October 22, 2021

URGENT: Please help us as we Welcome Afghan Refugees to the Boston Area
  • Dn. Jeff and Natasha are organizing meal delivery to families. Click here to sign up for a meal, or to donate.
  • The Boston Afghan Community, along with The Brookline Center and The Kataluma Refugee Hospital  are working with us to support the needs of arriving Afghan Families 
    • Urgent, Immediate Task: quickly find short term lodgings in the Greater Boston Area near public transportation
    • For leads on apartments, homes or available in-law suites, please email Gary Moore (617.460.9409), or Natasha Smith 
  • Kataluma is also searching for a large home to welcome refugees and documented asylum seekers as they transition to life in the U.S.

Currently at St. Mary’s

  • Scripture Readings for Sunday October 24th
  • Please see attached Stewardship Letter from Fr Antony: 2022 Stewardship Drive runs through October: Donate online
  • Parish Council Sign Up: If you're interested in serving* on the 2022 Parish Council, please contact Fr. Antony or Raymond Sayeg. Deadline is Oct. 31st. *[Must be a member of St. Mary's for 2 years & fulfilled the annual min. commitments.]
  • COVID Update: Masks Required (for ALL services and events at St. Mary's). Please wear a mask and refrain from physical contact (kiss of peace, touching of icons, etc.). More information here.

Upcoming at St. Mary’s

  • Monday Evenings at 7:00p: Orthodoxy 102 Class has resumed, info below.

Upcoming elsewhere

  • St. Vladimir Seminary Presentation: Searching the Scriptures, featuring Met. Hilarion

 

ORTHODOXY 102 CLASSES

  • Led by Subdeacon James, this adult education class is designed for Christians who have spent many years in the Orthodox church, but have never had any formal teaching on the theology and liturgical structure of Eastern Christianity. 
  • 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.
  • For more information or to join, please email SubDn. James here (or introduce yourself if you're attending a service in person!).
  • Monday Night Classes Via Zoom.



LIVE-STREAMED SERVICES 
•All Divine Services held in St. Mary’s Church can be seen live-streamed from the following Links:  St. Mary Live , St. Mary Facebook , St. Mary YouTube  


DONATIONS TO THE CHURCH 
•One-time donations to the church (For the Good Health of, In Memory of, etc.) can be made on our website using this form.
•In addition to bank ACH transfers, we now accept credit cards for these donations, but ask that you kindly check the box to cover the 2.6% fee incurred by the church for this convenience. For pledge contributions, please sign up for eGive to make ACH transfers.     

Reflection

“He who is able to pray correctly, even if he is the poorest of all people, is essentially the richest. And he who does not have proper prayer, is the poorest of all, even if he sits on a royal throne.” 
—St. John Chrysostom

Prayer for Refugees

"O Lord Jesus Christ, our Hope and Salvation, have mercy on those that are driven from their homelands and seek refuge elsewhere. Guide their steps as You did Your holy family who fled the murderous rage of Herod, and keep them from every danger, evil and disaster as they flee from war, unrest, persecution and cruel injustice. You Who declared that the foxes had dens but You had no place to lay Your head, grant rest and succor to those who are weary, wounded and unprotected.

"And to those cities and lands to which they travel, grant peace, wisdom and compassion to receive those who come in great numbers and in great distress. Bless and multiply what they can provide as You multiplied the loaves and the fishes to feed multitudes, blessing those who give as well as those who receive. Enlarge them in bounty and spirit that they may be havens of rest and relief to those in need, that Your hospitality may overcome the madness of evil men and chaos of natural disasters.

"Forgive every transgression of those who are forced to leave their homes and have mercy also on those who receive them and offer them shelter, for You are good and the lover of mankind. To You our gracious Lord and God, we ascribe glory, together with Your Father Who is from everlasting and the all-holy, good and life-giving Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen."

2022 Stewardship Pledge Drive

Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,
Christ is in our midst!
Greetings to all of you in the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ!
 
This is the time when we ask you to consider what your 2022 financial contribution to St. Mary's will be.
 
I am so very grateful to our community and friends who have contributed generously this past year. The church doors are open and hall rentals have started to return slowly. The pandemic is not over, of course, but the movement towards normalcy is welcome as long as we continue to do all we can to protect our neighbors and ourselves.
 
As you consider what you will give in 2022 remember that without your contributions the ministry of our parish would not be able to continue much less grow. The Lord’s command to love and to share the Gospel includes not only paying our bills, but contributing to the welfare of others in and outside our walls. The more we give, the more we will receive.
 
Our Pledge Drive will be 100% on-line this year.  Please go to our website today and fill out the ePledge card.  For over 20 years, we have been encouraging giving a percentage of income at whatever level makes sense for you. Many have responded to this appeal and it has made a big difference. If giving at this level would cause undue hardship on you and/or your family, please do not hesitate to speak with me. 
 
For more information on our Stewardship Pledge Drive including the answers to Frequently Asked Questions, go to our website.  If you have any further questions, I am always available at any time. You may also speak with Charlie Marge, our stewardship coordinator, or any member of the Parish Council. Thank you for your amazing generosity over the years. 
 
With deepest affection,
 Fr. Antony Hughes