NATIVITY OF THE HOLY VIRGIN RUSSIAN

ORTHODOX CHURCH
JACKSON, NEW JERSEY

FEBRUARY 2017 NEWSLETTER

NEWSLETTER SPONSOR:
MRS. DOROTHY SKRIPAK

GLORY BE TO JESUS CHRIST!

GLORY BE FOREVER!
FEBRUARY FEAST DAYS:
Sunday: February 12th: Three Holy Hierarchs: Divine Liturgy
at 10 AM.
Wednesday: February 15th: Meeting of the Lord: Divine
Liturgy at 10 AM.
Saturday: February 18th: Soul Saturday: Divine Liturgy at 10
AM.
Sunday: February 26th: Forgiveness Sunday: Divine Liturgy at
10 AM.
Monday: Great Fast Begins.
ANNUAL PARISH MEETING: The Annual Parish Meeting of
Saint Marys Russian Orthodox Church will be held in the
Parish Home after the Divine Liturgy on Sunday, February

26th. In case of inclement weather the meeting will be held on

the following Sunday, March 5th. All members of the parish are
invited to attend this meeting. Please make sure your dues are
paid before the meeting date.
AUDITING COMMITTEE: The Auditing Committee of Saint
Marys Parish will reconcile the books on Sunday, February
19th after the Divine Liturgy! Members of the Auditing
committee are encouraged to be present for this meeting.
GREAT FAST BEGINS: The Holy Season of Great Lent begins
in earnest on Monday, February 27th. Please be reminded that
during this Holy Season of Great Lent we are encouraged to go
to private confession with Father John, practice almsgiving,
and do works of Christian charity. This is a time to spend more
time in church and attend the many services that are scheduled
during this time period.
FRIENDLY REMINDER: Annual Dues for 2017 will now be
$175.00. If you would like to pay your dues for 2017, please see
Matushka Ludmila at the candle desk to do so! Your help in
this matter is greatly appreciated. For those who would like to
become members of our Parish please see Matushka Ludmila
at the candle desk or call Father John at home.

CHURCH SCHOOL: Church School Classes are held every

Sunday beginning at 9:15 AM. Please plan on attending these
classes and learn about Orthodoxy 100. This year we will be
studying the Gospels and the message the Apostles delivered in
the Gospel lessons. During the season of Great Lent our class
will focus on the events leading up to Pascha. We will use the

bible to reflect on the importance of each significant journey to

Pascha.
GENERAL CONFESSION: Please note that the service of
General Confession will be held on Sunday, February 5th. This
service will begin at 9:30 AM and will be the last one until after
Pascha. Private Confessions are held at 9AM on Sunday before
the Divine Liturgy, Holy Days, and before The Presanctified
Gifts Liturgies during the Holy Season of Great Lent.
PARISH COUNCIL UPDATE: It is important to inform you
the faithful about the happenings around our church. So in
every newsletter we are going to begin a new section called
Parish Council Update.
ANNUAL PARISH MEETING: SUNDAY FEBRUARY 26th
after the Divine Liturgy.
Our wall renovation will begin the first week in March
depending on the weather. Please excuse our appearance in the
front of the church as we will be experiencing some major
construction. We are hoping that this construction will be
completed before Pascha!
PHOTOS NEEDED: Protodeacon John Suchernick is looking
for photos of parish events or photos from the beginning of our
Parish since 1940. He would like to compile some photographic
history for our church website. If anyone has photos from 1940
to the present please see Protodeacon John Suchernick and he
will inform you about his plans for those photos.
NEW GOLD VESTMENTS: The clergy of our Parish are in
need of new Gold Vestments. The Gold Vestments that we are

wearing now are fraying and are tattered and worn out. If any
parishioners are interested in sponsoring the new gold
vestments please see Matushka Ludmila at the candle desk to
help defray the cost of these vestments.
PASCHA: This year 2017 the Paschal cycle coincides with
Western Easter as both Western and Orthodox Christians will
celebrate Pascha on Sunday, April 16th. Ascension Thursday
will be held on May 25th, Pentecost Sunday, on June 4th.
FASTING SEASON:
. Great Lent and Holy Week: February 27th April 15th. Try to
abstain from meat, dairy products, fish and oil during these
days.
. Fast Days: All Wednesdays and Fridays during the year
except for Fast-Free weeks.
. Please try to adhere to these fasting days.
MEMORIAL SATURDAYS for 2017:
. Saturday in the week of Meat Fare: February 18th.
. 2nd, 3rd and 4th Saturday of Great Lent: March 11th, 18th
and 25th.
. Saturday Before Pentecost: June 3rd.
. St. Demetrius Saturday: October 28th.
Soul Saturdays are for us the faithful to remember all of the
departed members of our families and those who have gone to
their Eternal Reward. During the Liturgy and the Panikhida
served after the Divine Liturgy the names of the departed are

remembered and read. If you would like to add names of your

family members or friends who have passed to our church list
please see Matushka Ludmila at the candle desk so that Father
John can add them to our church list. This is also a good time
to attend the Divine Liturgy on those days as well.
FOOD FOR THOUGHT: The entire journey of Great Lent is
filled with imagery that reminds us of our separation not only
from God, but from one another and from the rest of creation.
And our Paschal celebrations introduce us to a reality wherein
the universe regains its wholeness, and we are restored to
communion with the life of the Holy Trinity.
His Beatitude, Metropolitan Tikhon
CHOIR MEMBERS NEEDED: WE are in dire need of new
choir members or old members who have decided not to sing
anymore. This is one way in which you can add to the beauty of
the services by going up the steps of the choir and adding your
voice to the choir. Please see Tatiana and make an effort during
the Lenten season to join the choir.
EPISTLE READERS: If you would like to read the Epistle on
Sunday or any of the services please see Protodeacon John
Suchernick so we can set up a time after the Sunday Liturgy to
work with you. We as a Parish would like to get you involved in
the liturgical services and this is another way that you can help
your church.