We will soon be publishing a parish cookbook – featuring our festival recipes and favorite recipes from our parishioners.

We are asking all parishioners to please submit at least 5-6 of their favorite recipes.  You can use the attached recipe collection card or email your recipes in Word format directly to me at jlongofono@cox.net.

Please use the suggested abbreviations (listed on the attachment) – e.g., instead of 1 cup, write 1 c. 

Thanks so much for your help – can't wait to see the finished cookbook!

God bless,
Kh. Marsha

The last day for house blessings is Sunday, February 14th.

Fr. Joseph will be unavailable to bless houses on Monday, February 8th through Wednesday the 10th.  That means you have Thursday through Sunday left.

Here are the fasting guidelines for the coming 2010 Lenten season.  The Church Calendar has also been updated with the following dates:

• Prodigal Son Sunday - January 31, 2010:  We observe the usual fasting discipline during the week following.
• Judgment (or Meatfare) - Sunday February 7, 2010:  We fast from flesh-meats during the week following, but dairy, fish, wine and oil are permitted on all days.
• Forgiveness (or Cheesefare) Sunday - February 14, 2010:  The last day for dairy fish, wine and oil -- except as permitted by the Typikon.
• Pure Monday (Start of the Great Fast) - February 15, 2010:  We observe the usual fasting discipline during this fast -- wine and oil are permitted on Saturdays and Sundays.
• Thursday of the Great Canon - March 18, 2010: Thursday of the 5th Week of the Great Fast -- wine and oil are permitted.
• Feast of the Annunciation - March 25, 2010:  Thursday of the 6th Week of the Great Fast -- fish, wine and oil are permitted.
• Lazarus Saturday - March 27, 2010:  Wine and oil are permitted.
• Palm Sunday - March 28, 2010:  Fish, wine and oil are permitted.
• Great and Holy Saturday - April 3, 2010:  We fast from oil on this Saturday, but wine is permitted.
• Holy Pascha - April 4, 2010:  Tthe week following known as "Bright" or "New Week" is fast-free.

Have a blessed Lenten season and a glorious Pascha!!

St. Theophan the Recluse

There is a moment, and a very noticeable moment, which is sharply marked out in the course of our life, when a person begins to live in a Christian way. This is the moment when there begins to be present in him the distinctive characteristics of Christian life. Christian life is zeal and strength to remain in communion with God by means of an active fulfillment of His holy will, according to our faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, and with the help of the grace of God, to the glory of His most holy name.

The essence of Christian life consists in communion with God, in Christ Jesus our Lord - in a communion with God which in the beginning is usually hidden not only from others, but also from oneself. The testimony of this life that is visible or can be felt within us is the ardor of active zeal to please God alone in a Christian manner, with total self-sacrifice and hatred of everything which is opposed to this. And so, when this ardor of zeal begins, Christian life has its beginning. The person in whom this ardor is constantly active, is one who is living in a Christian way. Here we will have to stop and pay attention to this distinctive characteristic.

If anyone has any photos of church-related events they would like to have posted, please contact the webmaster.  Thanks.

There is Pysanky Egg Workshop coming on March 20th.  Learn how to make Ukranian Easter Eggs.

To see the flyer Click Here

Metropolitan Anthony of Sourozh
1st sermon
12th September 1999

In the Name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.  Amen.

I was asked to give a certain number of sermons on Confession; because many come to Confession and repeat only things which they have read in manuals of devotion or which other people have told them about.  And I would like to start where I start with a child and attract your attention to the fact that our situation is the same.

When a child comes to Confession, usually he brings either on paper or by memory a long list, or a short list, of sins.  And when he has finished, I always say, "Are these things which break your heart?  Are these things which you feel are wrong in you?  Did you invent for yourself this confession?“  And most of the time the answer is, "No, my mother gave me this list because that makes her cross!"  After that I usually have a conversation with the mother.  But as far as the child is concerned, it has nothing to do with him, it is not his confession.  It is the judgement which the parents have established, accusations against him.  And the same could be asked about grown-up people who come with lists of sins which they have found in manuals, or been told to consider by their spiritual fathers.  And the answer is always the same: it is not my confession, yet it is a challenge which I was given.

When praying, keep to the rule that it is better to say five words from the depth of your heart than ten thousand words with your tongue only.

When you observe that your heart is cold and prays unwillingly, stop praying and warm your heart by vividly representing to yourself either your own wickedness, your spiritual poverty, misery, and blindness, or the great benefits which God bestows every moment upon you and all mankind, especially upon Christians, and then pray slowly and fervently.

Please Note:

Effective immediately and until further notice, please do NOT park in the spaces on the east side of the alley, opposite our church spaces.  We do not have permission from the owner of the property next door to park in those spaces.  Thank you in advance for your cooperation in this matter. — Fr. Joseph