Update for the week Thursday, October 24 - Wednesday, October 30, 2019
THIS WEEK AT ST. MARY’S
SUNDAY 10/27 – Orthros 8:45am; St. Ignatius Catechetical Group and Orthodoxy 102 9:00am; Divine Liturgy 10:00am, followed by Church School classes.
NEW ANNOUNCEMENTS
ROAD RACE - Next Sunday, November 3, the 3rd Annual Cambridge Half Marathon will be held from 7:00am-10:00am beginning and ending at Cambridgeside by Lechmere. This event will involve street closures. Mass Ave., Memorial Drive, Mt. Auburn St. and Putnam Ave. are a few of the roads involved. To view the course go to https://cambridgehalfmarathon.com/event-info/
WOMEN’S CLUB - The next Women's Club meeting will be Sunday, November 3 after Liturgy, during Coffee Hour. We'll be discussing the upcoming Thanksgiving bake sale (November 24), the Christmas Card project, and our annual Christmas Get-Together. All women of the parish are invited to join us for these events. E-mail Melissa Nassiff (mnassiff@gmail.com) if you have any questions or would like to join us.
ANGEL TREE PRISON MINISTRY - St. Mary's will once again be participating in the Angel Tree Prison Ministry, which provides Christmas gifts to children in our local community on behalf of their parent serving time in prison. 1 in 28 American children live with the shame of a parent's incarceration, and many of their guardians struggle to meet their basic needs while caring for them. Together with Angel Tree, we can help these children feel loved and valued--unlocking their potential for a brighter future. Thank you for helping with this important ministry! Please see Gregg Flessas in the church hall on Sunday, November 3 or e-mail him (flessas99@gmail.com) if you can help or have questions.
FALL LITURGY RETREAT - The fall is upon us… and the St. Mary Fall Liturgy Retreat (for Church School Children/Teens and Families) is just three weeks away - Monday, November 11. (This is Veterans’ Day, usually a day off from school for many and work for some.) This year’s theme will be “The Liturgy of the Word.”
PLEDGE CARDS - Pledge cards have been mailed to the homes of St. Mary’s parishioners and friends. Please return your pledge card to the church office or fill out the ePledge form on our website (https://www.stmaryorthodoxchurch.org/ministries/stewardship/) by Friday, November 15. A new pledge card is requested each year, even if your financial and volunteer contributions aren’t changing. If you did not receive a pledge card and would like to become of member of St. Mary’s, please see Fr. Antony or the church secretary for a new member packet.
N.G. BERAM AWARDS BANQUET – The Nicholas G. Beram Veterans Association will hold its 73rd anniversary celebration and 53rd Scholastic Achievement awards banquet on Saturday, November 30, from 12:00 noon to 4:00pm at the Holiday Inn, Dedham. Andrew Bargoot II, one of our teens, will be receiving a Scholastic Achievement award. Tickets for the luncheon are $35.00 and tables of eight may be reserved. Luncheon reservation and ad book forms are available in the church office.
CHRISTMAS CONCERT – St. Mary’s will be hosting a Pan-Orthodox Christmas Concert on Sunday, December 8 at 4:00pm involving local Orthodox choirs and a Christmas Carol Sing-A-Long, followed by a reception to be sponsored by the Young Adult Ministry.
REMINDERS
OCTOBER IS YOUTH MONTH – During the Month of October, at St. Mary’s and throughout the archdiocese, 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 Theo Smith.
FOOD FOR HUNGRY PEOPLE – Help support our Canned Food Drive! From October through December 31, bring in canned goods and place them in the plastic bins in the room outside the kitchen. (Canned goods only, please.) They will be distributed to food pantries in our area.
PARISH COUNCIL ELECTIONS - If you are interested in serving on the Parish Council please speak to Mary Winstanley O’Connor or Fr. Antony by this Sunday, October 27. To be eligible to serve you must be a Member of St. Mary’s for two years and in good financial standing.
PARISH LIFE CONFERENCE COMMITTEE – St. Mary’s will be hosting the Parish Life Celebration Conference this year. The next meeting of the Parish Life Conference Committee will be on Wednesday, October 30 at 7:00pm in the Hall.
CHANT CLASS, VESPERS, and POTLUCK – On Saturday, November 2 there will be a Chant Class at 4:00pm and Great Vespers at 5:00pm, followed by a Young Adult Fellowship potluck and salsa lesson
PARISH COUNCIL - The next Parish Council meeting has been scheduled for Wednesday, November 6 at 7:30pm in the Hall.
SPAGHETTI DINNER – On Sunday, November 10 following Liturgy, St. Mary’s teens invite you to a Teen SOYO Spaghetti and Meatball Dinner featuring Spaghetti, Meatballs (just before the Fast!), Salad, Bread, Dessert and Coffee/Beverage. A suggested minimum donation of $5.00/person will be greatly appreciated. (No charge for Teen SOYO members)
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, December 1, at 3:00 pm. Tickets are just $29 ($36 without our group discount!). 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, November 10 (note deadline extended) if you would like a ticket.
NATIVITY FAST - The Nativity Fast, also known as the season of Advent, begins on Friday, November 15. This is the forty days of fasting and prayer in preparation for the Great Feast of the Nativity of Christ.
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. This new class meets weekly at 9:00am 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).
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.
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
BAZAARS, FOOD AND YARD SALES
St. George Norwood – 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.
St. John of Damascus – Annual Bazaar of St. John of Damascus will be held Friday-Sunday, November 1-3: Friday 12pm-9pm, Saturday 10am-9pm, and Sunday 12pm- 2pm. 300 West St., Dedham. Featured will be Middle Eastern Cuisine, Country Store, Christmas Corner and more. For more information visit www.stjohnd.org/bazaar.
REFLECTION
Everyone is in the Lord's power, and Christ is all things to us. If you desire to heal your wounds, he is your doctor; if you are on fire with fever, he is your fountain; if you are burdened with iniquity, he is your justification; if you need help, he is your strength; if you fear death, he is your life; if you desire heaven, he is your way; if you are fleeing from darkness, he is your light; if you are seeking food, he is your nourishment: Taste and see that the Lord is good. Happy is the man who takes refuge in him.
- St. Ambrose of Milan
If a single word of an earthly king causes great deeds to come to pass in his kingdom -- he speaks, the work begins and is accomplished -- then will not the word of the Lord of all material and spiritual, visible and invisible creatures, accomplish everything He desires? Shall He speak and it not be created? Shall He speak and it not be done? O Almighty Power, able to accomplish everything in one single moment, do not leave us on account of our sins, and above all on account of our incredulity and despair, to be tormented by our own infirmities, lest we be destroyed like earthen vessels. Grant that we may not doubt in the fulfillment of our every right request.
- St. John of Kronstadt, My Life of Christ.