Feast of the Synaxis of the Holy Archangels and all the Heavenly Hosts
“Supreme Commanders of the Hosts of the Heavens, * we, the unworthy, importune and beseech you * that by your supplications ye encircle us * in the shelter of the wings * of your immaterial glory; * guarding us who now fall down * and cry to you with fervor: * Deliver us from dangers of all kinds, * as the great marshals of the heavenly hosts on high.”
Dear to Christ the members of God protected vineyard of St. George,
Peace and Grace to all of you.
Happy Feast Day to all those called after the Archangels Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael. Each one of us is given a guardian angel at out baptism. Here is the prayer for your guardian angel:
A Prayer to Your Guardian Angel
“O Angel of Christ, holy guardian and protector of my soul and body, forgive me everything wherein I have offended thee every day of my life, and protect me from all influence and temptation of the evil one. May I nevermore anger God by any sin. Pray for me to the Lord, that He may make me worthy of the grace of the All-holy Trinity, and of the Most Blessed Theotokos, and of all the Saints. Amen.”
This Sunday the Parish Council members will take the oath of office in front of the altar, the Priest, and the whole congregation. Here is what the Parish Council Guidebook says about the Parish Council ministry (taken from the Guidebook):
“A Parish Council member, through the acclamation of the community in which the Holy Spirit resides, has a charisma, a special gift and responsibility to represent and serve the community. This ministry comes forth from God, who is the center of all things. This is why Council meetings are held in the Church, begin and end with prayer, and always are conducted with the priest present. Like organs in a body, each Parish Council member has a special function. All of you have different talents and skills that you bring together to form a single Body. The Council meeting is not an arena in which we do battle with others. We do not seek to defeat our enemies and compete with others. Each vital organ of the body works together for a common goal and so Parish Council members must support one another. The aim is to speak with one voice..If you desire to serve God and your community, then leave your personal agenda on the sidewalk outside; don’t even bring it onto Church grounds. When you come to Church, your only agenda should be love. This is not an arena for old clan grudges or new attacks. It is a place where the vision of the community is woven into a tapestry through your various talents and abilities. Before you think of finance and business matters, ask yourself, ‘Where are God and His Church in what we are doing?’ Once you answer this question, you will have peace in your decision-making. If you want God to bless this community, then do your best to avoid unnecessary conflict. Should you have a disagreement with someone, settle it outside the meeting and be reconciled. This ministry is holy and an extension of the prayer and worship of the community. The responsibility for the material maintenance of the parish falls squarely on the shoulders of the Parish Council. No one can individually handle such a responsibility, which is why you need to work together as a team, a family in harmony. what I see as the recipe for success for a Parish Council. There are two ingredients to this recipe: keep it concise and speak with one voice. Next, remember that the Parish Council is not a democratic body, but a symphonic orchestra. That means you gather to play a single piece of music, not have a group of individual instruments blaring out at once. Endless delays and discussions are futile; what is there to decide once you have heard the Gospel? If you forget God and His message the moment you think of money, you have a problem. Keep Christ in the forefront of your thoughts, and you will have harmony.”
May our Lord bless the people chosen by God through your voice to work with me your pastor to bring the Kingdom of God to the Toronto GTA area.
Your servant and Father in Christ,
Rev. Fr. Dr. George Dahdouh, Priest
St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church
9116 Bayview Ave.,
Richmond Hill, ON L4B 3M9
Office: 905/731-7210, Cell in case of Emergency: 416/937-6301
~Pastor’s Message of November 8, 2020~