Update for the week Thursday, August 23 - Wednesday, August 29, 2018

Note: Work has begun on replacing the water main on Inman St. from Mass. Ave. to Harvard St. The City has assured us that we will be able to access the church at all times. However traffic patterns and parking on Inman St. will be altered and expect heavier traffic in the area. They plan to work on the weekends and nights to get the job completed. Expect this situation to last a few weeks.

THIS WEEK AT ST. MARY’S

SATURDAY 8/25 -  The diocesan Teen SOYO is planning its annual end of summer baseball outing.  This year we are going to a Lowell Spinners game on Saturday, August 25.  We will meet at Saint George in Lowell for Vespers at 4:00 pm.  After the service we will make a short walk to the stadium for a 5:30 game. The past few years we have had SOYO members, alumni, campers, brothers, sisters and young adults join us.  All are welcome.  Tickets are $7 - 10 each, plus you will need money for popcorn and hot dogs!

SUNDAY 8/26 – Orthros 8:45 am, Divine Liturgy 10:00 am.
 
NEW ANNOUNCEMENTS

GREAT VESPERS - Great Vespers will be Saturday, September 15, at 5:00pm
   - Chanters’ Rehearsal will precede Vespers, at 3:30
   - Young Adult Fellowship Night will follow Vespers.

ENQUIRERS’ CLASS – The St. Ignatius Catechetical Group (Enquirers’ Class) will begin meeting on Sunday September 30 at 9:00am in the hall.  Enrollment will be open until October 21. 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. 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 email 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.

PARISH COUNCIL - The next meeting of the Parish Council is scheduled for Wednesday, October 3, in the Hall.

BIBLE STUDY - Welcome back to the Bible Study/Adult Education Program at St. Mary's Church! Meetings will be on Fridays this year, meeting once every 2 weeks. Our first meeting will be the first Friday in October. Everyone is welcome to attend! If interested, please contact the co-leaders: Christina Palis at christina_palis@mail.harvard.edu or Steve Walker at smwalk@gmail.com . 
 
REMINDERS

ECCLESIASTICAL NEW YEAR – The new Ecclesiastical year begins on Saturday, September 1.

NATIVITY OF THE THEOTOKOS – We will celebrate the Feast of the Nativity of the Theotokos on the eve of the feast, Friday, September 7, with Divine Liturgy at 6:30pm.

WELCOME BACK COOKOUT – On Sunday, September 9 in the parking lot after Liturgy there will be delicious meal and celebration of the new school year, sponsored by the Young Adults and the Hospitality Group, welcoming parishioners and students back to our parish.
   - Church School Registration for new students, and for children who have reached the age of 3, will also be held on Sunday, September 9.  Classes will begin on Sunday, September 16 with a short lesson.

WOMEN’S CLUB – The Women’s Club will hold its first meeting of the year on Wednesday, September 12 at 7:30pm.  We welcome all women of the parish to join us. Call Priscilla (781-762-1527) or the church office (617-547-1234) if you have any questions.

ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN WITNESS PROGRAM – The Diocese of Worcester and New England is offering an opportunity for anyone interested to learn, reflect and be transformed through the Orthodox Faith in preparation for various ministries. It is aimed to empower and equip Orthodox Christians to nourish and share the faith in the 21st Century. This is a 2 year program (4 semesters, 8 Units), starting September 13. The leadership team includes His Grace Bishop John, our own Father Antony Hughes, Ioana Popa, Richard Robbat, and Sebastien Falardeau. Registration fee: $100/unit.  For questions e-mail Ioana Popa at popalifecoach@gmail.com or call 617-455-7192.  Pamphlets are at the Bengarri and a poster is on the bulletin board.

SUMMER CAMP FOR ADULTS – Antiochian Village Adult Camp for ages 21+ will be Friday-Monday, September 14-17. Adult Camp is open to all adults who want to spend the weekend in an Orthodox Christian environment growing in their faith.  Cost of $195 includes lodging, food and activities.  More information can be found at https://avcamp.org/other-programs/adult-camp.  Registration opens May 1.

ANTIOCHIAN WOMEN DELEGATES MEETING – The Fall Diocesan Delegates Meeting of Antiochian Women – General Assembly Meeting will be held on Saturday, September 15 at St. Michael Church, Cotuit, MA at 10:00am. If you are interested in attending please contact Barbara Shoop at the church office (617-547-1234)
   - TEEN SOYO MEETING - The Diocesan SOYO meeting will also take place on Saturday, September 15 at Saint Michael on the Cape. If you have questions, please email Father Joseph Kimmett, StGeorgeNorwood@gmail.com

ELEVATION OF THE CROSS – Note change: We will not celebrate the Feast of the Elevation of the Cross on Thursday, September 13, as previously announced. Instead we will observe the Feast on Sunday, September 16.

SONIA’S RUN – The 10th annual Sonia’s Run and Fall Fair, in memory of Sonia Daly Belcher, will be held at St. George Church, West Roxbury on Saturday, September 22. Registration begins at 7:30am, race starts at 9:00am (note change in times). If you would like to be a part of St. Mary’s team, choose “St Mary Cambridge” as your team when you register and e-mail Charlie Marge, charlie.marge@verizon.net. All proceeds from the run will benefit Theophany School. Please visit www.soniasrun.org to register, volunteer or donate.

SOYO FALL CAMP and FAMILY CAMP – Diocese of Worcester and New England SOYO Fall Camp and Family Camp will be held Thursday–Sunday, October 5-7, at St. Methodios Faith & Heritage Center in Contoocook, NH.  All teens in grades 7-12 are encouraged to attend the Teen SOYO Fall Camp. Family Camp is open to families of all ages. Parents of teenagers are welcome to attend Family Camp while their children attend Teen SOYO Fall Camp. Each camp will have its own distinct program. Watch for more information and registration details.

ICON EXHIBIT – The Museum of Russian Icons (203 Union Street, Clinton, MA) will be showing an exhibition of Icons of the Hellenic World, focusing exclusively on Greek and Byzantine iconography, through October 21. For information see http://www.museumofrussianicons.org/current-exhibitions
 
REFLECTION
The tree is made manifest by its fruit; so they who profess themselves to be Christians are known by what they do.  For Christianity is not the work of an outward profession; but shows itself in the power of faith, if a man be found faithful unto the end.
   - St. Ignatius of Antioch
 
Whoever bears fruit with works of faith and love, he is a real disciple of Christ.
   - Saint John Chrysostom