Bishop Gerasim Visit: December 3
We are excited to announce that Bishop Gerasim (Eliel), will visit St. Barbara’s on December 3, celebrating with us, our Patronal Feast. The faithful will formally greet His Grace at 9:30 am.
HIERARCHICAL RECEPTION:
The reception that day will be in compliance with the Nativity Fast, although fish and wine are allowed. The main dish has been planned taking the Fast into consideration, as well as His Grace’s dietary requirements. Additional Lenten dishes and desserts will be needed.
Please arrive prior to 9:30 am on December 3. Those with food, 9:00 am or 9:15 is advisable. Thank you.
Christmas Eve Holy Supper Notes:
Since the late 1980's – with the exception of the COVID years – St. Barbara's has hosted a Christmas Eve Holy Supper in the parish hall. It is very different from Sunday coffee hours and receptions hosted for special occasions. The Holy Supper is primarily a Slavic tradition: a quiet, family style, candlelight dinner, consisting of prayers and 12 traditional, symbolic Lenten dishes, focusing our attention on Christ. It comes at the end of a 40-day Nativity Fast and may be understood as a last ascetic effort – observed in a community context – prior to the celebration of the Nativity Liturgy.
This year St. Barbara's will once again host Christmas Eve Holy Supper. In the last 35 + years, Holy Supper attendance has grown at times to approximately 85 people. Even though our current facility is quite large – compared to the old days – seating space remains a strong consideration, as well as logistics related to the preparation of specialty food items. Thus – as is our custom – we will begin to take reservations for the Holy Supper, to be observed on Sunday night, December 24, at approximately 6:30 pm, following a 5:00 pm Nativity Eve Service.
On that Sunday, we will not host our usual full Coffee Hour after Liturgy. During the interim between services a number of people will be involved in helping to set up for the Holy Supper.
As we have done in the past, a donation is being asked to help defray the cost of the meal: $15 for adults and teens; 12 and under are free. If the suggested donation proves difficult, please see Fr. Basil. We need a final count of those attending Holy Supper by Sunday, December 17 so that the proper amount of food, place settings and seating space can be prepared. Please make your reservations and your donations by Sunday, December 17. Please note as well, no child-care will be provided. A sign-up sheet for Holy Supper will be provided in the hall. Thank you for your consideration and we look forward to our Christmas week celebrations.
Special Services in December:
December 3: Visit of His Grace Bishop Gerasim.
December 6: Liturgy for the Feast of St. Nicholas.
December 13: Liturgy for the Feast of St. Herman.
December 16 and 17: Baptisms and Chrismations.
December 22, 23, 24 and 25: Services for the Forefeast and for Christ’s Nativity.
December 27: Liturgy for the Third Day of Christmas and the Feast of St. Stephen.
January 1: Liturgy for Feasts of St. Basil, of the Circumcision of Christ and the Civil New Year.
Fall Clothing Drive:
Last year’s Fall Clothing Drive for the Ft. Worth Men’s Shelter was a tremendous success. This year we are conducting a similar effort through December. Cold weather is upon us, and there is a great need for larger size NEW men’s T-Shirts, underwear and socks. Gently used sweaters and coats can also be received by the Shelter. Cash donations may be given through the Church, to be used to purchase – by parishioners – necessary items at nearby stores. Over $100.00 in cash has been collected thus far in a few short weeks, along with a number of articles of clothing. The clothing has already been delivered to the shelter, enthusiastically received. Please see Carol Guarnieri for more information and look for the collection box in the parish hall. We thank Carol, Bob and everyone in advance for your generosity.
Sunday Music Instruction:
On Sunday, June 11, we began offering classes in singing and basic music theory for parishioners. Sessions are about 45 minutes, taking place on Sundays toward the middle of Coffee Hour (about 12:30 to 1:15 pm). Currently these are being led for adults and teens by Ms. Jamie Lynn Gonzalez. Jamie is a music education/performing arts majors with approximately a decade of choral, solo performance and directing experience. One does not have to be a member of the choir, nor read music to take part in these sessions. Please contact Jamie or Fr. Basil with further questions and/or to express your interest.