st mary outside

Looking Ahead at St Mary (May 5 – 13)

Beloved in Christ,

CHRIST IS RISEN! Happy and blessed Pascha!

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

THIS WEEK: May 5 – 12, 2024

This Week: No fasting on any day of the week through Ascension.  

  • Sun, May 5 at 1:00 pm – Agape Vespers @ St George Cathedral
  • Wed, May 8 at 8:00 am – Divine Liturgy ~ St John the Evangelist & Theologian
  • Sat, May 11 at 8:00 am – MF Prep: Make Baklawa (sign up here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090F44AAA92AA7FB6-42317532-mediterranean#/)
  • Sat, May 11 at 12:00 pm – MF Prep: Initial Hall Setup (see sign up in Note 1 below)
  • Sat, May 11 at 4:00 pm – Men’s Prayer Group
  • Sat, May 11 at 5:00 pm – Great Vespers ~ Thomas Sunday
  • Sun, May 12 – Mother’s Day
  • Sun, May 12 at 8:50 am – Festal Matins ~ Thomas Sunday
  • Sun, May 12 at 10:00 am – Divine Liturgy
  • Mon, May 13 at 9:00 am – MF Prep – Make Greek Cookies (see sign up in Note 1 below)
  • Mon, May 13 at 11:00 am – MF Prep: Cut & Package Baklawa (see sign up in Note 1 below)

Other Notes

(1) WEEK OF FESTIVAL PREP DATES: We need many helpers during the week of the festival as we make the final preparations. We have put together a Sign-Up Genius page with all the work to be done, dates on which they will be done, and the number of people needed. Please review that document (https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090F44AAA92AA7FB6-42317532-mediterranean#/) and sign up for any events when you can help.

(2) MF MARKET HELP NEEDED: The Marketplace is one of the most profitable aspects of our Mediterranean Festival because it primarily relies on parishioners bringing various baked goods to sell. We ask that every family bring at least one item(s) (e.g., cake, cookies) to sell. Linked below you will find the Market Bulletin, discussing the types of baked goods we are seeking, as well as some helpful tips. We ask that you please indicate the items you intend to bring by signing up here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090F44AAA92AA7FB6-49007709-mediterranean#/. You will also find below a link to the Baking Form, which we ask you fill out so we can list the ingredients included in your baked goods. Thank you in advance for your support!

(3) ORTHODOX YOUNG PROFESSIONAL CONFERENCE: The Orthodox Young Professionals Conference (OYPC) is celebrating its tenth-anniversary conference this July 25-28 in Orange County, Calif. The keynote speaker, Fr. Evan Armatas, will discuss relationships, the challenges in finding a spouse, and the reasons why there are many unmarried young adults within the Church. The first 50 registrants will get a discount. A flyer with details is linked below.

(4) METROPOLITAN SABA’S WEEKLY TEACHING: This week His Eminence shares a teaching on “The Renewal of Pascha.” Read it here >

(5) 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: https://tmts.transistor.fm/.

(6) 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