Saturday, Dec. 13 – Eustratius and Others, Martyrs
5:00 PM Santa Paula Outreach Divine Liturgy
Sunday, Dec. 14 – Sunday of the Forefathers
8:00 AM Matins
9:30 AM Divine Liturgy
11:30 AM Cantor Class, Byzantine Christmas Carols
Monday, Dec. 15 – Eleuthrius, Bishop and Martyr
8:30 AM Morning Prayer
Tuesday, Dec. 16 – Haggai, Prophet
6:30 PM Akathist* and Discussion for Addictions & Mental Illness
Wednesday, Dec. 17 – Daniel, Great Prophet
8:30 AM Morning Prayer
6:30 PM Emmanuel Moleben
7:30 PM Firepit Social
Saturday, Dec. 20 – Saturday Before Christmas
5:00 PM Santa Paula Outreach Divine Liturgy
Sunday, Dec. 21 – Sunday Before Christmas, Sunday of the Forefathers
8:00 AM Matins
9:30 AM Divine Liturgy: Sunday of the Ancestors
*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, Diana Mina, Michael Mina, Peter Mina, Fr. John Mina, Lana Zimmerman, Patrick Zimmerman, Shannon O’Neill, Fern Bonowicz, Stephen Petach, Jenny Roman, All the sick and suffering of St. Mary’s
Collection: $1,319.00; Online: $570.00: Santa Paula: $427.32; Church Improvments: $1,300.00; Holydays: $100.00; Candles: $100.50; Christmas: $200.00; Flowers:$ 10.00; Religious Retirement Fund: $100.00; Property Rental: $205.00; Parish Social: $6.00; Gift Shop: $15.00;
Total: $4,352.82/ Attendance – PSM: 126 HAR: 88
On the Second Sunday before the Nativity (December 11-17), the Sunday of the Forefathers, we recall the holy men and women who lived under the Old Covenant, and looked forward to the coming of the Messiah. At the same time, in the Gospel at the Divine Liturgy (Luke 14:16-24), we hear our Lord tell the parable of a feast to which those who were first invited, did not come – and how the master ordered the house to be filled with those who were not at first invited. Thus in the troparion we sing:
By faith, O Christ, you justified the forefathers. Through them, you betrothed yourself to a Church from all nations.
On the Sunday before the Nativity (December 18-24), the Sunday of the Ancestors, the genealogy of Jesus is read at the Divine Liturgy (Matthew 1:1-25); the Epistle, from the Letter to the Hebrews, praises the saints of the Old Testament for their faith, but says that in spite of that faith, they did not receive the promised Messiah. Instead, “God had made a better plan – a plan which included us” (Hebrews 11-40).
(See more at https://mci.archpitt.org)
There is truly an ancient Byzantine tradition that is available to us in a very authentic way this year. Mary Jo Komen-Keogh raised her family with the tradition of “Holy Supper”, a venerable Christmas Eve meal and ritual. Her family will be sharing this tradition with us this eve of the Nativity. The meal will be held on Dec. 24th, the eve of the Nativity, at 5pm. We will need a headcount in order to set up and make sure the evening goes smoothly. Please RSVP by emailing Christine Healy at brokerchristine@gmail.com The deadline for reservations is Dec.19. See the email for more details.
Christmas Eve, December 24| 12:00 PM Royal Hours, 5:00 PM Holy Supper (Please RSVP), 7:00 PM Vesper-Liturgy for the Nativity of Our Lord, 9:00 PM Christmas Compline
Christmas Day, December 25| 9:00 AM Outreach Divine Liturgy for the Nativity of Our Lord, 11:30 AM Romanian Catholic Divine Liturgy for the Nativity of Our Lord
Synaxis of the Theotokos, December 26| 6:30 PM Divine Liturgy
“Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel people to come in, so that my house may be filled.” Our gracious Lord seeks to bring all people who are willing to his heavenly banquet. His servants are called to reach out to the ends of the earth so that his house may be filled. While this is the calling of all Christians, those called to the priesthood, diaconate, minor orders, monastic and religious life do so in a special way. If this may be your calling, contact the Vocations Office at 602-861-9778 or email: vocations@ephx.org
Sunday, December 14 –
