Beloved in Christ,

Regarding the Pascha Celebration on the afternoon of Sunday, April 20, please see Note 1 below and be sure to RSVP if you plan to attend by this Monday evening, April 14, so we know how much food to order.

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

THIS WEEK: April 13 – 20, 2025

This Week: No meat/dairy/wine, except wine allowed after Holy Thursday Vesperal Liturgy & Holy Saturday Vesperal Liturgy. No fasting on any day of the week from Pascha through Ascension (May 29).       

Sun, Apr 13 at 5:00 pm – Confession

Sun, Apr 13 at 6:00 pm – Bridegroom Matins

Mon, Apr 14 at 8:00 am – Pre-Sanctified Liturgy

Mon, Apr 14 at 5:00 pm – Confession

Mon, Apr 14 at 6:00 pm – Bridegroom Matins

Tues, Apr 15 at 8:00 am – Pre-Sanctified Liturgy

Tues, Apr 15 at 5:00 pm – Confession

Tues, Apr 15 at 6:00 pm – Bridegroom Matins

Wed, Apr 16 at 8:00 am – Pre-Sanctified Liturgy

Wed, Apr 16 at 5:00 pm – Confession

Wed, Apr 16 at 6:00 pm – Holy Unction Service

Thurs, Apr 17 at 9:00 am – Vesperal Divine Liturgy ~ The Institution of the Eucharist

Thurs, Apr 17 at 6:00 pm – Great & Holy Friday Matins ~ The Twelve Passion Gospels

Fri, Apr 18 at 8:00 am – Royal Hours & Typika of Great & Holy Friday

Fri, Apr 18 at 3:00 pm – Great Vespers ~ The Unnailing from the Cross

Fri, Apr 18 at 4:00 pm – Holy Friday Vigil Begins

Fri, Apr 18 at 6:00 pm – Great & Holy Saturday Matins ~ Lamentations (Funeral Service)

Fri, Apr 18 at 8:00 pm – Holy Friday Vigil Continues

Sat, Apr 19 at 9:00 am – Vesperal Divine Liturgy ~ The Harrowing of Hades (w/Baptism & Chrismations)

Sat, Apr 19 at 11:00 am – Brunch & Decorate the Church

Sat, Apr 19 at 11:00 pm – Midnight Office, Rush Procession, & Paschal Matins

Sun, Apr 20 at 12:30 am – Paschal Divine Liturgy

Sun, Apr 20 at 1:00 pm – Agape Vespers @ St George Cathedral

Sun, Apr 20 at 3:00 pm – Parish Pascha Celebration (see Note 1 below)

Sun, Apr 20 at 5:00 pm – Lord’s Diner

Other Notes

(1) PARISH PASCHA CELEBRATION: Gwen and I will be hosting a Parish Pascha Celebration on Pascha afternoon, 4/20, following the joint Agape Vespers service (1:00 pm) at St George Cathedral. We are inviting all parishioners, catechumens, and inquirers to join us in celebrating our Lord’s Resurrection at our home beginning at 3:00 pm. We will be providing the main meat dishes (pulled pork and brisket) but encourage others to bring a side dish/dessert to share. You may also BYOB. Our address is: 16005 W Sheriac Street, Goddard, KS 67052. If you plan to attend, please sign up using the following link so we can ensure we have enough food for everyone: St Mary/Wichita, KS: Parish Pascha Celebration

(2) FESTIVAL PREP: Our annual Mediterranean Festival is coming up on Saturday, May 3. THANK YOU to all who have helped prepare to date. Please note that we have multiple workdays in the final 10 days leading up to the festival itself. You can now begin signing up to help on those dates here: St Mary/Wichita, KS: Mediterranean Festival Week Prep Dates – 2025

(3) FESTIVAL MARKETPLACE: We need your help to make the Festival Marketplace a success. We rely heavily on parishioners’ baked goods for the marketplace to make money. If you plan to donate, please indicate what you will donate on the following Sign-Up Genius so those running the marketplace can prepare. Baked goods should be delivered the day before the Festival (Friday, May 2) between 9:00 am – 2:00 pm. Packaging for the Marketplace will be provided. Here is the link: St Mary/Wichita, KS: Mediterranean Festival Marketplace Items – 2025

(4) TEEN SOYO NOT A LOCK-IN: Our teens are invited to sit at the Vigil on Good Friday beginning at 8 p.m. I will be staying all night, and you may stay as long as you like. You may offer to help with the readings when a reader needs a break or pray silently. The teen room will be open for you to take a nap if needed. Parents: This is not a lock-in! There are no games, no running around. I expect the teens to sit quietly and contemplate the love God has shown us. ~ Laura Stanley

(5) PASCHAL BANQUET:  For this year’s Paschal Banquet, the parish will be providing cabbage rolls and fried chicken. We ask all our parishioners to bring a side dish and/or dessert to share with others. As always, people are also welcome to bring their own basket of some of their favorite goodies. Please make sure to pick up after yourself when you leave.

(6) HUMANITARIAN LENTEN PROJECT: Our Humanitarian Ministry Team is sponsoring a Lenten project to benefit The Treehouse. Please see the link below for more details on the collection, which runs through Pascha (April 20).

(7) GRADUATING IN MAY?: If I have not already contacted you and you/your child is graduating this May, please contact me ASAP. We are preparing to honor all our graduates this year and want to make sure no one is missed.

(8) PALM SUNDAY APPEAL & METROPOLITAN SABA’S WEEKLY TEACHING: Each year the parishes in our Archdiocese take a collection on Palm Sunday to benefit our Antiochian Patriarchate. Please see the linked letter from Metropolitan Saba about this collection. You may make payment to St Mary, earmarked “Patriarchate” to contribute to this collection. This week, in lieu of a weekly teaching from Metropolitan Saba, His Eminence directs you to the many resources for Holy Week on the Archdiocese website, found here: Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America

(9) TEXT MESSAGE GROUP: Our new text message system through tithe.ly is now up and running. We need anyone who wants to receive text messages from the church to sign up for this service (even if you had already signed up using our previous Remind system). You can join by following these quick steps:

– Text the phone number 855-516-9861 with the following phrase in the message box: STMARYTEXT

– Click on the link sent back to you via text and fill out your name (having your name will make it much easier for us in the future to create separate groups, such as the Parish Council, the Belles of St Mary, etc.).

– Check the box giving permission to receive texts.

– Click the “Submit” button.

Once you have done this, you should be automatically added to our text message list. Contact Fr Aaron if you have any issues.

(10) 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.

(11) 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

Beloved in Christ,

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

THIS WEEK: March 24 – 31, 2025
This Week: No meat/dairy/wine on any day of the week; wine allowed on Sat/Sun; fish & wine allowed after Liturgy on 3/25.     
Mon, Mar 24 at 6:00 pm – Great Vespers ~ Annunciation
Tues, Mar 25 at 6:00 pm – Vesperal Divine Liturgy ~ Annunciation
Wed, Mar 26 at 6:00 pm – 9th Hour & Typika
Wed, Mar 26 at 6:30 pm – Pre-Sanctified Liturgy w/Potluck Following (hosting St George)
LENTEN RETREAT – Fri, Mar 21 – Sat, Mar 22
Fri, Mar 28 at 5:00 pm – Little Compline w/Akathist Hymn to the Mother of God
Fri, Mar 28 at 5:45 pm – Lenten Meal
Fri, Mar 28 at 6:30 pm – Retreat Session 1
Sat, Mar 29 at 9:00 am – Third Hour Prayers (in chapel)
Sat, Mar 29 at 9:30 am – Continental Breakfast
Sat, Mar 29 at 10:00 am – Retreat Sessions 2 & 3
Sat, Mar 29 at 4:30 pm – Confession
Sat, Mar 29 at 5:00 pm – Great Vespers
Sun, Mar 30 – Sun, Apr 6: Family Promise Host Week
Sun, Mar 30 at 9:00 am – Matins
Sun, Mar 30 at 10:00 am – Divine Liturgy
Sun, Mar 30 at 11:00 am – Church School
Mon, Mar 31 at 6:00 pm – Great Compline

Other Notes
(1) FESTIVAL PREP: Our annual Mediterranean Festival is coming up on Saturday, May 3. We have ONLY ONE MORE major prep day before Pascha, on Saturday, April 5 to make baklawa sticks. Please see the current sign-up sheet to sign up for a slot that day: St Mary/Wichita, KS: Mediterranean Festival Prep Dates – 2025

(2) FAMILY PROMISE HOST WEEK: St. Mary is the host parish for Family Promise the week of March 30 to April 6. Please use the link below to volunteer to help. Opportunities for those who would prefer to sign up in person will be available after liturgy on March 9 and March 16. Sign up opportunities include providing food for the church’s FP pantry, evening meals, transportation to and from the Day House, laundry, and spending night with the guests at the church. Thanks for your support of this important ministry. Contact Vicki Jones, 650-0658, or Father Aaron with any questions. Sign up here: St. Mary Orthodox Christian Church: Family Promise March 2025

(3) JOINT PRE-SANCTIFIED MEAL: This Wednesday, March 26, we host our brothers and sisters in Christ from St George Cathedral for our annual joint Pre-Sanctified Liturgy and Meal (they host us on Wednesday, April 9). This is a wonderful evening for our parish and is only possible due to our parishioners stepping up to provide enough food for all our guests. It is helpful for the Belles of St Mary, who supplement what our parishioners are able to bring, if you indicate on this Sign Up Genius what you plan to provide that evening. Please take a moment to sign up for what items you plan to provide next Wednesday for the meal. You can view the Sign Up here: St Mary/Wichita, KS: Joint Pre-Sanctified Meal

(4) LENTEN RETREAT: Our annual Lenten Retreat is scheduled for Friday, March 28, and Saturday, March 29. Fr Calinic Berger will be our retreat speaker. Further details can be found on the linked flyer below.

(5) HUMANITARIAN LENTEN PROJECT: Our Humanitarian Ministry Team is sponsoring a Lenten project to benefit The Treehouse. Please see the link below for more details on the collection, which runs through Pascha (April 20).

(6) TEEN BREAKFAST: Please allow Teen SOYO to cook for you! On Sunday, April 6, 2025, our teens host a Lenten Pancake Breakfast for coffee hour. They will have a variety of fruits and syrups for toppings. Freewill offerings will be accepted.

(7) METROPOLITAN SABA’S WEEKLY TEACHING: This week His Eminence shares his message “Ministering in Love.” Read it here >

(8) TEXT MESSAGE CHANGES: Due to recent changes with the Remind program/app, we are in the process of changing our text message provider to tithe.ly, the same organization we use for online giving. However, for regulatory reasons, it takes 3-4 weeks for this new service to work (we are given our own phone number from which we can send and receive text messages). Once the program is ready to use, we will be sure to reach out to you about it.

(9) 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.

(10) 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

 

Beloved in Christ,

 

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

THIS WEEK: March 10 – 17, 2025

This Week: No meat/dairy/wine on any day of the week; wine allowed on Sat/Sun.     

Mon, Mar 10 at 6:00 pm – Great Compline

Wed, Mar 12 at 6:00 pm – Pre-Sanctified Liturgy w/Potluck Following

Fri, Mar 14 at 6:00 pm – Little Compline w/Akathist Hymn to the Mother of God

Sat, Mar 15 at 9:00 am – MF Prep: Make Kibbee (sign up link in Note 1 below)

Sat, Mar 15 at 4:30 pm – Confession

Sat, Mar 15 at 5:00 pm – Great Vespers

Sat, Mar 15 at 6:00 pm – Biblical Greek Class

Sun, Mar 16 at 9:00 am – Matins

Sun, Mar 16 at 10:00 am – Divine Liturgy

Sun, Mar 16 at 10:30 am – Catechism Class

Sun, Mar 16 at 5:00 pm – Lord’s Diner

Mon, Mar 17 at 6:00 pm – Great Compline

Other Notes

(1) FESTIVAL PREP: Our annual Mediterranean Festival is coming up on Saturday, May 3. We have several prep days to ensure we are ready to open our doors and welcome our visitors on May 3. In addition to being a major help for this fundraiser, volunteering at these prep days is a wonderful way to get to know your fellow parishioners. Please see the current sign-up sheet for upcoming prep days and sign up for slots when you can make yourself available. You can sign up here: St Mary/Wichita, KS: Mediterranean Festival Prep Dates – 2025

(2) FAMILY PROMISE HOST WEEK: St. Mary is the host parish for Family Promise the week of March 30 to April 6. Please use the link below to volunteer to help. Opportunities for those who would prefer to sign up in person will be available after liturgy on March 9 and March 16. Sign up opportunities include providing food for the church’s FP pantry, evening meals, transportation to and from the Day House, laundry, and spending night with the guests at the church. Thanks for your support of this important ministry. Contact Vicki Jones, 650-0658, or Father Aaron with any questions. Sign up here: St. Mary Orthodox Christian Church: Family Promise March 2025

(3) SPEED FRIENDING: On Sunday, March 23, during Coffee Hour, we are going to have a “Speed Friending” event. Similar to “Speed Dating,” parishioners will have five minutes to talk with the person across the table from them. We will have questions to guide the conversation. After five minutes, everyone will move down the table to speak with someone else. We hope this will be a fun way to help people get to know each other. Lunch and childcare will be provided. Adults (age 18 and over) are encouraged to participate. See the flyer linked below for more details.

(4) LENTEN RETREAT: Our annual Lenten Retreat is scheduled for Friday, March 28, and Saturday, March 29. Fr Calinic Berger will be our retreat speaker. Further details can be found on the linked flyer below.

(5) VISITATION: Mary Ann Khoury has moved to CedarHurst Senior Living (11820 W 29th St). She is in Apt 12 and would love visitors anytime. If you wish to call in advance, she can be reached at 316-640-7077.

(6) SUNDAY OF ORTHODOXY COLLECTION: Today we collected funds for the Archdiocese to be used to help educate our Archdiocesan Seminarians. Thanks to your generous support, our Archdiocese is able to cover tuition, room, and board for its sponsored seminarians. We will keep the collection open for next Sunday as well. You may put cash in the designated tray, or write a check to St Mary, earmarked: Seminarians. We will forward all collected funds to the Antiochian Archdiocese.

(7) METROPOLITAN SABA’S WEEKLY TEACHING: This week His Eminence shares his message “On the Interpretation of the Holy Bible – Part 1.” See the link to read it. 

(8) TEXT MESSAGE CHANGES: Due to recent changes with the Remind program/app, we are in the process of changing our text message provider to tithe.ly, the same organization we use for online giving. However, for regulatory reasons, it takes 3-4 weeks for this new service to work (we are given our own phone number from which we can send and receive text messages). Once the program is ready to use, we will be sure to reach out to you about it.

(9) 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.

(10) 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

Beloved in Christ,

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

THIS WEEK: February 17 – 24, 2025

This Week: Regular Wed/Fri fasting; Sunday, February 23, is the last day meat is allowed before Pascha.     

Tues, Feb 18 at 11:30 am – Bingo @ St George Fellowship Hall

Wed, Feb 19 at 6:00 pm – Daily Vespers

Wed, Feb 19 at 6:30 pm – Film Showing: “Man of God” (St Nektarios)

Thurs, Feb 20 at 5:30 pm – Parish Council Meeting

Fri, Feb 21 – Scroll on Website

Sat, Feb 22 at 9:00 am – Divine Liturgy ~ Saturday of Souls

Sat, Feb 22 – NO CONFESSIONS AND NO VESPERS AT ST MARY (Fr Aaron celebrating a wedding at St George Cathedral)

Sun, Feb 23 – Scroll in Foyer

Sun, Feb 23 at 9:00 am – Matins

Sun, Feb 23 at 10:00 am – Divine Liturgy

Sun, Feb 23 at 11:00 am – Church School

Sun, Feb 23 at 11:30 am – Belles Meatfare Taco Bar

Sun, Feb 23 at 12:00 pm – Baptism of Andrew Martindale

Sun, Feb 23 at 5:00 pm – Orthodoxy on Tap @ Old School Tap House (210 E Kechi Rd, Kechi)

Mon, Feb 24 at 8:00 am – Divine Liturgy ~ St John the Baptist

Other Notes

(1) SATURDAY OF SOULS: Our pre-Lenten Saturday of Souls service, at which we commemorate all of the departed from time immemorial, is scheduled for Saturday, February 22, at 9:00 am. If you wish to submit names of departed loved ones to be remembered, please submit their FIRST and LAST names to me (not to the parish office) by Wednesday, February 19. If you have a list on file with the parish office, you may contact Frankie and have her send you the list so you can add last names. I am taking this approach this year as we have the same name often submitted by multiple families.

(2) BELLES MEATFARE TACO BAR: The Belles of St Mary will host a fundraising luncheon on Sunday, February 23, following the Divine Liturgy. Everyone is welcome to attend.

(3) ORTHODOXY ON TAP: On Sunday, February 23, at 5:00 pm we will have another “Orthodoxy on Tap” at Old School Tap House (210 E Kechi Rd, Kechi). Fr Mark Sultani from St George Cathedral will briefly discuss technology and the spiritual life. The rest of the time will be a time of food and fellowship.

(4) BINGO AT ST GEORGE: Members of St George Cathedral have invited us to attend Bingo on Tuesday, February 18 from 11:30 am to 1:00 pm in the St George Fellowship Hall. A catered meal and prizes will be provided at no cost.

(5) FESTIVAL PREP: Our annual Mediterranean Festival is coming up on Saturday, May 3. We have several prep days to ensure we are ready to open our doors and welcome our visitors on May 3. In addition to being a major help for this fundraiser, volunteering at these prep days is a wonderful way to get to know your fellow parishioners. Please see the current sign-up sheet for upcoming prep days and sign up for slots when you can make yourself available. You can sign up here: St Mary/Wichita, KS: Mediterranean Festival Prep Dates – 2025

(6) METROPOLITAN SABA’S WEEKLY TEACHING: This week His Eminence shares his message “The Parable of the Weeds, Part 2.” See the link to read it. 

(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