Trapeza for this Sunday, March 23rd, will be Lenten potluck.

Trapeza Team: Gregoire Family

There Will Be No Presanctified Liturgy this Wednesday, March 26th, as I’ll be in Jordanville for the Eastern American Diocese Lenten Clergy Retreat.

Books for Critically Ill Children - For the next few weeks we’re going to have a special collection to purchase age-appropriate books for pediatric hospital patients. Specifically, if we collect enough money to purchase several books, I hope to bring them to the Pediatric Palliative Care Program at Hasbro Children's Hospital in Providence. This is a cooperative project with Beyond the Laces, a New Jersey based organization with which I’m personally familiar. BTL’s mission is to inspire children though kindness, and in partnership with professional athletes they’ve organized events in schools, hospitals, and non-profits in New Jersey, Connecticut, and other states. The central message of their book, “Beyond the Laces”, teaches children kindness as well as perseverance through adversity, a message which is reflected in the various events that they organize. Just recently, books were distributed to Connecticut Children’s Medical Center in Hartford, and I’m hoping that our parish can help do the same in Providence as an act of mercy and charity. In addition, Carl Brandt Inc, a European foods distributor in Fairfield, will match the number of books that we purchase, enabling us to double our gifts to the children. I encourage you to find out more about the Beyond the Laces organization and their mission by visiting their website at beyondthelaces.com.

A “To-Do” List and Sign Up Sheet has been posted in order to plan out all of the tasks that need to be accomplished around the parish property during Great Lent. This will be a joint effort of the parish Brotherhood and Sisterhood, as well as anyone else who is willing and able to lend a hand. The men of our parish will be needed for general indoor and outdoor maintenance chores. Tasks such as raking the yard, preparing the chapel, bathroom and floor cleaning, polishing silver, etc. need to be completed before Lazarus Saturday, April 12th, so please sign up as soon as possible.

Pussy Willows Needed - Spring is upon us, and it’s almost time to gather up pussy willows as they bloom so that they can be blessed on Palm Sunday. If you have any that you’re able to bring to church, it would be greatly appreciated.

Donations for the Purchase of Paschal Flowers to adorn the church will be collected over the next few weeks. Please see Camilla if you would like to contribute.

The Church School Page on our website is always being updated for our younger children. Parents are encouraged to visit the page and discuss the material with their children as a supplement to their regular Church School curriculum. You can find it under the “Resources” tab.

St. Andrew’s Camp is a resource of the NY-NJ Diocese of the OCA and is located on 30 acres of wooded, field, and waterfront property on the beautiful shores of Lake Oneida in Jewell, New York. Orthodox youth ages 7 and up from all states and jurisdictions are welcome, and the camp is a wonderful opportunity for them to make friends and to experience life in a community of Orthodox brothers and sisters in Christ. The camp also provides the opportunity for Orthodox adults of all ages to come together as staff, volunteers, clergy and parents, and in addition to a traditional summer camp there are various events held throughout the year as well. More information can be found on their website - saintandrewscamp.org.

Parish Signal Group Text - A reminder that our parish has a group text using the free and secure Signal app, which is available in both a mobile and desktop version. The group allows us to communicate in real time, and is particularly useful when we have a urgent need such as a prayer request or to announce a last-minute service schedule change. If there’s enough interest, we can expand the use of the group text to include other items of interest. Links to download the app and to join the group are available at the bottom of our website homepage.

In Christ,

Fr. Stephen