November 2007
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
The parish community is often compared to other organizations or structures that are found in human society. For example, there are those who think of the parish as any other social or service organization which functions to respond to the needs or goals of its members, complete with assigned and elected leadership, by-laws, business concerns, etc. A more correct and more clearly theological understanding defines the parish as a component of the Church which is comprised of clergy and laity in communion with their bishop; a community that is centered upon the celebration of the Divine Liturgy and other Divine Services and which instructs in the Faith, fulfills charitable duties, and encourages and enables its members to exercise the Christian virtues in their daily lives. Another “model” of the parish is that of the parish as family. Certainly, the parish is made up of brothers and sisters in Christ gathered together under the spiritual fatherhood of their bishop and the priest assigned by him to serve the parish’s spiritual needs. The parish is a family which rejoices in the successes of its members and shares in their sorrows, which desires the best of its members and forgive their failings. It is this parish “model,” the parish as family which is
often the most easily understood and appreciated.
This month we enter into the time of the year that is more family-oriented than any other season. As we enter into the Nativity Fast (November 15) which will prepare us for the celebration of the Lord’s Nativity and as we look ahead in a few short weeks to the Thanksgiving Day holiday, our thoughts naturally turn to family. Throughout the days and weeks ahead, we will recall those family members who have departed this life in the hope of the Resurrection and will celebrate the holidays with those family members who are able to gather together, relive old family traditions and create new ones.
It is my hope that this season of family warmth and closeness will also be reflected within our parish family and in our common efforts to live our Orthodox Faith. It is my sincere prayer that our parish family will continue to join together in the faith hope, and love which unite us and that the upcoming holiday season will be blessed.
With love in Christ,
Father David