The Altar Candles will be burning during the month of April in memory of +George and +Helen Chelena. May their memory be eternal!
The Candles Before the Iconostasis will be burning during the month of April in memory of +Joseph Dardzinski. May his memory be eternal!
Mirovanije: This past week we celebrated the Great Feast of the Annunciation of the Holy Mother of God. At the Conclusion of the Vespers and Divine Liturgy on Tuesday evening we blessed bread, wheat, wine, and olive oil. In past centuries these items provided needed nourishment for worshippers who kept vigil before Great Feasts, often praying throughout the night. We have maintained this custom over time with some slight accommodations: rather than eating the olive oil with the bread, the oil (Miro) is used to anoint (Mirovanije) us and the bread is cut into small pieces and distributed at the time of the anointing. Sometimes a small amount of the blessed wine is sprinkled over the bread. Today Holy Anointing and distribution of blessed bread is often done on the Sunday following a major feast so that more of the Faithful could be involved in the celebration. Christ is among us! He is and shall be!
Food for the Needy: The three pillars of Lenten repentance and conversion are prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. As we fast and abstain voluntarily during the Great Fast, let us remember those who involuntarily experience hunger regularly. Donations of nutritious, non-perishable food products and Giant Gift Cards help to bring comfort to our brothers and sisters in need. “Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you or thirsty and give you something to drink?…” (Mt 25:37)
Palm Sunday: Flowery/Palm Sunday is two weeks from today. On Saturday morning, April 12th, I will need your help with preparing the pussywillows, palms, and other branches for blessing and distribution on Flowery/Palm Sunday. We will begin work on Saturday morning following the Lazarus Saturday Divine Liturgy (around l0:00 AM). Please join us if you can!
Great and Holy Saturday (April l9th) is a busy day for everyone … baking, cooking, cleaning, and preparing for family Easter celebrations. It is also a busy day for our Parish – Altar vestments need to be changed, flowers are brought into Church, all liturgical colors are changed from dark to bright, the Tomb is set up, cleaning, vacuuming, organizing, etc… many tasks need to be done in preparation for the Feast of the Resurrection. We will begin working in the Church at 10:00 AM on Holy Saturday, April 19th. Could you possibly help us with an hour or two of your time?