Theophany- January 6

Christ is Baptized!   In the Jordan!
In the early church, many of the feast days that we now celebrate in December and January were all celebrated together on January 6th.  That’s why this feast day is called “Theophany” or “the revelation of God” in Greek.  (“Epiphany,” the name used by our Roman Catholic brothers and sisters means simply “Revelation”.)  All these feasts shed light on an aspect of God and His Kingdom, so they are rightly celebrated near each other.  The Nativity of Our Lord (later moved to December 24/25) reveals that God became man and was born of a woman.  The journey of the Magi to and from “the East” reveals this God-Man to the nations, especially Arabia, Persia and Ethiopia, out of which we have many great saints (later moved to Dec. 25).  The Baptism of Our Lord in the Jordan was kept on January 6th and celebrated the revelation of the three Persons on the Trinity; The Father is revealed in the “voice from heaven”, the Son in Jesus Christ baptized by John, and the Holy Spirt that descended in the “form of a dove.”  All of these feasts encourage us to a certain discontentment with our current understanding of, and closeness to Christ, and drive us to be more curious and seekers of a more intense relationship with Him.    
Troparion of the Feast:  At your baptism in the Jordan, O Lord, worship of the Trinity was revealed; for the Father’s voice bore witness to you, calling you his beloved Son, and the Spirit in the form of a dove confirmed the truth of these words.  O Christ God, you appeared and enlightened the world.  Glory to you!
-The Vesper-Liturgy for Theophany, along with the blessing of Jordan water will begin at 7pm on Tuesday, January 5. 
-Mason Jars with Jordan water will be available after the blessing.  Feel free to also bring your own water to be blessed.  Please make sure your own water is placed by the baptismal font before the blessing.
-You will be contacted about the availability of scheduling a house blessing after the feast.
-We will have a small social by the firepit after the Theophany liturgy.  Feel free to bring food or drink to share.
-After the Divine Liturgy on Sunday, January 10, we will process down to either the LA River or the lake at the Sepulveda Basin Wildlife Reserve and bless the water there.   

Sunday Bulletin 12/27/20

Christ is Born!  Glorify Him!

Christos Razdajetsja!  Slavite Jeho!

Merry Christmas!

Sunday after the Nativity

 

WEEKLY LITURGICAL SCHEDULE

Sunday, Dec. 27         

8:30 AM          Matins

9:30 AM          Divine Liturgy

Wednesday, Dec. 30  

7:30 AM          Morning Prayer

8:30 AM          Divine Liturgy            +John Bosak from George Bosak

4:00 PM          Evening Prayer

Thursday, Dec. 31      

7:30 AM          Morning Prayer

8:30 AM          Photina Walk

6:30 PM          Vespers

7:30 PM          Divine Liturgy            Daniel McCarthy from Kay Wiskuchan

Friday, Jan.  01          

7:30 AM          Morning Prayer

4:00 PM          Compline

Saturday, Jan. 02        

8:30 AM          Divine Liturgy            +Edward Parrot from Jerome Parrot

5:00 PM          Divine Liturgy in Ventura County

6:30 PM          Vespers

Sunday, Jan. 03          

8:30 AM          Matins

9:30 AM          Divine Liturgy

PRAYER REQUESTS

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

WEEKLY DEPOSIT

Collection: $1,915.00; Candles: $45.00; Online: $285.00; Church Improvements: $100.00; Property Rental: $205.00; Ventura County Outreach collection: $15.00

Total: $2,565.00 / Attendance 50

 

Circumcision of Our Lord – January 1

On the eighth day after His Nativity, our Lord Jesus Christ was circumcised in accordance with the Old Testament Law. All male infants underwent circumcision as a sign of God’s Covenant with the holy Forefather Abraham and his descendants [Genesis 17:10-14, Leviticus 12:3].

After this ritual, the Divine Infant was given the name Jesus, as the Archangel Gabriel declared on the day of the Annunciation to the Most Holy Theotokos [Luke 1:31-33, 2:21]. The Fathers of the Church explain that the Lord, the Creator of the Law, underwent circumcision in order to give people an example of how faithfully the divine ordinances ought to be fulfilled. The Lord was circumcised so that later no one would doubt that He had truly assumed human flesh, and that His Incarnation was not merely an illusion, as certain heretics had taught.

In the New Testament, the ritual of circumcision gave way to the Mystery of Baptism, which it prefigured [Colossians 2:11-12]. Accounts of the Feast of the Circumcision of the Lord continue in the Eastern Church right up through the fourth century. The Canon of the Feast was written by Saint Stephen of the Saint Sava Monastery.

In addition to circumcision, which the Lord accepted as a sign of God’s Covenant with mankind, He also received the Name Jesus [Savior] on the eighth day after His Nativity as an indication of His service, the work of the salvation of the world [Matthew 1:21; Mark 9:38-39, 16:17; Luke 10:17; Acts 3:6, 16; Philippians 2:9-10]. These two events — the Lord’s Circumcision and Naming — remind Christians that they have entered into a New Covenant with God and “are circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ” [Colossians 2:11]. The very name “Christian” is a sign of mankind’s entrance into a New Covenant with God.                                                                                   

From www.oca.org/saints/ 

 

Circumcision of Our Lord – January 1

On the eighth day after His Nativity, our Lord Jesus Christ was circumcised in accordance with the Old Testament Law. All male infants underwent circumcision as a sign of God’s Covenant with the holy Forefather Abraham and his descendants [Genesis 17:10-14, Leviticus 12:3].

After this ritual, the Divine Infant was given the name Jesus, as the Archangel Gabriel declared on the day of the Annunciation to the Most Holy Theotokos [Luke 1:31-33, 2:21]. The Fathers of the Church explain that the Lord, the Creator of the Law, underwent circumcision in order to give people an example of how faithfully the divine ordinances ought to be fulfilled. The Lord was circumcised so that later no one would doubt that He had truly assumed human flesh, and that His Incarnation was not merely an illusion, as certain heretics had taught.

In the New Testament, the ritual of circumcision gave way to the Mystery of Baptism, which it prefigured [Colossians 2:11-12]. Accounts of the Feast of the Circumcision of the Lord continue in the Eastern Church right up through the fourth century. The Canon of the Feast was written by Saint Stephen of the Saint Sava Monastery.

In addition to circumcision, which the Lord accepted as a sign of God’s Covenant with mankind, He also received the Name Jesus [Savior] on the eighth day after His Nativity as an indication of His service, the work of the salvation of the world [Matthew 1:21; Mark 9:38-39, 16:17; Luke 10:17; Acts 3:6, 16; Philippians 2:9-10]. These two events — the Lord’s Circumcision and Naming — remind Christians that they have entered into a New Covenant with God and “are circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ” [Colossians 2:11]. The very name “Christian” is a sign of mankind’s entrance into a New Covenant with God.

(From OCA.org)

Sunday Bulletin 12/20/20

Christ is Born!  Glorify Him!

Christos Razdajetsja!  Slavite Jeho!

Merry Christmas!

Sunday of the Ancestors / Sunday Before the Nativity

WEEKLY LITURGICAL SCHEDULE

Sunday, Dec. 20 – Sunday of the Ancestors      

8:30 AM          Matins

9:30 AM          Divine Liturgy 

Wednesday, Dec. 23  

7:30 AM          Morning Prayer

8:30 AM          Divine Liturgy            +Scott Collier from Rick White

4:00 PM          Evening Prayer

Thursday, Dec. 24 – Christmas Eve    

8:30 AM         Royal Hours

3:00 PM          Vespers

4:00 PM          Divine Liturgy – Vigil of the Nativity

Friday, Dec. 25 – Christmas          

8:30 AM         Matins

 9:30 AM         Divine Liturgy – The Nativity of our Lord 

Saturday, Dec. 26      

8:30 AM          Divine Liturgy: Synaxis of the Theotokos          Family & Friends of Scott Collier from Rick White   

6:30 PM          Vespers

Sunday, Dec. 27 – Sunday after the Nativity          

8:30 AM          Matins

9:30 AM          Divine Liturgy 

PRAYER REQUESTS

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

WEEKLY DEPOSIT

Collection: $886.00; Candles: $53.25; Online: $85.00; Church Improvements: $20.00; Retired Religious: $1450.00; Flowers: $25.00; Ventura County Outreach collection: $11.00

Total: $2,535.25 / Attendance 65

 

HOLY SUPPER

Byzantine Catholics usually celebrate a beautiful and deeply symbolic meal on Christmas Eve called “Holy Supper”.  You can find more info about this tradition in this week’s email.

Partakers of Mary’s flesh in the Eucharistic Theology of St. Symeon the New Theologian

St. Symeon the New Theologian (949–1022 AD) is known for his mystical piety, his explanation of the Divine Light, and his deep reverence for the Holy Eucharist. Abbott Symeon went so far as to tell his monks “Brothers, never commune without tears.” It is no wonder, for this holy Saint knew that to fully receive all of the benefits of the life giving Eucharist one must be spiritually prepared, discerning the holy from the profane. After all, if the Eucharist is spiritual, only the spiritual man can partake thereof. One might think of it this way, a virus can’t survive on pizza because pizza is just not the kind of food a virus has the nature to thrive on. Only those with a spiritual disposition can receive spiritual nourishment; otherwise, it is subjectively only wine and bread for those who don’t believe, even as when the Pharisees and Sadducees saw the Word of God incarnate they only experienced him with eyes of unbelief as a mere fishermen. This emphasis on spirituality and the spiritual nature of the Eucharist does not mean that the Eucharist is not physical! In fact, St. Symeon believed so firmly in the physical nature of the Eucharist that for him to partake of the Eucharist is not only partaking of the incarnate historical Christ, but even to receive of the flesh which gave the incarnate word flesh, the Holy Theotokos. In other words, to partake in the Eucharist is even to partake in the flesh of Mary. By extension, St. Symeon might point out that Mary is not only our adopted mother in Christ, but actually, we are her true children, even partaking of her flesh and blood. What is more, he did not see a radical distinction between physicality and spirituality. In keeping with the Biblical tradition, Christ’s resurrected body is a spiritual body. Yes, it can eat and drink, but it can also go through walls, float, and shape-shift (recall the apostles on the road to Emmaus), most of all it is an eternal and incorruptible body. The spiritual body of Christ is his resurrected body, a perfected physical body. This is the kind of Eucharistic body the believer receives when he or she partakes in faith, as a spiritual person. This is a foretaste of the good things to come, the blessed hope, the beginning of the spiritual man’s promised resurrection.                                                                                   -Father Nathan Symeon Adams

 

 

St. Mary’s Book club:

Fr. Michael and Fr. Nathan will be choosing monthly readings, for our edification as a community. For those who are interested, we will purchase a limited number of texts accessible at our bookstore. Join “Slack” for any questions or ideas you would like to discuss from our texts, or grab a priest in person to discuss your experience with our chosen texts. Fr. Nathan chose this month’s text; let him know what you think about it.

December Book: THE WINTER PASCHA

“When the winter begins to make way into the Northern World, the Church of Christ begins to celebrate ‘a splendid three-day Pascha.’ Thus, Father Thomas Hopko begins the first of forty meditations for the season of Advent, Christmas and Epiphany, ending with the feast of the Meeting of the Lord in the Temple on the fortieth day after Christ’s birth. In the style of his popular book for the paschal fasting season, The Lenten Spring, the author again draws on the biblical readings and liturgical hymns and verses of the season to illumine the way for believers to follow the Church’s days of preparation and celebration for the Coming of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, in human flesh. Many references are made to the writings of the saints and Church Fathers, as well as to contemporary Christian teachers and spiritual guides. All those who love the Lord’s Coming will find comfort and strength, as well as enlightenment and instruction, for having passed through the Winter Pascha with this book as their companion.”

Sunday Bulletin 12/13/20

Sunday of the Forefathers

WEEKLY LITURGICAL SCHEDULE

Sunday, Dec. 13 – Sunday of the Forefathers         

8:30 AM          Matins

9:30 AM          Divine Liturgy

Monday, Dec. 14       

7:30 AM          Morning Prayer

8:30 AM          Divine Liturgy             +Blanch Falcon from Sheila Falcon

4:00 PM          Evening Prayer

Tuesday, Dec. 15       

7:30 AM          Morning Prayer

8:30 AM          Divine Liturgy            +John Bosak Sr. from George Bosak

4:00 PM          Evening Prayer

Wednesday, Dec. 16  

7:30 AM          Morning Prayer

7:00 PM          Evening Prayer

7:30 PM          Divine Liturgy            Intentions of Jerome Parrot

Thursday, Dec. 17      

7:30 AM          Morning Prayer

8:30 AM          Photina Walk

7:00 PM          Evening Prayer

7:30 PM          Emmanuel Moleben

Friday, Dec. 18          

7:30 AM          Morning Prayer

4:00 PM          Compline

Saturday, Dec. 19      

8:30 AM          Divine Liturgy            +Mary Daly from Becky Pfundstein

6:30 PM          Vespers

Sunday, Dec. 20 – Sunday of the Ancestors / Sunday Before Christmas          

8:30 AM          Matins

9:30 AM          Divine Liturgy

 

PRAYER REQUESTS

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

 

WEEKLY DEPOSIT

Collection: $3760.00; Candles: $52.45; Online: $400.00; Church Improvements: $240.00; Christmas: $20.00; Retired Religious: $2120.00; Holy Days: $40.00; Flowers: $50.00; Ventura County Outreach collection: $65.00

Total: $6,747.45 / Attendance 59

 

SAINT HERMAN OF ALASKA

St. Herman of Alaska (1756-1836), missionary to the Alaskan peoples, founded Orthodoxy among the Natives of Alaska. His celebration takes place on Dec. 13th. His celebration has become central to Orthodox Christians throughout North America during the Winter Paschal Season, perhaps because he so fully offers an image of the incarnation unto the Natives who had never experienced the incarnate Lord. St. Herman was a great miracle worker, but most importantly, he emulated the humility of our Lord, what we refer to as kenosis, or self-emptying. Compare our Lord’s life to these words concerning St. Herman (taken from our monthly book, The Winter Pascha).  Fr. Thomas Hopko writes, 

By American standards, Saint Herman of Alaska, like the Lord Jesus Christ Himself was a miserable failure. He made no name for himself. He was not in the public eye. He wielded no power. He owned no property…He had no worldly prestige. He played no roles in human affairs. He partook of no carnal pleasures. He made no money. He died in obscurity among outcast people. Yet today, more than a hundred years after his death his icon is venerated in thousands of churches and his name is honored by millions of people whom he is still trying to teach to see the kingdom of God…which has been brought to the world by the King who was born in a cavern and killed on a cross. The example of this man is crucial to the celebration of Christmas—especially in America (p. 47-48).

This Thursday morning, at 8:30 am, Fr. Michael and I imitated this holy Saint, and of course the proto-type, Christ our Lord, by prayerfully picking up trash on Sepulveda Boulevard. We would like to invite you and your family to join us (Thursday mornings at 8:30 am) as we humbly seek the kingdom through the lowly actions of the holy Saints who went before us. St. Herman of Alaska, pray to God for us!

            O joyful North Star of the Church of Christ,

            Guiding all men to the heavenly kingdom.

            O Teacher and Apostle of the true faith,

            Intercessor and defender of the oppressed. 

            Adornment of the Orthodox Church in America,

            Blessed Father Herman of Alaska, 

            Pray to the Lord Jesus Christ for the salvation of our souls

            –Troparion of the Feast of St. Herman

By Fr. Nathan Symeon

 

St. Mary’s Book club:

Fr. Michael and Fr. Nathan will be choosing monthly readings, for our edification as a community. For those who are interested, we will purchase a limited number of texts accessible at our bookstore. Join “Slack” for any questions or ideas you would like to discuss from our texts, or grab a priest in person to discuss your experience with our chosen texts. Fr. Nathan chose this month’s text; let him know what you think about it.

December Book: THE WINTER PASCHA

“When the winter begins to make way into the Northern World, the Church of Christ begins to celebrate ‘a splendid three-day Pascha.’ Thus, Father Thomas Hopko begins the first of forty meditations for the season of Advent, Christmas and Epiphany, ending with the feast of the Meeting of the Lord in the Temple on the fortieth day after Christ’s birth. In the style of his popular book for the paschal fasting season, The Lenten Spring, the author again draws on the biblical readings and liturgical hymns and verses of the season to illumine the way for believers to follow the Church’s days of preparation and celebration for the Coming of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, in human flesh. Many references are made to the writings of the saints and Church Fathers, as well as to contemporary Christian teachers and spiritual guides. All those who love the Lord’s Coming will find comfort and strength, as well as enlightenment and instruction, for having passed through the Winter Pascha with this book as their companion.”

 

 

 

Saint Herman of Alaska

St. Herman of Alaska (1756-1836), missionary to the Alaskan peoples, founded Orthodoxy among the Natives of Alaska. His celebration takes place on Dec. 13th. His celebration has become central to Orthodox Christians throughout North America during the Winter Paschal Season, perhaps because he so fully offers an image of the incarnation unto the Natives who had never experienced the incarnate Lord. St. Herman was a great miracle worker, but most importantly he emulated the humility of our Lord, what we refer to as kenosis, or self-emptying. Compare our Lord’s life to these words concerning St. Herman (taken from our monthly book, The Winter Pascha).  Fr. Thomas Hopko writes, 

By American standards, Saint Herman of Alaska, like the Lord Jesus Christ Himself was a miserable failure. He made no name for himself. He was not in the public eye. He wielded no power. He owned no property…He had no worldly prestige. He played no roles in human affairs. He partook of no carnal pleasures. He made no money. He died in obscurity among outcast people. Yet today, more than a hundred years after his death his icon is venerated in thousands of churches and his name is honored by millions of people whom he is still trying to teach to see the kingdom of God…which has been brought to the world by the King who was born in a cavern and killed on a cross. The example of this man is crucial to the celebration of Christmas—especially in America (p. 47-48).

This Thursday morning, at 8:30 am, Fr. Michael and I Imitated this holy Saint, and of course the proto-type, Christ our Lord, by prayerfully picking up trash on Sepulveda Boulevard. We would like to invite you and your family to join us (Thursday mornings at 8:30 am) as we humbly seek the kingdom through the lowly actions of the holy Saints who went before us. St. Herman of Alaska, pray to God for us!

O joyful North Star of the Church of Christ,

Guiding all men to the heavenly kingdom.

O Teacher and Apostle of the true faith,

Intercessor and defender of the oppressed. 

Adornment of the Orthodox Church in America,

Blessed Father Herman of Alaska, 

Pray to the Lord Jesus Christ for the salvation of our souls

–Troparion of the Feast of St. Herman

 

By Fr. Nathan Symeon

Sunday Bulletin 12/06/20

Nicholas Archbishop of Myra

WEEKLY LITURGICAL SCHEDULE

Sunday, Dec. 06         

8:30 AM          Matins

9:30 AM          Divine Liturgy: St. Nicholas the Wonderworker

Monday, Dec. 07       

7:30 AM          Morning Prayer

6:30 PM          Vespers

7:30 PM          Divine Liturgy            Sister Natalia

Wednesday, Dec. 09  

7:30 AM          Morning Prayer

8:30 AM          Divine Liturgy

4:00 PM          Evening Prayer

Thursday, Dec. 10      

8:30 AM          Photina Walk

7:00 PM          Evening Prayer

7:30 PM          Emmanuel Moleben

Friday, Dec. 11          

7:30 AM          Morning Prayer

4:00 PM          Evening Prayer

Saturday, Dec. 12      

8:30 AM          Divine Liturgy            +Bishop Gerald

6:30 PM          Vespers

Sunday, Dec. 13         

8:30 AM          Matins

9:30 AM          Divine Liturgy: Sunday of the Forefathers

PRAYER REQUESTS

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

WEEKLY DEPOSIT

Collection: $980.00; Candles: $32.50; Online: $75.00; Church Improvements: $100.00; Christmas: $200.00; Retired Religious: $100.00; Bishop’s Appeal Rebate: $5,817.62; Ventura County Outreach collection: $70.00

Total: $7,375.12 / Attendance 55

Upcoming Special Collection

December 13th is the special Collection for the Retirement Fund of the Religious. Please be as generous as you can.

Prayer to the Helper of Mothers

O Most Holy Mother of God and Ever Virgin Mary, you are a mystical garden in which grew the Tree of Eternal Life. You are the Gardener of the Garden of Life, the Soil whose Fruit shall not perish, and the Key to Paradise. You are the Mother of both the Lamb and Shepard, the Protection against unseen enemies, more Spacious than the Heavens, the Trust of Mortals before God, and the Unfading Rose. When God so wills, the very order of nature is abolished. In a mysterious and miraculous manner, the Infinite and Eternal God took flesh from your most pure body and became man. You are the temple, the tabernacle, the gate, the palace, and the throne of the King.

Most Holy Mother of God, we beg you to look with favor on our request. Ask your Divine Son to grant conception to your handmaid, and protect her throughout her term with health for both her and her child, and protect her and her child during birth from all danger and every visible and invisible enemy. Grant to her a godly child who is healthy in body, mind, and spirit, and who is virtuous in actions, and who is eager to please God in all things. Ask you Divine Son to grant your handmaid the holy gifts of peace of mind, serenity, tranquility, and resignation to the will of God. Amen.

The icon placed on the tetrapod throughout Phillips fast (Advent) is called Theotokos (Mother of God) “Helper of Mothers”.  It is appropriate for the season because it is an icon of Mary pregnant with Our Lord.  The original version of this icon is in a Russian church on the border with China.  The original of this icon, and the many prints and versions produced later, have become a miraculous help to mothers, and those desire motherhood.  We ask the Theotokos to intercede with her Son, for safe and joy-filled conception, pregnancy, and birth for mothers, and peace for those who suffer the lack of this gift.

Sunday Bulletin 11/29/20

Twenty-sixth Sunday after Pentecost

WEEKLY LITURGICAL SCHEDULE

Sunday, Nov. 29 – 26th Sunday after Pentecost        

8:30 AM          Matins

9:30 AM          Divine Liturgy

Monday, Nov. 30       

7:30 AM          Morning Prayer

Wednesday, Dec. 02  

7:30 AM          Morning Prayer

Friday, Dec. 04          

7:30 AM          Morning Prayer

Saturday, Dec. 05 – St. Sabbas       

7:30 AM          Matins

8:30 AM          Divine Liturgy +Fr. Mel

6:30 PM          Vespers

Sunday, Dec. 06 – St. Nicholas of Myra / 27th Sunday after Pentecost          

8:30 AM          Matins

9:30 AM          Divine Liturgy 

 

PRAYER REQUESTS

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

 

WEEKLY DEPOSIT

Collection: $1,305.00; Candles: $72.50; Online: $75.00; Holy Days: $25.00

Total: $1,402.50 / Attendance 80

 

Two Priests on Sundays

In Father Nathan, Our Lord has gifted us with a greatly increased opportunity to receive the graces He pours out through the life and ministry of the ministerial priesthood.  Father Nathan and I began praying about and discussing Our Lord’s Will for this double portion last week when we took a three day retreat at a Byzantine monastery in Northern California.  We will continue to share the fruits of this prayer and discussion, but we would like to implement one of these opportunities right away.  Starting this weekend, one of us (we will alternate) will celebrate a Divine Liturgy in Camarillo for what may become an “Outreach” community with St. Mary’s as its mother parish.  This priest will then hear confessions during the beginning of the Divine Liturgy on Sunday morning in Sherman Oaks.  He will conclude the confessions just before the Gospel, then will preach either the children’s or adult homily (again, we will alternate).  

After the homily and the Litany of Fervent Supplication, he will be available to host any non-Catholic (or fallen-away Catholic) guests you may bring, buy them coffee and a pastry, and answer any questions they may have.  Your guests can then rejoin the community for our usual Sunday potluck.  We hope that this will encourage you to invite to liturgy those who you may have hesitated to bring because of the length or foreign-to-most-Americans style of our beloved Divine Liturgy.  They are more than welcome to join our community for the entire liturgy if they would like, but many will likely have a lot of questions that one of us can answer after the homily.  If one of us is traveling and so we are not able to provide this opportunity, we will let you know ahead of time.    -Father Michael

 

Upcoming Online Lecture Series

The Godbearer Institute is offering two seminars (See flyers or weekly email for further information)

The first is an evening of reflection on the Mother of God and the Mystery of Christmas led by noted speaker, author, and EWTN personality, Mike Aquilina, Monday December 14, at 7 p.m. CST.

The second is an online retreat for medical workers featuring Dr. Paschal Bastien and myself, Saturday December 19, at 9 a.m.–noon CST.

 

Two Priests on Sunday

Two priests on Sundays

In Father Nathan, Our Lord has gifted us with a greatly increased opportunity to receive the graces He pours out through the life and ministry of the ministerial priesthood.  Father Nathan and I  began praying about and discussing Our Lord’s Will for this double portion last week when we took a three day retreat at a Byzantine monastery in Northern California.  We will continue to share the fruits of this prayer and discussion, but we’d like to implement one of these opportunities right away.  Starting this weekend, one of us (we will alternate) will celebrate a Divine Liturgy in Camarillo for what may become an “Outreach” community with St. Mary’s as its mother parish.  This priest will then hear confessions during the beginning of the Divine Liturgy on Sunday morning in Sherman Oaks.  He will conclude the confessions just before the Gospel, then will preach either the children’s or adult homily (again, we will alternate).  

After the homily and the Litany of Fervent Supplication, he will be available to host any non-Catholic (or fallen-away Catholic) guests you may bring, buy them coffee and a pastry, and answer any questions they may have.  Your guests can then rejoin the community for our usual Sunday potluck.  We hope that this will encourage you to invite to liturgy those who you may have hesitated to bring because of the length or foreign-to-most-Americans style of our beloved Divine Liturgy.  They are more than welcome to join our community for the entire liturgy if they would like, but many will likely have a lot of questions that one of us can answer after the homily.  If one of us is traveling and so we are not able to provide this opportunity, we will let you know ahead of time.    -Father Michael

Upcoming Online Lecture Series: 

The Godbearer Institute is offering two seminars (See flyers or weekly email for further information)

o    The first is an evening of reflection on the Mother of God and the Mystery of Christmas led by noted speaker, author, and EWTN personality, Mike Aquilina, Monday December 14, at 7 p.m. CST.

o   The second is an online retreat for medical workers featuring Dr. Paschal Bastien and myself, Saturday December 19, at 9 a.m.–noon CST.

Sunday Bulletin 11/22/20

25th Sunday after Pentecost

WEEKLY LITURGICAL SCHEDULE

Sunday, Nov. 22 – 25th Sunday after Pentecost         

8:30 AM          Matins

9:30 AM          Divine Liturgy

Monday, Nov. 23       

7:30 AM          Morning Prayer

Tuesday, Nov. 24       

7:30 AM          Morning Prayer

Wednesday, Nov. 25  

7:30 AM          Morning Prayer

Thursday, Nov. 26 (Thanksgiving Day)

8:30 AM          Thanksgiving Moleben

Friday, Nov. 27          

7:30 AM          Morning Prayer

Saturday, Nov. 28      

8:30 AM          Morning Prayer

6:30 PM          Vespers

Sunday, Nov. 29 – 26th Sunday after Pentecost        

8:30 AM          Matins

9:30 AM          Divine Liturgy 

PRAYER REQUESTS

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

WEEKLY DEPOSIT

Collection: $3,340.00; Candles: $15.00; Online: $225.00; Gift Shop: $70.00

Total: $3,650.00 / Attendance 75

 

Online Byzantine Educational Opportunities:

Check your email for information about a couple upcoming online Byzantine Catholic educational opportunities!  

-God With Us Online/ Crowned with Glory

-Online Byzantine Catholic Convention

-Lumen Christi/ Quo Vadis Series

 

St. Euphrosynus the Cook

Father Michael preached on him Friday evening

Saint Euphrosynus the Cook was from one of the Palestinian monasteries, and his obedience was to work in the kitchen as a cook…One of the priests of the monastery prayed and asked the Lord to show him the blessings prepared for the righteous in the age to come. The priest saw in a dream what Paradise is like, and he contemplated its inexplicable beauty with fear and with joy.

He also saw there a monk of his monastery, the cook Euphrosynus. Amazed at this encounter, the presbyter asked Euphrosynus, how he came to be there. The saint answered that he was in Paradise through the great mercy of God. The priest again asked whether Euphrosynus would be able to give him something from the surrounding beauty. Saint Euphrosynus suggested to the priest to take whatever he wished, and so the priest pointed to three luscious apples growing in the garden of Paradise. The monk picked the three apples, wrapped them in a cloth, and gave them to his companion.

When he awoke in the early morning, the priest thought the vision a dream, but suddenly he noticed next to him the cloth with the fruit of Paradise wrapped in it, and emitting a wondrous fragrance. The priest, found Saint Euphrosynus in church and asked him under oath where he was the night before. The saint answered that he was where the priest also was. Then the monk said that the Lord, in fulfilling the prayer of the priest, had shown him Paradise and had bestowed the fruit of Paradise through him, “the lowly and unworthy servant of God, Euphrosynus.”

The priest related everything to the monastery brethren, pointing out the spiritual loftiness of Euphrosynus in pleasing God, and he pointed to the fragrant paradisiacal fruit. Deeply affected by what they heard, the monks went to the kitchen, in order to pay respect to Saint Euphrosynus, but they did not find him there. Fleeing human glory, the monk had left the monastery…They reverently kept and distributed pieces of the apples from Paradise for blessing and for healing.   (Full article at oca.org for Sept. 11)