Saturday, Dec 9 – Patapius, Venerable
5:00 PM Santa Paula Outreach Divine Liturgy
Sunday, Dec 10 – 28th Sunday after Pentecost
8:30 AM Matins
9:30 AM Divine Liturgy
11:30 AM St. Nicholas Day Potluck
Monday, Dec 11 – Daniel the Stylite, Venerable
8:30 AM Morning Prayer
4:00 PM Evening Prayer
5:30 PM Akathist* for those suffering Addictions & Mental Illness
Wednesday, Dec 14 – Thrysus and Others, Martyrs
8:30 AM Morning Prayer
6:30 PM Emmanuel Molebens
7:30 PM Firepit Social
Saturday, Dec 16 – Haggai, Prophet
5:00 PM Santa Paula Outreach Divine Liturgy
5:30 PM Reader Vespers
Sunday, Dec 17 – 29th Sunday after Pentecost
8:30 AM Matins
9:30 AM Divine Liturgy
*Add first names to this prayer service by emailing niemirick@gmail.com
St. Mary’s: Sundays 8:45 AM or by appointment
Santa Paula: Saturdays 4:15 PM or by appointment
(Please resubmit or submit names to admin@ByzantineLA.com)
The Carlin Family, Michael Hefferon, Shirley Kunze, Michael Mina, Peter Mina, Fr. John Mina, Mila Mina, Lana Zimmerman, Patrick Zimmerman, Shannon O’Neill, Fern Bonowicz, All the sick and suffering of St. Mary’s
Collection: $4,357.75; Santa Paula: $650.00; Online: $2,159.00; Gift Shop: $200.00; Church Improvements: $425.00; Candles: $110.65; SPOutreach Improvements: $20.00; Grant: $25,000.00
Total: $32,922.40 / Attendance – PSM: 78 SPO: 65
In the Book of Ecclesiasticus, the author, King Solomon, writes this: “Give thanks whilst thou art living, whilst thou art alive and in health thou shalt give thanks and shalt praise God and shalt glory in His mercies.”
In these words of Solomon, we see that giving thanks and praise to God is a very important thing to do. We give thanks to God because He has been kind to us. God has sent His only begotten Son to redeem and save us. Jesus has purchased for us the gift of eternal life. The gates of paradise once closed to mankind are now opened for all to enter. We must show gratitude toward God for the gift of eternal life. The Prophet Daniel says this: “O give thanks to the Lord, because He is good: because His mercy endures forever and ever.”
The writers of the New Testament also remind us to give thanks to God. St. Paul,
writing to the Thessalonians, reminds them to be thankful toward God: “In all things give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you all” St. Paul says that by being thankful to God we are doing the will of God.
In the Gospel story, we see that there were ten lepers who were cured of their disease by Jesus. But only one, a Samaritan, came to praise and thank God for his cure. Jesus then becomes angry and says to him: “Were not all ten made clean? The other nine, where are they?”
It seems that these individuals used Our Lord. They greatly desired to be cured, but they did not show any desire to thank Jesus. They committed the sin of ingratitude.
Finally, let us read the words of Leroy Brownlow: “I thank you” are three very important words. Learn to speak to them. Naturally, sincerely. No person deserves more than he is thankful for. And the size of one’s gratitude is not dependent upon the size of the object or favor received, but rather upon the size of the heart.
Gospel Meditation by Fr. Eugene Chromoga
“Get up and go your way. Your faith has healed you!” The faith of the healed Samaritan leper who returned to thank Jesus is a model of thanksgiving and love for God. Our Lord works through the faith of those who love him and serve His body, the Church. Is a life of service and faithfulness to God and His Church as a priest, deacon, monk or nun something that may be for you or someone you know? Contact the Vocations Office at 206-329-9219 or email: vocations@ephx.org
Saturday, December 9 –
