Great Lent began on February 15. Please attend as many of the Lenten services as possible to enable us all to truly rejoice in the coming Paska as a community. The services are listed on the calendar on the calendar page. Also the mission services are listed below:
March 7 - Annunciation Church, Brick
March 14 - Assumption of the Holy Virgin, Clifton
March 21- SS Peter and Paul Church, Manville
April 7 - Christ the Savior, Paramus (7 p.m.)
Parish News
March 2010
"O Life, how can You die? How can You dwell in a tomb? Yet by Your death You have destroyed the reign of death, and raised all the dead from hell."
Holy Saturday Matins
We would like to extend our Birthday greetings to all those who are celebrating their birthday in March.
Happy Birthday.....
God grant them all Many Years.
Our 85th Anniversary Celebration .......
Fred Beckmann, Jr - March 2
Sonja Finno - March 3
Amy LeBorgne - March 11
Scott Cahayla - March 13
Robert M. Czech - March 14
Nick Kovalycsik - March 20
Genevieve Bobenko - March 22
Chris Bzik - March 28
Sonja Finno
The Committee is currently working on a celebration of the 85th Anniversary of our church on May 16, 2010. This will coincide with the 20th Anniversary of Father Sophrony in the priesthood. Bishop-elect, Hieromonk Michael Dahulich, who will be consecrated as our Bishop the week before, has been invited and we are all eager to have him here.
The banquet will follow the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy to be held at 9:00 a.m. that morning. The banquet will start at 12:30 at the Tides Estate in North Haledon, New Jersey. Reservation forms have been sent out during the month of February. We hope you will join us in celebrating St. John’s 85th Anniversary and Father Sophrony’s 20th anniversary in the priesthood. Make your plans and reserve your table soon.
Great Lent 2010.......
Parish News......
May God grant a speedy recovery to Barbara Kary and Nancy Filak both of whom recently underwent surgery. Please remember them in your prayers.
A note from Florence Junda, our food pantry coordinator: “My sincere appreciation to all those who participate in our on going program with St. Peter’s Haven. You all know the need is great, anytime of the year.”
OCA blog for young adults..
In response to a growing need for content and materials geared towards young adult and college ministry, the Orthodox Church in America's Department of Youth, Young Adult and Campus Ministries has launched a new blog, "Wonder." The blog, accessible at www.ocawonder.com, is also of value to those who minister to this age group. Every month, "Wonder" will feature four articles on a specific theme, blending theological and academic articles with practical ideas for ministry. "Suggestions and submissions from readers are always welcome," said Mr. Andrew Boyd, a department member who co-moderates the blog. "We're hoping that the blog will generate dialogue and two-way communications. For additional information, contact Protodeacon Joseph at jmatusiak@oca.org. You can reach "Wonder by clicking here.
Let us fast with a fast pleasing to the Lord. This is the true fast: the casting off of evil, the bridling of the tongue, the cutting off of anger, the cessation of lusts, evil talking, lies and cursing. The stopping of these is the fast true and acceptable. (Monday Vespers of the First Week)
Presanctified Liturgy on March 3 will be held at Holy Apostles Church in Saddle Brook at 6:30 p.m.. It will be held here at St. John’s on March 10, also at 6:30 p.m., and it is hoped that all our parishioners will be present. Bishop-Elect Hieromonk Michael Dahulich will be present. The Presanctified Liturgy on March 17 will be held at Ss. Peter and Paul Cathedral in Passaic. Please note the time will be 8:30 a.m.
Annual Parish Meeting News........
At our Annual Parish meeting following Divine Liturgy on Sunday, February 28, we elected Nick Kovalycsik President of the Board of Trustees and Andrea Shaker Secretary. They will assume those positions following installation procedures now being processed. We thank them both for their efforts on behalf of St. John’s and we thank the out-going officers, Kathy and Greg Cahayla for their work for St. John’s as well. Many years to all of them and the trustees who continue keeping St. John’s prayerful, congenial and fiscally sound. Pictures of the meeting are on the pictures page.
Nick
Andrea
