Category: MGOCSM

Categories
FOCUS MGOCSM

Weekly Announcements – 11/26/2017

  1. Nativity Fast – December 1st marks the begining of the Nativity Fast. All able bodied members are requested to observe this fast. Here is some more information about the Nativity Fast.
  2. Parish General Body Meeting – will be held on Sunday, December 10th after service. All eligible members are requested to attend.
  3. MGOCSM Faith Study Series – will be held this Saturday, December 2nd at 4pm at church. All MGOCSM members are requested to attend.
  4. MGOCSM & FOCUS Bowling Night – The youth will be hosting a bowling night on Friday, December 22nd for all MGOCSM and FOCUS members. Details to follow in the coming weeks.
  5. FOCUS Christmas Charity – As the Christmas season is approaching the FOCUS of the parish is partnering with “We the People United Corp.” to sponsor some local needy families. Please contact Mrs. Sini Jablonski for more details and how you can support a needy family in this time of giving.
  6. FOCUS Meeting – will be held on Friday, December 15th. Location to be announced. All FOCUS members are requested to attend.
  7. Theophilos Thirumeni’s 40th Day Service – please see the flyer below for Theophilos Thirumeni’s 40th Day service. The service will be held at St. Mary’s Orthodox Church, Suffern.

Categories
FOCUS MGOCSM

Holy Transfiguration Retreat Center & St. Tikhon’s Seminary/Monastery Trip 2017

On November 18th, a group of our parish members took a trip, organized by the church’s MGOCSM, to visit our Diocese’s newly acquired Holy Transfiguration Retreat Center and Saint Tikhon of Zadonsk’s Orthodox Seminary and Monastery. The day began at St. Tikhon’s where we were introduced to the the beautiful monastery church, filled with radiant iconography. We were also able to venerate the icons and some of the relics there (such as St. Seraphim of Sarov’s, St. Nicholas of Japan’s, etc.).  We were then taken to the seminary campuses, the classrooms, and the library which was filled with books about our faith and other faiths. Our Assistant Vicar, Rev. Fr. Abraham (Abey) George had attended seminary at St. Tikhon’s and was able to give us, as well as members from St. Stephen’s Orthodox Church, Franklin Square, a tour. We then took some time to visit the bookstore and the Burning Bush Cafe which sells coffee and other products made by the monastic community. We said our goodbyes to the community at St. Tikhon’s and went for a fellowship lunch before heading to the Retreat Center. After arriving at the Retreat Center, we were taken around the facility to see the newly furnished rooms, ready for future camps and retreats, as well as the chapel and the library. We were filled with awe by the breathtaking landscape, which the children especially enjoyed as they were able to run around and play. Our Vicar, Very Rev. Dr. Yohannan Sankarathil Chor Episcopos could not attend the trip but expressed great joy that the Church was able to attend these spiritual havens and learn more about the faith. We praise our Triune God for guiding these spiritual centers in the building up of the Holy Church as well as thank the MGOCSM of our church for organizing this amazing trip.

Carved by a monk many years ago

 

Categories
FOCUS MGOCSM MMVS

Weekly Announcements – 11/19/2017

  1. Parish General Body – The next parish General Body meeting will be held on Dec. 10, 2017.
  2. Thanksgiving Potluck – MGOCSM and FOCUS will be having a Thanksgiving Potluck feast on Nov. 24th, 2017 at 5PM at the church. All MGOCSM and FOCUS members are kindly requested to attend.
  3. Christmas Caroling Practice – There will be a song practice for Christmas Caroling next Sunday, Nov. 26th at 5PM at church.  All members are requested to attend.
  4. MMVS Fasting Prayer – The weekly fasting prayer at church is cancelled for upcoming Friday, Nov. 24th, 2017.
  5. HTRC/St. Tikhon’s Orthodox Theological Seminary Trip – The MGOCSM would like to thank all members who went on the trip to visit HTRC and St. Tikon’s Seminary.  Twenty parish members participated in this event, and a special thanks to all those who drove.  We encourage everyone to take the time to visit these spiritual centers of our faith.
  6. MGOCSM & FOCUS Donation – The MGOCSM and FOCUS of the parish donated $20,000 and $5,000, respectively towards the Church Building Loan Repayment. We would like to thank all of the youth members, both past and present, who have contributed to fundraising initiatives such as the annual basketball tournament.
  7. Baby Girl – Jeny and Shyni Koshy blessed with a baby girl Rianna Maria Koshy on Aug 11,2017.  We welcomed the baby to church  on Nov 5, 2017.  Let us uphold the new born baby and her family in our prayers.
Categories
FOCUS MGOCSM Sunday School

Weekly Announcements – 11/12/2017

  1. Christmas Caroling  – Christmas Caroling will be done on the weekend of Dec. 16th and 17th.  All interested in participating please contact Mr. Cheriyan Abraham.
    • Christmas Caroling Practice –  The first Christmas Caroling Practice will be held on Sunday Nov. 26th at 5pm at the church.  All who will participate in caroling are kindly requested to attend.
  2. FOCUS Meeting – The next FOCUS meeting will be held at Sunil and Amy George’s house on November 17th at 7 pm. We will be continuing our review and discussion of the book, Beginning to Pray.
  3. HTRC/St. Tikhon’s Orthodox Theological Seminary Trip – The youth is organizing a trip to the St. Tikhon’s Seminary, and the Holy Transfiguration Retreat Center for all parents and youth. The date has been changed to Saturday, November 18th. Plan to arrive at the church at 6:30AM on Saturday, where breakfast will be provided.  The bus will leave promptly at 7AM. Please contact Manoj Varghese or Shojil Abraham at your earliest for further details. Click here to register.
  4. MGOCSM Thanksgiving One Day Conference – The MGOCSM of the Northeast American Diocese will be holding its annual one day Thanksgiving Conference on Saturday, Nov. 25th at St. Thomas Malankara Orthodox Church, Baltimore  .
    • The main speakers for the event are Rev. Fr. Sujit Thomas and Dn. Alexander (Pradeep) Hatcher.
    • The theme of the conference is “TRUST” (The Rest is Up to our Savior in Truth).
  5. Sunday School Centralized Exam and TTC Exam Results –  Special thanks to everyone that participated in the TTC and Sunday School Centralized Exams.  Congratulations to the below parish members who passed their exams:
    • TTC Exam – Mrs. Elcy Yohannan
    • 12th Grade Exam – Shainu George
    • 10th Grade Exam – Joshua Mathew
Categories
FOCUS MGOCSM

WEEKLY ANNOUNCEMENTS – 11/05/2017

  1. FOCUS Meeting – The next FOCUS meeting will be held at Sunil and Amy George’s house on November 17th at 7 pm. We will be continuing our review and discussion of the book, Beginning to Pray.
  2. HTRC/St. Tikhon’s Orthodox Theological Seminary Trip – The youth is organizing a trip to the St. Tikhon’s Seminary, and the Holy Transfigiration Retreat Center for all parents and youth. The date has been changed to Saturday, November 18th. Please contact Manoj Varghese or Shojil Abraham at your earliest for further details. Click here to register.

    2017 HTRC & St. Tikon’s Trip
Categories
MGOCSM

Weekly Announcements – 10/29/2017

  1. 2017 Account Statements – 2017 statements, as of 10/22/2017, were sent to all members, please review the statements and let the Treasurer know if there any corrections to made.
  2. Christmas Caroling – This year there will be a new format for Christmas Caroling.  Two groups of carolers will be going on 12/16 and 12/17 to cover all the houses in the parish.
  3. Family Night & Talent Show –  This year Family Night and the Talent Show will be held on 11/24/2017 as fellowship gathering at church.  More details to come in the coming weeks!!
  4. MGOCSM Trip – MGOCSM will be taking a trip to Holy Transfiguration Retreat Center and St. Tikon’s Seminary on Nov. 11, 2017.  Please use this link for registration:  https://goo.gl/forms/Mc1GqrPmyDroTcnh2

Categories
FOCUS MGOCSM Sunday School

Weekly Announcements – 10/22/2017

  1. MGOCSM Meeting – There will be a MGOCSM Meeting on Saturday, October 28th at 4pm at the Parish.  All MGOCSM members are kindly requested to attend.
  2. FOCUS Meeting – There will be a FOCUS Meeting on Friday, October 27th at 7pm at the residence of Mr. Bills and Nancy Varghese.  All FOCUS members are kindly requested to attend.
  3. Sunday School Talent Competition – Our parish had five participants at the diocesan level talent competition: Giana Paul, Sara Solomon, Swagath Thomas, Mariel Mathew, and Sonia Joseph.  Two of our students won prizes for their efforts
    • Swagath Thomas – 2nd Prize for Solo Malayalam Song
    • Sonia Joseph – 3rd Prize for Solo English Song
  4. Feast of St. Geevarghese Mar Gregorios (Parumala Thirumeni) – The feast of is observed every year on Nov. 2nd.  The feast will be celebrated this year on Sunday, Nov. 5th.  Please see the following link to learn more about thirumeni’s  life and deeds: Parumala Thirumeni 
Categories
MGOCSM Sports

Weekly Announcements – 10/08/2017

  1. CROP Hunger Walk – As a parish we participated in the CROP Walk at Eisenhower Park on Saturday. Thank you for all those who donated to the cause and also who walked as well. We raised approximately $1500 through private donations and also through the bake sale. Thanks to all the youth and the parents who participated in the event.
  2. MGOCSM Winter Summit – The MGOCSM Winter Summit will be taking place from Dec 27th-30th, 2017 at Holy Transfiguration Retreat Center. Click the following link (http://goo.gl/5nZd1k) for registration. Please see the flyer below for more details.
  3. Parish Committee Meeting – There will be a parish committee meeting next Sunday, October 15th after refreshments.
  4. Parish Softball Team – Congratulations to our softball team for participating in the annual BKV Memorial Softball Tournament and getting the 2nd place prize.
2017 Winter Summit
2017 CROP Hunger Walk
2017 BKV Memorial 2nd Place Winners
Categories
MGOCSM Sunday School

Weekly Announcements – 09/24/2017

  1. MGOCSM Blood Drive – A friendly reminder that this Saturday, September 30th from 11am to 4pm is the blood drive organized by MGOCSM of our parish. Kindly make arrangements to support the event.
  2. CROP Hunger Walk – A friendly reminder regarding the CROP Walk, a charity event organized around the nation to help raise funds to fight against hunger. The event is to sponsor the efforts of Church World Services who fights hunger all around the world. Saturday, October 7th at 10am at Eisenhower Park. Please see the following link for details about the event: CROP Hunger Walk.
    • The Youth will be hosting a bake sale in the auditorium to raise funds for the CROP walk. Kindly show your support.
  3. Area Level Competition Winners – We have 5 winners from our church who participated in the area level talent competition.
    • Group 2nd – English Solo – Jiana Paul- 1st 
    • Group 3rd– Malayalam Solo Song – Sara Soloman – 1st
    • Group 5th– Malayalam Solo Song – Swagath Thomas – 2nd            
    • Group 6th– Malayalam Solo Song – Mariel Mathew – 2nd            
    • Group 7th– English Solo Song- Sonia Joseph -1st

Special thanks to following Teachers and parents who coordinated Bible Quiz and group song.

  • Bible Quiz-   Josuha Abraham, Mibby Abraham
  • Group Song- Sumini Thomas, Ansu Thomas, Rany Paul
  1. Graduates – Congratulations to all the recent graduates of high school and college! They were recognized for their achievements over the last two Sundays, and presented with a special gift.
  2. Assistant Vicar Schedule – Fr. Abraham (Abey) George will be traveling to Armenia and Georgia from September 24th through October 5th. He will be visiting both patriarchates on behalf of the Ecumenical Department of the Malankara Church to help cultivate strong ties among the churches. He will be periodically checking his email (abey.geo@gmail.com) if anyone would like to contact him. Kindly uphold him in your prayers.
Categories
FOCUS MGOCSM Sunday School

Weekly Announcements – 09/17/2017

  1. FOCUS Meeting – Our next FOCUS meeting will be held this Friday, September 22nd at the residence of Mr. and Mrs. Alex and Tigi Abraham. All FOCUS members are requested to attend.
  2. 2017-18 Sunday School Academic Year – Just a friendly reminder that Sunday school classes will began this week. All students are requested to assemble in the sanctuary soon after refreshments.
    • TTC Exam Participants – Congratulations to our Kochamma who went to the TTC Training and took the TTC Exam. She passed the exam with a high score!!
    • Area Sunday School Competitions – Friendly reminder that the area Sunday School Competitions will be held on this Saturday, September 23rd . The flyer for the event will be posted on the website.
    • Parents/Teachers Meeting – Achen and the principal has called a meeting of all the parents and Sunday School teachers for next Sunday before Sunday School. Kindly make arrangements to attend.
  3. MGOCSM Charity Drives – The youth will be hosting two charity drives for the month of September.
    1. Jamaica Armory Women’s Shelter – They will be collecting toiletries, cleaning supplies, and household items.
    2. Children’s Shoe Drive –  A children’s shoe drive for pediatric psych patients at Nassau University Medical Center.
  4. MGOCSM Blood Drive – The youth has organized a blood drive in association with the Red Cross that will be held on Saturday, September 30th from 11am to 4pm at the parish. For anyone interested in donating blood please contact Vineeth Varghese or Danniya Samuel at your earliest.
  5. CROP Hunger Walk – This year the parish is planning to participate in the CROP Hunger Walk, a charity event organized around the nation to help raise funds to fight against hunger. The event is to sponsor the efforts of Church World Services (CWS) who fights hunger all around the world. Saturday, October 7th at 10am at Eisenhower Park. For more details, kindly reach out to Leslie Babu. Please see the following link for details about the event: CROP Hunger Walk.
  6. Hurricane Relief Buckets – CWS has opened up a temporary depot on Long Island and we have contacted them. We are hoping to put relief buckets together on the evening of Thursday 21st at St. Thomas Orthodox Church, Levittown, Long Island. We do need volunteers for the event. We also hope to deliver the finished buckets to the depot the next day
  7. Holy Qurbana Classes – The Holy Qurbana classes originally scheduled for today will be postponed to a later Sunday in October.