Update for the week Thursday, September 12 - Wednesday, September 18, 2019
THIS WEEK AT ST. MARY’S
FRIDAY 9/13 – Divine Liturgy for the Feast of the Elevation of the Cross will be celebrated this Friday at 6:30pm
SUNDAY 9/15 – Orthros 8:45am, Divine Liturgy 10:00am, with Procession of the Holy Cross
+ Church School classes begin, with a short lesson during Communion. This year’s teachers and assistants are:
Pre-K- Larisa Patacchiola and Klorela Alcala
Kindergarten/Grade 1- Diana Yousef and Mike Decerbo
Grade 2/3- James Jabbour and Katie Far
Grade 4/5- Natasha Smith and Fortuna Risom
Grade 6- Don Conolly
Grade7/8- Andrea Popa
Discussion Group (Gr. 9-12) – Theo Smith
+ The Parish Council and the Women’s Club invite you to join us in welcoming everyone back from their summer activities at our Welcome Back BBQ this Sunday following Liturgy. We invite all members of the Parish, Church School Families, and College Students to join us for food and fellowship. We will also be honoring the St. Mary Bible Bowl and Oratorical Festival participants, who all won First Place at the Parish Life Conference, and their coach, Violet Robbat. The BBQ will take place outside in the parking lot (weather permitting). The parking lot will be unavailable for parking.
Our Bible Bowl Teen Team winners were Benjamin Crea, Nicholas Mazzoni and Nicholas Bezzerides, and the Pre-Teen Team winners were Joseph Soloman, Saron Soloman, Elnathan Daniel and Ruth Samson. The Adult winners were Furtuna Risom and Charlie Marge.
The Oratorical Festival Junior Division winner was Nicholas Mazzoni.
Many thanks to coach Violet Robbat, who spent many many hours preparing and coaching the teens for the competition.
WEDNESDAY 9/18 –The next meeting of the Parish Council is scheduled for Wednesday, September 18 at 7:30pm, in the Hall
THIS WEEK ELSEWHERE
FRIDAY-MONDAY 9/13-16 – Antiochian Village Adult Camp is summer camp for adults at the Village, Friday-Monday, September 13-16. Adult Camp is open to all adults ages 21+ 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.
SATURDAY 9/14 - This Saturday, September 14, the church celebrates the Exaltation of the Cross. All are invited to a Diocesan Liturgy at St. John of Damascus Church in Dedham at 9:00am. This will be followed by a Stewardship Seminar for Parish Councils and Parish Leaders throughout the diocese.
SUNDAY 9/15 – All are invited to St. George Church in West Roxbury this Sunday at 4:00pm for Vespers followed by a Welcome Reception to greet the new Seminarians at Holy Cross School of Theology and Hellenic College. Please join us as we welcome these students from all over the country to our Diocese. The Reception is sponsored by the Diocesan Antiochian Women.
NEW ANNOUNCEMENTS
Note - On Sunday, September 22, the Fall Classic 5K road race will restrict access to parking around the church and behind the Post Office. The race starts at 9:30am. The end of Inman St. will be impacted from 9:33am-9:50am to accommodate runners on Massachusetts Ave. Please plan accordingly. To view the route log on to https://runsignup.com/Race/FallClassic5K/Page-10
WOMEN’S CLUB - The next Women’s Club meeting will be Sunday, October 6 after Liturgy, during Coffee Hour. The St. Mary Women’s Club does charitable work locally, nationally and internationally, and also supports the Church School. And we hold delicious fund-raising events! We invite all women of the parish to join us at our monthly meetings. E-mail Melissa Nassiff (mnassiff@gmail.com) if you have any questions or would like to join us.
FOOD, BAKE, & YARD SALE – On Saturday, October 12, St. Micheal’s Cotuit will hold an International Food/Bake and Yard Sale, 10:00am-2:00pm with the widest selection of homemade ethnic food on Cape Cod.
CPR/AED TRAINING - The Parish Council will be sponsoring a training session to cover CPR and AED use, choking prevention and relief, and use of Narcan, in the church hall on Wednesday, October 23 at 7:00 pm. The class will be limited to the first ten (10) Parish members to sign up. The cost for members of St. Mary’s is $25.00. If there is room, others may participate for a $50.00 per person course fee. Please contact Raymond Sayeg at (617) 872-9774 or email at rsayeg@koilaw.com to sign up for the class. The deadline to sign up is Monday, October 14, 2019.
ST. GEORGE NORWOOD LUNCHEON – The 100th Anniversary of the Ladies of St. George Norwood will be celebrated with a Celebration Luncheon on Sunday, October 27 at the Four Points Sheraton, from 1:00-5:00pm. $45 per ticket. RSVP by October 10.
REMINDERS
YOUNG ADULTS – Join the Young Adults for Orthodox Young Professionals Happy Hour on Thursday, September 19 at 6:00pm, at the 730 Tavern, located at 730 Mass Ave, Cambridge, to mingle with other Orthodox Young Adults in the Boston area. First drink on us from 6-7pm, and free appetizers! Sponsored by Young Adult Ministry: St. Mary Orthodox Church of Cambridge, MA in conjunction with The Telos Project and the Metropolis of Boston Youth & Young Adult Office.
+ If you are interested in getting involved with the Young Adult Ministry at St. Mary’s , please talk with us at coffee hour or send us an email: youngadults@stmaryorthodoxchurch.org
ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN WITNESS PROGRAM – The Orthodox Christian Witness Program: Spiritual Pilgrimage will start the Fall Semester in September. This program and journey is an opportunity for anyone interested to learn, to reflect, and to be transformed through the Orthodox Christian Faith in preparation for various ministries. This spiritual pilgrimage is an interdisciplinary approach to create a cadre of leaders in the church. It is aimed to empower and equip Orthodox Christians to nourish and share the faith in 21st century. This semester the program has a Round Table discussion unit and a Retreat unit. Anyone can join at any point in the program.
The Round Table unit will meet for 10 Thursday evening discussions, from 7:00pm-9:00pm: Thursday, September 19, 26, October 3, 10, 17, 24, Nov 7, 14, 21, and Dec 5. Location: the Diocesan Chancellory: 2 Lydia’s Path, Westborough MA 01581.
The day-long Retreats will be held on Sept 28, Oct 19, and Nov 23 at St. Mary’s Church.
To register or for questions, please email at IP.AlongTheJourney@gmail.com or call at 617-274-8336.
MEN’S RETREAT – A Men’s Retreat will be hosted by the St. Stephen’s Group at St. Methodios Retreat Center, Contoocook, NH, on Friday-Sunday, September 20-22. This year’s topic is Relationships. Cost: $239 for 2 nights, meals included. For more info or to register contact Jeff St. Jean 413-348-2878 or jeffstjean11@gmail.com .
ENQUIRERS’ CLASS – The St. Ignatius Catechetical Group (Enquirers’ Class) will begin meeting on Sunday, September 22 at 9:00am in the hall. Enrollment will be open until October 20. 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 phone 617-889-3436 or 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.
ORTHODOXY 102 – Orthodoxy 102 is an Adult Sunday Class designed for Christians who've spent many years in the Orthodox church, but have never been given formal teaching on the theology and liturgical structure of the Eastern Christian faith. Beginning Sunday, September 22 at 9:00am, this new class will meet weekly to journey through the structure of the Divine Liturgy, while taking an in-depth look at Scripture, the Ecumenical Councils, our iconography, and the meaning and application of Orthodox theology. If you would like more information or would care to join, please email drjamesis@gmail.com (Or introduce yourself to Subdeacon James on Sunday following the liturgy).
BLESSING OF THE ANIMALS – All people and the animals they love are welcome at the 2019 Blessing of the Animals at New Skete Monasteries, in celebration of the Feast of Saint Francis, on Saturday, September 28. Go to newskete.org for the schedule of the day.
AWARENESS AND SAFETY PRESENTATION – On Sunday, September 29, 2019, following liturgy, Gary J. Eblan, a thirty-year veteran and Sergeant Detective with the Boston Police Department, will be making a presentation to the parish on best practices for increased awareness and safety when faced with an unsafe environment. The presentation will include human response to crisis and best practices for safety and risk indicators/behaviors. The Parish Council has decided to offer this informational session given what has been unfortunately occurring in meeting places of assembly throughout the world.
FAMILY CAMP – You’re invited to Diocese Family Camp Friday-Sunday, October 4-6 at St. Methodios Faith & Heritage Center in Contoocook, NH. Families from our Diocese come together for a weekend of camp activities, prayer, relaxation, fellowship, and learning. More information and pictures can be found at www.soyofallcamp.org. Registration information will be posted soon.
CHOIR MEMBERS NEEDED - The Choir is looking for new members, especially Alto (woman) and Bass/Baritone (men), but of course we welcome all parts. Please e-mail Michelle Mabardy at mmmabardy@gmail.com if you are interested.
GREETERS NEEDED – The Greeter Ministry is a great opportunity to meet all the parishioners of St. Mary’s. 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 Entranceways during the service. Arrive at Church 15 minutes before Liturgy (9:45am). Greeting time ends when Communion starts. We hope you will consider being a greeter! If you are interested, contact Buddy Mabardy, buddy@cjmabardy.com or 781-729-6303, or the church office, secretary@stmaryorthodoxchurch.org or 617-547-1234.
JOIN THE HOSPITALITY GROUP – The St. Mary’s Donald DiFiore Memorial Hospitality Group works to build community among the larger St. Mary’s Congregation, so that we can come together in service, celebration and fellowship outside of liturgy and coffee hour. We need members to join us, and help with planning fellowship events such as Lenten Potluck Suppers, the Dormition Feast, our annual Picnic, etc. Even if you could commit to just one event per year, this would help strengthen the sense of community and family in our parish. We also welcome new ideas for fellowship gatherings. Contact Diana Yousef at dymartinek@gmail.com if you’re interested.
JOIN US ONLINE - 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 or online). If you have questions or comments about this ministry please contact us at live@stmaryorthodoxchurch.org
REFLECTION
For the man who believes, all things are possible because "Faith is counted as righteousness," and "Christ is the end of the Law." Belief in Him justifies and perfects the believer, for belief in Christ is considered to correspond to the works of the law. It is confirmed and witnessed by the evangelic precepts and so earns for the faithful a participation in eternal life, in Christ Himself.
- St. Symeon the New Theologian
Abraham was not justified by works, but by faith [Rom. 4:3]. Therefore, even if they do good works now, it is of no advantage to them after death, if they do not have faith.
- Clement of Alexandria (190 AD)
The struggle and constraint we undertake, even if correctly performed, do not qualify us for justification. Neither do they move us closer to God. They only remove us a long distance from our ego and sever us from the life of sin… As for justification, it is freely given by God, and as for growing close to God, it is for Christ to bring this about.
- Fr. Matthew the Poor, Orthodox Prayer Life: The Interior Way