St. Michael the Archangel Orthodox Church, IrvonaNativity of the Theotokos Orthodox Church, Madera
orthodoxclearfield.org • (814) 862-8694 • info@orthodoxclearfield.org
PARISH ANNOUNCEMENTSTenth Week of PentecostAugust 2 – August 8 daily Scripture readings
“Thus, in appearing with Jesus on the mount of Transfiguration, Moses and Elijah show that the Messiah Saviour is here, and that He is the Son of God to Whom the Father Himself bears witness, the Lord of all creation, of the Old and New Testaments, of the living and the dead. The Transfiguration of Christ in itself is the fulfillment of all of the theophanies and manifestations of God, a fulfillment made perfect and complete in the person of Christ. The Transfiguration of Christ reveals to us our ultimate destiny as Christians, the ultimate destiny of all men and all creation to be transformed and glorified by the majestic splendor of God Himself.”
– Fr. Thomas Hopko ( “The Rainbow Series Volume II: The Church Year)
1. UPCOMING SERVICES AND EVENTS
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)
- August Panikhida to follow
- Blessing of Fruit for Transfiguration to follow
- Coffee Hour, following (Maureen S. & Rachelle S., Sponsor)
___________________________________ELEVENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOSTAfterfeast of the Dormition of the Mother of GodImage of Christ “Not-Made-By-Hands”
Saturday, August 15
- Confessions, 5:30pm
- Great Vespers, 6:00pm @ Irvona
Sunday, August 16
- Third and Sixth Hours, 9:10am @ Irvona
- Divine Liturgy, 9:30am (Fr. Nicholas Solak, Celebrant)
- Blessing of Flowers & Herbs for Dormition to follow
- Coffee Hour, following (Parks, Sponsor)
2. CONFESSIONS Saturday 8/8 – Fr. Nicholas 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. BLESSING OF FRUIT THIS SUNDAY – Following the Divine Liturgy, Fr. Nicholas will bless fruits, as is customary to do for the feast of the Transfiguration. Please bring baskets and bowls of your favorite produce to be blessed!
4. 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. If you wish to attend services for the feast, here are a few options around our deanery:
St. Nicholas Orthodox Church – Dubois, PA August 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, PA August 5th – Vigil @ 6:00pm August 6th – Divine Liturgy @ 9:00am
Holy Transfiguration Monastery – Ellwood City, PA (consider attending the annual pilgrimage to the monastery of the Transfiguration this year!)
5. DORMITION – The feast of the Dormition of the Mother of God is Saturday, August 15th, thus marking the end of the fast. Services will not take place at Ss. Mary and Michael’s this year
. Here are some options close to us if you would like to attend services for the feast:
St. Nicholas Orthodox Church – Dubois, PA August 14th – Vespers @ 6:00pm August 15th – Divine Liturgy @ 10:00am Holy Trinity Orthodox Church – State College, PA August 14th – Vigil @ 6:00pm August 15th – Divine Liturgy @ 9:00am
6. 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.
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.