May 16
Saint Gregory the Theologian
Publish Date: 2021-05-16
Bulletin Contents
A Word from Father Alex
Sunday Notes
Ministries, Programs & Events
Coming Events
Gospel and Epistle Readings
Saints and Feasts
Wisdom of the Fathers
Archepiscopal Message
Ecumenical Patriarchate News
Metropolis of Boston 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:
- 2021-05-23
- Publish Date:
- 2021-05-09
- Publish Date:
- 2021-04-25
- Publish Date:
- 2021-04-18
- Publish Date:
- 2021-04-11
- Publish Date:
- 2021-04-04
A Word from Father Alex
Christos Anesti! Christ is Risen!
As we continue to bask in the Light of the Resurrection, we are also beginning to bask in some beautiful spring weather—this might remind us of the fresh start, the promise and the hope that the sacrifice, death and Resurrection of our Lord represent. Let us live within His 8th Day: a day that has no end and no darkness … life in Christ.
As we contemplate these joyful realities, I hope you can join us for services this Sunday, May 16, the Sunday of the Myrrh-bearing Women. Each year on this day, we celebrate and remember the courageous, faithful Myrrh-bearing women who were the great early witnesses to the Resurrection. What a model their lives offer us all! As our Oratorical Festival speakers reminded us, we all can witness to what the Lord has done for us.
Following Holy Communion, Youth Religious Education classes will continue, in person and via Zoom. And looking further ahead for our students, two special end-of-year events are coming our way. On Sunday, May 23, we will celebrate our high school seniors with an in-person presentation following Divine Liturgy; and June 6 will be the last day of classes for all of our children: time for reflection on the school year, recognition and—of course!—ice cream are on the docket!
Please read on within this bulletin for updates on a host of other coming events, from the Food & Friends event on May 18, to the Philoptochos General Meeting on May 25, to our Zoom General Assembly on June 6—and the possible “Family Day” at the Saint Methodios Faith and Heritage Center on Father’s Day weekend (June 19 & 20). We are currently gauging interest; please see the announcement within this bulletin, and let us know if you interested at your earliest convenience.
Finally, I have a special request for our parish family in regard to our 2021 Stewardship Ministry Campaign. Thank you to all those who have already committed to our parish and made efforts on all the three levels we so often invoke—time, talent and treasure. However, our finances are very tight at this time, especially due to necessarily limited attendance and activity during Holy Week. With this in mind, if you haven’t committed to Saint Gregory yet and/or have not been able to express your commitment financially, this would be a highly opportune time for our parish and ministries. Many thanks in advance; your Stewardship Committee, Parish Council and I appreciate your loving efforts, so very much.
Again, Christ is Risen! Looking forward to worshipping with you Sunday, in person or from afar,
Fr. Alex
Sunday Notes
EPISTLE READER: T.J. Dimitriou. 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.
ALTAR SERVERS: Chris Botchis & Mario Salzillo. Contact Fr. Alex if your son is interested in Altar service--we'd love to grow this ministry.
SERMON: Offered by Fr. Manny Chris.
MEMORIALS: Haralambos Dimitriou (40 days); Theodoros Dimitriou (6 months); Panayotis (Peter) Zaifides (7 months); and Kristalia Zaifides (3 years). May their memory be eternal!
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 OF THE MYRRHBEARERS, MAY 16
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 (in person and via Zoom); 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 up to 50%. 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 MINISTRY, MAY 18
Our next meal preparation is the 18th, beginning at 12 pm at Saint Gregory. Interested in helping with this important philanthropic ministry? All are welcome to join us. Contact Cathy Cooper: ccooper126@verizon.net.
YOUTH RELIGIOUS EDUCATION END-OF-YEAR EVENTS, MAY 23 & JUNE 6
On Sunday, May 23, we will celebrate our high school seniors with an in-person presentation following Divine Liturgy; and June 6 will be the last day of classes for all of our children: time for reflection on the school year, recognition and—of course!—ice cream are on the docket! We look forward to recognizing all of our students and celebrating another year of learning and spiritual growth for our youth.
PHILOPTOCHOS GENERAL MTG., MAY 25
Join us via Zoom for planning and fellowship, beginning at 7 pm. See the parish Weekly Bulletin email for login details. Christ is Risen to all our members and our Saint Gregory family!
PARISH GENERAL ASSEMBLY, JUNE 6
Please save the date for this important meeting of our parish family. We'll gather via Zoom in the evening--time TBA.
POSSIBLE PARISH "FAMILY DAY" AT THE CAMP, JUNE 19 & 20
We are currently gauging interesting in having a relaxed family day at the Saint Methodios Faith and Heritage Center. Please see the Weekly Bulletin email for details, and let us know if you are interested in rejoining this beloved parish event.
SAINT GREGORY GOLF TOURNAMENT, JUNE 25
Join us for this annual fundraiser for Saint Gregory at Wentworth Hills, Plainville, MA. Event fees include a grab and go breakfast, steak-tip lunch, golf cart and more. Corporate sponsorship opportunities are also available. Our flyer, with complete details and contact information has been emailed to our parish and posted on social medial. Please spread the word and support our beloved parish!
MEMORIAL GARDEN EFFORT
If you would like to add a memorial brick to our outdoor walkway this spring/summer, please fill out the form attached to our Weekly Bulletin email and return it to the office with your payment. With the funds we raise, we would like to refurbish and install the iron fencing from our previous iconostation to frame the walkway, as well as add some outdoor icons and landscape features to update this wonderful area. Contact Cathy Cooper: ccooper126@verizon.net.
SAINT GREGORY PARISH BOOKSTORE
Parishioners are invited to visit our bookstore by appointment or otherwise receive assistance by contacting the Church Office. Cathy or Fr. Alex would be happy to help you find that encouraging book or meaningful gift for a loved one during these unique times.
WHAT'S NEW ON OUR WEBSITE?
Within our Youth Ministry pages, you'll now see two new resources under "Youth and Family Resources": "Saintly Lives" and "For Your Home." Both can be a resources for parents as they strive to bring the life of the Church into their homes. New entries for May will soon be available.
STEWARDSHIP IN 2021
We are all grateful for the moving, inspiring testimonials of both Chris Botches and Kathy Kalogeras (videos soon to be available to our parishioners), as well as the leadership of Stewardship Chair Phil LaFond on Stewardship Sunday in December. Many thanks to all of our Saint Gregory parishioners who have already committed for 2021--we're off to a great start! 2021 Commitment Cards have been mailed to all our Stewards and are available via the Church Office. You can also fill out yours, and give online, via our website Stewardship Page: www.saintgregorythetheologian.org/stewardship/. GivePlus is another great option for giving--see the GivePlus app within our weekly parish email.
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.
General Office Hours/Cathy Cooper
By appointment: stgregorytheologian@earthlink.net
Coming Events
Saint Gregory 2021 Golf Tournament
Join us on June 25 for this important fundraiser for our parish ministries and programs.
Gospel and Epistle Readings
Matins Gospel Reading
Fourth Orthros Gospel
The Reading is from Luke 24:1-12
On the first day of the week, at early dawn, the women went to the tomb, taking the spices which they had prepared. And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they went in they did not find the body. While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men stood by them in dazzling apparel; and as they were frightened and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, "Why do you seek the living among the dead? Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, that the Son of man must be delivered in to the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and on the third day rise." And they remembered his words, and returning from the tomb they told all this to the eleven and to all the rest. Now it was Mary Magdalene, and Joanna and Mary the mother of James and the other women with them who told this to the apostles; but these words seemed to them an idle tale, and they did not believe them.
But Peter rose and ran to the tomb; stooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths by themselves; and he went home wondering at what had happened.
Epistle Reading
Sunday of the Myrrh-Bearing Women
The Reading is from Acts of the Apostles 6:1-7
In those days, when the disciples were increasing in number, the Hellenists murmured against the Hebrews because their widows were neglected in the daily distribution. And the twelve summoned the body of the disciples and said, "it is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables. Therefore, brethren, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may appoint to this duty. But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word." And what they said pleased the whole multitude, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochoros, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolaos, a proselyte of Antioch. These they set before the apostles, and they prayed and laid their hands upon them. And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were obedient to the faith.
Gospel Reading
Sunday of the Myrrh-Bearing Women
The Reading is from Mark 15:43-47; 16:1-8
At that time, Joseph of Arimathea, a respected member of the council, who was also himself looking for the kingdom of God, took courage and went to Pilate, and asked for the body of Jesus. And Pilate wondered if he were already dead; and summoning the centurion, he asked him whether he was already dead. And when he learned from the centurion that he was dead, he granted the body to Joseph. And he bought a linen shroud, and taking him down, wrapped him in the linen shroud, and laid him in a tomb which had been hewn out of the rock; and he rolled a stone against the door of the tomb. Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses saw where he was laid.
And when the sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, bought spices, so that they might go and anoint him. And very early on the first day of the week they went to the tomb when the sun had risen. And they were saying to one another, "Who will roll away the stone for us from the door of the tomb?" And looking up, they saw that the stone was rolled back; for it was very large. And entering the tomb, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, dressed in a white robe; and they were amazed. And he said to them, "Do not be amazed; you seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has risen, he is not here; see the place where they laid him. But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him, as he told you." And they went out and fled from the tomb; for trembling and astonishment had come upon them; and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.
Saints and Feasts
May 16
Sunday of the Myrrh-Bearing Women
About the beginning of His thirty-second year, when the Lord Jesus was going throughout Galilee, preaching and working miracles, many women who had received of His beneficence left their own homeland and from then on followed after Him. They ministered unto Him out of their own possessions, even until His crucifixion and entombment; and afterwards, neither losing faith in Him after His death, nor fearing the wrath of the Jewish rulers, they came to the sepulchre, bearing the myrrh-oils they had prepared to annoint His body. It is because of the myrrh-oils, that these God-loving women brought to the tomb of Jesus that they are called the Myrrh-bearers. Of those whose names are known are the following: first of all, the most holy Virgin Mary, who in Matthew 27:56 and Mark 15:40 is called "the mother of James and Joses" (these are the sons of Joseph by a previous marriage, and she was therefore their step-mother); Mary Magdalene (celebrated July 22); Mary, the wife of Clopas; Joanna, wife of Chouza, a steward of Herod Antipas; Salome, the mother of the sons of Zebedee, Mary and Martha, the sisters of Lazarus; and Susanna. As for the names of the rest of them, the evangelists have kept silence (Matt 27:55-56; 28:1-10. Mark 15:40-41. Luke 8:1-3; 23:55-24:11, 22-24. John 19:25; 20:11-18. Acts 1:14).
Together with them we celebrate also the secret disciples of the Saviour, Joseph and Nicodemus. Of these, Nicodemus was probably a Jerusalemite, a prominent leader among the Jews and of the order of the Pharisees, learned in the Law and instructed in the Holy Scriptures. He had believed in Christ when, at the beginning of our Saviour's preaching of salvation, he came to Him by night. Furthermore, he brought some one hundred pounds of myrrh-oils and an aromatic mixture of aloes and spices out of reverence and love for the divine Teacher (John 19:39). Joseph, who was from the city of Arimathea, was a wealthy and noble man, and one of the counsellors who were in Jerusalem. He went boldly unto Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus, and together with Nicodemus he gave Him burial. Since time did not permit the preparation of another tomb, he placed the Lord's body in his own tomb which was hewn out of rock, as the Evangelist says (Matt. 27:60).
May 16
Theodore the Sanctified
This Saint, who was born in the Upper Thebaid of Christian parents, joined the community of Saint Pachomios at about the age of fourteen years, and became the greatest of his disciples. Because of Theodore's utter humility and unquestioning obedience, Pachomios called him more and more to his aid in governing the monasteries he had established. Although some found fault with this, because Theodore was younger than they, Pachomios continued to put his confidence in him, to such a degree that once he told the brotherhood, "Theodore and I fulfil the same service for God; and he also has the authority to give commands as father." Pachomios was succeeded as governor of the monks by Saint Orsiesius in 346, and Orsiesius later took Theodore as his fellow abbot. At Theodore's death in the year 368, the monks mourned him so bitterly that the sound of their crying was heard on the other side of the river.
Wisdom of the Fathers
They [the women] had followed Him ministering to Him, and were present even unto the time of the dangers. Wherefore also they saw all; how He cried, how He gave up the ghost, how the rocks were rent, and all the rest.
Homily 88 on Matthew 27, 4th Century
And these [the women] first see Jesus; and the sex that was most condemned, this first enjoys the sight of the blessings, this most shows its courage. And when the disciples had fled, these were present.
Homily 88 on Matthew 27, 4th Century
Archepiscopal Message
05/11/2021
Metropolis of Boston News
Metropolis of Boston Scholarship Opportunity
05/06/2021
Click here to read more about the new scholarship opportunity!