QUOTE OF THE WEEK
“For I tell you, you will not see me again until you say,
‘Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.'”
Find the Jesus within you!
|
|
|
GREAT LENT (MEDZ BAHK)
SUNDAY OF THE ADVENT (COMING)
(Jashou Sharagan (Midday Hymn)
You foretold the mystery of Your coming through the prophets of Israel, who You chose after Moses; they spoke through the Holy Spirit in many different examples;
O Savior, grant us mercy and forgiveness of our sins.
When the latter years drew near just as the seers had announced, You, our Saviour, arrived in the fullness of time and appeared among men having put on the form of a servant; O Savior, grant us mercy and forgiveness of our sins.
On the sixth day You created Adam in the lordly image; but he did not keep the commandment and was divested of the robe; wherefore You, O new Adam, visited the lost one during the sixth age; O Savior, grant us mercy and forgiveness of our sins.
Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and always and unto the ages of ages , Amen.
O temple of light without shadow and bride-chamber of ineffable Word, who removed the grievous curse on Eve, our first mother; implore your only-begotten Son, the mediator of reconciliation with the Father, that He may please to take away from us all disorder and give peace to our souls.
******************************************************************
(To be recited by all at the end of the Church Service)
O Lord and Master of my life
take from me the spirit of laziness, faint-heartedness,
misguided ambition, and idle talk.
But give rather the spirit of chastity, humility, patience,
and love to your servant.
Yea, O Lord and King, grant me to see my own errors
and not to judge my brother;
For You are blessed unto the aged of ages, Amen.
(A prayer of St. Ephraim the Syrian, a church Father.
Many people use this prayer as a Lenten devotion,
to be said and meditated upon several times a day)
|
|
|
| Scripture Readings for Sunday, March 18th. |
 |
|
Gospel Reading
(Matthew 22:34-23:39)
When the Pharisees heard that he had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together, and one of them, a lawyer, asked him a question to test him. “Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?” He said to him, ” ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.” Now while the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them this question: “What do you think of the Messiah? Whose son is he?” They said to him, “The son of David.” He said to them, “How is it then that David by the Spirit calls him Lord, saying, ‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at my right hand, until I put your enemies under your feet” ‘? If David thus calls him Lord, how can he be his son?” No one was able to give him an answer, nor from that day did anyone dare to ask him any more questions. Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples, “The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses’ seat; therefore, do whatever they teach you and follow it; but do not do as they do, for they do not practice what they teach. They tie up heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on the shoulders of others; but they themselves are unwilling to lift a finger to move them. They do all their deeds to be seen by others; for they make their phylacteries broad and their fringes long. They love to have the place of honor at banquets and the best seats in the synagogues, and to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces, and to have people call them rabbi. But you are not to be called rabbi, for you have one teacher, and you are all students. And call no one your father on earth, for you have one Father–the one in heaven. Nor are you to be called instructors, for you have one instructor, the Messiah. The greatest among you will be your servant. All who exalt themselves will be humbled, and all who humble themselves will be exalted. “But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you lock people out of the kingdom of heaven. For you do not go in yourselves, and when others are going in, you stop them. Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you cross sea and land to make a single convert, and you make the new convert twice as much a child of hell as yourselves. “Woe to you, blind guides, who say, ‘Whoever swears by the sanctuary is bound by nothing, but whoever swears by the gold of the sanctuary is bound by the oath.’ You blind fools! For which is greater, the gold or the sanctuary that has made the gold sacred? And you say, ‘Whoever swears by the altar is bound by nothing, but whoever swears by the gift that is on the altar is bound by the oath.’ How blind you are! For which is greater, the gift or the altar that makes the gift sacred? So whoever swears by the altar, swears by it and by everything on it; and whoever swears by the sanctuary, swears by it and by the one who dwells in it; and whoever swears by heaven, swears by the throne of God and by the one who is seated upon it. “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint, dill, and cumin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faith. It is these you ought to have practiced without neglecting the others. You blind guides! You strain out a gnat but swallow a camel! “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you clean the outside of the cup and of the plate, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. You blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup, so that the outside also may become clean. “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs, which on the outside look beautiful, but inside they are full of the bones of the dead and of all kinds of filth. So you also on the outside look righteous to others, but inside you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness. “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you build the tombs of the prophets and decorate the graves of the righteous, and you say, ‘If we had lived in the days of our ancestors, we would not have taken part with them in shedding the blood of the prophets.’ Thus you testify against yourselves that you are descendants of those who murdered the prophets. Fill up, then, the measure of your ancestors. You snakes, you brood of vipers! How can you escape being sentenced to hell? Therefore I send you prophets, sages, and scribes, some of whom you will kill and crucify, and some you will flog in your synagogues and pursue from town to town, so that upon you may come all the righteous blood shed on earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah son of Barachiah, whom you murdered between the sanctuary and the altar. Truly I tell you, all this will come upon this generation. “Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often have I desired to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing! See, your house is left to you, desolate. For I tell you, you will not see me again until you say, ‘Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.’
**********************************************************************
Gospel Commentary
We are called to live our Christian lives in spirit and in truth, not just in form or by going through the motions. During this week analyze the way you live your Christian life and see where it falls: in form or in spirit and in truth.
|
|
|
|
Parish Announcements!
Yughakin Offering is a special offering made twice a year at Christmas & Easter to help defray the operational costs of our Parish. “Yughakin” was the price for the oil used to light the lamps of the Church. Though we no longer need oil we still have many operational costs and this offering made during these two feasts is another way for us to show our commitment to this most worthy cause. During this Season of giving, let us remember our Church with a special gift. We need your continued support. Envelopes are available as you leave Church.
Bible Study will meet this Tuesday, March 20th from 10:30-11:30AM.
Readings for this Sunday’s Badarak: Colossians 2:8-3:17 and Matthew 22:24-23:39.
Readings for next Sunday’s Badarak: Philippians 4:4:7 and Matthew 20:29-21:17.
Lenten Interactive Prayer Services: We will have our last weekly interactive Lenten Prayer Services (in English) this Wednesday, March 21st, starting at 6:30PM.
The 2018 Diocesan Lenten Drive: This year our Sunday School Lenten Drive will benefit: Feeding those at home and in Armenia with Special Needs.
Palm Sunday Program: On Sunday, March 25th Ronnie Malconian, from the ACYOA Central Council, will visit our Parish and pray with us. The Palm Sunday Fellowship will be hosted by the Miracle Kitchen Food Prep Group.
Easter Basket Donations: There is a sign up sheet at Fellowship for donations toward our annual program of donating Easter Baskets to needy families in the MetroWest area through the Department of Social Services. All items need to be brought in by Palm Sunday for assembly. Also volunteers are needed to assemble the baskets
Men’s Fellowship Night will take place Thursday Evening, May 31st, starting at 6:30PM. See Karnig Durgarian or Anthony Barsamian for more information.
Golf Tournament: This year’s tournament will take place on Monday, June 11th. At the Sandy Burr Golf Course, Wayland MA. The golf tournament is a major fund raiser for our Parish. The committee needs help; Raffle ticket sellers, sponsors, golfers and workers. Anyone interested in helping out please see Der Krikor or Karen Durgarian.
Parish Outreach: The Outreach program at our parish focuses on activities for our local communities as well as meeting parish-wide needs. Renee Ferraro is the Outreach Coordinator (508-541-6770 or reneegferraro@gmail.com.)
Fellowship Sign-up: Volunteers are needed to sponsor and work at our Coffee Fellowship Hours after Church as well as make donations toward the expense of the Altar Flowers and Candles.
Contact Jaymie Babaian to sign up. (jaymie1754@gmail.com)
Please inform Der Krikor at 774-292-9116 or frkrikor@holytranslators.org of those who may be sick at home, hospitalized or may simply want to talk, so that he can make arrangements to visit.
|
|
|
|
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Sunday Morning Prayer: 8:30AM
Sunday Divine Liturgy: 9:30AM
*******************************************************************************************
Sun. Mar. 18 Sunday of the Advent
Tue. Mar. 20 Weekly Bible Study – Fellowship Hall – 10:30AM
Wed. Mar. 21 Lenten Prayer Service (In English) – 6:30PM
**************************************************************************
HOLY WEEK SCHEDULE
Sun. Mar. 25 Palm Sunday Divine Liturgy – 9:30AM
Opening of the Door Service (Trnpatzek)
Thu. Mar. 29 Holy Thursday
Washing of the Feet Service – 7:00PM
Betrayal and Passion of Christ Service – 8:00PM
Fri. Mar. 30 Good Friday
Crucifixion and Burial Service: – 12:00NOON.
Sat. Mar. 31 Holy Saturday
Reading of the Prophecies – 4:00PM
Easter Eve Divine Liturgy – 5:00PM
Sun. Apr. 1 Easter Sunday
Easter Divine Liturgy – 9:30AM *********************************************************************
Thu. May 10 Feast of the Ascension of our Lord
Sun. May 20 Feast of Pentecost
Thu. May 31 Men’s Fellowship Night – Fellowship Hall
Sun. Jun 3 Feast of Holy Etchmiadzin
Sun. June 10 Sunday School Graduation and Promotion Day
Mon Jun 11 Annual Golf Tournament – Sandy Burr, Wayland – 10:00AM
Sun. Jun 17 Feast of Holy Etchmiadzin
|
|
|
Far Programs
Syrian Woman Opens Her Own Bakery Thanks to FAR’s Small Business Assistance Program! |
|
|
 |
|
Many people may not see beyond Lousig Barsumian’s quiet temperament. Indeed, her bright mind, inexhaustible energy, ability to plan and think of every detail, and her purposefulness may not all be revealed at first glance.
Lousig, 35, was born and raised in Syria. Six years ago, she left on a 10-day vacation to Armenia with her husband Arman, and their then three-year-old daughter, Alik. They decided to stay forever.
“On the third day of the trip, my husband decided that we would not go back,” recalled Lousig. In Syria, Arman, 38, had been a silversmith, and the area where his shop was located had already been hit hard by the war. They decided that it wasn’t reasonable for the family to return. They left all of their property in Aleppo, as it wasn’t possible to transport it to Armenia due to the war. Lousig’s wedding rings, however, which she had left in Syria for the trip, were later sent to her by her family. From that day on, they began their new life in Armenia—searching for jobs, a kindergarten, and a place to live.
“Three months later, I found a job as an assistant to an accountant, but it was tough as it was very different from the practices I knew in Syria. When I got pregnant with my son, I stopped working,” said Lousig, a professional accountant who had worked for 12 years at one of the leading interior design companies in Syria. When her son turned one, she was able to busy herself with her second craft—making and selling jewelry.
“I was making bijous (fancy, hand-made accessories) for 12 years in Syria. First, it was a hobby. Then it became a serious job. I was mostly working with beads, and I even gave classes. I also wanted to cook professionally, but this was a long-range plan,” said Lousig, with a warm smile. In Armenia, she has attended five different culinary courses organized by UNHCR and other organizations. “I learned Armenian and French cuisine, baking…. Yet, I found it difficult to start a business.”
The different organizations then helped Lousig to start. To make sure that taking culinary training was not a waste of time they recommended her to their partners. Soon, the lunch orders started to come in. Then people wanted cakes, which is what she most loves to make.
Nine months ago, Lousig registered her family catering company and bakery, which she currently runs out of her home, as Moon Bakery. Just a few days later, she found out that she received a grant and a zero-interest loan from FAR’s Small Business Assistance Program. She used the financial support to purchase a refrigerator, an oven, a mixer, and various containers and cake decorating equipment.
The program, which started in 2016, has already supported 17 Syrian-Armenian business owners, three of whom, including Lousig, are women, thus helping to lay a foundation for their economic integration in Armenia.
“If I get an order for a hard-to-cook cake, it makes me happy since I’m always up for the challenge,” said Lousig. She tries to make her cakes and biscuits as unique as possible as a way to try and develop her niche within the huge variety of similar businesses in Yerevan.
She also continues to help her husband, who was the first Syrian-Armenian to start selling silver at Vernisage market in Yerevan. Lousig designs silver jewelry that her husband later has crafted by local jewelers, and which are then exhibited and sold both in Armenia and abroad.
“In Syria, it was enough for just one person to work and help a large family to live a decent life. Yet, I can’t just sit around and do nothing. I would work as an accountant and would make handmade accessories on the side. I love working. Yet, here, in Armenia, you must work to live. Good thing that the number of orders I receive keeps increasing over time,” she said. Lousig is persistent now, and the family will stay in Armenia. “It was easy for us to set up. It was difficult to get things working and ensuring the means to make a living. Now, it’s become our usual life.”
On the eve of International Women’s Day, Lousig wishes all women good health and calls them to always create something of their own.
We at FAR are so proud to have supported this young, determined business woman. We wish all the best for you and your family, Lousig!
|
|
|
PARISH COUNCIL 2018-2019
Pastor and President: Rev. Fr. Krikor A. Sabounjian
Chairman: Robin Palombo
Vice Chairman: Karnig Durgarian
Recording Secretary: Neil Ferraro
Corresponding Secretary: Karyn Bilezerian
Treasurer: Scott Zaleski
Asst. Treasurer: Parkoohi Voskanian
Council Members: Jeff Avedisian Elise Durgarian
Lucine Kapreilian
Diocesan Delegates: Laurie Bejoian
Karnig Durgarian
|
|
|
|
|
