The Strength of the Cross in our Lenten Journey ~ A Message from Fr. Robert

Transcription

1 April Phillips Road, Tallahassee, Florida (850) Rev. Fr. Robert J. O Loughlin The Strength of the Cross in our Lenten Journey ~ A Message from Fr. Robert On the third Sunday of Great Lent we venerate the precious and life-giving Cross of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. It is to not only remind ourselves of the coming of His crucifixion and Resurrection, but to gather strength from it and to thank Him for what He did for us on the Cross. Christ tells us, For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel s will save it. In other words, we are to lose our life of self-centeredness. This is the very purpose for why the Church, through the scriptures and the life of the saints, gives us three exercises to strengthen ourselves in which we are very familiar, prayer, fasting and almsgiving. If we voluntarily practice these three things, we can improve our self-discipline and strengthen our personal spiritual growth. Our cross or crosses are the difficult unique circumstances of our life. By taking up these crosses we are to take responsibility for them and deal with them in a healthy manner. Our Lord challenges us to deny ourselves and take up our cross. Fr. Ted Stylianopoulos wrote The way of Christ and the way of the Cross,, is to conquer evil with good, to win victory through sacrifice, and to find true life through denial of our sinful nature The Cross challenges us to endure kindly and patiently the faults and shortcomings, real or perceived of others. The Cross teaches us to forgive the many hurts that life brings. Through His example of supreme humility, Christ died so that the world may live. We must also die daily to ourselves in order to live in Christ. The Cross on the 3 rd Sunday of Lent is taken into a procession around the Church surrounded by flowers which can remind us of the Resurrection. We know that Christ suffered on the Cross, but with the sight of the Cross, we know what follows. God gives us the choice to discipline ourselves to do good and strengthen our spiritual growth. It's a choice where God will help us with as we decide whether or not to keep the fasts, to say our prayers, to help those in need and to let Him assist us in our struggle against sinful passions. And if we do these things, God will strengthen us and help us to understand the depth of carrying our cross daily. As we witness the procession with the Cross and as we continue our Lenten journey, let s think to ourselves of this symbol for us. Taking up the Cross, and following Christ, has its difficulties. However, as long as we remember the victory, and the life that is shown by this Cross, and if we take hold of the hope that comes with the love, and the light that is shining from this Cross, by God s help, we will be able to follow in His footsteps. As we adorn the Cross with flowers and continue our journey towards the Resurrection let us look to the Cross for the inspiration in conquering our passions and taste that victory on Pascha. Continued good strength in your Lenten journey, Fr. Robert

2 Page 2 Mark your calendars for the This year's Greek Food Festival is scheduled for: Friday, October 11th and Saturday, October 12th If an emergency or special need should arise, please contact Fr. Rob immediately at Our next ECHO Sundays are April 7th. And May 5th. Please drop off your non-perishable food donations into the bins located in the Hellenic Center and Patmos Hall. Next Spaghetti Dinners: April 4th (Thursday) June 7th (Friday) Easter Egg Dye can be purchased for $2.25/pkg. at the Pangari. Anyone Interested in offering the traditional red-dyed Easter Eggs for the Anastasi and Agape Sunday, please bring them to church Saturday and place them in the basket located outside. Thank you. Dear Holy Mother of God Parishioners, March was another great month for our various ministries in our Parish. On March 1, we had a fundraising spaghetti dinner and Sunday, March 10, the Philoptochos held their Annual Family Fun Day. In addition, the local chapter of AHEPA sponsored the celebration of the Annunciation and the Greek Independence Day on March 24. The program was very informative while the luncheon of grilled shrimp over rice was delicious. We really owe many thanks to our kindest and talented organizers/volunteers for all these wonderful events. Looking ahead, your Parish Council is planning a fish luncheon on Palm Sunday, avgolemono soup after the Divine Liturgy following the Resurrection on Saturday night, and the traditional lamb dinner on Easter Sunday. Please contact any Parish Council member or myself if you would like to volunteer and assist at any of these events. The church's grounds beautification plan is progressing very well. Final designs of the major elements are nearly complete and, soon, we will begin actual work in the field. Improving the drainage situation is our #1 priority right now. The rest of the segments will follow. Plans and related construction schedules are now posted at the Hellenic Center. In addition to taking care of the drainage situation, the courtyard in the front of the Hellenic Center is going to be very nice and functional. Further, the remainder of the planned improvements will considerably enhance the overall appearance of our church grounds. However, there is a problem because the funds originally set aside for this project are not enough. A portion of the plan will not be materialized unless we come up with some more money. The Parish Council is contemplating a number of ways to raise the funds required. As always, we will appreciate your suggestions. Have a blessed Lent and a wonderful Pascha. Yours in Christ, Pete Koikos

3 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Page 3 Philoptochos Mtg. following Divine Liturgy Choir Practice Choir Practice Choir Practice Choir Practice Salutations to the Theotokos 6:00 p.m Salutations to the Theotokos 6:00 p.m Salutations to the Theotokos 6:00 p.m Sunday of the Holy Cross Orthros 9:30 a.m. & Divine Liturgy 10:30 a.m. Church School ECHO Sunday Orthros 9:30 a.m. & Divine Liturgy 10:30 a.m. Church School Orthros 9:30 a.m. & Divine Liturgy 10:30 a.m. Church School Youth Sunday 28 f Palm Sunday Orthros 9:30 a.m. & Divine Liturgy10:30 a.m. No Church School Palm Sunday Luncheon Bridegroom Service 8 + Parish Council Mtg :30 p.m. OCF Gathering Liturgy 9:00 a.m. Bridegroom Service Liturgy 9:00 a.m. Bridegroom Service 3 + Liturgy, Followed by Lenten Covered Dish Liturgy, Followed by Lenten Covered Dish Liturgy, Followed by Lenten Covered Dish Liturgy, Followed by Lenten Covered Dish 4 + Spaghetti Dinner 11:00 am 7:00 p,m Liturgy, 9:00 a.m. Pangari Schedule for April /31 Koikos*/E.Joanos/Poulos (c) 04/07 - Perrigan*/Branch/Koikos (c) 04/14 - Manas*/Papageorge/E.Joanos (c) 04/21 - Poulos*/Gorb/S.Joanos (c) 04/28 - Branch*/Perrigan/Papageorge(c) 05/03 - S.Joanos/E.Joanos/Poulos 05/04 - Koikos/Manias/Gorb 05/ /Koikos/Perrigan (c) *denotes 9:30 a.m. start Great Vespers 5:00 pm Great Vespers 5:00 pm Great Vespers 5:00 pm Great Vespers 5 p.m. Prosforo Schedule 04/07 Katy Mathes 04/14 Angie Poulos 04/21 Margarita Joanos Calendar Symbol Key + = Strict Fast = Wine and Oil allowed = Dairy & eggs allowed = Father Away April 2013 s = Fish Allowed

4 Page 4 Sunday April 21 - Youth Sunday Saturday April 27 Lazarus Saturday Pancake Breakfast and palm folding. March GOYA meeting Sunday of Orthodoxy Procession of Icons OCF students following Presanctified Liturgy Lenten Covered Dish following Presanctified Liturgy Holy Mother of God Monthly Community Outreach Tuesday April 9th We will assist in various tasks at the food warehouse on Four Points Way. Last month we sorted and categorized donated food items to be distributed. We will meet at Second Harvest at 11:00 am. If you are interested in assisting in this effort for one or two hours or have any question, please contact: Fr. or Presv. Krista O Loughlin and Valeria Atayants speaking on their topics for the Oratorical Festival

5 Page 5 AHEPA News The program and meal for the March 25th celebration was very meaningful and successful. It is always so enlightening to see those young people as well as adults carry on this wonderful tradition. PLEASE NOTE: For any High School Senior that will be graduating this year it is encouraged that you pick up one of our applications for an AHEPAN Scholarship. Please contact Mr. Mike Papageorge or Pete Koikos for this form. Thank You. Mike Papageorge, President Greek Independence Day Celebration

6 Page 6 Family Fun Day Lilies for Pascha If you would like to donate an Easter Peace Lily plant in memory of a loved one, please complete the form that is in the Narthex or church office. The Church will order the plants. The May Reflections and the weekly handout will list the names you submit of those to be memorialized. We look forward to being with you during the Great Lenten period, Holy Week and as we celebrate the anticipated glorious resurrection of our Lord and Savior. Myrrh Bearing Girls If your daughters who are in 1st through 6th grade and are interested in being Myrrh bearing Maidens for the Holy Friday Lamentations Service on May 3rd please call the Church Office Holy Week/Kouvouklion Flowers: Donations for Holy Week/Kouvouklion flower decorations. Please make check out to Holy Mother of God Church with a notation to flowers.

7 Page 7 Saturday of Lazarus Community Pancake Breakfast (Hosted by GOYA) Saturday, April 27th following Divine Liturgy at 9:00 a.m. Palm-folding, fellowship and Craft table for children Easter Candy It would be greatly appreciated if anyone would like to donate individually wrapped candy for the children s Easter egg hunt. Please drop off at the church office. Fish Luncheon following Liturgy Adults $12.00 Children & Students $6.00 Pascha/Easter Glendi Luncheon Following the Agape Service Easter Egg Hunt for children Adults $15.00 Children & Students $7.00 Schedule of Services for Holy Week and Easter April 28- Palm Sunday: Orthros 9:30 a.m. and Liturgy 10:30 a.m. Luncheon to follow. Palm Sunday Evening, Bridegroom Service: 6:00 p.m. April 29 Holy Monday: Liturgy, 9:00 a.m.; Bridegroom Service 6:00 p.m. April 30 Holy Tuesday: Liturgy, 9:00 a.m.; Bridegroom Evening Service 6:00 p.m. May 1 Holy Wednesday: Liturgy, 9:00 a.m.; Holy Unction, 5:00 p.m. May 2 Holy Thursday: Liturgy of St. Basil the Great, 9:00 a.m.; Holy Passion Service, 7:00 p.m. May 3 Holy Friday: Royal Hours, 9:00 a.m.; Vespers - Taking Down from the Cross (Apocathelosis), 3:00 p.m.; Lamentations Service, 7:00 p.m. May 4 Holy and Great Saturday: Liturgy of St. Basil the Great, 9:00 a.m.; Resurrectional Service, 11:00 p.m. May 5 Holy and Great Pascha/Easter: Agape Service, 11:00 a.m. Luncheon to follow.

8 Holy Mother of God Greek Orthodox Church 1645 Phillips Road Tallahassee, Florida Return Service Requested Holy Mother of God Greek Orthodox Church 1645 Phillips Road Tallahassee, FL Office: Hall: Fr. Rob s Cell: Sunday of the Holy Cross Celebrated April 7th Website: Addresses: Father Rob: fr.robert@comcast.net Church Secretary: hmog@comcast.net Secretary Hours: Mon./Wed./Fri. 9am-2pm