Dear Brethren,
Blessings on the Feast of the Annunciation of our Most Holy Lady, Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary!
This weekend, March 28-30, 2025, we are blessed to welcome Protopresbyter Stephen Loposky, Director of Camp Nazareth and Chancellor-Elect of the American Carpatho-Russian Orthodox Diocese (ACROD), for our Lenten Parish Retreat. The weekend’s theme centers on the Divine Liturgy of the Orthodox Church, with Fr. Stephen leading Saturday’s sessions, offering insights into the meaning and movements of our worship. In his engaging style, he will help us understand why we do what we do in the liturgy, making this a valuable experience for all.Friday and Sunday will also provide opportunities to deepen our faith:
- Friday evening, instead of the Presanctified Liturgy, we will serve Lenten Vespers followed by a special instruction on confession, particularly for our youth who are preparing for their first confession.
- Sunday morning, in place of the sermon, we will gather in the Nave for a Proskomide demonstration—a unique opportunity to witness and reflect on this preparatory service. This will take place at 9:30 a.m., followed by the Divine Liturgy of St. Basil the Great.
Thank you to the Councils of Nativity of the Theotokos (St. Mary’s) and St. Michael’s for their support of this time of prayer, fellowship, and learning. On their behalf, I warmly encourage you to attend. All services, talks, and activities are free and open to all.
Retreat Schedule (all events at St. Michael’s Church and Hall in Irvona):
Friday, March 28
- Lenten Vespers, 6:00 p.m.
- Instruction and First Confessions for Youth, following
Saturday, March 29
- Memorial Divine Liturgy, 9:00 a.m.
- Continental Breakfast, 10:30 a.m.
- Keynote Address by Fr. Stephen, 11:15 a.m.
- Lunch (see sign-up below), 1:00 p.m.
- Second Session, Q&A, and Wrap-Up, 1:45 p.m.
- Great Vespers, approx. 3:15 p.m.
- Confessions and Choir Rehearsal, following
Sunday, March 30
- Third and Sixth Hours, 9:10 a.m.
- Proskomide (in Nave), 9:30 a.m.
- Divine Liturgy of St. Basil the Great, approx. 10:15 a.m.
- Coffee Hour, following
This retreat is sponsored by the Ss. Mary and Michael Outreach Fund, so there is no cost to attend. However, we welcome volunteers to provide lenten desserts, cases of water, and/or juice boxes for Saturday’s meal. Please sign up using this link.
As we prepare for this weekend of prayer and learning, please keep Fr. Stephen in your prayers for safe travel and continue praying for one another, that we may deepen our love and understanding of the Divine Liturgy, which unites us in the Cup of our Lord.
Wishing you all a blessed remainder of the Fast,
Fr. Alexander