ST. MARY ARMENIAN CHURCH 
SHNORHALI MONTHLY E-NEWSLETTER
MARCH 2019
A Poon Paregentan Celebration at St. Mary Church

The Women's Guild hosted a wonderful Paregentan celebration with festive hall decorations and table centerpieces on Saturday, March 2. The event was attended by over 100 guests who enjoyed the delicious appetizers, dinner and desserts. Music for the night was provided by DJ Bedro, who entertained the crowd all night. The Women's Guild Executive Committee is thankful to all those who helped make the evening a huge success!
Lenten Service, Discussion and Dinner Series

The first four of a six-night Lenten series took place in March. Parishioners and friends came together for a worship service, spiritual presentation and dinner with this year's theme entitled "Leading to Easter: Searching the Soul". The topic concentrates on the journey through Lent meditating on the last three chapters of the Gospel of Matthew. The season of Lent is a season for searching the soul through the lenses of the people closest to Jesus in His last hours. The last three chapters of Matthew are a juxtaposition of stories.
 
Fr. Hovsep Karapetyan, Miss Becky Bagdasarian, Mr. Avedis Seferian and Mr. Eric Ashbahian presented meditations on Matthew 26-27.

Toward the end of the services and presentations the parishioners enjoyed each others fellowship and dinner hosted and sponsored by the Parish Council, Women's Guild, ACYOA Juniors and St. Mary Choir.

Please join us on Wednesdays April 3 and 10 for last two services and presentation for this Lenten period.
Celebration of the Sixth Anniversary of His Holiness Pope Francis

On Wednesday, March 13, the Catholic Church worldwide celebrated and recognized His Holiness Pope Francis on his 6th year anniversary as the leader of the Roman Catholic Church.

Der Hovsep participated in a celebratory reception at the the Apostolic Nunciature in the United States of America in Washington, DC. On behalf of our Diocese, Der Hayr congratulated His Excellency Archbishop Christophe Pierre, Apostolic Nuncio. Many congressmen, ambassadors, diplomats and other dignitaries also attended this event to offer their congratulations. 
St. Mary ACYOA Jr. Lock-in

Our ACYOA Juniors held their annual lock in at St. Mary Church on March 15-16. The event was both fun and spiritually fulfilling for our youth. Thirteen Junior members gathered for activities, games and spiritual connection, facilitated by Ms. Becky Bagdasarian, Mr. Eric Ashbahian and Mr. Daron Bedrosian. In the evening they participated in a beautiful peace service led by Der Hovsep. Der Hayr also gave them a message and explained the purpose of the Lenten period in our church, it's true meaning and how to effectively keep Lent in their hearts and minds. 

The teens enjoyed pizza and snacks while they played games and relished in one another's company before returning home on Saturday morning. Special thanks to Ms. Becky Bagdasarian and Mr. Zaven Kalayjian for chaperoning overnight. 
Visit to Baltimore Armenian School

On Saturday, March 16, Der Hovsep Karapetyan was a guest speaker at the Armenian School of Greater Baltimore (ASGB). He spoke with the students and their families about the Christian faith, the Armenian church, and the Lenten season as we prepare for Easter. 

The children made 'stained glass' crafts, learned the proper way to greet a Der Hayr ("Orhnetsek Der Hayr" to which Der Hayr responds "Asdevats Orhneh"), and received small crosses from Jerusalem and 2019 Armenian Church Family Lenten Calendar, with ideas, activities, and Scripture readings for a meaningful Great Lent. 

ASGB holds Eastern Armenian language and culture classes for students Pre-k through grade 10. Classes meet on Saturdays from 10:00 am - 12:30 pm in Linthicum, MD. For more information contact  asgbmd1@gmail.com .

Submited by: Sophia Shahverdian Hawit
Saintly Women's Day Celebration

This year the Women's Guild celebrated Saintly Women's Day (SWD) by honoring three women from the Holy Gospels: the woman who touched Jesus' cloak, the woman who anointed Jesus' head at Bethany and the Syrophoenician woman. The guest speaker for the day was Robin Darling Young, Ph.D., Associate Professor, from The Catholic University of America. Professor Young's presentation, "Women Saints in the Narratives of Early Christian Armenia", was a thought provoking reflection on the three women being honored for the day.

Almost 100 guests, including many from Soorp Khatch and the Baltimore area, enjoyed a delicious and plentiful Lenten lunch prepared by the Saintly Women's Day Committee, the Women's Guild Executive Committee and a few volunteer members of the Women's Guild.

The St. Mary Women' Guild Executive Committee is grateful to the SWD Committee and the volunteers for their hard work and dedication to their guild, their church and their community. The Executive Committee is also thankful to all those who supported the event with their attendance and ensured it's success. 
Annual Mid- Lenten Luncheon

The Women's Guild Mid-Lenten lunch was held on Sunday, March 31st after church services. The hall was filled with over 70 guests who enjoyed a wonderful afternoon with friends and family as they ate a delicious lunch of Lenten foods. The day's event was organized by Hrip Sivaslian and Sona Bakirci, and all of the food was donated by many of the generous Women's Guild members. Thank you to all who donated and supported the event.
Hokehankists - Requiem Services

March 3, 2019
For the Souls of: Deceased Members of the Knights and Daughters of Vartan
Requested by: Knights and Daughters of Vartan

For the Souls of: Meline Panosian Michalopoulos & Shnorik Tarakadjian
Requested by: Nicholas Michalopoulos and Christine Burke and their Families

March 10, 2019
For the Soul of: Mardiros Shafakian
Requested by: Wife Mari Shafakian, Children Mr. and Mrs. Robert Shafakian,
Mr. and Mrs. Rudi Shafakian and Grandchildren Talia and Micaela 

March 17, 2019
For the Souls of: Dorothy Chakarian Hartmann, Virginia Keljikian, and Zarie Keosian
Requested by: Dale Chakarian Turza and Peter Turza and Family; Helen Krikorian; Mark Krikorian and Family; and David Krikorian and Family

March 24, 2019
For the Soul of: Varuzhan Yenokyan
Requested by: Daugther Karine Yenokyan, Son-in-Law Artak Azizyan, Grandsons David Azizyan and Tigran Azizyan

March 31, 2019
For the Soul of: Louise Manoogian Simone
Requested by: Diocese, Der Hayr and Parish Council 

For the Soul of: Louiza Kazandjian
Requested by: Araxie Vann and Richard Vann daughter and son in law

For the Soul of: Ararat Yervand Melkonian 
Requested by: Mari M. Melkonyan, Tigran Melkonyan, Daughter-in-Law Rouzanna Yolyan and Magdalena Melkonyan, Son-in-Law Artin Aharonian, Grandchildren Izabella, Alexander, Stephanie, Andre and Adrian

For the Soul of: Angela Bardizbanian (5th anniversary) 
Requested by: Son & Daughter-in-law & Grandchildren
Raffie, Maureen, Arthur & Raffie Jr. Bardizbanian

May God rest their souls in peace and may His loving favor be with their loved ones .  
Baptisms and Confirmations

March 21, 2019
Ava Hanessian
Daughter of Bruce and Julia Hanessian
Godparents: Chris Hanessian and Shana Kurata

March 23, 2019
Aram Toufighi
Son of Yashar Toufighi and Tamar Boghosian
Godparents: Raffi and Diane Boghosian
Gregory Boghosian
Son of Raffi and Diane Boghosian
Godparents: Oshin Shahverdian and Tamar Boghosian

May God bless our newly baptized with His love and may His protection and guidance always be with Them.
St. Mary Armenian Apostolic Church  
Rev. Fr. Hovsep Karapetyan, Pastor
4125 Fessenden Street N.W, Washington, DC 20016 
202-363-1923 / www.stmaryaac.org