Confession schedule can be found in the bulletin OR by clicking here: Monthly Calendar. For those who are hesitant to worship in person, Fr. David is available to meet with you, either at home or in church, to participate in the Sacraments ofHoly Confession and Communion. Please email or call Fr. David to set up an appointment.
Coffee Hour Request: There is a need of volunteers for this service ministry. Please see Deborah Silowka to find out how you can help.
The Schemick-Tolls Scholarship is currently being run through Carol Deerson.. Please click here SCHEMICK_TOLLS for all the information.
A Memorial Day Panihida honoring all the departed veterans of the parish will be served at the cemetery on Monday, May 25th, beginning at 8:00AM.
A Retirement Celebration for Fr. David and Matushka Shari is scheduled for Sunday, May 17. The day will begin with a Hierarchical Liturgy at 9:00AM, led by His Eminence, Archbishop MICHAEL, followed by Coffee Hour. The festivites will continue with a banquet at the Forsgate Country Club in Monroe Township at 2PM. (Doors open at 1:15PM) It will be difficult to see Father retire after he has played such an important role in our parish and community for 28 years. Be a part of this commemoration, as we honor his dedicated service, show appreciation for all that he has done; and offer him well wishes.
A Reverent Disposal Event being be held at 7 acres has been POSTPONED until JUNE 6th, due to rain, starting at 11:00AM. This is an opportunity for you to have blessed items made of natural materials (wood, cloth, paper) that are broken, worn out or no longer in use burned with respect, rather than simply tossing them in the trash; such items include prayer books, icons, pussy willows, prayer cards and bulletin covers. A drop off receptacle for your unwanted blessed objects will be in the church hall starting Saturday, March 28, and continuing through June 5th. Burnable items will be placed in a blessed fire. Take advantage of this opportunity to give those items a dignified farewell.
Continuing the tradition started by Hank Dziemian 30 years ago, a Run/Walk for the Church will be held on Saturday June 13th, starting at 9:30AM. This year's 5K run/walk for adults/older kids and one-mile "fun run" for the youth being organized by Christen Fornadel and Christopher Segal. They're looking for participants to come and share this experience with them. Afterwards, everyone will get the opportunity to socialize in the hall with food, games and treats. As in the past, there will be water stands and 'route marshals' stationed at various points along the way. Ya just need to show up! Questions?? See Christen in the church hall after Liturgy or email her at cfornadel@gmail.com .
We continue to collect food to help keep the South River Food Bank stocked. Please leave your donations of non-perishable items on the table in the hall narthex.
FOOD CARD PROGRAM : Food cards are available for various supermarket chains after Divine Liturgy, and do not cost any more than the face value of the card. The church receives a percentage as a free fundraiser! See Judy Znaiden in church or at jznaiden@optonline.net.
MEETING DATES:
Church School: Classes meet Today after Liturgy
Choir Rehearsal: Tuesday, May 12th@7:00PM (Church)
The evening prayer service of the Orthodox Church, traditionally celebrated at sunset. Vespers includes psalms, hymns, scripture readings, and incense. On Saturday evenings, Great Vespers is often combined with the Sunday Divine Liturgy. The service marks the end of the liturgical day and prepares the faithful for rest and reflection.
Holy Confession
The sacrament of reconciliation through which the faithful confess their sins to a priest and receive absolution. Also called the sacrament of repentance or penance, confession restores the baptismal purity lost through sin and reconciles the penitent with God and the Church. The penitent stands before an icon of Christ while confessing to the priest, who acts as a witness and minister of God's forgiveness. The priest then covers the penitent's head with his epitrachelion (stole) and pronounces the prayer of absolution.
Divine Liturgy
The central worship service of the Orthodox Church, celebrating the Eucharist (Holy Communion). Usually celebrated on Sundays and feast days, the Divine Liturgy consists of the Liturgy of the Word (scripture readings) and Liturgy of the Faithful (Eucharistic prayer and communion). The most common forms are the Liturgies of St. John Chrysostom and St. Basil the Great.
Pascha
The "Feast of Feasts" celebrating Christ's Resurrection from the dead. The most important celebration in the Orthodox Church, Pascha determines the date of all moveable feasts. The service begins with the joyful midnight proclamation "Christ is Risen!" and continues with the Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom.
Ascension of Christ
The celebration of Christ's ascension into heaven forty days after His Resurrection, witnessed by the Apostles. This moveable feast always falls on a Thursday and marks Christ's return to the Father and His promise to send the Holy Spirit. The feast emphasizes both Christ's divine nature and His continued presence with the Church.
Sts. Constantine and Helen
The first Christian Emperor Constantine the Great and his mother, St. Helen, who found the True Cross. Celebrated on May 21st, this feast honors Constantine's legalization of Christianity and Helen's pilgrimage to the Holy Land. Their work established Christianity's place in the Byzantine Empire and preserved many holy sites.
