As our beloved brother Subdeacon Jerome prepared to depart this life, so many of you visited him in the hospital, talked with him on the phone, and prayed for him. He certainly knew that he was loved and that was a great comfort to him in his last days. His funeral Mass will be at St. George’s Church on 16th Street on Saturday, January 9. The body will be received at the church at 10am and a time of visitation will follow as Lauds for the Departed is sung. Requiem Mass will follow at 10:30. Thanks to all who are preparing to serve and sing and help with the meal afterward.
We began this month with two important feast days in the liturgical year: January 1, the Feast of the Circumcision of Our Lord, and Epiphany, January 6, which began a season which is very long this year because of the late date of Pascha. Water was blessed at this service for use in blessing homes during this season. Please speak with Fr. Nicholas or Fr. Raphael about scheduling your house blessing.
We are grateful to The Woods Academy for making their chapel available for our services while we await permits for remodeling work at our new property. Thanks to all who are helping during this time of transition. Since all liturgical items for services, including vestments, have to be brought to the chapel by the clergy for each service it is greatly appreciated if others can arrive early to help with setting up the icons, putting out books, re-arranging chairs, and assembling bulletins. We are grateful to Sharon Green for taking responsibility for setting up for coffee hours and making sure that we have paper products. Please remember that coffee hours should be kept simple (food must be already prepared and ready to serve; serving dishes and utensils must be brought from home).
Our annual Parish Meeting will take place at coffee hour following Mass on Sunday, January 17. We will hear reports from the Parish Council on building plans, from Karl, our treasurer on parish finances, and from Fr. Nicholas on the “state of the parish”. Please make every effort to remain after church that day.
Bishop JOHN will be with us the following Sunday, January 24. He will be in Washington for the March for Life on Friday, January 22, and will remain to make his visitation with us. Details to be announced.
View the complete January newsletter here.