Sunday, September 7—Catechumen class; 6pm Great Vespers-Nativity of the Theotokos

Monday, September 8—9am Divine Liturgy-Nativity of the Theotokos

Tuesday, September 9—no service

Wednesday, September 10—6pm Great Vespers

Thursday, September 11—6pm Vespers in St. Francisville

Friday, September 12—6pm Readers Vespers

Saturday, September 13—8am Breakfast with Father; 6pm Great Vespers

Sunday, September 14—9:40am 3rd and 6th Hours; 10am Divine Liturgy-Exaltation of the Cross; Catechumen class

For an appointment to meet with Fr. Matthew, call or email him to schedule one. Confessions may be heard after any scheduled service, or any other time by appointment. Orthodox Christians who are regular communicants of the Holy Mysteries should prepare themselves by prayer, fasting and regular Confession (averaging once a month).

12th SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST—Tone 3. Forefeast of the Nativity of the Most-Holy Theotokos. Sunday Before the Elevation of the Cross. Martyr Sozón of Cilicia (ca. 304). St. John, Archbishop and Wonderworker of Novgorod (1186). Ven. Serapion of Spaso-Eleazar Monastery (Pskov—1481). Martyrdom of St. Makáry, Archimandrite of Kanev (Pereyaslavl’—1678). Apostles Evodia (Euodias) and Onesiphorus of the Seventy (1st c.). Martyr Eupsychius of Cæsarea in Cappadocia (2nd c.). Ven. Luke, Abbot, near Constantinople (10th c.). Ven. Cloud (Clodoald), Abbot, founder of Nogent-sur-Seine near Paris.

Today’s readings-1 Corinthians 15:1-11; Matthew 19:16-26

Today’s prosphora baker—Sonya Reeves.
Next week’s baker—Jackson.

***Please continue to remember SUBDEACON ELIAS (RON SENKO) in your prayers this week as he continues to recover from heart surgery.

THE FEAST OF THE NATIVITY OF THE THEOTOKOS will be celebrated tomorrow, Monday, September 8. This is one of the twelve major feasts of the Church, and we should all make the effort to attend at least one of the festal services—
Great Vespers, Sunday, Sept 7 at 6:00pm
Divine Liturgy, Monday, Sept 8 at 9:00am
If you are able to come for Liturgy on Monday, please bring a dish and we will share a festal breakfast together!

FEAST OF THE EXALTATION OF THE CROSS, the second of the Church’s major feast days that we celebrate in September, will be next Sunday. This is one of the only times that we will make full prostrations in the temple on a Sunday. When we enter the Church next Sunday morning, the Cross will be on the center analogia for veneration. It is proper to make three full prostrations for our veneration of the Precious and Life-giving Cross of our Lord. This feast is also a day of STRICT FASTING in honor of the crucifixion of our Lord—coffee hour next Sunday will be fasting! We should all make the effort to be at the Church next weekend for at least one of the festal services—
Great Vespers, Saturday, Sept 7 at 6:00pm
Divine Liturgy, Sunday, Sept 8 at 10:00am

VESPERS IN ST. FRANCISVILLE, LA will be served on Thursday, September 11, at 6pm. We will meet in Market Hall on Royal Street.

BREAKFAST WITH FATHER—the parish children will meet with Fr. Matthew in St. Innocent Hall this Saturday at 8am.

PLEASE KEEP IN YOUR PRAYERS the missionary efforts in McComb, Baton Rouge (LA), St. Francisville (LA), and Hattiesburg (MS).

REMEMBER IN YOUR PRAYERS—Bishop-elect Jonah, Subdeacon Elias, Joanna with her child to be born, Martha, Wanda, Mary, John, Elizabeth, Royce, Edith, child Christopher, child Aidan, Donna, Leta, Bertie, Nathan, Bonnie, Roger, Leonard, Carrigian, Andrew, catechumen George, our catechumens Lisa, Jack, Brendon, Aime, Seamus; Reposed—

SEPTEMBER NAMEDAYS
12th St. Alexander Nevsky (Alex Ignatiev)
17th St. Sophia (Sonya Reeves)
22nd Prophet Jonah (Subdeacon Jonah Ford)

LOOKING AHEAD
September 8 Nativity of the Theotokos
September 14 Exaltation of the Precious Cross
October 1 Pokrov (Protection of the Theotokos)
October 6 St. Innocent of Moscow
October 31-November 2 Consecration of Bishop-elect Jonah to the episcopacy in Dallas
November 10-13 All-American Council (Pittsburg, PA)

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With great joy we can now officially announce that a new auxillary bishop for the Diocese of the South has been elected by the Holy Synod of the Orthodox Church in America—Archimandrite Jonah (Paffhausen). Fr. Jonah is now Bishop-elect Jonah, and upon his consecration his title will be “Bishop of Ft. Worth, Auxillary to Archbishop DMITRI.” In the Orthodox Church, an auxiallary bishop has the duty of assisting a diocesan bishop with his work; he can do nothing without the authorization of the diocesan bishop.

A graduate of St Vladimir’s Seminary, Bishop-elect Jonah was the abbot of St John the Wonderworker Monastery in Manton, California (Diocese of the West) until his election to the episcopacy this week. Bishop-elect Jonah will arrive in Dallas September 11 and begin his duties as Chancellor of the DOS. He will continue in that position after his consecration to the episcopacy.

The dates for the consecration of Bishop-elect Jonah have already been set. The schedule is below, and will be updated if modifications are made. Please plan to attend this historic event in the life of our diocese if at all possible! (Services this particular weekend at Christ the Saviour will be very limited, as Fr. Matthew will be in Dallas for the consecration).

Friday, October 31, 2008
7:00pm Great Vespers and the Rite of Election of a bishop (Bishop-elect Jonah will serve); reception to follow

Saturday, November 1, 2008
9:00am Hours
9:30am Procession of Hierarchs; Profession of Faith of Bishop-elect Jonah; Hierarchical Divine Liturgy with the laying on of hands and consecration of Bishop-elect Jonah to the episcopacy; reception to follow
5:00pm Resurrection Vigil

Sunday, November 2, 2008
9:00am Hours; Greeting of the bishops and vesting of Bishop JONAH
9:30am Hierarchical Divine Liturgy; reception to follow

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“When you find faults in others…know that your spiritual life has fallen, has diminished, and much repentance and self-reproach are needed. When I look at my brothers and judge them within myself, I must realize that I am not doing very well. I must believe firmly within myself that every brother is good and holy, and that I’m the only vile one. In every misunderstanding, I should be the one to bow in repentance—whether I’m to blame or not—so that I may always be at peace with others, and that the Grace of God may reside within me. I should never partake of the Divine Mysteries if I have embittered a brother and haven’t been reconciled with him.” -Elder Ephraim of Katounakia

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AUGUST TITHE REPORT—in August our regular collections (from members) totaled $4,223.50. Our annual budget calls for a tithe income of $4,250. This means that in July we fell just $26.50 below our budget. Regular expenses were $3,768.39, with total expenses over $5,700 (including insurance, etc). With some recent dramatic increases in costs, especially electricity, it is very important for us to meet our budget in order to continue to do the very important work of Christ’s Church. Reminder—please place any tithes or donations to the parish in the wooden tithe box located on the table near the back door of the Temple.