Update for the week Friday, August 31, through Thursday, September 6, 2012
THIS WEEK
ST. THEKLA PILGRIMAGE – The annual pilgrimage to St. Thekla Convent at Antiochian Village will be held Friday through Sunday, September 21-23. Registration deadline: this Saturday, September 1.
VESPERS – There will be Great Vespers at St. Mary this Saturday, September 1, at 5:00 pm.
REGULAR HOURS RESUME – This Sunday, September 2, we return to our regular hours: Orthros 8:45 am; Divine Liturgy 10:00 am.
NO COFFEE HOUR – The Church Social Hall is currently being renovated, and the process may not be completed by this weekend. So this Sunday, September 2, there will be no coffee hour, and no access to the Hall.
EAGLE SCOUT INVITATION – Arlene and Charlie Marge would like to invite the parish to the Eagle Court of Honor for their son Thomas this Sunday, September 2, at 4:00 pm. The event will be held at St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, 17 Meriam St., in Lexington. A reception will follow in St. Irene’s Hall.
NEW ANNOUNCEMENTS
CHURCH SCHOOL TEACHERS NEEDED – We need teachers for the following three classes: Kindergarten, Grade 1-2 and Grade 4. Please consider sharing your many blessings by teaching our children the Faith. There are many materials to assist you. And substitutes can be arranged for those occasional Sundays during which you cannot attend. Contact Andrea Popa at maryandreapopa@gmail.com
ABBA SENIOR HOUSING - AABA (American Arabic Benevolent Association) encourages seniors who may want to live in either of their senior housing facilities to fill out an application now and get your name on the waiting list. If you are handicapped or 62 years or older, you qualify for Cheriton Grove, their present facility. If you are 62 years of age or older, you qualify for Cheriton Heights, their 70-unit senior housing facility under construction and ready for occupancy by June 2012. Call Cheriton Grove at 617-325-1939 and speak with Rita Ludington to schedule an appointment with her, or ask Rita to send you an application. Please see the letter duplicated in the Bulletin this Sunday.
REMINDERS
CHURCH SCHOOL – Registration for Church School for 2012-2013 will be next Sunday, September 9. Church School classes will begin Sunday, September 16.
WOMEN’S CLUB – The first meeting of the Women’s Club will be Tuesday, September 11 (note new date), at 7:30 in the kitchen
INTER-ORTHODOX YOUNG ADULT RETREAT – The Archdiocese Fellowship of St. John the Divine, in conjunction with Greek Orthodox Archdiocese Department of Youth and Young Adult Ministries, Hellenic College Holy Cross, the Theophany School, and the parish of St. George, invite you to their 2012 Inter-Orthodox Young Adult Retreat, Friday – Sunday September 14-16, at St. George Church, West Roxbury. Keynote Speaker will be His Grace Bishop Anthony, of the Antiochian Diocese of Toledo and the Midwest. The weekend will also include Sonia’s Run (see below). For information and registration see http://www.worcesterdiocese.net/organizations/fellowship/retreat or contact Brendan Ferguson at brendanferguson76@gmail.com. Brendan is the newly elected President of the FSJD of our Diocese.
SONIA’S RUN - The fourth annual 5k road race to benefit the Theophany School, in honor of beloved friend Sonia Belcher, will be held on Saturday, September 15. This family fun day includes a kids' 50m fun run at 8:30am with medals for all participants, bouncy house, cotton candy, balloon animals, cookout, raffles, and Prizes: cash prizes for top three male and female finishers overall, and medals for top three in each age category. See www.soniasrun.org for registration form and more information.
LITURGICAL MUSIC CONCERT - The Choir of St. Romanos the
Melodist of the Archdiocese of Beirut will be performing a concert of
Syro-Byzantine Liturgical Music on their Fall 2012 Tour of the USA from
September 10 – 24. The choir is led by the Priest Romanos Joubran, Dean
of St. George Cathedral in Beirut and instructor of Byzantine music and
has produced several professional recordings and performed throughout
Lebanon and Europe.
The first concert will be Wednesday, September 19 at St. George Cathedral, Worcester at 7:00 pm. Limited Tickets are available. Contact Cathedral Office (508) 752-9150
& reservations are not confirmed until payment is received. Cost:
$20/Adult; $10/College Students with a valid school ID; Children 12 and
under: Free. Refreshments to follow.
The second concert will be Friday, September 21 at St. George Church, West Roxbury at 7:30 pm. Admission: $10.00 at the door. Reception following.
This tour has been funded through the generosity of the Order of St.
Ignatius of Antioch, the charitable arm of the Antiochian Archdiocese of
North America.
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.
ENQUIRERS' CLASS - The St. Ignatius Catechetical Group - Enquirers’ Class will begin meeting on Sunday, September 23 at 9:00 am 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 at 617-889-3436 or e-mail r.kowalik@comcast.net. Brochures are available on the Rack behind Bengarri. For those seeking to be received into the Orthodox Church, participation in the group and Fr. Antony’s blessing are required.
“WELCOME BACK COLLEGE STUDENTS" BREAKFAST – After Liturgy on Sunday, September 23 (note new date), the Fellowship of St. John the Divine (FSJD) will host a special breakfast to welcome college students back to St. Mary, 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.
PASTORAL VISIT – Join us for the Pastoral Visit of His Grace, Bishop JOHN on Saturday and Sunday, September 29 & 30, 2012.
Saturday, September 29: Great Vespers at 5:00 pm, followed by Dinner with Bishop JOHN
in the Church Hall (a fund raiser to send our children to Antiochian
Village in July, 2013). Tickets for Adults: $45.00 per person includes
Dinner, Beer, Wine & entertainment by Fouad Hajjar. Children Under
18: $35 per person. NO TICKETS SOLD AT DOOR.
Sunday, September 30: Hierarchical Divine Liturgy at 10:00 am, followed by a Celebratory Coffee Hour.
For reservations contact Mary Winstanley O’Connor at 617-523-1010 moconnor@koilaw.com, or Diane Mabardi at 617-720-6100 diane@ggatravel.com Tables of 8 may be reserved in advance.
SEMINARIANS RECEPTION – The Antiochian Women of our Diocese invite you to a Reception honoring our Seminarians on Sunday, September 30, at St. George West Roxbury. Vespers will be at 4:00 pm, followed by the reception in the Church Hall. Hot & cold hors d’ouevres and dessert will be served. All are welcome.
ORTHODOX STUDY BIBLES FOR SALE - There are a few ORTHODOX STUDY BIBLES (Old and New Testaments) available for purchase at our cost of $25.00 (usually $50.00). Anyone interested in purchasing one should speak to Marilyn Robbat in the Church Office to reserve a copy. Checks should be made payable to St. Mary Orthodox Church.
MARRIAGE SEMINAR - The Deanery of Worcester & New England will offer a Seminar for Couples on Thursday (note change) and Saturday, October 4 & 6, at St. John of Damascus Church, 300 West St., Dedham, MA. The seminar is for those preparing for marriage and all those interested, and guest speaker will be His Grace, Bishop JOHN. Registration forms are available on the St. Mary church bulletin board; cost is $30/couple. Talks and sessions will include A Vision of Marriage; Betrothal – Commitment and Grace; Crown Them With Honor; For This Cause Shall a Man Leave Father & Mother – Family Dynamics; and You Just Don’t Understand – Man/Woman Communication and Culture
DANCING WITH THE AABA STARS – The American Arabic Benevolent Association invites you to “Dancing With the AABA Stars” on Friday, October 5
at Moseley’s-on-the-Charles, Dedham, MA at 7:30 pm. . Each parish
will have one contestant competing for their respective parish - our
parish will be represented by Erica (Bezreh) Dooley. Individual
Ticket: $50 per person includes Appetizer Buffet, Munchies at Tables,
Coffee & Dessert. Reservations ONLY – No tickets sold at door. For
tickets, tables reservations and Sponsor Forms, contact Shirley Bezreh
781-648-0685.
In addition to food vouchers and scholarships, AABA’s major project
is the funding and construction of federally subsidized elderly
housing. AABA has broken ground on another elderly subsidized facility
and is utilizing this fundraising project to assist in building the
building. Please consider sponsoring Erica. Sponsor forms can be found
on the Bengarri and given to Shirley Bezreh.
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 – 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.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
"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: Barbara Shoop
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: No coffee hour (hall renovation)
LITURGICAL SCHEDULE FOR THIS WEEK
Saturday, September 1: Beginning of the Ecclesiastical Year; Great Vespers 5:00 pm
Sunday, September 2: Regular hours begin: Orthros 8:45 am; Divine Liturgy 10:00 am
SCRIPTURE READINGS for Sunday, September 2:
Epistle: St. Paul's First Letter to the Corinthians 16:13-24
Be watchful, stand firm in your faith, be courageous, be strong. Let all
that you do be done in love … If anyone has no love for the Lord, let
him be accursed.
Gospel: Matthew 21:33-42
The Lord said this parable, "There was a householder who planted a
vineyard, … and let it out to tenants, and went into another country.
When the season of fruit drew near, he sent his servants to the tenants,
to get his fruit; and the tenants took his servants and beat one,
killed another, and stoned another. … Afterward he sent his son to them,
saying 'They will respect my son.' But when the tenants saw the son,
they said to themselves, 'This is the heir; come, let us kill him and
have his inheritance.'
LOOKING AHEAD
Friday, September 7: Evening Liturgy for Feast of the Nativity of the Holy Theotokos 6:30 pm
Sunday, September 9: Orthros 8:45 am; Divine Liturgy 10:00 am; Church School registration
Thursday, September 13: Evening Liturgy for the Feast of the Elevation of the Cross 6:30 pm
Sunday, September 16: Church School classes begin
Saturday, September 21: No Vespers at St. Mary
Sunday, September 23: St. Ignatius Catechetical Group (Enquirers’ Class) begins; “Welcome Back College Students" Breakfast
Saturday, September 29: Pastoral Visit of Bishop JOHN – Great Vespers 5:00 pm, followed by Dinner
Sunday, September 30: Pastoral Visit continues – Orthros 8:45 am; Hierarchical Divine Liturgy 10:00 am, followed by a Celebratory Coffee Hour.
REFLECTION
Man sentenced God to death; by His Resurrection, He sentenced man to
immortality. In return for a beating, He gives an embrace; for abuse, a
blessing; for death, immortality. Man never showed so much hate for God
as when he crucified Him, and God never showed more love for man than
when He arose. Man even wanted to reduce God to a mortal, but God by His
Resurrection made man immortal. The crucified God is Risen and has
killed death. Death is no more. Immortality has surrounded man and all
the worlds.
- St. Justin of Serbia
Christ’s Resurrection became life and healing from passions for those
who believe on Him, that they might live in God and bring forth the
fruits of truth.
- Venerable Abba Isaiah
Whoever bears fruit with works of faith and love, he is a real disciple of Christ.
- Saint John Chrysostom
As then it is His [God's] part to plant and to water, so it is yours to
bear fruit: it is God's to grant grace, but yours to receive and guard
it. Despise not the grace because it is freely given, but receive and
treasure it devoutly.
- St. Cyril of Jerusalem, Catechetical Lectures