October 06 Kandili Article
Another Year in our Lord
The First day of September is the beginning of the New Ecclesiastical Year. It is another year in our Lord. As I contemplate the preceding year at our St. Catherine Parish, I call to mind countless blessings. Many came in good times and others in times of challenge. I am reminded of the dedicated service of so many of you who have given hour after hour of selfless service to our Lord at our Parish. I especially thank our clergy, staff, Parish Council, Philoptochos, our Ministry Team Leaders and their teams, and all of our volunteers. We thank our Senior Citizens, our Youth, and all of you for your dedicated service in love for our Lord Jesus Christ.
In the midst of financial challenges in our Parish and challenges with “The Village of St. Catherine”, we are grateful to those who monetarily increased their pledges and to others for special gifts to help us through these times.
As we look forward to this new Ecclesiastical Year, let’s do our best to recognize God’s Grace and love for each of us. Let’s begin our day – daily – thanking Him for all our gifts, having a grateful attitude in humble gratitude. Let’s appreciate one another. Let’s appreciate life.
Our fall schedule of worship begins on Sunday, September 17, with Orthros at 8:00am, Church School for children at 9:00am, Adult Discussion (in Church) at 9:15am, Doxology at 9:50am, and Divine Liturgy at 10:00am.
Our Wednesday Fellowship Nights begin on September 13 at 5:00pm (a schedule follows). This fall Father Evan will teach a Bible Study on the Gospel of St. Matthew. I will lead a discussion on agent heresies (errant teachings) in the Church and how some are resurfacing today in light of books like The Da Vinci Code and the Gnostic Gospels.
We are also excited to join in celebration with our Mother Parish, the Metropolis Assumption Cathedral, as they celebrate their Centennial Year. The main weekend of celebration is September 22-24, with a Grand Banquet and Hierarchical Divine Liturgy with His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios and His Eminence Metropolitan Isaiah.
May this Year truly be another year in our Lord. His Grace and mercy through the intercessory prayers of His Holy Mother the Theotokos and St. Catherine the Great Martyr be with you all.
With our Lord’s Blessings,
Fr. Lou
Please Note – I will be participating in an IOCC trip to Serbia, Bosnia, and Kosovo with two Orthodox clergy, several lay people, and staff from IOCC from September 5-13. The purpose of the trip is to experience first hand the work of IOCC in different locations.
God Bless,
Fr. Lou