Brothers and Sisters,
Greetings in the Name of the Lord.
The archdiocese expects each of us to make our confession during the Nativity Fast. In our parish, that holy mystery is available every Saturday night after Great Vespers or just about any other time by a specific appointment. We do not offer on-the-spot confessions, so this is something for which you will need to plan ahead. Also, while you are doing that planning, please be aware that the holy mystery will not be available after this coming Sunday, December 22. So you will need to make your confession on or before that date. The deadline is so that we can all prepare for the Feast of Nativity with a minimum of last minute activities.
Our Calendar
Fasting Days
The Fast Continues
This Fast is divided into two periods: The first period runs through this Thursday, December 19th, when the traditional fasting discipline (no meat, poultry, eggs, dairy, fish, wine, and olive oil) is observed on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, with a blessing for wine and olive oil (some also permit fish) on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and for fish, wine, and olive oil on Saturdays and Sundays. The second is the period of the Forefeast, December 20th through 24th, when the traditional fasting discipline is observed Monday through Friday, with a blessing for wine and olive oil on Saturday and Sunday.
Daily Services
Monday, December 16-Friday, December 20:
Orthros 5am;
Vespers 5pm
(Also, please don’t forget that since 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, December 17
Parish Council Meeting 7pm
Everyone is welcome to attend, but it you wish to speak or address the council, please contact the Council President, Chris Lewis, ahead of time
Wednesday, December 18
The Final Nativity Paraclesis 7pm
Thursday, December 19
Choir Practice 7pm
Saturday, December 21
Great Vespers 6pm
Sunday, December 22
The Sunday Before Nativity
Orthros 8am
Divine Liturgy 10am
Fellowship Hour Noon
Akathist to the Mother of God, Nurturer of Children Noon
Coming Up
It's time to start planning for the Nativity Services. This year, we will offer the Royal Hours at 9am on Tuesday, December 24, and then we will serve the first liturgy of Christmas, the Vesperal Liturgy of St Basil at noon. On Wednesday, December 25, we will serve Orthros at 8am and Divine Liturgy at 10am.
Also, please be aware that following the Vesperal Liturgy on Christmas Eve and the Festal Liturgy on Christmas Day, the kitchen in the Long Hall will be closed. There won’t be any coffee available, and we ask that you do not bring food for after the services. This is so we don’t have to clean up, and so we can all get home to be with our families.
In Holy Orthodoxy, New Year’s is an important feast day. It’s when we celebrate the Feast of the Circumcision. This year, we will serve Great Vespers at 7pm on Tuesday, December 31, and then, on January 1, we will offer Orthros at 7am and Divine Liturgy at 9am. Start the (civil) New Year off right and join us for this beautiful feast.
But the greatest feast during this upcoming festal season is actually The Feast of Theophany. This year, we will offer The Royal Hours for the feast at noon on Friday, January 3, and on Sunday, January 5, we will serve Great Vespers for the Feast no later than 1pm, following the regular Sunday morning schedule and a short Fellowship Hour. On Monday, January 6, the actual day of the feast, we will serve Orthros at 5am and Divine Liturgy at 7am.
Our Moment of Grace and Courtesy
If you wish to receive communion during the Divine Liturgy, please remember that you must arrive no later than the gospel reading. Children who arrive late may come forward and receive the gifts; adults who arrive later than the gospel lesson must wait until the following week.
I hope to see many of you at the final Nativity Paraclesis this coming Wednesday evening.
an unworthy priest
aidan