The Northern Beacon Parish Newsletter FEBRUARY/MARCH 2019 VOLUME 107

Transcription

1 Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia St John the Baptist, Parish of Cairns The Northern Beacon Parish Newsletter FEBRUARY/MARCH 2019 VOLUME 107 Parish Priest: Rev. Fr. Menelaos Hatzoglou Church: (07) Fax: (07) Mobile: Parish President: Theo Bacalakis Mobile: Philoptochos Society of St John the Baptist Parish Cairns Ph: (07) St Johns Community Care Chairperson: Theo Bacalakis ( Kamerunga Road, Kamerunga) PO Box 44R Redlynch QLD 4870 Ph: (07) Fax: (07) Chief Executive Officer: Sonya Leonardi Aged Care Services Manager: Effie Bacalakis Disability Services Manager: Amanda McInerney Gordonvale Office: (07) Innisfail Office: (07) Mareeba Office: (07) Torres Strait Office: (07) Townsville: (07) Brisbane: (07) Coen: (07) Home Assist Secure Ph: Outside Cairns: Redlynch Day Care Centre Director: L Dos Santos director@redlynchdaycarecentre.com.au Coming Events & Gatherings Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia FELLOWSHIP Recommences Saturday 23rd February 2019 Greek Language School Language Classes/ Dance School Recommences 25th February 2019 Every Monday 4pm Parish Hall. Enquires contact Father Menelaos Hatzoglou Russian Language School Every Thursday 4:30 pm Parish Hall. Contact Nadia Pinder nadiya70@hotmail.com Upcoming Events February/March 2019 English Divine Liturgy Saturday 2nd February 2019 at 9:00 am to commemorate The Presentation of Our Lord and Saviour to the Temple. Saturday 2nd March Saturday of Souls Matins & Divine Liturgy 8 am. To Order Koliva please contact Fr Menelaos Father Menelaos will be at the Cemetery to conduct blessings for loved ones from 11am-12pm Sunday 3rd March Meat-Fare Sunday Luncheon $10 All Welcome. Sunday 10th March Cheese-Fare Sunday Morning Tea All Welcome. Monday 25th March The Annunciation of the Theotokos Matins & Divine Liturgy 8am. Sunday School Sunday School Recommences Sunday 3rd February 2019 Every Sunday Parish Hall 9-9:50am For further information contact Kali Parea Seniors Group Every Wednesday at 11am St John s Parish Hall Call Stella Transport Available Divine liturgy at Sts Theodores Townsville Saturday 16th March 2019 Bus Departs Stocklands Shopping Centre Earlville 5 am Returning Stocklands Earlville at 6 pm Who ever requires the Parish Priest, Father Menelaos to attend the cemetery for blessings. Please contact Father Menelaos A Courtesy Bus is available for Sunday Services To book please call Fr Menelaos on HOSPITAL & HOME VISITS BY PRIEST As we all know, at some point in our life there comes a time when we find someone we love, or ourselves in hospital for a variety of reasons. Whoever requires the Parish Priest to visit their loved ones in Hospital or at home they contact Father Menelaos on

2 Letters From Father Menelaos.. Dear Beloved Parishioners, As the Lenten Period is coming ever so quickly, I feel it is important to talk about fasting and its significance. Firstly our Church adopted fasting from the Old Testament. Christ Himself fasted and preached about its significance (Matt 6:16, Mark 2:20 and 9:29). The early Church too, observed fasting (Acts 13:2, 14:23) and II Cor. 2:27). As early as the beginning of the Third Century, we have documents substantiating the early establishment of regular fast days, such as Wednesday and Friday, these two days are symbolical of Christ s betrayal and crucifixion. By the end of the fourth century, the forty day Great Lenten fast was wide spread. Later other fasting periods were also adopted by our Church. Fasting is accompanied by prayer and charity, it is a way of disciplining oneself as a person not just the body. Fasting is a small way of sharing suffering throughout the world. Great Lent begins forty days before Palm Sunday, on the Monday after Cheese-Fare Sunday, and lasts until the evening preceding Palm Sunday. Holy Week is a Special fast in honour of our Lord s Passion, and lasts from evening of Palm Sunday through to Holy Saturday. Fasting is personal, our self-sacrifice to our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Whilst we are fasting, we should be humble, we must no show off to others that we are fasting but wash our faces, so it does not look like we are suffering during fasting. With fasting comes prayer. The Orthodox Church from Clean Monday to Holy week has services throughout the week. In the evenings the Great Compline services are recited, in Greek known as the Mega Apothipno, on Wednesday s there are the Presanctified gift services and on Friday s there are the Salutations to the Theotokos all these services are to prepare us for what is to come Holy Pascha. The Greek Orthodox Church also has Vespers Services for Forgiveness from Sunday of Cheeses- Fare until the 5 th Sunday of Lent. In these Services we ask for one and other for Forgiveness. During the time of the Great Lent, it is advisable to see your Spiritual Father for confession. Confession is as important as fasting. We should not approach the Holy Eucharist without receiving the Sacrament of Confession. When one confesses their sins to their Spiritual Father, the person digs deep into their soul and gets rid of the unwanted roots that darkens their soul. Our Lord instructed us to repent our Sins here on earth, we have the opportunity to do this with the Orthodox Church. It is also common practice that we also receive the Sacrament of Holy Unction, which is one of the Orthodox sacraments and its purpose is to forgive any sins that we may have forgotten to tell our Spiritual Father during confession unintentionally. During the Great Lenten Period we abstain from eating, Meat, Cheese, Fish, Eggs and poultry. Holy Saturday is the only Saturday we abstain from oil, Holy Week is a strict fast and we do not consume oil in our foods. If you any queries or any health conditions please consult your Spiritual Father. In the Lord s Richest Blessings +Fr Menelaos

3 Recent Events On Saturday 8 th December the Parish of St John the Baptist together with St John s Community Care and Redlynch Day Care Centre held our annual Christmas Carols, the Greek school and Parishioners of St John the Baptist alongside with the clients and the children from Child Care Centre performed several Christmas Carols. There were other guests who also performed at the Christmas Carols. The Christmas Carols were enjoyed by hundreds of people; there was no doubt that the Christmas Carols were a success. On Sunday 9 th December, The Greek School students had their graduation day, the Greek School students performed a Christmas play and Carols. There was a Fish luncheon which was enjoyed by all. There was a presentation for the Greek Language School Students, all the students received their certificates. This year Stella Tremayne was appointed as the School Captain for 2019 and we congratulate her for her appointment as School Captain. On behalf of the Parish President, Board Members, we would like to thank the Ladies Philoptochos, Maria Lazarus, Stella Parimeros, Irene Tremayne and the Greek School School students for a wonderful performance, we would also like to thank the parents of the Greek School students for entrusting us to be able to educate their children. The year started on New Year s Day with Matins & Divine Liturgy and the cutting of the Vassilopita. The Vassilopita was blessed then cut and given to the Parish President, Board members, chanter, ladies of the Philoptochos, Greek School and Sunday School Teachers. Raphaela Hatzoglou received the Gold Coin and the Icon of St John the Baptist. On Sunday 6 th January, we celebrated Epiphany by throwing the Cross at Trinity Beach. It was very well attended. Dudley Joseph Powell retrieved and returned the Cross to Father Menelaos, Dudley received a Gold Cross and was blessed by Father Menelaos. It was good to see the young children and adults dive for the Cross. Father Menelaos presented the other children with their medallions. There was a luncheon after the festivities which was enjoyed by all. I would also like to thank you all for welcoming me to your homes, to be able to bless your houses so you all could receive Christ into your homes for the New Year. I look forward to a Spiritual year and may you receive every blessing from above. UPCOMING EVENTS. February 2019 Sunday 3rd Sunday school Commences All Ages Welcome 9-9:50 am Parish Hall. Saturday 23rd Fellowship Commences 11:00 am Parish Hall All Welcome. Monday 25 th Language School and Greek Dance School Commences, Please enrol your Children. March 2019 Saturday 2nd Saturday of Souls Matins & Divine Liturgy 8am, for Koliva Contact Father Menelaos Father Menelaos will be at the Cemetery from 11:00 am-12:00 pm for Blessings. Sunday 3 rd Meat-Fare Sunday Luncheon following Divine Liturgy $10 All Welcome. Sunday 10 th Cheese-Fare Sunday morning tea. Monday 11 th Great Lent Commences No Fish, Meat, Dairy, Eggs or Poultry. Great Evening Compline Services Commence 6pm Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays During Great Lent. Wednesday 13 th Presanctified Gifts commence 9am Every Wednesday until Holy Week. Friday 15 th 1st Salutations to the Theotokos Commences 6pm. Saturday 16 th Divine Liturgy at St Theodores Townsville. Sunday 17 th Sunday of Orthodoxy Procession of the Icons around the Church Please Bring Your Icons. Monday 25 th The Annunciation of the Theotokos Fish Allowed. Sunday 31 st The Veneration of the Holy Cross. God Bless +Fr Menelaos

4 GREEK ORTHODOX ARCHDIOCESE OF AUSTRALIA PARISH OF ST JOHN THE BAPTIST FELLOWSHIP 2019 LAST SATURDAY OF EVERY MONTH FELLOWSHIP RECOMMENCES SATURDAY FEBRUARY 23RD 2019 Parish Hall All Welcome. Jesus said, Wherever two or three are gathered, there I am also. MONTHLY DINNERS FOLLOWING ENGLISH DIVINE LITURGIES. FUN OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES GROUP DISCUSSIONS BOWLING MOVIES COME AND MEET NEW PEOPLE!!!!!!!! Drinks and light snacks provided FOR FURTHER DETAILS CONTACT FR. MENELAOS EVERY SUNDAY PARISH HALL 9.00am - 9:50am SUNDAY SCHOOL RECOMMENCES SUNDAY 3RD FEBRUARY 2019 *FUN ACTIVITIES FOR CHILDREN *CHILDRENS BIBLE LESSONS *COLOURING ACTIVITIES & LESSONS *LEARN THE LORDS PRAYER *ARTS & CRAFTS For further information please contact Fr. Menelaos Hatzoglou on BRING YOUR CHILDREN ALONG - ALL WELCOME This year the Greek school students will be attending scripture classes once a month, as it is a part of the Greek school curriculum. An Activity Of The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese Of Australia

5 GREEK ORTHODOX ARCHDIOCESE OF AUSTRALIA PARISH OF ST JOHN THE BAPTIST CAIRNS PARISH OF ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST CAIRNS INVITES YOU TO THE STAY AND ENJOY MEATFARE SUNDAY LUNCHEON Sunday 3rd MARCH 2019 Following Divine Liturgy Judgement Sunday Cost: $10.00 ALL WELCOME CHEESEFARE SUNDAY MORNING TEA Sunday 10th March 2019 Following Divine Liturgy Cost: FREE. ALL WELCOME FELLOWSHIP EVERY LAST SATURDAY OF THE MONTH 11:30am PARISH HALL KALI PAREA EVERY WEDNESDAY PARISH HALL 10:00am Greek school/greek Dance Classes Every Monday Parish Hall 4-6pm Russian School Every Thursday 4:30pm Parish Hall. Sunday school Every Sunday Parish Hall 9:00am-9:50am All Ages Welcome. An Activity Of The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese Of Australia

6 GUIDE TO FASTING Fasting is an integral and essential part of Orthodox Christian life. There are 4 major periods of fasting during the year and a number of other days in which Orthodox Christians abstain from meat, dairy products, eggs, fish, wine and oil. Every Wednesday and Friday (with some exceptions) is a fasting day. If a feast day falls on a Wednesday or a Friday the fasting is relaxed as indicated. With the exception of Holy Saturday we never fast from wine and oil on Saturday or Sunday because the Resurrection of Christ is celebrated on these days. Please consult your spiritual father or priest to help you apply these guidelines to your own situation. Fasting for Great Lent begins Monday 11th March 2019 until Holy Saturday 27th April 2019 Dear Parishioners, Welcome back everyone to the New Year Special warm welcome from RDCC to the new families that have joined us this year. We would like to thank all the families for your support last year. We look forward to continue working with you all. The year is already looking sensational and the educators have exciting learning experiences for the children in their rooms. We have lots of fun filled events set for the centre calendar of events. More information in the later dates. Thank you Regards Lucimer Santos Director/Nominated Supervisor TUNE IN TO CAIRNS FM 89.1 Greek Programs is on Saturdays between 2-4pm Get all the Greek Music and National News and loads more.

7 S P O N S O R S Thank you To all our Sponsors in 2019

8 GREEK ORTHODOX ARCHDIOCESE OF AUSTRALIA PARISH OF ST JOHN THE BAPTIST CAIRNS FATHER MENELAOS HATZOGLOU WILL BE OFFICIATING A ENGLISH DIVINE LITURGY TO COMMEMORATE THE PRESENTATION OF OUR LORD TO THE TEMPLE AT THE PARISH OF ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST REDLYNCH SATURDAY 2ND FEBRUARY :00am LUNCH TO FOLLOW THE DIVINE LITURGY LONE STAR RIB HOUSE SMITHFIELD ALL WELCOME. PARISH OF ST JOHN THE BAPTIST CAIRNS FATHER MENELAOS HATZOGLOU WILL BE OFFICIATING A DIVINE LITURGY ALONGSIDE FATHER ALEXIOS AT ST. THEODORES TOWNSVILLE SATURDAY 16TH MARCH 2019 BUS LEAVES STOCKLAND AT 5:00AM RETURNING TO STOCKLAND AT 6:00PM Please Contact Fr. Menelaos Hatzoglou for bus bookings & enquiries on fr.menelaos@gopcairns.org.au Telephone: Fax: An Activity Of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese Of Australia