SAINT GEORGE ANTIOCHIAN ORTHODOX CATHEDRAL

Transcription

1 January/February CATHEDRAL MESSENGER Volume:15 Issue:1 SAINT GEORGE ANTIOCHIAN ORTHODOX CATHEDRAL 3400 Dawson Street Pittsburgh, PA Rev. Fr. Joshua Makoul, Dean Office: Fr. Joshua : Fx:

2 Our Heart Determines Our World by Father Joshua Makoul DOES THE SIZE OF ONE S HEART MATTER? OF COURSE WE SPEAK NOT OF PHYSICAL SIZE BUT OF THE POTENTIAL AND CAPACITY OF ONE S HEART TO LOVE AND BE AWARE OF THE NEEDS AND CONDITIONS OF OTHERS. IN THIS RESPECT, THE SIZE OF OUR HEART DETERMINES THE SIZE OF OUR WORLD. PERHAPS EVEN ONE COULD ARGUE NOT ONLY THE SIZE OF OUR WORLD BUT THE EXTENT OF OUR SPIRITUAL GROWTH. INDEED, NOTH- ING STUNTS ONE S SPIRITUAL GROWTH MORE THAN THE IGNORANCE AND BLINDNESS OF A SMALL HEART, A HEART THAT CANNOT SEE OR FEEL BEYOND THE BORDERS OF ONE S OWN HOME AND ONE S OWN FAMILY. IT IS NOT TOO HARSH TO SAY A LIFE LIVED WITH A SMALL HEART IS A WASTED LIFE FILLED WITH SELFISHNESS, MISSED OPPORTUNITIES, AND UNTAPPED POTENTIAL. The larger our heart the more aware we are of our own inner world and most importantly the inner world of others. The larger our heart the more willing we are to act when see a need in someone else, even if it means inconveniencing ourselves. We are called to have a heart that expands to the point of being able to cover all of humanity. A frightening fact is that our heart can expand but it can also contract. There are some who start their life off with a big heart, however with the passage of time and the addition of life s responsibilities they become self-consumed or consumed with the welfare of their own immediate family, their heart contracts and sadly their world shrinks and grows smaller. We suddenly only have time for us and our own. Such a process often happens subtly and unconsciously. Our vision in our life grows so small and narrow that we miss opportunities and the most beautiful aspects of our life in this world. How tragic. When we find ourselves in this state, we often become very adept and skilled in the art of self-justification. We become masters of making excuses and blaming others for why we don t love more, reach out more, have compassion and mercy more, and love more. Truly we can say there is no spiritual state more dangerous than this. It often takes a very emotional event in our life to wake us up and snap us out of the state of ignorance that a small heart plunges us into. The one with a small heart can go through life so convinced they are right and living rightly, that only then when facing the judgment seat of Christ, do they realize the poverty of their life and just how small their world and life truly was. Now is the time to expand the boundaries of our hearts. There is no future there is only the present. It does not take much time to have awareness of others, their emotions, their needs and to respond accordingly with love and compassion. Living with a big heart means helping those that we do not know, those who live outside the four walls of our home. It also means responding with patience and mercy when they do something that we feel inconveniences us when out in public, perhaps when driving or waiting in line. It means making excuses for them rather than judging them. It means feeling compassion for their needs and suffering and when appropriate, to act in an attempt to show love and fill that need. It also means challenging ourselves on how aware we are of others no matter where we go or find ourselves. Do we observe others? Are we aware of them? Do we feel compassion? Can we connect with others? Or are we so self-absorbed that we cannot see past our own noses? Nothing will open the path to the kingdom of heaven more, nothing will please God more, than the one whose borders of their hearts expands to those far beyond the four walls of their own home. The spiritual gifts and blessings that God gives to such a heart is endless. How big and beautiful is such a heart. The individual with such a heart shines with Christ s light in this darkened world. * * *

3 Life Time Adult Ministry Event Lunch at Panera and then a tour of the Clayton House Thursday, December 15, 2016 * * * *

4 Church Activity Highlights FELLOWSHIP OF ST. JOHN THE DIVINE Approximately two years ago, the archdiocese ended the Fellowship of St. John the Divine organization, as it was felt that something new was needed to meet the needs of the people whose lives and needs have changed so much over the years. We are creating a new ministry (not organization) named the St. George Lighthouse Ministry. The areas of ministry that this group will cover are: hospitality, welcoming visitors, retreats, open houses, advertising (face book, etc), and also the new Becoming Truly Human Ministry that the archdiocese has introduced. All of these activities fell under the now defunct Fellowship of St. John the Divine among other activities, but now the focus is more streamlined. We need a group to welcome these new visitors who have been visiting St. George lately, to help St. George and Orthodoxy become more well known to those in the area seeking the true faith, and to provide spiritual education events for the parish. The new St. George Lighthouse Ministry will be meeting the last Sunday of January (January 29) after church. For more information please see Fr. Joshua or Jeff George. PARISH COUNCIL The Parish Council voted to donate $1,000 and food supplies to the IOCC Syrian Relief Banquet that is scheduled for April 2. Parish Council will be gathering in early February to go bowling together. Before bowling there will be a meeting to work on strategic planning. CATHEDRAL WEBSITE Please visit the Cathedral website at www. sgcoakland.org for updates and information. SOCIETY OF ST. GEORGE The Society of St. George donated middleeastern food meals that were delivered to the shut-ins. TEEN SOYO On January 21, Fr. Joshua met with the teens to discuss confession. The Teen Soyo participated in the sacrament of Confession that evening. On Saturday, February 4 Teen Soyo will be making hoagies for the Super Bowl. On Sunday, February 26 the teens will be spending the day at the church with Fr. Joshua to learn about the significance of forgiveness Sunday and then to participate in the Forgiveness Sunday Vespers that evening. CHILDREN S MINISTRY The St. George Children s Ministry gathered for the IOCC Soup sampling at the Cathedral on January 28 and the children made 300 hygiene kits to be sent overseas to distressed areas. The Children s Ministry will be gathering on Saturday February 11 at 1:00PM to make Valentine s Day Cards for children at the Children s Hospital. CHILDREN S MINISTRY CHOIR The Children s Ministry choir met on saturday, January 21 for choir practice and a potluck dinner. They will meet again on Saturday, February 25th at 5:00PM at the church. LIFE-TIME ADULT MINISTRY The Life-time Adult Ministry (L.A.M) gathered on Wednesday, January 11 and made an outing to the Nationality Rooms at the University of Pittsburgh. GENERAL PARISH MEETING The February General Parish Meeting is scheduled for Sunday, February 26. The focus of the meeting is on financials (for organizations and the parish) related to MEN S MINISTRY The new St. George Men s Ministry will be meeting on Saturday, February 25, March 4, March 11, and March 18th at 9:00AM for a breakfast and talk. See Fr. Joshua or Noah Papas for details. Flyers will be made shortly! ST. GEORGE CATHEDRAL PARISH FAMILY NIGHT! THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2017 Spaghetti and meatballs dinner will begin at 6:00. There is no charge for this dinner. Activities for kids and a talk will follow dinner. This is an opportunity for us all to take a break from cooking and to come together as a family for a fun and faith filled evening as a community. SCHEDULE: 6:00 Evening begins 6:15 Spaghetti and Meatballs Dinner 7:30 Activity for children (in the hall) 7:00 Talk: Creating the Kingdom of God in our homes. For questions or more information please see: Fr. Joshua, Daria Adams, Kathy Hazeem or Maria Terezis

5 2017 Liturgical Schedule for St. George Antiochian Orthodox Cathedral Church School Christmas Party Saturday, December 18, 2016 JANUARY Sunday 1: Sunday Before Theophany (New Years Day) Monday 2: Society of St. George noon Wednesday 4: 7:00 PM Thursday 5: Royal 9:30 AM Vesperal Liturgy of St. 10:30 AM Festal 5:30 PM Divine Liturgy and Blessing of the 7:00 PM Saturday 7: (Julian Calendar Christmas) Sunday 8: SOYO Meeting Monday 9: Parish Council 6:30 PM Wednesday 11: LAM Event Tour of the Nationality The University of 11:30 AM (reservations required) 7:00 PM Friday 13: Orthros 9:30 AM Sunday 15: Antiochian Women Meeting Wednesday 18: & 7:00 PM Friday 20: Orthros 9:30 AM Saturday 21: Children s Choir Practice & Potluck 5:00 PM Wednesday 25: 7:00 PM Friday 27: Orthros 9:30 AM Saturday 28: 9:00 AM Orthros 10:00 AM Liturgy for Sts. Ephraim and Isaac the Syrian IOCC Soup Event in the Cathedral Hall 11:00AM to 2:00 PM Children s Ministry and Teen SOYO will be making Hygiene kits. Sunday 29: St. George Lighthouse Ministry FEBRUARY Wednesday 1: Feast of the Presentation of the Lord into the Temple 6:00 PM Great Vespers 7:00 PM Orthros 8:00 PM Liturgy Friday 3: Orthros 9:30 AM Saturday 4: Monday 6: Society of St. George noon Wednesday 8: 7:00 PM Thursday 9: Parish Family 6:00 PM Friday 10: Orthros 9:30 AM Saturday 11: 12:00 PM 2:00 PM Children s Ministry Project Making Valentines for Hospitalized Children Lunch will be provided. 7:00 PM Sunday 12: SOYO Meeting Monday 13: Parish Council Meeting Wednesday 15: 7:00 PM Friday 17: Orthros 9:30 AM Saturday 18: Sunday 19: Antiochian Women Meeting Wednesday 22: 7:00 PM Friday 24: Orthros 9:30 AM PLEASE NOTE: ON HOLD THROUGH LENT Saturday 25: Children s Choir 5:00 PM and Pot Luck Dinner Sunday 26: St. George Lighthouse Ministry Meeting Forgiveness Monday 27 : Start of Great Lent: Great Compline & Canon of St. Andrew- 6:30PM Tuesday 28: Great Compline and Canon of St. 6:30 PM Family Night

6 IN MEMORIUM The following Parish members will be remembered at the Divine Liturgy closest to the anniversary of their death. DEPARTED ANNIVERSARIES: JANUARY AND FEBRUARY January 1, 2017: Tekla Davis-1970, Selwa Sarraf-1977, Dr. Nicholas Bitar-1987, Ghattas Thomas-1992, Tony Elias-1962, Rose J. Corey-1966, Samuel Davis-1987, Samuel J. Albert-1990, Mary Murray-1995, Mary Mucy-1998, Bernard Roy-1985, Alma Kajak Hakim-1996, Joseph Cunningham-1962, Elizabeth Salim-1997, Mary Najeeb Khalil-1970, Jennie Tonti-1986, Naman Thomas-1961, Adnan Ibrahim-2017, and Laurice Simaan January 08, 2017: Samuel Albert, Jr.-1971, Edward Roy-1984, Isaac Saba-1969, Stella Del- Greco-2004, Mary Alberts-1959, Michael Shogry-1967, and Daniel J. Solomon January 15, 2017: George Ward-1966, Nevin Shogry-1976, Martha Bruno-1987, Mary K. Monsour-1976 Sadie Aber-1980, Subdeacon Thomas Aber-1988, Virginia Haddad, 2013, Wodia K. Lewis-1984, Susan Hanna-1969, Katie M. Lowen-1976, Joseph Khalil (Brookline)-2001, and Joseph U. Esper January 22, 2017: Genevieve F. Dawahare-1976, Cherie Ann Nemy McIlree-2000, Mary Kelly-1957, Nicholas H. Mellick-1975, Tillie A. Rafalski-1987, Albert Thomas-1960, Jack David-1961, William E. Essay-1993, David Corey-1954, Charles Karas Solomon-1953, John Elias Salloum-2009, Isaac Ristom-1963, Michael Albert-1966, Mary Sabeh-1974, and Saadeh Nassif January 29, 2017: Ernest George Nassar-1969, Albert Thomas-1960, Norma Tony-2000, George Khalil-2012, Philip Thomas-2000, Zariff M. Salim-2002, Samuel Demayo-1960, Azizi Kojak-1961, Sadie Thomas-2007, Mary Deeb Thomas-1961, Suffae S. Saloom-1966, Beatrice Monsour Davis-2014, James Abraham-2002, Catherine Roy-1994, Julia Jacob-2010, Charles J. Thomas-1983, Jebra Murray-1986, Sam Fayad-1960, Katherine Albert-1960, Joseph Farah-1966, Fannie Hazeem-1986, February 5, 2017: Elizabeth Kelly-1972, Rachel Mitchell-1979, Simon Thomas-1959, Daniel Solomon-1992, Kattour Saad-1998, Ann V. Salem-2006, Ralph Koury-1989, and Michael R. Aber February 12, 2017: John Zacker-1994, Anna Anthony-2011, Michael Abraham-1974, Lorraine S. Shogry-2000, Maria Michael-1959, Mary Essad-1999, Sue David-2005, Samuel S. Nakles-1989, Azzizee Albert-1992, Robert Abe David-2000, Alice M. Benko-2000, Florence Wall-2009, Harry M. Hadad-1969, Joseph Khalil-1999, Anna Barakat-1957, Anna M. Jacobs-1975, and Emily A. Heider February 19, 2017: Anthony George-1991, Joyce George Beachy-1981, Shaheen J. Shaheen-1978, Leo Namen-1982, George Neumah-2014, Richard Bazzy-1982, Josephine Nassar-1971, Dolores Gilchrist-2015, Ora Ann George-1991, and John J. Hakim February 26, 2017: George Jacobs-2000, George Neumah-2014, Charles N. Khoury-1959, Michael S. Bazari-1990, Catherine George-1989, Naif Salem-1968, Adib Simaan-1988, Bernard Abraham-1988, Halem M. Joseph-1999, Marian Joseph-1995, Nick Henessay-1967, Hafeza Abraham-1973, Dolores David-2014, and John Albert Kickoff: Saturday, February 25, 9:00 am Followed by March 4, March 11 and March 18th St. George Orthodox Church Church School Building ST. GEORGE S Minist Ministry Adult Lifetime The St George lifetime adult ministry is an organization of men and women, single and married, 60 years of age or older who have joined in the common objective of living vital and vibrant lives through spiritual growth in Christ, service to fellow members, and full participation in an active social life. If you are a St George parishioner, L.A.M. offers a great opportunity to form new friendships. The focus is on social activity and enjoying one another s company. Come and join us! y ST. GEORGE CATHEDRAL Children s Ministry Let the children come to me and do not hinder them, for such belongs to the Kingdom of Heaven FAITH, SERVICE, AND FELLOWSHIP This ministry gives our children the opportunity to have their own ministry and allows us to give our children the opportunity to gain a sense of spiritual purpose and service by using their faith now to serve their church and others. What they learn now will remain with them for the rest of their days. Time is passing quickly, lets take advantage of this wonderful ministry. To enroll your children please contact Maria Terezis or Fr. Joshua. For questions please see Carol Labad ( ) or Fr.Joshua ( )

7 ST. GEORGE ANTIOCHIAN ORTHODOX CATHEDRAL 3400 DAWSON STREET PITTSBURGH, PA Return Service Requested Non-profit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Pittsburgh, PA Permit No. 822 DATES TO REMEMBER FEASTS AND WEEKDAY LITURGIES JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2017 JANUARY Sunday 1: Sunday Before Theophany (New Years Day) Wednesday 4: 7:00 PM Thursday 5: Royal 9:30 AM Vesperal Liturgy of St. 10:30 AM Festal 5:30 PM Divine Liturgy and Blessing of the 7:00 PM Saturday 7: (Julian Calendar Christmas) Friday 13: Orthros 9:30 AM Wednesday 18: & 7:00 PM Friday 20: Orthros 9:30 AM Saturday 21: Wednesday 25: 7:00 PM Friday 27: Orthros 9:30 AM Saturday 28: 9:00 AM Orthros 10:00 AM Liturgy for Sts. Ephraim and Isaac the Syrian FEBRUARY Wednesday 1: Feast of the Presentation of the Lord into the Temple 6:00 PM Great Vespers 7:00 PM Orthros 8:00 PM Liturgy Friday 3: Orthros 9:30 AM Saturday 4: Monday 6: Society of St. George noon Wednesday 8: 7:00 PM Friday 10: Orthros 9:30 AM Saturday 11: 7:00 PM Wednesday 15: 7:00 PM Friday 17: Orthros 9:30 AM Saturday 18: Wednesday 22: 7:00 PM Friday 24: Orthros 9:30 AM Saturday 25: Sunday 26: Forgiveness 6:30 PM Monday 27 : Start of Great Lent: Great Compline & Canon of St. Andrew- 6:30PM Tuesday 28: Great Compline and Canon of St. 6:30 PM