Fr. John

Holy Pentecost: The Feast of the Holy Trinity

In the Church’s annual liturgical cycle, Pentecost is “the last and great day.” It is the celebration by the Church of the coming of the Holy Spirit as the end – the achievement and fulfillment – of the entire history of salvation. For the same reason, however, it is also the celebration of the beginning: it is the “birthday” of the Church as the presence among us of the Holy Spirit, of the new life in Christ, of grace, knowledge, adoption to God and holiness.

Christ is Risen! Truly He is Risen! Pascha 2013

Dear friends,

Our parish has received so many blessings this year and we have so many, many reasons to be filled with joy. Our greatest joy, however, is when we can gather together, all of us, as a family for the celebration of Our Lord’s Resurrection from the dead. We thank you sincerely for being with us and making that joy complete. And tonight we wish you a bright, holy, and blessed Pascha.

New Icon Arrives, Completing Project

Today an important milestone was reached here at St. Andrew’s with the arrival of the icon of the Second Coming of Christ. After preliminary discussions with our iconographer, Heather MacKean, in the latter part of 2009 regarding the subject and size of the icon, it was formally commissioned in late January, 2010.

Sisterhood Hosts Holiday Sale

The Sisterhood of Saints Martha & Mary held their Annual bake sale and holiday boutique yesterday from 10 am to 4 pm. A beautiful sign announcing the event graced our front lawn and folks from the neighborhood came by throughout the day. The assortment of offerings was complete: baked goods, Nativity ornaments, religious art, jewelry, handmade scarves, decorated plants. The sale will continue today through the conclusion of coffee hour. Thanks to all the parishioners who came by yesterday to support this event and your continued support today would be appreciated. Of course, we are very grateful to our Sisterhood for all the work done in preparing for and conducting this very successful event. Thanks as well to Madeline Andruk for the decorations she put up in the Church.

Photos (graciously provided by Mark) of the event may be viewed here.

First Visit of His Grace, Bishop Michael

On Wednesday, April 6, 2011, our parish was blessed to celebrate the Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts with our diocesan hierarch, His Grace Bishop Michael, on the occasion of his first visit to our parish. The liturgical celebration was solemn and beautiful, and the warmth and love exchanged between His Grace and the parishioners was uplifting. The temple was full, and many stayed late into the evening to share a meal and meet with His Grace. The community at St. Andrew’s is so glad to have had this chance to meet our archpastor, and we eagerly await the chance to be with him again, when he will celebrate with our parish in July. Photos of the visit may be viewed here.

Fr. John shared the following correspondence with His Grace, expressing his gratefulness and joy: