Ladies Philoptochos News

The ladies are currently seeking to revitalize this important church group. If you are interested in joining, please see Trini G. after the Liturgy or call the church for more information. Thank you!

FASTING AND PRAYER

What are the benefits of fasting and prayer?
We become more aware of God.
We focus attention on God's will.
We learn personal discipline.
We gain time to read the Bible.
The will of God becomes urgent.
We increase or love for the gospel.
We discover the presence of the Holy Spirit to guide us in our daily living.
Forgiveness and love enters our hearts more deeply.
Jesus once taught that we will be powerless to overcome certain evils that demonize our
lives unless we fast and pray.

Throughout the centuries the Orthodox Church has taught fasting and prayer. For example we fast from certain foods every Wednesday and Friday. We do it to remember our God's betrayal and crucifixion. This small disciple reminds us that we belong to Jesus Christ and are prepared to suffer with Him for Him.

PHILOPTOCHOS NEWS

One Sunday afternoon my younger son's godmother called me. While we were talking she said to me: "The women should help each other and be united."

She made me think. Two days after, another friend sent me an e-mail. A portion of the e-mail said:
"A young wife sat on a sofa on a hot humid day, drinking iced tea and visiting with her mother. As they talked about life, about marriage, about the responsibilities of life and the obligations of adulthood, the mother turned a clear, sober glance upon her daughter.
"Don't forget your sisters," she advised. "They'll be more important as you get older. No matter how much you love your husband, no matter how much you love the children you may have, you are still going to need sisters. Remember to go places with them now and then, do things with them. Remember that "sisters" means ALL the women... You'll need other women. Women always do."

What a funny piece of advice! , the young woman thought... But she listened to her mother. She kept contact with her sisters and made more women friends each year. As the years tumbled by, one after another, she gradually came to understand that her mother really knew what she was talking about.

"Sisters" are there, no matter how much time and how many miles are between you. When you have to walk that lonesome valley, the women in your life will be on the valley's rim, cheering you on, praying for you...
Mothers, sisters, daughters, granddaughters, girlfriends, daughters-in-law, grandmothers, aunties, nieces, cousins and extended family, all bless our life!"

 

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Online Chapel