SCHEDULE OF SERVICES

ANNOUNCEMENTS for Sunday, July 5th, 2009:

Upcoming Parish Events:
7-5: Independence Day Barbeque (See below) (Mission Trip Fundraiser)
7-12:  Nut Roll Sale (Ladies Guild and Mission Trip Fundraiser)
7-26:  Colorado Rockies Baseball Game (Mission Trip Fundraiser)
8-1&2: Bishop Gerald’s visit to our parish! 

Youth Group
The Holy Protection Youth Group meets every Sunday after the Divine Liturgy.

Young Adults:
-Speaker/ Discussion/ Pizza Series:  Holy Protection hosts a speaker the second Wednesday of every month following the 6:30 Divine Liturgy. (All are welcome for the Divine Liturgy, Speaker and discussion for ages 18 and up unless otherwise noted.) 
-Young Adult Social:  Every Wednesday following the 6:30pm Divine Liturgy.

“Byzantine Basics” Adult Education: Read up to Page 71 for next week!
Father Michael teaches a class that covers various topics having to do with all things Byzantine Catholic on Sunday mornings at 8:30am.  Join us for instruction and discussion in the main church.  (Babysitting available)

Theology of the Body Classes
Please call Tanya at (303) 543-7867 for information. 

Parish Celebrations:
7-9:  Viera Tessmer’s Birthday!
May God grant you many happy and blessed years!

GCU “St. Nicholas” Lodge 144 Clothing Collection for Denver’s Poor
After a few very successful walks, this week we need everything! (socks, t-shirts, tooth brushes, toothpaste, travel sized toiletries, hand sanitizer, and donations for sandwich makings.) Please place donations in the box in front of the icon of St. Nicholas (a patron saint of charity.)  Thank you for your generosity.

Pray for our Catechumens
We are blessed to have four Catechumens this year!  Please keep Kayla Van Curen (coming into the church on Sept. 20^th!,) and Tim, Jessica, and Adelyn Dunbar (coming into the church on Aug. 6^th!) in your daily prayers!  May God grant them many happy and blessed years.

Congratulations!:  Our Amazing Parishioners!
If you or anyone in your family has been recognized for an accomplishment, please let Father Michael know and they will be recognized in the bulletin as well.

Ladies!
"Transformed by the Spirit: Living in His Truth with Conviction"  a summer day retreat for women presented by Led by the Spirit Ministries - Called to be Women of Grace at Sacred Heart Jesuit Retreat House in Sedalia, Colorado, July 25, 2009. Our guest speaker is Mercy Gutierrez.  Mercy is on the Board of Directors for ENDOW (Education on the Nature and Dignity of Women) which promotes the New Feminism as proposed by Pope John Paul II.  Within that organization, Mercy also speaks and writes study curriculum for middle school and high school courses.  Breakfast and lunch will be provided.  For more information call Monica  at 303-745-6157 or Sylvia at 303-693-8707.

“Culture of Life”  News, Resources, and Activities
New this Week!
Buying and Selling People
Traffickers see an inexhaustible commodity in other human beings, one that they can exploit over and over again. Trafficking does not just involve women being forced into prostitution. It can also involve children being forced to beg and adults being forced to work long hours under appalling conditions without pay…( http://crs.org)

“Gabriel House” Blessing and Tea Party (please find registration form on info. table)
(Gabriel House is a Ministry for pregnant mothers and their unborn babies)
Saturday, August 8^th, 2009:      10am to 12pm
St. James Parish 1311 Oneida St., Denver 80022
RSVP by July 31^st. $25.00 Suggested Donation.

From Alternatives Pregnancy Center: Please pray for a young client who recently learned that she is pregnant. Ask the Lord to help her to be strong during this time and also that He will provide her with the desire to continue her pregnancy. Pray for her boyfriend’s mother to be understanding and compassionate, and that his mother will not make communication difficult between this couple as they plan for their baby’s future.

New this week!  News of Interest to Catholics:
News this week about…Jewish/Catholic, Orthodox/Catholic, and Methodist/Catholic dialogue, Climate Change at usccb.org/news

New this week! Stay informed about issues affecting our life and church: Now Online: Immigration, Healthcare Reform, and other issues that need our attention.     http://www.cocatholicconference.org

-See this weeks Denver Catholic Register (available in the stairwell or online at www.archden.org and click on the “Denver Catholic Register” link) for other issues affecting our Church and our lives.

Peter’s Pence Collection
Thank you for your generosity in last week’s Peter’s Pence Collection. Because of you, Pope Benedict XVI will be able to help millions of people around the world quickly and effectively. In 2007, the United States was responsible for almost one-third of worldwide proceeds for this Collection. Your important contributions are truly helping the Holy Father to make a difference for those most in need.

Wisdom!  Be Attentive!
(Re: non-violence during his Civil-Rights protests) - "Blood may flow in the streets of Montgomery before we gain our freedom, but it must be our blood that flows, and not that of the white man. We must not harm a single hair on the head of our white brothers."
-Martin Luther King Jr.

-It is more important to remember God than it is to remember to breathe.
-St Gregory of Nazianzus

OCP:  Other Church’s Problems (bulletin typos):
“Remember in prayer the many who are sick of our community. Smile at someone who is hard to love. Say 'Hell' to someone who doesn't care much about you.”

“Don't let worry kill you off - let the Church help.”

Summer Pilgrimages
Eparchial Pilgrimage to the “Shrine of Our Lady of Perpetual Help” in Olympia, WA
August 21^st-22^nd, 2009:  St. George Byzantine Catholic Church, Olympia, WA
(More info. and registration on Info. table)

75th Annual Pilgrimage in honor of Our Lady of Perpetual Help
September 4-7, 2009
The Annual Pilgrimage in honor of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, held over Labor Day weekend, is a special ministry of the Sisters of St. Basil that provides for the diverse spiritual needs of the many pilgrims who frequent this major event in the life of the Byzantine Catholic Church. 

The weekend offers the celebration of Divine Liturgy, opportunities for the Sacrament of Reconciliation, the anointing of the sick, adult enrichment programs, activities for children and teens, and pastoral counseling.  (www.sistersofstbasil.org)

“Year For Priests”
Please Pray for Priests
Dear Lord, we pray that the Blessed Mother wrap her mantle around your priests
and through her intercession strengthen them for their ministry.
We pray that Mary will guide your priests to follow her own words,
“Do whatever He tells you” (Jn 2:5).
May your priests have the heart of St. Joseph, Mary’s most chaste spouse.
May the Blessed Mother’s own pierced heart inspire them to embrace
all who suffer at the foot of the cross. May your priests be holy,
filled with the fire of your love seeking nothing but your greater glory
and the salvation of souls.
Amen.
Saint John Vianney, pray for us

Rio Bravo, Mexico Mission Trip
We will be traveling to Rio Bravo, Mexico August 9-15^th to build a home for a needy family and enjoy doing the work of God.  This opportunity is open to those 18 and above.  There will be ministry opportunities for those of every age and ability.  See Sarah Peek or Michael and Alicia Wells for more information.

Mission Events!
-The mission trip to Rio Bravo is accepting prayer requests and donations for their trip in August.  Prayer cards are available to send to loved ones.  Please contact Michael or Alicia Wells.

-The mission trip to Rio Bravo is accepting donations of garage sale and craft items. Garage sale will be held in Golden by the Rio Bravo Mission Team. Will be happy to take jewelry, household items, furniture, appliances, electronics, clothing, etc. Place in box in basement or contact Michael or Alicia Wells.

-Mark your calendar for Sunday July 26^th for the Rockies vs. the San Francisco Giants baseball game at 1:10 pm. Please contact Sarah Peek or sign up in the back of the church to reserve your tickets.

-Join us on July 5^th for an Independence Day Celebration Cook Out! Grilled lunch will be provided by the Rio Bravo Mission Team. Donations will be accepted.

Opportunities to help our parish youth group!
-Will Work for Funds!:  The Holy Protection Youth Group is be doing odd jobs around the church to raise funds for a trip next summer.  Please make checks payable to “Holy Protection Church” and write “Youth Group” in the memo line.  Thank You.

Have an announcement for the parish?
If you have an announcement that you would like mentioned by the pastor after the Divine Liturgy, or put in the bulletin, please have it in Fr. Michael’s email or parish mailbox by Thursday at noon.  Thank you.

A Guide for the Sacrament of Reconciliation in the Byzantine Catholic Church

Priest:  May our Lord Jesus Christ be in your heart and on your lips that you may confess your sins worthily, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

Penitent:  I confess to Almighty God, one in the Holy Trinity, to the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God, to all the saints, and to you Father, my sins.  My last confession was ____.

These are my sins_____.

The penitent may close with the following…

For these and all my other sins which I cannot remember or call to mind, I am sorry that I have offended God.  I am sincerely repentant and promise, with the help of God, to better my life.  For this I humbly ask of you, Father, salutary penance and absolution.

After giving the penitent a appropriate penance, the priest will place his epitrachilion over his head and say the prayer of absolution concluding with “Go in peace and sin no more.”

“We pray for our government and all in the service of our country.”
Do you have any loved ones in the “service of our country?”  This includes those who serve in the military, police dept., fire dept., etc. who risk their lives everyday for the good of all.  If so please give Father Michael their names and a picture of them in uniform.  A prayer corner for them will be created in the church.

Byzantine Prayers

Oldest known Marian Prayer

Beneath your compassion we take refuge
O Virgin Theotokos
Despise not our prayer in our need
But deliver us from danger
For you alone are pure and blessed.

Morning prayer from Matins

O Lord our God: You have awakened us from sleep and have called us by a holy calling to lift up our hands at the break of day, and to render homage to your righteous judgment. Accept our prayers, devotions, requests, and adoration. Grant us, O God, an invincible faith, an unshakable hope, and love unfeigned. Bless our comings and goings, our deeds and works, our words and desires. Grant that we may come to the dawn of this day praising, singing, and blessing the lavishness of your bounty which is beyond description, for blessed is your holy Name and glorified is your kingdom, Father+, Son, and Holy Spirit, now and ever, and forever. Amen.

Evening Prayer from Vespers:

Great and most high God, you alone possess immortality and dwell in unapproachable light. You made all creation with wisdom, dividing light from darkness, establishing the sun to rule the day and the moon and stars to rule the night.  You have allowed us sinners to approach your presence with thanksgiving in this present hour and to offer you evening praise.  O Lord, Lover of us all, make our prayer ascend to you like incense and accept it as a sweet fragrance.  Grant that we may spend the present evening and the coming night in peace; clothe us with the armor of light.  Deliver us from the fears of the night and from everything that lurks about in darkness.

Grant that the sleep you have given us to refresh our fatigue may be free from all illusions of the devil.  Yes, O Master of all, giver of good things, let us feel contrition as we lie on our beds, remembering your name throughout the night.  Enlightened by meditation on your commands, may we rise with gladdened soul to give glory to your goodness, offering prayers and supplications to your compassion for us in our sins and those of all your people.  Visit us with mercy through the intercession of the holy Theotokos.

Prayer Before Meals

May the poor eat and be satisfied

May those who seek the face of the Lord rejoice

And may their hearts find life.

 

Christ God, Bless the food and drink of your servants,

Those who prepare it, and those who receive it

 

For you are Holy our God and we render glory to you

Father, Son, and Holy Spirit now and ever and forever Amen

 

Prayer Before Work

O Lord Jesus Christ, Only-begotten Son of your eternal Father:

You have said with your holy lips;

“Without Me, you can do nothing.”

 

My Lord, I embrace your words with my heart and soul,

And bow before your goodness and say:

 

Help me, your unworthy servant, to complete this, my present undertaking,

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.  Amen.

Prayer in the Time of Illness

Almighty Master, Physician of our souls and bodies, who both humbles and uplifts, who chastises and heals; visit me with Your mercy in my time of illness. Stretch forth Your arm that is full of health and healing, and heal me, and allow me to leave my sick-bed. Banish my weakness and pains, heal my wounds, quench my fever, and prevent a relapse. If I am guilty of sins or transgressions, loose, remit and forgive them for the sake of Your love toward mankind. Yes, 0 Lord, heal me, Your child, through Jesus Christ our Lord with Whom You are blessed +, together with Your all-holy, gracious and life-giving Spirit, now and ever and forever. Amen.

 Prayer of Thanksgiving for Recovery

O Lord Jesus Christ, the Life and Strength of all who place their trust in You; Your mercies are numberless and the treasury of Your goodness is infinite. I thank You for the blessings which You have bestowed upon me, and I humbly beseech You to continue Your goodness toward me. As it pleases You to restore my bodily health, so now endow my soul with all heavenly graces and perseverance in good works. Prepare me by Your blessings in this life for the enjoyment of eternal happiness in the life to come. For to You are due all glory, thanksgiving and adoration, together with Your eternal Father + and Your all-holy, gracious and life-giving Spirit, now and ever and forever. Amen.

PRAYER OF SURRENDER

Lord, Jesus Christ, I ask the grace to accept the sadness in my heart as Your will for me, in this moment. I offer it up in union with Your sufferings, for those who are in deepest need of Your redeeming grace. I surrender myself to Your Will, and I ask You to help me to move on to the next task that you have set for me.

Christ our God, help me to enter into a deeper union with You. Lead me away from dwelling on the hurt I feel, to thoughts of charity for those who need my love, to thoughts of compassion for those who need my care, and to thoughts of giving to those who need my help.

As I give myself to You, help me to be an instrument of your salvation to those who come to me in need.  May I find my healing in this giving. May I always accept God's will. May I find my true self by living for others in a spirit of sacrifice. May I die more fully to myself, and love more fully in You. As I seek to surrender to the Father's will, may I come to trust that He will provide me with everything that I need.  For You are Holy our God, and we give glory to You, to your eternal Father, and your life-giving Spirit, now and ever and forever.  Amen.