KEEPING YOU UPDATED
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Recent Council
Actions and Decisions
The parish council decided to fund about $2,800.00 (including tax) to build fences across the basement day window wells to prevent church break-ins. We have had a few break-ins over the summer.
This expense is necessary because:
- Each break-in costs the parish a fee when we call the police, and they make a report about the incident.
- The church needs protection against robberies of our valuable gold and silver chalices, vestments, electronics (computer and printer), or damage to the décor in the Nave and Sanctuary.
- Each break-in incurs the cost of replacing broken glass window(s).
Fortunately, none of our property is missing; our ADT alarm works effectively to chase invaders off.
However, not paying for a fence would add to our expenses because, without this needed protection, break-ins are inevitable.
With this new barrier, break-ins would be very difficult; it would show aggressors we care about our property and are actively making the necessary effort to stop their attacks.
Saint Nicholas is our church, our spiritual home in this life.
Please help and donate to
pay off this much-needed expense.
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Concerning Shut-Ins and the Sick
We created an Outreach Committee when the parish entered the church. Its purpose is to reach out to parishioners who are shut-ins or are physically unable to attend.
Please remember our first Khouryia (Karen), who cannot attend. It's also for those we haven't seen for a few Sundays or have an extended illness.
If you remember someone, tell the committee chair their name so we (the parish) can keep in contact. If they are in the hospital, recovering at home, or away because of work, pray for those who cannot physically attend worship.
Add their name to the intentions list located in the Narthex so the parish family can remember them by name at Mass.
The parish has a media contact directory with names, addresses, emails, and phone numbers. Please review the list and inform us of any needed changes or updates.
Reminder...
There is a list left in the Narthex for parishioners to remember those who need our on-going intercessions to God.
The list is picked up after the Office by one of the Acolytes so they can be remembered.
Customarily their names are mentioned in the Mass. However, remembrances and intercessions now are moved to the announcements in our Communion Service.
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For your parish, Diocese, Archdiocese, Fr. David, Kh. Mona,
Fr. Mark, Kh. Karen, Barbara Myers, Gary Gillmore, and Art Sill.
"O Lord Almighty, the Healer of our souls
and bodies, You Who put down and raise up,
Who chastise and heal also; do You now, in
Your great mercy, visit our brothers and sisters
who are sick."
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Prayer for Our New Priest (still unknown)
For a Priest
Jesus, eternal Priest, keep this thy Priest, now unknown to our parish family, within the shelter of Thy Sacred Heart, where none may touch him. Keep unstained his anointed hands, which daily touch Thy Sacred Body; keep unsullied his lips, purpled with Thy precious Blood; keep pure and unearthly his heart, sealed with sublime marks of Thy glorious priesthood. Let Thy holy love surround him, and keep him ever spotless
from the world. Bless his labours with abundant fruit, and may they to whom he has ministered be here below with joy and consolation, and in heaven his beautiful and everlasting crown. Amen.
For the Increase of Priests
O Almighty God, look mercifully upon Thy Church, and incline the hearts of many of her sons to offer themselves for the work of the sacred ministry; so that by their labors, Thy Light may shine in the darkness of the world, and the coming of Thy kingdom may be hastened by the perfecting of Thine elect. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
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SUGGESTED BIBLE COMMENTARIES
Several parishioners have asked for suggestions of Bible commentaries. Here is a selection of commentaries that Fr. David uses:
- The Explanation by Blessed Theophylact of the Holy Gospel According to St. Luke (Volume 3) Available on Amazon or from other retailers like Abe Books.
- The Explanation of the Holy Gospel According to John by Blessed Theophylact (Volume 4) Available in hardcover on Amazon or from other retailers like Abe Books.
- The Explanation by Blessed Theophylact of the Holy Gospel According to St. Mark (Volume 2) Available on Amazon or from other retailers like Abe Books.
- The Explanation by Blessed Theophylact of the Holy Gospel According to St. Matthew (Volume 1) Available on Amazon or from other retailers like Abe Books. Keep in mind that these were written in the tenth century A.D. and they do not conform to our modern "delicate"
sensitivities.
Keep in mind that these were written in the tenth century A.D. and they do not conform to our modern "delicate" sensitivities. |
Holy Communion - is received by intinction only: Only duly prepared Orthodox Christians may receive the sacrament of Holy Communion. Preparation includes the pre-communion fast (see below) and confession to a priest of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America. All others may receive a blessing by crossing their arms and
bowing their head.
Pre-communion Fast - Unless you are under a doctor's care, all of those between 21-60 are expected to fast from drinking and eating from midnight on Saturday until after communion on Sunday. However, you can have water up until an hour before communion. If we are having a scheduled evening Mass, please eat and drink as close to noon as possible. You can have water up
until about an hour before communion. There are exceptions to these rules. If you have any questions, please contact us at [email protected].
Confession -- TBD
Scripture Readings for the Week - Please visit the English Office website for the daily offices. This site is run by the Brown family and is an excellent resource for when you want to pray the parochial daily offices and you don't have your Psalter and/or Bible handy. It
renders very nicely on your phone or tablet devices.
OTHER NEWS, REQUESTS AND/OR RESOURCES
- Have an idea to post in the Bulletin? Email Selina at [email protected] with your topic. It could be discussed at coffee hour.
- To stay connected with other parishioners, a February 2023 parish social media directory is available from the parish secretary. Email: [email protected].
Parish website (Soon to be under reconstruction)
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