Update for the week Thursday, May 29, through Thursday, June 5, 2014
THIS WEEK
FASTING RESUMES – Fasting on Wednesday and Friday, suspended since Pascha, resumes after today (Thursday, May 29), the Feast of the Ascension.
PARISH LIFE CONFERENCE - This year's Parish Life Conference will be held at the Radisson Hotel Plymouth Harbor Thursday through Sunday, June 19-22, hosted by St. George Church of Boston. See www.stgeorgeofboston.org/plc2014 for more information.
Hotel reservations should be booked by this Saturday, May 31 (not Friday, May 16, as previously announced). After that date no rooms will be available, because of another function using the hotel that weekend. (Other hotels in the area may have vacancies.) Discounted rate is $139 per night; be sure to use Promotional Code PLC14.
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 Sunday, June 1, 2014.
BIBLE STUDY – The Bible Study originally scheduled for last Thursday, May 22, was postponed. Plan to join us next Thursday, June 5 at 7:00 pm in the church library as we begin our study of Exodus. Listen to the podcasts at http://orthodoxbiblestudy.info/introduction-to-exodus/ and http://orthodoxbiblestudy.info/exodus-part-2/ . 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
ROOM NEEDED – A young woman from Romania is looking for a room to live in during the month of June while she tries to find a job in the area. If you have a room she could use, or know of one, please contact Ana at mynedelcu@yahoo.com, or call 617-806-6008.
WORSHIP AT PARISH LIFE CONFERENCE – No services will be held at St. Mary during the Parish Life Conference, Thursday through Sunday, June 19-22. Join us at the Radisson Hotel Plymouth Harbor, 180 Water St., Plymouth, MA 02360 for Vespers at 5:00 pm Thursday, Friday and Saturday; Matins at 9:00 am Friday and Saturday; and Hierarchical Divine Liturgy at 10:00 am Sunday.
CHOIR AT PARISH LIFE CONFERENCE– Choir members, please sing with our Diocese of New England Choir at this year’s Parish Life Conference at the Radisson in Plymouth. The schedule of rehearsals is as follows: Wednesday, June 4, 7:30pm, at St. John’s, Dedham; Monday, June 16, 7:30pm, at St. George’s, W. Roxbury; Rehearsal at PLC Saturday, June 21, 4 -5 pm in the Chapel. Hierarchical Divine Liturgy is Sunday, June 22, 10:00 am in the Chapel. Questions? See or contact Charlie Marge: marge@alum.mit.edu.
RECOMMENDED NEW BOOK – Frank Schaeffer has written a new book, entitled Why I Am An Atheist Who Believes In God: How to Create Beauty, Give Love and Find Peace. Fr. Antony says this about it: “The title is provocative, of course, but refers to the Orthodox insistence on the primary place of the apophatic approach in speaking about God and to Frank's honest struggle to find an authentic, world-embracing faith that makes sense. Highly recommended.
COFFEE HOUR – Volunteers are needed for several Sundays in June, July and August. Signup sheet is on the bulletin board in the downstairs hall. When no one volunteers we have no coffee hour!
REMINDERS
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 or lawn chairs, 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).
HIS EMINENCE METROPOLITAN KALLISTOS WARE TO SPEAK – Metropolitan Kallistos will be the keynote speaker at the Divine Compassion Conference to be held at Holy Cross Hellenic College on Friday, June 20, 2014 at 7:00 pm. This conference seeks to cultivate a deeper theological appreciation regarding ways Divine Compassion, the eleos of God, affects the participation of women and men in the life of the Church today. The title of His Eminence's address will be "Divine Compassion and the Ministry of Women." For tickets and event details see https://divinecompassionwomenofthechurch.eventbrite.com
PARISH COUNCIL – The next meeting of the Parish Council is scheduled for Wednesday, June 25.
DIOCESAN ORATORICAL FESTIVAL – The Diocese of Worcester and New England is looking for teens ages 13-19 to participate in the Oratorical Festival. Prepare an oration about loving God and your neighbor. Participants will present at the Parish Life Conference in Plymouth in June. Contact Marianna Sayeg ASAP at mksayeg@gmail.com if you are interested.
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 which will be sponsored by St. Mary's. 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 PROVIDE A WARM WELCOME – Two things we do every week to welcome visitors and newcomers, and to strengthen the bonds of fellowship with all who worship at St. Mary, are: 1.) Greet everyone who enters the church, and 2.) Provide coffee hour after Liturgy. We need more help with both of these ministries. To become a greeter please contact Buddy Mabardy at 781-729-6303 or email at Buddy@cjmabardy.com ; to provide a coffee hour please sign up on the sheet downstairs on the bulletin board or contact Barbara in the office at 617-547-1234 or secretary@stmaryorthodoxchurch.org .
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/
THIS WEEKEND'S VOLUNTEERS
Greeter: Azeb Mitiku
Coffee Hour: No coffee hour (no one volunteered)
LITURGICAL SCHEDULE FOR THIS WEEK
Saturday, May 31: Great Vespers 5:00 pm
Sunday, June 1: Orthros 8:45 am, Divine Liturgy 10:00 am
Scripture Readings for Sunday, June 1:
Epistle: Acts of the Apostles 20:16-18, 28-36
Paul had decided to sail past Ephesus, so that he might not have to spend time in Asia; for he was hastening to be at Jerusalem, if possible, on the day of Pentecost. ... “And now I commend you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified. ... In all things I have shown you that by so toiling one must help the weak, remembering the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, 'it is more blessed to give than to receive.' "
Gospel: John 17:1-13
Jesus lifted up his eyes to heaven and said, "Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son that the Son may glorify you, since you have given him power over all flesh, to give eternal life to all whom you have given him. And this is eternal life, that they know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. ... Holy Father, keep them in your name, which you have given me, that they may be one, even as we are one.”
LOOKING AHEAD
Saturday, June 7: Great Vespers 5:00 pm
Sunday, June 8, Sunday of Pentecost: Orthros 8:45 am, Divine Liturgy 10:00 am, followed by Kneeling Vespers; St. Mary’s Pentecost Potluck Picnic after Liturgy
Saturday, June 14: Great Vespers 5:00 pm
Sunday, June 15, Sunday of Pentecost: Orthros 8:45 am, Divine Liturgy 10:00 am
Thursday-Sunday, June 19-22: Parish Life Conference, Plymouth, MA – St. Mary Church and office will be closed; all services will be held at Radisson Hotel, Plymouth, MA.
REFLECTION
The Son of God, who in His compassion became man, died so far as His body was concerned when His soul was separated from His body; but this body was not separated from His divinity, and so He raised up His body once more and took it with Him to heaven in glory. Similarly, when those who have lived here in a godly manner are separated from their bodies, they are not separated from God, and in the resurrection they will take their bodies with them to God, and in their bodies they will enter with inexpressible joy there where Jesus has preceded us (cf. Heb. 6:20) and in their bodies they will enjoy the glory that will be revealed in Christ (cf. 1 Pet. 5:1). Indeed, they will share not only in resurrection, but also in the Lord's ascension and in all divine life.
- St. Gregory Palamas
When you fulfilled the dispensation for our sake and united earth to heaven, you ascended in glory, O Christ our God, in no way parted from those who love you but remaining with them and crying: I am with you and no one will be against you.
- Kontakion of Ascension, Tone 6
[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
For the cementing of our unity cannot be firm unless we be bound by the bond of love into an inseparable solidity, because "as in one body we have many members, but all the members have not the same office; so we being many are one body in Christ, and all of us members one of another. " The connection of the whole body makes all alike healthy, all alike beautiful; and this connection requires the unanimity indeed of the whole body.
- St. Leo the Great, Letters
It will be shown that God's holy Church, an image conforming to its Archetype, does God's work in us. The men, women, and children coming into the Church, reborn and recreated by her in the Spirit, are just about infinite in number. They are very different from each other in race and appearance; they are of all languages, life styles, and ages; there are great differences in their mentalities, customs, and interests, their social station, their skills and their professions; their fortunes, their characters and their abilities are all very different; but the Church confers one and the same divine character and title equally on all: that they be, and be called, Christians. The Church bestows unity in that simple, indivisible relationship which comes from faith, and does not allow the many untold differences to stand out, even though they exist in every one.
- St. Maximus the Confessor, The Mystagogia