We are honoured by your interest in our traditions. We would like to introduce you to our parish and to the Orthodox Church, together with its many ministries and activities. It is our desire to share with you our understanding of and love for God. We hope you will take the time to read this material over and to ask any questions you may have to our parish priest. It is our sincere hope that you will become an active member of our Saint Mary's family, where you can enjoy and participate in true Christian prayer and fellowship.

Weekly Services:
Our worship services are: Saturday Vespers at 6:00 p.m.
Sunday Matins at 9:15 a.m., Divine Liturgy 10:00 a.m.
Confessions every Saturday at 5:30, or Sunday between 9:00 and 9:30 a.m.
The times of other special or seasonal worship services will be announced.

Publications:
Our Church has two publications: one publication is mailed to the homes of our parishioners monthly.
Another publication is available in our church pews every Sunday.

STEWARDSHIP INFORMATION
The Church is certainly a divine institution, but it obviously has its material (financial) needs. The cost of operating the church is deferred by the donations of our parishioners and by our fundraisers. Each Parishioner is responsible for the well being of the church and is called upon to be a steward (caretaker) by making some kind of financial commitment. Stewardship Applications (membership) may be obtained from any Parish council member
Every year a steward is called upon to make an initial offering of $120.00 or $240.00 per family. The initial offering should be fulfilled by the end of February. Afterwards, a steward is expected to contribute whatever he can throughout the year in weekly offering envelopes. A receipt is sent at the end of the year. If for any reason a steward cannot attend Church regularly, he may mail his contributions to the Church. Being a steward in good standing is essential to the well being of the Church; and, according to the bylaws of the Episcopate, is required for one to participate fully in the administration of the church. Please note: stewardship is much more than writing a check. It is a total giving of yourself to serve the Church through your financial gifts, the gift of your irreplaceable time and the gift of your God given talents.

DESCRIPTION OF PARISH MINISTRIES

The Parish Council
The Parish Council, together with the priest, administer to the overall affairs of the Church. The council operates according to the Constitution and By-Laws Romanian Orthodox Episcopate of North America. Each council member is elected for a one-year term of office. He/she is nominated by a volunteer-nominating committee from the current council or may request to be placed on the ballot. Elections take place at the beginning of the New Year usually in January.
A candidate for the Parish Council must be a member in good standing for at least one year and must comply in his/her life and activities with the Faith and canons of the Orthodox Church. To be considered a member in good standing, a candidate must be Orthodox and meet the following qualifications:
v Be at least eighteen years of age;
v Partake of the Sacraments of Confession and Communion, at least once a year.
v Belong to/attended the Parish for at least six months;
v Have met the current financial obligations to the Parish and Episcopate Council.

Elections to the executive board and committees of the Parish Council take place at the first meeting of the new year. Each year the offices of: President, Vice-president, Treasurer, Recording Secretary, and Auditors are elected. Sub-Committees include but are not limited to: Membership, Fund-raising, Building,
The parish council meets monthly for more information contact any parish council member or the parish priest.

Religious Education Programs:
Saint Mary's Sunday School
Saint Mary's Sunday School is a dynamic and vital organisation of our Church. The staff is composed of dedicated, bright and creative volunteers committed to bringing the gift of Orthodoxy to the youngest members.
The purpose is to teach our Lord's word and to encourage living a fully Orthodox Christian life.
Sunday School is open to all children in kindergarten (about 5 years old) through high school grades (about 15 years old). From September to June, classes are held each Sunday from 11:15 a.m. to 12:00 noon. The entire school joins the rest of the parish in worship before Sunday School.

Please contact our wonderful Sunday school teachers or our priest for more information.
We encourage all parents and children to BE INVOLVED!

Saint Mary's Choir
Saint Mary's choir has the sacred task of singing the responses of the Divine Liturgy and portions of other special services as arranged. The choir forms an integral part of the worship service of the holy Church, a responsibility which must be fulfilled with devotion, commitment and reverence. The Choir of Saint Mary's of the Virgin Mary employs the traditional Orthodox melodies, performed a cappella. All our hymns are sung in English and Romanian. Although there is a Saint Mary's Choir, all of Saint Mary's faithful are invited to participate.

A.R.F.O.R.A. Ladies Auxiliary
The aims and purposes of the Ladies Auxiliary are:
v To preserve the sacredness of the Orthodox family through family concerns, service, unity of action;
v to perpetuate the Christian concept of marriage and upbringing of children and through it perpetuate and promote the Orthodox Faith and traditions in conformity with its doctrines, canons, discipline, divine worship, usage's and customs.
v To promote the charitable, benevolent, philanthropic purposes of the Romanian Orthodox Episcopate of America;
v To formulate plans and methods to voluntarily aid the poor, the destitute, the hungry, the aged, the sick, the widowed, and to offer assistance to anyone who may need the help of the Church through special funds or solicitations on the local level;
v To promote participation in the activities of the Romanian Orthodox community with the co-operation of the Parish Priest and the Parish Council.

At the Diocesan level, our A.R.F.O.R.A. contributes to the success of the Scholarship Fund, the Diocese Summer Camp.
At the parish level, our ladies are involved with collecting and distributing food and clothing to needy families in the Calgary Area. We also cooperate with other local charities such as, The Salvation Army and Calgary Drop-in-Centre

Together with various fund-raising activities to support Episcopate charities and institutions, our Ladies Auxiliary plays a vital role in the local Church: monthly meetings, coffee hour, co-hosting events with other parish ministries, distribute Bibles, prayer books, icons, etc. to parishioners, decorating church during various holidays, luncheons and many other activities.

A.R.O.Y.
(American Romanian Orthodox Youth Association)
Saint Mary's A.R.O.Y. is the youth group of our Church for teenagers ages 12--17. Each month our "A.R.O.Y.ians" have a business meeting, a social function, and a "Night with God", which is a time of learning about our Orthodox Faith and on howto apply it in our lives. Activities of the A.R.O.Y. include field trips, movie outings, pizza parties, hosting coffee hour, retreats and many other activities. Please call our Parish Priest if you or someone you know would like to join our A.R.O.Y.

Baptism Information
Below are some things you should know when making arrangements to have your child baptised:
* Contact the priest as soon as possible when setting a date for baptism.
* The Child should not be more than six months old.
* Godparents must be Orthodox.
* Parents and godparents must be in good standing with the Church (if from another parish they must provide a letter stating this fact).
* All appropriate forms and fees must be completed and fulfilled at least two weeks in advance of the baptism.
* Items needed for the sacrament include: 1 large white bath towel, 1 small bottle of olive oil, 1 bar of soap, a baptismal candle, a gold cross (not a crucifix), baptismal outfit -white.
* Baptisms may be conducted any time throughout the year except on the following days: December 26--January 6, major feast days and Holy Week.

Wedding Information
Below are some things you should know when making arrangements for a wedding:
* Contact Our priest as soon as possible when setting the date.
* The couple must meet with Fr. Michael at least four times prior to the sacrament (the first meeting should be at least six months prior to the wedding).
* The couple is responsible for obtaining the civil license.
* At least one of the spouses must be Orthodox and in good standing with the Church.
* Days when marriages are not permitted include: January 5-6, Great Lent and Holy Week, August 1-15, August 29, September 14, December 13-25, the day before a feast day and all Holy Days of Our Lord.
More details are available form Fr. Michael

Funerals
In the event of the death of a loved one, please contact our priest. Fr. Michael will arrange what is required; with the family of the departed, and the funeral director. Normally, a Wake Service is held at the funeral home on the evening before the funeral. On the day of the funeral, the service begins at 10:00 a.m. (unless otherwise announced). After the funeral there is a procession to the cemetery where a burial service will take place. It is customary to have a meal after the cemetery service. Father Michael, will be happy to assist you in making these arrangements.
Memorial offerings may be made to Saint Mary's Church.

Memorial Service
Memorial services for the departed loved one are normally held on the 40th day after the death, one year and every year afterwards. There are also other times that it may be conducted depending on the desires of the family. Please contact the Parish Priest at least two weeks in advance when you wish to have a memorial service. The office can also put you in contact with a person who makes the Coliva. Wine, incense, and the offering bread (Prosphora) may also be given to the Church on the day of the Memorial. Memorial services are not conducted on the following days: From the Saturday of Lazarus through the Sunday of St. Thomas, All feast days of the Lord, and on August 15.

Hospital Calls
If you or anyone you know are in the hospital please inform our priest.

Births
It is customary that the priest be informed of the birth of a baby. Thanksgiving prayers are offered on the day of the birth as well as on the eighth day. Forty days after the birth both the mother and child come to Church for the 40-day blessing of the mother and child.