Summer Message From Father Peter

Dear Parishioners and Friends,

Glory To Jesus Christ!  Glory Forever!

It was such a joy to celebrate the Feast of Pentecost with  all of you!  The  services were spiritually uplifting and the  Church, thanks to Karen Ivers and her sister Debbie, was beautifully decorated with greenery.  It was a particular joy for me, that this year, for the first time ever, to co-celebrate Liturgy with my dear friend and Seminary roommate, Fr.  Andrew Anderson of  Montreal, Quebec.  It was a special treat for me to visit with him and his beautiful family on this Great Feast.

As we have entered into the season of Summer, a time which thankfully means a slowing down of our school and work regiments, spiritually, however,  we have entered into a time of greater activity, the Season of the Holy Spirit. 

Having celebrated Pascha and Pentecost and having received the un-waning  Paschal Light, and the Holy Spirit in the form of the Tongues of Fire,  the Church has called us now to greater action in the spiritual life.  Now is the time for us to share the joy of our precious Orthodox Faith with those around us by living in the Spirit.

Now what does this mean exactly, living the Life in the Spirit?   It simply means that we live our lives with Christ and His Holy Church in the center, that we orient our lives around the Church calendar – praying and fasting and feasting when She guides us to do so: keeping a daily rule of prayer, reading Holy Scripture and other spiritually profitable books on the Faith, and  participating regularly in the Holy Mysteries of Confession and Holy Communion.   We strive to allow the Holy Spirit to take over our lives, so that we can say, as St. Paul wrote, “it is no longer I who live but Christ who lives within me.” (Gal. 2:20)   

This is what the world needs so desperately, to see the Face of Christ in all of us, to be lifted up from the pain and suffering of life in  our modern era, and to be filled with faith, hope and love – the fruits of the Holy Spirit.

This summer, as you enjoy a much deserved rest from the stresses of work and school, as you vacation and recreate, spend some more time in holy pursuits, nurturing the Holy Spirit that was stirred up in your heart and soul on the Feast of Pentecost.    You will be better off  for doing so, and so will the members of your family and friends, and your co-workers that will be encouraged and strengthened as you abound in the Grace of the Holy Spirit.

Fr. Peter