St. Michael the Archangel Orthodox Church, IrvonaNativity of the Theotokos Orthodox Church, Madera
orthodoxclearfield.org • (814) 862-8694 • info@
PARISH ANNOUNCEMENTSTwenty-third Week of PentecostNovember 2 – November 8daily Scripture readings
Instead of glorifying God, the evil one chose to glorify himself, and this was his undoing. Satan fell like lightning from heaven, because he was proud, because he tried to use God’s gifts to glorify himself.
And how tempting is it for us to use our God-given talents to make ourselves look good?
“Look at my power.” “Look at my ability.” “Look at me.”
How easy is it to make the same mistake as the evil one—the mistake of thinking that I always know best, that my gifts and talents make me better than everyone else?
~ Very Reverend Sergius Halvorsen
1. UPCOMING SERVICES AND EVENTS
TWENTY-THIRD SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
St. MIchael the Archangel, Synaxis of the Bodiless Powers
Saturday, November 7
- Archdiocesan Assembly @ St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, Allison Park
- Confessions, 5:00pm
- Great Vespers w/ Litya, 6:00pm @ Irvona
Sunday, November 8
- Third and Sixth Hours, 9:10am @ Irvona
- Divine Liturgy, 9:30am (Fr. John Steffaro, Celebrant)
- Coffee Hour, following (Festal Potluck to follow)
TWENTY-FOURTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
Holy Martyrs and Confessors Gurias, Samonas, and Abibus, of Edessa
Friday, November 13th
- Parish Yard Sale @ St. Michael’s Hall, 8:00am – 3:00pm
Saturday, November 14
- Parish Yard Sale @ St. Michael’s Hall, 8:00am – 3:00pm
- NO VESPERS
Sunday, November 15 (Advent Begins today!)
- Third and Sixth Hours, 9:10am @ Madera
- Divine Liturgy, 9:30am (Fr. Edward Hughes, Celebrant)
- Coffee Hour, following (Bridgett & Olivia S., sponsors)
2. PATRONAL FEAST DAY POTLUCK – Our second patronal feast day honoring St. Michael the Archangel for our church in Irvona will take place this Sunday, November 8th. Fr. John Steffaro will be joining us to celebrate Great Vespers with Litya for the feast on Saturday, November 7th, followed by the Divine Liturgy the next morning. ***Fr. John will also be hearing confessions beginning at 5:00pm.*** In honor of our patronal feast, we will do a festal potluck to celebrate! Please click the link to sign up for a dish to share: Festal Potluck Sign-Up
3. ADVENT BEGINS – The Nativity Fast, called Advent, officially begins on Sunday, November 15th. This 40-day season, similar to Great Lent, calls us to fast and prepare ourselves to celebrate the feasts of the revelation of our Lord on the earth – in human flesh (Christmas), in his divinity (Theophany), and finally at his Meeting in the Temple by the elder Simeon to complete the forty days. It is the usual custom that we fast from meat and dairy products for the 40 days, with many days allotted for fish, wine, and oil. It is also our usual practice, as Orthodox Christians, to receive the mystery of confession as part of our preparation for the Nativity.
As our transition continues, it is not guaranteed that Vespers will be celebrated in December. Please take advantage of our visiting priests, who have been hearing confessions, and any Vespers service provided, where a period of time to hear confessions is planned. Please also make arrangements with Fr. Mark Meholick (whose number is below) if you wish to meet him for confession as well.
4. ADVENT FOOD DRIVE – Our parish will continue the custom of collecting non-perishable food items this Advent. All donations, both cash and physical food items, will be given to our local food banks. There will be boxes available in both churches where you can place any and all donations. May God richly bless our generosity!
5. PARISH YARD SALE SET UP – We will be doing a parish yard sale on November 13th and 14th @ St. Michael’s Hall, with all proceeds from these items going towards the parish fund. See below a schedule for the yard sale:
THIS WEEK: 11/8 – Parishioners welcome to view and buy existing items. Cost will be donation of their choice.
Fri. 11/13 & Sat. 11/14 – YARD SALE, 8:00am – 3:00pm each day.
- Additional information forthcoming regarding volunteers, cookies, etc.
6. ARCHDIOCESAN ASSEMBLY – Please keep Raymond Mandell, Greg Sidorick, and Nick Sidorick, who will be traveling to Pittsburgh this Saturday to represent our parish at the annual assembly of our Archdiocese, in your prayers!
7. Catechism Classes – Father Mark Meholick will be having online Catechism Classes on Wednesdays at 6:30pm. The classes are through Teams (Microsoft). To get added to the class, email Father Mark at ka3yoi@gmail.com.
8. STAY CONNECTED – If you or someone you know would like to meet with Fr. Mark, please call or text the parish number at (814) 862-8694 (you will talk to Vlad S., who will forward your message), email him at frmark@orthodoxclearfield.org, or use the online contact form at orthodoxclearfield.org. If you need to contact Fr. Mark directly, if it be a pastoral emergency, his number is 814-771-5530. Please do not hesitate to reach out or schedule a visit. If illness prevents you from attending church, please let Father know so that he can add you to the parish prayer list and, if needed, arrange to bring the Holy Mysteries to you.