Update for the week Thursday, May 1, through Thursday, May 8, 2014
THIS WEEK AT ST. MARY
TEEN SOYO OUTING – The Teens will be going to “Sky Zone” indoor trampoline park, after Church this Sunday, May 4. All teens are invited. If you would like to participate please contact Greg Hakim greghakim@gmail.com or Hannah Hakim hoakley18@gmail.com.
CHURCHING AND MEMORIALS - Theodore Erick Straghalis, the Son of Erick and Elizabeth will be churched during Liturgy this Sunday, May 4, and after Liturgy, Trisagion prayers of Mercy will be offered for His Eminence Metropolitan PHILIP (40 Days), Charles Robbat (40 Days) and all those departed in April.
NATIONAL CONVENTION PREPARATION – Note change: Mary Winstanley O’Connor’s and Ray Sayeg’s committees will NOT meet this Wednesday, May 7, as previously announced.
BIBLE STUDY – Join us next Thursday, May 8 at 7:00 pm in the church library as we conclude our study of Genesis. Listen to the podcasts at http://orthodoxbiblestudy.info/genesis-joseph-part-2/ and http://orthodoxbiblestudy.info/genesis-conclusion/. The Bible Study at St. Mary, sponsored by the Fellowship of St. John the Divine, meets every other Thursday, and is based on a series of talks originally broadcast on Ancient Faith Radio, entitled Search the Scriptures. For more information contact Marianna Sayeg (mksayeg@gmail.com) or Fr. Antony (frawhj@gmail.com ). New members are always welcome.
NEW ANNOUNCEMENTS
WOMEN'S CLUB DINNER - The Women’s Club will be going out to dinner on Tuesday, May 20 at 7:00 pm to close the year. Location has not been determined at this time. Everyone is welcome - any woman interested in going out, please call Mary Ellen Mabardy (781-729-6303) or the church office (617-547-1234) for more information. Think about joining the women’s club next year! We meet only once a month (usually not in the winter), and we would love to have you with us!
PARISH COUNCIL - The next Parish Council meeting has been scheduled for Wednesday, May 21,, at 7:30 pm at the church.
BLESSING OF GRAVES – On Memorial Day, Monday, May 26, Fr. Antony will be blessing graves at Fairview Cemetery in Hyde Park, MA. starting at 9:00 am. If you would like him to bless the graves of loved ones in other cemeteries, please let him know by calling the Church Office at 617-547-1234 or e-mail frawhj@gmail.com
ST. MARY’S PENTECOST POTLUCK PICNIC – Come join FSJD as we’ll be gathering at nearby Dana Park (10-20 McTernan St, Cambridge) after church on Sunday, June 8 (rain date June 15). Bring a blanket, some eats or drinks to share, balls, frisbees, even bathing suits if you want to splash in the sprinklers! Dana Park is a 5-10 min walk south of the Church, with an enclosed playground, hoops, water spouts, and beautiful green space. This is a great opportunity to relax and spend time with our church family. If you would like to help us out, please email Diana Yousef (yousefd@post.harvard.edu).
REMINDERS
NO FASTING – Fasting is not required, not only during Bright Week, but for the entire forty days until the Feast of the Ascension, May 29. (This is the decision of the Holy Synod of the Church of Antioch.) This cessation of fasting, however, is purely voluntary; you may fast if you wish.
THEOPHANY SCHOOL BENEFIT & AUCTION – You are invited to “Growing Together,” the 14th Annual Benefit and Auction for Theophany School, to be held at St. George Orthodox Church, West Roxbury, on Saturday, May 10. Dinner and live music by Mitchell Kaltsunas. RSVP by Thursday, May 1. For more information visit their website, www.TheophanySchool.org.
AABA ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION – You are invited to the American Arabic Benevolent Association's 40th Anniversary Celebration on Saturday, May 17, from noon to 4:00 pm., at AABA Village, Cheriton Rd., West Roxbury. BBQ and DJ. Admission is FREE. Please call 617-323-2722 by May 12 to reserve a spot.
CHURCH SCHOOL GRADUATION – Please plan to join us on Sunday, May 18 as we close the 2013-2014 Church School year. All Church School children who attended Church School for at least 50% of the School year will be recognized as they move up to the next grade or graduate. The recognition ceremony will be followed by a Luncheon in the church hall to thank the Teachers and honor the Students for their weekly attendance. Suggested Donation: $5.00 for Adults, Children Free.
JOIN DROPBOX AND HELP OUT ST. MARY'S – Help St. Mary Cambridge's Online Video Ministry by signing up for Dropbox using the following link: https://db.tt/6EVs2OBe ! Each new referral gives both you and the parish an extra 500 MB of free online storage!
NATIONAL CONVENTION OPPORTUNITIES – Letters have been mailed to all parishioners outlining the many opportunities for you to contribute to the 2015 Antiochian Archdiocesan National Convention. Please consider participating: volunteer your time and talent and/or financially support the event by sponsoring one of the many activities or placing an ad in the souvenir journal/ad book. Please complete the Volunteer Sign-up Sheet that was mailed to you and return it to Shirley Bezreh at the Bengarri/Narthex. Extra Sign-up Sheets are available on the table outside the hall.
HELP FOR THE TRAUMANN-DAVIS FAMILY – Anyone who would like to help Elisabeth Traumann (wife of Seraphim Davis and mother of Isis, Thais and Tycho Traumann-Davis) with meals, transportation, etc. may visit the family's Lotsa Helping Hands community at: https://www.lotsahelpinghands.com/c/713408/ If delivering a meal to Somerville would be difficult, you can bring it to Seraphim (or in his absence, to Natasha Smith) at the church on Sunday mornings, as long as you coordinate with them ahead of time. For updates on Elisabeth’s condition, just friend Elisabeth on Facebook and then check this Facebook site: https://www.facebook.com/groups/197726897092134/
SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE:
Antiochian Women’s Scholarship: Scholarships are available to females 25 years of age and older in good standing of the Antiochian Archdiocese, actively involved in their parish and who demonstrate need. The application deadline is Sunday, June 1, 2014. Applications are available in the Church Office. E-mail cindy@cnyhondas.com with any questions.
Nicholas G. Beram Scholastic Achievement Award - applications are available for high school seniors of our Arab American Community planning to attend a 4 year college full time. Applications are available in the Church office or on-line at www.stjohn.org/ngberam. Application deadline is June 1, 2014.
THIS WEEKEND'S VOLUNTEERS
Greeter: Ray Sayeg
Liturgical Service: Candle Bearers: Robel Mahari & Rahel Mahari, Icon Bearer: Matthew Keamy, Bread Baskets: Joseph Keamy & Ava Keamy, Bells: All are welcome to ring, Adult Supervisor: Doreen Bargoot;
Epistle: Stephani Colby; Communion Cloth and Bread: Michelle Chin and others
Coffee Hour: Fr. Antony, Khourieh Carol & Mary Winstanley O’Connor
LITURGICAL SCHEDULE FOR THIS WEEK
Saturday, May 3: Great Vespers 5:00 pm
Sunday, May 4: Orthros 8:45 am, Divine Liturgy 10:00 am; Church School Creative Arts preparation
Scripture Readings for Sunday, April 27, Sunday of the Myrrh-Bearing Women:
Epistle: Acts of the Apostles 6:1-7
.... the twelve summoned the body of the disciples and said, "it is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables. Therefore, brethren, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may appoint to this duty. But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word." And what they said pleased the whole multitude, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit ... And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were obedient to the faith.
Gospel: Mark 15:43-16:8
… when the sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, bought spices, so that they might go and anoint him. And very early on the first day of the week they went to the tomb when the sun had risen. And they were saying to one another, "Who will roll away the stone for us from the door of the tomb?" And looking up, they saw that the stone was rolled back; for it was very large. And entering the tomb, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, dressed in a white robe; and they were amazed. And he said to them, "Do not be amazed; you seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has risen, he is not here; see the place where they laid him."
Thursday, May 8: Bible Study 7:00 pm
LOOKING AHEAD
Saturday, May 10: Great Vespers 5:00 pm
Sunday, May 11: Orthros 8:45 am, Divine Liturgy 10:00 am; Church School Creative Arts preparation
Saturday, May 17: NO Vespers at St. Mary
Sunday, May 18: Orthros 8:45 am, Divine Liturgy 10:00 am; Church School Closing/Graduation with Luncheon following Liturgy
Thursday, May 22: Bible Study
Monday, May 26, Memorial Day: Blessing of Graves at Fairview Cemetery 9:00 am.
Sunday, June 8: St. Mary’s Pentecost Potluck Picnic
Thursday-Sunday, June 19-22: Parish Life Conference, Plymouth, MA
REFLECTION
Of old, before the divine sojourn of the Savior, all used to weep for those dying as if they were perishing. But since the Savior's raising of the body, no longer is death fearsome, but all believers in Christ tread on it as if nothing, and would rather choose to die than deny their faith in Christ. For they really know that when they die they are not destroyed, but both live and become incorruptible through the resurrection.
- St. Athanasius the Great
The prison with Thee is no prison, for in Thee man goes up unto Heaven; the grave with Thee is no grave, for Thou art the Resurrection!
- St. Ephraim the Syrian
For just as the light when it sets in the evening is not lost, so man also is given over to the grave as if setting; yet he is preserved for the dawn of the resurrection.
- St. John Chrysostom
I have observed that you are settled in an immoveable faith, as if you were nailed to the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ both in the flesh and in the spirit; and are confirmed in love through the blood of Christ, being fully persuaded of those things which relate unto our Lord - who truly was of the race of David according to the flesh, but the Son of God according to the will and power of God, truly born of the Virgin and baptized of John, so that all righteousness might be fulfilled by him. He was also truly crucified by Pontius Pilate and Herod the Tetrarch, being nailed for us in the flesh, so that we are the fruits of his most blessed passion - that he might set up a token for all ages through his resurrection to all his holy and faithful servants, whether they be Jews or Gentiles, in one body of his church.
- St. Ignatius of Antioch
Many indeed are the wondrous happenings of that time: God hanging from a Cross, the sun made dark, and again flaming out; for it was fitting that creation should mourn with its Creator. The Temple veil rent, blood and water flowing from His side: the one as from a man, the other as from What was above man; the earth was shaken, the rocks shattered because of the Rock; the dead risen to bear witness of the final and universal resurrection of the dead. The happenings at the Sepulchre, and after the Sepulchre, who can fittingly recount them? Yet not one of them can be compared to the miracle of my salvation. A few drops of Blood renew the whole world, and do for all men what the rennet does for milk: joining us and binding us together.
- St. Gregory the Theologian