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Office
30 Anna Street
Worcester, MA 01604
Telephone: (508) 752-9150
Fax: (508) 753-5623
E-mail: StGeoWorc@AOL.com
Web Page:http://members.aol.com/StGeoWorc/
Pastor's Residence
14 Bryant Avenue
Shrewsbury, MA 01545
Telephone: (508)842-1230
Fr. Ephraim's Home Phone
(508) 752-2171
Tone Of Today: 5
Eothinon: 8
Vespers: 5:00PM
Saturday
Matins: 9:00AM
Confession: 9:15 - 9:45AM
Divine Liturgy: 10:00 AM
Church School: 9:10AM
SUNDAY, January 11, 2004
ALTAR SERVERS: St. Nicholas
Captains: Nicholas Bayrouty and Christopher Mariani
Matthew Salem; Zachary Zompetti; Scott Boosahda; Jacob Peters; Richard Shaughnessy; Jack Reilly; Kamran Omidi; Joseph Kanaan; Peter Somi
Epistle: The Reading is from St. Paul's letter to the Hebrews (Chapter 13:7-16)
Brethren, remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God; consider the outcome of their life, and imitate their faith. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and for ever. Do not be led away by diverse and strange teachings; for it is well that the heart be strengthened by grace, not by foods, which have not benefitted their adherents. We have an altar from which those who serve the tent have no right to eat. For the bodies of those animals whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest as a sacrifice for sin are burned outside the gate in order to sanctify the people through his blood. Therefore let us go forth to him outside the camp and bear the abuse he endured. For here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city which is to come. Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name. Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.
THE HOLY GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST. MATTHEW (Chapter 4:12-17)
At that time: When he heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew into Galilee; and leaving Nazareth he went and dwelt in Capernaum by the sea, in the territory of Zebulun and Naphtali, that what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled: "The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, toward the sea, across the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles--the people who wait in darkness have seen a great light, and for those who sat in the region and shadow of death light has dawned." From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand."
The Sunday after Epiphany
This Sunday is like an echo of the Feast of Epiphany. When the Gospel
speaks of the prophecy of Isaiah being fulfilled ("the people who wait in
darkness have seen a great light, and for those who sat in the region
and shadow of death light has dawned."), it is a reminder that Epiphany
is the 'feast of lights'. The light manifested on the banks of the Jordan
now spreads into Galilee. Little by little, it will spread to the whole
world. Jesus begins to preach and the theme of His preaching is exactly
the same as John's. For John, however, the Kingdom of Heaven was
'coming', whereas for Jesus, the Kingdom is already 'at hand': The
Kingdom is now identified with Him who announces it. Jesus is the
essence and the power of the Kingdom. Nevertheless, this Kingdom is
only at its beginning. We shall see it grow, and it will not cease growing
until the end of time. This is exactly what St. Paul is declaring in the
Epistle to the Ephesians when he announces that we shall "attain to the
unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the son of God, to mature
manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ." The liturgical year, an
abridgement of the history of salvation, represents this growth symbolically for us,
from Christmas until the time after Pentecost. It thus outlines the development of our
own inner life - the life of Christ in us.
Dear Parishioners:
Please be aware that our Archdiocese has, after many years, raised its annual assessment to $30 per person (i.e. $60 per couple; $120 per family of four; etc.). This contribution is essential to the operation of the Archdiocese and benefits our parish and its people in many ways Fulfilling this obligation is an important part of everyone's personal stewardship of the Church and we ask you to return your yellow envelope early in the year. Yours in Christ, The St. George Stewardship Ministry.
Church School: All children are reminded to return their filled Advent calendars for the Children's Relief Fund at this time. Teachers, make sure that you are keeping track of how many are past into your class, so that we can determine which class wins the Pizza Party or Ice Cream Sundae Party.
If you are still interested in going to Winter Camp there are still openings for Session One, so you can still apply to attend.
There will be a meeting of all Church School Staff on Sunday, January 11th in the boardroom, immediately following Divine Liturgy.
Men's Club: Next meeting: Jan. 29th.Any questions or comments please contact Dan Abraham at (508)757-3855 or (508)755-9246.
Vladimir S. Swydan Scholarship Fund: Applications for the 2004 Vladimir S. Swydan scholarship fund are available by contacting Paul Swydan, 7 Tavern Street, Shrewsbury, MA 01545 or by calling Paul at (508) 842-1234. The deadline to return completed applications is March 26, 2004. Any graduating high school senior that is a member of St. George Orthodox Cathedral is eligible to apply for a scholarship.
Fellowship Day for the New England Region: NER Fellowship Day, for members of Teen SOYO, Fellowship of St. John the Divine, and Antiochian Women will be held at St. George Church in West Roxbury on Saturday, January 10th. The day will begin with Divine Liturgy at 9am, with the meetings following. Lunch will be provided.
A Pre-Lenten Retreat sponsored by tbe NER Antiochian Women will be held at Hellenic College in Brookline on Saturday, February 7, 2004. The speaker is Ann Bezzerides, Director of Vocation and Ministry at the College. Donation of $15 includes brunch. Retreat runs from 9:30-2:30. Car pooling available. Questions/information, see Carol Swydan or Pam Samara. Reservations required by January 30th.
Please send this form, with a $15.00 check made out to NER Antiochian Women,
to Pam Samara 304 Maple Ave. Shrewsbury, MA 01545 by January 30th
Name:_______________________________________________ Phone:_____________________
Address:_____________________________________________ City:________________________
Church:____________________________________ E-mail:_______________________________
NOW THAT THE HOLIDAYS ARE OVER ... MAKE THE MOST OF THE NEW YEAR ...
APRIL 29, 2004
Drew Mortgage Associates presents: "Humor your Stress", starring Loretta LaRoche, acclaimed consultant, educator, author and TV personality seen on PBS, CNN, ABC and NBC affiliates. This second annual event will be held at Mechanics Hall at 6:00pm on Thursday, April 29, 2004. The evening is sponsored by Drew Mortgage Associates. Sonoma Restaurant will again be serving delicious gourmet foods. Tickets are $50.00, to purchase tickets call Market Connections at
(508) 421-4438 or 4437. Proceeds will benefit Holy Trinity Nursing Home and UMass Memorial Children's Medical Center. Anyone who may be interested in serving on a committee, please call Kristen Rawan at (508) 579-0139, we would love to have you!
For Parishioners in the Hospital:
Josephine Corey @ University
Louise Bayrouty @ Worcester Medical
This weeks Coffee Hour is sponsored in Memory of: Eugene and Virginia Mariani
By the families of George and Eugene Mariani, Jr.
Trisagion Prayers of Mercy & Holy Kurban in Loving Memory of:
- Eugene Mariani, Sr. and Virginia A. Mariani from the families of Dr. Eugene Mariani, Jr. and George Mariani
- Malcolm Bicknell (1yr) from his wife, Victoria Bicknell
- Jill DiGiovanni (40days) David, Joseph and Paul DiGiovanni and Family
- Our beloved mother Mary T. Abdelmaseh (4yrs) and our uncle, Albert Abdelmaseh (16yrs) from Camile, Mary, Melissa and Andre Nasrah; Naser, Ebtehajeb, Samuel, Michael and Michelle Nasrah
Prayers of Oblation in Loving Memory Of:
- Jill DiGiovanni
- Minerva Houssan
- Adele Orfalea
- Michael Anber (Montreal), brother of Beatrice Haddad and Lillian Aramony from Marjorie and Alfred Haddad & Family
- Michael Anber from Harold and Violet Boosahda
- Jill DiGiovanni, beloved daughter of Agnes Samara
- Jill DiGiovanni from Janis and Gary Arvanigian & family
- Michael Ansara, you are deeply missed, from Lisa and Andrew Ansara
- My brother, Michael Ansara, you are forever in our hearts from Mary Ansara
- Elia, Nazli, Antoine, Lourzi, and Nolola Yanni; Toufic and Samia Wehbe from Raymond Yanni
- Minerva Houssan, our beloved wife, mother and grandmother from her husband Elias, children, Wafa, Joe, Nayfi, Inas, Christine, Andre, and Michael and her many grandchildren
- Michael Anber from Fred and Lillian Aramony
- My uncle, Michael Anber from Diane Aramony
- Brian Katsaros from the Pazoles Family
- Michael Anber from Najb and Elaine Saliba
- Michael Anber, with sympathy from Eleanor Abdow
- Michael Anber from Donald, Sandra and Tommy Aramony
- Michael Anber from Donald and Joyce Peters
- Michael Anber from Louise Kalil
Prayers Of Oblation For The Health Of:
- Bruce Bartolini, Gabriel George, Adam George, Daniel Kangas & Jonathan Ota for a safe return from Operation Iraqi Freedom
- Gail Gicas and Louise Bayrouty from Barbara Bourisk
- My godchild and niece, Jessica Maria Milhem from Auntie Patricia
- Herbert and Beatrice Haddad from Mark, Cynthia, Anthony and Lydia Haddad
- Alexander Dowd from Dad, Kitty and Kimberly
- Gail Gicas; Pam and Henry Braverman from Lorna and Hamid Omidi
- David Jeannotte, may God guide and protect you during your travel and study in London From Mom, Dad and Kristin
- Our godchild, Kaitlyn Salem, on her birthday and always from Ken and Alberta Milhem
- Gail Gicas from Margaret H. George
- Gail Gicas from Alfred and Barbara Haddad
- Pam and Henry Braverman; Gail Gicas from Camile and Mary Nasrah
- Thank you, Barbara and Mike Mitchell, Roy Samra, Richard Aramony, Mary Ellen Swydan and Joyce Peters from St. Vincent Faculty Practice
- Mary Covotta from Eva Zuspann
- Continued good health of Mr. & Mrs. Richard Debs & family (of New York) from Pauline Debs