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 following Holy Communion. Please see weekly updates from our ministry leaders for updates on each class. All are welcome to join us for Fellowship Hour after Divine Liturgy.
Beloved Parishioners and Friends:
Last Sunday's barbecue and ministry celebration was a wonderful time. The food was excellent, our children connected with their Sunday School teachers, GOYA met, beautiful keychains were given out for backpacks and there was lots of visiting and playing. Even the weather cooperated!
Looking forward to this Sunday, Sep. 18 we will now turn to our first day of Sunday School classes. Our directors, Dionne Katinas and Maureen Dimitriou, along with all of our teachers, have been preparing throughout the summer to welcome our children back to another year of learning and spiritual growth. I thank them all for their efforts, and I know you do as well. Just before Holy Communion, we will bless our children's new Sunday School year with uplifting prayers for them, their families and dedicated teachers.
I invite you to read through your entire eBulletin for vital information on everything coming our way at Saint Gregory, from the Sep. 25 pancake breakfast and presentation by Dr. Despina Prassas, to the Oct. 23 HOPE/JOY Prayerful Pumpkin Carving event. In the weeks and months to come, join us for as much as you can and stay close to our parish family.
God be with you, and I hope to see you this Sunday,
Fr. Alex
HOMILY: Offered by Fr. Manny Chris.
EPISTLE: Brian Kaufman. Parishioners of all ages are invited to read the Epistle. Please contact Fr. Alex to choose a date.
TODAY'S ANTIDORON/MYRHHBEARERS SERVICE: Elena Salzillo. Servers are welcome to participate in this ministry throughout the summer. To get involved, contact Fr. Alex.
Schedule:
Sep 18: Elena Salzillo
Sep 25: Isabella Caradonna
TODAY'S ALTAR TEAM: Gabriel (Eliot Hess, Leiland Hess and Linus LaFond). Altar Captain: Chris Botchis; Spencer Riley: Assistant Captain.
ALTAR FLOWERS: Please consider sponsoring Altar flowers on a coming Sunday or feast day. The donation for flower sponsorships is $50. Please contact the Church Office to learn more or sponsor.
FELLOWSHIP HOUR: Fellowship Hour sponsorships are welcome and needed. Please sign up in the hall this weekend or contact the Church Office to schedule your special day, in memory of a loved one, in honor of a special occasion or just to enable wonderful fellowship at Saint Gregory.
WORSHIPPING FROM HOME: STREAMING AND INTERNET MINISTRY
ACCESS SERVICES VIA FACEBOOK:
St. Gregory the Theologian Greek Orthodox Church | Facebook
ACCESS SERVICES VIA YOU TUBE:
St. Gregory The Theologian Live - YouTube
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 out 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. After this 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.
Sunday after Holy Cross
The Reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Galatians 2:16-20
Brethren, knowing that a man is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ, and not by works of the law, because by works of the law shall no one be justified. But if, in our endeavor to be justified in Christ, we ourselves were found to be sinners, is Christ then an agent of sin? Certainly not! But if I build up again those things which I tore down, then I prove myself a transgressor. For I through the law died to the law, that I might live to God. I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me; and the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
Sunday after Holy Cross
The Reading is from Mark 8:34-38; 9:1
The Lord said: "If anyone wishes to come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it; and whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel's will save it. For what does it profit a man, to gain the whole world and forfeit his life? For what can a man give in return for his life? For whoever is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him will the Son of man also be ashamed, when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels." And he said to them, "Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God come with power."
This Saint took up the monastic life from his youth, and later became Bishop of Gortynia in Crete. He travelled to Rome, and to Thebes in Upper Egypt, where through his prayers he ended a drought; there also, after working many miracles, he reposed in deep old age. His holy relics were returned to Gortynia and buried at the place called Raxos.
SERVICES FOR SEPTEMBER 18, SUNDAY AFTER THE CROSS
We look forward to worshipping with you at Saint Gregory, whether in person or remotely: Orthros, 8:30 am; Divine Liturgy, 9:30 am. Sunday School classes will resume on Sep. 18. Please register your children here for another year of learning and growth in the Orthodox Faith.
STREAMING DETAILS/MEDIA CONNECTIONS FOR SEPTEMBER 18
Access Services via You Tube:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgvnXFV6xK1Nhm8ID84jFNg
Access Services and join our community on Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/saintgregorythetheologian
Join our community on Instagram
@saintgregorythetheologian • Instagram photos and video
SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASSES BEGIN, SEP 18
Our teachers are excited and enthusiastic about this new year of learning and faith. On the 18th just before Holy Communion, Fr. Alex will bless our children, invoking God’s favor upon their school year. Please register your child, or children, for Sunday School at your earliest convenience, and contact Dionne Katinas (dionnekatinas@comcast.net) with questions or to learn more about our ministry.
PHILOPTOCHOS HYBRID MTG., SEP 18
Following Sunday School (11:30 am) Philoptochos will hold its first fall meeting. This will be a hybrid meeting: all are welcome to join us in person, and a Zoom link will also be provided for virtual participation. Come join this fun and welcoming group! Contact Ann Johnson with questions or to learn more: annjohnson0195@gmail.com.
SAINT GREGORY PARISH BOOKSTORE FALL RE-OPENING, SEP 18
We look forward to re-opening our newly updated store on the 18th! One of the new udpated includes an expanded children''s section. With fall fast approaching, now is the perfect time for you (and your little ones) to curl up with a good book. Our bookstore is open on Sundays after Divine Liturgy, and we have a variety of titles for readers of all ages. Explore selections in topics ranging from prayer guides to the lives of the saints. There is truly something for everyone! Come and see…
ALTAR SERVER & MYRRHBEARERS MINISTRY MTGS., SEP 18
Our Altar servers and Myrrhbearers are invited to respective meetings following Sunday School. Altar service is for ages 10 – 18, and the Myrrhbearers Ministry is for ages 8 – 18 (please talk to Fr. Alex about younger children who are interested). Our boys and girls can come to the church following Sunday School, and a quick bite to eat, to meet with Fr. Alex and other youth leaders.
FOOD & FRIENDS, SEP. 20
This month's food preparation will begin at 12 pm. Join us in support of this long-standing service effort of Saint Gregory, offering us a way to put "hands and feet" to our faith and offer our neighbors the love of the Church. Please contact Cathy Cooper at the Church Office to learn more.
PANCAKE BREAKFAST & DR. DESPINA PRASSAS VISIT, SEP. 25
Dr. Despina Prassas of Providence College will join us for worship, a pancake breakfast and a special presentation after Divine Liturgy. We look forward to welcoming Dr. Prassas, who will spend some time with our Myrrhbearing girls during breakfast and speak on the start of the new ecclesiastical year. Thanks to our parish council for sponsoring the breakfast—all parishioners are welcome to join us.
ORTHODOX LIFE, OCT 16 & 30
Join us in October and November for “Contemporary Moral Issues.” This series will explore the Or[1]thodox Church’s perspective and teaching on the most pressing social and moral issues of our time, from the sanctity of life to capital punishment. Join Fr. Alex during Fellowship Hour for an informal, discussion-oriented presentation, utilizing Fr. Stanley Harakas’ Contemporary Moral Issues. Contact Father for further details.
NEW PLASTIC BOTTLE AND CAN FUNDRAISER, THIS FALL
This fall, we will be launching a fund-raising effort utilizing the new drop-off bin in the parking lot. As of this Sunday, you can bring your deposit-stamped plastic bottles and cans to drop off at the shed, and our parish will trade them in for donations on a monthly basis. No glass, please—and do make sure to rinse your donations before dropping them through the window in the bin.
HABITAT FOR HUMANITY SUPPORT AND BUILD EVENT, THIS FALL
In other outreach news, Saint Gregory will be participating in the Old Colony Habitat for Humanity Build on Pike Ave. in Attleboro. In connection to a parish “build day” in the fall, we have a fundraising sponsorship goal of $2,500—this donation will actually help pay for the materials of the building project. If you would like to donate and/or express interest in joining us for the build day, please contact Fr. Alex at your earliest convenience. .
USHERING AND "RIDES TO CHURCH" MINISTRIES
This spring and summer, those interested in our Ushering Ministry are invited to contact George Dimitriou: 781-769-2085; Gdimitriou@yahoo.com. Offering yourself as an usher is a wonderful way to meet new people and helps create a welcoming environment at Saint Gregory. Throughout the coming months, we will also reinvigorate our efforts to provide rides to church for anyone who needs one. Once again, contact George Dimitriou if you could use a “lift” or would like to help drive.
LITURGICAL SINGING
This ministry engages musical leadership not only for Sunday liturgy but all the liturgical needs of the year, from Vespers services to Great Lent and Holy Week. Your time and talent is most welcome within our Liturgical Singing Ministry. Please contact Kathy Kalogeras to learn more: kalogeras1@earthlink.net.
STEWARDSHIP 2022
Many thanks to all our 2022 Stewards for standing behind Saint Gregory. Your support of our church—through your time, talent and treasure—is vital to the pursuit of our divine mission: the Gospel of Jesus Christ. If you have not yet had an opportunity to complete your 2022 Commitment Card yet, please visit our Stewardship page.
MYRHHBEARERS/ANTIDORON SERVERS MINISTRY
Within the context of our fledling Myrrhbearers Ministry, our girls and young women are invited to hold Antidoro during Divine Liturgy, reading the Epislte and otherwise participate in the entire life of the Church. Please contact Fr. Alex to plan a date for an Epistle reading and/or Antidoro service.
FELLOWSHIP HOUR & SPONSORSHIPS
Join us in the hall for Fellowship Hour following Divine Liturgy after Sunday services. We are also welcoming sponsors for Sundays this summer. Please sign up this Sunday during Fellowship Hour or simply contact the Church Office.
WHAT'S NEW ON OUR WEBSITE?
Within our Youth Ministry pages, you'll soon see two new June 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.
CHURCH OFFICE HOURS
Fr. Alex: Tue. (1 pm – 5 pm), Wed. (9 am – 1 pm) & Thur (9 am – 1 pm); or by appointment when convenient for our parishioners. Please note that on occasion, Fr. Alex may be seeing to a pastoral situation, visitingn with another parishioner, attending a Metropolis event or otherwise engaged in Church life during office hours. Cathy Cooper: Tue. (9 am - 1 pm) and
8:30AM Orthros
9:30AM Divine Liturgy
10:30AM 1st Day of Sunday School/blessing of our children
11:30AM Altar Server Mtg
11:30AM Philoptochos Mtg (hybrid)
11:30AM Myrrhbearers Mtg
12:00PM Food & Friends
8:30AM Orthros
9:30AM Divine Liturgy
10:30AM Sunday School classes
11:30AM Parish Pancake Breakfast
11:30AM Dr. Despina Prassas Presentation
8:30AM Orthros
9:30AM Divine Liturgy
10:30AM Sunday School classes
11:30AM JOY Parent Mtg
This monthly graph story serves as a top-level indicator concerning the financial trends of our parish. This month's graph utilizes data from August 2022.
Bring your beloved pets to Saint Gregory for this heart-warming event, reminding us that God's holy Creation is worthy of appreciation and blessing.
Join us for seasonal fun with a spiritual meaning at this excellent family event.
This graph indicates significant trends in Stewardship participation and financial giving, highlighting some of the profound difficulties of the last two years but also reminding us of the dedication of our Stewards.
Enjoy this encouraging, inviting fall greeting from Parish Council President Karen Guinan.
View the list of needed school supplies in support of the Philoptochos Backpack & School Supply Drive in support of Mansfield children and families.
The Town of Mansfield's Mandate Announcement and Supplemental Package
Recommendations & Guidelines Updated Aug 2021
2022 represents the 100th year of one of humanity’s darkest periods, a time point that inspired and ignited what eventually resulted in one of humankind’s bleakest moments. 1922 was the peak of the period between 1915-1923, when Christians and Jews were systematically exterminated only for their faith and culture.