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| Tuesday, February 9, 2010, 3:52AM |
Archpriest Jack Sparks
It is with extreme sadness that we inform you that our beloved brother in Christ, the Archpriest Jack Sparks, fell asleep in the Lord on Monday, February 8, 2010. His Grace, Bishop JOSEPH has asked the parishes to remember him in your prayers for the departed for the next 40 days and to hold a special Trisagion for his eternal life. May God receive him in His Heavenly Kingdom and may his memory be eternal.
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His Grace, Bishop JOSEPH and the Diocese of Los Angeles and the West welcome His Grace, Bishop ILIA, Titular Bishop of Philomelion and leader of the Albanian Orthodox Christian Diocese of America. His Grace is this year’s keynote speaker at the annual Diocesan Clergy Seminar (February 8-12, 2010) in San Fernando, Calif., where he will address the clergy on this year’s theme: “But make us worthy to approach Thee by mouth and heart…”: The Priest, Pastor and Spiritual Father. He will share from his deep knowledge and experience on the vast and ever-growing challenges facing our priests and their ministries in today’s world.
Dhespota ILIA was ordained to the holy priesthood in 1962. He has pastored parishes in Boston and Las Vegas, and for a time was Dean of Student Affairs at Hellenic College and Holy Cross School of Theology in Brookline, Mass. His Grace also held the position as Vicar General of the Albanian Diocese until May 2002, when he was consecrated as a bishop in Constantinople (Istanbul), Turkey at the hands of His All Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch BARTHOLOMEW.
His Grace has served on several mission trips in Albania during his priesthood and episcopacy, helping to rebuild the Albanian Orthodox Church following years of communist oppression. More recently, His Beatitude ANASTASIOS, Archbishop of Tirana, Durres and All Albania assigned Dhespota ILIA as the Dean of the Resurrection of Christ Theological Academy, where he served for three years.
Dhespota ILIA and his beloved wife, Helen, were married for 39 years before her death in 2001. They became the parents of two children, Sotir Mark and Eugenia, and have three grandchildren.
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Sunday of Forgiveness (Cheese Fare)
(February 14)
O Thou Who guidest to wisdom, and givest understanding and intelligence, the Instructor of the ignorant, and Helper of the poor, strengthen my heart and grant it understanding, O Master. Give me word, O Word of the Father; for behold, I shall not refrain my lips from crying to Thee, O merciful One, have mercy upon me who am fallen. (Kontakion in Tone 6)
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Saints of the Day
Martyr Nikephoros of Antioch; Hieromartyrs Markellos, bishop of Sicily, Pankratios, bishop of Taormina, and Philagrios, bishop of Cyprus; translation of the relics of Innocent, first bishop of Irkutsk.
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Thought for the Day
"The general gifts consist of the four elements and all that results from them, all the wonderful and awesome works of God outlined in Holy Scripture. The particular gifts are those gifts which God bestows upon every man individually, whether it be riches for the sake of charity, or poverty for the sake of patience with humility; whether it be authority for the sake of justice and the strengthening of virtues, or subjugation and slavery for the sake of the expeditious salvation of the soul; be it health for the sake of helping the infirm, or illness for the sake of the wreath of patience; be it understanding and skill in gaining wealth for the sake of virtue, or weakness and lack of skill for the sake of submissive humility. Even though they appear contrary to one another, all these are very good according to their purpose." -- St. Peter Damascene
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|  | His Grace, Bishop JOSEPH Presides over the Order of St. Ignatius of Antioch Los Angeles Area Fellowship Dinner - 01/31/10 Studio City, California
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 | His Grace, Bishop JOSEPH's Episcopal Visit to St. George Church - 01/31/10 Upland, California
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February 1, 2010
Beloved in Christ: Greetings and blessings in the Name of our Lord. In 2005, the same year that I proclaimed a “Year of the Youth,” I gave my blessing to a developing work being undertaken by the faithful at St. Athanasius Church in Goleta, California. Under the direction of the Father Nicholas Speier, several religious education volunteers and their director began implementing a Montessori-based program known as the “Catechesis of the Good Shepherd,” adapted for Orthodox usage. From my meetings with Father Nicholas and these catechists, I know that great care has been taken throughout this process to ensure that the content of this program reflects the Holy Orthodox Faith. This Catechesis is very compatible with Orthodox living and worship because it brings the whole body into the learning process, and encourages prayerfulness in the presentation of new information. The catechists describe it as a religious education experience that is deep, compelling, and transformative for both the children and themselves. These children are coming to know the person of Christ, His presence in the Eucharist, and the history of God’s gifts in a way that is vibrant and alive. Many people have observed how their appreciation of—and participation in—the liturgical life of the Church is growing. Therefore, it is with great joy that I offer my blessing and approval for the continued development of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd. I encourage the catechists of St. Athanasius to share this good gift with the greater Church community through their assistance and trainings, and encourage others who desire to learn more about this program to “come and see” the work they are doing at St. Athanasius. | 
Conecta TravelCultural Tour in Syria & Lebanon16 Days / 15 nights May 5- 20, 2010 More Information
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