St. Michael the Archangel Orthodox Church, Irvona
Nativity of the Theotokos Orthodox Church, Madera
orthodoxclearfield.org • (814) 862-8694 • info@orthodoxclearfield.org
PARISH ANNOUNCEMENTS Ninth Week of Pentecost July 26th – August 1st
“In the glow of this incomparable festal light, in these August days as the natural world reaches the peak of its beauty and becomes a hymn of praise and hope and the ensign of another world, the words of Dormition ring out, “Neither the tomb nor death could hold the Mother of God, who is ever watchful in prayer, in whose intercession lies unfailing hope. For as the Mother of Life she has been transported to life…” Death is no longer death. Death radiates with eternity and immortality. Death is not rapture but union. Not sorrow but joy. Not defeat, but victory. This is then what we celebrate on the day of the Dormition of the Most Pure Mother, as we anticipate, taste and delight even now in the dawn of the mystical and never-ending Day.”
– Fr Alexander Schmemann ( “Celebration of Faith: The Virgin Mary”, Crestwood, New York, SVS Press, 1995)rc
1. UPCOMING SERVICES AND EVENTS
NINTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOSTTranslation of the Relics of the Protomartyr and Archdeacon Stephen from Jerusalem to Constantinople
Saturday, August 1
- Confessions, 5:30pm
- Great Vespers, 6:00pm @ Irvona
Sunday, August 2
- Third and Sixth Hours, 9:10am @ Irvona
- Divine Liturgy, 9:30am (Fr. Ignatius Hunter, Celebrant)
- Coffee Hour, following (McDonald family, Sponsor)
NOTE: Matushka Seraphima, the wife of Fr. Ignatius, will be leading the choir today.
___________________________________TENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOSTAfterfeast of the Transfiguration of our LordGlorification of St. Herman of Alaska
Saturday, August 8
- Confessions, 5:30pm
- Great Vespers, 6:00pm @ Madera
Sunday, August 9
- Third and Sixth Hours, 9:10am @ Madera
- Divine Liturgy, 9:30am (Fr. Nicholas Solak, Celebrant)
- Coffee Hour, following (Maureen S. & Rachelle S., Sponsor)
- August Panikhida & Blessing of Fruit for Transfiguration to follow
2. CONFESSIONS Saturday 8/1 – Fr. Ignatius Hunter will be available beginning at 5:30pm on Saturday if anyone needs a confession. Parishioners who confess to a visiting priest are asked to send a
brief email to Fr. Mark afterward as a courtesy.
3. TRANSFIGURATION – Services for the great feast of the Transfiguration of our Lord on Mount Tabor will not take place at Ss. Mary and Michael’s this year. However, Fr. Nicholas Solak will be blessing fruit the following Sunday, August 9th, following the Divine Liturgy and August Panikhida. If you wish to attend services for the feast (which we encourage all to do!), here are a few options around our deanery:
St. Nicholas Orthodox Church – Dubois, PAAugust 5th – Vespers @ 6:00pm w/ blessing of fruit August 6th – NO DIVINE LITURGY (will be attending services in Ellwood City)
Holy Trinity Orthodox Church – State College, PAAugust 5th – Vigil @ 6:00pm August 6th – Divine Liturgy @ 8:00am
Holy Transfiguration Monastery – Ellwood City, PA (consider attending the annual pilgrimage to the monastery of the Transfiguration this year!)
4. DORMITION FAST BEGINS – Please remember that the fast for the Dormition begins THIS Saturday, August 1st and will conclude with the feast of the Dormition on Saturday, August 15th.
It is the tradition of the church that we refrain from meat and dairy products, with fish allowed on some feast days, during this time. Click this link for a reflection on why we fast during this time:
https://www.oca.org/reflections/fr.-steven-kostoff/the-dormition-fast-commitment-vs.-convenience
5. ARCHDIOCESAN FAMILY RETREAT – Families from across our Archdiocese are invited to gather at Camp Nazareth in Mercer for the Second Annual Family Retreat, taking place August 14-16. This year’s theme is “Heart Full of Light” and the weekend will include the festal Divine Liturgy for the Dormition of the Theotokos on Saturday, the Sunday Divine Liturgy, reflection, fellowship, and family-centered activities for all ages. Registration opens July 1 at ocadwpa.org. The cost includes lodging, meals from Friday evening through Sunday brunch, and all retreat activities. Children age five and under attend free. Space is currently limited to eighteen families, so interested families are encouraged to register early. For additional information, pricing, and registration details, please contact the retreat coordinator at kyra@ocadwpa.org.
6. ANNUAL PARISH PICNIC – Thank you to everyone who attended our annual parish picnic this past Sunday! Photos will be forthcoming on our parish facebook page. Thank you to everyone who made this event a success!7. 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, email him at
frmark@orthodoxclearfield.org, or use the online contact form at
orthodoxclearfield.org. 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.