ST. GEORGE ANTIOCHIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH JULY 2016 THE …
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ST. GEORGE ANTIOCHIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH JULY 2016 N E W S L E T T E R THE St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church 1073 Saunders Settlement Rd., Niagara Falls, NY 14305 Office: 716-297-2668 - Fax: 716-524-2261 email: [email protected] ~ website: www.saintgeorgenf.com As I write to you, I pray that you are fully experiencing the loving presence and power of our Almighty God. You and all the faithful of St. George are in my continual prayers. The following "reality story" took place over a millennium ago. It serves as a good reminder of the possibility of living selflessly in the world, free from attachments to the 'things of life'. "Once some thieves came to an old hermit and said, "We are taking everything in your cell." He answered, "Take whatever you need, my children." They took almost everything in the cell and left. But they missed a little bag of money that was hidden. The elder picked it up and went after them, crying, "Children! You forgot something!" The thieves were amazed. Not only did they not take the money, but they returned everything that they had taken. "Truly," they said, "this is a man of God." This happened in the 6th century in Palestine. St. John Moschos recorded it, along with many other stories about Orthodox monks, which he heard firsthand. The old monk didn't read sermons to these thieves. He didn't rebuke them or threaten them, nor did he have a conversation with them. What then caused the thieves to change their mind and correct their deed? They had beheld in him a different sort of man: a man of God. • Only a man who is rich in God can be so free from attachment to possessions and to money, which have enslaved humanity. • Only a man who is rooted in God can unfailingly preserve peace and magnanimity when confronted with manifest evil. But most of all, the thieves were touched by the love the elder showed them. • Only a man who has become like God can demonstrate such love to outlaws who have come to rob him, such that he can sincerely place their interests above his own. The monk was authentically experiencing a life in union with Christ. You see, the thieves beheld a man in whom the word of the Gospels had become a reality. Over the course of 2 millennia, our ancient Church has striven to preserve precisely that truth received from the apostles, together with experience of living communion with God. Therefore the Orthodox Church has also been able to give birth to a multitude of saints, who have been bearers of this experience of heavenly life while still on earth. (Edited from www.saintseraphim.com) Below are other writings from two bearers of the light of Christ: "How mistaken are those people who seek happiness outside of themselves, in foreign lands and journeys, in riches and glory, in great possessions and pleasures, continued on Page 4 Faithful Believers in Christ Jesus, Glory be to Jesus Christ! Glory be forever!
Transcript of ST. GEORGE ANTIOCHIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH JULY 2016 THE …
ST. GEORGE ANTIOCHIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH JULY 2016
N E W S L E T T E RTHE
St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church 1073 Saunders Settlement Rd., Niagara Falls, NY 14305
Office: 716-297-2668 - Fax: 716-524-2261
email: [email protected] ~ website: www.saintgeorgenf.com
AsIwritetoyou,Ipraythatyouarefullyexperiencingthe lovingpresence andpowerof ourAlmightyGod.You and all the faithful of St. George are in mycontinualprayers.
The following "reality story" took place over amillenniumago. Itservesasagoodreminderofthepossibility of living selflessly in the world, free fromattachmentstothe'thingsoflife'.
"Once some thieves came toanoldhermit and said,"We are taking everything in your cell." Heanswered, "Take whatever you need, my children."Theytookalmosteverythinginthecellandleft. Butthey missed a little bag of money that was hidden.The elder picked it up and went after them, crying,"Children!Youforgotsomething!" Thethieveswereamazed. Notonlydidtheynottakethemoney,butthey returned everything that they had taken."Truly,"theysaid,"thisisamanofGod."
This happened in the 6th century in Palestine. St.John Moschos recorded it, along with many otherstories about Orthodox monks, which he heardfirsthand.Theoldmonkdidn'treadsermonstothesethieves.Hedidn'trebukethemorthreatenthem,nordidhehaveaconversationwiththem.
What then caused the thieves to change their mindand correct their deed? They had beheld in him adifferentsortofman:amanofGod.
• Onlyamanwhoisrich inGodcanbesofreefrom attachment to possessions and tomoney,whichhaveenslavedhumanity.
• Only a man who is rooted in God canunfailingly preserve peace and magnanimitywhen confronted with manifest evil. Butmost of all, the thieveswere touched by thelovetheeldershowedthem.
• Only a man who has become like God candemonstrate such love to outlaws who havecome to rob him, such that he can sincerelyplacetheirinterestsabovehisown.
The monk was authentically experiencing a life inunionwithChrist. Yousee,thethievesbeheldamanin whom the word of the Gospels had become areality. Overthecourseof2millennia,ourancientChurch has striven to preserve precisely that truthreceived from theapostles, togetherwithexperienceof living communion with God. Therefore theOrthodoxChurchhasalsobeenabletogivebirthtoamultitude of saints, who have been bearers of thisexperience of heavenly life while still on earth.(Editedfromwww.saintseraphim.com)
BelowareotherwritingsfromtwobearersofthelightofChrist:"Howmistakenarethosepeoplewhoseekhappinessoutsideof themselves, in foreign lands and journeys,inrichesandglory,ingreatpossessionsandpleasures,
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FaithfulBelieversinChristJesus,
Glory be to Jesus Christ! Glory be forever!
~~~ THE PARISH COUNCIL ~~~
VERY REV. FR. PAUL R. SOLBERG, PASTOR
OFFICERS
Chairperson: Scott Slaiman; Vice Chairperson: Colline DoyleRecording Secretary: Lorraine Pealer; Corresponding Secretary: Rose Kargatis;
Treasurer: Colline Doyle
OTHER MEMBERS
Juris Arajs, Reema Bawab, Drew Burke, James Filosofos, Edward Haddad, Steve Sargent and Gregory Derek Witty
The Newsletter is published by St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church each month of the year
EDITOR Very Rev. Fr. Paul R. Solberg
Contact the church office at 297-2668 or email [email protected] to submit your news.
Deadline for the next issue is: July 25, 2016.
How to submit articles, text, photos, for the Newsletter:
Limit articles, reports, and features to one page , double spaced, if possible. All articles should be submitted in electronic format as WORD, or text file. Graphic arts, digital photos and flyers should be submitted in jpeg,
WORD or pdf. Material submitted for publication may be edited for brevity, space and errors. Materials received
after the deadline may not be accepted for that issue but may be used in future issues..
Coordinator: Denise Filosofos
ST. GEORGE ANTIOCHIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH
PARISH ORGANIZATIONS
Altar Servers Elias Kensinger 804-3010
Antiochian Women Kathy Fadel 282-4567
Jackie Fadel 282-8243
Catechist Gregory
Derek Witty 585-245-1733
Choir Director Drew Burke
Church Store Ann Salhany 754-1657
Gayle Fadel 284-1771
Custodian Michael Slaiman 754-4417
Endowment John Moshides 741-4790
Food Pantry Kim Clark 201-7050
Parish Council Scott Slaiman 417-6565
Photographer Ken Salhany 754-1657
St. Ignatius Sob Haick 731-3328
St. John the Divine Beth & Juris Arajs 628-4730
Teen SOYO Liz Lia
Ushers Ron Chambers 297-7241
Supervising Hierarch: +JOSEPHArchbishop of New York, Metropolitan of All North America
Subdeacons: Thomas Slaiman, Paul (Regis) Woodward, Kevin (Elias) KensingerChanter: Samir Haddad
Auxillary Bishop: +ALEXANDERBishop of Ottawa and Assistant to the Metropolitan
Sunday, July 24
Immediately following the Divine
Liturgy! Everyone is Invited!
Annual Meeting
Looking toAdopt a Picnic Table?
We are looking for Parishioners to Adopt a Picnic Table
for use in the St. George Pavilion!
Tables are $120.00 a piece from Sam’s Club
If you would like to “Adopt” or “Donate” one or more tables,
Please see Beth Arajs
The Antiochian Archdiocese places a high priority on outreach and communication through a variety of mediums. This is particularly demonstrated by Ancient Faith Ministries, which encompasses both Ancient Faith Publishing and Ancient Faith Radio, an online streaming radio station. Ancient Faith Publishing, formerly Conciliar Press, has been a witness of Orthodox Christianity in the English-speaking world for over thirty years. Ancient Faith Radio broadcasts both Orthodox music and talk in two separate streams twenty-four hours a day.
A n c i e n t F a i t h R a d i o Special Features Podcasts on Antiochian Saints Five talks on Antiochian saints were given at the Annual Conference of the A n t i o c h i a n O r t h o d o x Christian Archdiocese of the British Isles and Ireland. H e l d a t t h e H a y e s C o n f e r e n c e C e n t r e i n Swanwick, Derbyshire, UK, from May 23-25, 2016, the
Ancient Faith Ministries Launches Orthodox Christian Ebooks
Ancient Faith Ministries has announced the launch of Orthodox Christian Ebooks. The collaborative website features Orthodox ebooks from multiple publishers, all in one place.
“We are excited about this new web site which will provide a convenient online destination for the best in Orthodox ebooks,” said John Maddex, CEO of Ancient Faith. “It will especially be helpful to international readers who are often discouraged by high shipping costs from the U.S.”
Conference featured the theme, "Lights from Antioch," and was recorded for Ancient Faith Radio. The saints featured are: Hieromartyr and God-bearer, Ignatios of Antioch, St. John Chrysostom, St. Ephrem the Syrian, St. John of Damascus, and St. Raphael of Brooklyn.
Summer Vacation Plans Made Yet?
St. George Family Camp
July 31 - Aug. 6th Christian Heights Camp,
Little Valley, NY
Applications available. See Steve Sargent for more information.
Stewardship Corner
The following is a synopsis of the membership giving at St. George for the January - May 2016 time period:
Membership Giving $60,579Projected Budget $58,081
Gross Income $88,669Projected Budget $84,974
Total Expenses $73,103Projected Budget $73,771
Net Income $15,566Projected Budget $11,203
As you can see, we are a little bit ahead of our projected budget, but the summer months tend to be less active than the others. Please continue with your giving to St. George so that we can meet our budget and or surpass it. St. George depends on continued giving so that we may pay our monthly bills and expenses and to purchase items we may need for activities planned within the church.
Christian Stewardship is caring for and using the gifts God has given us in a manner that He intended.
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in diversions and vain things, which have a bitter end! In the same thing to construct the tower of happiness outside of ourselves as it is to build a house in a place that is consistently shaken by earthquakes. Happiness is found within ourselves, and blessed is the man who has understood this. Happiness is a pure heart, for such a heart becomes the throne of God. Thus says Christ of those who have pure hearts: "I will visit them, and will walk in them, and I will be a God to them, and they will be my people." (II Cor. 6:16) What can be lacking to them? Nothing, nothing at all! For they have the greatest good in their hearts: God Himself!" (St. Nektarios of Aegina, Path to Happiness, 1) 2. "The soul that loves God has its rest in God and in God alone. In all the paths that men walk in the world, they don't attain peace until they draw nigh to hope in God." (St. Isaac the Syrian, Homily 56, 89) May your summer be a summer of joy and contentment in all things. Rest assured that you are in my prayers.
+Father Paul
Faithful Believers in Christ,
Sunday, July 10 at 10:00am
In the Pavilion Immediately following the
Divine Liturgy there will be a
Bring a Dish to Pass!
Outdoor Divine Liturgy
A Little Bit of This…A Little Bit of That….
Memory Eternal July 7 Michael Haick 2000
Barbara Mokhiber 2002July 9 Thomas Kay Delaney 1965
Viola Galabinski 1988July 11 Bessie Petrakis 2012July 13 Shafeeka Mokhiber 1971July 14 Abraham George 1997July 16 Jeannie Batrouny 1997
Joseph A. Bishara 2009July 18 Nettie Elias 1997
Elizabeth Chakos 2000July 19 James A. Slaiman 1968July 20 Malakie Mokhiber 1984
Antonnette T. Andropolis 2002July 23 Abraham Gabera 1952
Mary L. Tanzella 1994July 24 Gabriel H. Haick, Jr. 1995July 25 Anourine S. Fadel 1995July 27 Lily C. Kinan 2010July 28 Amel G. Kinan 1996
HOLY BREAD
July 3 Krassopoulos Family July 10 St. John the Divine July 17 Tom Slaiman Family July 24 Shelli Fadel July 31 No Sponsor
Contact Lorraine Pealer 285-6449 if you would like to be a Holy Bread sponsor.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
COFFEE HOUR July 3 Sponsor Needed July 10 Church Potluck Luncheon July 17 Rich Kinan Family July 24 No Sponsor July 31 Jackie Fadel Contact Patti Chown 283-3037 if you would like to sponsor a coffee hour.
Let Us Pray for Them!Kateri Solberg and son, Collin will be recovering in Pittsburg, PA hospital after their kidney transplants.
At Home:
Souad Bitar - 2250 N. French Rd., Getzville, NY 14068
Jim McPhall - 560 Riverwalk Dr., Youngstown, NY 14174
Esther Fadel - 4308 Lewiston Road, Niagara Falls, NY 14305
Lillian Fadel - 2588 Parkview Drive, Niagara Fals, NY 14305
In Nursing Homes:
Elaine Baia - Our Lady of Peace, 5285 Lewiston Rd., Lewiston, NY 14092
Stephen Daniels - 2700 N. French Rd.,Unit 210, Getzville, NY 14068
Former Island resident Kara Dudley recently appeared on the Investigation Discovery Channel Season Premiere of "The Perfect Murder". The show aired on June 1st and Kara played Patty Lopez, the girlfriend of a murderer. You can watch the episode "On Demand", its title is "The Body in the Swamp". Kara is the daughter of Mike and Lisa Dudley and granddaughter of Kh. Grace Aswad.
Congratulations to Kara and we hope to see you in more shows soon!!
The Theotokos, the Virgin Mary, was “blessed amongst women,” and chosen to “bear the Savior of our souls.” We pray for her love, guidance and protection. Each year the Orthodox Church fasts the first 14 days of August in Her honor. The Great Feast is celebrated on the 15th of August.
Dormition Fast August 1-14
SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY
1 2
3Orthros 9:00aDL 10:00a
5St. Paraskeva 10a
6 7 8 9GV 5pm
10Orthros 9:00aDL 10:00a
11 12St. Paraskeva 10a
13 14 15 16GV - 5pm
17Orthros 9:00aDL 10:00a
18 19St. Paraskeva 10a
20 21 22 23GV - 5pm
24Orthros 9:00aDL 10:00a
________________31Orthros 9:00aDL 10:00a
25PC Mtg 7p
26St. Paraskeva 10a
27 28 29 30
�
ST. GEORGE CALENDAR JULY 2016
Clergy Symposium July 18 - 22
PLC @ St. George, New Hartford, NY
SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY
1 2St. Paraskeva 10a
3 4 5 6
7Orthros 9:30aDL 10:30a
87pm-Little Suppli-catory Canon to the Most Holy Theotokos
9St. Paraskeva 10a7pm-Little Suppli-catory Canon to the Most Holy Theotokos
107pm-Little Suppli-catory Canon to the Most Holy Theotokos
117pm-Little Suppli-catory Canon to the Most Holy Theotokos
127pm-Little Suppli-catory Canon to the Most Holy Theotokos
13GV - 5pm
14Orthros 9:00aDL 10:00a
15Dormition of the Most Holy Theotokos
16St. Paraskeva 10a
17 18 19 20GV - 5pm
21Orthros 9:00aDL 10:00a
22 23St. Paraskeva 10a
24 25 26 27GV - 5pm
28Orthros 9:00aDL 10:00a
29 30St. Paraskeva 10a
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ST. GEORGE CALENDAR AUGUST 2016
ST. GEORGE FAMILY CAMP, LITTLE VALLEY, NY
