Looking Ahead at St Mary (February 14 – 20)

Beloved in Christ,

Below you will find this week’s schedule, as well as some important notes about upcoming events.

THIS WEEK: FEBRUARY 14-20
This Week: No fasting on any day of the week.     

• Thurs, Feb 17 at 5:30 pm – Parish Council Meeting
• Fri, Feb 18 – Scroll on Website
• Sat, Feb 19 at 4:30 pm – Confession
• Sat, Feb 19 at 5:00 pm – Great Vespers
• Sun, Feb 20 – Scroll in Foyer
• Sun, Feb 20 at 9:00 am – Matins
• Sun, Feb 20 at 9:00 am – Church School
• Sun, Feb 20 at 10:00 am – Divine Liturgy
• Sun, Feb 20 at 10:30 am – Catechism Class
• Sun, Feb 20 at 5:00 pm – Small Group Meeting

Other Notes

(1) VIRTUAL SACRED MUSIC NOTE HERE: With the blessing of Metropolitan Joseph, the Department of Sacred Music has made the prayerful decision that the 2022 Winter Sacred Music Institute will embrace a virtual platform this February. The theme is engaging, the speakers and teachers exceptional, and you can participate from the comfort of your home or with fellow singers from your parish. We won’t be able to offer you Mid-America hospitality or fabulous food until next year. The pricing structure has been adjusted to offer the former group rate savings to everyone, $25/person! Sessions will be held on Zoom Thursday and Friday evenings and all-day Saturday, February 17-19, 2022. Further details and registration can be found here > If anyone from our parish is interested in attending this virtual event, please contact Megan Taylor Gilstrap.

(2) SCHOLARSHIP FOR SENIORS IN DOWAMA: Here are the applications for the two 2022 DOWAMA High School Senior Scholarships (one for $2,000.00 and another for $1,000.00). Note that the postmark deadline for all applications is May 4, 2022. Scholarship recipients will be announced during our 2022 Parish Life Conference to be hosted by St George Cathedral/Wichita, KS from June 15-18. Sincere thanks to Jim Cohlmia and to Fr Constantine & Kh Sharon Nasr and the Nasr Orthodox Foundation which generously offer these annual scholarships through our Diocese.

(3) NO FASTING: There is no fasting on any day of the week this week in remembrance of the reading of the parable of the publican and Pharisee, reminding us that our own fasting and good deeds do not earn our way to heaven.

(4) SATURDAY OF SOULS: On Saturday, March 26, we will celebrate the “Saturday of Souls” Divine Liturgy. At this liturgy we ask God to remember and have mercy on all of the departed since the beginning of time. We also will pray specifically for any departed loved ones whom you wish to remember. If you would like for your departed loved ones to be mentioned in prayer by name, please send their names to office@stmarywichita.org, bring a list of names to the parish office, or give us your names by phone no later than 5:00 pm on Tuesday, February 22.

(5) MEATFARE LUNCHEON: The Belles of St Mary plan to host a Meatfare luncheon for the parish on Sunday, February 27. Details can be found via the link.

(6) TEACH ME THY STATUTES PODCAST: If you would like to listen to this week’s Teach Me Thy Statutes podcast (with Fr Aaron & Jason Ewertt), you can find it here >

(7) PASTORAL VISITS: If you would like a pastoral visit for any reason, or if you know of a family member/parishioner who needs a visit, please feel free to contact me via cell phone at 204-6725.

Yours in Christ,

Fr Aaron