November 12, 2021
- Dn. Jeff and Natasha are organizing meal delivery to families. To sign up for a meal or to donate, please email Dn. Jeff.
- The Boston Afghan Community, along with The Brookline Center and Kataluma 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 Moorehead (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 November 14th (also available below)
- Special Collections: If you missed the special collections for Teen SOYO (Special Olympics) or OCF, you can donate here (please indicate “Teen SOYO” or “OCF”).
- 2022 Stewardship Pledge Drive: Pledge cards were due on 10/31. Please make your annual pledge to support our parish with time, talents, & treasure here, or email Charliewith any questions.
Upcoming at St. Mary’s
- Nov. 20th: Festal Great Vespers at 5P for Feast of the Entrance of the Theotokos
- Nov. 21st: Bishop John will visit for the Feast and ordaining Subdeacon James to the Holy Diaconate
- Parish Council Elections: Ballots have been mailed out, and are due Dec. 5th. Please contact the church office if you did not receive one and are a member.
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
Readings for Sunday, Nov. 14th
"Brethren, God has exhibited us apostles as last of all, like men sentenced to death; because we have become a spectacle to the world, to angels and to men. We are fools for Christ's sake, but you are wise in Christ. We are weak, but you are strong. You are held in honor, but we in disrepute. To the present hour we hunger and thirst, we are ill-clad and buffeted and homeless, and we labor, working with our own hands. When reviled, we bless; when persecuted, we endure; when slandered, we try to conciliate; we have become, and are now, as the refuse of the world, the off-scouring of all things. I do not write this to make you ashamed, but to admonish you as my beloved children. For though you have countless guides in Christ, you do not have many fathers. For I became your father in Christ Jesus through the gospel. I urge you, then, be imitators of me."
-ST. PAUL'S FIRST LETTER TO THE CORINTHIANS 4:9-16
"At that time, a lawyer stood up to put Jesus to the test, saying, "Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?" He said to him, "What is written in the law? How do you read?" And he answered, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself." And he said to him, "You have answered right; do this, and you will live." But he, desiring to justify himself, said to Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?" Jesus replied, "A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he fell among robbers, who stripped him and beat him, and departed, leaving him half dead. Now by chance a priest was going down that road; and when he saw him he passed by on the other side. So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he journeyed, came to where he was; and when he saw him, he had compassion, and went to him and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine; then he set him on his own beast and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. And the next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper, saying, 'Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, I will repay you when I come back.' Which of these three, do you think, proved neighbor to the man who fell among the robbers?" He said, "The one who showed mercy on him." And Jesus said to him, "Go and do likewise."
-LUKE 10:25-37
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