Update for the week Thursday, September 22 - Thursday, September 29, 2016
HAPPY FIRST DAY OF AUTUMN!
THIS WEEK AT ST. MARY'S
SUNDAY, 9/25 – Orthros 8:45 am, Divine Liturgy 10:00 am.; Church School lesson 2
+ Enquirers’ Class 9:00 am in the library (next door to Fr. Antony’s office). Enrollment will be open until October 16, and is for non-Orthodox adults who are interested in exploring the faith of the Holy Orthodox Church. Bob Kowalik will be teaching the group. If you would like to participate, please talk to Bob during coffee hour; or get in touch by phone 617-889-3436 or e-mail r.kowalik@comcast.net. For those seeking to be received into the Orthodox Church, participation in the group and Fr. Antony’s blessing are required
+ The Young Adult Ministry will go hiking at Walden Pond after Liturgy this Sunday.
THURSDAY, 9/29 - The Bible Study group will meet next Thursday, September 29, at 7:00 pm in the church library. For more information contact Marianna Sayeg (mksayeg@gmail.com) or Fr. Antony (frawhj@gmail.com). The meeting after this will be one week later, Thursday, October 6. New members are always welcome.
NEW ANNOUNCEMENTS
YOUTH MONTH – October is Youth Month in our Archdiocese. Throughout the month of October our teens will be taking an active role in the Liturgy by helping with communion, taking collections and reading the Epistle. To get involved, please see Jack Souweha or e-mail him at jack.souweha@schneider-electric.com.
FLOROVSKY LECTURE – Dr. Elizabeth Prodromou, Visiting Associate Professor of Conflict Resolution at the Fletcher School of International Affairs, Senior Fellow of the National Security and International Policy Center for American Progress, and Former Vice Chair and Commissioner of the US Commission on International Religious Freedom, will deliver the 2016 Annual Florovsky Lecture in conjunction with the meeting of the Orthodox Theological Society in America on Friday, September 30, at 7:30 pm, in the Main Auditorium of the Maliotis Center at Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology. Dr. Prodromou’s talk, entitled “Orthodox Geopolitics and Geopolitics and Orthodoxy at the Holy and Great Council: On Becoming a Global Church,” is free and open to the public. A reception will follow.
FALL DIOCESE MEETINGS - Fall Diocese Meeting for Women and Teens will be held on Saturday, October 1 at St. Michael's Church in Cotuit MA. There will be Morning Prayers at 10:00 and the meetings will begin at 10:30.
SPECIAL PARISH MEETING - There will be a special parish meeting on Sunday October 16, immediately following Liturgy to recommend to the voting members the implementation of certain new procedures.
RUSSIAN MUSIC CONCERT - LYRA, an a cappella ensemble from St. Petersburg Conservatory in Russia, will perform a Russian Vocal Music concert at St. John’s Church, 95 Deerfield Ave., Westwood, on Wednesday, October 19, at 7:00 pm. The concert will be both Orthodox sacred music and folk songs from Russia. A $15 donation is appreciated. For more information go to www.stjohnswestwood.org.
PARISH COUNCIL – The next meeting of the Parish Council will be on Wednesday, November 2, at 7:30 pm.
ANTIOCHIAN WOMEN 2017 PROJECT – The Antiochian Women of our Archdiocese have announced the theme of their 2017 Project: “Strengthening the Ministries of our Church.” The funds they raise this year will go to strengthen the following ministries in our Archdiocese: senior housing projects; founding missions; supporting seminarians; encouraging youth ministries; protecting the unborn; teaching the Faith; caring for the elderly and those in prisons, nursing homes and hospitals; helping to feed, house, and clothe the poor; and inspiring monastic vocations.
REMINDERS
ORTHODOX SPIRITUALITY WORKSHOP - On Saturday, October 1, St. Mary's will be hosting a workshop on Orthodox Spirituality entitled "Going Within (And What to Do Once You Get There)." Under the guidance of Fr. Antony we will be utilizing the skills of the psychiatrists, therapists, licensed clinical social workers and hospice chaplains who are members of our parish and who will facilitate small group discussions.
The mindfulness-based therapies our facilitators practice dovetail beautifully with Orthodox spirituality and it is our hope that those who attend the workshop will deepen both their understanding of and life of prayer. The two therapeutic modalities we will examine in the light of Orthodox Life are the Internal Family Systems Model and Mindful Self Compassion Therapy.
Due to demand the limit has been increased from 26 attendees to 40. There are approximately 6 spaces left. If you are interested, please let Fr. Antony know asap. The workshop will begin at 9:00 am on October 1 and end at 3:00 pm.
+ There will be a Great Vespers service on Saturday, October 1, at 5:00 pm
ST. VLADIMIR’S EDUCATION DAY - St. Vladimir’s Seminary Orthodox Education Day, “Celebrating Mary,” will be Saturday, October 1. The day opens with Divine Liturgy at 8:00 am. Scholar Dr. Mary B. Cunningham will present the keynote address. The day will be filled with church services, presentations, activities for children and a marketplace filled with international cuisine and Orthodox books and gifts. Admission is free. Visit www.svots.edu for more details.
BAKE SALE - The Women’s Club will hold a Charity Bake Sale on Sunday, October 2 immediately following Liturgy in the church hall. All proceeds will benefit the charitable projects we sponsor, from the YWCA Family Shelter in Cambridge to the Antiochian Women’s project. Call Marilyn Robbat @ 781-729-3033 or Violet Robbat @ 781-862-4388 or the Church Office at 617-547-1234 or email secretary@stmaryorthodoxchurch.org if you can help bake and/or donate.
NEW SKETE FALL RETREAT – You are invited to a retreat at New Skete Monastery on Saturday, October 8. The theme is Going Deeper on the Contemplative Journey: Tools for Transformation. You can sign up for the retreat at http://www.newskete.org/retreat.html If you would like to stay at the monastery for the weekend, contact either Br. Gregory (brgregory@newskete.org) for housing at the Emmaus House or Sr. Rebecca (srrebecca@newskete.org) for housing at the nuns’. (She is holding spots for the "Boston group from St. Mary’s” at the nuns for the time being; housing at Emmaus House is first come, first served.) Added benefit: The grounds of the monastery are incredibly beautiful in the fall - an opportunity to relax, reflect, and enjoy the beauty of God's creation.
HCHC OPEN HOUSE - Hellenic College Holy Cross is holding its Fall Open House on Saturday, October 15. Prospective undergraduates and graduate students are invited along with their parents for a half day of worship, learning and fellowship. For more information visit www.hchc.edu/openhouse.
AABA FUND RAISER – The American Arabic Benevolent Association will hold a fund raiser on Saturday, October 15, at 8:00 pm at Norwood High School. The event will be An Evening with Gina Dimia, General Seating is $25. For reservations contact David Franciosa 781-856-0974 or Darya Gamel at daryag@aabausa.org
THEOPHANY SCHOOL BENEFIT EVENING – Theophany School has helped shape the education of hundreds of children from the Boston area over nearly two decades. This year it will hold its 16th annual Benefit Evening, including Special Recognition of its Co-Founders, with cocktails, dinner, and a silent auction, on Saturday, October 15, at St. Demetrios Orthodox Church, Weston at 5:00pm. Tickets are $100. To learn more visit http://theophanyschool.org/news/events/16th-annual-benefit-evening
COME SEE THE MESSIAH – Join friends from St. Mary’s for the Handel and Haydn Society’s annual performance of Handel’s Messiah, on Sunday afternoon, November 27, at 3:00 p.m. Tickets are just $25 – even less if we have a big enough group. We will carpool to (or meet at) Symphony Hall after Liturgy and have lunch together at a nearby restaurant before the concert. Those who have done this before have thoroughly enjoyed it - not only do we hear a world-class orchestra and chorus with famous soloists singing glorious words (taken directly from the Bible), but we also have an opportunity to spend time getting to know some fellow parishioners we normally may not encounter. Good seats go fast - please contact Melissa Nassiff at mnassiff@gmail.com by Sunday, October 16 (in time to order group tickets), or order your own tickets online at http://www.handelandhaydn.org
SFEEHA SALE - The Women’s Club is offering for purchase freshly made Sfeeha (ground lamb-meat pizza pies with onion, pine nuts & seasonings). Everything is cooked with the finest of ingredients and ready to eat now or freeze for the holidays. (Note - this product contains pine nuts. No special orders accepted.) Please use the order form in the Sunday bulletin. Max 3 dozen per order. Order deadline is Sunday, October 16; baking is Saturday, October 22, (come and help us!); pickup date will be Sunday, October 23.
WOMEN’S CLUB – The next meeting of the Women’s Club will be Monday, October 17 at 7:30. All women of the parish are welcome to join them. The Women’s Club does charitable work both locally, nationally and internationally, and supports the Church School. Call Marilyn (781-729-3033) or the church office (617-547-1234) if you have any questions or want to be a part of this wonderful group of women.
+ The Women’s Club will be going out for a fun evening to the Cheesecake Factory in Chestnut Hill on Monday, October 24, at 7:00. Any woman interested in going with them, please call Marilyn (781-729-3033) or the church office (617-547-1234) for more information.
BAZAAR & FOOD FAIR - St. George Church will be having a Bazaar & Food Fair Friday-Sunday, October 21-23. Friday & Saturday 10am-9pm, Sunday 12pm-3pm. Address is 55 Emmonsdale Rd., West Roxbury. Admission is free. Middle Eastern cuisine, country store, crafts, kids’ corner and raffles.
COFFEE HOUR MADE EASY! - To make sponsoring a Coffee Hour a little bit easier, St. Mary’s is offering a delivery service through “Instacart,” for the basic foods necessary to host a Coffee hour. Simply select a date, mail a check to the office and we will order the food and have it delivered to the church on that Sunday between 9:00 and 10:00 am. You will need to be at the church to accept the order and you will be required to set up for the coffee hour and clean up both the kitchen and hall at the end of the coffee hour. Two menus will be offered. Menu one will include: bagels, mini muffins, fruit, hummus/Syrian bread, juice and coffee for $160. Menu two will include: bagels, juice and coffee for $70. Prices DO NOT include a 20% tip for delivery and are subject to change based on current market pricing of items. Cream cheese, peanut butter, jam and coffee creamer are included with each menu. As usual, St. Mary’s will provide the plates, cups, napkins, utensils, serving platters, and sweetener for coffee. If you are interested in taking advantage of this service and signing up for a coffee hour please contact the office at 617-547-1234 or e-mail secretary@stmaryorthodoxchurch.org.
+ In addition to the sign-up sheet, our contact Barbara in the church office and the Instacart option, we also have Linda Arnold serving as our volunteer Coffee Hour Coordinator. Her contact information is MMarmee52@aol.com and 978-270-0346. Please feel free to let her know of your interest and be open to hosting a coffee hour especially if you have not done so in the past. She will be happy to guide you through the process!
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:
Greeter: 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. To volunteer contact Buddy Mabardy at 781-729-6303 or e-mail: buddy@cjmabardy.com, or call the church office at 617-547-1234
Liturgical Service – Epistle: The Epistle is read each Sunday by a volunteer parishioner. To volunteer please contact Jeff Wasilko, jeffw@smoe.org
Liturgical Service – Procession: Church School children or parishioners carry the candles, icon, and bread baskets in the Great Procession. For information about this ministry contact Teva Regule at teva@mit.edu
Liturgical Service – Communion: Volunteers are needed every Sunday to hold the Communion cloths and the Holy Bread baskets during Communion. To volunteer please contact Jeff Wasilko, 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 contact Linda Arnold, our Coffee Hour volunteer coordinator at MMarmee52@aol.com or 978-270-0346, or Barbara Shoop in the Parish Office at secretary@stmaryorthodoxchurch.org or 617-547-1234.
Prison Ministry: For information about the Prison Ministry at St. Mary you can subscribe to our mailing list at http://groups.google.com/group/ocpm-concord. If you are interested in helping with this ministry, talk with Fr. Antony or Deacon Jeff. Another way to help is to donate Orthodox books, icon cards, and magazines (for security, please remove any personal mailing address) – Mitrophan Chin collects these to share with the inmates.
Hospitality Group: St. Mary's Donald D. Fiore Hospitality Group sponsors various events to welcome visitors and newcomers and to foster a spirit of fellowship and caring among all the people who worship here. To join us or to find out more, contact any of our officers: Julie Wasilko, Outgoing President julie31415pi@gmail.com, Diana Yousef, Vice President dymartinek@gmail.com, Michael Decerbo, Treasurer michaeldecerbo@gmail.com, Socrates Deligeorges, Head Chef dr.socrates@gmail.com
Choir: The St. Mary Church Choir is open to individuals interested in making a commitment to sing each Sunday at Divine Liturgy. Please feel free to join them and/or introduce yourself to the director, Michelle Mabardy, any Sunday after Liturgy.
Rides To Church For College Students: If you live near a college or university and are able to offer a ride to and from St. Mary Church for a student, or if you are a student in need of a ride, contact St. Mary’s Young Adult Ministry at 617-564-3344 or rides@stmaryorthodoxchurch.org to sign up or to learn more!
REFLECTION
“Joy is prayer; joy is strength: joy is love; joy is a net of love by which you can catch souls.”
“We ourselves feel that what we are doing is just a drop in the ocean. But the ocean would be less because of that missing drop.”
“In this life we cannot do great things. We can only do small things with great love.”
“It is not the magnitude of our actions but the amount of love that is put into them that matters.”
“If you judge people, you have no time to love them.”
“Spread love everywhere you go. Let no one ever come to you without leaving happier.”
“Everytime you smile at someone, it is an action of love, a gift to that person...”
“If you can't feed a hundred people, then feed just one.”
“Let us not be satisfied with just giving money. Money is not enough, money can be got, but they need your hearts to love them. So, spread your love everywhere you go.”
“Yesterday is gone. Tomorrow has not yet come. We have only today. Let us begin.”
- Mother Teresa, now St. Theresa of Calcutta