Glory be to Jesus Christ!

Glory Forever!

"Let us all make haste to humble the flesh by abstinence, as we set out upon the God-given course of the Holy Fast; and with prayers and tears let us seek our Lord and Saviour.  Laying aside all memories of evil, let us cry aloud:  We have sinned against Thee, Christ our King; save us as the men of Nineveh in the days of old, and in Thy compassion make us sharers in Thy Heavenly Kingdom!"

We sing this as the very first stichera of Great Lent at Forgiveness Vespers, and it points to an important reality:  We are about to enter into a God-Given and Holy Period in our lives.  The 40+ days of Great Lent are a treasure that, if utilized to its fullness, offers us riches that go far beyond the material world.  There is nothing more important in our lives than being in the services during this blessed time, beginning with Clean Week (March 17th to 23rd) where we will have the penitential canon of St. Andrew of Crete every evening.  Let us re-set our earthly priorities, putting the spiritual above all else during this first week of Lent and beyond!  Be present at the Throne of God dear ones!  

Should you have any questions about fasting, prayer rules, or any of the services, please do not hesitate to reach out to me!  May our Lord grant us the strength to undertake the path before us!  

Wishing you all a tremendous, Grace-filled, and spiritual Great Lenten Season!

Your Servant in Christ,

Fr. Gabriel

For our families:

A Young Family’s Guide to Holy Week & Pascha

An Elementary Children’s Workbook - “MY LENTEN JOURNEY” Pre-Lent through Pentecost

How to Fold a Palm Cross

All Night Vigil - For Young Adults & Families

Great & Holy Saturday Old Testament Readings - Official Sign up is in the Parish Office

Pascha Egg Hunt - For our Church School Children

Lenten Charity Projects

Project TBD

Church School Lenten Almsgiving

There will be two opportunities for our children to give this lenten season.

1. Breakfast Cereal Drive for the local food bank will take place on Sunday, March 10th as we celebrate the first day of the fast. We ask that each family bring in at least one cereal (large bags prefered) to donate.

2. Bethany School Pascha Cards- Our children are asked to take part in a sort of letter writing project to the students who attend the The Bethany School in Palestine. They will have an opportunity to color a Resurrection Icon and include a Paschal greeting that will be sent to the girls living at the school. Younger children are asked to simply color a Resurrection Icon while all of our children 1st grade and up are asked to color an icon and write a brief note. All supplies will be made available during church school in the month of March. See Terri Oginsky or your child’s teacher for more information.

More Lenten Happenings: