Looking Ahead at St Mary (December 30 – January 6)

Beloved in Christ,

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

THIS WEEK: December 30, 2024 – January 6, 2025

This Week: No fasting through January 4 on any day of the week; January 5 is a fast day, with allowance for wine/oil.     

Tues, Dec 31 at 5:15 pm – Festal Matins ~ Circumcision of Christ & Feast of St Basil @ St George Cathedral

Tues, Dec 31 at 6:30 pm – Divine Liturgy ~ Circumcision of Christ & Feast of St Basil @ St George Cathedral

Fri, Jan 3 at 8:00 am – Royal Hours ~ Theophany

Sat, Jan 4 – No Confessions

Sat, Jan 4 at 5:00 pm – Great Vespers

Sun, Jan 5 at 9:00 am – Matins

Sun, Jan 5 at 10:00 am – Divine Liturgy

Sun, Jan 5 at 5:00 pm – Great Vespers ~ Theophany

Mon, Jan 6 at 8:00 am – Divine Liturgy ~ Theophany

Mon, Jan 6 – House Blessings Begin

Other Notes

(1)  FAMILY PROMISE 2025 HOST DATES: The following dates are our scheduled host weeks for Family Promise in 2025. As usual, we will circulate a sign up closer to each date, but we wanted to let everyone know about these dates in advance. Here are the host weeks for 2025: January 26 – February 2; March 30 – April 6; June 29 – July 6; and October 5 – 12.

(2)  BISHOP BASIL ENDOWMENT FUND: The Bishop Basil Endowment Fund supports new missions and parish expansion projects in our diocese, such as land purchase, building projects, or a monetary support for priest of a new mission community. Each year, to honor Bishop Basil on his name-day (January 1), we take a collection for a few Sundays near his name-day. If you would like to donate this year, please contribute by writing a check or making an online donation to St Mary, earmarked: Bishop Basil Endowment Fund. Please turn in your contribution by Sunday, January 12.

(3) 2025 PARISH COUNCIL OFFICERS: The following parishioners were elected as officers of the 2025 Parish Council: Paula Zarich (PC Chair); Tracy Namee (Vice Chair); Darren Minks (Treasurer); and Ken Dannenberg (Secretary). May God grant them many years!

(4) 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. A separate email will be sent this coming week notifying parishioners how to sign up for a house blessing. If you have any questions or concerns following the receipt of that email, please contact Fr Aaron.

(5) PRE-LENT FILM SERIES: Prior to Great Lent 2025, we will have a 7-week Film Series following Wednesday evening services (normally Daily Vespers). The films will begin at 6:30 pm. In January we plan to show the following films: Sacred Alaska (Jan 8); St George the Great Martyr (Jan 15); Amphilochios – Saint of Patmos (Jan 22); and New Men (Jan 29). We will be screening 3 additional films in February.

(6) 20/40 FELLOWSHIP GROUP: 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).

(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) METROPOLITAN SABA’S WEEKLY TEACHING: This week His Eminence shares his Nativity message. See the link to read 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