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.
Saint Gregory Parishioners & Friends:
Last weekend during Vasilopita Sunday, it was encouraging to pray for our parish family, to reflect on our ministries and programs and to give thanks for our many blessings, including the opportunity to “bless others with our bread,” as taught to us all by Saint Basil the Great. Many blessings to Matt Jumes who discovered a special gold Saint Basil coin in his bread slice—and many thanks to Diana Drugas for blessing us with her beautiful Vasilopita bread!
As we look to this Sunday, Jan. 17, the 12th Sunday of Luke, I hope you will once again join us, whether in person or from home. Please make sure to sign up if you’ll be with us in person. Youth Religious Education classes for middle and high school will meet in-person and via Zoom after Holy Communion; our younger grades will meet via Zoom only at 1 pm. Even during these unique times, our worship and learning continue at Saint Gregory.
As last Sunday, Holy Water bottles will be available to our parishioners at Saint Gregory. Likewise, I would be delighted to come bless your home or even do a virtual Zoom blessing at a convenient time for your family. Contact me directly and we’ll set something up!
Congratulations to our 2021 Parish Council members and officers—you’ll see their names and 2021 roles listen within your bulletin. Thanks to Council President Stephan Katinas, all our officers and dedicated members for their ongoing service for the glory of God.
News on our upcoming festal services for Saint Gregory the Great is forthcoming. While we won’t be able to enjoy receptions and the interactions of past years, the commemoration of our great patron will be vital, heartfelt and encouraging.
This week, I also ask you to consider a very special annual outreach effort of our parish—the “Souper” Bowl of Caring on Feb. 7! The effort is all about raising awareness of food insecurity and taking action on behalf of those who need our help. Please see the helpful giving links related to this event within your bulletin, which include donating to IOCC (via the IOCC link or GivePlus) and supporting "Our Daily Bread" (via food donations to Saint Gregory or the Amazon Wish List). Thank you in advance for your support.
Finally, I congratulate and thank our Philoptochos members for the excellent “One Warm Coat” drive, which was a great success (55 coats and many other clothing items as well!). In addition, the 2021 Philoptochos Membership Drive is on. Read on within about how you can connect with these dedicated women of our parish.
God be with you and yours,
Fr. Alex
EPISTLE READER: Isabella CaraDonna. 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: "At a Distance: COVID, Isolation & Friends in Need"
MEMORIALS: No memorials today.
ALTAR SERVERS: Matt Jumes & Spencer Riley. 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
ORTHROS & DIVINE LITURGY, Jan 17
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 classes continue this week following Holy Communion or later in the afternoon; parents, please see this week's emails from your child's teacher for details. If you plan to worship with us in person, make sure to pre-register early in the week
Please note that in accordinace with Gov. Baker's latest COVID-19 restrictions, Saint Gregory's maximum capacity limit is now 50 individuals. We thank you for your continued patience and understanding.
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
FOOD & FRIENDS, JAN 19
A big thank you goes out to all of the 2020 volunteers and also all of the generous donors that have kept this program going the last few years. We will begin next year on January 19th, with further details coming when we get closer to that date. Each meal we prepare and serve feeds about 50 people and the total cost per event is about $150. This is such a rewarding and much appreciated ministry for St. Gregory's! If you can make the time to take part you'll be happy you did! If you would like to sponsor one of our events, make a donation of food items and/or join us in preparing and serving, contact Cathy Cooper at 781-799-5134 or ccooper126@verizon.net.
PHILOPTOCHOS UPDATES & MTG., JAN 26
***Coat Drive. First, thank you to the parish for the wonderful response to the One Warm Coat Drive. Together we collected 55 coats plus some pajamas and assorted children's books to benefit Penelope Place/Health Imperatives in Brockton. This collection will go to good use during these difficult times.
***Membership Drive. Philoptochos has begun our 2021 membership drive. Please let us know if you are interested in joining our group. We meet monthly and members contribute their time and talents as they can.
***Next Meeting. Our next General Meeting is Tuesday, January 26th at 7. Zoom details will be circulated closer to the meeting date.
"SOUPER BOWL" OF CARING, FEB 7
The effort is all about raising awareness of food insecurity and taking action on behalf of those who need our help. Please see the helpful giving links related to this event within your bulletin, which include donating to IOCC (via the IOCC link or GivePlus) and supporting "Our Daily Bread" (via food donations to Saint Gregory or the Amazon Wish List). Thank you in advance for your support.
CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR 2021 PARISH COUNCIL & OFFICER TEAM
Officers:
Pres., Stephan Katinas
Vice P., Phil LaFond
Treas., Stephen Drugas
Asst. Treas., Rich Vinton
Sec., Karen Guinan
Asst. Sec., Tom Moustakis
Members:
Lou Douvris
Sandy Griffin
Brian Kaufman
Maria Sweten
NEW WEBSITE TEMPLATE
Our new website is up and running! If you visit this week, you may note that our parish calendar is updated and active, as well as a host of creative updates and new features. There is still a great deal of content to examine and update; this process will take months, so please be patient with us. Ideas or suggestions? Contact Fr. Alex or Webmaster John Tomarakos
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
Tenth Orthros Gospel
The Reading is from John 21:1-14
At that time, being raised from the dead, Jesus revealed himself to the disciples by the Sea of Tiberias; and he revealed himself in this way. Simon Peter, Thomas called the Twin, Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of his disciples were together. Simon Peter said to them, "I am going fishing." They said to him, "We will go with you." They went out and got into the boat; but that night they caught nothing. Just as day was breaking, Jesus stood on the beach; but the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to them, "Children, have you any fish?" They answered him, "No." He said to them, "Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some." So they cast it, and now they were not able to haul it in, for the quantity of fish. The disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, "It is the Lord!" When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his clothes, for he was stripped for work, and sprang into the sea. But the other disciples came in the boat, dragging the net full of fish, for they were not far from the land, but about a hundred yards off.
When they got out on land, they saw a charcoal fire there, with fish lying on it, and bread. Jesus said to them, "Bring some of the fish that you have just caught." So Simon Peter went aboard and hauled the net ashore, full of large fish, a hundred and fifty-three of them; and although there were so many, the net was not torn. Jesus said to them, "Come and have breakfast." Now none of the disciples dared ask him, "Who are you?" They knew it was the Lord. Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and so with the fish. This was now the third time that Jesus was revealed to the disciples after he was raised from the dead.
Anthony the Great
The Reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Hebrews 13:17-21
Brethren, obey your leaders and submit to them; for they are keeping watch over your souls, as men who will have to give account. Let them do this joyfully, and not sadly, for that would be of no advantage to you. Pray for us, for we are sure that we have a clear conscience, desiring to act honorably in all things. I urge you the more earnestly to do this in order that I may be restored to you the sooner. Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great Shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you may do His will, working in you that which is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
12th Sunday of Luke
The Reading is from Luke 17:12-19
At that time, as Jesus entered a village, he was met by ten lepers, who stood at a distance and lifted up their voices and said: "Jesus, Master, have mercy on us." When he saw them he said to them, "Go and show yourselves to the priests." And as they went they were cleansed. Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice; and he fell on his face at Jesus's feet, giving him thanks. Now he was a Samaritan. Then said Jesus: "Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine? Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?" And he said to him: "Rise and go your way; your faith has made you well."
Saint Anthony, the Father of monks, was born in Egypt in 251 of pious parents who departed this life while he was yet young. On hearing the words of the Gospel: "If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell what thou hast, and give to the poor" (Matt. 19:21), he immediately put it into action. Distributing to the poor all he had, and fleeing from all the turmoil of the world, he departed to the desert. The manifold temptations he endured continually for the span of twenty years are incredible. His ascetic struggles by day and by night, whereby he mortified the uprisings of the passions and attained to the height of dispassion, surpass the bounds of nature; and the report of his deeds of virtue drew such a multitude to follow him that the desert was transformed into a city, while he became, so to speak, the governor, lawgiver, and master-trainer of all the citizens of this newly-formed city.
The cities of the world also enjoyed the fruit of his virtue. When the Christians were being persecuted and put to death under Maximinus in 312, he hastened to their aid and consolation. When the Church was troubled by the Arians, he went with zeal to Alexandria in 335 and struggled against them in behalf of Orthodoxy. During this time, by the grace of his words, he also turned many unbelievers to Christ.
Saint Anthony began his ascetic life outside his village of Coma in Upper Egypt, studying the ways of the ascetics and holy men there, and perfecting himself in the virtues of each until he surpassed them all. Desiring to increase his labors, he departed into the desert, and finding an abandoned fortress in the mountain, he made his dwelling in it, training himself in extreme fasting, unceasing prayer, and fierce conflicts with the demons. Here he remained, as mentioned above, about twenty years. Saint Athanasius the Great, who knew him personally and wrote his life, says that he came forth from that fortress "initiated in the mysteries and filled with the Spirit of God." Afterwards, because of the press of the faithful, who deprived him of his solitude, he was enlightened by God to journey with certain Bedouins, until he came to a mountain in the desert near the Red Sea, where he passed the remaining part of his life.
Saint Athanasius says of him that "his countenance had a great and wonderful grace. This gift also he had from the Saviour. For if he were present in a great company of monks, and any one who did not know him previously wished to see him, immediately coming forward he passed by the rest, and hurried to Anthony, as though attracted by his appearance. Yet neither in height nor breadth was he conspicuous above others, but in the serenity of his manner and the purity of his soul." So Passing his life, and becoming an example of virtue and a rule for monastics, he reposed on January 17 in the year 356, having lived altogether some 105 years.