NEWS
Congratulations to Marian and Andrew Steuter for the baptism of their son Matthew Michael on Saturday, June 12th, 2010 at St. Mary & St. Joseph Coptic Orthodox Church in Richmond Hill. May our Lord bless the entire family and give Matthew a joyful life filled with the fruit of the Holy Spirit.
Sunday School Outing to Burger King and World Bowl
Sunday June 6, 2010
The church Sunday school students and servants spent a wonderful time together following the mass on Sunday June 6. The outing started with lunch at Burger King where the adventurous climbed to the top of the play equipment and slid their way down. This was followed by competitive games at World Bowl where some personal records were broken. The day was filled with much laughter and fellowship with old as well as newly formed friends. More Photos
CREW Young Adults Bowling Outing
Tuesday June 1, 2010
The CREW Young Adults spent quality fellowship time at the local
Bowlerama. Many joyful moments where each got to know each other in a
social and healthy competitive setting. Keep posted for more social
events.
Acquire the Fire
Victoria Day Long Weekend Congregation Retreat
May 22 - 24, 2010
The church family participated in the Victoria Day Long Weekend spiritual retreat which was held at Cranberry Golf Resort in Collingwood, ON from May 22 - 24, 2010. The theme of the retreat was "Acquire the Fire" which focused on the Holy Spirit since the church celebrated the Feast of Pentecost during that weekend. There were five sessions during the retreat entitled "God; Spirit and Truth", "The Spiritual Person", "The Spiritual Family", "The Spiritual Church Community", and "The Spiritual Mission". We are very thankful to our beloved guest speakers Fr. Michael Sorial and Dr. Yousry Armanios who blessed us in the retreat. God gave us wonderful weather and amazing fellowship. The lake-front resort was the ideal location to enjoy quiet time and fun activities. We thank God for a spiritual weekend filled with the joy of the Holy Spirit and we look forward for similar retreats in the future, God willing.
Listen to lectures click here
Youth and CREW meetings with Fr. Michael Sorial
May 24, 25, 2010
The youth were blessed to meet with Fr. Michael Sorial on Monday, May 24th. The topic of discussion was "Elijah and the Drought" being inspired from 1 Kings 18. On the following day, Fr. Michael led the CREW meeting with a meditation on "Created on the Image and Likeness of God". We are very thankful to our beloved father who spared no effort in serving the Lord and guiding our youth.
CREW Meeting BBQ Night
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
The CREW Young Adults Meeting organized a BBQ and games night on Tuesday, May 18th. It was a night filled with fellowship, laughter, and group activities. Fr. Pishoy shared a short meditation on "Choices" based on Deuteronomy 30:19. May the Lord bless every ministry for the glory of His holy name.
Conclusion of Small Group Leadership Training Course
Friday. May 7th, 2010
The Small Groups training course had their celebration dinner on Friday, May 7th. The theme was "A Night of Lights," drawing inspiration from Pentecost and our identity as the light of the world. Thirty faithful participants attended the training for nearly three months and learned the skills necessary to facilitate a small group including: Creating Small Group Covenants, Worship, Celebrating Diversity in a Group, How to Study the Word of God, Managing Conflict and being Mission Minded. In addition to learning these skills, each participant was in a small group for the duration fo the training. We thank God for the transforming work He did in each participant and pray for the continued success of this ministry.
See more photos
Deacons' Spiritual Day
May 8, 2010
The church celebrated the Feast of St. Mark the Apostle on Saturday, May 8th by praying the Divine Liturgy followed by a Spiritual day for the deacons. Fr. Pishoy shared a meditation entitled "Evident Spiritual Progress" which was inspired from 1 Timothy 4:15. After the agape meal, Atef Salama meditated on the word D.E.A.C.O.N. referring to dedication in ministry, eager to learn, approachable, conscious of needs, organized, and neat. This was followed by an organizational meeting to assign different responsibilities among the deacons for mentoring and leadership. The deacons agreed to continue their weekly hymns class meeting every Sunday following the Divine Liturgy.
Congratulations to Ryan David George Sukie for his blessed baptism on Saturday May 1, 2010. May the Lord bless his life and continue to guide and protect him.
Congratulations to Gabriel Anthony & Nicholas Benjamin children of Nabil and Shereen Kharooba for their blessed baptism on April 24th, 2010. We pray that the Lord would guide them to grow in the faith and in His love.
Catechism Course
Fridays, May 7 - June 25, 2010
The church has started a Catechism Course for any one interested to learn more about the Orthodox Faith, Doctrine, and Traditions. The course will be held at the Church of St. Luke for eight weeks starting Friday, May 7th from 8:00 pm - 9:30 pm. To register for this course, please contact Dr. Wadid Abadir catechism@smsv.ca
Yonge Street Mission
April 17, 2010
Members of SMSV were asked to come assist the YSM with the Children's Breakfast Club on April 17, 2010. Volunteers prepared food, served the children and spent fellowship by facilitating sports, art classes and usage in computer lab. For more community volunteering opportunities click here
Visit of H. G. Bishop David
Holy Week 2010
We were blessed by the visit of H. G. Bishop David on Lazarus Saturday, March 27th. On this joyful day, His Grace baptized Leonard Maurice Cyril Chen and ordained ten deacons:
To the rank of Epsaltos (singer): Matthew John Azouz, Jonathan George Dawoud, Stephen Cyril Dawoud, Michael Mekhail, Stephen Mekhail, Fadi Pishoy Mekhail.
To the rank of Anagostis (reader): Anwar Peter Mekhail, Said Paul Mishriky, Nagy Lazarus Fam, and Mamdouh Hanna.
We were also blessed by His Grace's presence to celebrate the Apocalypse overnight vigil on Bright Saturday, April 3rd. It was a memorable night indeed filled with praises, scriptural readings, processions, and the reading of the Book of Revelation. The night was crowned by celebrating the Divine Liturgy. From the bottom of our hearts, we thank H.G. Bishop David for making this Holy Week extra special and for conveying to us the blessings and prayers of H. H. Pope Shenouda III. May the Lord preserve for us their lives for many years to come.
Texas Youth Spiritual Retreat
March 14 - 20, 2010
The church organized a Youth Spiritual Retreat to St. Mary & St. Moses Abbey in Texas during the Spring Break from March 14 - 20, 2010. Thirty Nine of the church youth and their counselors participated in this spiritually uplifting journey which took them to the southern most tip of the United States. We were welcomed at the Abbey by H. G. Bishop Youssef, the reverend monks, and brothers. The daily schedule included praying the Midnight Psalmody, celebrating a Divine Liturgy, two spiritual meetings, and Quiet Time. The theme of the retreat was "Practical Spirituality" where all the youth participated in preparing and presenting a different topic in one of the eight sessions. We were blessed to meet with H. G. Bishop Youssef who spoke to us about "Chastity". The trip also included excursions to Corpus Christi where we visited The USS Lexicon, a retired Navy Ship saved from Pearl Harbor, and to Sea World in San Antonio. We thank our beloved youth for their exemplary behaviour during the trip and to all the counselors for their dedication and labour of love. We look forward to similar retreats in the future, God willing.
Servants' Spiritual Day
March 6, 2010
The church servants participated in a Spiritual Day on Saturday, March 6, 2010 which was held at St. Luke Church. The day started with prayers, praises, followed by presentations from various service committees in the church. The Community Service, Evangelism (Jerusalem & Ends of the Earth), CREW, Technology, Women's Ministry, and Prayer Meeting shared updates about their current ministries and discussed challenges and future goals. Fr. Pishoy shared a meditation entitled "Church with Mission & Vision" which focused on asking the question why do we exist, defining the purpose of our church, our mission statement, how to be a seeker friendly community, and the balance between spiritual and physical growth. The participants also had an opportunity to share in an agape meal and in some organized activities. Overall, it was a joyful day filled with sharing experiences, connecting ministries, and uniting our vision. God bless every ministry for the glory of His holy name.
Youth Outing to Cheer the Toronto Raptors
March 5, 2010
The church organized an outing for the youth to cheer on the Toronto Raptors at the Air Canada Centre on Friday, March 6, 2010. The evening was filled with fellowship, friendship, and laughter. We are thankful for the youth leaders who have organized this activity and for all the youth who participated. We were also glad with the final score as the Raptors beat the Knicks 102 - 96 thus allowing all participants to claim a free slice of pizza. Go Raptors Go!!!
Notice of Completed Rezoning Application
March 3, 2010
We are very thankful to our Lord that we have received a confirmation from Markham Town notifying us that our application for rezoning is now complete. In order to reach this step, the church had to present a conceptual design of the project, go through several meetings with the consultants and city staff, conduct a parking study, and submit the application. We are now allowed to fix a sign on the land stating that we have a rezoning application with the city. Our next step is to receive a date for the Council meeting where our rezoning request will be considered. Let us pray for God's hand to lead every step of this process.
Habitat for Humanity
February 27, 2010
Volunteers from the Parish and sister Parishes assisted the Habitat
for Humanity at the William's Way build site (located at 1500 Weston
Rd). Volunteers had an opportunity to pray with the staff and other volunteers at the site, share in a fellowship lunch and invite them to
the various parish services in the area. Volunteers helped with
drywall and installing vapour barriers in the homes. Thank you to all
Volunteers and Glory be to God forever.
More photos
Annual Marriage Preparation Program
February 21 - April 18, 2010
Our Annual Marriage Preparation Program commenced on Sunday, February 21st and will continue until April 18th (excluding Palm Sunday and Feast of Resurrection). This seven week course covers a multitude of topics to prepare our engaged couples who are planning to get married within this year. One of the outstanding features of this group is its diversity and multiculturalism. We are blessed to serve eleven different nationalities within the fourteen participating couples. Some of the topics covered are Multicultural Marriage, Foundations of an Orthodox Christian Marriage, Finances, In-Laws, Healthy Living, Conflict Resolution, Meeting Married Couples, the Marriage Ceremony, and many others. We are very thankful that our young adults who come from a variety of ethnic backgrounds have found fellowship and pastoral care inside the church as they prepare to commit to this lasting bond and build the future of the church. God bless every ministry for the glory of His holy name.
CREW Meeting with Fr Paul Girguis
February 16, 2010
We were blessed by the presence of Fr Paul Girguis to lead the CREW meeting on Tuesday, February 16th. This was the second session in our ongoing series entitled "Basics of Orthodox Christianity" and the talk was on "The Eucharist". We are very thankful for receiving this blessing and we hope to see our beloved guest again in the near future.
Family Day Long Weekend Congregation Retreat
February 14 - 15, 2010
SMSV Church family participated in a Spiritual retreat which was held during the Family Day Long Weekend at Niagara Falls from February 14 - 15, 2010. The main theme of the retreat was based on the book entitledHinds' Feet on High Places. Our beloved guest speaker Fr. Paul Girguis from St. Mark Church of Washington DC presented to us four powerful sermons elevating our hearts from the valley of shame, sorrow, and defeat into the high mountains of victory, peace, and joy. We were blessed this year through the participation of many members from St. Maximos & St. Domadios Chapel in Mississauga and St. Mary & St. Moses Church in Buffalo, NY led by Fr. Mark Iskander. The schedule also included several prayer meetings, worship, quiet time, Q & A, ice breakers, and group activities. We are very thankful to our Lord who has given us this opportunity to be together as a church family during this Family Day Long Weekend to strengthen our ties first to our Lord and also to one another. We look forward for more retreats in the near future God willing.
Listen to Sermons
More Photos
Youth Meeting With Fr. Paul Girguis
February 15, 2010
The High School youth were blessed to meet with Fr. Paul Girguis from St. Mark's Church of Washington DC on Monday, February 15th. Fr. Paul's message to the youth focused on how to attain true commitment of the heart and life to the Lord Jesus despite modern day challenges to the faith and morality. May the Lord bless our youth who are not only the future of the church but also the present strength of the church.
