My Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Entering the month of August brings us to the winding down of summer, beginning of the new school year and the celebration of, not only the feast day of our beloved parish, but also the fifteen-day fast period leading to the Dormition of the Theotokos. We also have the addition to the Liturgical calendar of the Paraklesis to the Theotokos.

This fast period and the additional liturgical services offer us an added opportunity to enrich our spiritual life. Should we choose to participate, we can focus on what we see in the Transfiguration – hearing what God is saying to us, seeking an encounter with the divine and seeing Christ as the connection between heaven and earth. Also, during this time, we can emulate the Theotokos in accepting what God has planned for each of us, without reservation, truly seeking His Will for us.

The Paraklesis to the Theotokos will be served throughout the Dormition Fast. Through the Paraklesis we can petition the Theotokos for the health and well-being of our loved ones. I would ask that you submit names of your living loved ones so they may be commemorated throughout the Fast period.

I pray that our Lord Blesses you all. May He and the Theotokos guide us to continue to do His work in peace.

In His Service,

+Fr. Mario