WEEKLY LITURGICAL SCHEDULE
Sunday, Sept. 06 – 14th Sunday after Pentecost
8:30 AM Matins
9:30 AM Divine Liturgy
Monday, Sept. 07
6:30 PM Vespers
7:30 PM Divine Liturgy: Birth of the Theotokos
Thursday, Sept. 10
7:30 AM Morning Prayer
Friday, Sept. 11
7:30 AM Morning Prayer
Saturday, Sept. 12
6:30 PM Vespers
Sunday, Sept. 13 – Sunday before the Exaltation of the Cross
8:30 AM Matins
9:30 AM Divine Liturgy
Please remember the following people in your prayers: Estella Biedenbender, Ken Bosak, Julie Carlin, Fletes Family: Alicia, Frankie, Layla, Lupita & Veronica, Victoria Flores, Larry Goodwin, Holly Garlow, Michelle Grana, Virginia Harrington, Jeanne Hart, Michael Hefferon, Rob Hooper, Chris Johnson, Patricia Kurczak, Irene Lehman, Elizabeth & John Mallas, Dylan Mancia, Toni Martin, Marg Mauro, Juan Gabriel Martinez, Pedro Medina, Mina family: Mila, Diana, Rev. John & Mike, Shannon O’Neill, Tanya Petach, Casandra Porch, Nicholas, Rodriguez Diane Romano, Paul Saucedo, Kathleen Savko, Robert Stamer, Leanne Steuer, Mary Washko, Dina & Matthew Wiggins, Carmen Zambrano, Lana Zimmerman, Patrick Zimmerman, Fr. Chris Zugger and all those who serve in the Armed Forces
Collection: $1085.00; Candles: $30.00; Holy days: $45.00; Gift Shop: $20.00
Total: $1180.00 / Attendance 58
The American bishops of the Catholic Church have asked parishes to take up an optional collection to assist those suffering because of the wildfires, Hurricane Laura, and other recent disasters. If you are able to willing to donate, please identify the donation (check or online through “donorbox”) as going to “Disaster Relief”. The donations will support Catholic Charities USA and Catholic Relief Services. Thank you for your generosity! You will find the official request posted on the bulletin board by the small hall entrance.
The great feast of the Nativity of the Theotokos (September 8) is one of the 12 great feasts of the church year. You will often find these 12 feasts represented by icons on the second layer of the church iconostasis. Pascha, the greatest feast of the year, is in a class all its own and so is not usually one of the 12. The Nativity of the Theotokos is also the first major feast of the new church year. The next one will be the Exaltation of the Precious and Life-Giving Cross on September 14.
According to the second century document, the Protoevangelium of Saint James, the Theotokos was born to Joachim and Anna after they had given up hope of having a child. They were observant and generous Jews, but they were mocked for being childless. They had prayed for a child fervently for years, and just before conceiving the Theotokos they began to despair. Angels appeared to each of them sharing the news that God was going to gift to them a baby girl who would be “spoken of in all the world”.
We are an essential part of this prophecy that the Theotokos be “spoken of” and it is important that we do this in each of our parts of the world. Be creative in the living out of the prophecy! Celebrate this feast with the rest of the parish (in person or through the livestream). Bring flowers to your own icons of the Theotokos, any of the many icons of her were have here at St. Mary’s, or even to a statue or shrine that may be in your neighborhood. Read the Protoevanglium of St. James (https://www.newadvent.org/fathers/0847.htm) and tell this story to those with whom you share your faith. Finally, be sure to call upon the Theotokos when you could use her motherly care. This is the oldest know Marian Hymn. Pray it often:
Beneath your compassion we take refuge, O Virgin Theotokos. Despise not our prayers in our need, but deliver us from dangers, for you alone are pure and blessed.
Saturday, September 5 –
