ST. GEORGE ANTIOCHIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH
THE
NOVEMBER 2014
NEWSLETTER
The Church is our Mother!
The Church is the fullness of
Christ's Body on earth. She was
established to look after Her
children … caring, protecting,
tending and nursing them in His
divine life. And, the Church is
being sustained by the presence
and power of Almighty God to
fulfill Her role as our Mother!
Fr. Thomas Hopko adds
that the Church is also catholic.
Namely, She is: “ … full and
complete, all-embracing, and with
nothing lacking.” …
“ T h e
original Jerusalem Church of the
apostles, or the early citychurches of Antioch, Ephesus
and Rome … were catholic. …
because nothing essential was
lacking for them to be the genuine
Church of Christ. God Himself is
fully revealed and present in each
through Christ and the Holy Spirit,
acting in the local community of
believers with its apostolic
doctrine, ministry (hierarchy), and
sacraments, and thus requiring
nothing to be added to Her, in
order for Her to participate fully in
the Kingdom of God.” …
Another theologian tells
us that ‘God created man for life
within the Church’ He stresses
that in Her fullness is communion
with God Himself Who is the
source of all life vis-à-vis chasing
after material things, recognition
and power or seeking the good
times.
The Church exists to help
restore the image of God within
each person. We’re created for a
life in communion with God! By
earnestly and genuinely
participating within the life of the
Church one is becoming more
deeply united with the Lord, living
in the glory of God and
experiencing salvation.
I t ’s e v i d e n t t h a t t h e
Orthodox Church was established
by Christ, and is, "the pillar and
bulwark of the Truth."
For no
other group has safeguarded the
Truth as She has. The Orthodox
Church hasn’t added to these
Truths, nor reduced or changed
the unalterable revealed Truths
that were handed down to Her.
One Orthodox priest warned his
parishioners: “don’t be fooled by
anyone, even an angel of light,
preaching a different Gospel
which will lead away from the
Body of Christ, the Orthodox
Church.”
Our sacred Orthodox faith
teaches us that we indeed have
God as our Father and the
Church is our Mother.
The
Church exists to nurture and feed
and teach and shelter and
protect, just as a Mother does for
her children.
St. Cyprian of Carthage
wrote: “He who has turned his
back on the Church of Christ shall
not come to the rewards of
Christ.... You can’t have God for
your Father if you don’t have the
Church for your Mother.”
There’re many sincere
people who claim to be seeking
Christ, but don’t know where to
find Him as He has been and
continues to be revealed within
the Church.
Some within Her
walls have abandoned Her, and,
are therefore unable to reap the
full benefits and promises of
Christ.
You see, the Church isn’t
our Mother merely by virtue of our
baptism. She’s our Mother when
we’re showing our love for Her
through respectful obedience,
caring uncritical attitudes and
willingness to learn and embrace
the Truths that She teaches.
For She exemplifies love
… teaching to love the Lord and
continued on page 8
St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church
1073 Saunders Settlement Rd., Niagara Falls, NY 14305
Office: 716-297-2668 email: [email protected]
Fax: 716-524-2261
Website: www.stgeorgenf.com
Our new mailing address is: P.O. Box 1073, Grand Island, NY 14072
~~~ THE PARISH COUNCIL ~~~
VERY REV. FR. PAUL R. SOLBERG, PASTOR
OFFICERS
Chairperson: Scott Slaiman; Vice Chairperson: Colline Doyle
Recording Secretary: Kathy Fadel; Corresponding Secretary: Rose Kargatis;
Financial Secretary: Dot Lombardi; Treasurer: Scott Slaiman
OTHER MEMBERS
Juris Arajs, Raymond Bailey, James Filosofos, Edward Haddad,
James McPhall, Lorraine Pealer, Steve Sargent
Supervising Hierarch: +JOSEPH
Archbishop of New York, Metropolitan of All North
America
Auxillary Bishop: +ALEXANDER
Bishop of Ottawa and Assistant to the
Metropolitan
Subdeacons: Thomas Slaiman, Paul (Regis) Woodward, Kevin (Elias) Kensinger
Chanter: Samir Haddad - Lifetime Parish Council Member: Daniel Bishara
PARISH ORGANIZATIONS
Altar Servers
Elias Kensinger 804-3010
Antiochian Women
Lorraine Pealer 285-6449
Catechist & Educ. Coord. Gregory Derek Witty
585-245-1733
Choir Director
Drew Burke
Church School
Margaret Ewing 282-6579
Jackie Fadel
282-8243
Church Store
Ann Salhany
754-1657
Gayle Fadel
284-1771
Custodian
Michael Slaiman 754-4417
Endowment
John Moshides 741-4790
Flowers
Joyce Haick
731-3328
Food Pantry
FSJD
628-4730
Parish Council
Scott Slaiman
417-6565
Photographer
Ken Salhany
754-1657
St. Ignatius
Sob Haick
731-3328
St. John the Divine
Sexton
Ushers
Beth & Juris Arajs 628-4730
Tom Sharpe
352-5972
Ron Chambers 297-7241
The Newsletter is published by St. George Antiochian
Orthodox Church each month of the year
EDITOR
Very Rev. Fr. Paul R. Solberg
Business Advertising in the Newsletter is patronized by
members and friends of our community. Advertising
rates are available upon request.
Contact the church office at 297-2668 or email
[email protected] to submit your news.
Deadline for the next issue is:
November 25, 2014
How to submit articles, text, photos, and advertisements
for the Newsletter:
Limit articles, reports, and features to one page if
possible. All articles should be submitted in electronic
format as WORD, or text file. Graphic arts, digital photos
and ads should be submitted in jpeg, WORD or pdf.
Material submitted for publication maybe edited for
brevity, space and errors. Materials received after the
deadline will not be accepted for that issue.
Coordinator: Denise Filosofos
The Buffalo Bills win in stunning fashion!
It’s the day before the game, and you are putting
together some food so that everyone can enjoy tomorrow
at the game. It's all set and you are totally prepared to get
a good night sleep because you have to be up early
tomorrow morning. I mean, come on! You have a Bills
game to go to tomorrow!
So, the alarm goes oﬀ and you jump out of bed.
All you can think about is getting together, to have a great
time at the game and celebrate a great Bills victory. You
gather everything together, put on your favorite Bills
jersey, load the car, and you and your friends are out the
door, right on time, to meet up with other fellow bills
fans. You arrive at the stadium, tailgate, and then it’s time
to enter “The Ralph”. You sit down at your seats with your
program and the feeling is awesome! The names of Buﬀalo
Bills greats line the outer edges of the stadium, the crowd
and atmosphere is unbelievable. It's kickoﬀ time folks!
The game looks like it’s going to be a blowout
and just another crushing defeat. By halftime we are down
and out (sound familiar?). The mood has changed and
people are starting to panic, but you stay strong.
Something deep down inside is telling you that maybe,
just maybe, we can get back into the game. All hope can’t
be gone, right? Well, as unbelievable as it seems the
unbelievable happens. We are cheering together and our
beloved Buﬀalo Bills stared defeat right in the face and
come storming back to victory! You are in a state of
euphoria, the moment is so surreal. No one really thought
that they could come back from a deficit that big but they
did and you were there! You leave the game and all you
can think is “we were there", to celebrate a great Bills
victory”!
I think we all know where I’m going with this
buﬀalo bills game analogy or any other Sunday activity,
and that is preparing and going to church. The night
before church the Lamb is brought into the church and
we pray, repent and prepare together at great vespers. We
wake up in the morning from our fast and prepare again
to receive the body and blood of CHRIST. We arrive at
the church all together, grab a bulletin and light a candle.
We proceed to our seats and are surrounded by the icons
of the Saints, and all Orthodox Saints in spirit. We
commune, pray, and are thankful together while in
preparation for the journey that our Lord is leading on.
We receive the Eucharist together and proclaim the
greatest victory of them all, CHRIST's victory over death!
In conclusion, as Orthodox Christians we are
called to "be there", to commune with the Lord. The Lord
trampled down death for us and the least we can do is
prepare ourselves to be there with Him and that includes
myself. I hope that every one of my brothers and sisters in
CHRIST are there with me for the greatest victory of
them all. For some reason when thinking of the church
right now the words of Marv Levy come to mind as he
prepared the Bills for their first super bowl, and those
words were, “Where else would you rather be than right
here, right now”?
See you at Church!
Scott Slaiman Hello St.George Family!
This past month was quite a
busy one for the church. The hafli and
the Breast Cancer raﬄes and pound
auction were a success and I want to
thank ever yone who assisted and
supported both functions. We also
purcha sed the ne w sto ve which
everyone seems to be enjoying as well.
As for the this month we have
a few things going on as usual. First, on
Nov. 2nd is Outreach Sunday! Bring
your family and friends to be part of
the Divine Liturgy. Second, is the
cemetery/church constitution meeting
on Nov. 3rd at 7 pm. Third, is the
Illusionist dinner show on Saturday,
Nov 8th starting at 6 pm. Please see myself for tickets as mentioned in the flyer.
Forth, is the beginning of the Advent fast
on Nov. 15th, preparing ourselves for the
birth of Christ.
Last, but not least, is the "Hanging
of the Greens" on Nov. 29. where we
decorate the church together for Christmas
from 2-5 pm. Vespers will be at 5pm and we
will have a pot-luck dinner and fellowship
afterwards.
I hope ever yone has a blessed
month and will see you in church!
Scott Slaiman
Parish Council
Chairperson
Memory Eternal!
Gail A. Rainville
(nee Fenger)
On October 8, 2014, Gail
Rainville, passed away after a
short illness. She was the
loving mother of Paul (Karla)
Rainville, David Rainville,
Kelleylynn (Kevin) Barberg,
Kimberly (Vincent) Bovo and
the late Jacques J. Rainville;
sister of Guy, Peter, John, Larry
Fenger and the late Susan Di
Pirro. Also survived by 14
grandchildren, many nieces and
nephews.
Visitation was held at St. George Orthodox Church, 1073
Saunders Settlement Road, Lewiston, NY 14305, where
funeral services were held Monday, October 12th.
Gail was a member of St. George Antiochian
Orthodox Church in Lewiston while residing with her
daughter, Kelleylynn Barberg and family. Rev. Raphael
Barberg, her son-in-law presided over her funeral service
along with the Very Rev. Fr. Paul Solberg.
Interment was at St. Vincent de Paul Cemetery in
North Evans, NY.
Memory Eternal
November 1
November 3
November 4
November 5
November 6
November 10
November 11
November 14
November 16
November 17
November 19
November 21
November 22
November 23
November 26
November 27
November 29
Robert M. Kinan
Naif Shahin
Sam Kinan
Lorraine Galabinski
Ryan W. Snyder
George Bishara
Mabel Slaiman
Selma K. Anderson
Dolores J. Mazhir
Gerald Slipko
George Kinan
Agnes A. Fadel
Julie K. Delaney
Catherine Milkie
Mary E. Bishara Anton
Giannoula Kontos
Ernest Fadel
Albert P. Mezhir
Sylvia Haick
Angelo Costas
Samuel Delaney
Thomas Petrakis
1987
1975
1954
2004
2010
1956
1978
1959
2009
2013
1984
2009
1979
2002
2011
1973
1974
1997
2010
1973
1980
2003
Jack
Lawrence
Kensinger, 66 of
Acton, MA passed away
peacefully, Tuesday, October
21, 2014 in his Acton, MA
home after a courageous
battle with ALS. He was
born in Niagara Falls, NY on
August 12, 1948 to Najla
Nellie (nee Kinan) and the
late Lawrence Kensinger.
A Niagara Falls native, Jack was a graduate of
Trott Vocational High school and received his BA in
Industrial Arts from Buffalo State Teachers College. Jack
worked for many years for GTE in Boston as a program
director retiring in the late 1990s. Jack enjoyed golfing, but
his real love was music. He was an accomplished musician,
and together with his musical partner, Ellen Schmidt,
traveled the entertainment circuit in New England as the
Two for the Show performing at many coffee houses,
nursing homes and for many charity events for well over 25
years. He was once quoted as saying, Music is the reason
for getting up in the morning, thus he passed his music
legacy on to his nieces and nephews.
He is survived by his mother, Najla Nellie (Kinan)
Kensinger of Niagara Falls, NY; two brothers, Donald G.
(Betty) Kensinger and Kevin (Tracey) Kensinger, both of
Niagara Falls, NY; a sister, Lynelle (Bruce) Barbaro of
Birdsall, NY; his longtime companion, Michele Boule and
her son Peter, both of Acton, MA; and many loving nieces,
nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews. Jack was
predeceased by his father, the late Lawrence Kensinger.
The family was present to receive friends Sunday
at St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church, 1073 Saunders
Settlement Rd., Lewiston, New York where the Funeral
Liturgy was held Monday morning, October 27, 2014 with
Rev. Fr. Paul A. Solberg, officiating. Burial was in
Oakwood Cemetery, Niagara Falls, NY.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in
Jack's memory to the ALS Association, PO Box 6051,
Albert Lea, MN 56007 or St. George Antiochian Orthodox
Church. Arrangements
by
SPALLINO-AMIGONE
FUNERAL HOME, 1300 Pine Ave., Niagara Falls, NY.
News from Sunday School
We have had a wonderful kick off for the start of
Sunday School this year, the children are learning much
more about our beautiful Orthodox Christian faith. We
look forward to another wonderful year of learning.
In October we went on a harvest field trip to
Becker Farm. Great fun was had by all, children and
adults!
The Sunday school celebrated the accomplishment of all the children that participated in the creative
festival. We had twenty-two entries and 11 winners.
The Sunday was complemented by Bishop Alexander
for our many entries and winners. We also had an Art
Show in which we could showcase our talents in Art,
Writing, Poetry and Photography.
On Sunday, December 14, we will have our
Holiday Pageant with a twist. We are going to have a
reunion with all our past pageant participants! More
details to follow.
Please remember that our
children are the future of our beautiful church and we as
a parish have the best of the best.
Friendly Reminder…
As a friendly reminder, all Organizational
Meetings should be following the normal parish protocol
which is:
* All meeting times are to be coordinated with the
priest inorder to insure that there are no parish-wide
scheduling conflicts including the available of the priest’s
attendance.
* According to the Antiochian Or thodox
Archdiocese, ‘the priest is the presiding oﬃcer for every
organization.’
* Agendas are to be submitted to the priest in
advance for his inputs and approval.
* Reasonable eﬀorts should be extended to notify
the priest within 24-48 hours concerning the organization’s
deliberations. This may be accomplished via written
correspondence, email or verbal communication.
If you have any questions, please contact Father
Paul in person or call him at 297-2668 or 983-1145 or email
him at [email protected] .
PLEASE NOTE!!
Our new mailing address is P.O.Box 1073, Grand
Island NY 14072.
FYI to those looking for the Lost and Found at St.
George - it has been moved to the front entrance
closet.
ALSO, PLEASE TEXT, CALL OR EMAIL FR. PAUL
WHEN SOMEONE IS ILL OR IN THE HOSPITAL.
Outreach Sunday - FSJD
On Sunday, November 2, 2014, the Fellowship of
St. John the Divine and the entire St. George Parish will
host Outreach Sunday.
As St. John Chrysostom said in 396 AD, “Each
of us has an apostolic mission to arouse the fervor of the
Spirit in our brothers and sisters.”
Each of us knows a family member or friend
who has fallen away from active participation in the life
of the Church or who might be looking for a new church
home. We encourage all active members to reach out to
inactive family members, Orthodox friends and nonOrthodox friends and family to join us for a special
Divine Liturgy followed by fellowship in our church hall.
Ddi you know that family members have the greatest
influence in persuading an unchurched person to come to
church?
Who will you bring to Family Outreach Sunday?
******
The Fellowship of St. John the Divine is taking
donations of gently used winter coats, boots, scarves,
gloves, etc. They will be distributed through Niagara
County ministries. See Beth or Juris Arajs.
There will also be the “Hanging of the Greens” on
Saturday, November 29th, from 2pm to 5pm. There will
be vespers and then a potluck dinner following. There is
a big need for some “manly men” to help with the
decorating and hanging of garland from the ceiling. So, if
you can, come on out and help make our church look
beautiful for the holidays.
Save the Date!!
The Antiochian Women’s Club is in the
process of making plans for their Annual Christmas
Party. This year’s event will take place on Sunday,
December 7th. Mark your calendars now!! More
details to follow as they become available.
The Ladies had a meeting of the Executive
Board on Tuesday, October 28 at Lorraine Pealer’s
home where agenda items were discussed over a
delicious dinner prepared by Lorraine.
The Ladies have a number of ideas for events
to pursue for the coming year. Stay tuned for more
information.
Remember, ALL women of St. George
Antiochian Orthodox Church are automatically
members of the Women’s Club and are encouraged to
attend the meetings and functions held by them.
There are no membership dues.
Pinktober Celebrates
Breast Cancer
On Oct. 10, The Hard Rock Café, Niagara
Falls USA, hosted their 15th annual Pinktober event.
Along with the American Cancer Society, the
Canadian Cancer Society, Erie County Medical
Center, the ECMC Lifeline Foundation, the Buffalo
Bills and Nicholas Picholas of WKSE "Kiss" 98.5-FM,
the Hard Rock gathered survivors, Bills fans and
musicians to raise awareness and funds in a united
front against breast cancer.
The evening began with guests and survivors
gathering along the Rainbow Bridge, connecting the
U.S. and Canada. In a powerful symbol of the two
countries' unity in the fight to end breast cancer,
participants created a living ribbon across the bridge
while Niagara Falls was lit up with pink lights.
The evening continued with an outdoor
concert outside the Hard Rock along with many
vendors and breast cancer information.
Lisa Dudley and her husband Mike attended
this year and had a great time mingling with the Bills
and their families.
8th Annual Celebration
of Life a Success!
The month of October is designated as Breast
Cancer Awareness Month and the Antiochian Women
have tried to bring awareness to this disease by having a
Celebration of Life: A Tribute to Breast Cancer
Survivors. For the past 8 years, we have had a small
basket auction and pound auction to raise money for
breast cancer awareness. A couple of years ago, we
started to celebrate during the entire month by having a
dessert raﬄe each week of the month. This has turned
into a great event that everyone looks forward to.
This year was no exception. A dessert raﬄe was
held each week and on October 21 we had our Basket /
Pound Auction and 50/50 raﬄe. We had a good crowd on
Tuesday night who were very enthusiastic and bid heavily
on the auction items. A lot of great “prizes” were
unveiled! The evening was a lot of fun for all!!
This year we were able to raise $1,260.00 and
the proceeds will go to the Susan G. Komen Western
New York Aﬃliate.
Thank you to all the ladies who baked each
week and donated items to raﬄe oﬀ. Also, a big thank
you to all those who bought raﬄe tickets and won those
delicious desserts and to all the ladies and men who came
to the celebration of life! Your support is greatly
appreciated!
HOLY BREAD
November 2
November 9
November 16
November 23
November 30
Tom Slaiman
Jackie Bshara
Lana Michaels
Mitchell & Corana Haick
No sponsor
Contact Lorraine Pealer 285-6449 if you would like to
be a Holy Bread sponsor.
COFFEE HOUR
November 2 Lana Michaels
November 9 Mickey Mokhiber
November 16 Donna Crawley/Shahin
Sisters
November 23 Steve Sargent
November 30 Need Sponsor
Buﬀalo Bills quarterback E.J. Manual with breast
cancer survivor Lisa Dudley of Grand Island.
Contact Patty Chown 283-3037 if you would like to
sponsor a coffee hour.
Enthronement of Metropolitan Joseph
The Enthronement of His Eminence
Metropolitan Joseph and the visit of His Beatitude
Patriarch John X, is scheduled to take place Friday,
December 5th thru the 7th at St. Nicholas Cathedral
in Brooklyn, NY. Preparations are under way and
hierarchs and guests will be attending from across
the world.
If you are planning on attending the
Banquet, tickets are $200 per guest and can be
obtained by mailing a check made out to “St.
Nicholas Cathedral” to: St. Nicholas Antiochian
Orthodox Cathedral, 355 State Street, Brooklyn, NY
11217, Attn: Banquet Committee.
Please print the names of those attending
as well as a phone number and email address if
possible, so we can acknowledge your reservation.
You may also purchase banquet tickets with a Visa
or MasterCard on the Cathedral website. Be sure to
note in the memo section the same information above.
Please not that this is for baquet tickets only and not for
journal ads.
Deadline for banquet reservations is
November 21, 2014.
The public schedule of events is:
Friday, December 5th:
6:30pm Great Vespers with Artoklasia for the Feast of
St. Nicholas
Saturday, December 6th:
9:00 am Orthros; 10:00am Divine Liturgy for the Feast
of St. Nicholas, Patron Saint of the Mother Cathedral;
4:30pm Great Vespers and Enthronement of
Metropolitan Joseph;
7:00pm Reception at Brooklyn Marriott;
8:00pm Gala Banquet at the Brooklyn Marriott.
Sunday, December 7th:
9:15am Orthros; 10:30am Patriarchal Divine Liturgy
Deadline for hotel reservations at the Brooklyn
Marriott is November 7th and the rate is $299.00 per
night plus tax. There are also a small block of rooms at
the Marriott Courtyard LaGuardia Airport Hotel for
$99.00 a night plus tax. This hotel is about 10 miles from
the festivities and about 15-45 minute drive, depending
on traffic.
Any questions you can contact Archpriest
Thomas Zain by email at [email protected] or
call at 917.771.4120.
For anymore information, you can go the the
Archdiocese website and there is everything you need.
St. George Wish List
At Home:
Clara Bishara - 934 James Ave., Niagara Falls, NY 14305
Souad Bitar - 2250 N. French Rd., Getzville, NY 14068
Jim McPhall - 560 Riverwalk Dr.,Youngstown, NY 14174
In Nursing Homes:
Elaine Baia - Our Lady of Peace, 5285 Lewiston Rd., Lewiston,
NY 14092
Lorraine Bialek - Crestwood Health Care Center, 2600
Niagara Falls Blvd., Niag. Falls, 14304
Shirley Daniels - 2680 N. Forest Rd. Unit 226, Getzville, NY
14068
Stephen Daniels - 2700 N. French Rd.,Unit 210, Getzville, NY
14068
Nellie Kensinger - Schoelkopf Nursing Home, Tenth St.,
Niagara Falls, NY
Eleanor Kinan - Northgate on Nash Road, Wheatfield
George Pappas - Our Lady of Peace, 5285 Lewiston Rd.,
Lewiston, NY 14092
Marguerite Aswad - Alterra Sterling, 6741 Nash Rd.,
Wheatfield, NY 14120
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
Platitera (Icon of the Theotokos and the Christchild)
30 Quart mixer for the kitchen
Ceramic tile (marble in appearance) for the altar
Dome icons of Gospel writers and Archangels
New festal icons (11 x 14 inches)
Trim around wall festal icons
Drapery Artistry under wall festal icons
Children’s playground
Storage shed and /or Garage
~~ F.Y.I. ~~
Father Paul: cell phone: 983-1145
email: [email protected]
Church Office: 297-2668; fax 716-524-2261
Church Email: [email protected]
Website: www.stgeorgenf.com
Bulletin: [email protected]
Newsletter: [email protected]
MOPS: [email protected]
The Church is our Mother!
continued from page 1
each other.
Within Her walls we
can be made true members of one
family.
United with Christ and
truthfully participating in the life of
the Church, we find help for resisting
temptations and enduring adversity
on our journey to eternity.
Our Lord God didn’t choose
the marketplace nor the places of
leisure to reveal Himself.
He
designated the Church. St. John of
Kronstadt wrote: "as the Lord is the
way, the truth and the life (John
l4:6), so also is the Church, because
She is one and the same with the
Lord, His body, of His flesh and of
His bones (Eph. 5:30) .... Never
represent the Church apart from the
Lord Jesus Christ; from the Father
and the Holy Spirit."
The Venerable Bede wrote:
"Just as all within the ark were
saved and all outside of it were
carried away when the flood came,
so when all who are pre-ordained to
eternal life have entered the Church,
the end of the world will come and
all will perish who are found outside
Her."
In the one, holy, catholic and
apostolic church there’s power and
life and love today and unto all
eternity. Come, taste and see and
embrace the life of Christ in His
Body, the Church! She’s here with
arms open wide waiting to embrace
you!
Pray for me a sinner,
Father Paul
Annual Christmas Card
Once again it is time for our annual Christmas Card.
For only $15.00 everyone at St. George receives a
Christmas greeting from you.
The profits benefit the Sunday School children. This is the
primary fundraiser for the Sunday School
All orders for cards must be received by Nov. 23rd
And again…please list only people living in the same household under each
order. Thanks for your cooperation in this matter.
Please make check payable to St. George Church.
Remember: you can list either family name
or
you can list “in memory of”
Please return this order form with your check or cash
to Robin Bishara, 746 Mary Lane, Lewiston, NY 14092
A Great Big Thank You from the Sunday School!
Name: ____________________________________________________
Address: __________________________________________________
Paid: $15.00 cash check #
Card to read: ______________________________________________
2014
NOVE MBER
SUNDAY
MONDAY
TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY
THURSDAY
FRIDAY
SATURDAY
1
Chanters Prac
4pm
GV 5pm
2
Matins 9:15am
DL - 10:30am
3
4
MOPS
9:15-11:15
5
6
7
8
Chanters Prac
4pm
GV 5pm
9
Matins 9:15am
DL - 10:30am
10
11
12
13
14
15
Chanters Prac
4pm
GV 5pm
16
Matins 9:15am
DL - 10:30am
17
18
MOPS
9:15-11:15
19
20
Great Vespers
6pm for Entry
of Theotokos
21
22
Matins 9:30
DL 10:30
27
28
23
Matins 9:15am
DL - 10:30am
____________
30
Matins 9:15am
DL - 10:30am
24
25
26
Chanters Prac
4pm
GV 5pm
29
Chanters Prac
4pm
GV 5pm
DECE MBER
SUNDAY
2014
MONDAY
TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY
THURSDAY
FRIDAY
SATURDAY
1
2
3
4
5
6
Chanters Prac
4pm
GV 5pm
7
Matins
9:15am
DL - 10:30am
8
9
MOPS
9:15-11:15
10
11
12
13
Chanters Prac
4pm
GV 5pm
14
Matins
9:15am
DL - 10:30am
15
16
17
18
19
20
Chanters Prac
4pm
GV 5pm
21
Matins
9:15am
DL - 10:30am
22
23
MOPS
9:15-11:15
24
Great Vespers
5pm
Lessons & Carols
7pm
25
26
MERRY
CHRISTMAS
Matins 9:30am
DL 10:30am
27
Chanters Prac
4pm
GV 5pm
28
Matins
9:15am
DL - 10:30am
29
30
31
NEW YEAR’S
EVE
Guidelines for The Nativity Fast
November 15 thru December 24
The Nativity Fast is one of the four Canonical Fasting Seasons in the Church year. This is a joyous fast in
anticipation of the Nativity of Christ. That is the reason it is less strict than other fasting periods. The fast is divided
into two periods. The 1st period is November 15th through December 19th when the traditional fasting discipline
(no meat, dairy, fish, wine, and oil) is observed. There is dispensation given for wine and oil on Tuesdays and
Thursdays. Similarly, fish, wine, and oil are permitted on Saturdays and Sundays. The 2nd period is December
20th through 24th when the traditional fasting discipline (no meat, dairy, fish, wine, and oil) is observed. There is
dispensation given for wine and oil only on Saturday and Sunday during this period. Here are the guidelines:
Meat
Dairy
Fish
Wine
Oil
beef, chicken,
pork, turkey, elk,
veal, lamb, deer,
rabbit, buffalo,
and so forth
milk, eggs,
cheese, butter,
yogurt, cream,
and so forth
fish with a
backbone (not
including shrimp,
octopus, shellfish,
squid, or other
seafood.
(some include all
types of alcohol in
this category)
(some include all
types of oil in this
category)
Abstain.
Abstain.
Permitted only on
Saturdays and
Sundays before
December 20.
(some permit fish
Tuesdays and
Thursdays also)
Permitted only on
Tuesdays,
Thursdays,
Saturdays, &
Sundays before
December 20.
Permitted only on
Tuesdays,
Thursdays,
Saturdays, &
Sundays before
December 20.
Abstinence includes refraining from the food and drink mentioned above, as well as from smoking. The Eucharistic
Fast means abstaining from at least the previous midnight for communing at a morning Liturgy.
The Purpose of Fasting
The purpose of fasting is to focus on the things that are above, the Kingdom of God. It is a means of putting on
virtue in reality, here and now. Through it we are freed from dependence on worldly things. We fast faithfully and in
secret, not judging others, and not holding ourselves up as an example.
•
Fasting in itself is not a means of pleasing God. Fasting is not a punishment for our sins. Nor is fasting a
means of suffering and pain to be undertaken as some kind of atonement. Christ already redeemed us on
His Cross. Salvation is a gift from God that is not bought by our hunger or thirst.
•
We fast to be delivered from carnal passions so that God’s gift of Salvation may bear fruit in us.
•
We fast and turn our eyes toward God in His Holy Church. Fasting and prayer go together.
•
Fasting is not irrelevant. Fasting is not obsolete, and it is not something for someone else. Fasting is from
God, for us, right here and right now.
•
Most of all, we should not devour each other. We ask God to “set a watch and keep the door of our lips.”
Do Not Fast
•
between December 25 and January 5 (even on Wednesdays and Fridays);
•
if you are pregnant or nursing a newborn;
•
during serious illness;
•
without prayer;
•
without alms-giving;
•
according to your own will without guidance from your spiritual father.