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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: 6
Eothinon: 9
Vespers: 5:00PM
Saturday
Matins: 9:00AM
Confession: 9:15 - 9:45AM
Divine Liturgy: 10:00 AM
Church School: 9:10AM
SUNDAY, January 18, 2004
ALTAR SERVERS: Archangel Michael
Captains: Michael Salem and Michael Wehbe
Abraham Ayoub; Edward Daher; Shane Omidi; David Ayoub; Griffin Zompetti; Camil Dahrouj; Corey Rodriquez; Dimitri Parsons; Evan Sooy
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. LUKE (Chapter 17:12-19)
At that time: As he entered a village, he was met by ten lepers, who stood at a distance and lifted up their voices and said, "Jesus, Master, have mercy on us." When he saw them he said to them, "Go and show yourselves to the priests." And as they went they were cleansed. Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice; and he fell on his face at Jesus' feet, giving him thanks. Now he was a Samaritan. Then said Jesus, "Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine? Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?" And he said to him, "Rise and go your way; your faith has made you well."
The Thirty-First Sunday after Pentecost
The Gospel for this Sunday tells how ten lepers were healed by Jesus, of whom only one - who was a Samaritan - thanked Him. And Jesus is astonished that, alone, this stranger gives him thanks: "Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine?". We can draw four main lessons from this gospel. First, there is the duty of gratitude that we have towards God, the importance of 'glorifying Him" for all the goodness we receive: odes thanksgiving occupy the place it ought to in our prayers? do we not ask for more things than we give thanks for? Second, there is the contrast between the ingratitude of the nine Jewish lepers (who were members of 'God's chosen people') and the sincere gratitude, expressed so vividly - 'praising God with a loud voice; and he fell on his face at Jesus' feet, giving him thanks' - of the outsider, the Samaritan: may it not be that people whose faith is less true than ours sometimes more pleasing to God than we are, because their hearts are more appreciative of the divine gifts? Third, there is the relationship which Jesus establishes between faith and healing: 'your faith has made you well'. Do we possess a faith that is strong enough to heal us. Finally, there is the analogy between leprosy and sin. The Hebrews associated the idea of leprosy with that of moral impurity. Are we ourselves pure and healed of all sin? If we are not, do we at least say with the ten lepers: "Jesus, Master, have mercy on us."
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 in, so that we can determine which class wins the Pizza Party or Ice Cream Sundae Party.
Reminder: All Winter Campers should be at the Church at 5:45am sharp Friday morning.
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.
Vacation Church School: Is calling all youth and adult volunteers to a meeting on Saturday, January 31st at 3:30pm. It is imperative that all volunteers attend as we will be discussing the schedule and determining assignments for this years Vacation Church School. The dates for this years Vacation Church School is August 9th to August 13th. Mark it on your calendars. Any questions please call Samir Tokatli (508) 753-5591.
The Village Campers: are running a raffle at their annual Hafli on Saturday, February 14th, and would like to ask parents and friends for donations such as, baskets, gift certificates or other items for this raffle. To donate to the raffle or for any questions please contact Ferial Mikhael at (508) 943-6373
AHEPA Family of Worcester: invites you to an evening of Dinner and Dance filled with Greek music and dancing to benefit Holy Trinity. Saturday, February 21st at The Manor Restaurant, 39 Franklin Street, West Boylston, MA. Music by the Arion Orchestra featuring the famous Greek singer directly for Greece, George Gertsios. Cocktails 6:30 to 730pm, Dinner 7:30 to 9:00pm, Dancing 9:00 to 1:00am. Dinner and Dancing $50 per person, Dancing only, after 9:00pm $20 per person. For more information contact Chris Singas (617-699-9517), Aris Felis (508-798-3890) or Bernadett Petralias (508-892-8800). Choice of meal, Prime Rib or Baked Haddock, seating of 10 only. Make checks payable to: Order of AHEPA #80, P.O. Box 20910, Worcester, MA 01602. Deadline is Monday, February 16th
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 Jan 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:_______________________________
Prayers Of Oblation For The Health Of: (con't)
- Dn Seraphim and Lorice Swydan, wishing you both Happy Birthday. May God grant you both many healthy happy years ahead ... from Gloria Swydan
- Noah Samuel Salem on his 2nd birthday from Umo and Auntie
- Gail Gicas from Marion and Don Davio
- Special thanks to Chuck Gammal & family and James Casey & family for your help and support from Samir Tokatli
- Herbert Haddad from the St. George Choir
- Elias Houssan, Pascale Rizk, Pascale El Houssan and Anny Donekian from George and Christine El Houssan & family
- My birthday brother, Deacon Seraphim, on our birthdays and always, Lorice Swydan
- My husband, Ken on our anniversary from Alberta
- Blessings of good health for: Louise Bayrouty, Gail Gicas, Bill Peters, Madeline and George Wood
Pam and Henry Braverman from Shirley Dowd
St. Tatiana: Tatiana Daher
St. Anthony: Anthony Arous, Alexander Beliveau, Anthony Jreije
St. John the Baptist: Alexander Dowd
"Blessed are they whom Thou has chosen and taken O Lord"
Minerva Houssan 12/13/03
Adelle Orfalea 1/3/04
Wajeha Kalil 1/8/04
May their memories be eternal!
This weeks Coffee Hour is sponsored in Memory of:
Minerva Houssan By Elias Houssan and Family
We want to thank all of you for your kindness, prayers and support during this difficult time.
Trisagion Prayers of Mercy & Holy Kurban in Loving Memory of:
- Minerva Houssan (40days), our beloved wife, mother and grandmother from your husband Elias, your children, and their families
- Rose Corey (1yr), William Corey (6yrs) and Richard Corey (13yrs) from William, Donald and Robert Corey and their families
- Josephine Safer (4yrs) from Ray Safer; Patti and Billy Moore & family
- Aziz "Ace" Salem and John A. Salem from Dorothy, Michael, Rose, Mike and Matt
Prayers of Oblation in Loving Memory Of:
- Minerva Houssan
- Adele Orfalea
- Wajeha Kalil
- Rose, Bill and Richard Corey from Freda and Doris Abysalh
- Minerva Houssan, Andraos El Houssan and Elias Rizk from Florence David & family
- Minerva Houssan, Andraos El Houssan and Elias Rizk from Bob and Christine Briggs & family
- Rose Corey from Madeline and George Wood
- Jill DiGiovanni from Patti and Billy Moore & family
- Michael Anber from Richard Aramony
- Adele Orfalea from Ed and Edna Hyder
- Andraos El Houssan and Minerva Houssan from George and Christine El Houssan & family
- Michael Anber from Helen and Elaine Hayeck
- Jill DiGiovanni from Ralph and Barbara Hovanesian
- Adelle Orfalea, Michael Anber and Wajeha Kalil from Edward and Marion Haddad
- Michael Anber from Bob and Connie Abodeely
- Michael Anber from Evelyn Ghiz
- Michael Anber from Nancy and Clifford Walton
- In fond memory of my parents: Andrew and Besma Husson, and my husband John Dowd from Shirley Dowd and family
- Michael Anber from Shirley Dowd
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
- Charles Dadah and Louise Bayrouty from Jimmy Dowd
- Elias Houssan & family, Joulia El Houssan & family, Adele Rizk & family from Florence David & family
- Elias Houssan & family, Joulia El Houssan & family, Adele Rizk & family from Bob and Christine Briggs & family
- Herbert and Beatrice Haddad from Philip and Janet Forzley
- Gail Gicas from Patti and Billy Moore & family
- Herbert and Beatrice Haddad from Fred and Lillian Aramony
- Gail Gicas; Pam and Henry Braverman from Andrea and Ray Silva & girls
- Pam and Henry Braverman from Ed and Edna Hyder
- Gail Gicas; Henry and Pam Braverman from Ferial Mikhael & family