October  2008

PASTOR’S  MESSAGE

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ!

September was the time of beginnings. In our daily lives, Schedules once more became more structured as the summer months came to a close, our children have gone back to school. Liturgical we also saw the theme of beginnings when we celebrated the Ecclesiastical or Church New Year on September the first. We have celebrated the first of the Church's Twelve Great Feasts, the Nativity or Birth of the Theotokos (Mother of God). This feast on September 8th, has a definite theme of "beginnings". For on this date we marked not just her birth, but also the beginning of our salvation as she would become the mother of the coming Promised messiah.

Our Sunday Church Classes began on September 7th, the Adult class, on September 21st. The parish is hosting its first International Food Festival on October 12th, again a new beginning.  Thus as we personally and as a parish, prepare our busy schedules for this up coming fall, we need to remember not only to look at our calendars, but also our souls. We need to see that we organize and straighten out any disturbances or disruptions which hinder us from loving the Lord. As having made a good "beginning" let us continue on that path which will lead us into our Lord's heavenly Kingdom.

                                                 God Bless, Fr. Leo

30^th ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION

Plans are moving forward for next year’s event.  The first meeting of the Celebration Committee was held on September 28^th after Divine Liturgy.  At this time, the proposed dates are September 25 – 27, 2009.  There is much to do and many volunteers are needed.  See Mark Freemyer for more information or to volunteer.

INTERNATIONAL FOOD FEST

Be sure to come with an appetite to the First Annual Feeding Our Souls International Food Fest on October 12th following Divine Liturgy.  This will be an opportunity to share the foods of the many homelands and ethnic backgrounds that make up St. Anthony’s parish.  If you would like to share recipes, please bring printed copies to pass out. 

ADULT  EDUCATION  CLASS

The Pope and the Filioque? Believer’s baptism?  The “worship” of Mary and the Saints?  If you’ve ever tried to explain Orthodox beliefs to those outside the Church, you don’t want to miss Fr. Leo’s discussion of the book Eastern Orthodox Compared: Her Main Teachings and Significant Differences with Roman Catholicism and the Major Protestant Denominations by Rev. Fr. Constantine Mathews, available for $13 from the parish bookstore.  Classes are held each Sunday at 9 am.

OUR PARISHIONERS

Randy Keeth is happily settled in Santa Fe.   He sends greetings to everyone and misses St. Anthony’s.  Randy would love to hear from us.   His new address is 4044 Cerrillos Road, Santa Fe, New Mexico  87507.  Phone 210-219-4927;  Email:  randykeeth@hotmail.com

Reader Benjamin Kaminar will continue on active military duty for several more months.  He is in training at Fort Sill, Oklahoma. Send email to him at benjamin.i.kaminar@sbcglobal.net and  bkaminar@mail.stmarytx.edu.  Erik Wiggins was on active duty for a considerable time at Fort Dix, New Jersey, but has now been sent to Afghanistan.  We pray for his safe return, and for the care and comfort of his wife Erin and his daughter.  Please let him know how much we miss him at:    erikwiggins@hotmail.com

Sarah Freeman (Rdr. Ben Kaminar’s fiancee) returned to school at Baylor School of Law this fall, where she is a 3rd year student.  Keep in touch with Sarah at Sarah_Freeman@Baylor.edu

SAINT MACRINA SISTERHOOD

The Sisterhood met on September 14^th and voted to form a committee to seek candidates for upcoming officer elections.  The Yard Sale and Bake Sale are scheduled for October 18^th from 8 am to 2 pm in front of the church.  Start baking and clean out your closets now.  Drop-off for sale items is Friday, October 17^th in the afternoon.  Bake sale items should be brought to the church before 8 am on the 18^th.  Please make sure your donations are clearly marked, clean and in working order.  See Linda Bowka and Pauline Farish for the yard sale; Judy Hrycko for the bake sale.

SAINT   JOSEPH   BROTHERHOOD

The Brotherhood will be making some great food as part of the October 12^th Feeding Our Souls International Food Fest.  Maintenance teams have been formed and the schedule is posted on the website Call Steven Baine, President, at (210) 509-8109 for more information. 

PARISH  COUNCIL

The monthly meeting of the Parish Council is scheduled for Tuesday, October 14th, at 7:00 pm.  Highlights of the September meeting were presentations on the 30^th Anniversary celebration and a proposal for Phase 2 of the temple iconography project.  The full minutes of each Council meeting are posted on the bulletin board in the Fellowship Hall, and all parishioners are invited to attend the meetings.    

FALLEN TREE

You may have noticed that another one of our pecan trees is missing next to the sidewalk along Labor Street.  On August 28^th, the tree fell around 7 am, probably due to

a weakened root system from the street construction.  By God’s grace, no one was injured or cars damaged.  City crews were prompt in removing the tree.  Unfortunately, the tree was on a City easement and was technically “owned” by the City, who have no plans for its replacement. 

ADULT CATHOLIC WORKER HOUSE

St. Anthony’s parishioners have been involved in the charitable efforts of the Catholic Worker House (603 Nolan Street) for several years, providing a hot supper to the staff and families in residence on the 2^nd Friday of each month.  The Catholic Worker House is a transitional living facility for families that are trying to get back on their feet.  Volunteers are needed for the remainder of 2008 and 2009.  In addition to the hot meals, the Catholic Worker House has an ongoing need for donated items, including, paper goods, personal hygiene items such as toothpaste, toothbrushes (adult and children’s), shampoo and razors, all sizes of diapers, and cleaning supplies.  Mark Freemyer has been appointed by the Parish Council to act as the coordinator for St. Anthony’s.  Please see Mark to volunteer for meals or to make donations to this wonderful organization, or email him at freebfree@yahoo.com 

WEDDING BANNS

Darrel (Nicholas) Chambers and Laurie (Anna) Hathaway will be united in marriage on October 26^th.

SUNDAY  SCHOOL

The start of the Church school year in September saw a record attendance of 19 enrolled students.     Keep the Sunday School students and their teachers in your prayers as they grow in the love of God and their Orthodox faith.  Thank you to all the parents for their efforts to get their children to school on time.  If you have any questions, please email Ann Spence at: a.spence@sbcglobal.net or call (210) 656-2489.

CHURCH  BOOKSTORE

The deadline for Christmas card orders is the last Sunday in October.  See Tina Gilson for a choice of card designs.

PRAYERS  FOR  THE  FAITHFUL

Mat. Mary Freemyer, Rdr. Alexander (Ann Spence’s father, heart attack), Rdr. Benjamin Kaminar (active duty), Rdr. Charles Sanderson, James Yankovich, Dicey Chambers, Eric Wiggins (active duty), Wayne Woods, Denise Dryden, Rudy Gonzalez, James Phillips, Dimitri Oomanskie, Richard Tausch, Matthew Ozerov, Louise Dorang, Kyle Jenkins and Emily Spence (starting college), Bryan Mason (catechumen), Gladys Sparks.

MEMORY ETERNAL

Memory eternal for thy  servant:  Joseph Comtois (8^th)

BIRTHDAYS,  ANNIVERSARIES,  AND  OCCASIONS

May the Lord God grant peace, health, mercy, salvation and visitation to His faithful servants:   Parviz Patrick Nazem (1^st), Linda Bowka (3^rd), Katerina Tsvetkova (6^th), Jan Tolleson (11^th), Art & Jerry Schmoker (11^th), Zina Friszbut (15^th), Bob & Rose Vranes (20^th), Kory Freemyer (20^th), Karen Morrison (22^nd), Emily Spence (22^nd), Mat. Jamie Ledford (23^rd ND), Ina Apostolow (24^th), Dana Walters (28^th), Fr. Brooks Ledford (29^th)

September  2008

This month of September we will celebrate the Church's New Year on the First.  To often the secular New Year is celebrated while we tend to forget about our Church's New Year. Many types of parties are held, people make all kinds of resolutions for the upcoming New Year, and how quickly so many of them are broken within weeks. 

However, the Church's New Year celebration begins with Her who is to bare our Savior, the Nativity (Birth) Most-Holy Lady Theotokos  and Ever-Virgin Mary on September 8th. The Troparion and Kontakion of the Feast show forth Her role as the Mother of God, and importantly how our salvation is made possible. "Thy Nativity, O Virgin, has proclaimed joy to the whole universe! The Sun of Righteousness, Christ our God, has shone from thee, O Theotokos! By annulling the curse, He bestowed a blessing. By destroying death, He has granted us eternal life" and the Kontakion states: " By thy Nativity, O most pure Virgin, Joachim and Anna are freed from her barrenness; Adam and Eve, from the corruption of death. And we, thy people, freed from the guilt of sin, celebrate and sing to thee: The barren woman gives birth to the Theotokos, the Nourisher of our Life."  Thus the resolution made by God, at the banishment of Adam and Eve from the Garden of Eden, that He would send His Son, to save mankind through a woman was kept, and the Theotokos' birth was that first step.

We ourselves need to make our resolution, that we will continue to follow the lead of the Theotokos and all the Saints, in following our Lord's commandant to "Go forth and preach to all nations," "doing all things that I have commanded you", thus showing the world we have, are, and are doing those things well-pleasing to the Lord.   Fr. Leo

SEPTEMBER  LITURGICAL  SCHEDULE

Monday, Sept. 8^th, 6:30 a.m., Divine Liturgy, Nativity of Our Most Holy Lady the Theotokos and Ever Virgin Mary

Saturday, Sept. 13^th, 7 pm, Great Vespers with Litya, Exaltation of the Precious Cross

Sunday, Sept. 14^th, 10 am, Divine Liturgy, Exaltation of the Precious Cross (This is a strict fast day)

30^th  ANNIVERSARY  CELEBRATION

By the grace of God, Saint Anthony Church will celebrate its 30^th Anniversary in the fall of 2009.  An Anniversary Committee is now being formed to prepare for this occasion.  If you have party planning talents, now is not the time to hide them under a basket.  Events under consideration are a visit by the Archbishop, a celebratory banquet, and a  neighborhood open house, among other things.   Contact Committee Chairman Mark Freemyer to volunteer.  During the next year, these events will require the full participation of many parishioners to ensure success.   Please consider the many ways we can all contribute our time and skills.

VISITORS  –  NEW  PARISHIONERS

Have you noticed new faces around St. Anthony’s?  First time visitors, inquirers or someone new to San Antonio and our parish?  Take the initiative and greet them.  Answer their questions, invite them to coffee hour, and introduce them around.  Make our visitors and newcomers feel at home and a welcome part of our family in Christ.  

The Kramer family recently moved back to Helotes from Dallas where they were parishioners of St. Seraphim’s Cathedral.  Dustin (Gregory) and Adrienne (Bill and Jeanette Morris’s daughter) were married at St. Anthony’s in 2003 and now they have two beautiful girls, Natalie (3 years old) and Sophia (almost 2).

Gregg and Kira Gerasimon are making their spiritual home at St. Anthony’s after the Army brought Greg here for completion of a medical fellowship at Brooke Army Medical Center.  You may have noticed them in our choir where they have become invaluable additions in only a few weeks.

St. Anthony’s newest catechumen is Byran Mason.  Byran was accepted into the catechumenate on Sunday, August 17^th at the start of Divine Liturgy, and will begin formal instruction with Fr. Leo in preparation for his chrismation.  Please keep Byran in your prayers as he completes his spiritual journey to the Holy Orthodox Church.

SAINT  MACRINA  SISTERHOOD

An important planning meeting is scheduled for Sunday, September 7^th, following the Divine Liturgy and Coffee Hour.  The Sisterhood invites all women of the parish to participate and make a difference in this ministry.  The main item to be discussed is the upcoming October yard sale.  The Yard Sale is a significant fundraiser for the Sisterhood, but more importantly, it is an outreach event to our neighborhood.  It will be held in early to mid-October so start cleaning out your closets.  The next Sisterhood Luncheon is also scheduled for September 21^st.  For information about Sisterhood activities, contact Nancy Smith at (210) 695-9363.

SAINT   JOSEPH   BROTHERHOOD

Final plans for the September meeting will be posted soon in the weekly bulletin and parish website.  Upcoming on October 12^th will be one of the Brotherhood’s delicious luncheons.  Call Steven Baine, President, at (210) 509-8109 for more information. 

SUNDAY  SCHOOL

It’s finally here!  The 2008-2009 church school year resumes again on September 7^th at 9 am.  At the end of Divine Liturgy, Father Leo will bless all the students and teachers and pray to our Lord for their spiritual enlightenment.  The kids will start the school year with a Pool Party on Saturday, September 6^th, from 11 am to 3 pm at the Spence’s, 15315 Spring Falls (area of Nacogdoches & Judson Rd).  If you have any questions, please email Ann Spence at: a.spence@sbcglobal.net or call (210) 656-2489.

PARISH  COUNCIL

The monthly meeting of the Parish Council is scheduled for Tuesday, September 9^th, at 7:00 pm.  At the August meeting the Council discussed the parish financial status, the possibility of setting up online payments for parishioners’ donations, suggested corrections and improvements to the website, and the setting of a Parish Council Vision Quest meeting on September 2^nd.  The full minutes of each Council meeting are posted on the bulletin board in the Fellowship Hall, and all parishioners are invited to attend the meetings.    

CHURCH  BOOKSTORE

The Bookstore recently received a new shipment of icons, wall crosses, censers, CD’s, books on prayer, the lives of the saints, Bible studies and Orthodox spirituality.  There are also many items, including Christmas cards, on sale for half-price.  Available for special order are several styles of beautiful, wooden icon shrines.  The cost will be approximately $85, including shipping, but they are handmade, and include your choice of icon and votive candle holder.  Prepaid orders for prayer ropes from St. Paisius Convent in Florence, Arizona, are planned for this Fall.  Prices will vary between $12 and $65 for 33, 50, 100 and 300 knot wool or satin cord prayer ropes.  Also available from St. Paisius are sterling silver Jesus Prayer rings in English or Slavonic for $30 plus shipping.  Proceeds from the sale will help fund the sisters’ completion of their beautiful monastery church dedicated to the Dormition of the Holy Theotokos.  See their website at http://www.stpaisiusmonastery.org/

AA  MEETINGS  AT  SAINT  ANTHONY’S

The local AA Chapter meets weekly on Thursdays at 8 p.m. in our fellowship hall.  An open invitation is extended to all needing loving support.  For details, please contact Doug at (210) 313-8646.

PRAYERS  FOR  THE  FAITHFUL

Mat. Mary Freemyer, Rdr. Benjamin Kaminar (active duty), Rdr. Charles Sanderson, James Yankovich, Dicey Chambers, Eric Wiggins (active duty), Wayne Woods, Denise Dryden, Rudy Gonzalez, James Phillips, Dimitri Oomanskie, Richard Tausch, Matthew Ozerov, Louise Dorang, Kyle Jenkins and Emily Spence (starting college), Byran Mason (catechumen).

BIRTHDAYS,  ANNIVERSARIES,  AND  OCCASIONS

May the Lord God grant peace, health, mercy, salvation and visitation to His faithful servants:   Robert Vranes (3^rd), Irina & James Yankovich (3^rd), Robert Del Bosque (4^th), Roger & Alexandra Pena (4^th), Mat. Mary Freemyer (8^th), Mat. Jamie Ledford (11^th), Vera Panasenko (12^th), Fr. Brooks & Jamie Ledford (12^th), John Tolleson (15^th), Joseph Partlow (15^th), Joseph Vargas (15^th), Jennifer Villarreal (17^th), Randy Keeth (19^th), Phyllis Tausch (26^th), Jennifer Baine (27^th), Egon & Phyllis Tausch (28^th), Katerina Tsvetskova (29^th)