Looking Ahead at St Mary (January 5 – 13)
Beloved in Christ,
Below you will find this week’s schedule, as well as some important notes about upcoming events.
THIS WEEK: January 5 – January 13, 2025
This Week: Regular Wed/Fri fasting.
Mon, Jan 6 at 8:00 am – Divine Liturgy ~ Theophany
Mon, Jan 6 – House Blessings Begin
Tues, Jan 7 at 4:00 pm – Visitation for Connie Hansen (chapel)
Tues, Jan 7 at 5:30 pm – Funeral for Connie Hansen
Tues, Jan 7 at 6:30 pm – Meal of Mercy for Connie Hansen
Wed, Jan 8 at 6:00 pm – Daily Vespers
Wed, Jan 8 at 6:30 pm – Film Showing: “Sacred Alaska”
Sat, Jan 11 at 7:30 am – Belles Making Holy Bread
Sat, Jan 11 at 4:00 pm – Men’s Prayer Group
Sat, Jan 11 at 4:30 pm – Confessions
Sat, Jan 11 at 5:00 pm – Great Vespers
Sat, Jan 11 at 6:00 pm – 20/40 Fellowship @ White Crow (1236 E Waterman)
Sun, Jan 12 at 9:00 am – Matins
Sun, Jan 12 at 10:00 am – Divine Liturgy
Sun, Jan 12 at 11:00 am – Church School
Sun, Jan 12 at 11:30 am – Potluck Coffee Hour
Sun, Jan 12 at 5:00 pm – Orthodoxy on Tap @ Old School Tap House (210 E Kechi Rd, Kechi)
Mon, Jan 13 at 6:30 pm – Belles Meeting @ Vicki Jones’s (1824 Northwest Parkway)
Other Notes
(1) SACRED ALASKA FILM: Native Alaskan Peoples and Orthodox Christianity have been intertwined for hundreds of years. From the Native perspective; the land, the water, the animals and plants – all creation is sacred and connected. Orthodox Christianity holds a similar worldview. “Sacred Alaska” explores how the Christian faith was presented to the Native People as the true fulfillment of what they already knew. This Orthodox faith was not something alien to them, but became their own. A faith that connected to and expanded what they already believed about what it means to be human. To this day Native Alaskan Orthodoxy is alive, being passed down and spread through generations.
(2) HOUSE BLESSINGS: Each year it is customary that beginning on Theophany, the Parish Priest is invited to bless parishioner homes with the Holy Water blessed at the January 6 Theophany Divine Liturgy. All parishioners and catechumens are encouraged to sign up for a house blessing. If you would like to schedule a house blessing, please contact Fr Aaron.
(3) BELLES MAKING HOLY BREAD: The Belles of St Mary regularly make holy bread that can be purchased by parishioners who wish to offer holy bread, but cannot make the holy bread themselves. Please note that everyone age 13 and older is invited to help the Belles make holy bread, including men who would like to learn. The Belles are scheduled to make holy bread next on Saturday, January 11, beginning at 7:30 am.
(4) 20/40 FELLOWSHIP: The 20/40 Fellowship Group is open to all parishioners and catechumens age 20 – 40 somethingish. Their next gathering will be on Saturday, January 11, at 6:00 pm at White Crow Cider Company (1236 E Waterman).
(5) ORTHODOXY ON TAP: This fellowship group is a wonderful way to meet Orthodox Christians from all our Wichita-area parishes. The next meeting is Sunday, January 12, from 5-8 pm at Old School Tap House. Fr Mark Sultani of St George Cathedral will briefly discuss technology and the spiritual life. The rest of the time will be a time of food and fellowship.
(6) POTLUCK COFFEE HOUR: Due to January 5 being a fast day for the preparation of Theophany, our monthly Potluck Coffee Hour is Sunday, January 12 (no fasting restrictions that Sunday).
(7) TEXT MESSAGE UPDATE REMINDERS: If you would like to join the St Mary text message group to receive important updates/reminders, you may do so at any time by texting @stmaryict to 81010. Please note you must include the @ sign to be able to join the group. No one in the group will see your phone number or be able to send you a message except through the parish office. You also will not be able to text others in the group, but will receive messages from the office and can respond to the office.
(8) 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: Teach Me Thy Statutes.
(9) 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
