Fr. Alex s Message: A Possession Most Precious

Transcription

1 Fr. Alex s Message: A Possession Most Precious Fellow Stewards & Friends of St. Philip: Of all the beautiful hymns and prayers that help us celebrate the Resurrection of our Lord, this oration of Saint Gregory the Theologian, below (a portion of the complete piece), is among the most striking and moving. Take these words into your heart as we continue to journey through Lent and approach Great and Holy Pascha on April 8: Yesterday I was crucified with Him; today I am glorified with Him. Yesterday I died with Him; today I am made alive with Him. Yesterday I was buried with Him; today I am raised up with Him. Let us offer to Him who suffered and rose again for us ourselves, the possession most precious to God and most proper. Let us become like Christ, since Christ became like us. Let us become divine for His sake; since for us He became Man. Let us give all, offer all, to Him who gave Himself as ransom and reconciliation for us. Without a doubt, there is no possession more important to God than you and me. When babies are baptized in the Church, a little piece of hair is cut from their heads and offered as a loving sacrifice to God on the day of their powerful initiation into the Faith. And what is the reason for this? The answer is simple but highly important it is vital for us to offer a little bit of ourselves, our very bodies, to God in response to His great sacrifice and the hope of resurrection He offers to all. Our lives are ongoing and loving sacrifices to Him; through our holy strivings all our days, we re-offer ourselves as gifts to God, gifts in thanksgiving for the ultimate gift of life and the opportunity to love, serve and be His beloved sons and daughters. So this Easter, let us resolve to give all and offer all to Christ, just as we so beautifully did on the day of our baptisms. He doesn t want things from us; He doesn t want empty promises; He doesn t want pious gestures offered without heart, soul and love. Cont. on Pg. 2 March & April 2018 Table of Contents Liturgical Schedule 2 Stewardship 3 Youth 4, 5 Photos 6 Calendar 7 Community/ Outreach 8 Education/ News 9 Sponsors 10, 11 Saint Philip Church 500 West Hollis St. Nashua, NH P: facebook.com/ StPhilipNashua instagram.com/ stphilipnashuanh

2 LITURGICAL SCHEDULE March & April Schedule Sundays Divine Liturgy, 10 am March 4: Gregory Palamas 11: The Holy Cross 18: Saint John of the Ladder 25: The Annunciation April 1: Palm Sunday 8: Holy Pascha/Easter 15: Saint Thomas 22: Myrrh-bearing Women 29: The Paralytic Weekdays Divine Liturgy, 10 am April 23: Saint George Presanctified Liturgy, 6 pm* March 7*, 14, 21 & 28 ( Engaging Pastoral Issues Orthodox Life Series on the 14th & 21st) *Start time on the 7th is 9 am Salutations, 7 pm March 9, 16 & 23 A Possession Most Precious (continued) He simply wants us. It s interesting it seems like so little to ask yet so grand at the same time. To each of us, the reality of offering ourselves and our lives to God is sacred and highly personal in ways. But some things are universal: opening our hearts to His passion during Holy Week forgiving others as He has forgiven us lifting up those in need as He has lifted us up time and time again being truly changed by His ultimate sacrifice, which was motivated only by love and compassion for His children. Kalo Pascha (A Good Pascha/Easter ) to us all! I wish you a continued and blessed Lent, and I look forward to celebrating His glorious Resurrection with you all. Fr. Alex From the Heart of the Theotokos One of the most moving days of Holy Week is Holy Friday, when we contemplate, like Mary, the sacrifice of Christ, the mystery of His love for us His most profound love: The Mother cried aloud, when she saw her Son hanging on the Cross; The Maiden, pierced to the heart, cried out fervently shedding tears. O Light of my eyes, my sweetest Child, how are You now covered in the grave? Lamentations of Holy Friday Voices of Faith Our parishioners of all ages are always invited to read the Epistle during Sunday Divine Liturgy. Please contact Fr. Alex for details and to arrange a special date for you or your child: Schedule March 4: Lori Pitsas 11: 18: Marisa Donati 25: April 1: Marisa Donati 8: Pascha Readers 15: Doug Philipon 22: 29: Holy Friday Night Vigil April 6, Beginning at 10:30 pm After the Lamentations Service, we ll begin our vigil, reading the Gospels and remaining vigilant and near Christ. Join us all welcome. Sign up for your time to read on the classroom bulletin boards. Lenten & Kouvouklion Donations The Lenten Donation Form has been mailed home to all our Stewards and is available in the Narthex. Agape Kouvouklion/Epitaphios donation envelopes are enclosed in this Come & See and are also in the Narthex. Thank you for your support and generosity. Come and See 2

3 STEWARDSHIP Thank You Enclosure Recognizing Your Stewardship Within this Come & See, you ll find a Thank You Enclosure, recognizing our 2017 Stewards. Our committee took this step, as Stewardship is such an important part of our beloved Saint Philip church. A Christian Steward not only gives time and talent to help grow and strengthen our parish but also offers financially, out of joy and thanksgiving for God s many spiritual gifts. Our list is a way to recognize and thank all that gave pledged and non pledged contributors. Your gifts are ever so important and appreciated. If you were not able to give last year, we hope you are able to so in 2018! Thank you! St. Philip Greek Orthodox Church West Hollis St. St. Nashua, NH Phone: P (603) ; ; office@stphilipnh.org F Web: (603) Rev. Fr. Alex Chetsas: fralex@stphilipnh.org Office Staff: Cheryl Petren, Cheryl & Office Sophie Petren Manager Theoharis: Maryanne Squeglia, office@stphilipnh.org Financial Administrator Office Hours: M - F, 10 am - 3 pm Online Sacraments Delivery Help Us at Reach of Saint Come You Philip & See Many When Are you of planning us receiving have Baptisms agreed weekly to and s receive Weddings, and Come other please & electronic sure communications If you to check haven t in with yet, from Fr. please St. Alex Philip? before help If us not, setting con- we See online. make serve dates. may needed not The have liturgical resources an updated calendar Saint of the Philip, for Church you and/or contact the your spiritual the family. office nature Please today of help to our authorize us Sacraments stay close online to make delivery. you this by Thank communication contacting you for the your very office important. participation! with your Thanks! . Thanks! We Are A Strong & Giving Parish We wanted to remind you that if you have not sent in your 2018 Commitment Card, it is definitely time do so at your earliest convenience. Last year was one of our lowest responses ever and we need to ask ourselves, why is this? The Stewardship Committee, Financial Team and Church Office staff work hard to engage our Stewards and to keep us informed. We hope that you will respond in kind and engage our Stewardship Ministry. We can, indeed, respond with gains in giving each year, as we are a strong and giving parish. If you are reluctant to commit and have questions about our Stewardship Ministry, please reach out to any of our team or Fr. Alex. Let s recommit our support by lovingly offering our time, talent and treasure in 2018 with great faith and joy in the Lord. You ll be glad you did. Wondering how to navigate the Stewardship Page of our website? It s easy! First, just visit the page (stphilipnh.org/ stewardship/) and read about this year s campaign we trust you ll find it relevant to your own spiritual journey. Next, download the 2018 Commitment Card and fill it out, indicating your offering of time, talent and treasure. Please get this to the Church Office, c/o Stewardship Ministry. Finally, consider the online giving feature for the treasure aspect of your Stewardship. It s secure and easy to manage. Enjoy! Every Member Campaign Looking Toward the Sanctuary Project We have received an initial quote for the work in the sanctuary. With that achieved, we now need to figure out how best to approach this next aspect of the Every Member Capital Campaign and get it complete, hopefully within the next year or so. Keep your eyes out over the next few months for more information on the sanctuary project and the general Every Member effort. Learn more about Every Member, and give online today: Come and See 3

4 YOUTH Don t let anyone look down on you because you are young Sunday School Bette Gioffre Hello Sunday School Families: We will be hosting the Saturday of Lazarus Event on March 31; please get in touch with Tippy or me if you are interested in helping out on this day! We can use help cooking, serving and providing food for the breakfast, as well as preparing to clean the church by providing supplies. We also need parents and other adult leaders to guide the children in cleaning. This is an important day in the Church and a wonderful way to be together as we embark upon Holy Week! There will be regular classes throughout March then Family Worship Sunday School on Palm Sunday (April 1) and Pascha/Easter Sunday (April 8). Then we will resume regular Sunday School classes on April 15. As always, please feel free to check in with your child's Sunday School teacher about your child's class, or check in with my co-director Tippy Johnston (tippyj27@comcast.net) or me (betteam2@yahoo.com) with any questions or ideas or to become more involved. We wish all our students a blessed Lent! GOYA Evmorfia Alton, Treasurer Hello Everyone! As we progress through the Lenten season, the GOYAns have been hard at work planning activities for our community. We have several busy upcoming months filled with events such as a Babysitting Night, the Saturday of Lazarus and Holy Friday! Here s what coming. March 4: Regular Monthly Meeting after Sunday School. This will be an important meeting. Join us! March 23: Possible Babysitting Night Fundraiser & Overnight Retreat. We are exploring this possibility. More to come soon. March 31: Saturday of Lazarus. We ll enjoy Liturgy, Communion Breakfast, palm Cross-making and Church cleaning with all our parishioners. April 6: Holy Friday Retreat. Please come join your friends at Church for the services and a special program. Pres. Brandy would love our help in planning this day as well; please let her know if you would like to help out abchetsas@hotmail.com. April 7: Holy Saturday Eggs. As always, we ll be wrapping eggs after the morning service. We hope to have as many of our GOYAns participate in these activities as possible! If you have any ideas or recommendations feel free to contact our advisor, Marisa Donati, at marisapdonati@gmail.com. Scholarships Saturday of Lazarus Event, March 31 Make plans to join us from 10 am - 1:30 pm for a special Divine Liturgy, Communion Breakfast, palm Cross-making and Church cleaning. All children, families and parishioners are invited. Bring the whole family and invite friends! Please contact Bette Gioffre with questions or to help out: betteam2@yahoo.com. Visit the Scholarships page of our website for application materials (except for AHEPA offerings): stphilipnh.org/ scholarships/. Hardcopies of all are also in the Narthex. Agape Scholarship $500 award. Deadline is May 15. AHEPA Scholarships Chapter & District awards varying award amounts. Deadlines vary. Dikos Scholarship $500 Award. Deadline is May 15. MBC 1st-Timer/Any-Timer Scholarships Deadline is May 15. Come and See 4

5 YOUTH...but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in faith and in purity. Timothy 4:12 A Special Resource You re Family s Lenten Journey For our Saint Philip families, busy as so many of us are with school, sports, and myriad other obligations and activities, Great Lent can easily slip away before we feel like we have a chance to appreciate the journey. To help reach us and make a difference in our lives, even during those busy days and weeks, the Archdiocese has created a remarkable Lenten resource website. Check it out with your children whenever you have a free minute it will make a difference in your home! Visit today: lent.goarch.org/. You ll find educational resources about the Sundays of Lent, enriching commentary about Holy Week and more. Holy Friday Myrrhbearers Greek School Update Girls grades 1-6 are invited to participate during the beautiful Bridegroom and Lamentations services. Contact Irene Alton: Irene.Raissis.Alton@fmr.com. Greek School Update Our boys and girls, as well as our adult learners, have enjoyed an excellent in Greek School. We are looking forward to Sunday, March 25, for the Annunciation/Greek Independence Day Program. We hope all our parishioners can make it, supporting our children and helping us celebrate! To learn more about Greek School, contact George Kitsis: bettyb214@aol.com Holy Friday Youth Retreat 2018 April 6, 12:30-3 pm Holy Friday is one of the most profound days of our Church year, and we look forward to marking the day, once again, with a meaningful youth retreat. Our theme will be Psalm 22 & the Cross, focusing on this moving, often misunderstood Psalm, recited by the Lord on the Cross. ***All Sunday School students (K - 12 grade) are warmly invited to join us ***Lunch & snacks will be served ***Grade appropriate, engaging sessions ***Parent leaders and helpers are needed and wanted Register your child(ren) by April 2 with Brandy Chetsas: abchetsas@hotmail.com. Saintly Lives: Saint Alexios, Man of God (March 17) Saint Alexios was born in 380 AD in Rome. He was raised in a royal household by parents who realized that their son, even from the earliest age, felt drawn toward Christ and a life in service of His Church. His parents were not Christian and feared that they would lose him if he were allowed to pursue the things closest to his heart. As he grew to manhood, they constantly attempted to make him feel guilty and in debt to them; they even arranged a marriage for him, trying to distract him from the growing call to monastic life he felt. On the day of the marriage, at the Altar with his intended bride, Saint Alexios looked at the Cross of our Lord, and knew what he had to do. Without a word, he walked away out of the Church and to a Syrian monastery, where he spent 18 years praying, striving, and developing into an amazing spiritual leader. Later in life, he made his way back to Rome and lived and served in anonymity not far from his parents home. Not long before he died, he wrote a letter to them, expressing his love and appreciation for all they had done for him. It was read to them just after his death, which came on March 17, 440. Because of his life of sacrificial service and ministry, the Church has given him a rare title, Man of God. Getting Practical: Especially early in his life Saint Alexios was under pressure. He used his faith to help him make the right decisions. We also can feel pressure at school and with friends and we also can use our faith to help us make the right decisions that keep us close to God. Come and See 5

6 AGAPE Sunday of Orthodoxy Parish Council Youth Events Come and See 6

7 1 March & April 2018 Limited Calendar Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednes- Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday MARCH PreSanctified Festival Baking/ Liturgy, 9 am Cooking, 9 am (Breakfast) Sunday of Saint Gregory Palamas Liturgy, 10 am - Sunday School Sunday of the Holy Cross Liturgy, 10 am - Sunday School - Oratorical Festival - Parish General Assembly Sunday of Saint 18 John of the Ladder Liturgy, 10 am - Sunday School 25 The Annunciation Liturgy, 10 am - Sunday School - Greek School Annunciation/Ind. Day Presentation Palm APRIL 1 Sunday Liturgy, 10 am - SS Family Worship - Luncheon/Bake Sale - Bridegroom Service, 7 pm Holy Pascha/ Easter Agape Vespers, 11 am - Sunday School Family Worship - Easter Egg Hunt, 11:45 am Agape General Membership Mtg., 19 Agape Nashua Soup Kitchen Service, 4 pm Bridegroom Service, 7 pm Parish Council, Stewardship, Compassionate Friends, Bridegroom Service, 7 pm Parish Council, Greek School, 4 & 6 pm Greek School, 4 pm (no Adult Class) PreSanctified Liturgy, 6 pm (Dinner & OL) Agape Baking, 9 am Agape Baking, 9 am Greek School, 4 pm (no Adult Class) PreSanctified Liturgy, 6 pm (Dinner & OL) Greek School, 4 pm (no Adult Class) PreSanctified Liturgy, 6 pm 14 Holy Unction, 3:30 & 7 pm Agape Nashua Soup Kitchen Service, 4 pm Choir Rehearsal, Choir Rehearsal, Choir Rehearsal, Vesperal Liturgy, 6 am The Passion, 7 pm Greek School, 4 & 6 pm Choir Rehearsal, Choir Rehearsal, 3rd Salutations, 7 pm 4th Salutations, 7 pm The Akathist, 7 pm Parish Fundraiser Dinner, 4-8 pm Festival Baking/ Cooking, 9 am AHEPA Event (Hellenic Circle & City Hall), 11 am Saturday of 31 Lazarus Liturgy, 10 am - Communion Breakfast, Palm Crosses & Church Cleaning 5 6 Vesperal 7 Liturgy, 9 am GOYA Egg Wrapping, 11 am R. Hours, 9 am Y. Retreat, 12:30 pm Descent from the Cross, 3:30 pm Lamentations, 7 pm Vigil, 10:30 pm 13 Festival Baking/ Cooking, 9 am R. Service & Divine Liturgy, 11:15 pm (Reception) Remember to spring forward before going to bed on Sunday, March 11! Come and See 7

8 COMMUNITY/Outreach Festival Prep Call to Action Remember, It s Coming May 18 & 19! As you know, our festival is a such an important part of funding our annual operating expenses. Cooking has begun, and staffing for these events is always a challenge. There is no easy way to say this but we need your help this year. It strains our fellow parishioners when only 12 people show up for an event. It means that we end up with perishable products that need to be used, and then the cooking session spills into the following week. It means that people have to take personal time from work to finish. We are all part of Team Saint Philip. This year, please do not only show up to work at the festival get involved with our preparation! With few exceptions, we will be cooking every Saturday over the next few months. Let s do this together! Our festival chairs are asking us all to sign up for three cooking events in March and three in April. We can do this thanks for your support as we approach our May event. Outreach Snapshot PreSanctified Liturgies In March, bring interested friends to our PreSanctified Liturgies after work! Dinners will also be offered on the 14th and 21st, as well as the Orthodox Life series. Senior Citizen Outing in April The Museum of Russian Icons The Museum of Russian icons, in Clinton, MA, is an amazing resource for our parish. Only a 30 minute drive from our Saint Philip, it is the only museum in the country dedicated to Russian icons, and it houses the largest collection of icons outside Russia. After Pascha, we will look forward to this outing, which was postponed from Feb. 21. While the museum was unable to offer us an earlier make-up date, we will make this event a priority in April. Details will soon be announced. We hope many of our seniors will join us. Holy icons are considered windows to Heaven, and we trust this outing will prove an inspiration for us throughout the year. The tour fee will be covered by the Church, and you are welcome to make an offering for the mission of the museum. Please confirm your interest with Cheryl Petren: office@stphilipnh.org. Souper Bowl Sunday Reflections Thanks to all who supported our Souper Bowl Sunday of Caring effort on Feb. 4. Nearly $250 was donated to the pot by our faithful, and hundreds of canned goods were offered for Harbor Homes (between the 4th and our month-long February effort). Please note that general canned/non-perishable goods can now be brought to the Giving Box in the hall for the Nashua Soup Kitchen. Please make this effort part of your Lenten journey. Stay Connected MINISTRIES/PROGRAMS ADULT/GENERAL Chanting Theodore Persakis Choir George Fr. Alex Karakantas Chetsas Every Member Doug Jorge Panteli Philipon Food Festival Jamie Pappas Health/Wellness Katherine Richo Orthodox OCMC Library Life Frank Maryanne Fr. Alex Edelblut Squeglia Parish Orthodox Council Life Malcolm Frank Fr. Alex Edelblut Paradise Outreach Committee Stephanie Norris Stewardship Parish Pan-Orthodox Council Ministry Charities Joe Malcolm Maryanne Pappo Paradise Squeglia Welcome Stewardship Parish Council Committee Greg Joe Ed Marden Pappo Danas Women s Welcome Stewardship Committee Prayer/Bible Maryanne Greg Doug Danas Philipon Squeglia Women s Welcome Committee Prayer Group Maryanne Greg Danas Squeglia YOUTH Altar YOUTH Women s Prayer Group Maryanne Squeglia Service Daniel Gioffre Family Youth YOUTH Director Night Brandy Elena Barker Chetsas GOYA Altar Service Marisa Daniel Gioffre Donati Greek GOYA School George Marisa Donati Kitsis Hellenic Greek School Dance Troupe Maria George Donati Kitsis JOY Hellenic Dance Troupe Brandy Maria Donati Chetsas Sunday JOY/Family & Family School Night Night Heather Brandy Chetsas Cloutier Youth Sunday Director School Elena Heather Bette Gioffre Barker Cloutier RELATED GROUPS/ORGANIZATIONS ORGANIZATIONS Agape Ladies Society Panayiota Panayota Mikedis AHEPA Nick Kallan Elpis Ladies Society Maria Donati Pan-Macedonians Society Charles Paskaley Come and See 8

9 EDUCATION/NEWS Agape News On March 7, we will be hosting a breakfast after PreSanctified Liturgy. All willing to cook and otherwise help prepare may contact Stella Bloom: Our next General Membership Meeting will be Monday, March 12, at. We will meet at the Church for fellowship and planning. All women of our parish are welcome! We hope to see some new faces. We are also looking forward to the Palm Sunday Bake Sale on April 1. The sale will benefit the Agape Scholarship Fund and all our wonderful bakers are needed. Baking sessions are planned for March 21 & 22, both beginning at 9 am. Please support this important event. Agape Scholarship application materials are in the Narthex & posted on our parish website. Please encourage the high school seniors you know to apply. The deadline is May 15. We are excited to offer this scholarship to our beloved Saint Philip youth. Palm Sunday Lunch April 1 Council members. A special menu for children will be available. Join us as we celebrate this holy day. Adults, $13; Children, $6. Purchase your tickets on Sundays in March in the hall or at the door. We look forward to a beautiful fish lunch following Divine Liturgy, offered by our Parish Many of our faithful have questions about pastoral issues, such as what it means to be married in the Orthodox Church, why the Church forbids cremation and the validity of Confession. To help with our understanding of these items and more Fr. Alex initiated this series in February, and it will continue through Lent. Following PreSanctified Liturgies on March 14 & 21, we will enjoy this engaging study and a Lenten meal. Join us! Women s Prayer Group & Bible Study Our ministry will be breaking throughout Lent; our members are encouraged to join the Engaging Pastoral Issues Orthodox Life Series. A blessed Lent to all! Our May dates will soon be announced. And it challenges us spiritually, physically and mentally. Like the future butterfly, we withdraw into our cocoon, sealing ourselves off from unhealthy habits of eating and behavior to focus on what is healthy for us and to seek a more prayerful closeness to God. When we emerge from our cocoon shedding our old selves, we are like the beautiful butterfly, transformed into the person God meant us to be, once again bearing His likeness. A blessed, transformative Lent to all! Lenten Orthodox Life Series Engaging Pastoral Issues, March 14 & 21 Health & Wellness Ministry Lent: A Period of Metamorphosis Lent is a period of metamorphosis: a chance to transform ourselves into healthier, better beings, pleasing to the Lord. For many of us, it is a time of fasting and abstinence, a period of self-sacrifice which challenges us out of our comfort zone. Holy Week Involvement We are moving toward Holy Week quickly Please lend your time and talent to these efforts: Offer Red Eggs. Please bring them to the Church on Holy Thursday or Holy Friday during service times. Prepare for the Anastasi. Fr. Alex needs help preparing the Church following the Holy Saturday Morning Vesperal Liturgy. Contact him: fralex@stphilipnh.org. Read the Gospel. Help us proclaim the Gospel in a foreign language at the Agape Vespers on Pascha/Easter! Contact Dan Gioffre: gioffred@bghs.org. This resource offers inspirational Orthodox Christian programming, and it s absolutely Come and See 9

10 We thank our sponsors for their support! Stellos Family Investment Properties of Nashua, New Hampshire Proud Stewards of St. Philip Greek Orthodox Church Come and See 10

11 Interested in becoming a sponsor? Just contact the Church Office for details! Come and See 11

12 Save the Date April 8: Pascha & Easter Egg Hunt April 22: Agape Artoklasia May 13: Mother s Day Celebration May 18 & 19: Saint Philip Greek Food Festival June 10: Promotion, Graduation & Scholarship Sunday Event Sponsoring Fellowship Hour Please contact the Church Office to sponsor on a coming Sunday or feast: office@stphilipnh.org; Thanks to our recent sponsors: Pitarys Family, Jan. 28 AHEPA & Sunday School, Feb. 11 Pan-Orthodox Charities, Feb. 25 Saint Gregory Palamas, March 11 Memorials Peter Pitarys (40 days) Jan. 28 Baptism Theo David Vrouhas Jan. 28 Sunday Altar Flowers Stella Bloom Jan. 14 Priscilla Betses Feb. 11 Mikedis Family Feb. 17/18 Kathey Richo Feb. 25 Katerina Juris & Family Feb. 25