 (2 night stay, all meals, snacks and use of recreational facilities). For more information see the brochure at https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&ik=c173523fb2&view=att&th=138145dad9b77f31&attid=0.1&disp=safe&zw or contact Jeff St. Jean at jeffstjean11@verizon.net.
REGULAR REMINDERS
COFFEE HOUR SIGNUP – A signup sheet for coffee hours is
posted on the bulletin board outside the coat room. There are plenty
of dates to choose from after Pascha – sign up now for the date you will sponsor the coffee hour!
DONATE VIA eGIVE– Did you know that you can make your donations to St. Mary through eGive, and have no more envelopes or checks to worry about? If you have not yet set up an account, you can do it at www.egive-usa.com, or contact Charlie Marge (marge@alum.mit.edu) for help. The Recipient Organization is “St. Mary’s Orthodox Church.”
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.
VIDEO STREAMING FOR EVENTS – Now you can video stream your wedding or baptism live from St. Mary’s to friends and family who can't attend your event in person. The cost for Event Video Streaming is $150 for members, $300 for non-members, and includes a password- protected viewing page and setup and breakdown of the streaming service for your event by a trained staff member. You can also get a copy of your streamed event on CD: $50 for members, $100 for non-members. Fees are payable to the church. Streaming is subject to staff availability. For general questions on the video streaming ministry or event streaming, please contact live@stmaryorthodoxchurch.org. To schedule your event and/or request Event Video Streaming, please contact the Church Office.
PROTECT YOUR VALUABLES – Please do not leave valuables unattended in the Church Hall or Coat Room.
FIRST IN, LAST OUT – Please do not park in the small lot behind the church unless you intend to stay through the end of coffee hour. The only way out is the single lane driveway. Please pull all the way in to the parking space, and please do not block the driveway – if the lot is full, you can park on the street.
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 - The Parish Council is continuing the
Greeter Program, similar to other churches, to greet and aid
parishioners, guests and visitors into the Church each Sunday. As a
Greeter, you will welcome people into the Church and help to direct
visitors upstairs to the Liturgy, as well as keeping an eye on the
Vestibule, hallways and entrance ways during church, arriving at Church
at 9:45 am. Greeting time ends when Communion starts. We need
volunteers. If you would like to be a Greeter, a Sign-Up Sheet is
posted on the Church Bulletin Board. If you have any questions, please
contact Buddy by e-mail buddy@cjmabardy.comor call him at 781-729-6303. “I was a stranger, and you invited me in………” (Matthew 25:35)
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 and six people to hold cloths and baskets. 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 Bulletin), or ask Marilyn at secretary@stmaryorthodoxchurch.orgor 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
"As you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me," says our Lord.
THIS SUNDAY'S VOLUNTEERS
GREETER: If you would like to be a Greeter, please contact Buddy Mabardy at 781-729-6303or buddy@cjmabardy.com.
LITURGICAL SERVICE: If you would like to read the Epistle or assist during Communion, please contact Jeff Wasilko, 781-820-0882, jeffw@smoe.org.
COFFEE HOUR: Ascalu Teare
LITURGICAL SCHEDULE FOR THIS WEEK
Saturday, July 21: No Vespers at St. Mary
Sunday, July 22: Orthros 8:15 am, Divine Liturgy 9:30 am (Summer Hours)
SCRIPTURE READINGSfor Sunday, July 22:
Epistle: St. Paul's Letter to Romans 15:1-7
Brethren, we who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak,
and not to please ourselves; let each of us please his neighbor for his
good, to edify him. … May the God of steadfastness and encouragement
grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with
Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and
Father of your Lord Jesus Christ.
Gospel: Matthew 9:27-35
… When he entered the house, the blind men came to him; and 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, July 28: Great Vespers 5:00 pm
Sunday, July 29: Orthros 8:15 am, Divine Liturgy 9:30 am (Summer Hours)
Wednesday, August 1: Dormition Fast begins
INSIGHT
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 without works and works without Faith will both alike be
condemned, for he who has Faith must offer to the Lord the Faith which
shows itself in actions. Our father Abraham would not have been counted
righteous because of his Faith had he not offered its fruit, his son
(James 2:21, Romans 4:3). He who loves God both believes truly and
performs the works of Faith reverently. But he who only believes and
does not love, lacks even the Faith he thinks he has; for he believes
merely with a certain superficiality of intellect and is not energized
by the full force of love's glory. The chief part of virtue, then, is
Faith energized by love (Galatians 5:6).
- St. Diadochos of Photiki,On Spiritual Knowledge and Discrimination
If a man thinks kindly of his brother, deeming that the Lord loves him –
and especially if he believes that the Holy Spirit dwells in his soul –
that man is near to the love of God.
- St. Silouan the Athonite
And when your enemy falls into your hands, do not consider how you can
pay him back and let him feel the sharp edge of your tongue before
sending him packing; consider rather how you can heal him and restore
him to a better frame of mind. Continue to make every effort by both
word and deed until your gentleness has overcome his aggressiveness.
Nothing has more power than gentleness. As someone has said, ‘A soft
word will break bones.’ And what is harder than bone? Well then, even if
someone is as hard and inflexible as that, he will be conquered if you
treat him gently. There is another saying, ‘A soft answer turns away
wrath.’ It is obvious therefore that whether your enemy continues to
rage or whether he is reconciled depends much more on you than on him.
For it rests with us, not with those who are angry, either to destroy
their anger or to inflame it.
- St. John Chrysostom