PARISH
PHONE: (201) 568-8840 V. Rev. Joseph Allen, Pastor
FAX: (201) 568-6933 Dn. Peter Boulukos, Assistant
St. Anthony’s web page: http://www.stanthonysorthodox.org
Antiochian Archdiocese web page: http://www.antiochian.org
CHEESE FARE SUNDAY
Epistle: Romans 13:11-14; 14:1-4 The
Gospel: Matthew 6:14-21
Tone: Four
THE EPISTLE
Prokeimenon: Sing praises to our God, sing praises.
Clap your hands, all you nations.
The reading is from
BRETHREN, salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed; the night is far gone, the day is at hand. Let us then cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light; let us conduct ourselves becomingly as in the day, not in reveling and drunkenness, not in debauchery and licentiousness, not in quarreling and jealousy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires. As for the man who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not for disputes over opinions. One believes he may eat anything, while the weak man eats only vegetables. Let not him who eats despise him who abstains, and let not him who abstains pass judgment on him who eats; for God has welcomed him. Who are you to pass judgment on the servant of another? It is before his own master that he stands or falls. And he will be upheld, for God is able to make him stand.
THE EUCHARISTIC OFFERINGS
The Holy Oblations are offered at the Offertory of the Great Entrance today for the health and welfare of those living members, and for those departed this life in Christ, of the Marge, Watkins, Thomas, and Diamond Families.
The Coffee and Reception Hour in the Church Hall is offered today by the Kavountzis and Gebhard Families. We remind our parishioners that each family should take its turn and sponsor the Coffee and Reception Hour for our parish. Please see the chart posted in the Church Hall which lists what is needed in order to offer this reception. Please do no wait to sign up for this.
PARISH ANNOUNCEMENTS
1. Great Lent 2006 begins TOMORROW, MARCH 6, known in the Orthodox Christian Faith as PURE MONDAY (sometimes called “Clean Monday”). Today, Cheese Fare Sunday, holds the theme “Forgiveness and Repentance” These are the most appropriate virtues to be impressed on our minds and hearts before the start of our “Lenten Journey.” Here at St. Anthony’s it is customary to begin our journey “up to
A. “Blessed is our God…” Amen
B. The reading of Psalm 51, “Have mercy on me, oh God…” (The Psalm of Repentance)
C. The chanting of “Open unto me the door of repentance…” Taken from the Orthros (Matins) during Great Lent.
D. “Have mercy on us…” with response of the triple “Kyrie Eleison” (Lord have mercy)
E. The first reading of St. Ephraim the Syrian’s Prayer, with prostrations (as at the Presanctified Liturgies on Wednesdays of Lent). When this prayer is completed, the parishioners may ask the person next to them for forgiveness (in the same manner as we exchange the “Kiss of peace” during the Liturgy.)
F. Finally, we will all reverence the Cross in silence as the Choir sings the hymn “Beneath Thy Tenderness of Heart.”
2. The LENTEN SCHEDULE has been sent out to each home in our parish, but one can note from now the following schedule:
A. Every WEDNESDAY evening, beginning at
B. Every FRIDAY evening, at
C. Every Orthodox Christian Family should plan to attend these Wednesday services regularly, to receive together the Presanctified Gifts at least twice during the Great Fast. Every Orthodox Christian should ALSO attend to the Sacrament of Repentance (Confession) during Great Lent.
D. DO NOT LET THIS SEASON PASS AS IF IT IS NO DIFFERENT THAN ANY OTHER TIME OF THE YEAR. PARENTS: THIS IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY.
3. Tuesday, March 7th, Town Hall COMMITTEE Meeting to prepare for our Town Hall Meetings to be held during Great Lent, and as part of our Golden Jubilee Anniversary year.
4. Please do not forget to return your BAKELESS BAKESALE ENVELOPES sponsored by our Women’s Guild.
5.
A.
B. CREATIVE FESTIVALS: The Creative Festivals are in the area of Art, Photography, Poetry, and Writing. We thank all those parents who work with our kids in these very creative ways, that is beyond normal classroom lessons. The Creative Festivals continue this week with the Poetry Workshop. Class lessons will be held at
C. CONFESSION SCHEDULE for our students is as follows: Grade 7, March 12th; Grade 6, March 19th; Grades 4 and 5, March 26th; Grade 3, April 2nd. Father Joseph will hear these Confessions at
6. It is not too early to remind our parish that our Lenten Program, in conjunction with our Golden Jubilee year, being very special will include:
A. A special evening on March 10th when we will welcome Sister Emiliani from the Twelve Apostle Monastery in
B. Two evenings of “Town Hall Meetings/Discussions on March 17th and 24th; and
C. Two evenings, March 31st and April 7th, we will present “The Face of Christ,” a video program which has now become noted as a true spiritual “gold mine!;. Each evening will include a Question and Answer period.
7. LOOKING AHEAD
A. Our parishioners especially should remember that, after Sister Emiliani speaks here at St. Anthony’s on Friday, March 10th, she will then continue her presentations on Saturday, March 11th, at St. George of Little Falls. These sessions, taken all together, comprise a Lenten Retreat for the NY/NJ Area. Guests from other Churches are certainly welcomed at any of these sessions.
B. Rev. Fletcher Harper will address our parish on March 12th regarding our leading response to the offer of Green Peace; Saturday of the Souls is March 25th (also the Feast day of the Annunciation); Bishop Thomas will be with us for our Communion Breakfast on April 9th; the Teen Lenten Supper is scheduled for Friday, April 14th – all before we begin HOLY WEEK (April 16-23).
8. March 19th is Girl Scout Sunday. All Girl Scouts should wear their vests or sashes that day and see Claudia Bogris.
9. The Historical Archives Committee is looking for photos of the St. Anthony’s Community that have been taken the past 50 years. We would love to see your personal collection of weddings, baptisms, Churchings, social gatherings, and any others through the years. Originals will be copied and returned to you. Please see Leslie Carter or Thelma Dacales. We need your help to restore St. Anthony’s past history. You can email photos to Lesliecarter2@aol.com
