Beloved Parishioners and Friends:

Last Sunday was a busy day at Saint Gregory--but an uplifting and encouraging one as well. I was moved to celebrate the Veneration of the Cross with you and to bless the wonderful new icon of Saint Patrick. I hope and pray you felt the same way when you left Saint Gregory. 

This Sunday will be another vital one at our parish home. Together, we'll mark the fourth Sunday of Lent, dedicated to Saint John of the Ladder. He was a 6th/7th century monastic on Mt. Sinai and is most famous for composing a powerful spiritual work, The Ladder of Divine Ascent. I'll also continue our homily series on "Introducing ... the Divine Liturgy," focusing on the hymns of the small entrance (make sure to bring your singing voices). 

In the hall after services, don't forget to pick up your tickets for the Palm Sunday Luncheon and order your Easter bread from our Philoptochos friends. Lee Morest will also continue his study on "Living the Great Commission." Please join him after you grab a cup of coffee and a snack. 

Finally, as mentioned within the Weekly eMail, the Sunday Bulletin and this eBulletin, we have many decorating needs throughout Lent, Holy Week and Easter. Please consider our donation form and do what you can--I greatly appreciate your interest and generosity as we move toward the saving days of Holy Week. 

Fr. Alex

EPISTLE: Isabella Cara Donna. Parishioners of all ages are invited to read the Epistle. Please contact Fr. Alex to choose a date.

TODAY'S ANTIDORON/MYRHHBEARERS SERVICE: Sydney LaFond. Servers are welcome to participate in this ministry throughout the winter and spring. To get involved, contact Eleni LaFond or Fr. Alex. 

TODAY'S ALTAR TEAM: Team Archangel Gabriel (Elliot and Leland Hess; Linus LaFond). Altar Captain: Chris Botchis; Spencer Riley: Assistant Captain. 

HOMILY: "Introducing ... the Divine Liturgy": Hymns of the Small Entrance. 

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: Sponsored by the Cara Donna Family, with the dedication of "Out of Love for our Parish Family." Join us in the hall for friendship and refreshments. Fellowship Hour sponsorships are welcome and needed. Please sign up in the hall this weekend or use our new SignUpGenius link. 

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

SERVICES FOR MARCH 26, THE SUNDAY OF SAINT JOHN OF THE LADDER
We look forward to worshipping with you at Saint Gregory: Orthros, 8:30 am; Divine Liturgy, 9:30 am. Sunday School classes will be in session this weekend. If you have not already, please register your children here as we continue our year of learning and growth in the Orthodox Faith. 

STREAMING DETAILS/MEDIA CONNECTIONS FOR MARCH 26
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 

HOLY FRIDAY YOUTH RETREAT REGISTRATION OPEN, MARCH 26
We are excited to host a Holy Friday Retreat again this year as we explore the theme "Journey with Jesus—A Walk Through Holy Week." Students in grades K - 8 (ages 5-14) are invited to participate in the retreat activities. We ask that High School age students join us to help run activities for the younger children. The retreat will be held April 14, 12 - 2:45 pm, ending in time to join the “Descent” Service at 3pm. School excusal forms are available upon request. Please note that while a light snack will be provided within the retreat, we will not serve lunch. Please complete the Google sign-up link emailed to our parish for each child that would like to attend the retreat. Register here today! Please reach out to Paula Hartigan-Patey with any questions or concerns, or if you are able to volunteer your time, pch588@gmail.com.

ALTAR SERVERS & MYRRHBEARERS MTGS., MARCH 26
All Altar Servers and Myrrhbearing Girls are invited to a brief meeting with Fr. Alex in the Church following Sunday School. We will go over the services of Holy Week and how we can all be involved, from Palm Sunday Evening through Pascha. 

ORTHODOX LIFE: "LIVING THE GREAT COMMISSION," CONT. MARCH 26
Following Divine Liturgy, join Lee in the Middle School Classroom for the continuation of this timely series, focusing on the Great Commission of our Lord. This exhortation from the Gospel of Matthew is read at each baptism, not only to confirm the importance of the respective baptism but also to encourage those present in spreading the Gospel of Christ. Explore these ideas, and more, with Lee on the 19th and 26th. 

PHILOPTOCHOS DIGNITY MATTERS, MARCH 26
The Dignity Matters drive will continue through the month of March. Dignity Matters is a non-profit organization that supplies feminine hygiene products, bras and underwear to women and girls who are homeless or disadvantaged. You can help in one of three ways: (1) Purchase items and drop them off in the blue "Dignity Matters" barrel located in the Narthex; (2) Purchase items via our Amazon list (https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/3OR5PCZ3470XU?ref_=wl_share). Items purchased through this link will be shipped directly to St. Anastasia Philoptochos for inclusion in our delivery; or (3) Make a financial donation to St. Anastasia Philoptochos and we will purchase items for you.   

PHILOPTOCHOS EASTER BREAD FUNDAISER & EMAIL LIST UPDATES, MARCH 26
The Easter Bread Fundraiser has begun: Philoptochos is once again selling Tsoureki/Easter Bread. The cost is $15 per loaf and will be available for in-person pickup on Palm Sunday during the Palm Sunday Luncheon. A Philoptochos board member will be available during Fellowship Hour today and April 2 for you to place your orders. 
Philoptochos Email List: Philoptochos is in the process of updating our email list. If you are interested in receiving information regarding Philoptochos meetings, fundraisers, events and newsletters, please email your name and email address to philoptochosstgregorymansfield@gmail.com. You do not need to become a member to be a part of our email list.

FIFTH WEEK OF LENT SERVICE HIGHLIGHTS, MARCH 29 & BEYOND
There are a host of Lenten services this week and coming weekend. Please join us as often as you can, even if you cannot stay the whole time. 
Fifth Week of Lent:
March 29, 6 pm, PreSanctified Liturgy. These weekly Lenten services offer an opportunity to receive Holy Communion, strengthening us through the forty days. March 31, 6:30 pm, the Akathist Hymn. April 2, 5th Sunday of Lent—Sunday of Saint Mary of Egypt. 

SATURDAY OF LAZARUS SERVICES, BREAKFAST & PALM FOLDING, APRIL 8
Join us for Orthros and Divine Liturgy, followed by palm folding and a Communion breakfast sponsored by our GOYAns. This service is among the most moving of the year, and we hope all of our parishioners and GOYAns will join us. 

PALM SUNDAY LUNCHEON, APRIL 9
We look forward to celebrating Palm Sunday with our parish family, following Divine Liturgy. Please see our flyer, here, and pick up your tickets in the hall on March 26 or April 2. In addition to a fish offering, there will be a mac 'n cheese choice for our children. 

MYRRHBEARING GIRLS, APRIL 14
Our younger Myrrhbearers (1st - 5th grade) are invited to participate in the Lamentations Service on Holy Friday evening. Parents, please contact Fr. Alex if your daughter is interested.

AGAPE SUNDAY READERS & EASTER EGG HUNT, APRIL 16
Those interested in reading the Gospel in a language other than English during the Agape Service are asked to contact Lou Zagami (lzagami@iocc.org). Our younger children are invited to an Easter Egg hunt right after the Agape Service—just bring your basket and get ready for fun! 

LENTEN, HOLY WEEK & PASCHA FLOWER DONATIONS
Great Lent is here, and there are a host of flower and related decorating needs from now all the way through Pascha/Easter Sunday. A donation opportunity list is in the Narthex and also available here. Please drop off your donation form at the Church Office or see Fr. Alex or Maria Sweten. Immediate needs include the adorning of the “Sweet Kissing” icon for Friday night Salutations and the tray for the Sunday of the Holy Cross.

NEW FELLOWSHIP HOUR SIGN-UP RESOURCES
All parishioners are invited to host Fellowship Hour on a coming Sunday this winter and spring. In addition to the sign-up poster in the hall, we can now easily learn more and sign up online. Fellowship Hour is a beloved, significant tradition at our parish that speaks to Christian fellowship and hospitality. Thanks in advance for your support, and contact Fellowship Hour Chair Brian Kaufman with any questions: bvkaufman@gmail.com

STEWARDSHIP 2023 & TESTIMONIAL VIDEO
As we move into the new year, we now kindly ask our Stewards to read over our 2023 materials package and prayerfully complete and return 2023 Commitment Cards at their earliest convenience. This not only helps us plan for and support our parish ministries but is a visible symbol of our Eucharistic community: united in worship and dedication to the Gospel. The Stewardship pages of our parish website have been updated with our 2023 materials, and please contact Phil LaFond with any questions (phil@lafonds.net). View the Stewardship Sunday testimonial video here. 

NEW ASSISTIVE LISTENING SYSTEM
Parishioners who would like to try out our new Assistive Listening System are welcome to use the receivers on our Narthex Welcome Table. The receivers are easy to use: just place the ear device on your ear, and turn on the “on/volume” on top of the receiver.

USHERING AND "RIDES TO CHURCH" MINISTRIES
This winter and spring, 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. We have also been re-initiating 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. 

MYRHHBEARERS MINISTRY
Within the context of our fledling Myrrhbearers Ministry, our girls and young women are invited to hold Antidoro during Divine Liturgy, read the Epislte and otherwise participate in the entire life of the Church. Please contact Eleni LaFond to pick a date for Antidoro service and Fr. Alex to plan a date for an Epistle reading. 

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. General Church Office Needs: as we are currently short staffed, please call the Church Office (508.337.9986) and leave a message. Father or another ministry leader will get back with you shortly. Thanks for your patience.