WEEKLY SCHEDULE
Sunday, February 23 – Sunday of Cheesefare
9:30 AM Parishioners of St. Mary’s
11:00 AM Ceremony of Mutual Forgiveness
6:00 PM Forgiveness Vespers
Monday, February 24 – First Day of the Great Fast- day of strict Abstinence
7:30 AM Morning Prayer
Tuesday, February 25 – Tarasius, Patriarch
Wednesday, February 26 – Porphyof Gaza, Bishop
7:30 PM Presantified Divine Liturgy +Helen Stroka from Debbie Rees
Thursday, February 27 – Procopius, Venerable-Confessor
7:30 AM Morning Prayer
12:05 PM Mid-day Prayer
7:30 PM Evening Prayer
Friday, February 28 – Basil, Venerable-Confessor
7:30 AM Morning Prayer
7:30 PM Presanctified Divine Liturgy +John Bosak from the Gomori Family
Saturday, February 29 – Commemoration of the Miracle of the Great-Martyr Theodore
8:30 AM Divine Liturgy +Michael Sumandra from Sumandra Family
7:30 PM Vespers
Sunday, March 01 - First Sunday of the Great Fast
8:30 AM Matins
9:30 AM Divine Liturgy
Coffee Social: Koman-Keogh Family
PRAYER REQUESTS
Please remember the following people in your prayers: Estella Biedenbender, Ken Bosak, Julie Carlin, Fletes Family: Alicia, Frankie, Layla, Lupita & Veronica, Victoria Flores, Larry Goodwin, Holly Garlow, Michelle Grana, Virginia Harrington, Jeanne Hart, Michael Hefferon, Rob Hooper, Chris Johnson, Ken Kokason, Patricia Kurczak, Irene Lehman, Elizabeth & John Mallas, Dylan Mancia, Toni Martin, Marg Mauro, Juan Gabriel Martinez, Pedro Medina, Mina family: Mila, Diana, Rev. John & Mike, Shannon O’Neill, Tanya Petach, Casandra Porch, Diane Romano, Paul Saucedo, Kathleen Savko, Robert Stamer, Leanne Steuer, Mary Washko, Dina & Matthew Wiggins, Karole Woods, Carmen Zambrano, Lana Zimmerman, Patrick Zimmerman, Fr. Chris Zugger and all those who
serve in the Armed Forces.
WEEKLY DEPOSIT- Feb. 16
Tithe: $1,357.00; Candles: $47.06; Coffee Social: $29.00; Church Improvements: $40.00;
Property Rentals: $1,320.00
TOTAL: $2,793.06 / ATTENDANCE – 45
UPCOMING
- 2/17 – 3/3: Registrar Training and Voting in the big hall.
- 2/24: First Day of the Great Fast. We abstain from meat and dairy products
- 2/26: Special Collection- Church in Central and Eastern Europe -”Through Bishop’s Conferences in Central and Eastern Europe and the ex-Soviet Union, this aid assists in the training of seminarians and lay church leaders, Church-sponsored social service programs, youth ministry, pastoral and catechetical centers, school and church construction/renovation, and evangelization through the use of Catholic media.” Thank you for your generosity! Please use the labeled envelope, or put “Central and Eastern Europe” on the memo line of your check.
- 3/15: Adult Education will begin after the Sunday Liturgy Email to follow with more details
Parish Updates
-The big tree in front of Father John’s house was removed
-You will notice more services at St. Mary’s during the week. These will be the norm moving forward. Fr. Michael understands that most people won’t be able to make these services, but please come if you are able
Great Fast
The Great Fast begins tomorrow (Monday). The bishops have asked that we as Byzantine Catholics, together, abstain from meat on all Wednesdays and Fridays, and meat, dairy and eggs and Clean Monday (tomorrow 2/24) and Great and Holy Friday (4/10). The ancient tradition is to abstain from meat, dairy, alcohol and anything fried (ancient luxuries) for the entire fast, with exceptions mentioned in the Typicon (guide for the liturgical year). I encourage you to commit to something in between these two requirements/traditions. It is also important to follow the scriptural mandate to pray, fast and give alms (Matthew 6), especially during the Great Fast. The Prayer of St. Ephrem is a great and beautiful way to intensify and orient your prayer during the Fast.
Prayer of St. Ephrem
Lord and Master of my life
Spare me from the spirit of indifference, despair
Lust for power, and idle chatter.
(prostration)
Instead, bestow on me, your servant,
the spirit of integrity, humility, patience and love.
(prostration)
Yes O Lord and King,
Let me see my own sins,
And not judge my brother and sister.
For you are blessed forever and ever. Amen.
(prostration)