HolyCross Mission Parish

Glory be to Jesus Christ!

Just a few things:

1. Great Vespers this Saturday. 5:00 p.m. Divine Liturgy this Sunday. Confessions and the reading of the Hours is at 9:30 a.m. Divine Liturgy at 10:00 a.m.

2. Sunday of Orthodoxy – March 4 – St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church. 6:00 p.m. Please come out and participate in this wonderful and joyous celebration with our brothers and sisters in Christ from the various Orthodox churches from across the city. If you have children that will be coming out to participate please have them bring and icon to carry during the procession.

3. WOCA Lenten Vespers. March 10, 2012. St. Andrew’s College. 4:00 p.m. Holy Cross is hosting the WOCA Great Vespers service. Following the service will be a lenten meal in the dining room. Please come out and participate as it is a wonderful opportunity to visit with some of our brothers and sisters in Christ from the other Orthodox parishes here in Winnipeg.

4. Devoted to You Street Ministries. Our Mission purchased 20 backpacks, which need to be filled with items such as: shampoo, deodorant, combs, hair brushes, facecloths, hand towels, shave cream, disposable razors, socks; “etc” for distribution end of March. $25.00 donation towards a filled backpack (receipt issued) OR any items listed would be greatly appreciated. More information: Contact: Sandra or Sylvia.

5. 2012 Cerebral Palsy Bike Race. Once again, our very own Alexander Ptashnik will be cycling in the CP stationary bike race on March 10, 2012 at the Wellness Institute at Seven Oaks Hospital. Alexander will be accepting pledges and pledges $10.00 or more will get a tax receipt. Alexander and his team did awesome last year and I am sure will do fantastic this year.

6. Holy Cross perogies are back. Potato/Cheddar $4.00/doz. Sauerkraut: $4.50/doz. Order Deadline: March 25th. Delivery in time for Easter. Contact: Sylvia 256-8370

7. A huge thank you. I don’t know if you have had the chance to stop by our webpage/blog. If you haven’t, please check it out. But I really want to give a huge thank you to Bob Kaminsky. Bob takes care of our webpage and does a fantastic job. Want to know how fantastic? If you go there and take a look at the last posting the list/schedule for the WOCA Lenten Vespers is posted there. That is pretty cool in itself. But Bob went a few steps further. Not only did he link up google maps for each parish, he also has pictures of what the churches look like from Google maps as well. Basically there is no excuse for us not to go to these Vespers services. We know where the churches are and we know what the churches look like.

All I can say is that Bob rocks. And I am not saying that because he also gave me a super awesome Saskatchewan Roughriders Christmas ornament. Thank you so much for your hard work on the website Bob. God bless you.

8. Since this Sunday is the Triumph of Holy Orthodoxy, the triumph of the use of Holy Icons and the continued truth that our Lord and Saviour was both man and God, I wanted to share this article/explanation about icons with you. It was written by George Patsourakos.
Icons are customary in all Eastern Orthodox Churches, and are often called “windows to heaven,” because they offer us a glimpse of what awaits us in eternity with Christ.

The word icon is derived from eikon, the Greek word meaning “image.” An icon can be defined as an image created for religious veneration that provides a space for the mystical encounter between the person before it and God. Icons usually represent Christ, the Virgin Mary, the saints, and angels. Since the sixth century, they have been considered to be a means to assist the worshipper in making his prayers heard by the holy figure represented in the icon.

The icon developed from the mosaic and fresco tradition of early Byzantine art. Unfortunately, early examples of this art have been lost mainly because of their destruction during the iconoclastic controversy (726-843).

Iconoclasm—that is, the opposition and destruction of icons— began in 726, when Emperor Leo III and a group of traditionalists believed misinterpretation of religious images could lead to heresy. Consequently, the iconoclasts banned all pictorial representations and began a systematic destruction of holy images.

To counter the iconoclasts, the iconodules (defenders of icons) argued that icons were not worshipped, but venerated, and that veneration was not idolatry. The most influential spokesman for the support of icons, St. John of Damascus (627-749), argued that icons of Christ may be made because of the incarnation of the Son of God. Therefore, to prohibit icons is in effect a denial that God became man in Christ.

Although St. John’s argument appeared to be persuasive, the attack on icons continued. Finally, the iconoclasts were defeated once and for all in 843 during the reign of Empress Theodora. The day of their defeat is celebrated in the Orthodox Church each year on the first Sunday of Great Lent known as the Triumph of Orthodoxy.

Following the triumph of the icon defenders, Byzantine icons were produced at a rapid pace. This was the case until 1453 when Constantinople fell to the Ottoman Empire.

Thereafter, Russia became the center of iconography until 1917 when the Bolshevik Revolution occurred. This Revolution resulted in a godless communist government ruling Russia, until its collapse in 1991.

Icons are a glorification of the incarnation of the Lord, since they remind us that Christ rescued man from his sins and death. Because Christ took on human flesh, we can see Him. His face can be portrayed on wood with paint. Iconography is a sacred art created with the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. Painting an icon requires prayer, humility, repentance, fasting, humility, and Holy Communion on the part of the iconographer. An iconographer is usually a pious monk and devout Christian whose primary objective is to serve the Lord and to glorify His Church.

The creation of an icon is a stylized art based upon Holy Tradition. St. Luke is credited with painting the first icons of Christ and the Virgin Mary. Each subsequent iconographer has used the original icon as a guide. Therefore, even today an iconographer may not change the shape of Christ’s face.

The painter of an icon must abide by certain rules and regulations concerning the execution of his work. These guidelines have been established by the Orthodox Church and one is not allowed to deviate from the norms which the Church has sanctioned.

Almost everything painted on an icon has a symbolic meaning. Christ, the Virgin Mary, the saints, and the angels all have halos which represent the presence of the Holy Spirit. Color also plays an important part. Gold represents heaven and eternity; red, divine life; blue, purity; and white, the divine energies used only for the Resurrection and Transfiguration of Christ.

As links between Heaven and earth, icons continue to evoke for Orthodox Christians the invisible presence of the Kingdom of Heaven. Indeed, icons are “windows to Heaven,” because they allow us to venerate Christ and His saints and to look forward to His Kingdom.

This week’s question:
At what time of day did the first miracle recorded in the book of Acts take place?

Answer to last week’s question:
What was distinctive about the healed leper who returned to thank Jesus? He was a Samaritan.

See you in church,

Fr. Evan

Glory be to Jesus Christ!

Just a few things:

1. Great Vespers this Saturday. Divine Liturgy this Sunday. Confessions and the reading of the Hours is at 9:30 a.m. Divine Liturgy at 10:00 a.m.

2. Forgiveness Vespers. February 26. 6:00 p.m. Holy Trinity Metropolitan Cathedral. Please consider joining the faithful from around the city of Winnipeg for this service. I know it might seem weird or intimidating to gather with church full of strangers but that is what is so beautiful about this service. Each of is a sinner. There is no getting around that. But the beauty and grace that is found in our Holy Orthodox faith is we can be forgiven if we ask for it with a repentant heart that is committed to changing. We need to hear those words, “God forgives you”. That is the starting point of our journey. That is the beauty of the journey of Great Lent. We will see that divine forgiveness unfold before us. As we go further and further into Great Lent we will hopefully, on Holy Pascha morning, truly understand the depth of God’s forgiveness. But it all starts on Forgiveness Sunday. Having the courage to ask for forgiveness and the compassion to give it when asked of you.

To my family, my friends, my parishoners, and to all that read this email bulletin, I humbly ask for your forgiveness. I am a sinful and stupid priest and I ask for your forgiveness if I have wronged any of you in any way.

Please forgive me.

3. Canon of St. Andrew of Crete. These services for the first four days of Great Lent will be held in various parishes throughout the city. I would encourage you to come out and participate in them. I have emailed you the schedule of Lenten Services but in case you have lost that schedule:
Clean Monday – Feb. 27 – Canon of St. Andrew of Crete – St. Mary the Protectress Sobor – 6:00 p.m.
Clean Tuesday – Feb. 28 – Canon of St. Andrew of Crete – St. Ivan Suchavsky – 6:00 p.m.
Clean Wednesday – Feb. 29 – Canon of St. Andrew of Crete – Holy Trinity Cathedral- 6:00 p.m.
Clean Thursday – March 1 – Canon of St. Andrew of Crete – All Saints – 6:00 p.m.

4. Sunday of Orthodoxy – March 4 – St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church. 6:00 p.m. Please come out and participate in this wonderful and joyous celebration with our brothers and sisters in Christ from the various Orthodox churches from across the city. If you have children that will be coming out to participate please have them bring and icon to carry during the procession.

5. Devoted to You Street Ministries. Thank you to all that came out and supported their fundraising supper. It was a wonderful evening with some powerful testamonies.

“Devoted to the Streets” Our Mission purchased 20 backpacks, which need to be filled with items such as: shampoo, deodorant, combs, hair brushes, facecloths, hand towels, shave cream, disposable razors, socks; “etc” for distribution end of March. $25.00 donation towards a filled backpack (receipt issued) OR any items listed would be greatly appreciated. More information: Contact: Sandra or Sylvia.

6. 2012 Cerebral Palsy Bike Race. Once again, our very own Alexander Ptashnik will be cycling in the CP stationary bike race on March 10, 2012 at the Wellness Institute at Seven Oaks Hospital. Alexander will be accepting pledges and pledges $10.00 or more will get a tax receipt. Alexander and his team did awesome last year and I am sure will do fantastic this year. If I remember correctly his team raised the second or third highest amount of donations.

7. They are baaaaack! Are you ready? Just when you thought you had room in your freezer and were asking yourselves, “Self, my freezer seems empty. It seems that there is a void in my freezer and in my belly. I need something to fill it up. What oh what can I put in there?” Your question has been answered.

Holy Cross perogies are back.
PEROGIES: Potato/Cheddar $4.00/doz. Sauerkraut: $4.50/doz. Order Deadline: March 25th. Delivery in time for Easter. Contact: Sylvia 256-8370

8. On this Sunday of Forgiveness, I came across something that I wanted to share with you as we begin our journey of Great Lent. We are called to fast from certain foods – meat, eggs, dairy products, fish, wine, (and all types of alcohol) and olive oil. Fasting is good for the soul, the mind and the body. Fasting teaches us discipline, patience and to learn to be greatful for what we are given in life. It also teaches us to sacrifice. But all the fasting in the world means nothing if we do not have the right attitude. Some will fast with great discipline. Others will not. I have always said, “Fast to the best of your ability.” God knows the effort we are making and we have no right to judge anyone else. The epistle lesson from this Sunday is Romans 13:11-14:4. I want you to take a look at the four verses from Romans 14.

1. Accept the person who is weak in faith, but not for the purpose of arguing over differences of opinion.
2. One person believes that he can eat anything, while the weak person eats only vegetables.
3. The person who eats must not despise the person who does not eat, and the person who does not eat must not criticize the person who eats, for God has accepted him.
4. Who are you to criticize someone else’s servant? His own Lord will determine whether he stands or falls. And stand he will, because God is able to make him stand.

Came across this that I wanted to share with you:

In Your Health Al Minman writes:

A spotless kitchen may harbor as many bacteria as a less tidy one, says a surprising new finding from the University of Arizona, in Tuscon. That’s because the most germ-laden object in a kitchen is often the sponge. Researchers tested sponges and dishrags collected from five hundred kitches across the U.S. and found that as many as one out of five contained salmonella bacteria. Almost two-thirds had at least some other bacteria that, when ingested, could make people ill.

The moral of the story? Some attempts to cleanse can cause more harm that good. So it is the same for us when we approach something as beneficial to our souls as fasting with a pharisaical attitude. We fast to the best of our abilities. All that matters is that we are doing it with the right mindset. Not because we are told to do it. But because we understand the value of it. If we approach it with condemnation, self-righteousness, and judgmentalism, we might as eat a burger from Blondies every day of Great Lent. These things are the salmonella of the soul.

3. The person who eats must not despise the person who does not eat, and the person who does not eat must not criticize the person who eats, for God has accepted him.

This week’s question:
What was distinctive about the healed leper who returned to thank Jesus?

Answer to last week’s question:
How many of Jesus’ miraculous signs are recorded in the John’s Gospel? Eight

See you in church,

Fr. Evan

Glory be to Jesus Christ!

Just a few things:

1. Great Vespers this Saturday. Divine Liturgy this Sunday. Confessions and the reading of the Hours is at 9:30 a.m. Divine Liturgy at 10:00 a.m.

2. Devoted to You Street Ministries. Thank you to all that came out and supported their fundraising supper. It was a wonderful evening with some powerful testamonies.

“Devoted to the Streets” Our Mission purchased 20 backpacks, which need to be filled with items such as: shampoo, deodorant, combs, hair brushes, facecloths, hand towels, shave cream, disposable razors, socks; “etc” for distribution end of March. $25.00 donation towards a filled backpack (receipt issued) OR any items listed would be greatly appreciated. More information: Contact: Sandra or Sylvia.

3. Holy Cross 10th Anniversary. Holy Cross is going to be 10 years old! We will be celebrating this awesome occasion on Sept. 30th, 2012. On February 21, 2012 at the Kitzul residence at 7:00 p.m. we will be having our first organizational meeting regarding the 10th anniversary.

4. 2012 Cerebral Palsy Bike Race. Once again, our very own Alexander Ptashnik will be cycling in the CP stationary bike race on March 10, 2012 at the Wellness Institute at Seven Oaks Hospital. Alexander will be accepting pledges and pledges $10.00 or more will get a tax receipt. Alexander and his team did awesome last year and I am sure will do fantastic this year. If I remember correctly his team raised the second or third highest amount of donations.

5. Congratulations to two of our altar servers. Dustin got his white belt in Tae kwon do (I think it is tae kwon do. If it is not he might get angry and whup me) and Alexander got a bronze in his bowling tournament this past Saturday. This is Alex’s first year at 15 years to compete at the senior level with the rest of his team member of 17-19 years old. Holy Cross is super proud of both of you. Now I don’t have to fear Sandy anymore because I have Dustin to watch my back with his little fists of fury. And what I can I say about Alexander? That is just awesome and I know he will never admit this, but, sniff, just a moment… I am getting a bit teary-eyed… I know that I am his inspiration. Ever since he saw me bowl a 286 while wearing a cassock I know that he has always wanted to be like me. (The secret is not to trip on the hem as you release the bowling ball) Deep down I know he is a Rider fan. I know he protests but I know he loves the colour green.

6. They are baaaaack! Are you ready? Just when you thought you had room in your freezer and were asking yourselves, “Self, my freezer seems empty. It seems that there is a void in my freezer and in my belly. I need something to fill it up. What oh what can I put in there?” Your question has been answered.

Holy Cross perogies are back.
PEROGIES: Potato/Cheddar $4.00/doz. Sauerkraut: $4.50/doz. Order Deadline: March 25th. Delivery in time for Easter. Contact: Sylvia 256-8370

6. I thought I would share this list of activities with you. The reason? Because a lot of time there is the complaint, from our youth, that going to church is boring. There is nothing to do. Hopefully they are being taught that going to church is fulfilling in itself. But there is always the question asked, “Why do the evangelical churches have so many youth?” Maybe we can take a page out of their book and focus a bit more on offering our youth a bit more. Hopefully they can learn that going to church is not just a Sunday thing or Christmas or Easter thing. Coming to church, worshiping God is a serious endeavor and must be approached with respect and humility. But being part of a church can be and should be engaging, stimulating, fulfilling and dare I even say it…. fun. We want our youth to be part of the Church. But have we done enough to make the Church something they want to be a part of? The best part about this list? Doesn’t just have to be for the youth.

Monastery Pilgrimage: One of the most valuable experiences a youth can have is to spend a day or two in the monastic environment to see how deeply Christianity can be lived.
Inter-Orthodox Outings / Visits to Other Parishes: It is essential for teens to realize that they are not alone and that there are more Orthodox people their age than they think!
Service Project: Help at a homeless shelter, food co-op, or building project.
Church Council, Assembly, or Convention: Attend youth-related councils or congresses and make the youth presence known at Church councils such as the All-American Council.
Nursing Home or Hospital: Visiting the sick and infirm needs to be taught early.
Youth Choir Trip to Other Parishes: Some youth organizations are already recording and publishing their choir’s performances.
Camp-Out: Spend an overnight or weekend stay in the woods and under the stars.
Retreat at Camp / Retreat Center: This is like a camp-out but with more of the comforts of home such as beds and bathrooms!
Cemetery: Remember the departed and learn about ancestors by tending graves at cemeteries where parishioners are buried.
Amusement Park: This is a classic youth outing. There is often a park within two to three hours of most communities.
Museum: Large exhibits of Orthodox art, Russian, Byzantine, and others, have become more popular and widespread.
Sporting Event: Go to watch or to play!
Science or Nature Center: With interactive exhibits, these are particularly good for younger groups. Exhibits ranging from high-tech to complete wilderness can entertain all ages.
Youth March: Youth have something to say about issues of justice, so “let your light shine.”
Movie: You can choose either a current feature that is of interest to your youth ministry or arrange for a special showing of another film. Be sure to preview the movie before showing it to a group.
Concert: Whether secular or religious music, there are many free and open-air concerts in cities during the summer months.
Fair or Festival: The local town fair, a block party, or an ethnic festival, can be great opportunities for teens to go, have fun, volunteer, or run their own booth.
Zoo, Aquarium, or Botanical Garden: These trips are great for days with good weather by offering a variety of shows as well as wandering time to keep youth interested.
Waterfront: Beaches, lakes, and even pools and water parks are always great places for fun and fellowship. Be prepared for sunburn!
Dinner / Banquet: It can be a dinner cruise, barbecue at family fun parks, or a formal affair.
Education / Career Planning at a University: This type of outing is very good for high school teens looking to make decisions about the future.
Workshop with Local Artist, Educator, Activity Instructor: This is a great way to gain new experiences, insights, and skills.
Ice Cream Social or Picnic: This is very simple, traditional idea. It is something that doesn’t require too much organization and a good place to start for any youth group.

This week’s question:
How many of Jesus’ miraculous signs are recorded in the John’s Gospel?

Answer to last week’s question:
True or false? When Jesus healed ten lepers, only two came back to thank Jesus. False. Only one came back to thank Jesus. (Luke 17:16)

See you in church,

Fr. Evan

Glory be to Jesus Christ!

Just a few things:

1. No Great Vespers this Saturday. Divine Liturgy this Sunday. Confessions and the reading of the Hours is at 9:30 a.m. Divine Liturgy at 10:00 a.m.

2. Devoted to You Street Ministries. Last year Holy Cross made a donation of bottled water and granola bars to the Devoted to You Street Ministries. On Feb. 11, 5:00 p.m. at the Bethel Community Church they will be having a fundraising supper. Tickets are $20.00 a person. We have set aside 8 tickets for the event. Please see Sylvia Kitzul if you are interested in going. It would be awesome if we could get more than 8 of our parish out for this. It is a wonderful cause and worth supporting. It will be a pasta supper. They are having entertainment as well.

3. Holy Cross 10th Anniversary. Holy Cross is going to be 10 years old! We will be celebrating this awesome occasion on Sept. 30th, 2012. On February 21, 2012 at the Kitzul residence at 7:00 p.m. we will be having our first organizational meeting regarding the 10th anniversary. Not going to lie folks, we need your help. This can’t just be done by the executive. We will need input and assistance from everyone.

4. 2012 Cerebral Palsy Bike Race. Once again, our very own Alexander Ptashnik will be cycling in the CP stationary bike race on March 10, 2012 at the Wellness Institute at Seven Oaks Hospital. Alexander will be accepting pledges and pledges $10.00 or more will get a tax receipt. Alexander did awesome last year and I am sure will do fantastic this year. Go Alex Go. I am just excited to hear about which media personality he will become BFFs with this year.

5. Repentance is the door through which we enter Lent, the starting poing of our journey to Pascha. And to repent signifies far more than self-pity or futile regret over things done in the past. The Greek term metanoia means ‘change of mind’: to repent is to be renewed, to be transformed in our inward viewpoint, to attain a fresh way of looking at our relationship to God and to others.

The parable of the Prodigal forms an exact ikon of repentance in its different stages. Sin is exile, enslavement to strangers, hunger. Repentance is the return from exile to our true home; it is to receive back our inheritance and freedom in the Father’s house. But repentance implies action: ‘I will rise up and go’… Bishop Kallistos of Diokleia

I think, and this is just my opinion and you are welcome to disagree with it if you see fit, but I think one of our major problems as Christians is our stubborness. It is funny, we talk about change in our Church. “Father, we need to change things to get more people coming or to maybe get back those that have stopped coming”. “Your Eminence, we need to change our Church as a whole so that we can survive”. There seems to be this prevailing thought that we need to “change” things to make our Church better, stronger, or at the very least, give it a chance to survive.

Do some things need to change? Sure. Language usage. Outreach ministry. Evangelism. Mission work. I am sure there is a long list.

But before we go and give our Holy Orthodox Church a complete make over we should probably take a look at ourselves first and maybe see what we need to change. I have said it before and I will say it again, “We need to stop trying to change God into something that fits into our life the way we want and maybe should try and change our lives so that it fits what God wants for us.” Basically, we need to stop being so stubborn.

Our Holy Orthodox Faith is a transforming faith. It is about wholesale change. It is about becoming what we were meant to be and not stubbornly holding onto our distorted view of reality. Many of us tell God, “I will believe…but it will be on my terms”.

I came across this quote from Hamlet (Sister Suzanne, my grade 10 English teacher at Sacred Heart High School would be so proud of me right now) that I wanted to share with you. “Bow, stubborn knees.”

We need to humble ourselves and realize that we do need to change. We are not perfect and we need to stop stubbornly holding onto the myth that we are. “Bow, stubborn knees”. Bowing down is sign of humility, of submission, of repentance and we need to stop being so stubborn in our resistance to God’s love and God’s commandments for us. If we all could learn to be a little bit more humble, if we could all accept that we need to be a little bit more (or in my case, a lot more) repentant maybe our stubborn knees will bend a little more easily.

”

This week’s question:

True or false? When Jesus healed ten lepers, only two came back to thank Jesus.

Answer to last week’s question:

What did Peter say to Simon the sorcerer as he tried to buy the Holy Spirit? “May your money perish with you, because you thought that you could buy the gift of the God with money.”

See you in church,

Fr. Evan

Glory be to Jesus Christ!

Just a few things:

1. Great Vespers this Saturday at 5:00 p.m. Divine Liturgy this Sunday. Confessions and the reading of the Hours is at 9:30 a.m. Divine Liturgy at 10:00 a.m.

2. As you can see by the calendar on the bulletin, Holy Cross is now back to its regular schedule of weekly services. I am excited about it. I hope you are too.

3. Those wishing to have their homes blessed by Fr. Evan please be advised that I will be starting to bless homes starting January 24th.

4. Devoted to You Street Ministries. Last year Holy Cross made a donation of bottled water and granola bars to the Devoted to You Street Ministries. On Feb. 11, at the Bethel Community Church they will be having a fundraising supper. Tickets are $20.00 a person. We have set aside 8 tickets for the event. Please see Sylvia Kitzul if you are interested in going. It would be awe some if we could get more than 8 of our parish out for this. It is a wonderful cause and worth supporting. It will be a pasta supper. They are having entertainment as well.

5. Holy Cross 10th Anniversary. Holy Cross is going to be 10 years old! Sigh… where does the time go? Seems like only yesterday that Fr. Andrew started having his inquirers class in that Catholic church in the Osborn Village and now it is ten years later. Time flies. Through countless moves. Four different priests. Through ups and downs Holy Cross keeps on going. We will be celebrating this awesome occasion on Sept. 30th, 2012. On February 21, 2012 at the Kitzul residence at 7:00 p.m. we will be having our first organizational meeting regarding the 10th anniversary. Not going to lie folks, we need your help. This can’t just be done by the executive. We will need input and assistance from everyone.

5. In December 1994 syndicated columnist Bob greene told the inspiring story of Rob Mouw.

Rob played on the soccer team in his senior year at Wheaton Christian High School. In the final seconds of a big game against favored Waubonsie Valley, with his team behind by one goal, Rob was bribbling the ball in front of him, running at full speed toward the opponent’s goal. Just before he shot the ball, though, he caught sight of the scoreboard. The clock read 00:00. But like any good athlete, Rob shot the all anyway, and it went in for a goal. The referee signaled that the goal counted, and the game finished in a tie.

The Wheaton fans cheered. The Waubonsie Valley fans cried that time had run out.

Rob had a choice to make. He could say nothing and avoid a loss. After all, it was the referee’s job to decide the calls, not his. Or Rob could do what was right.

Rob asked the referee whether the official time was kept on the scoreboard or the referee’s stopwatch. The referee said the scoreboard time was official and then ran off the field. Rob went to his coaches and explained that just before his kick, he had seen zeros on the scoreboard clock. Since he hadn’t heard a whistle, he kept playing. But his goal was late, and he didn’t think it should count.

His coaches agreed, and so they went over to the opposing coaches, explained what had happened and conceded victory to Waubonsie Valley.

Bob Greene ended his article with this quote from Rob Mouw: “Every time in your life you have an opportunity to do right, you should be thankful. For a person to know what right is, and then not do it – would be a sin. To have won the game – I mean, really, who cares? Doing the right thing is more important. It lets you have peace.”

So why the story about Rob Mouw and his soccer game? The epistle reading this Sunday is from I Timothy 4:9-15. One verse in particular stands out for me. 12. Do not let anyone look down on you because you are young, but be an example for other believers in your speech, behavior, love, faithfulness, and purity.

I am not arrogant enough to tell people how to raise their kids. No, let me correct that. I am horribly arrogant but I do know my limitations. So I am going to let the saints make a few suggestions.

“The primary lesson for life must be implanted in the soul from the earliest age. The primary lesson for children is to know the eternal God, the One Who gives everlasting life.” St. Clement

“It is good to teach, if he who teaches also acts with good example.” St. Ignatius.

If we want children to grow up to be examples of good speech, behaviour, love, faithfulness and purity two things must happen.

1. We have to be good examples ourselves. It is easy to talk the talk, but kids need to see the adults walk the walk. I have learnt very quickly that kids are sponges and absorb things.

2. If we want to instill good qualities in our children one of the primary places that can happen is in our churches. But that can only happen if the children are there.

I know there is no guarantee that a child who is brought to church will grow up to be moral and upright. But I do believe that a parish that makes a child coming to know God’s never ending love one of its main priorities is fulfilling Christ’s commandment to let the children come to Him. Evangelization doesn’t necessarily mean going out and preaching in the world. Doesn’t mean mission work to non-Orthodox. It means evangelizing our own faithful. It means making the knowledge of the eternal God, the One Who gives everlasting life, a primary mission within that child’s home, that child’s church.

Like I said, I am not arrogant enough to tell a person how to raise their kids. But I think the saints lay out pretty clearly the responsibilities the parents and the Church have. The question I have for you is, “Are we living up to our responsibilities? Are we giving them the opportunity to learn what is right? What is true?”

This week’s question:
Who saw Peter and John laying hands on people and asked if he could buy this ability to give the Spirit?

Answer to last week’s question:
What kind of prayer, according to James’ letter, will make a sick person better? The prayer offered in faith.

See you in church,

Fr. Evan