Brothers and Sisters,
Greetings in the Name of the Lord.
This is the final week in the ecclesiastical year. This coming Saturday marks the beginning of the new liturgical year—and the beginning of lots of activities at our parish. Please read through this newsletter carefully so you will be aware of everything that’s going on in our community.
Our Calendar
Fasting Days
Wednesday, August 29, and Friday, August 31
Daily Services
Monday, August 27-Friday, August 31
- Orthros 5am
- Vespers 5pm
(Because life in our parish community can be pretty busy, sometimes the starting times for the daily services has to be shifted. So, if you know ahead of time that you will be attending a particular service, it’s always a good idea to send Father Aidan a note at fraidan@austin.rr.com to confirm when the service will actually begin.)
Tuesday, August 28
- Monthly Parish Council Meeting 7pm
Everyone is welcome to attend the meeting, but it you wish to address the council, please contact our Council President, Chris Lewis, ahead of time
Thursday, August 30
- Choir Practice and Quarterly Music Meeting 7pm
Friday, August 31
- Great Vespers 7pm
Saturday, September 1
The Feast of the Indiction
Orthros 7am
Divine Liturgy 9am
St Thomas School 4pm Seth Hart will be leading the discussion of pgs 219-244 of the chapter “Man”
Great Vespers 6pm
Sunday, August 19
Fourteenth Sunday of St Matthew
- Orthros at 8:00 a.m.
- Divine Liturgy 10am We will have a blessing for the Beginning of School at the conclusion of the liturgy
- Fellowship Hour Noon
Coming Up
The Fall Theological Seminar begins on Wednesday, September 12. This year, we will be reading a wonderful novel by Marilynne Robinson called Gilead. You can easily pick up an inexpensive copy at Christ the Lightgiver Bookstore. This year, a group will also be meeting in Killeen (at the offices of Randy Hardin). Attached to this newsletter is a letter which will give you additional information about the seminar.
September is also a busy month liturgically. In addition to the Feast of the Indiction this coming Saturday, on Saturday, September 8, we will celebrate the Nativity of the Mother of God, and on Friday, September 14, we will celebrate the Exaltation of the Precious and Life-Giving Cross. Please make sure those dates are on your calendar, and please plan on joining us for each of those feasts.
And, of course, don’t forget our Open House Weekend, Saturday, September 29, and Sunday, September 30. Attached to this newsletter is an explanation of how that weekend will work, and an announcement that you can send to folks on social media.
Our Moment of Grace and Courtesy
Every week, our offering bowl is full of checks that adults place there--and we are grateful for each and every one of those checks. But the bowl should also be rattling with the change and overflowing with the bills that children and young people place there--because that's how we are going to teach them about generosity and stewardship. So, parents and grandparents, if you aren't already doing so, please provide your children and young people with money that they can place in the offering bowl; it's an important part of their participation in the Divine Liturgy, and it's how they are going to learn about the joys of giving.
I’m looking forward to beginning the new Church Year with each of you.
An unworthy priest,
Aidan