November 29
MBC Fall Camp Great Success
11/03/2020
Over the weekend of October 31st and November 1st, the Metropolis of Boston hosted its 3rd and 4th Fall Camp offering.
Saint Gregory the Theologian
Publish Date: 2020-11-29
Bulletin Contents
A Word from Father Alex
Sunday Notes
Ministries, Programs & Events
Gospel and Epistle Readings
Hymns of the Day
Saints and Feasts
Wisdom of the Fathers
Metropolis of Boston News
Archepiscopal Message
Ecumenical Patriarchate News
Saint Gregory the Theologian
General Information
- Phone:
- (508)337-9986
- Fax:
- (508)337-9987
- Street Address:
- 1007 West Street
- Mansfield, MA 02048
- Mailing Address:
- 1007 West Street
- Mansfield, MA 02048
Services Schedule
Sunday & Weekday Services
Orthros/Matins: 8:30 am
Divine Liturgy: 9:30 am
Youth Religious Education Ministry is currently offered Sundays in person and remotely. Please see weekly updates from our ministry leaders for updates on each class.
Past Bulletins
- Publish Date:
- 2020-12-06
- Publish Date:
- 2020-11-22
- Publish Date:
- 2020-11-15
- Publish Date:
- 2020-11-08
- Publish Date:
- 2020-11-01
- Publish Date:
- 2020-10-25
A Word from Father Alex
Beloved Parishioners & Friends:
As we gather around our tables for Thanksgiving this week, may we find it in our hearts to be truly grateful to our Lord for His many blessings … for life itself and one more day to have the opportunity to care, nurture, worship and, of course, love. In addition, we certainly have a great deal to be grateful for within our Saint Gregory parish family. May the Lord continue to bless and strengthen our ministry to His Gospel in the years to come.
As we look forward to this Sunday, November 29, the 13th Sunday of Saint Luke, don’t forget to register if you plan to attend in person—and if you plan to worship remotely, we know we will be together in spirit. Youth Religious Education will be in session this Sunday; please read on within your bulletin for details on in-person and remote opportunities.
As mentioned last week, the GOYA Giving Tree, which will touch the lives of Mansfield families who could use a little help this Christmas, is in full swing. The sign-up page link is within this bulletin and posted on our Facebook page. Please commit to this worthy project today, and do offer what you can during this holy time of year.
Please keep in mind, too, that Stewardship Sunday will be December 6 at Saint Gregory!The official invitation, supporting materials and 2021 Commitment Card have been mailed to all our Stewards. Please save the date and prepare for a wonderful in-person and virtual event.
Further, during this season of caring, thank you to the many parishioners who supported both the November Food & Friends effort and the Thanksgiving Dinner Drive for those served by the Middlesex Sheriff’s Association; I appreciate, in a special way, the moving, creative cards and pictures prepared for the Dinner Drive by our youth, as well as the GOYAns who helped prepare the dinner packages. All of these efforts yielded beautiful donations and much spiritual fruit, no doubt touching the lives of many of our beloved neighbors this very week.
Finally, I’ll leave you with a simple but heartfelt prayer to say around your Thanksgiving table on Thursday. You may have one you say every year, but perhaps this will be helpful to various members of our parish family. See it below and feel free to share it with family and friends.
A blessed and happy Thanksgiving to you!
Fr. Alex
A THANKSGIVING DAY PRAYER
O Lord,
How full is this world of Your creativity.
How astounding is creation in all its variety.
How breathtaking is new life, growth and transformation.
How complete and wonderful are Your provisions for all of us, Your beloved children—especially those who need You more than ever during these trying times.
This day, we celebrate Your great goodness with truly thankful hearts and joyful lives.
Amen.
Sunday Notes
EPISTLE READER: Our youth are especially encouraged to contact Fr. Alex to read on a coming Sunday, in person or remotely. Parents, please let Father know if your daughter or son might like to read.
HOMILY: Thanksgiving Encyclical from His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros
MEMORIALS: TBA
ALTAR SERVERS: Spencer Riley & Greg Douvris. Contact Fr. Alex if your son is interested in Altar service--we'd love to grow this ministry.
PRE-REGISTRATION: Thank you for your continued cooperation and patience with the pre-registration process. We will continue with this practice, for the well-being of our parish family, this month. Please register as space is limited.
Pre-register each week right here:
https://signup.com/group/52966497203
ACCESS SERVICES VIA FACEBOOK:
https://www.facebook.com/saintgregorythetheologian
ACCES SERVICES VIA YOU TUBE:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgvnXFV6xK1Nhm8ID84jFNg
Ministries, Programs & Events
ORTHROS, DIVINE LITURGY & SUNDAY SCHOOL, NOV 29
We look forward to worshipping with you at Saint Gregory, whether in person or remotely. Orthros, 8:30 am; Divine Liturgy, 9:30 am. Youth Religious Education--in person/remote/or both--begins after Holy Communion or later in the afternoon; please see weekly announcement from your child's teacher. If you plan to worship with us in person, make sure to pre-register early in the week:
Pre-register each week right here:
https://signup.com/group/52966497203
Access Services via Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/saintgregorythetheologian
Access Services via You Tube:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgvnXFV6xK1Nhm8ID84jFNg
SUPPORT THE GIVING TREE THIS WEEK!
The GOYA Giving Tree, which will touch the lives of Mansfield families who could use a little help this Christmas, is “on”! The sign-up page link is within this bulletin and posted on our Facebook page. Please commit to this worthy project today and offer what you can during this holy time of year. Contact Stacey Mullert to learn more or with any questions: Staceymullert13@gmail.com.
ORTHODOX LIFE "ELEVEN STORIES," DEC 2, 7 PM
We had a great first meeting--thanks to all who participated. The series focuses on the eleven Resurrectional Gospel readings of Orthros, which explore the glory of Christ's resurrection, as well as the faith, courage and steadfastness exemplified by figures like the Apostles and the Myrrh-bearers. In relation to the unique times we live in, we are giving special attention to the concept of ordinary people facing extraordinary circumstances--and how the presence of Christ in our lives makes all the different during moments of fear and anxiety. All are welcome to join us. A Zoom link for the Dec. 2 session, and brief pre-reading activity, will be forwarded to our parish family next week.
SPECIAL JOY ACTIVITY AVAILABLE: "A PURPOSEFUL THANKSGIVING ACTION"
With the COVID situation, it certainly has been a challenge to bring our Saint Gregory JOY Ministry together for activities and outings. We all miss getting together. To help us stay connected during this time, we offer this simple Thanksgiving-oriented activity especially for our parish's younger children and their families. We can all do this activity within our families and stay connected to one another through our concern for others. Please share your stories--and even photos of your family at work on this project--with Fr. Alex. The activity description and steps to follow are right on our parish Facebook page. View it here anytime:
https://www.facebook.com/saintgregorythetheologian/posts/4055750134439204
PARISH COUNCIL LEADERSHIP OPPORTUNITY
While the Archdiocesan Uniform Parish Regulations require Parish Council elections be held in person, due to Covid-19 safety concerns the Metropolis is allowing parishes to forgo 2021 Parish Council elections. As discussed during our recent General Assembly, we are requesting permission from His Eminence Metropolitan Methodios to forgo 2021 Parish Council elections. At this time, one active member of the Parish Council does not plan to serve in 2021. If you have any interest in serving on the Parish Council, please contact Fr. Alex, Cathy Cooper, or any member of the Parish Council.
SUNSHINE COMMITTEE MINISTRY: WHAT YOU CAN DO TO HELP
In coordination and support of the pastoral efforts of Fr. Alex, this ministry has been formed to communicate with parishioners who may be homebound, hospitalized, nursing facilities or otherwise unable to regularly make it to Saint Gregory. If you are aware of a parishioner who would welcome such communication and support, or if you would like to connect yourself, please contact the Church Office.
CHURCH OFFICE HOURS
Fr. Alex
Tue (9 am - 1 pm), Wed (11 am - 3 pm) & Thur (9 am - 1 pm); or by appointment anytime.
In person or via Zoom. With the COVID situation please contact Father ahead of time to help keep our campus safe.
Cathy Cooper
By appointment: stgregorytheologian@earthlink.net
Gospel and Epistle Readings
Matins Gospel Reading
Third Orthros Gospel
The Reading is from Mark 16:9-20
When Jesus rose early on the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, from whom he had cast seven demons. She went and told those who had been with him, as they mourned and wept. But when they heard that he was alive and had been seen by her, they would not believe it.
After this he appeared in another form to two of them, as they were walking into the country. And they went back and told the rest, but they did not believe them.
Afterward he appeared to the eleven themselves as they sat at table; and he upbraided them for their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they had not believed those who saw him after he had risen. And he said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to the whole creation. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up serpents, and if they drink any deadly thing, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover."
So then the Lord Jesus, after he had spoken to them, was taken up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God. And they went forth and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the message by the signs that attended it. Amen.
Epistle Reading
13th Sunday of Luke
The Reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Ephesians 4:1-7
Brethren, I, a prisoner for the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all lowliness and meekness, with patience, forbearing one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of us all, who is above all and through all and in all. But grace was given to each of us according to the measure of Christ's gift.
Gospel Reading
13th Sunday of Luke
The Reading is from Luke 18:18-27
At that time, a ruler came to Jesus and asked him, "Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?" And Jesus said to him, "Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone. You know the commandments: 'Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honor your father and mother.' " And he said, "All these I have observed from my youth." And when Jesus heard it, he said to him, "One thing you still lack. Sell all that you have and distribute it to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me." But when he heard this he became sad, for he was very rich. Jesus looking at him said, "How hard it is for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God! For it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God." Those who heard it said, "Then who can be saved?" But he said, "What is impossible with men is possible with God."
Hymns of the Day
Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Plagal Fourth Mode
O Merciful One, You came from on high, and condescended to Your three day burial to save us from suffering. You are our Life and our Resurrection. Glory to You.
Seasonal Kontakion in the Third Mode
On this day the Virgin cometh to the cave to give birth to * God the Word ineffably, * Who was before all the ages. * Dance for joy, O earth, on hearing * the gladsome tidings; * with the Angels and the shepherds now glorify Him * Who is willing to be gazed on * as a young Child Who * before the ages is God.
Saints and Feasts
November 29
13th Sunday of Luke
November 29
Paramonus, Philumenus, and their 370 Companion Martyrs in Bithynia
Saint Paramonus contested for piety's sake during the reign of Decius, in the year 250. A ruler named Aquilinus, seeking relief from a bodily malady, visited a certain therapeutic hot spring. He brought with him captive Christians from Nicomedia, and commanded them to offer sacrifice in the temple of Isis. When they refused, he had them all slaughtered, to the number of 370. Saint Paramonus, beholding their murder, boldly cried out against such an act of ungodliness. When Aquilinus heard this, he sent men to take the Saint. Some smote him with spears, others pierced his tongue and body with sharp reeds, until he died.
Saint Philumenus' contest in martyrdom took place during the reign of Aurelian, in the year 270. Coming from Lycaonia, he was conveying a load of wheat into Galatia when he was denounced as a Christian to Felix, Governor of Ancyra. Nails were driven into his hands, feet, and head, and he was commanded to run. While running in the road, he fell and gave up his holy soul into the hands of God.
Wisdom of the Fathers
Love of money is the worship of idols, a daughter of unbelief, an excuse for infirmities, a foreboder of old age, a harbinger of drought, a herald of hunger.
The Ladder of Divine Ascent, Step 16:2,7 and Step 17:1, 6th Century
He who has conquered this passion has cut out care; but he who is bound by it never attains to pure prayer.
The Ladder of Divine Ascent, Step 16:2,7 and Step 17:1, 6th Century