Clergy Report
The biggest development for the Deacons in 2021 has been a change to our number. With Fr. Andrew’s ordination to the holy Priesthood, the parish has been left with only one Deacon for the time being. Dn. Michael has therefore been promoted to first Deacon. In the months leading up to the ordination, Fr. Andrew and Dn. Michael began preparing for the transition by having Dn. Michael serve as solo Deacon during Great Vespers and the Divine Liturgy. This allowed Dn. Michael to practice his new liturgical responsibilities while receiving guidance and feedback in real time. Dn. Michael progressed quickly needing only minimal instruction after his first couple of services. As such, his transition to first and solo Deacon has been smooth. The clergy continues to encourage, support, and pray for those men who are working towards ordination to the holy Diaconate at some point in the future.
The second big liturgical development for 2021 has been the establishment of quarterly Killeen Typika services. For years many parishioners from the Killeen area have been faithfully traveling an hour or more to services in Cedar Park on a weekly basis. The number of the faithful making this journey has increased significantly over the last year with the continued growth of our community. In order to better support these folks and to recognize their collective effort to be active members of St. John’s over the years, we began holding a Typika service with Holy Communion on the first Sunday of the last month of the quarter. At this service, the Deacon’s lead the prayers, offer a homily, and distribute the Holy Gifts. The services have been well attended with between 30-50 people gathering to pray together. As we look towards 2022, plans are being made to potentially increase the frequency of these offerings. Furthermore, with Karen’s support, some of the regular attendees have been working to potentially form a choir for these services. This would serve the dual benefit of making the Typika’s more beautiful and increasing the number of choir members for our regular services at St. John’s. Fr. Andrew and Dn. Michael would like to offer their special thanks to the Julianos for taking point on organization and the Grandalskis for offering their home for the services. It has been a real blessing to pray with all of you in this setting each quarter.
Fr. Andrew continues to offer the Akathist for the Theotokos of the Inexhaustible Cup on the second Sunday of each month. It is prayed on behalf of those who struggle with addiction and those who love others who struggle with addiction.
Outside of the services, we have continued visiting those who are sick or infirm taking communion to them and others who do not feel comfortable attending the services due to COVID. We continue visiting parishioners who are in the hospital when COVID regulations allow. Fr. Andrew continues to host the weekly Bible Study as well as the work of keeping the parish roster updated. He also continues to help out in the bookstore. Dn. Michael has continued his work as the parish sacristan to make sure we have the wine, oil, charcoal, and candles we need for the services. As well, Shamassy continues to support the Friday playground group which has been both fun and helpful for parishioners as well as inquirers. Shamassy also runs the Care Ministry, faithfully reaching out to families and individuals in need. Both Fr. Andrew and Dn. Michael spend time talking with visitors, inquirers, and catechumen answering their questions about the faith on a weekly basis. We hope and pray that these discussions have contributed in some small way to the growth of the community over the last year.
Personally speaking, in addition to his ordination to the Priesthood, this year saw Fr. Andrew complete his Master of Arts in Applied Theology at Balamand University in Lebanon via the Antiochian House of Studies. It was also his particular joy to see his mother, Susan Wilson, received into the Church this fall. Kh. Xenia continues to serve the parish by taking care of Fr. Andrew (which requires considerable effort) and teaching Church School. Isaac started Middle School this year and, in addition to sports, has joined the band as a trombonist. Genevieve is now in third grade and continues to display her endless creativity throughout her room.
Dn. Michael and Sh. Rebecca continue the hard work of raising their young family which includes the homeschooling of their children. Their excellent work in this regard continues to be an important service to the community. Deacon and Shamassy are looking forward to their fourth child due in the Spring of next year.
Finally, and most importantly, Fr. Andrew and Dn. Michael would like to say a special thank you to their wives, Kh. Xenia and Sh. Rebecca, who faithfully serve the parish in the most secret and hesychastic of ways. Without them, none of the above would be possible. We would also like to thank Fr. Aidan who continued to work at least twice as hard as the two of us combined.
It remains the great blessing of our lives to serve each and every one of you. We remain your unprofitable servants,
Fr. Andrew and Dn. Michael