The services this past weekend for the repose of Fr John were very beautiful. On Friday evening, Fr John was brought into the church and we held a Panakhida for him. That night we had a roster of people who read the Gospels all through the night – as is the custom for the repose of a priest. Saturday morning we had a Memorial Liturgy in his honor and then at 11am Bishop James presided at the funeral service for a priest. It was wonderful to see so many people gathered to pay their respects and to pray for Fr John. Following the funeral, we gathered at the Agape Grill for a Mercy Meal and we heard from a number of people about how Fr John impacted their lives. Fr John’s positive and salvific influence on so many people stands as a testament to his years of pastoral service and dedication to God.

Today (Monday) at 1:30pm we will lay to rest our dear Archpriest John Ocana. His Eminence Archbishop Kyrill and his Grace Bishop Peter will be with us to see to the burial of Fr John. May God grant him a place of repose where there is neither sickness, nor sorrow, nor sighing, but life everlasting!

Our weekly Bible Study is this Wednesday evening at 7pm. We have begun a study of the Epistle to the Galatians using Blessed Theophylact’s commentaries. All are invited to attend. The Zoom link is: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/89738164102. 

Fr Andrew’s Catechism class will be held on Thursday at 6pm. The Zoom link is: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81421729353. All are welcome to attend.

Our in-person class in the Church Hall will be on Saturday at 2pm. We are concluding our discussions based on the book ‘Passions and Virtues’ by St Paisios of Mt Athos. All are welcome to join us.

            May God bless you and be with you.

Fr Martin