Weekly Bulletin

Glory to Jesus Christ! Glory Forever!
Weekly Schedule

Announcements
Events Calendar

• Parish Council meeting follows today’s Divine Liturgy for the first Sunday of the Great Fast. During the social time in St. Mary’s Hall it will be announced when we’re about to start the meeting.
• The 2^nd All Souls Saturday is being celebrated following the Presanctified Liturgy on Friday, February 22 at 7 p.m. Please attend both services this Friday and stay for a dinner and either a Lenten video or talk.

 
The Great Fast
Here are suggestions for what you should be doing during the Great Fast (Lenten season):
1) Pray – talk to God. He will listen and respond. Say prayers from your heart as well as a prayer book. “A Prayer Journey through the Great Lenten Fast and Great and Holy Week” is available in the hall. Please use your copy each day during the Great Fast for your private prayer.
2) Go to Church – not only on Sundays but to Presanctified Liturgies and All Souls Saturday services.
3) Repentance – repair your relationship with God. Accept that you can do better then strive to do so.
4) Fast – discipline yourself spiritually in what you do as well as what or how much you eat
5) Read – the Bible and other spiritual books. We have a wealth of good books for you to purchase.
6) Alms – give to those in need. Ask yourself if you’re giving of your time, talent and treasure to those in our community for the glory of God.
 
 
 
 
 

Weekly Bulletin – February 17, 2013Read More

Weekly Schedule

Announcements
Events Calendar

• The Great Fast begins Monday February 11 – a day of strict abstinence (see below.)
• The first healing service during the Great Fast is this Wednesday. On the same evening we will be commemorating the half year anniversary of +Fr. Sid Sidor passing with the Panachida service. A spaghetti dinner will follow in St. Mary’s Hall. Please invite all those who knew Fr. Sid.

2013 Fasting Regulations
Abstinence – The law of abstinence forbids the use of meat or meat by-products, per­mitting the use of eggs and dairy products. Abstinence is to be observed on all Wednesdays and Fridays during the Holy Season of the Great Fast and on Holy Saturday. Optional: you could practice this on more than Wednesdays and Fridays.
Strict Abstinence – The law of strict abstinence (fast) forbids the use of meat, eggs and dairy products or any of their by-products. Strict Fast and Abstinence is to be observed on the First Day of the Great Fast, Monday, February 11^th and on Great and Holy Friday, March 29^th
Dispensation – Pastors may, for a just cause, grant to the individual faithful and to individual families, dispensations or commutations of abstinence and strict abstinence into other pious practices.
The Great Fast
The Great Fast period is a preparation for the greatest feast of the year – Pascha. The forty days symbolize the forty years the Israelites wandered in the desert. The Divine Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts will be celebrated on Fridays at our parish. We will continue to have the Ancient Healing Service on the 2^nd & 4^th Wednesdays during the Great Fast. We’re the only nearby Catholic Church that celebrates the ancient and beautiful Liturgy of Presanctified Gifts for 6 weeks in a row. It’s up to you to choose to take advantage of these services. Encourage others to immerse themselves in this special gift of the Eastern Catholic Church.
“A Prayer Journey through the Great Lenten Fast and Great and Holy Week” is available in the hall. Please use your copy each day during the Great Fast for your private prayer.

Weekly Bulletin – February 10, 2013Read More

Glory to Jesus Christ! Glory Forever!
Weekly Schedule

 
Announcements
Events Calendar

• The Great Fast begins Monday February 11, nine days earlier than last year. Next Sunday is the last day before Lent. Our tradition is having everyone bring in a meatless dish to share with others. During the Great Fast we make a resolution to refrain from certain foods like meat and dairy. Today some people will be saying goodbye to meat on Meat Fare Sunday. On Cheesefare Sunday, February 10, we are saying goodbye to dairy. Typically people make something to use up their milk, yogurt, sour cream, cheese, etc. Bring one of your favorite meatless soups, salads, appetizers, casseroles, or desserts next Sunday.
• The first healing service during the Great Fast is Wednesday February 13. On the same evening we will be commemorating the half year anniversary of +Fr. Sid Sidor passing. At the end of the healing service, which was initiated by +Fr. Sid, we will remember him with the Panachida service. Refreshments will follow in St. Mary’s Hall.

 
Prayer
Why hasn’t God granted my petitions? Be assured that God hears our every prayer. His answer may be ‘Yes’, ‘No’ or ‘Later’. Sometimes we need to humble ourselves, look within, and repent. Go to your bible and read about the hindrances to God giving you what you want: John 9:31; James 4:2-3; James 1:6-7; 1 John 3:21- 22, Mark 11:24-25; Malachi 3:10; Matthew 17: 14-21. Then make amends where necessary.
Great Lenten Fast Book
This week we received booklets for each parishioner. “A Prayer Journey through the Great Lenten Fast and Great and Holy Week” is available in the hall. Please use your copy each day during the Great Fast for your private prayer. The booklets are one of the many things that Bishop John’s Annual Stewardship Appeal pays for. As you saw in the recent Horizons our parish has collected $625 of our $1,400 goal. Please consider how much you’re pledging and submit the cards mailed to you. If you need the paperwork call the rectory.

Weekly Bulletin – February 3, 2013Read More

Glory to Jesus Christ! Glory Forever!
Weekly Schedule

Announcements
Events Calendar

• After worshiping God in the Divine Liturgy today come to St. Mary’s Hall for brunch provided by the Knights of Columbus. The menu includes: salad, eggs, hash browns, kielbasa, sauerkraut, pirohi, sautéed onions, sour cream, healthy waffles, herb bread, coffee, tea, juice, milk and dessert. During the free-will offering meal the Knights will hold a 50-50 raffle. Everyone is welcome and encouraged to join us.
• The 1^st All Souls Saturday is being held on Thursday, January 31 at 7 p.m. Have you provided all deceased family names to the rectory? Please come and pray for the repose of the souls of your relatives.
• The feast of the Encounter of our Lord with Simeon & Anna will be celebrated with a vigil Divine Liturgy on Friday, February 1^st at 7 p.m.

 
Prayer
God wants to heal those that ask, have faith & have forgiven others. Where can I find passages on faith? Go to your bible and read: Romans 10:17; Mark 5:24-34; Psalm 107:20; Matthew 17:20, 8:3; and Mark 11:22-23. Then pray to our Creator whose abundant mercy and blessings are without measure.
Stewardship Appeal
Thus far we have collected $625 of the $1,400 parish goal. Please consider how much you’re pledging and submit the cards mailed to you. If you need the paperwork call the rectory.
House Blessings
It is our tradition to bless all parishioners’ homes soon after the celebration of Theophany. Please let the rectory know when you’re available to have Fr. Innocenti bless your home with the new Jordan water.

Weekly Bulletin – January 27, 2013Read More

Glory to Jesus Christ! Glory Forever!
Weekly Schedule

 
Announcements
Events Calendar

• The Ancient Healing Service is this Wednesday, January 23 at 7 p.m. Please bring a visitor with you.
• In a little over a week on Wednesday, January 30^th there is a simple holy day of the Three Holy Hierarchs. Divine Liturgy will be at 7 p.m. on the feast day.
• The 1^st All Souls Saturday is on the calendar as Jan. 26. Father is rescheduling the Panachida with the reading of names to Thursday, Jan. 31 at 7 p.m. Make sure you’ve provided all deceased family names to the rectory. On Saturday, Jan. 26, there will be neither All Souls nor vigil Divine Liturgy for Sunday.
• The feast of the Encounter of our Lord with Simeon & Anna is moving to Friday, Feb, 1^st at 7 p.m.

 
 
House Blessings
It is our tradition to bless all parishioners’ homes soon after the celebration of Theophany. Please let the rectory know when you’re available to have Fr. Innocenti bless your home with the new Jordan water.
 
Prayer List
We receive calls or emails frequently asking for prayers. The parish remembers them in the Divine Liturgy, Paraklisis, and Healing services. In addition please remember the sick, their family and their friends in your daily prayers. God wants to heal those that ask, have faith & have forgiven others. Here are more passages to read: Proverbs 4:13, 8:33, Mark 5:5-6; Hebrews 11:6; Romans 12:17; Mark 9:28-29; Sirach 38:1-14.
 
Evangelization
Have you been a good Christian role model consistently this week? Emulating Jesus is good evangelization.

Weekly Bulletin – January 20, 2013Read More

Glory to Jesus Christ! Glory Forever!
Weekly Schedule

Announcements
Events Calendar

• January 18 – 25 is designated as a Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. “That they may be one.” John 17:11. Saturday, January 19 at 7 pm Bishop John M Kudrick will be the main celebrant at Great Vespers at the Byzantine Catholic Cultural Center, 2420 W 14^th St, Cleveland, OH. A reception and fellowship will follow. Everyone is invited. Honored guests from various Christian churches will attend. Information in St. Mary’s Hall.
• January 30^th is the simple holy day of the Three Holy Hierarchs. Vigil Divine Liturgy will be on Tuesday evening, Jan. 29, at 7 p.m.
• The 1^st All Souls Saturday is listed on the calendar for Jan. 26. Father is moving the Panachida with the reading of names of the deceased to February 2 at 10 a.m. The 2nd and 3rd All Souls Saturdays will be celebrated on Friday evenings following Presanctified Liturgy.  Make sure you’ve provided all deceased family names to the rectory.
• The solemn feast of the Encounter of Our Lord with Simeon and Anna, February 2nd, will be celebrated on Feb. 1st as a vigil Divine Liturgy at 7 p.m.
• During the Great and Holy Fast  – from Feb. 11 until Holy Week – Presanctified Liturgies will be held on Friday evenings at 7 p.m.

 
House Blessings
It is our tradition to bless all parishioners’ homes soon after the celebration of Theophany. Please let the rectory know when you’re available to have Fr. Innocenti bless your home with the new sanctified water.
 Prayer List
This winter the flu has been spreading a lot. Please remember the sick of the parish and their family & friends. May God’s healing power be upon them. God wants to heal those that ask, have faith & have forgiven others. See James 5:15, Mark 16:17-18; Exodus 15:26; Numbers 23:19; Psalm 103:2-3; Psalm 34:19.
Evangelization
In this past Thursday’s daily reading, 2 Corinthians 4:6-15, we’re told that we are a vessel holding God’s light that people should see by what we say and how we act – all for God’s glory, not ours.

Weekly Bulletin – January 13, 2013Read More

This week’s greeting: Christ is Baptized!
The response: In the Jordan!
Weekly Schedule

 
Announcements
Events Calendar

• The Ancient Healing Service is this Wednesday, Jan. 9, at 7 p.m.
• There are 2 holy days between now and the start of the Great Fast. January 30^th is the simple holy day of the Three Holy Hierarchs and February 2^nd is a solemn holy day of the Encounter of Our Lord with Simeon and Anna.
• The 1^st All Souls Saturday is Jan. 26. Make sure you’ve provided all deceased family names to the rectory.

 
House Blessings
It is our tradition to bless all parishioners’ homes soon after the celebration of Theophany. Please let the rectory know when you’re available to have Fr. Innocenti bless your home with the new Jordan water that was recently blessed.
 Please remember the sick of the parish and their family & friends. May God’s healing power be upon them.
Evangelization
Does the word evangelization frighten you?; make you squirm a little?; say that I don’t want to preach to others?; or all these? According to Gus Lloyd in his book “Magnetic Christianity –Using Your God-Given Gifts to Build the Kingdom” he sees evangelization as sharing your story on how God has worked in your life. Gus suggests you tell people about your path to where God has brought you up till now and how He continues to direct you on your path to Him. Isn’t that a relief? No preaching, just share your experiences. The goal of evangelization is to use God’s influence in your life to draw people to Him. In Mr. Lloyd’s book he discusses 11 attributes that can help anyone attract people so they can see Christ working in us. In this New Year make the commitment to seek God for yourself and then share it with others. Using the Holy Spirit you can’t fail. And reading the “Magnetic Christianity” book is a good step in that direction.

Weekly Bulletin – January 6, 2013Read More

Weekly Schedule

 
Announcements
Events Calendar

• The Circumcision of Our Lord solemn feast day is January 1. The vigil Divine Liturgy will be on Monday evening, December 31, at 6 p.m.
• The Theophany of Our Lord is a holy day of obligation. It falls on Sunday so that liturgy can fulfill both Sunday and the feast day obligations. Although you’ll also want to attend the Saturday, January 5^th’s Divine Liturgy with the splendid blessing of the water. This is a major feast on the church’s yearly calendar and the prayers are beautiful.

 2^nd Collection
This is the final collection of December for the retired religious so please be generous if you haven’t given to this worthwhile fund.
Please remember the sick of the parish and their family & friends. May God’s healing power be upon them. Consider lighting a candle for this intention.
 
House Blessings
It is our tradition to bless all parishioners’ homes soon after the celebration of Theophany. Please let the rectory know when you’re available to have Fr. Innocenti bless your home with the new Jordan water that is being blessed on January 5^th.
Thank You
Fr. Innocenti and the parish wish to thank all those who’ve shared their time, talent and treasure with St. Athanasius church here in Indianapolis during the past year. There are too many kind, Christian acts to recount here but be sure that each and every one is cherished. We’re all benefactors of your works. We look forward to 2013 with faith that the Holy Spirit will continue to guide us to fulfill His mission.

Weekly Bulletin – December 30, 2012Read More

Weekly Schedule

 
Announcements
Christ is Born
May Jesus, our Savior, bestow upon you and your family the joy,
peace and love of this holy Christmas season. God is with us!

This icon has been on display during the Christmas season in Philadelphia, PA at Holy Ghost Byzantine Catholic Church.
 
Events Calendar

• Christmas caroling in the neighborhood is today: Sunday,
  December 23^rd from 5-7 pm. Get into the holiday spirit
  and help us sing the music of the season.
• Following the midnight Divine Liturgy for Christmas there
  will be a very early morning meal. About 1 a.m. come to
  the hall to share salad, ham, soup, potatoes & cookies. Bring any other covered dish if you’d like. At this time we start to use the seasonal greeting: Christ is Born! The response: Glorify Him! In Slavonic: Christos Razdajetsja! Slavite Jeho!

Please remember the sick of the parish and their family & friends. May God’s healing power be upon them.
 
Rectory Heat
The new furnaces have been installed and are working fine. We’ve started collecting money for the building fund so we can pay back the $8,500 loan from the eparchy. Donations are welcomed and encouraged!
 
House Blessings
It is our tradition to bless all parishioners’ homes soon after the celebration of Theophany. Please let the rectory know when you’re available to have Fr. Innocenti bless your home with the new Jordan water that is blessed on January 6^th.

Weekly Bulletin – December 23, 2012Read More

Weekly Schedule

 
Announcements
Give a spiritual prayer for Christmas
We have candle gift cards that you can send/give to a loved one, friend, or someone who needs prayers. A single 6-day candle is $5. For an entire month the cost is $25. When giving your donation use the candle envelope in the back of the church. Paired with it, take the candle card to give as a gift.  In addition to the name on the candle envelope please specify a start date if you would like the church to light the candle(s) in front of Jesus or Mary for you on a future date.
Events Calendar

• The Christmas cookies sale is being held today, Dec 16 after Sunday’s liturgy from noon until 3. Please help with arrangements.
• Christmas caroling in the neighborhood is only 1 week away: Sunday, December 23^rd from 5-7 pm. A walking route will be established to include St. John the Forerunner, Mary Riggs Neighborhood Center, etc. Practice will follow Monday’s 6 p.m. Paraklisis devotional service.
• Note that the Divine Liturgy for St. Stephen the Protomartyr on Wed., Dec 27 was moved from the evening to 10 a.m.

Please remember the sick of the parish and their family & friends. May God’s healing power be upon them.
 Rectory Heat
Bishop John has graciously loaned our parish $8,500 from the Parishes Together Fund to have a forced air heating system installed in the rectory. This replaces the corroded and fire damaged boiler. The Bishop has approved a $1,500 insurance deductible payment to the parish from the general fund. God grant Bishop John Kudrick and the members of the Parishes Together Board peace, health & happiness for many years!
 Christmas Week Liturgical Schedule
Sunday Dec 23rd 10 a.m. Sunday Divine Liturgy
Monday Dec 24th midnight Divine Liturgy – holy day of obligation
Tuesday Dec 25th no services
Wednesday Dec 26th 10 a.m. Divine Liturgy for the Synaxis of the Theotokos – solemn holy day
Wednesday Dec 26th 7 p.m. Ancient Healing Service
Thursday Dec 27th 10 a.m. Divine Liturgy for St. Stephen the Protomartyr – simple holy day
Friday Dec 28th no services
Saturday Dec 29th 5 p.m. Vigil Divine Liturgy

Weekly Bulletin – December 16, 2012Read More