February-March, Great Lent – 2010

 Februarie-Martie -- Postul Mare -- 2010

Luni, 15 Februarie - Incepe Postul Mare.

Miercuri, 17 Februarie - Liturghia înainte sfintita 6:00 pm

Vineri 19 Februarie – Pr. Cornel va fi  disponibil pentru Sf. Spovedanie de la amiază până la 7:00 p.m.

Sâmb|t|, 20 Februarie - Sf. Teodor. Sf. Liturghie la ora 9:00 a.m. Apostol: Evrei 1:1-12; Evanghelia: Marcu 2:23-3:5, este urmata de micul dejun.

Duminic| 21 Februarie B Prima Duminica din post (a Ortodoxiei).  Sf.  Liturghie la 10:30 a.m.  Apostol: Evrei 11: 24-26; 32-40;  Evanghelia: Ioan 1:43-51. Şcoala duminicală de la 10:00 a.m. la 10:45 a.m.
V Vecernia pan-ortodoxa la ora 4:00 p.m.

Miercuri, 24 Feb. – Liturghia înainte sfintita, 6:00 p.m.

Duminica, 28 Februarie - Duminica a doua din Post (A Sf. Grigorie Palama). Sf. Liturghie la 10:30 a.m. Apostol: Evrei 1:10-14; 2:1-3; 7:26-28; 8:1-2; Evanghelia: Marcu 2:1-12; Ioan 10:9-16. Şcoala Duminicală de la 10:00 a.m. la 10:45 a.m.
V Vecernia Pan-Ortodox| la Biserica St. John , Silver Lane, Stratford la 4:00 p.m.

Miercuri, 8 Martie- Liturghia Inainte Sfinţită, 6:00 p.m.

Duminică, 7 Martie – A 3-a din Post (a Sf. Cruci). Sf. Liturghie la 10:30 a.m.  Apostol: Evrei 4:14-16; 5:1-6; Evanghelia: Marcu 8:34-9:1. Şcoala Duminicală de la 10:00 a.m. la 10:45 a.m.
V Vecernia Pan-Ortodoxă la Biserica Holy Ghost, East Main St., Bridgeport la 4:00 p.m.

Miercuri, 10  Martie – Liturghia Inainte-Sfinţită la ora 6:00 p.m.

Duminică, 14 Martie – A 4-a Duminică din Post  ( a Sf. Ioan Scărarul).  Sf. Liturghie la ora 10:30 a.m. Apostol: Evrei 6:13-20 şi Efeseni 5:8-19; Evanghelia: Marcu 9:17-32 (Vindecarea fiului lunatic) şi Matei 4:25; 5:1-12. Şcoala Duminicală de la 10:00 a.m. la 10:45 a.m.
V Vecernia Pan-Ortodoxă la Biserica St. Mary, Oakwood St. Bridgeport, la ora 4:00 p.m.

Miercuri, 17 Martie – Liturghia înainte sfintita, 6:00 p.m.

Sâmbătă, 20 Martie – Retragere spirituală (în româneşte) de la 10 a.m. la 12 noon, cu tema: FERICIRILE. Vezi anunţul în buletin.

Duminică, 21 Martie – a 5-a Duminică din Post (a Cuvioasei Maria Egipteanca).  Sf. Liturghie la ora 10:00 a.m. Apostol: Evrei 9:11-14 şi Galateni 3:23-29; Evanghelia: Marcu 10: 32-45 şi Luca 7: 36-50. 
Şcoala duminicală de la 10:00 a.m. la 10:45 a.m.
V Sfântul Maslu la Biserica Trei Sfiniţi din Ansonia, la 4:00 p.m.

Miercuri, 24 Martie – Ajunul Buneivestiri. Liturghia înainte sfintita, 6:00 p.m.

Joi, 25 Martie – Bunavestire.  Sf. Liturghie la 10:00 a.m. (Dezlegare la peşte) Apostol: Evrei: 2:11-18; Evanghelia: Luca 1:24 -38.

Sâmbătă, 27 Martie – Sâmbăta lui Lazăr, Sf. Liturghie la ora 10:00 a.m. Apostol: Evrei 12:28-31; 13:1-8; Evanghelia: Ioan 11:1-45

Duminică, 28 Aprilie – a 6-a din Postul Mare. Intrarea în Ierualim a Domnului Iisus (Floriile). Sf. Liturghie la ora 10:00 a.m. Apostol: Filipeni 4: 4-9; Evanghelia: Ioan 12:1-18. Nu se ţine Şcoala Duminicală.  Masa tradiţională de Peşte după Sfânta Liturghie. Vezi anunţul din buletin.

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NOTE SI COMENTARII

De ce să Postim? In 14 Februarie a început postul Sf. Pasti, care este o ocazie de creştere spirituală şi de apropiere de Dumnezeu. Creştem spiritual prin abţinerea de la mâncăre, băutură, petreceri; prin participarea la slujbele religioase din Sf. Biserică şi prin rugăciuni persoanale acasă; prin facerea de bine către cei săraci, bolnavi, etc, si către Biserică. Si prin toate aceste fapte creştineşti ne apropiem şi de Dumnezeu, în acelaşi timp.

Să folosim deci Postului Mare, ca o oportunitate de a ne îmbogăţii spiritualiceşte şi de a ne apropia de Dumnezeu. Să nu o pierdem, ci s-o folosim pentru a ne pregăti pentru cele veşnice C căci va veni ziua, pe neaşteptate, când vom da socoteala Judecătorului nostru Ceresc pentru faptele Si credinţa noastră. Să nu neglijăm în timpul acestui post să primim St. Taine ale Spovedaniei si Împărtăşaniei.

Cum să postim? Postiţi? Arătaţi-mi-o prin fapte! Cum? De vedeţi un sărac, aveţi milă de el; un duşman, împăcaŢi-vă cu el; un prieten înconjurat de un nume bun, nu-l pizmuiţi o femeie frumoasă, nu gândiţi rău asupra ei. Nu numai gura şi stomacul vostru să postească, ci şi ochiul şi urechile şi picioarele şi mâinile voastre, Si toate mădularele trupului vostru. Mâinile voastre să postească rămânând curate de răpire si lăcomie. Picioarele voastre nealergând la privelişti urâte şi în calea păcătoşilor. Ochii neprivind cu ispitire frumuseţile străine...Gura trebuie să postească de sudalme şi de alte vorbiri ruşinoase… Sf. Ioan Hrisostomul

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A Lenten Meditation

The negative role played by Judas comes up in one way or another in our Lenten readings and meditations.  He seems to be, at least in our minds, an intricate part of our Lord’s passion, crucifixion, and death. The understanding of the role he played in our Lord’s arrest and condemnation varies from our putting all the blame on him to his being completely exonerated. 

His exoneration comes in general from the belief that he was somehow destined to be the needed traitor. One may cite the text from the Mystical Supper where Jesus Himself, after He instituted the Sacrament of Holy Communion, seems to send Judas, saying to him: "What you do, do quickly" (John 13:27).  I believe these words of our Lord had to do more with His being prepared to take up the Cross, and with the readiness of time for the cosmic event that was about to take place. These words of our Lord were not a “license” to commit the most outrageous act of treason.

The truth is that Judas did not have to betray our Lord.  He was not preordained to act as the necessary evil in the chains of events that would lead from death of our Lord to His resurrection and the salvation of mankind. His act of betrayal was an act of his free choice but, at the same time, an act of futility. There was no need for anyone to betray Jesus, for everything He had said or done was in the open, publicly. Jesus was not hiding in the Garden of Gethsemane. He was there to pray, waiting for the soldiers. When they approached Him He said: AHave you come out, as against a robber, with swords and clubs to take Me? I was daily with you in the temple teaching, and you did not take Me. But the Scriptures must be fulfilled@ (Mark 14: 48-49). And to Judas, Jesus said: "Friend, why have you come?" (Matthew 26:50).     

Without a doubt, Judas was guilty of his actions, committing this great sin. If this is true, then the events that followed, culminating with his suicide, are explainable as natural consequences. Or are they? No, they are not. In fact, committing suicide was a far greater sin that betraying the Lord.
In order to understand this, let's put Judas in parallel with St. Peter. During the judgment of our Lord, the Apostle Peter denied Jesus three times, as Jesus foretold him he would: “Assuredly, I say to you that this night, before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times" (Matthew 26:34).  

The action of St. Peter was different from Judas just by some degree. Both betrayed the Lord in moments of trouble.  However, their reactions to their realizations of what they had done are very different.  St. Peter, after he realized what he had done, felt sorrow, repented, and cried bitterly. The Lord accepted him back among his beloved disciples. He never lost his trust in the Lord, and the Lord forgave his sin.

On the contrary, Judas realized what he had done, and his sorrow turned into desperation. The devil, which he allowed to "enter him" (John 13: 27) after the Last Supper, guided him slowly and swiftly through his actions and then encouraged him to the ultimate self-destructive act. He hung himself. Judas’ greatest sin is that he did not truly repent and did not have enough trust in God=s forgiving love, and consequently cut himself from salvation by committing suicide.

During this Lent, we should turn the attention of our meditation to ourselves. First of all, we should acknowledge our own sinfulness. We are all sinners, "for there is no man who lives and has no sin" (prayer from the Orthodox funeral service).

Next, we must realize that there are only two ways to deal with our sinfulness. One, the way of Judas, is the way of desperation, which will take us to destruction and eternal condemnation. The other way is St. Peter=s way, the way of repentance. In fact there is only one way, and that Way is Christ.

Fr. Cornel

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Postul Mare este pentru reînnoirea noastră

Desigur că ţinerea postului este foarte importantă pentru această perioadă de reînnoire spirituală.  Dar tot atât de important este şi participarea la sfintele slujbe de Duminica şi la cele specifice Postului Mare. Vă încurajem deci să participaţi şi veţi simţi o putere spirituală reînprospătată şi o apropiere de Dumnezeul nostru.

Dintre serviciile speciale ale Sf. Post bune sunt, Liturghia Inainte-sfinţită care se va celebra în fiecare miercure din Post la ora 6:00 p.m. Cei care vor să se împărtăşească pot să o facă cei pregătiţi dacă nu mănâncă şi bea nimica de la amiază. 

 

Apoi trebuie menţionată Denia din Vineri, 19 martie, Acatistul Maicii Domnului, la ora 6:00 p.m. Iar Bunavestire cade în anul acest joi, 25 martie.
Incurajem pe credincioşii noştri să participe la Vecerniile de post, care se ţin la diferite bisericii din zonă în fiecare Duminică la ora 4:00 p.m. Veţi cunoaşte bisericile şi credincioşi din zonă. Apoi este frumos când ortodocşii din aria noastră se adună împreună la rugăciune.

 

Deasemenea important este Maslul – slujba de sănătate, care se ţine în Duminica a 5-a din post la Biserica Three Saint din Ansonia. Episcopul Nikon înconjurat de un sobor de clerici vor săvârşi această slujbă de sănătate. 

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Ladies' Auxiliary News
Reported by Ann Nastu , President and
 Pricilla Carameta, Secretary

If you would like to make the holy bread for a specified week or a month, please call Florence Marsala at (203) 336-0296.
                The Ladies’ Auxiliary always welcomes new members.  Please join our hardworking organization. The annual membership fee is only $25.00.  At our new church in Easton, we definitely need lots of extra help and fresh new ideas.
We thank Audrey Fatsy and Psa. Louisa Todeasa for sponsoring the Papandina (Intâmpinarea Domnnului), on January 30th this year. They would like, in turn, to thank Psa. Mariana, Chirata Jombur, and Sultana Culcearu for their assistance in preparing the gur (coliva) and the holy bread for Papandina.
We also would like to thank Zoe Zgura for making the coliva (gur) and the bread offered for departed members of our church for Caraga. She, also with a group of helpers, did a wonderful job organizing the memorial food offerings in the Social Hall. We give thanks to all those who brought food for this occasion in the memory of and for the eternal rest of their loved ones.  Veşnica lor pomenire!

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Coming events:

2/21/2010 -- Sunday of Orthodoxy – Pan-Orthodox Vespers Service at 4:00 p.m. in our church.  Ladies, please plan to stay after the second service to help set up food in the hall. The helpers will be fed pita for lunch.
2/27/2010 – The Women’s Council will meet for the first time in our new church.  We expect 30-40 ladies from other Orthodox churches to attend. As we will need help in serving a Lenten lunch, we are asking our ladies to plan to attend, please.
3/13/2010 – Lenten Retreat in the church hall, starting at 10:00 a.m., conducted by our priests. The theme is A Journey through Holy Week.  A light Lenten lunch will be served for the participants.
3/14 & 3/21/ 2010 – On these Sundays after both services, we will collect donations for Easter flowers.
3/21/ 2010 – A Big Bake Sale will be held after the church services.  Ladies, please bake and bring your offerings to the church hall or give a donation. Spread the word around about our Bake Sale! The proceeds will go to pay for the new kitchen.
June 11, 12 and 13 we will hold our Annual Festival.  We need the help and support of many. The chairpersons, Ovidiu Ocrain and Patti Johnson, will call on us all to help.
 A decision was taken at our meeting to donate $500 to the Help Diana Fund.
Church Bread Schedule – We are very grateful to our ladies who bake or donate holy bread for our church services. The following dates are taken:
March – Betsy Cipu & Priscilla Carameta
April:  4th Len Balamaci, 11th Elena Olszyk, 18th  Tula Michael, 25th Gloria Caranica
May:  1/2 month Vasilika Stilu, 1/2 month Jenny Babu, June:  6th  Marian Coca, 13th Florence Marsala, 20th Bea Kolton, 27th Anne Nastu
July:  4th Audrey Fatsy
If you would like to bake or donate for the dates that are not taken, please see Ann Nastu, Ladies’ Auxiliary President. You can bake the church bread or give $20 (per week) for it to be baked by the ladies.
            Many thanks to Mrs. Chiraţa Jombur, who makes pitas for anyone who orders then donates all the proceeds to the Ladies’ Auxiliary Kitchen Fund for the new church. To order a pita, please contact the Ladies’ Auxiliary President, Ann Nastu, or Mrs. Chirata Jombur.

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LADIES’ AUXILIARY 2010 COMMITTEE

President:                             Anne Nastu
Vice-President:                   Gina Cook 
Secretary:                             Priscilla Carameta
Asst. Secretary:                  Betsy Cipu
Corresp. Secretary:            Florence Godin
Treasurer:                            Amalia Spau
Asst. Treasurer:                 Marie Nicola
Counselors:                          Sandra Batsu, Florence Costulas, Audrey Fatsy,  Bea Kolton, Florence Marsala, Tula Michael,  Kallie Schuster, Lucy Shola, Mary Tambakis
Past President:                    Eleftheria Fatsi
Ex-Officio:                            Psa. Louisa Todeasa, Psa. Mariana Coca

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Sponsored by:
St. Dimitrie Ladies' Auxiliary
The proceeds will help pay for the new kitchen.

We will have lots of pita and different kinds of pastries.

Join the fun and get your sweets for the season!
Come in for a Big Bake Sale!

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Retirees Update

Reported by Mary Seferi, Secretary

Birthdays:
February: Mary Chiacu, Julie Cipu, Jim Giambazi, Nikki Kressu
March:  Cathy Angelos, Bill Bileca, George Cipu, Tina Giambazi, Florence Godin, Betty Nicola, Helen Sorovacu, Theodora Valmas.

Hosts:
February: Sina Balamaci
March:  Marie Dimitriades and Stephanie Bellas
Events:
January 7: In memory of John Babu on his nameday, Veta Babu donated a bread pudding, ice cream, and other refreshments. Memory Eternal!

 On January 14, 2010 we held our Annual Meeting and election of officers.  The following were elected/have volunteered to serve in 2010:
        President:                      Peter Costulas
        Vice President:              Thomas Muzea
        Treasurer:                      Elena Balamaci
        Asst. Treasurer:           Julie Cipu
        Secretary:      Mary Seferi

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UPCOMING PARISH EVENTS
Please attend!
Great Lent begins – February 15, 2010
Sunday of Orthodoxy – February 21, 4:00 p.m.
All Parish Lenten Retreat – March 13
Retragere Spirituală – Martie 20
Big Bake Sale – March 21
Palm Sunday Annual Fish Dinner – March 28
Holy Week services – March 29 to April 3
Holy Pascha – April 4

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2010 SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
Feb. 20            Communion Breakfast following Liturgy (Liturgy starts at 9:00 a.m.)
Feb. 21            Sunday of Orthodoxy.  Vespers service at 4:00 p.m. 
Mar. 28           Palm Sunday Fish Dinner following second Divine Liturgy
Mar. 29
to Apr. 4          Holy Week and Holy Pascha
April 25           Help Diana Fund Raising Dinner following 10:30 (mixed) Divine Liturgy
May 22           Rusali  (Moşii de vară)
May 23           Holy Pentecost
May 23           Church school graduation program
June 11, 12, 13, Annual Church Festival
Sept. 12           Romanian Food Festival
Sept. 19           Church School begins
Oct. 24            Consecration of church followed by St. Dimitrie Day banquet
Nov. 12           Wine Tasting & Silent Auction
Dec. 6             St. Nicholas Fish Dinner
Dec. 25           Christmas Day service & Fellowship
Dec. 31           New Year’s Eve celebration

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Please refer to our church bulletin throughout the year for details and/or changes.

Women's Council of Orthodox Christian
Reported by Audrey Fatsy
Please plan to attend the Women's Council meeting to be held at St. Dimitrie on Saturday, February 27th at 1:30 p.m. in the church hall. Please remember the pajama program, and look for sales (sizes infants to 18 years old)!

Great Lent Pan-Orthodox Vesper Services

February 21st - Sunday of Orthodoxy - 4:00 p.m. at St. Dimitrie Church, Easton
February 28th – 2nd Sunday of Lent - 4:00 p.m. at St. John’s Church, Silver Lane, Stratford
March 7 – 3rd Sunday of Lent – 4:00 p.m. at Holy Ghost Church, East Main St., Bridgeport
March 14 – 4th Sunday of Lent - 4:00 p.m. at St. Mary’s Church, Oakwood St., Bridgeport
March 21 - 5th Sunday of Lent – 4:00 p.m. at Three Saints Church, Howard Avenue, Ansonia

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Choir News

     The Choir is asking for your support. If you can sing, please join us. The choir loft dedicated to our director, Gina Nastu Cook, and in the new church we can easily accommodate 60 choir members. Please be one of them!

       We wish Diana Vieira a speedy recovery after her knee surgery. May God bless her for all the good works and all the singing she does for our church and for the glory of God.

        Choir members were so delighted to get a note from Bob Nicola stating how much he enjoys our “harmony.” He went a step further and enclosed a donation for the work choir. God bless you, Bob, for your generosity and support! 

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Annual General Meeting

 
    The Annual General Meeting held on Sunday, January 17, 2010 immediately after the Divine Liturgy, was attended by 74 parish members. The reports were given and the 2009 budget was approved.   The treasurers were also congratulated for a job well done. The following members were elected to the Parish Council:

2010 St. Dimitrie Church Parish Council

 

President:             George C. Fatsy
V. President:        Alex Ionescu
Secretary:             William Balamaci
Asst. Sec.:             Karen Jordan
Treasurer:            Robert Blaschke
Treasurer:            Ted Schuster
Asst. Treas.:         George Ghitsa
Asst. Treas.:         Patricia Johnson
Auditor: Andrei Colimitra
Epitrop:  Arthur Giavara
Epitrop:  Florence Godin
Epitrop:  Ioan Sideri
Members:              Mary Jennifer Costulas, Audrey Fatsy, Kristin Fatsy, Peter Fatsy, Ovidio Ocrain, Marianne Fatsy Ocrain, Lucy Shola, Daniel Munteanu, Anne Nastu,  Simona Tudor, Florence Marsala, Steve Kiosse, Constantine Bargiuma (Ex-officio, cantor), Chris Michaels, Michael Babu, Betsy Cipu, Virginia Cook (Ex-officio, choir director), Frank Godin, Sorin Breaz, Matthew Gelfand, Joe Pusztay
                 
Decisions taken at the Annual Assembly Meeting include:

• Election of the Parish Council

• Approval of the financial reports and the new budget for the year 2010. We are very grateful to our treasurers, Ted Schuster and Bob Blaschke, for the wonderful job they are doing for the good of our church 

• Approval of the Building Committee report

You can read the President’s Report, Treasurer’s report, and approved 2010 budget online at our website, or you can get a printed copy at the candle stand.

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Counting Our Blessings

– In loving memory of Sophie Moran (3 years memorial) from sister Florence Marsala (1/31/10)
– For prayers of special intention for Thomas (Mike) Gachi and his family from Brenda Bicki (1/30/10)
– In loving memory of Dolores Mezzo from Brenda Bicki (1/24/10)
7-day Sanctuary
–"In Loving Memory of Pandeli, Vera, Stavri & George Yanka, and Dhimitri & Vasila Sholla” from George and Audrey Fatsy and Family (2/6/10)
– For the good health of the grandson Jeffrey Scott Fair, from Maia Nora Hoag (2/6/10).
– For the good health of Aura Saru, from Paula, Stela, Alexandra, John and Cristi Dima (1/31/10)
– In loving memory of John Shola from Elizabeth Andry and Family (1/21/10).
– Special Donations
– In loving memory of James Pittu from Irene Rigia (12/30/09)
– In loving memory of James Pittu from Florence and Nick Geambazi (12/30/09)
– In loving memory of Angelo Thanassi from Peter and Florence Costulas ($50) (1/17/10)
– In loving memory of John Shola from Elizabeth Andry and Family ($50) (1/21/10)
– In loving memory of departed family members from Chirata Jombur ($100) (1/31/10)
– In loving memory of Edith and Arline Gelfand from Matthew and Martha Gelfand (2/07/10, 1/17/10)
– In loving memory of Nicolae and Florica Muresan, from Robert and Alexandra Braun ($100) (1/24/10)

Thank you notes

We would like to thank Mr. Mike Talabac who made and donated a multipurpose table for use in the church during church special services. He donated this table in loving memory of his uncle Jim Shola and his father Nicholas Talabac. May God rest the souls of the servants of God Jim and Nicholas in His kingdom, and may He also bless Mike for his special donation.

We would like to give thanks to Mr. Simion (Sorin) Breaz for making a vestment cabinet on the side of the altar and to Mr. Nicolae Breban for painting it and finishing it. Fr. Cornel, Fr. George, and the altar boys are especially grateful to them for creating this beautiful place for storing their church vestments.

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A Letter to the Orthodox Faithful in Connecticut

     For Orthodox Christians, Sunday is the day of the Resurrection. God sends forth His call for us to gather around the one chalice. Living from “Sunday to Sunday” is our response, in love, to what God has done for us. To say that we live from “Eucharist to Eucharist” is to confess that nothing is more real than God and His perfect love for us.
    Parents have always been faced with difficult choices and the present time is no exception. Scheduling of activities is often one of those difficult choices. More and more often, activities for our children are scheduled at times that conflict with Sunday church attendance. These activities include not only sports, but also community service projects as well. These are all good things, worthwhile to be sure. However, as Orthodox parents, we must have the courage to teach our children that the first priority is our commitment to our Orthodox Faith. And, when activities conflict with our faith, we must have the courage to say to our children “No, that time doesn’t work for us.”
    We must also make every effort to influence and change the times of conflicting extracurricular activities – to alert others that Orthodox Christians participate in the Divine Liturgy on Sunday mornings. Orthodox Christians do not have a Eucharistic service on Saturday night. We must witness to our faith by making every effort to let our non-Orthodox friends and organizational decision-makers know that it is necessary to schedule events after rather than during the Sunday Divine Liturgy.
    We know that we can effect change when we speak in one voice. May God grant all of us the strength to witness to the one true apostolic Faith, especially to our children.
    
Your Sister in Christ,

Nina Kosowsky, FORCC President

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FORCC NEWS
Reported by Bill Balamaci, Past President

The March 18, 2010 meeting will be hosted by St. George Church, Main St., Trumbull at 7:30 p.m. A presentation by Connecticut In-Home Assistance will review in-home services available for senior citizens.
April 17, 2010 – RELIGIOUS EDUCATION PROGRAM for Church School Teachers & Parents, hosted by FORCC at Holy Trinity Church, Park Avenue, Bridgeport. Details in the March bulletin.
The May 20, 2010 meeting will be hosted by St. Dimitrie Church. Parishioners are invited to the 7:30 pm.  Prayer Service followed by the meeting and refreshments. Come and meet active Orthodox faithful from other Orthodox churches in the Greater Bridgeport - New Haven area.

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Five Paths to Repentance
St. John Chrysostom, Patriarch of Constantinople (+407 AD)

Would you like me to list also the paths of repentance? They are numerous and quite varied, and all lead to heaven.
A first path of repentance is the condemnation of your own sins: "Be the first to admit your sins and you will be justified." For this reason, too, the prophet wrote: "I said, I will accuse myself of my sins to the Lord, and You forgave the wickedness of my heart." Therefore, you too should condemn your own sins; that will be enough reason for the Lord to forgive you, for a man who condemns his own sins is slower to commit them again. Rouse your conscience to accuse yourself within your own house, lest it become your accuser before the judgment seat of the Lord.
That, then, is one very good path of repentance. Another and no less valuable one is to put out of our minds the harm done us by our enemies, in order to master our anger, and to forgive our fellow servants' sins against us. Then our own sins against the Lord will be forgiven us. Thus you have another way to atone for sin: "For if you forgive your debtors, your heavenly Father will forgive you.”
Do you want to know of a third path? It consists of prayer that is fervent and careful and comes from the heart.
If you want to hear of a fourth, I will mention almsgiving, whose power is great and far-reaching.
If, moreover, a man lives a modest, humble life, that, no less than the other things I have mentioned, takes sin away. Proof of this is the tax-collector who had no good deeds to mention, but offered his humility instead and was relieved of a heavy burden of sins.
Thus I have shown you five paths of repentance: condemnation of your own sins, forgiveness of our neighbor's sins against us, prayer, almsgiving, and humility.
Do not be idle, then, but walk daily in all these paths; they are easy, and you cannot plead your poverty. For, though you live out your life amid great need, you can always set aside your wrath, be humble, pray diligently, and condemn your own sins; poverty is no hindrance. Poverty is not an obstacle to our carrying out the Lord's bidding, even when it comes to that path of repentance which involves giving money (almsgiving, I mean). The widow proved that when she put her two mites into the box!
Now that we have learned how to heal those wounds of ours, let us apply the cures. Then, when we have regained genuine health, we can approach the Holy Table with confidence, go gloriously to meet Christ, the King of Glory, and attain the eternal blessings through the grace, mercy, and kindness of Jesus Christ, our Lord.

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Help Diana Fund

 

Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy. (Matthew 5:7)
     Our prayers are with Diana Breaz, who was diagnosed with and is in treatment for brain cancer. She is 6 years old and the daughter of Simion (Sorin) Breaz and Violeta Alesincu Breaz.
    St. Dimitrie Church and the community have joined many people in prayer for Diana.  We are also raising money to help with the treatment. The traditional treatment is extremely dangerous for her future, and not very promising. For these reasons the parents need to find alternative ways to help her, which can be very expensive and are not covered by medical insurance. 
    On February 14th our church community started its project to raise money for Diana.  During the church service a collection was taken for her.  She was the focal point at a special table at the coffee hour, also. Many people from our community made financial offerings, adding to the donations made by the Parish Council ($2,000) and the Ladies’ Auxiliary ($500).
    Additional donations can be made through St. Dimitrie Church (as tax deductible donations) or directly to the family through the web site established for this purpose, HelpDiana.com. 

Our church has also decided to offer a Sunday dinner to help Diana. All the proceeds from the April 25th Help Diana Fund Raising Dinner following the 10:30 (mixed) Divine Liturgy will be given to this fund. We hope that you will put this date on your calendar, and make reservations to participate. St. Dimitrie Church will keep this Fund open so you can make a donation at any time.
            But above all, keep Diana and her family in your daily prayers – for everything good and profitable for our souls and bodies comes from above, from our Father in Heaven.

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YOU ARE INVITED TO
THE ST. DIMITRIE
ANNUAL PALM SUNDAY
 FISH DINNER

March 28, 2010
Following the Divine Liturgy
MENU
Appetizer, Rolls, Salad
Baked Fish, Rice, Vegetable
Dessert, Coffee, Wine, Soda
                  

Please return this completed form with your check made payable to St. Dimitrie Church no later than March 21st.  Please drop off at candle stand on Sunday or mail to St. Dimitrie Church, P.O. Box 146, Monroe CT 06468

Name(s)__________________________________________

________will attend
 _________cannot attend, but please accept the enclosed donation.

Karen Jordan 203-268-8439
Karenjordan35@sbcglobal.net

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An All-Parish Lenten Retreat

A Journey through
 Holy Week

Join Us!
Saturday, March 13, 2010

Schedule of Events:
10:00 a.m.           –        Prayer Service
10:30 a.m.           –        Coffee break
10:45 a.m.           –        Presentation
12:00 noon  –      Q and A Period
12:30 p.m.           –        Light Lunch
1:00 p.m.   –        Closing prayer

The scope of this retreat is:

1. to better understand the events that took place during the Holy Week, which is the focal point of our Orthodox life
2. to help us make Holy Week more beneficial to us and to our salvation

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3. Retragere spirituală (în româneşte) pentru
   întreaga parohie cu tema:

   FERICIRILE
   Importanţa lor pentru viaţa creştinului
   Vă rugăm să participaţi!
   Sâmbătă, 21 Martie 2010

   Programul:
   10:00 a.m.– Rugăciunea
   10:30 a.m.– Cafeaua şi gustarea
   10:45 a.m. – Prezentare
   12:00 p.m.– Timp pentru Î. şi R.
   12:30 p.m. – Prânzul
   1:00 p.m. – Rugăciunea

Scopul acestei retrageri spirituale este:

1. de a înţelege mai bine Fericirile, aceste reguli de viată creştină date nouă de Domnul Iisus

2. de a face învăţătura Domnului nostru Iisus parte din viaţa noastră creştină

3. de a înţelege ce este fericirea, în înţelegerea Domnului, şi care sunt este modul de a o atinge

St Dimitrie Romanian Orthodox Church
P.O. Box 146 • Monroe, CT. 06468
Phone (203)261-1149
Parish Priest - Rev. Father Cornel Todeasa                                                            Rev. Fr. George M. Coca

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Easter Community Card
February 16, 2010

Dear Parishioners and Friends:

Once again the Easter Season is approaching, and once more we are planning to mail a Community Easter Card to all of our parishioners and friends.
For a donation to the church, we will be glad to include your name and those of your family members in the card. Because of space limitations, we are asking that names only be included! The Community Easter Card is a wonderful way to spread our joy in the Resurrection to all of our family and friends, while at the same time benefiting our beloved St. Dimitrie Church.
Please complete the form below and enclose it with your donation in the envelope provided. Please bring or mail the envelope to the Church by Sunday, March 21, 2010. Please be generous as we are in dire need of financial help.
Participate with us in sending the love and joy of Easter to others.
George C. Fatsy                                                          Rev. Fr. Cornel Todeasa
Parish Council President                                                          Parish Priest

Please detach and return as soon as possible, but no later than Sunday, March 21, 2010

NAME:...............................................................
(Please print your name(s) only, exactly as you wish it to appear on the card.)

ADDRESS:..........................................................
MAKE CHECKS PAYABLE TO: St. Dimitrie Romanian Orthodox Church. Thank you!