Forgiveness Sunday

By Fr. Robert M. Pipta | Filed in Weekly Bulletin

Burying the Proverbial Hatchet

 

Forgiving people when they apologize is one thing; but have you ever tried to forgive someone who has hurt you and never shown any remorse?  Not so easy, is it?  It’s tough to bury that hatchet.

Even after years spent developing a relationship, a single harsh statement or thoughtless act can destroy everything we feel for that person.  We forget the good and play out bitter, vindictive scenarios in our minds.

When someone hurts us, we have choices.  We can go our separate ways and never talk again.  We can live with the anger.  We can bear grudges, nurse hate, and seek revenge. We can pretend everything is fine and just bury our feelings.  Or we can face the person and talk things through … and then forgive.

Of course, the last choice is the healthy one.  Even if the person who wronged you refuses to change or take responsibility, you can still let go of pride and bring closure and healing – for your own sake.

Forgetting is the hardest part of forgiving.  We bury the hatchet; but when we leave the handle sticking out of the ground, we’re just giving the pain permission to continue cutting us.  Bury the handle!  Cancel the debt!  This is the only way to experience freedom.

 

FASTING SCHEDULE this WEEK

Monday, 20 February               Strict Abstinence from all meat and dairy products

Wednesday, 22 February           Simple Abstinence from meat and meat products

Friday, 24 February                  Simple Abstinence from meat and meat products

LITURGICAL PRAYER SCHEDULE this WEEK

                                                SUNDAY of CHEESE-FARE – Commemoration of Adam&Eve’s Expulsion

Saturday, 18 February

5 PM  Great Vespers

Sunday, 19 February

            8 AM  Festal Matins

            9 AM  Divine Liturgy with the Rite of Mutual Forgiveness  (Vocation Icon to Dice Family)

 

Monday, 20 February               First Day of the Great Fast; Our Venerable Father Leo, Bishop

            8 AM  Matins

            7 PM  Vespers

 

Tuesday, 21 February

8 AM  First Hour

7 PM  Ninth Hour  [and Adult Enrichment – Series Two begins]

 

Wednesday, 22 February           The Finding of the Venerable Relics of the Martyrs of Eugenia

            10 AM  Midday Lenten Office with Holy Communion

            [6:30 PM  Presanctified Liturgy at Saint John the Baptizer Ukrainian Catholic Church*]

 

Thursday, 23 February             Our Holy Father Tarasius, Archbishop of Constantinople

9 AM  Third Hour

7 PM  Great Compline with portions of the Great Canon

 

Friday, 24 February

            7 PM  Presanctified Liturgy [with Holy Communion]

 

Saturday, 25 February               1st/2nd Finding of the Baptist’s Head; Miracle of the Holy Theodore

            8 AM  Festal Matins

            9 AM  Divine Liturgy  (+John Moyta)

                                                FIRST SUNDAY of the GREAT FAST

5 PM  Great Vespers

Sunday, 26 February

            9 AM  Divine Liturgy of Saint Basil with Blessing of Icons  [followed by Youth Classes]

(Vocation Icon to the Laman Family)

* St John the Baptizer Church; 4400 Palm Avenue; La Mesa 91941;  Call to Confirm:  619-567-6967

 

Date              Service    Reader          Cantor              Social Host           Donors        Cleanup

19 February  FM          R. Huber       G. Huber

DL          R. Huber       E. Rusnak           J. Greenwell      Moellers     Dice Family

20 February  V             J. Deane       R. Greenwell

24 February  PL           J. Deane       G. Huber

25 February  FM/DL    J. Chase           J. Deane

GV                               G. Huber

26 February  DL          J. Deane       G. Huber            J. Greenwell      A. Musil      J. Greenwell.

 

Adult Enrichment Series Two begins this week with an in-depth look at the Divine Liturgy of the Byzantine Tradition.  Classes will be based on A Commentary on the Divine Liturgy by Nicholas Cabasilas.  The weekly schedule of topics is below.  We gather Tuesday evening from 7 to 9 PM, beginning in the church.

21 February    Introduction  (pages 1–22)

28 February    Prothesis  (pages 25–42) – class portion will be held in the church this evening

6 March          Liturgy of the Word  (pages 43–64)

13 March        Liturgy of the Faithful – Part One  (pages 65–82)

20 March        Liturgy of the Faithful – Part Two  (pages 83–95)

27 March        Conclusion  (pages 96–120)

 

Dear Parish Leaders:  By this Tuesday, please see that the narthex and kitchen calendars are updated with the events and times of happenings through the end of March.

 

MOST HOLY THEOTOKOS, SAVE US!

 

Parish Life Committee calls us to Great Fast Stewardship of Time:  The Sunday Social schedule has a few “holes” that need some willing folks to fill, especially for clean-up helpers.  Please contact Virginia, Kelly, or Janet to volunteer some extra time on Sunday morning.  We are grateful to all who make our Sunday Socials a pleasant gathering experience.

 

Attention ByzanTEENs!  The national ByzanTEEN Youth Rally (for 13 to 19 year olds) is to take place at the University of San Diego, July 12-15, 2012.  The theme is “O Joyful Light.” The cost is $275 per person and includes programs, meals, and on-campus lodging.  Lodging on campus is required of all attendees.  Space is limited and early registration recommended.  Full payment and completed registrations must be received by the Rally Planning Office in Illinois by the end of May.  Please contact Jonathan or Father Robert for further information.

 

A special “sale” will be held by our Book and Icon Shop next Sunday.  Pick up an icon you might want in your home, get some good Great Fast reading material, or check out Kathleen Burns’ hand-drawn porcelain keepsakes commemorating our Renovation Phases.

 

CHRIST IS AMONG US!          HE IS AND WILL BE!

 

You are welcome to be part of the Ethnic Food Making in the Hall:

Monday the 20th – Butter Lamb making at 9 AM;

Tuesday the 21st – Paska Bread and Butter Lamb making at 9 AM;

Friday the 24th – Kolach making at 9:45 AM.

Consider assisting with ethnic foods as part of your Great Fast stewardship of time and talent!

 

Bishop’s Appeal 2012!  If you have not yet done so, kindly complete your pledge form and turn it in to Father, the parish office, or the collection basket even if you’ve already made your donation.  If you do not know at this time to what pledge you can commit, turn in the form without marking a pledge amount.  We have until the 31st of May to meet our goal of $12,000 (= $200 per household).  Of course our most important goal is 100% participation. Please make all checks out to “Holy Angels Church.”  Use your specially marked stewardship envelope or write “Bishop’s Appeal” in the memo line of your check.  The parish will forward funds to the Bishop’s office as pledges are fulfilled.  If we reach our goal we will receive back a 30% rebate.  11 of our 60 households have already pledged – that’s 18% participation so far!

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