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Holy Ghost Church represented at “Fourth Small Parish Forum”

23 Jul

Dear Friends,

Our own parishioner, Marcia Maslo Pierce, was among the 70 participants who attended the “Fourth Small Parish Forum,” sponsored by the Orthodox Church in America (OCA), July 13–15, 2017, and held at St. John the Baptist Church, New Kensington, PA. The forum was designed to help Orthodox Christian communities explore possibilities for both internal spiritual growth and external evangelism—including outreach to non-churched neighbors and engagement with local non-profits.

Marcia returned from the forum filled with enthusiasm and loaded with notes. She’s already “downloaded” the ideas she gleaned at the forum to our Church Council President, Mark Curran, our Outreach Committee Chair, Dave Lepesko, and me. And, she’ll be sharing those ideas with our Parish Council at their next meeting in September.

I can’t wait for her to tell everyone about  her newfound knowledge on “Potential Parish Improvement Initiatives,” with topics ranging from “Parish Vision/Identity” to “Worship” to “Formation/Prayer” to “Active Service.” I was inspired by her initial report to me, and I know she’s going to inspire others as well.

Let me give you just 2 of the best quotes that she brought home with her from the forum:

  1. “Leadership is not a position, it’s an action.”
  2. “Bigger is not better, better is better!”

Amen to that!

You may read the entire article about the forum, published on the OCA’s website: “Fourth Small Parish Forum attracts record number of participants.”

In Him, your Pastor, Father Steven

P.S. That’s Marcia in the photo, first row, far right!

 

Church School Champions!

12 Jun

 

Church School Group_2017

As summer approaches, we’re all inundated with invitations to graduations and end-of-year award ceremonies for children, grandchildren, neighbors, and friends.

One special end-of-year ceremony we have here at Holy Ghost features our Church School teachers and students. This past Sunday I had the pleasure of congratulating them on completing another year of study (and fun!), and passing out certificates to all the students in recognition of their growth in faith and knowledge.Church School_certiicates_ 2017

I have mementos of some of the projects they did throughout the year—including a cut-out heart on my fridge with the slogan: “God will be your Guide” and a Lily-of-the Valley plant in my yard. And I have memories that will always be with me—like when I had the pleasure of being the the target of their “Ask Father” class, at which time they peppered me with questions worthy of budding theologians ( from “How come women can’t go into the sanctuary?” to  “How come we say ‘A-men’ but not ‘A-women’?”).

Church School Cake 2017No wonder God loves children and youth! They possess earnest intent, serious thought, and delightful curiosity. When I think of them, I think of the Beatitudes: “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.” “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they shall be filled.”

It’s been an important year for our Church School students, their teachers (Thanks, Debbie and Carole, for another stellar year), and for our parish community, since these kids hold the future of our parish in their hearts and minds.

So, of all the ceremonies we might attend this summer, this one, as humble as it is, at least for me, “takes the cake.”

Your Pastor, Fr. Steven

 

Archbishop Nikon elevates Mark Curran as Subdeacon

13 May

Arch Nikon Greeting2_May 2017On May 7, 2017, the “Sunday of the Paralytic,” our parish was blessed with the visitation of His Eminence Nikon, archbishop of Boston and the Diocese of New England.

We gathered to greet and welcome him in the traditional manner—children offered him bouquets of flowers; our parish President, Mark Curran, offered him bread and salt; and I, as your pastor, greeted him with the hand Cross and expressed the parish’s appreciation for coming to lead our worship at the Divine Liturgy.

Before the Liturgy began, His Eminence tonsured Mark Curran as a Reader of Holy Ghost Church and then elevated him to the rank of Subdeacon. Mark had been my altar server for more than three years and had proven to be a trustworthy and very competent help. It had become evident to me that his faithful service needed to be recognized and developed. So, Mark is now Subdeacon Mark!Mark Curran_Subdeacon_2017

But, perhaps you’re asking: What does a Subdeacon do? Well, let me inform you!

In a parish setting, a Subdeacon’s responsibilities include: serving in the altar (generally as the head server), coordinating and leading the serving team, and training new altar servers. (It was great to see so many of Mark’s childhood buddies serving in the altar with him on Sunday’s special occasion, by the way, to especially encourage and honor him.)

Additionally, a Subdeacon cares for the altar area: cleaning the altar space, looking after the vestments of clergy, and looking after the cloths of the Holy Table—cleaning, mending, and changing them according to feasts, fasts, and seasons. And, he performs any other altar duties that the priest may assign him.

And, when the bishop (or archbishop or metropolitan) comes, the Subdeacon assists the him when he is presiding by: vesting him, holding his service book, carrying his shepherd’s staff, presenting him with the dikiri and trikiri, placing the eagle rugs on the floor, and performing whatever other duties the bishop may assign, for example, the duties of a Reader, if required.

We are grateful to His Eminence for his visitation. And we keep newly ordained Subdeacon Mark in our prayers for a fruitful ministry!

Your pastor, Father Steven

 

 

Christ is risen! Risen indeed!

19 Apr

Dear Friends,

HGROC_Holy Friday_photo_3_2017

Holy Ghost Church decorated for the Paschal Season [photo: Stephanie Tabak Smith]

Christ is risen!

From Holy Week to Bright Monday, our parish community celebrated the liturgical services with joy. And I want to thank everyone who did his or her part to make the church building and the services beautiful—from altar servers, to choir members, to those who cleaned and polished all the appointments inside the church.

Most of all I want to thank all of you who offered up your prayers during this holiest of seasons. It was wonderful to be together, learning Scripture and meditating on our Lord’s Passion.

Indeed He is risen!

Your Pastor,  Fr. Steven

P.S. Listen again to our Choir sing the beautiful hymn from Paschal Matins, entitled, “In the Flesh, Thou Didst Fall Asleep”: 

Holy Week Service Schedule 2017

1 Apr

       Holy Weeek

 Monday, April 10 HOLY MONDAY

Pre-sanctified Liturgy of HOLY MONDAY                                                                          7:00 am

Bridegroom Matins of HOLY TUESDAY                                                                              6:00 pm

Tuesday, April 11 HOLY TUESDAY

Bridegroom Matins of HOLY WEDNESDAY                                                                       6:00 pm

Wednesday, April 12 HOLY WEDNESDAY

Pre-sanctified Liturgy of HOLY WEDNESDAY                                                                  9:00 am

Bridegroom Matins of HOLY THURSDAY (Washing of Feet)                                         6:00 pm

Thursday, April 13 HOLY THURSDAY

Vesperal Liturgy of HOLY FRIDAY  (Commemoration of the Last Supper)                9:00 am

Matins of HOLY FRIDAY (Reading of the 12 Gospels)                                                     7:00 pm

Friday, April 14 HOLY FRIDAY

Vespers of the Burial of Christ HOLY FRIDAY                                                                 2:00 pm

Matins of HOLY SATURDAY  (Procession)                                                                         7:00 pm

Saturday, April 15  GREAT AND HOLY SATURDAY

Vesperal Liturgy  GREAT AND HOLY SATURDAY  (Blessing of Baskets)                   10:00 am

Nocturnes, Resurrection Matins, Paschal Liturgy (Blessing of Baskets)                  11:30 pm

Sunday, April 16 HOLY PASCHA

Paschal Vespers                                                                                                                               noon

Lessons on the Sundays of Great Lent

13 Mar

The following is from Volume II of The Orthodox Faith Series, by Protopresbyter Thomas Hopko (+), entitled Worship: The Church Year. The entire series is available online on the website of the Orthodox Church in America, the jurisdiction under which our parish falls.  

As we journey through Great Lent and make our way to Pascha, may we soak in the wisdom from each of these Sundays and apply these lessons to our own lives.

And after Pascha, be sure to access and take advantage of the other volumes in Fr. Thomas’s series!—Your Pastor, Fr. Steven

The Church Year

Sundays of Lent

orthodoxy

Each of the Sundays of Great Lent has its own special theme. The first Sunday is called the Feast of the Triumph of Orthodoxy. It is a historical feast commemorating the return of the icons to the churches in the year 843 after the heresy of iconoclasm was overcome. The spiritual theme of the day is first of all the victory of the True Faith. “This is the victory that overcomes the world, our faith” (1 Jn 5.4). Secondly, the icons of the saints bear witness that man, “created in the image and likeness of God” (Gen 1.26), becomes holy and godlike through the purification of himself as God’s living image.

palamas

The Second Sunday of Lent is the commemoration of Saint Gregory Palamas. It was Saint Gregory (d.1359) who bore living witness that men can become divine through the grace of God in the Holy Spirit; and that even in this life, by prayer and fasting, human beings can become participants of the uncreated light of God’s divine glory.

cross

The Third Sunday of Lent is that of the Veneration of the Cross. The cross stands in the midst of the church in the middle of the lenten season not merely to remind men of Christ’s redemption and to keep before them the goal of their efforts, but also to be venerated as that reality by which man must live to be saved. “He who does not take up his cross and follow me is not worthy of me” (Mt 10.38). For in the Cross of Christ Crucified lies both “the power of God and the wisdom of God” for those being saved (1 Cor 1.24).

climacus

The Fourth Sunday of Lent is dedicated to Saint John of the Ladder (Climacus), the author of the work, The Ladder of Divine Ascent. The abbot of Saint Catherine’s Monastery on Mount Sinai (6th century) stands as a witness to the violent effort needed for entrance into God’s Kingdom (Mt 10: 12). The spiritual struggle of the Christian life is a real one, “not against flesh and blood, but against . . . the rulers of the present darkness . . . the hosts of wickedness in heavenly places . . .” (Eph 6.12). St John encourages the faithful in their efforts for, according to the Lord, only “he who endures to the end will be saved” (Mt 24.13).

mary

The Fifth Sunday recalls the memory of Saint Mary of Egypt, the repentant harlot. Mary tells us, first of all, that no amount of sin and wickedness can keep a person from God if he truly repents. Christ himself has come “to call sinners to repentance” and to save them from their sins (Lk 5.32). In addition, Saint Mary tells us that it is never too late in life—or in Lent—to repent. Christ will gladly receive all who come to him even at the eleventh hour of their lives. But their coming must be in serious and sincere repentance.

 

The week following the Sunday of Saint Mary of Egypt is called Palm or Branch Week. At the Tuesday services of this week the Church recalls that Jesus’ friend Lazarus has died and that the Lord is going to raise him from the dead (Jn 11). As the days continue toward Saturday, the Church, in its hymns and verses, continues to follow Christ towards Bethany to the tomb of Lazarus. On Friday evening, the eve of the celebration of the Resurrection of Lazarus, the “great and saving forty days” of Great Lent are formally brought to an end:

Having accomplished the forty days for the benefit of our souls, we pray to Thee, O Lover of Man, that we may see the holy week of Thy passion, that in it we may glorify Thy greatness and Thine unspeakable plan of salvation for our sake . . . (Vespers Hymn).

Lazarus

Lazarus Saturday is a paschal celebration. It is the only time in the entire Church Year that the resurrectional service of Sunday is celebrated on another day. At the liturgy of Lazarus Saturday, the Church glorifies Christ as “the Resurrection and the Life” who, by raising Lazarus, has confirmed the universal resurrection of mankind even before His own suffering and death.

By raising Lazarus from the dead before Thy passion, Thou didst confirm the universal resurrection, O Christ God! Like the children with the branches of victory, we cry out to Thee, O Vanquisher of Death: Hosanna in the highest! Blessed is he that comes in the name of the Lord! (Troparion).

Christ —the Joy, the Truth and the Light of All, the Life of the world and its Resurrection—has appeared in his goodness to those on earth. He has become the Image of our Resurrection, granting divine forgiveness to all (Kontakion).

At the Divine Liturgy of Lazarus Saturday the baptismal verse from Galatians: As many as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ (Gal 3.27) replaces the Thrice-holy Hymn thus indicating the resurrectional character of the celebration, and the fact that Lazarus Saturday was once among the few great baptismal days in the Orthodox Church Year.

Because of the resurrection of Lazarus from the dead, Christ was hailed by the masses as the long-expected Messiah-King of Israel. Thus, in fulfillment of the prophecies of the Old Testament, He entered Jerusalem, the City of the King, riding on the colt of an ass (Zech 9.9; Jn 12.12). The crowds greeted Him with branches in their hands and called out to Him with shouts of praise: Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord! The Son of David! The King of Israel! Because of this glorification by the people, the priests and scribes were finally driven “to destroy Him, to put Him to death” (Lk 19.47; Jn 11.53, 12.10).

Palm Sunday

The feast of Christ’s triumphal Entry into Jerusalem, Palm Sunday, is one of the twelve major feasts of the Church. The services of this Sunday follow directly from those of Lazarus Saturday. The church building continues to be vested in resurrectional splendor, filled with hymns which continually repeat the Hosanna offered to Christ as the Messiah-King who comes in the name of God the Father for the salvation of the world.

The main troparion of Palm Sunday is the same one sung on Lazarus Saturday. It is sung at all of the services, and is used at the Divine Liturgy as the third antiphon which follows the other special psalm verses which are sung as the liturgical antiphons in the place of those normally used. The second troparion of the feast, as well as the kontakion and the other verses and hymns, all continue to glorify Christ’s triumphal manifestation “six days before the Passover” when he will give himself at the Supper and on the Cross for the life of the world.

Today the grace of the Holy Spirit has gathered us together. Let us all take up Thy cross and say: Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest! (First Verse of Vespers).

When we were buried with Thee in baptism, O Christ God, we were made worthy of eternal life by Thy resurrection. Now we praise Thee and sing: Hosanna in the highest! Blessed is he that comes in the name of the Lord! (Second Troparion).

Sitting on Thy throne in heaven, and carried on a foal on earth, O Christ God, accept the praise of angels and the songs of children who sing: BIessed is he who comes to recall Adam! (Kontakion).

At the vigil of the feast of Palm Sunday the prophecies of the Old Testament about the Messiah-King are read together with the Gospel accounts of the entry of Christ into Jerusalem. At Matins branches are blessed which the people carry throughout the celebration as the sign of their own glorification of Jesus as Saviour and King. These branches are usually palms, or, in the Slavic churches, pussy willows which came to be customary because of their availability and their early blossoming in the springtime.

As the people carry their branches and sing their songs to the Lord on Palm Sunday, they are judged together with the Jerusalem crowd. For it was the very same voices which cried Hosanna to Christ, which, a few days later, cried Crucify Him! Thus in the liturgy of the Church the lives of men continue to be judged as they hail Christ with the “branches of victory” and enter together with Him into the days of His “voluntary passion.”

Schedule of Services: 1st Week of Great Lent

25 Feb

candle_lentThis is the acceptable time. This is the time for repentance. Let us offer our virtues to God as gifts, and set aside the works of darkness, by putting on the armor of light as the apostle Paul proclaims. As the Lord killed the enemy by fasting, so let us also come to destroy his arrows and spears, saying: get behind me, Satan! when he comes to tempt us.

—Matins of Tuesday, 1st Week of Great Lent

 

 

 

Sunday, February 26   10:45 am

Forgiveness Vespers following  Divine Liturgy, with the Rite of Forgiveness

 

Monday, February 27   6:00 pm             

Canon of St Andrew of Crete

 

Tuesday, February 28   6:00 pm              

Canon of St Andrew of Crete

 

Wednesday, March 1             

Confessions   4:30 – 5:30 pm  *  9th Hour   5:40 pm  *  Liturgy of the Pre-Sanctified Gifts    6:00 pm

 

Thursday, March 2   6:00pm                     

Canon of St Andrew of Crete           

 

Friday, March 3                    

Confessions   8:15 am – 8:40 am  *  9th Hour   8:40 am  *  Liturgy of the Pre-sanctified  Gifts   9:00 am

 

Saturday, March 4                    

Confessions   3:00 pm * Great Vespers   4:00 pm  *  Confessions following Vespers   4:45 pm

 

Sunday, March 5                    

Divine Liturgy   9:00 am * Sunday of Orthodoxy Vespers, at our parish   4:00 pm, with Archpriest Chad Hatfield, president of St. Vladimir’s Seminary as Guest Homilist

                                  

 

Great Lent is about coming home…

15 Feb

prodigal-son_iconOftentimes we think  that the season of Great Lent is about “giving up” something we love (or, rather, are addicted to!): food, drink, entertainment—you name it.

But as we now approach Great Lent, we begin hearing in the church services hymns that invite us to “come home” to our heavenly Father.

Great Lent is not about “giving up” things!

It’s about giving ourselves over into the hands of our heavenly Father and spending more time with Him: in conversation (prayer), in getting to know Him (reading Scripture and listening to the words of the church services), and in close communion (receiving the Eucharist more often).

So, during this coming Great Lent, don’t give up things. Rather, give yourself—your time, your will, your body, your mind, and heart —over to your Father.

Come, let our heavenly Father embrace you! Here are two things to help you give yourself over to Him:

Soak in this wonderful hymn, titled, “The Father’s Embrace”:

Listen to or read my sermon about the Prodigal Son being welcomed back by his father:

 

“The Father’s Embrace”_Sunday of the Prodigal Son_February 12, 2017

Wishing you a  joyous “homecoming,” your pastor, Fr. Steven

Welcome! Community Dinner, Sunday, February 19, 2017

5 Feb

As we anticipate our Community Dinner on Sunday, February 19, 2017, following Divine Liturgy, the words of our Lord Jesus keep coming to my mind:

 I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you. This is my command: Love each other.” (John 15:15–17).

An essential part of being in community is being friends to one another—loving one another. And part of loving one another is gathering together just to enjoy each other’s company. That’s why I warmly welcome everyone to our Community Dinner!

Be sure to reserve your tickets by Sunday, February 12th, so our cooking crew knows how many to prepare for! Just contact Bobby Denhup or Mark Curran to purchase tickets (Click here to view our current Bulletin under the “Media” tab on our website.)

sunday-meal

Sanctity of Life Sunday, January 22, 2107

22 Jan

sanctityoflife-visitationDear Friends in Christ,

On January 13, 1984, President Ronald Reagan issued a proclamation designating January 22 as the first National Sanctity of Human Life Day. (January 22, 1973, was the day the U.S. Supreme Court legalized abortion-on-demand in all 50 states.)

Churches around the United States still use the day to celebrate God’s gift of life, commemorate the many lives lost to abortion, and commit themselves to protecting human life at every stage. Churches continue to recognize the third Sunday in January as “Sanctity of Human Life Sunday.”

My sermon for “Sanctity of Human Life Sunday 2017” focuses on how to approach the painful reality of women making the decision to obtain an abortion; we who call ourselves Christians need to approach such women—and all people, for that matter—with an attitude of pastoral concern and in the spirit of Christ’s love. We need to understand the complexity of their decision, and especially the fears that reportedly drive it. (Read or listen to my sermon here: “Pastoral Care & Sanctity of Life”_January 22, 2017).

I also want to draw your attention to the Archpastoral Message for “Sanctity of Life Sunday 2017” by His Beatitude Metropolitan Tikhon, primate of the Orthodox Church in America. (Read his message here: “Sanctity of Life 2017″_Metropolitan Tikhon.)

May this day be one of healing and hope. And, may we pray continually for our eyes and hearts to be open to the wonder of Life, granted to us by the Almighty God.

Your Pastor, Fr. Steven J. Belonick

 

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