St. Ignatius Sunday

What is St. Ignatius Sunday…?

His Eminence Metropolitan PHILIP has designated the third Sunday of December as St. Ignatius Sunday. On this day, a special homily should be given by the Ambassador, and Order member of the parish priest, followed by an “informative” coffee-hour to educate the laity on the value of spiritual giving and the projects of the Order.

Homilies

December 2007

 

“MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN YOUR LIFE AND THE LIVES OF OTHERS”

This is the time of year when our hearts are opened and we make a token gift to those less fortunate amidst the celebrations, shopping, caroling, decorating the tree and simply having fun. We teach the children in church school that the Nativity wreath is a circle representing God’s endless Love for us not just during the season but also during our whole lifetime. But after the New Year we find it hard to continue to live a spiritual life. We are surrounded with war, disease, crime and death. We have become immune to all the bracelets and ribbons. We close our hearts. The Order of St. Ignatius is not just another cause with a ribbon. At the end of our ribbon is the symbol of what we believe—the cross. Our children often ask parents, usually before they are asking for something, how much do you love me? The parent usually responds with a big outstretched arm “I love you this much” Christ loved us enough to be born and ultimately die so that we could live.

So what are we really asked to sacrifice for the church? The equivalent of a cup of Starbuck’s a day. The Order of St. Ignatius of Antioch celebrates 35 years of “touching people’s lives” by distributing over $17 million dollars since its inception. The Order’s goal is to provide a financial foundation for our Church’s future in America and throughout the world. Members of The Order are men and women from all walks of life: secretaries, factory workers, business entrepreneurs, executives, young adults, and grandparents who commit to a lifetime of annual giving.

Members are people like you and me who believe that when we combine our gifts miracles can happen because we can do more collectively than any one individual can do alone. This is what The Order of St. Ignatius of Antioch is all about.

Imagine the endless possibilities that can be accomplished when we, as ordinary people, combine our resources and
change our gifts into something that is both meaningful and helpful to others who have need. Money is not necessarily the “root of all evil” for money in the right hands can be a tremendous source of good.

• At least 70% (this means $350.00 of a $500.00 annual contribution) is returned to the parishes via contributions
to the various departments serving our Archdiocese such as Youth and Campus Ministry, Parish Development,
Christian Education, and Summer Camp Scholarships. The Order helps to fund these important aspects of
Archdiocese life. Our Archdiocese is self-ruling and growing. The Order will be there to assist with the finances of three new bishops so that the churches are not as heavily burdened.

• Our clergy should retire in dignity. The Order donates $200,000 annually to support our retired clergy and their
wives. And as more and more of our clergy retire the need will become greater to provide a decent retirement to those
who have served the Church so faithfully.

• The Order funds annual distributions to major projects outside our Archdiocese such as Project Mexico, Prison
Ministry, Teen Special Olympics, and Tree House Ministries (program in Wichita sponsored by St. George Cathedral to support unwed mothers who choose life rather than abortion)

• Support of the annual College Conference where our young adults gather for a week of prayer, learning, fellowship,
and witness to Christ as Orthodox Christians. It began with 27 students. This year over 300 will participate.

St. Ignatius instructs us to put our faith into action. I want to tell you about a project that exemplifies what the Order is all about. This feast is all about the birth of a child who changes a whole nation and the woman who gave him birth despite what people would think. Can you imagine what would happen today? The Tree House, which gets its name from the live giving tree (cross), got its start from a grant from the Order. So consider giving yourself and others a Christmas gift and make The Order of St. Ignatius of Antioch your choice. You will be glad you did. Be an example to our children that the church is a good investment.

 

Steppin' Out of Your Comfort Zone

 

Presented by Kathy Abraham

This summer during one of the Parish Life Conferences, one of the orations began with a quote from Jeremiah "The temple of the Lord…. the temple of the Lord!" The topic for the contest was "Prophesying". How you may ask does this quote relate to the topic? In reality, it is all about getting people out of their personal comfort zones in order to prophesy. We in America have found ourselves in a comfort zone. Our churches are built thanks to our parents and grandparents. We have become complacent to give a little each week, go to church on Sunday and accept the status quo. Well, Jeremiah was warning us that this is not enough. The building is not all there is to the faith.

Sometimes we must do something uncomfortable in order to be saved—we must sacrifice. Prophesying is using the gifts we receive from the Holy Spirit in order to change a life. Spiritual giving through The Order of St. Ignatius is one step on the road to living a life that follows Christ.

Today, we face many challenges trying to live a Christian life. Each day we have the choice to say "yes" to Christ and accept the gifts of the Holy Spirit and allow it to direct our actions. It is hard to rationalize that we give enough to the church. The cross of The Order represents the ultimate sacrifice that Christ made for our salvation. The ribbon is red because of the martyrdom of St. Ignatius who was touched by Christ as a child. Members wear the cross as a symbol of what we believe in.

What really are we asked to sacrifice? We pay $5.00 for a cup of designer coffee without batting an eye. Many think it is enough to just be a member of The Order of St. Ignatius; but have you settled into yet another comfort zone? Can you really feel the sacrifice? Can you give more? I ask that you prayerfully consider participating in the ministry of The Order. If you currently participate consider increasing your gift level so that The Order can continue to provide the tools for our children to grow, aid our clergy and seminarians and for our ministry to reach out into our neighborhoods to help those in need. We aren’t just another charity. The Order makes every life count!

On Pentecost we are reminded that this is when Christ’s church began. His disciples came from all walks of life; they were simple fishermen, not shipping magnates. Christ called them by name and they followed him. At induction time, The Order calls each member by name not because we need to hear the name but because Christ is calling your name to action.

Many of us have our own reasons for participating in the ministry that is The Order of St. Ignatius. One reason may be the discovery that WE are now the adults of the parish! A generation ago, our churches were struggling just to be built. Many of us who grew up in the faith had wonderful orthodox icons to follow; people in the parish that sacrificed to make sure that their children were educated and married in the faith. They were our parents, grandparents, and the adults that were always called aunt or uncle even if they weren’t related. We have memories of them laboring on hands and knees as they painstakingly laid the flooring or painted the walls of the church by hand, cooking and baking endlessly for the annual dinners, picnics or bazaars.

Now it is up to this generation. Step outside of your comfort zone, ask the question, am I truly sacrificing enough, can I change a life? What memories am I leaving behind? For as little as a cup of coffee a day, through The Order of St. Ignatius of Antioch you can change a life.

Don’t be surprised if the life you change is your own!

Bulletin Inserts

Download, print, and copy these bulletin inserts for use in your parish.

Bulletin insert #5 (December 2006)

Bulletin insert #4

Bulletin insert #3

Bulletin insert #2

Bulletin insert #1 

 

 

Answers To Tough Questions

Responses To Those Seeking Answers About The Order

1. They say: “The Order is 'too showy'." We reply:

a. We are witnesses to our faith and examples to others

b. We wear secular insignia without feeling “showy”

2. They say: "The Order is just about money.” We reply:

a. The Order is first a spiritual movement manifested through financial giving

b. Jesus sanctioned financial giving when he honored the poor widow who gave her last two coins. She gave from her need. The Order only asks that we give from our surplus

c. When we give to The Order we participate in the “Miracle of Giving”: it is only through God that our combined gifts add up to a greater sum than each person individually.

3. They say: “I give to many worthy organizations and want to spread my giving.” We reply:

a. Do the secular charities open and close with prayer?

b. Do they ask God for guidance?

c. Will other charities remember and help the Orthodox if we don’t? Thus, if we don’t put our faith as our top priority, who will?

4. They say: “I want to give anonymously.” We reply:

a. Giving anonymously is acceptable.

b. Standing before God and pledging our commitment to Him is an honor.

5. They say: “I can’t afford it; it is only for the rich.” We reply:

a. We can’t afford not to

b. $1.35 / day = 1 cup of coffee

c. Members currently are from all walks of life.

6. They say, “I’m too young or too old.” We reply:

a. Everyone of age can join

b. Young people are clamoring to be members when they understand they can join. They want to give back for the next generation what they were able to enjoy and take advantage.

c. A “young” woman of 80 years joined two years ago and recruited 7 new members this spring at her PLC.

7. They say, “ I support my church. I don’t have any connection with the Archdiocese.” We reply:

a. Every Parish and every Antiochian Orthodox is impacted. 33% of the Archdiocese budget is from The Order for our Christian books, music, evangelism, and ministry.

b. The Order contributes 100% of the funds annually to the Priest’s retirement / housing allowance. Every priest in our Archdiocese benefits.

c. Young people enjoy a camping experience and annual College Conference both of which are sponsored by The Order.

America needs Orthodoxy now more than ever before, especially since September 11, 2001. Americans seek security for themselves and their families. The Orthodox Faith is the candle that Christ lit 2,000 years ago. It is a beacon of stability, steadfastness, and strength. The winds of adversity blow strong but we must not let this light extinguish. I ask that you pray and make the commitment to serve our Church, our country, and our Faith.

A challenge to the current members of The Order: Take a chance if you haven’t already and approach someone about The Order. Feel something good happen inside you. Christ approached 12 ordinary people and asked them to “follow me”. They trusted him and did extraordinary things. He called on them individually by name and not in large groups. We therefore must reach out to every individual as Christ did. We too can do extraordinary things if we trust in the Lord.

Giving to someone we know is our responsibility.

Giving to someone we don’t know is our choice.

Make The Order of St. Ignatius of Antioch your choice.

The only way to God is through helping other people and denying “I”.

Upgrade Form

Download the Upgrade Form for you to use to upgrade your membership in The Order.

Solicitation Letter

Date

Name

Address

City, State, Zip

Dear:

Christ asks us to deny ourselves, take up the Cross and follow Him. The cross reminds me that we are asked to choose either the way of Christ through our faith and works, or the way of the world. Money by itself is considered the source of evil; however, money invested takes on new life through its works. The Order celebrates over 30 years of “touching people’s lives.” Since its inception, The Order has distributed over $16 million and now distributes $1.4 million annually. We have been blessed with good health and good fortune the Order offers an opportunity to thank God for His these bountiful blessings. Imagine the endless possibilities that can be accomplished when we as ordinary people combine our resources and change our gifts into something that is both meaningful and extraordinary to our ministry here on earth.

Bishop (Name) will be making his first Arch-pastoral visit to St. (Name) the weekend of (Date). I present this letter and accompanying materials with hope that one or both of you will consider membership in The Order of St. Ignatius of Antioch. There are many challenges facing our new self-ruled Archdiocese and we need the commitment and support of everyone in order to insure a strong faith for our future. If you are currently a member, won’t you please consider increasing your current gift level?

Levels of giving include:

$ 500.00 Knight/Dame (Annually for Life)

$ 1,000.00 Knight/Dame Commander (Annually for Life)

$15,000.00 Life Member Endowment payable in 3 installments

Life Membership has its “rewards”. Life Membership is $15,000 in either one payment or $5,000 over three years. The most important aspect of this level of giving is that the corpus will remain in tact forever; only the interest will be distributed on an annual basis. Your gift will continue forever. There are additional tax benefits by contributing marketable securities.

The primary goal of The Order is to provide a financial foundation for our future. We are men and women from all walks of life: secretaries, factory workers, business entrepreneurs, executives, young adults, and grandparents. Members of The Order commit to a lifetime of annual giving. Members are people like you and me who believe that when we combine our gifts miracles happen because we can do more collectively than any one individual alone.

Please pray and make the decision to join the 3,500 other Antiochian faithful with your commitment to become a member of The Order. Your gift is important. God takes your gift in combination with the other members and creates miracles. God and only God can add 1+1 and make it 3.

There are many good reasons for you to join. The following are just a few:

• If we don’t, who will? If Antiochian Orthodox do not put first their faith, who will? Will the various secular charities we all support share with our Orthodox community as we share with them? I suggest not. If we do not accept the call to action can we be certain our Orthodox youth will maintain the course or will they fall prey to the many outside influences drawing our children away from the Church?

• America needs Orthodoxy now more than ever before. The Orthodox Faith is the candle that Christ lit 2,000 years ago. It is a beacon of stability, steadfastness, and strength. The winds of adversity blow strong but we must not let this light extinguish.

• 70% of annual distributions are returned to the parishes via contributions to the various departments serving our Archdiocese such as Youth and Campus Ministry, Christian Education, Missions and Evangelism, and our Antiochian Village Camp.

• $250,000 annually to support our retired clergy and their wives

• Annual distributions to major projects outside our Archdiocese such as Hurricane Katrina Relief, Project Mexico, Prison Ministry, IOCC, and Teen Special Olympics.

• Support of the annual College Conference where our young adults gather for a week of prayer, learning, fellowship, and witness to Christ as Orthodox Christians.

The Order of St. Ignatius is first and foremost a SPIRITUAL movement of action by doing good works in the name of the Lord as we embrace a lifetime commitment to God. The Lord Himself challenges us to give not from our surplus but from our need. Jesus honored the poor widow who gave her last two pennies because she gave from her poverty. She gave what she could not afford. We in America can afford much and have much to be thankful for. All we ask is for you to give from your surplus.

What’s in it for you? An opportunity to give the “GIFT OF LIFE.” We change as human beings because of our commitment to Christ. It is without question a change for the better.

Yours in Christ,