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  • 8/12/2019 MarchApril2014 Newsletter

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    Monthly Newsletter forStewards of

    Holy AnargyroiSts. Kosmas & DamianosGreek Orthodox Church Box & SpoonBox & Spoon

    2014 Standing

    CommitteesPARISH COUNCIL

    Aaron Biedermann-PresidentHalina Woroncow-Vice Pres.Tim KellyAndru Peters-SecretaryDon JenkinsTia MaragosErline HolmanRobert LytleJacob Petersen

    STEWARDSHIP /OUTREACH

    John Maragos ChairHalina WoroncowAri KolasDiana OrbeloICONOGRAPHY

    Diana Orbelo ChairTia MaragosAndru PetersFr. Mark MuozBUILDING

    Tim Kelly-ChairAri KolasBUDGET

    Jacob PetersenFr. Mark MuozAUDIT

    Jacob PetersonMark SmithJohn MaragosPHILOXENIA HOUSE

    Brad Holman ChairGREEK FESTIVAL

    Dan Jerghiu ChairLorenda Jerghiu SilentauctionJoe Forrer Set-up/TeardownTim Kelly Outdoor CooksJohnny Mangouras Marke-tingAri Kolas MarketingPenny Kolas Pastries

    Maria Thomas PastriesDenise Mangouras PastriesMartha Voytovich MarketplaceAndru Peters BeveragesMike Brekke Beer GardenAli Ostfeld Children Area

    I SSUE

    Mar ch 2014 37

    O Death, where is thy sting?!Death is the touchstone of our attitude to life.

    People who are afraid of death are afraid of life.

    It is impossible not to be afraid of life with all

    its complexity and dangers if one is afraid of

    death. This means that to solve the problem of

    death is not a luxury. If we are afraid of death

    we will never be prepared to take ultimate risks;

    we will spend our life in a cowardly, careful

    and timid manner. It is only if we can face

    death, make sense of it, determine its place and

    our place in regard to it that we will be able to

    live in a fearless way and to the fulness of our

    ability. Too often we wait until the end of our

    life to face death, whereas we would have lived

    quite differently if only we had faced death at

    the outset.

    According to St. John Climacus, one of theessential steps in the transformation of our

    fallen nature and the acquisition of the virtues is

    "meleti thanatou", or the remembrance of death.

    In fact, Step 6 of hisLadder of Divine Ascentis

    dedicated to this very practice. On October 3rd

    the Church guides us to read this specific

    chapter from beginning to end, because at the

    end is the tale of the Blessed Hesychius the

    Horebite whom we celebrate today. St. John

    thought his tale to be the perfect seal on th

    beneficial chapter dedicated to the remembran

    of death, and below I offer the ending portion

    this chapter to see why:

    Some inquire and wonder: Why, when t

    remembrance of death is so beneficial to us, h

    God hidden from us the knowledge of the ho

    of death? not knowing that in this way G

    wonderfully accomplishes our salvation. For

    one who foreknew his death would at on

    proceed to baptism or the monastic life; b

    everyone would spend all his days in iniquiti

    and only on the day of his death, would

    approach baptism and repentance. From lo

    habit, he would become confirmed in vice, a

    would remain utterly incorrigible. And I cann

    be silent about the story of Hesychius tHorebite. He passed his life in comple

    negligence, without paying the least attention

    his soul. Then he became extremely ill, and f

    an hour he expired. And when he came

    himself, he begged us all to leave h

    immediately. And he built up the door of h

    cell, and he stayed in it for twelve years witho

    ever uttering a word to anyone, and witho

    eating anything but bread and water. An

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    Lord, save Your people and bless Your inheritance, protecting Your commonwealth by Your Cross. Sunday of the Holy Cross, March 23rd 2

    always remaining motionless, he was so rapt in spirit at what he had seen in his ecstasy, that he never changed this manner of

    but was always as if out of his mind, and silently shed hot tears. But when he was about to die, we broke open the door and w

    in, and after many questions, this alone was all we heard from him: Forgive me! No one who has acquired the remembranc

    death will ever be able to sin. We were amazed to see that one who had before been so negligent was so suddenly transfigu

    by this blessed change and transformation. We reverently buried him in the cemetery near the fort, and after some days

    looked for his holy relics, but did not find them. So by Hesychiuss true and praiseworthy repentance, the Lord showed us tha

    accepts those who desire to amend, even after long negligence. Metropolitan ANTHONY of SourozhTHE AKATHIST HYMN TO THE HOLY THEOTOKOS

    Rejoice, unfading rose. Rejoice, the only one who budded forth the unfadingapple. Rejoice, birth-giver of the aromatic balm of the King of all. Rejoice, OBride unwedded, the world's salvation."The Akathist Hymn is a profound,devotional poem, which sings the praises of the Holy Mother and Ever-VirginMary. It is one of the most beloved services in the Orthodox Church. It wascomposed in the imperial city of Constantinople, "the city of the Virgin," by St.Romanos the Melodist, who reposed in the year 556. The Akathist Hymn hasproven so popular in the liturgical life of the Church that many other hymnshave been written following its format. These include Akathists to Our LordJesus Christ, to the Cross, and to many Saints. The Akathist hymn consists ofpraises directed to the Mother of God, beginning with the salutation of theArchangel Gabriel: "Rejoice." As the hymn is chanted all of the events relatedto our Lord's Incarnation pass before us for our contemplation. The ArchangelGabriel marvels at the Divine self-emptying and the renewal of creation whichwill occur when Christ comes to dwell in the Virgin's womb. The unborn John the Baptist prophetically rejoices.

    shepherds recognize Christ as a blameless Lamb, and rejoice that in the Virgin "the thiof earth join chorus with the heavens." The pagan Magi following the light of the spraise Her for revealing the light of the world. The word "akathistos" means "not sittini.e., standing; normally all participants stand while it is being prayed.

    The hymn is comprised of 24 stanzas, arranged in an acrostic following the Gralphabet. The stanzas alternate between long and short. Each short stanza is writtenprose and ends with the singing of "Alleluia." Each longer stanza ends with the refr"Rejoice, O Bride Unwedded." The first part of the hymn is about the Annunciation toVirgin Mary by the Angel. It describes Marys surprise at the news, her visit to her moand Josephs doubts as to her innocence. The second part is about the birth of Christ,worship of the Shepherds and Magi, the flight to Egypt and the visit to Saint Simeon inTemple. In the third part the hymn directs our attention to the renewal of the worldChrists coming, and the amazement of the Angels and the wise men at the sight of

    Incarnation of Gods Son. The fourth and the last part is once more a lyric and rhetorappraisal of Virgin Mary, whom the poet adorns with the most beautiful of adjectiasking her to accept his poetical offering and to intercede for the salvation of human rfrom the earthly sin. Orthodox Christian Observance of the Akathist Hymn On the four Fridays of Great Lent during the service of the Small Compline the Akathist Hymobserved in the following order: The chanting of the nine Odes or Canon. The chantingthe Kontakion with censing ("Ti Ipermacho" -"O Champion General..."). The chantingthe priest of the first part of the stanzas on the first Friday, the second part on the secFriday, the third part on the third Friday and the fourth part on the fourth Friday. chanting of the Kontakion with censing. Veneration of the Icon with the chanting ofTheotokion before the conclusion of the Compline Service.

    ANNUNCIATIONMon. 3/24: Great Vespers 6pm

    Tues. 3/25: Orthros/Divine

    Liturgy w/ Artoklasia 8:30am

    Today marks the crowning

    of our salvation and the

    revelation of the mystery

    before all ages.

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    Praising Thee we cry: Hosanna in the highest; blessed is He that cometh in the Name of the Lord. Palm Sunday, April 13th 2

    Calendar for March 2014Saturday March 1st 2nd Saturday of Souls 8:30am

    Orthros/Divine Liturgy

    Sunday March 2nd Cheesefare Luncheon after Liturgy (last day of dairy consumption until Pasc

    Mission Sunday, OCMC Coin Boxes given to Sunday School students

    Forgiveness Vespers beginning of Great Lent 6pm

    Monday March 3rd CLEAN MONDAY-Great Compline Service 6pm

    Tuesday March 4th Great Compline 6pm

    Philoptochos Meeting in the Church Library 7pm

    Wednesday March 5th Presanctified Liturgy 6pm

    Thursday March 6th Great Compline 6pm

    Friday March 7th Akathist Hymn 6pm

    Saturday March 8th 3rd Saturday of Souls 8:30am

    Orthros/Divine Liturgy/Memorial Service (please bring Kolyva)

    Sunday March 9th 1st Sunday of Lent: Sunday of Orthodoxy 8:30am

    Daylight Savings Begins! Spring Forward!

    Monday March 10th Great Compline 6pm

    Wednesday March 12th Presanctified Liturgy 6pm

    GOYA Faith Night after Liturgy 7pm -is

    Thursday March 13th Great Compline 6pm

    JOY Faith Night BEFORE Compline 4:30pm

    Friday

    March 14th

    Akathist Hymn

    6pm

    Sunday March 16th 2nd Sunday of Lent: St. Gregory Palamas 8:30am

    Monday March 17th Great Compline 6pm

    Wednesday March 19th Presanctified Liturgy 6pm

    Parish Council Meeting after Liturgy 7:15pm

    Thursday March 20th Great Compline 6pm

    St. Philothei Project

    Friday March 21st Akathist Hymn 6pm

    GOYA Lenten Lock-in after Akathist, overnighter

    Sunday March 23rd 3rd Sunday of Lent: Sunday of the Holy Cross 8:30am

    Monday March 24th Great Vespers for Feast of the Annunciation 6pm

    Tuesday March 25th Annunciation 8:30am

    Orthros/Divine Liturgy

    Wednesday March 26th Presanctified Liturgy 6pm

    Thursday March 27th Great Compline 6pm

    Friday March 28th Akathist Hymn 6pm

    Sunday March 30th 4th Sunday of Lent: St. John Klimakos 8:30am

    Monday

    March 31st

    Great Compline

    6pm

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    Lord, save Your people and bless Your inheritance, protecting Your commonwealth by Your Cross. Sunday of the Holy Cross, March 23rd 2

    Calendar for April 2014Tuesday April 1st Philoptochos Meeting in the Church Library 6pm

    Wednesday April 2nd Presanctified Liturgy *Morning Service* 9am

    Great Compline w/ Canon of St Andrew of Crete 6pm

    Friday April 4th Final Akathist Hymn

    Sunday April 6th Final Sunday of Lent: St. Mary the Egyptian 8:30am

    Wednesday April 9th Presanctified Liturgy 6pm

    GOYA Faith Night after Liturgy

    Friday April 11th Presanctified Liturgy *Morning Service* 9am

    Saturday April 12th Saturday of Lazarus 8:30am

    Orthros/Divine Liturgy

    Church Cleaning after Liturgy, volunteers needed!

    Sunday April 13th PALM SUNDAY 8:30am

    Plaki Lunchoen after Liturgy (Philoptochos Fundraiser)

    Decorating for Holy Week after Luncheon

    1st Bridegroom Service 7pm

    Holy Monday April 14th Bridegroom Service 7pm

    Holy Tuesday April 15th Bridegroom Service 7pm

    Holy Wednesday April 16th Holy Unction Service 3:30pm

    Orthros for Holy Thursday 7pm

    ** those who cannot be present at 3:30pm Unction Service may

    annointed after the 7pm Service **

    Holy Thursday April 17th Vesperal Liturgy of St. Basil 8:30am

    Paschal egg dying in Church Kitchen after Liturgy

    Holy Passion Service/12 Gospels 7pm

    Reading of the entire Psalter after service

    Holy Friday April 18th Royal Hours 9am

    GOYA Holy Friday Retreat after Royal Hours

    Apokathilosis/Taking down from Cross 3pm

    Lamentations 7pm

    Holy Saturday April 19th Vesperal Liturgy of St. Basil 8:30am

    **Decorating for Pascha after Liturgy**

    ANASTASIS/RESURRECTION

    11pm

    Parish-wide Paschal Dinner and celebration after Liturgy

    Pascha Sunday April 20th Agape Vespers 11am

    Wednesday April 23rd St. George the Great Martyr 8:30am

    Orthros/Divine Liturgy

    Parish Council Meeting 6:30pm

    Friday April 25th Zoodochos Pigi/Theotokos of the Life-Giving Fount 8:30am

    Orthros/Divine Liturgy

    Sunday April 27th GOYA Event TBA

    Monday-Thursday

    April 28th

    -May 1st

    Metropolis Clergy Retreat, Fr. Mark away

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    Praising Thee we cry: Hosanna in the highest; blessed is He that cometh in the Name of the Lord. Palm Sunday, April 13th 2

    Mission Coin BoxesSunday March 2nd is Mission Sunday. Our SundaySchool children will be given coin boxes to raise moneyduring Lent to support the philanthropic endeavors of

    our 15 brave Orthodox Christian Missionaries around theworld. Please support the parish childrens efforts ofalmsgiving to those who are working in third worldcountries to introduce the natives to the love and hope ofJesus Christ and the Orthodox faith. To learn more aboutour Orthodox Missionaries and their work, please see theOrthodox Christian Mission Centers website at

    www.ocmc.org. Thank you.heesefare Luncheon Fundraiser

    A Cheesefare Luncheon, hosted by our Philoptochos Society, ison Sunday March 2nd following Divine Liturgy in the Churchhall. All proceeds go to Hellenic College/Holy Cross School ofTheology. We will be serving homemade Tyropitas and

    spanokopitas with a salad and cheesecake for dessert for $8dollars adults and $4 children (Mac and cheese is available for the childrenPlease join us in supporting the college. Thank you.

    Palm Sunday innerSunday April 17th

    Palm Sunday Luncheon in the church hall following Divine Liturgy!A fish plaki dinner with salad and dessert will be served.

    $12 adults and $6 children.

    All proceeds go toward the philanthropic charities of our Philoptocho

    Society. God bless you in your generosity to others. Thank you!!

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    Lord, save Your people and bless Your inheritance, protecting Your commonwealth by Your Cross. Sunday of the Holy Cross, March 23rd 2

    Youth Team ReportWell, weve had a long, hard, unrelenting winter, and we have needed to cancel a few youth events, but hope sprineternal, and the energy and enthusiasm of our parish youth and teachers has not waned as we wait for the snow to mand the first buds of spring to appear!

    This month, we would like to introduce our Grade 3-4 class, taught by Loredana Jerghiutaand Kris Brekke.

    Our class curriculum teaches the children abo

    the Church as a whole, exploring t

    Sacraments, Feast days, the Prayers of t

    Church and the Divine Liturgy. With the cont

    of the lessons we also have a reading from t

    Bible and getting the children more and mo

    familiarized with the Old Testament and tNew Testament.

    Our class recently was visited by Mrs. Calli Kelly and got their Orthodox Mission Coin Boxes. We

    learned once again about the missionaries of the Orthodox Christian Mission Center (OCMC) and

    those who leave their homes to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the truth and hope of the

    Orthodox faith with the over one billion people who have yet to receive it. The class got so motivated

    that they decided to take some initiatives. Please give them the proper support they need to grow their

    ministry.

    Please keep the children and their mission work in your prayers.

    Our 5thand 6thgrade class is taught by Catherine Weilerand Terri Mettler. A goal of our Church School curriculum this yis to enhance our students knowledge of the Holy Scriptures from a young age and build upon that familiarity through grades. In this class:

    We have been studying stories from the Old Testament and how they relate to the coming and love of Christ for

    all of us. We first review the story we discussed the prior week and then watch a cartoon DVD/movie about the

    days story. We discuss what we learned from the story and the explanation in the Orthodox Study Bible. On

    occasions, we read verses that relate to the story.

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    Praising Thee we cry: Hosanna in the highest; blessed is He that cometh in the Name of the Lord. Palm Sunday, April 13th 2

    Youth Team Report-continued -

    Fellowship this month included the participation of a number of our JOY and GOYA students in the MetropoBasketball Tournament, which was hosted by St. Marys GOC this year. Holy Anargyroi combined with St. Geo

    to field the teams, and each walked away with a 2nd Place Trophy for their efforts. Congratulations to our youpeople for their spirited participation and excellent sportsmanship! Our parish was well represented. We are proudyou!

    GOYA Basketball Tournament 2014

    JOY Basketball Tournament 2014

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    Lord, save Your people and bless Your inheritance, protecting Your commonwealth by Your Cross. Sunday of the Holy Cross, March 23rd 2

    Youth Team Report-continued -

    GOYA was finally able to take advantage ofthe Minnesota winter to go snow-tubing at

    Ironwood Springs. The hills were fast andbumpy, and the best rides seemed to be had intandem. The entire group chained together for the final run of the afternoon a snake of tubes and bundled friensquealing with delightand just a touch of apprehension!

    GOYAs Faith Night reflected on the theme of discrimination, the societal influences we experience to that eversus the Christian message that God loves and welcomes us equally: For there is no distinction between Jew Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him. (Romans 10:12). We considered pendlegislation in Arizona, whether this was discriminatory in effect or an attempt to recognize and support individreligious freedom in society. We agreed that this issue offers another challenge to consider how the teachings of faith fit within the context of current affairs.

    GOYA has started to raise money for their mission trip with YOCAMA in June to visit and serve members of Navajo nation in New Mexico. We have a beautiful diptych icon of the Theotokos and Christ which we are raffloff on March 9th, Orthodoxy Sunday. Just ask any of the GOYAns or their leaders for a ticket if you would likedonate to our cause.

    And please be sure to come over to coffee hour on March 9th to hear our youth sing a hymn, read an essay,expound on a chosen theme regarding our faith at our parishs St. John Chrysostom Oratorical Festival.

    We are completing the Triodion period, with Forgiveness Sunday just ahead, followed by our Lenten journeyPascha. We wish our parish family and friends a spiritually rewarding passage as we prepare with peace and joythe Resurrection of our Lord. Kali sarakosti.

    Youth Team Coordinators,

    JOY-Loredana Jerghiuta

    GOYA -Halina Woroncow and Mike Brekke

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    Praising Thee we cry: Hosanna in the highest; blessed is He that cometh in the Name of the Lord. Palm Sunday, April 13th 2

    Philoxenia House NewsI am feeling a little out of step writing this article, because we are combining March and April which means that I writing this with the feeling that 2013 is long gone. Before too much time slips away, I have to share two vimportant events that took place in 2013 in regards to the financial support of this ministry.

    First, I am pleased to announce that once again this year the Philoxenia House was awarded $15,000 by the GeoEisenberg Foundation. This support is vital for this ministry to continue, and we are very thankful and pleasSecond I am happy to announce that our small friends in Illinois who go by Together We Care were able to ra$1,225 for the Philoxenia House Ministry. This is the third year that these children were able to raise over $1,200case you missed the story of Together We Care in the Philoxenia House newsletter this year, the following is a bintroduction to the group and their mission.

    Together We CareReferring to themselves as Together We Care a group of children from St. Demetrios Orthodox Church in ElmhuIllinois, driven by the influence of the beloved and late Fr. Jim Tsoulos, gave up one Christmas gift each to ramoney for the Philoxenia House Ministry. The mission was to come together, as they always have during holidays, but skip out on the grab bag. The parents now had the opportunity to talk to the kids about the importmessage of giving and explain that the money raised will help support housing facilities for sick patients and thfamilies at the Philoxenia House. On the second year, the children have decided to give up two gifts. Two of children, Niko and Demetri Eliopoulos even started giving up birthday presents to help the cause. What a wondething they have done. The children and their parents are hoping for a field trip someday to visit the Philoxenia HouBravo not only to the children, but to their wonderful parents who are helping to create in the children caring, givhearts. I am sure that Fr. Tsoulos is smiling with pride.

    Together We Care learning more about One of the fun parts: counting the moneyFr.Tsoulos and the Philoxenia House Ministry.

    The Together We Care children

    The leaders of Together We Care would love to hear yourinspirational stories of giving and can be reached at:[email protected].

    Thank you all who gave to the Philoxenia House Ministryin 2013.

    Sincerely in Christ,Bradley HolmanPresident Philoxenia House Ministry

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    Lord, save Your people and bless Your inheritance, protecting Your commonwealth by Your Cross. Sunday of the Holy Cross, March 23rd 2

    Philoptochos SocietyDear brothers and sisters in Christ,

    Our meetings continue to be the fist Tuesday of the month at 6pm in the Church library. The dates of the next tmeetings are Tuesdays March 4th and April 1st at 6pm in the Church library. Philoptochos is the philanthropic armour Church; we work together in helping others. Most women parishioners in our parish are Philoptochos membOur board include the following members: President Calli Kelly, Vice President Kristine Brekke, Treasurer LoredJerghiuta, Secretaries Effie Psimos and Angie Rustad, Board members Penny Kolas and Anna Ryabova and our Spitual Advisor Father Mark Munoz. Please see any of us in regard to mission work within our parish.

    Recent donations that we collected have been $278 from our loukoumathes sale (for our budget) and $540 in a tpassing for St Basil Academy. Thank you to all who helped us with the sale and who gave generously to the tray paing.

    March: On Sunday March 2nd we will host a Cheesefare Luncheon in which the proceeds go to Hellenic ColleHoly Cross School of Theology. We will be serving Tyropitas and Spanokopitas with a salad and cheesecake for dserts. There will be mac and cheese for the children who request it. The cost is $8 adults and $4 children. Please j

    us in supporting a good donation to the college.

    Also in March, if you have not done so already please give your Philoptochos dues to our treasurer Loredana Jerghta. Dues are free will donations with the minimum due to give at $21 (which goes to the National and Regional lels). If possible, any dues over $30 would be great. Thank you.

    April: Philoptochos will host the Palm Sunday dinner on April 13th following Divine Liturgy in which the procego directly to our chapter to distribute to the many charities that we support. This will be a fish plaki dinner with saand dessert for $12 adults and $6 children. Again please join us in raising money for those in need. Thank you.

    Also in April, volunteers are needed to dye the red eggs for the Pascha Resurrection service. The egg dying will tplace in the Church kitchen after the Thursday morning service on April 17th.

    In the upcoming weeks; I will send out emails to our Society members for help in the various ministries and fundraers that we are involved in. There will be more details in these emails.

    In closing, I leave you, a loving dialog between our Lord Jesus Christ and His close friend and disciple, Martwhose brother Lazarus has died. This discussion is in the Gospel reading (John 11:1-45) for Lazarus Saturday whis on April 12th this year. There is much spiritual insight that can be gleaned from the entire Gospel reading and athe icon of Lazarus being raised from the dead. Personally, I love that here (John 11:21-27) Jesus Christ shares truth of who He is to Martha and leads her in a proclamation of faith towards Him. In this, I see their love and cfor each other, very much like when Jesus asked His disciples Who do you say that I am? and Peter responded whis affirmation that Jesus is the Messiah, You are the Christ. in Mark 8:29. Enjoythis Gospel reading that holds the spiritual love and beauty in the words shared be-

    tween Jesus Christ and His dear friend, the Myrrhbearer, Saint Martha.

    Martha said to Jesus, Lord, if You have been here, my brother would not have

    died. But even now I know that whatever You ask of God, God will give You. Jesus

    said to her, Your brother will rise again. Martha said to Him, I know that he will

    rise again in the resurrection at the last day. Jesus said to her, I am the resurrec-

    tion and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And who-

    ever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this? She said to Him,

    Yes, Lord, I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who is to come into the

    world. -Jesus Christ and Martha in John 11:21-27

    With sisterly love in CHRIST+

    Calli KellyPhiloptochos President

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    Praising Thee we cry: Hosanna in the highest; blessed is He that cometh in the Name of the Lord. Palm Sunday, April 13th 2

    OUTREACH

    Parish Potluck!We enjoyed our 4th Annual Parish Ethnic Potluck this past month -- an opportunity to celebrate the rich cultudiversity of our church family, united in faith. Over 30 dishes were shared, providing a taste of Norway, Sp

    Germany, Poland, Russia, Romania, Greece, Mexico, and America. To add to the feast and fellowship, we enjoyegame of guess who, where each of us submitted a fact about ourselves that might not be known to others. Can guess which of our parishioners can ride a unicycle? Who rescued sea turtles in Costa Rica? Who has a Black BeltTae Kwan Do? Who was a rodeo judge? Who was a munchkin in the Wizard of Oz? Who could polka and squdance like there was no tomorrow? If you missed the Potluck, ask around at Coffee Hour and see if you can learn answers!

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    Lord, save Your people and bless Your inheritance, protecting Your commonwealth by Your Cross. Sunday of the Holy Cross, March 23rd 2

    OUTREACHNew Member Highlight

    Oleg Pecherskii and Anna Ryaboya

    Imagine taking your critically ill baby to a foreign country where you dont know the language but where there

    chance he could be helped. Thats what Anna Ryabova and her husband Oleg Pecherskii did a few years ago wh

    they left Russia and brought young Roman and his older brother Sergei to America. They had to leave so mbehind, including their jobs -Annas as a stock analyst and Olegs as a computer programmer -but if they did

    come, Roman might not survive.

    But wait this story has a happy ending! Mayo has saved Roman and our Parish has stepped in to make them think

    Rochester as their home. Indeed, Anna states that they are happy at last.

    Their journey began several years ago when Roman was born with defective kidneys. The Russian doctors said t

    had no way to treat him. The Germans and the Swiss told them the same thing. But Oleg would not stop searching.

    promised Anna that Roman would live and that he would do everything to see that he does. He found Mayo,

    Mayo said yes. Not only did it offer hope, it also paid their way here.

    Their life became even more dramatic when, in a marathon day involving four surgeries, the Mayo doctors gave th

    back their son. Four surgeries, in one day? Yes, the surgeons removed one of Olegs kidneys and gave it to a wom

    in Wisconsin. Then they removed a kidney from her son and gave it to Roman who took to it like it was his own. Tall happened on Annas birthday and she says it was the best present she ever had.

    They decided to return home to Russia because they missed their family and also their pets. But they got the sa

    story -the Russian doctors would not take him as a patient. So they came back to Rochester where medical help

    available if they need it. They hope to soon take their place in American society.

    Roman is thriving. And so is his brother Sergei who learned English quickly in his schools ESL program. He is n

    in the 6thgrade at Willow Creek Middle School where math is his favorite subject. His favorite activity? -play

    with his little brother. Holy Anargyroi is an important part of their story too. Anna says, I think our history shouldnot about us. It's a story about people in the Church. And these people are so friendly -we've gotten a lot of warm

    and loveThis is the best.

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    Praising Thee we cry: Hosanna in the highest; blessed is He that cometh in the Name of the Lord. Palm Sunday, April 13th 2

    CHURCH NEEDS LISTPlease Contact Fr. Mark or Jackie to Donate

    Coffee and coffee filters $110 per case5 cases per year

    Candles $4,200 per year

    Two AEDs (automated external defibrillator) $1300 each

    Metropolis basketball tournament registration fee $300 per year

    OCMC support(Divided between Hoppe and GOYA missions)

    $500 per month

    BUDGET CUTSPlease Contact Fr. Mark or Jackie to Donate

    Church School texts/supplies $750 per year

    Parish youth activities $1,000 per year

    Outreach efforts $500 per year

    Repairs: Air Conditioner (7/8/2013) $1,000

    ST. MARK THE ASCETIC

    Do not think about or do anythingwithout a spiritual purpose, whereby itis done for God. For If you travelwithout purpose, you shall labor invain.(Homilies, 1.54)

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    Lord, save Your people and bless Your inheritance, protecting Your commonwealth by Your Cross. Sunday of the Holy Cross, March 23rd 2

    For The Lenten Journey...