The Good Shepherd Newsletter

St. Mary Romanian Orthodox Cathedral
3256 Warren Road, Cleveland, Ohio 44111
Phone: (216) 941-5550, Fax: (216) 941-3068
E-mail: [email protected] - www.smroc.org
V. Rev. Dr. Remus Grama, Parish Priest
Rev. Fr. Ionel Satnoianu, Assistant Priest
Rev. Fr. Florin Bica, Attached; Rev. Deacon Nick Neagoe
The Good Shepherd Newsletter
VOLUME XXI
February 2015
IN THE FOOTSEPS OF ZACCHAEUS
PE URMELE LUI ZAHEU
This year, Easter will be on April 12 and Great Lent
begins on February 23. The transition from the joy and
abundance of the feasts of incarnation of Christ to the
somber and chalenging simplicity of Great Lent
requires an enlightened faith and concrete steps of
personal preparation for it.
În anul acesta, Paştile vor fi în 12 aprilie, iar Postul
Mare va începe în 23 Februarie. Trecerea de la
bucuria şi abundenţa sărbătorilor întrupării lui
Hristos la sobra şi provocatoarea simplitate a
Postului Păresimilor cere o credinşă luminată şi
paşi concreţi de pregătire personală.
Cred că nu mai este nevoie să menţionez că
schimbarea meniului este deja de mult necesară în
primul rând pentru sănătatea noastră trupească.
Pentru orice ucenic serios al lui Hristos, actul
postirii este mai mult decât doar o dietă este mai
degrabă un act de credinţă şi de redirecţionare
spirituală. Este calea pocăinţei, iar aceasta trebuie
înţeleasă ca terapie duhovnicească a întregii noastre
fiinţe: trup, minte şi suflet. Dacă vrei să înveţi valsul,
trebuie mai întâi să înveţi paşii: 1-2-3, nu-i aşa?
Paşii care duc spre intrarea în postul mare, înţeles
ca o cărare ce duce spre Înviere, sunt desigur
dumincile de dinainte de Post, din perioada
Triodului. Aceste sunt: Duminica Vamesului si
Fariseului (8 feb.), a Fiului Risipitor (15 feb.) si a
Judecatii din Urma sau a Iertării (22 feb.).
Ritmul liturgic al Bisericii ne călăuzeşte paşii. Ca şi
Zaheu din Evanghelie, fiecare dintre noi caută să-l
cunoască pe Iisus. Dumnezeu, care înţelege dorinţa
ta ca pe un pas înspre El, vine în casa şi inima ta,
întocmai cum a făcut şi cu acest vameş. Iisus este
atras să rămână la el pentru că pocăinţa i-a fost
autentică, auto-dăruirea hotărâtă şi sinceră. Deşi a
oferit o masă, Zaheu a pus capăt modului său de
viaţă vechi şi a hotărât să lase comfortul, deoarece
dorea să fie şi el sărăc cu duhul, adică să smerească
în Hristos, bogăţia supremă a omului.
Aşadar, acum, când semnalul tranziţiei de la
praznice la post a fost tras, suntem şi noi chemaţi să
decidem ce vom face. Lua-vom calea postului,
simplificându-ne plenar viaţa (minte, suflet şi trup)?
Sau, vom opta oare pentru comfortul traiului „bun”?
Să învăţăm din pilda lui Zaheu!
Pr. Remus Grama
Nedless to say, a change in our menu is long due for
our own physical health. For a serious disciple of
Christ, fasting is much more than diet; it is an act of
faith and spriritual re-direction. It is the way of
repentance and repentance is to be understood as a
therapy of the entire being, mind, soul and body. For
this reason anyone who wishes to embark unto it has to
first learn the ropes. No one could dance walls without
first learning the 1-2-3 steps, right? The steps of our
entering Great Lent, as a spiritual means which leades
to Pascha, are the pre-lenten Sundays that mark the
begining of the Triodion. These are: the Publican and
Pharisee (Feb.8 ), the Prodigal Son (Feb. 15) and the
Farewell to Meat or Forgiveness Sunday (Feb. 22).
The liturgical rythm of the Church guides our foot
steps. Like the little Zacchaeus, each one of us desires
to see Jesus. And because God takes our desire as a
first step toward Him, He comes into our house and
heart, as he did with this tax-collector. Jesus was drawn
to stay with Him because his repentance was genuine
and his committment was bold and sincere. Zacchaeus
put an end to his former way of life and accepted to
deprive himself of his comfort, because he longed for
being poor in spirit. This translates by following the
humility of Christ, which is our supreme richness.
So, now, when the signal for transition from feasting
to fasting is given, you are called to chose and decide.
Will you take the way of the fasting, simplifying your
life from the mind, heart and body forth? Or, will you
opt for the comfortable „status quo” of indulging and
neglecting your true self. May Zacchaeus be your
guide!
Fr. Remus Grama
Children’s Choir Rehearsal
Please, bring your child to learn to sing the responses
to the Divine Liturgy! We will meet every Saturday,
at 3:30 pm in the Church School, starting on
February 7. The parents and children are very
enthused about this project and we hope you will
ALL come! The goal is that by spring, our children
will be able to give the responses to the Sunday
Liturgy.
Catechism Classes
During the children’ s rehearsal, the parents will
have Catechism lessons taught by our clergy. This
will be followed by discussions. Let us turn this into
a fun and self-enhancing spiritual opportunity.
The Winter Saints’ Dinner
A large crowd stayed for our annual winter dinner.
We would like to thank the ladies who worked in the
kitchen and prepared this outstanding meal! Thank
you to those who served at the tables and cleaned
after. Many thanks to our generous Sponsors! Thank
you all for your support!
Fish Fry Begins February 20!
Saint Mary’s Fish Fry is well known to clevelanders
and they come by the herd. On February 20, we
resume this project again. This involves a lot of
work, many volunteers and a lot of organizing. In
order to maintain this fund-raising at the expected
standard, we invite you to come and help. We need
some volunteers on Thursday for cleaning the fish
and set the tables. All Friday volunteers are asked to
come as early as possible. We hope all our AROY
will be here to assist us with their energy and
youthful smiles! For any questions, please, call our
office.
EPISCOPATE CLERGY CONFERENCE
On february 3-6, our Priests will attend the Clergy
Conference in Scottsdale, Arizona. This is a
mandatory continuing education requirement. Except
for a few hours, when volunteers will pick up calls,
our office will be closed. If you have an emergency,
please leave a message on the emergency mailbox
and we will contact you. The Rev. Father Florin Bica
will respond to urgent pastoral needs in our absence.
GREAT LENTS BEGINS ON FEB 23
Great Lent will begin Monday February 23rd. It is time to
come back to the Lord and re-enter the communion of His
saints. This is the only means to escape life's pressures
and renew our own being, denying ourselves, taking the
Cross daily and offering ourselves to the Lord.
I invite all our members to come and experience the joy
of our liturgical life. Every Liturgy is a glimpse of
Paradise at hand. Besides our Sunday services, during
Great Lent we will have evening Pre-sanctified Liturgy,
lecture and Supper. Confessions will be herd on Saturday
evenings, right after Vespers. We are all called to repent
and bare fruits for the Gospel.
Let’s start afresh! Read the Bible daily. Be altruistic and
concerned with the needs of others. Come; receive the
most holy and precious Body and Blood of Christ, our
only source and means of reconciliation and life eternal.
In Christ's Kingdom, our only escape from
meaninglessness, we have an everlasting home and a
bright and meaningful future in His Kingdom, in the
company of those who love Him, forever. Come and
rejoice in the Lord! See you in church!
PRAYING IS NOT ENOUGH
AN ACTIVE MEMBERSHIP IN THE BODY OF CHRIST
REQUIRES A LIFE OF PRAYER AND A LIFE OF ACTION.
PRAYING IS NOT ENOUGH! ENROLL YOURSELF AS A
CHURCH MEMEBER AND LET’S DO HIS WORK
TOGETHER! ARE YOU A MEMBER?
YES, CHANGE IS POSSIBLE!
 A FEW YEARS AGO, The Winter Saints
Dinner went down. Now, we changed it!
 A FEW YEARS AGO our Church School
attendance was low, and we changed it!
 YES, WE CAN CHANGE! LET’S MAKE
SAINT MARY VIBRANT AGAIN: PLEASE,
COME TO CHURCH ON TIME. The bells
announce the begining of the Liturgy at 9:30
AM! We should be in church 5 minutes earlier!
FATHER, WHERE SHOULD I SIT,
WHEN I COME TO CHURCH?
A faithful asked: Where is it proper to sit when I come
to church?
First, it should be known that in our church we do not
have pre-assigned pews. Even though some churches
auction the seats, we do not. So, our rule is: first come,
first served!
For our members it should be a matter of hospitality
not to give a cold shoulder if someone sits in your
most prefered pew. By contrary, we should respect and
welcome one another and visitors who may not know
where you usually sit.
It would also be desirable that those who come first
should fill the first pews. This way, those who come
late will not disturb us while we pray. Let us be
amaiable and loving to all those sho set foot in church.
The experience of church should be the peace and joy
of the Kingdom of God, right?
NO TALKING IN CHURCH, PLEASE!
When we attend the Divine Liturgy, we may sing
along, but Do Not Talk! When you do so, you create
disturbance around you. It is a grave sin to bring the
worldly worries and break the peace of the church.
Please respect the House of the Lord! Thank you!
Holy Matrimony
Congratulations to Brian William Boose
& Sinziana Seicean on their Holy
Matrimony in our church, Sunday, January
11, 2015.Nasii: Radu & Mihaela Mecea.
May God bless their marriage!
Congratulations to Stefan Felix
Predescu & Oana Adriana Huluta on
their Holy Matrimony in our church,
Thursday, January 1, 2015. Nasii: Dorel &
Argentina Bancos. May God bless their
marriage!
Newly Baptized
Congratulations to:
-Gabriel & Gabriela Bejan on the baptism of their
daughter Joanna Isabela on January 18, 2015. Nasii:
Ion & Amalia Sipoteanu. La multi ani!
-Nathan & Christine Samsa on the baptism
of their daughter Noel Caitlynon January
24, 2015. Nasii: Ps-a Mary Ellen Rosco,
Thomas Rosco. La multi ani!
SÂMBETELE MORȚILOR
THE MEMORIAL SATURDAYS
PLEASE, USE DONATION ENEVELOPES
Regardless that you offer your donations in cash or
checks, please use the donation enevelopes. This helps
our trustees record or trace your donation easier.
CANDLE DONATIONS
When you lite your candles, if there is no trustee
present, please insert your donation in the donation
box. Do not leave money unattended!
WINTER REMINDER
During the cold season, once you come in the church,
please make sure the door is closed behind you. This
helps us keep the church warm and confortable.
When leaving church buildings, if you are the last,
please turn lights off and possibly make sure someone
will lock the door. Thank you for assuming the church!
14 februarie – Moșii de iarnă
10 am Parastas de obște (General Parastas)
28 februarie - Sf. Teodor Tiron
9 am Sf. Liturghie și Parastas
(Div. Liturgy & General Memorial Service)
4 aprilie - Sf. Lazăr
9 am Sf. Liturghie și Parastas
(Div. Liturgy & General Memorial Service)
GREAT LENT SERVICES
REGULAR LENTEN SERVICES:
SLUJBELE DIN POSTUL MARE
(except the first week and the 5th week):
Every Wednesday
FORGIVENESS SUNDAY: February 22nd
The last Sunday before Lent begins is called the
Forgiveness Sunday. On this day, after the Divine
Liturgy we should ask forgiveness from one another in
order to enter the spiritual journey of fasting in peace.
FIRST WEEK OF GREAT LENT
In the first four evenings of the Great Lent we will
recite the Canon of St. Andrew of Crete from 6 PM.
On Wednesday evening of this first week of lent (Feb.
25), after the service there will be a presentation and
discussions in the Cultural Hall. No meal will be
served.
THE PRE-SANCTIFIED LITURGY
Our series of Pre-Sanctified Liturgies will begin on the
second Wednesday of Great Lent. Strict fast (from
noon to the time of Liturgy!) is required from those
who plan to partake. The services are followed by a
Lenten supper, lecture and discussions.
WEDNESDAY LECTURES:
Temele cuvintelor de învățătură de
miercurea
Every Wednesday of the Great Lent, following the
Presanctified Liturgy, we will have a light Lenten
meal and the following lectures:
February 25: Orthodox Christian Fasting -Postul
Crestin Ortodox (no meal)
March 4: Repentance- Pocainta
March 11: The Eucharist - Euharistia
March 18: The Orthodox Christian Family - Familia
Crestina Ortodoxa
April 1: The Church, the Body of Christ
Biserica - Trupul Lui Hristos
We need volunteers to prepare the meals for these
days. If interested, please, call our office.
6 P.M. Pre-Sanctified Liturgy, Supper &
Lecture in the Cultural Hall
Friday: 6 P.M. Great Compline
7 P.M. Confessions
Saturday: 5 P.M. Great Vespers Followed by
Confessions
Sunday: 8:30 A.M. Matins
9:30 A.M. Divine Liturgy of St. Basil the Great
SLUJBELE DIN POSTUL MARE:
În fiecare Miercuri
(Exceptând prima şi a 5-a săptămână)
6 PM Liturghia Darurilor mai înainte Sfinţite,
agapă de post şi prezentare în Sala Culturală.
Vineri: 6 PM Pavecernita Mare
7 PM Spovedanii
Sâmbătă: 5 PM Vecernia urmată de spovedanii
Duminică: 8:30 AM Utrenia sau Rugăciunea
de dimineaţă
9:30 AM Dumnezeiasca Liturghie a Sf. Vasile
cel Mare.
NO PARTIES DURING GREAT LENT
The teachings and the Holy Tradition of the
Orthodox Church urge us to get spiritually renewed
during Great Lent. Individual faithful and parish
organizations are asked to avoid organizing parties
and secular celebrations of any kind during this
sacred time.
Să nu organizăm petreceri în post!
Din învăţăturile Sfantei Tradiţii a Bisericii Ortodoxe
înţelegem că timpul acesta al Postului Mare, este un
timp pe care trebuie să-l folosim pentru curăţirea
noastră spirituală şi pentru o schimbare decisivă a
vieţii noastre. De aceea se cere fiecărui credincios în
parte şi organizaţiilor parohiale să nu organizeze nici o
petrecere sau alte sărbătoriri pe perioada postului.
ORTHODOX NEWS
OBERLIN
HOLY PASCHA 2015
OCF
presents Dr. Eugenia
Constantinou. Friday February 13, 2015 at Oberlin
College, Wilder Hall 101 7:00pm. The topic of the
presentation is “DOUBTING ONE’S FAITH”. The
cost is FREE. Then on Saturday February 14th at St.
Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church (2000 Tower
Blvd.) in Lorain, Dr Constantinou will give a
presentation on The Book of Revelation beginning
with lunch at 11:30.
Schedule for Saturday:
11:30 am - Lunch
12:30 pm - The Book of Revelation, Part 1
1:30 pm - Break with refreshments
2:30 pm - The Book of Revelation, Part 2
*** Please RSVP for Saturday’s Luncheon. Call St.
Nicholas Church (440) 960 - 2992 or email
[email protected]. Cost is $5 before Feb 2, and
$8 after. Dr. Constantinou holds several degrees in
Religious Studies in Holy Scriptures. She is the
author of several books, and a contributor
SUNDAY OF ORTHODOXY
March 1, 2015 -- Pan-Orthodox Vespers, Holy
Trinity Church, Parma.
Six Pairs of Wooden Dolls
0On behalf of our church we would like to thank
University Professor Conf. Dr. Manuela Macarie of the
University of Iasi for the donation of six pairs of wooden
dolls representing the folk costumes of six ethnographic
zones of Romania: Schei Brasov, Rasnov, Maramures,
Bucovina (Suceava), Prahova and Lugoj. The items
belonged to her grandfather, Sociologist Eugen D.
Nicolau, a former professor at Veniamin Costache
Seminary. He was also the author of several books in
sociology and ethnology. The costumes of these dolls
were painted in 1930. Multumiri!
SPECIAL CHURCH NEEDS:
Item
Needed
Cost $
Holy Thursday
(12 Gospel Candles)
12
120 All
Flowers on the Cross 3 arrangements
150 All
(Holy Thursday)
Altar Candles
45 all
Paschal Flowers (pots)
18 ea
Paschal Day Candles (clergy)
3
70 ea
Liturgical Wine
6 cases
98 ea
Incense
10 boxes
40 ea
Charcoal (altar)
5 boxes
40 ea
Accessories for distribution of Pasti
200 (all)
(Vessels, Cloth, etc)
Bread & Wine
500
(for the blessed bread & wine called Pasti)
PASCHAL RECEPTIONS NEEDS
Cozonac, wine and boiled eggs for Paschal
Reception - Any $______ donation accepted
(midnight & morning)
Children’s treats
approx. 250
Paper Products, cups and spoons
100 all
OUR PARISH DIRECTORY
The new parish directory (booklet
format) is now available.
Members are entitled to receive
one free copy. This may be
received from the epitropi or
from the parish office.
CARTEA DE
TELEFON A
MEMBRILOR
Noua carte de telefon a
membrilor bisericii (in format de
buzunar) este disponibila. Membrii bisericii vor
primi gratuit un exemplar. Acesta poate fi ridicat de
la epitropi sau din biroul parohiei.
MY GIFT FOR
THE HOLY PASCHA
DARUL MEU DE
SFINTELE PAȘTI
At this time of Holy Pascha,
În
acesta
perioadă,
când
ne
when we remember the price that
aducem aminte de preţul plătit de
our Lord has paid for each of us
Domnul pe Cruce pentru fiecare
on the Cross; let us show our
dintre noi, să ne arătăm şi noi
love for Him, by supporting His
dragostea pentru El, sprijinind
Holy Church. You may send your gift of
Sfânta Sa Biserică. Vă rugăm să trimiteţi
love for one or more of the following:
darul dragostei pentru una sau mai multe
dintre urmatoarele:
Name__________________________
Numele_________________________
Enclosed, please find my donation to
Alaturat, trimit expresia dragostei mele
Saint Mary Cathedral:
pentru Catedrala Sfanta Maria:
Pascha Donation….....................$________
Donaţia de Paşti…………………....$________
Parish Dues …….……………….…..$_________
Membria…......................................$________
Charity…………………………………..$_________
Caritate ……………………………..…..$________
Altar Needs……….………………...$_________
Altar ……………………………….………..$_______
Other …………………………………… $_________
Altele……………………............... …… $________
Thank You for your kind expression of
Vă mulţumim pentru expresia credinţei şi a
love and faith! May God repay you and
your family with His heavenly gifts!
Please clip this coupon and bring it personally to the church
or mail it, along with your donation to St. Mary Romanian
Orthodox Cathedral, 3256 Warren Road, Cleveland, OH
44111.
dragostei
dvs.
!
Dumnezeu
să
vă
răsplătească cu darurile Sale cele cereşti!
Vă rugăm să tăiaţi acest cupon şi să-l aduceti personal sau sa-l
trimiteţi alături de donatia Dvs. pe adresa: St. Mary
Romanian Orthodox Cathedral, 3256 Warren Road,
Cleveland, OH 44111.
AVEM NEVOIE DE
VOLUNTARI
LA SALA SOCIALA PENTRU
SERILE DE PESTE PRAJIT
PAROHIA NOASTRA VA SERVI PESTE
PRAJIT IN FIECARE VINERI INCEPAND
CU DATA DE
20 FEBRUARIE, TIMP DE 7 SAPTAMANI
(20 februarie – 3 aprilie)
WANTED!
FISH FRY WORKERS
THE CHURCH WILL BE HOSTING ITS
ANNUAL FISH FRY EVENTS FOR 7
WEEKS (Feb. 20- Apr. 3) STARTING ON
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 20
Volunteers Are Needed On:
Avem mare nevoie de voluntari:
Thursdays from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm for
Fish Cleaning, Set-up, Baking, Sauce
Making & Cabbage & Noodles
- Joia intre 10 am – 3:00 pm pentru curatarea
pestelui, aranjarea meselor, gatitul pestelui si
pregatirea sosurilor si a garniturii.
- Fridays from 3:30 pm to 8:00 pm for
Fryer Cooks
-Vinerea intre 3:30 pm - 8 pm pentru prajitul
pestelui
-Vinerea intre 4:30 pm - 8 pm avem nevoie
de voluntari pentru primirea oaspetilor,
servirea mancarii, serivirea cafelei,
supravegherea parcarii, vanzarea biletelor si
servirea bauturilor la bar
-Vinerea intre 8 pm - 10 pm pentru curatenie.
DACA DORITI SA AJUTATI, VA RUGAM SA
SUNATI LA
BIROUL PAROHIAL LA 216-941-5550
Fridays from 4:30 pm to 8:00 pm for
Hosts or Hostesses, Waiters or Waitresses,
Coffee Servers, Bread Servers, Kitchen
Servers, Parking Lot, Dessert Table, Ticket
Sellers, Bartenders
Fridays from 8:00 pm to 10:00 pm for
Dining Room Clean-up
IF YOU CAN HELP FOR ANY OF THESE
ASSIGNMENTS, PLEASE CONTACT:
THE CHURCH OFFICE at 216-941-5550
OR E-MAIL at
[email protected]
SAU TRIMITETI UN E-MAIL LA
[email protected]
AVEM NEVOIE DE CEL PUTIN 40 DE
PERSOANE IN FIECARE SAPTAMANA
AT LEAST 40 PEOPLE ARE NEEDED FOR
EACH WEEK, SO PLEASE SIGN-UP AS AN
INDIVIDUAL OR AS A FAMILY.
Saint Mary Romanian Orthodox Church
3256 Warren Road
Cleveland, OH 44111
CURRENT OCCUPANT OR
Non-Profit Org.
U.S. Postage
PAID
Cleveland, Ohio
Permit No. 1077

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