13th-Sunday-after-Pentecost-----September-22-2024

Holy Assumption Orthodox Church 
Celebrating 125 years witnessing to the Apostolic Faith 
 
110 EAST MAIN STREET, 
Marblehead, OH 43440 
 
V. Rev. Archpriest Peter Tomas, Rector 
 
Rectory: [PHONE] 
Father Peter’s cell: [PHONE]  
E-mail: [EMAIL] 
                         Father Peter’s email: [EMAIL] 
            website: www.holyassumptionmarblehead.org 
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Holy Assumption Orthodox Church is a parish of the Orthodox Church in America, 
Diocese of the Midwest 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
EPISTLE: 1 Corinthians 16:13-24  
 
Brethren: Watch, stand fast in the faith, be 
brave, be strong. Let all that you do be done 
with love. I urge you, brethren – you know 
the household of Stephanas, that it is the first 
fruits of Achaia, and that they have devoted 
themselves to the ministry of the saints – 
that you also submit to such, and to everyone 
who works and labors with us. I am glad 
about the coming of Stephanas, Fortunatus, 
and Achaicus, for what was lacking on your 
part they supplied. For they refreshed my 
spirit and yours. Therefore, acknowledge 
such men. The churches of Asia greet you. Aquila and Priscilla greet you heartily in the Lord, with the 
church that is in their house. All the brethren greet you. Greet one another with a holy kiss. The 
salutation with my own hand – Paul’s. If anyone does not  love the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be 
accursed. O Lord, come! The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. My love be with you all in 
Christ Jesus. Amen. 
GOSPEL: Lk 5:1-11  
At that time, Jesus stood by the Lake of Gennesaret, and saw two boats standing by the lake; but the 
fishermen had gone from them and were washing their nets. Then He got into one of the boats, which 
 
Miraculous catch of fish

was Simon’s, and asked him to put out a little from the land. And He sat down and taught the multitudes 
from the boat. When He had stopped speaking, He said to Simon, “Launch out into the deep and let 
down your nets for a catch.” But Simon answered and said to Him, “Master, we have toiled all night and 
caught nothing; nevertheless, at Your word I will let down the net.” And when they had done this, they 
caught a great number of fish, and their net was breaking. So, they signaled to their partners in the 
other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both the boats, so that they began to sink. 
When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, 
O Lord!” For he and all who were with him were astoni shed at the catch of fish which they had taken; 
and so also were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. And Jesus said 
to Simon, “Do not be afraid. From now on you will catch men.” So, when they had brought their boats 
to land, they forsook all and followed Him. 
________________________________________________________________________________________________________  
FOR YOUR PRAYERS  
 
Tony Monastra , 2119 Willow Cove Marblehead, OH 43440 ; Patti Owens , 311 
Woodbridge Road, Vermilion, OH 44089 ; Basil Glovinsky, 1007 Glendale Drive, Port 
Clinton, OH 43452; Subdeacon Roger Pinta , P.O. Box 39, Middle Bass, OH 43446; Ed & Irene 
Vangeloff, 454 Strouse Lane, Sandusky, OH 44870 
_______________________________________________________________________________________ _________________ 
SEPTEMBER CANDLE SPONSORS  
 
Altar Candles: Joe & Valerie Schutt , In memory of Violet Bargdill & LaVerne Schutt  ($50); 
Chandelier: Joe & Valerie Schutt, In memory of Dorothy Czuha (August 23) and Rose Haburt 
(September 13) ($50); Eternal Light & Icon Screen: Joe & Valerie Schutt , In memory of 
Gordon Schutt ($25); Candles at the Cross: Laura Kovach, Birthday blessings to Fin and 
Jack ($20); Candles at St. Tikhon Icon: For Safety and Health of Nicholas, Tikhon, Gleice, Sophie 
& Chloe ($20) 
_______________________________________________________________________________________ _________________ 
 
LITURGICAL SCHEDULE FOR THE WEEK  
 
MON. Sep 23 Conception of St. John the Baptist; 2 Cor 12:10-19, Lk 4:37-44 
 
TUE. Sep 24   Synaxis of All Saints of Alaska; 2 Cor 12:20-13:2, Lk 5:12-16 
 
WED. Sep 25  Venerable Sergius of Radonezh; 2 Cor 13:3-14, Lk 5:33-39 
 
THU. Sep 26  Holy Apostle and Evangelist John the Theologian; Gal 1:1-10,20-2:5, Lk 6:12-19 
 
FRI. Sep 27   Martyr Callistratus and 49 companions; Gal 2:6-10, Lk 6:17-23  
 
SAT. Sep 28   Venerable Chariton the Confessor; 1 Cor 4:1-5, Lk 5:17-26 
 
4:00 PM VESPERS 
 
SUN. Sep 29  14th SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST, Tone 5  
 
9:10 AM HOURS  
 
9:30 AM DIVINE LITURGY Followed by Coffee Social

SEPTEMBER REPOSED 
 
George Mazur (1937)  No date provided; George Mazurik (1940)  No date provided; 
William Rose (1980) No date provided; 2- David Douglas (2015); 4- John Mataleska 
(1986); 4- Archpriest John Grandziuk (1947) Former Pastor; 5- Archpriest Michael 
Dziama (1944) Former Pastor; 7- Lisa Monak (2020); 14- Archpriest George Breyan 
(2009) Former Pastor; 14- Mary Kamiotis (2017); 15- Infant Sloane Swanton (2021); 
15- Eileen Libb (2022); 16- John George Mazurik (1997); 18- Bernie Labouda (2018); 19- Peter 
Rindfleisch (2006); 20- Nora Bird (2017); 21- Joseph Mazur (2002); 26- Pastor Kevin Brown (2020); 
27- Michael Ittescu (1968); 27- Alison Pickney (2017); 27- Karen Milano (2017); 28- William 
Felenchak (1977)  
________________________________________________________________________________________________  
VIGILS FOR SEPTEMBER 8  
 
Angela Bricker 2 Fr Peter's family and travel, Family intentions 
 
Susan Guzy 1 Special intentions 
 
Dennis Lapso 2 For Blessed repose of Annette Lapso, Health of Dr George Glorik 
 
Laura Kovach 3 For health and/or healing of Matushka Melania, Ron R., Stephanie K., Donnie S., 
Elaine R., Betty K., David M., Patti O., Jim K., Ruth S., James W., Hannah S., Pauline O., Mark M., 
Dana M., Bodhi C., Sharon D., John D., Karen D., Kathie J., and Jennifer H. 
Birthday blessings to Joe  
Special intentions 
 
Sandy Martin 1 Special Intentions 
 
Roddie & David Mazurik 1 In loving memory of sister Debbie 
 
Natalie Twarek 8 In loving memory of Carrie Sowards, Safe travel and good health for Fr Peter,  For 
the health & recovery of Matushka Melania, For health and recovery of  Matushka Michelle’s brother 
Walter, For the health and recovery on Ron and Rodney, For the health and recovery of Betty, Carol, 
Kayla, Bill, Ruth, Pam, Debbie, Jim, Michelle, Terrie , Clayton, Father Emilian, Patrick and Marty, Mike 
Heffernan and Barbara Heffernan, Health and healing for Father’s dad Michal and Matushka’s mom 
Barbara, For the health of Tony, Bev, Ed, Irene, Father David, Pauline, Judy, Tina, Carole, Gary, Sharon, 
Tina’s dad, Earl, Sonya, Margi & Joe, Jackie,  MaryAnn & Bob, Bodhi, Stella, Jake, Pat 
______________________ ____________ 
VIGILS FOR SEPTEMBER 15  
 
Tim Glovinsky 1 In birthday memory of mom 
 
Susan Guzy 1 Special intentions 
 
Dennis Lapso 2 For Blessed repose of Annette Lapso, Health of Dr George Glorik 
 
Laura Kovach 3 For health and/or healing of Stephanie K., Matushka Melania, Bailey C., Ron R., 
Stephanie K., Donnie S., Betty K., David M., Jim K., Hannah S., Mark M., Dana M., Bodhi C., Karen D., 
Kathie J., and Jennifer H. 
Anniversary blessings to Joe & Margi  
Safe travel for Fr. Peter, Amanda, and Sharon 
 
Sandy Martin 1 Special Intentions 
 
Natalie Twarek 10 In loving memory of Dad 27 years 9/16, In loving memory of Georgia, Birthday 
blessing to Braelynn 9/15, Anniversary blessing to Nikki and Sean 9/15, Anniversary blessings to Zach 
and Amber 9/19, for the health and recovery of Stephanie Kowal, For the health and recovery of Bailey

Calhoun, Safe travel and good health for Fr Peter,  For the health & recovery of Matushka Melania, For 
health and recovery of  Matushka Michelle’s brother Walter, For the health and recovery on Ron, 
Rodney, Betty, Carol, Kayla,  Bill, Ruth, Pam, Debbie, Jim, Michelle, Terrie, Clayton, Father Emilian,   
Patrick and Marty, Mike Heffernan and Barbara Heffernan, Health and healing for Father’s dad Michal 
and Matushka’s mom Barbara, For the health of Tony, Bev, Ed, Irene, Father David, Pauline, Judy, Tina, 
Carole, Gary, Sharon, Tina’s dad, Earl, Sonya, Margi & Joe, Jackie,  MaryAnn & Bob, Bodhi, Stella, Jake, 
Pat 
________________________________________________________________________________________________  
ATTENDANCE  
 
09/08 Divine Liturgy , 38 attending (17 guests) ; 09/14 Divine Liturgy, 10 attending ( 1 
guest); 09/15 Divine Liturgy, 28 attending (11 guests) 
________________________________________________________________________________________________  
PRAYER LIST 
 
Parishioners & Family: Rodney Clevenger / Jennifer Heffernan / Tom Hileman / Pam / Jim Twarek 
/ Ed Garrity /  Patti Owens / Tony Monastra / Barbara Wroblewski / Michal Tomáš / Ruth  Sheller / 
Basil Glovinsky / Dale / Sophie / Jeanne Smith / Carol / David Martin / Fred Soski / Chris Hannon / 
Subdeacon Roger Pinta / Ed Vangeloff / Irene Vangeloff / Sonja Rose / Ron Royhab /James Bargdill / 
John Beadle / Carole Conaway/ Gary Conaway / Sharon Dietrich / Michael Glovinsky / Shirley Gresh 
/ Joseph Habegger / Elaine Hileman / Betty Kovach / Child Stella Miller / William Pipenur / Earl 
Rindfleisch / Helen Jean Rofkar / George Royhab / Marianne Royhab / Kathy Jacob / the child Bodhi 
Cassell / Clifford / Gleice, Sophie & Chloe / Carol / Debbie & Marco / Nora.  
Other Requests: Sharyn Osborne  / Christine Zahm  / Amy / Bill Byrnes  / Michael Heffernan / 
Susanne / Barbara Heffernan / Rita Mumea /  Charles Schlett / Kathy Debevits / Maxwell Chaney /  
Sidharth Bijilani – friend of Subdeacon Roger and Debbie Pinta / Anthony / Archpriest Ján Čižmár / 
Archpriest David Lis / Archpriest Emilian & Matushka Laryssa Hutnyan / Donald Gresh / Mark Ludvik 
/ Robert Piznar / Mark Masica / Valerie Ritzenthaler / William / Rick Rowe / Chris.  
Military: Craig Cassell / Jake Ellithorpe / Jordon Fulton / Justin Issler / Tikhon / Nicholas / & All 
Military 
________________________________________________________________________________________________
SEPTEMBER BIRTHDAYS AND ANNIVERSARIES   
 
10 – Fellar & Kayla Fay Anniversary (1) ; 11 – David & Roddie Mazurik Anniversary; 
11 – Wayne & Heidi Golob Anniversary (42); 13 – Tom & Jean Hileman Anniversary; 
19 – Cooper Kowal; 25 – Subdeacon Roger Pinta; 26 – Greg Twarek * 
________________________________________________________________________________________________________  
READERS LIST  
 
Sunday Sep 22 – Joe 
Sunday Sep 29 – Jake 
Sunday Oct 6 – Tim 
Sunday Oct 13 – Joe 
________________________________________________________________________________________________  
CLEANING SCHEDULE    
 
Sep 23, Jean 
Sep 30, Laura 
Oct 7, Stephanie 
Oct 14, Sandy 
________________________________________________________________________________________________  
 CHARITY OF THE MONTH  
 
“Support our Seminarians” is the charity we donate to for the month of September. 
__________________________________________________________________________ ____________________ __________

COFFEE HOUR SPONSOR LIST 
 
Sep 22 – Jean 
Sep 29 – Natalia 
Oct 6 – Greg 
Oct 13 – Danielle Paull 
 
Please sign up to host coffee hour. Signup sheet is located in the Social Hall. 
_________________________________________________________________________________________ _______ 
SUNDAY OFFERING 
             Sunday, September 8, 2024 
   Tithe     $2,212.00 
Donations    $   339.00 
Candles    $     93.00 
    Vigils     $     85.00 
Holy Day Donations   $   425.00 
Support our Seminarians (Sep)  $   100.00 
St. Tikhon Icon   $     20.00 
Total:                $3,274.00 
 
 
Sunday, September 15, 2024 
    Tithe     $   415.00 
Donations    $   652.00 
Candles    $     18.00 
    Vigils     $     75.00 
Holy Day Donations   $   175.00 
Total:                $1,335.00 
 
              May the Lord reward you for your financial and spiritual support!     
________________________________________________________________________________________________  
CHURCH MONTLY INCOME AND EXPENSES 
 
Month of AUGUST 2024       
Church Donation income was  $  7,059.67   
Church Operating Expenses totaled  $  9,831.59     
net loss of              - $  2,771.92  
________________________________________________________________________________________________  
MARKET DAY 
 
Our sincere thanks are extended to the following parishioners who helped  with our 
Market Day yesterday, September 21st: Tina, Natalie, Susan, Greg, Cliff, Laura, David, 
Mimi, Tim, Mat. Michelle, and Fr. Peter. The total profit income from the sale was 
$1,799.20. May Our Lord reward you all for your time and energy with good health, peace, and 
happiness for Many Happy and Blessed Years! 
 
Our next Market Day s will take place on Saturday, October 12th starting with set up at 8:00 AM. 
We will have perohi, halupki, kielbasa and kraut, spanakopita, and a large variety of baked goods. Your 
help is greatly appreciated! 
____________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________ 
UP-COMING EVENTS IN OUR PARISH – MARK YOUR CALENDARS 
Oct 1st  Protection of the Most Holy Theotokos (Tuesday) 
 
Oct 12th  Last Market Day of the season 8:00 AM (Saturday)

Oct 13th  Parish Council Meeting after the Divine Liturgy (Sunday) 
 
Nov 3rd   Daylight Saving time ends (Sunday)  
 
Nov 15th Nativity Fast begins (Friday) 
 
Nov 21st   Entrance of the Most Holy Theotokos into the Temple (Thursday) 
 
Dec 6th  St. Nicholas the Wonderworker (Friday) 
________________________________________________________________________________________________  
SINCERE THANK YOU 
 
Fr. Peter would like to express his sincere thanks to all of you for your prayers during 
his travels and his stay in Slovakia. He felt God’s protecting hand which made the travel 
easier and more secure. May the Lord reward you all for your care and kindness with His special 
blessings! 
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Hieromartyr Phocas, Bishop of Sinope 
Commemorated on September 22 
  
Hieromartyr Phocas was born in the city of Sinope. From youth he led a virtuous 
Christian life, and in his adult years he became Bishop of Sinope. Saint Phocas 
converted many pagans to faith in Christ. At the time of a persecution against 
Christians under the emperor  Trajan (98 -117), the governor demanded that the 
saint renounce Christ. After fierce torture they enclosed Saint Phocas in a hot bath, 
where he died a martyr’s death in the year 117. 
 
In the year 404, the relics of the saint were transferred to Constantinople (July 22). 
The Hieromartyr Phocas is especially venerated as a defender against fires, and also as a helper of the 
drowning. 
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Apostle Quadratus of the Seventy 
Commemorated on September 21 
 
Saint Quadratus, Apostle of the Seventy preached the Word of God at Athens 
and at Magnesia (eastern peninsula of Thessaly), and was Bishop of Athens. 
His biographer called him “a morning star” among the clouds of paganism. He 
converted many pagans to the true faith in Christ the Savior, and his preaching 
aroused the hatred of the pagans. Once, an angry mob fell upon the saint to 
pelt him with stones. Preserved by God, Saint Quadratus remained alive, and 
they threw him into prison, where he died of starvation. His holy body was buried in Magnesia. 
 
In the year 126, Saint Quadratus wrote an Apologia in defence of Christianity. Presented to the emperor 
Hadrian (117 -138), the Apologia affected the persecution of Christians, since the emperor issued a 
decree saying that no one should be convicted without  just cause. This Apologia was known to the 
historian Eusebius in the fourth century. At the present time, only part of this Apologia survives, quoted 
by Eusebius: “The deeds of our Savior were always witnessed, because they were true. His healings and 
raising people from the dead were visible not only when they were healed and raised, but always. They 
lived not only during the existence of the Savior upon the earth, but they also remained alive long after 
His departure. Some, indeed, have survived to our own time.” 
Saint Quadratus is also commemorated on January 4. 
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How to Become an Orthodox Christian? 
by Reader John Malov   
 
Sometimes people baptized in a particular faith decide to 
switch to another confession or even a different religion. 
Is it a sin to convert? Can a Catholic convert to Orthodoxy? 
 
How to convert to Orthodox Christianity?  
 
Becoming Orthodox is easy for those who desire it in their 
hearts. The most important condition for this is professing 
the faith of the Orthodox Church. Other conditions depend 
on how far your Christian denomination has departed from 
the Orthodox faith and tradition. In some cases, it is sufficient to participate in the sacrament of 
Repentance, while in others it is necessary to be catechized (undergo preparatory instruction in the 
truths of the Orthodox faith), as well as to be baptized and anointed. Technically, it takes from one day 
to a much longer period of time to convert to Orthodoxy. Now let us discuss this in more detail. 
 
Conversion to Orthodoxy from Catholicism and non-Chalcedonian churches 
 
Catholics and non -Chalcedonians can convert to Orthodoxy quicker than representatives of other 
Christian denominations. All it takes is speaking with a priest (to determine the conformity of your faith 
to Orthodoxy) and participating in the sacrament of Confession where you must renounce  your past 
beliefs.  
 
After Confession, unconfirmed Catholics must undergo the sacrament of Chrismation. 
 
The convert’s unity with the Orthodox Church is ultimately manifested and affirmed in his participation 
in the Eucharist. 
 
Old Catholics join the Orthodox Church in the same way. 
 
Catholicism, like most Christian denominations and other religions, views conversion to Orthodoxy as 
a sin and betrayal of faith. You may therefore face misunderstanding and condemnation on the part of 
your former community. 
 
Conversion to Orthodoxy from Protestantism 
 
Due to the diversity of teachings within Protestantism, the requirements for its converts to Orthodoxy 
may vary.  
 
If your denomination holds faith in the God -manhood of Christ and the Holy Trinity, baptizing in the 
name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit with threefold immersion, pouring, or sprinkling of 
the water, then Repentance and Chrismation will be sufficient for your conversion. 
 
However, baptisms performed in certain denominations will not be recognized. For example, Jehovah’s 
Witnesses baptize in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. At the same time, they neither 
recognize Jesus as God and the Son of God, nor perceive the Holy Spirit as a separate Divine Person. 
Such baptism, although outwardly correct, is false in its essential nature and cannot be recognized.  
 
For this reason, Jehovah’s Witnesses and members of similar communities, where the doctrine of the 
Trinity and the Divine Humanity is distorted, convert to Orthodoxy by receiving the holy Baptism. 
 
Conversion to Orthodoxy from non-Christian Religions

The requirements in this case are the same as for the pagans of antiquity. Non-Christians join the Holy 
Church through Baptism and become confirmed through subsequent participation in the sacraments. 
As a rule, in such cases, a catechization is necessary before Baptism. 
 
Universal Chart 
 
If you are still not sure what to do, refer to the following diagram: 
 
Christian denominations that have preserved the apostolic succession, correct Baptism and 
Chrismation: Roman Catholicism, Old Catholicism, ancient Eastern non -Chalcedonian Orthodox 
churches (the Armenian Apostolic Church, the Coptic Orthodox Church, the Et hiopian Orthodox 
Church and others).  
 
Christian denominations that have preserved the correct Baptism: Baptist, Pentecostal, Lutheran and 
Anglican churches.

Why Convert to Orthodox Christianity? 
 
In Matthew 16:18, Christ speaks about building His church that “the gates of Hades will not prevail 
against”. He mentions one Church, not many. The Orthodox Church is the only Church, originally 
founded by Christ and still retaining the apostolic succession and the undistorted teaching of the Lord 
and the apostles. Only in it, the truth is preserved in fullness. 
 
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Why Do Children Stop Coming to Church 
when They Grow Up? Some Thoughts for the 
Anxious Parents 
by Priest Andrey Chizhenko   
 
God has a plan for all the people who come into this 
world. He had created this world so each person could 
fulfil their distinct mission. God wants all of us to be 
saved and live forever in heaven among His angels 
and saints. 
 
As our children grow, they develop their individuality 
and personhood. They are preparing to realize their 
potential so they can fulfil God’s plan for them and sing their solo part in the symphony of God’s world. 
They will need to acquire the intellectual, reflective and perceptive capabilities to interact with this 
world and learn from their experience of doing so. Nobody else can do it for them. 
 
As Orthodox parents, you may congratulate yourself on a job well done. You have raised your children 
in the Orthodox faith, and you have been bringing them to Church for confession and communion. They 
know how to pray, and they understand the importance of observing God’s commandments. 
 
Your child is now an adolescent, so it is perhaps time for you as parents to step back and give him more 
space to form an independent relationship with God and His world. This does not mean leaving your 
children to their own devices. They still need you as  their gentle, kind and considerate guides who can 
help them avoid unnecessary mistakes or falling into sin. But above all, your children need your prayers 
and your blessings. They say that parental prayer is your children’s gateway to heaven. “When parent s 
give their blessing, they give strength to their children’s homes” (Sirach 3:9). 
 
One thing you should never do is raise your children as your exact copies. You would only harm your 
child. You would not be teaching him to look within, where, in the words of our Lord the kingdom of 
God is found. Instead, by insisting that your children l ook to you, his prize will be you, but not God’s 
kingdom. Knowing God is always personal. In his wonderful homilies, Theo phan the Recluse spoke of 
prayer as an art. Why are physical prayer practices uncommon for Orthodox Christianity, while in Yoga 
or Islam they are well established?   The holy fathers of the Orthodox Church give this simple answer: 
prayer is a creative undertaking of an individual who reaches out towards God and of God who reaches 
out to the individual. Many things are important for such co -working to take place, such as personal 
space, a secret chamber in one’s heart, and the sacred corner in the heart of hearts where man and God 
meet face to face. 
 
It is impossible to put any of these in place for your child. Personal experience and one -on-one 
communication with God are essential. 
 
Frequently, adolescents stop coming to Church because they need the time and space to explore the 
Truth and to reflect on it by themselves, to test and to learn on their own the tenets of the Church’s 
teachings and its canons.

So, your silence and the prayer that comes with it will be more productive than words. Stepping aside 
and giving freedom to your adolescent is a very important skill that will help him prepare himself for 
independent life in this world. Parents should learn to keep a lower profile, and keeps their presence in 
the lives of their adolescent children a little less visible while keeping the hierarchy in the parent -child 
relationship. This will not diminish your parental authority given to you by God’s commandments, but 
giving your child more space and more independence will better prepare him for his independent 
journey in this world. 
Do not let yourselves despair if your child is going to church less frequently than before. They need their 
chance to find their own way, to learn how to listen to their hearts and to disclose the talents which God 
had bestowed on them. 
 
Many Orthodox churchgoers complain: “My son used to go to church a lot when he was a small boy, he 
used to assist the priest in the altar, but he has grown up and is no longer doing this”. 
 
Just imagine what might happen if all the boys who assisted the priest remained in their positions 
despite sufficient numbers of other children willing to replace them. The altar would be crowded with 
people. There would be no room left to stand. But why would we need so many assistant priests? Would 
it not be wiser to let someone who has spent so many months or years in the altar explore other 
alternatives, benefiting from the rich gift of the holy spirit with which he has already been endowed? 
Perhaps God has other plans for him – he might become an excellent joiner, welder, teacher or even 
the president instead. We should give them the freedom to look. We should not expect all of them to 
become priests. Priesthood is a calling, just like many other careers. When God calls them to the service 
of a priest, they will respond. Your adolescent has been coming to Church more rarely than before and 
taking communion less frequently. But he has yet to find his way towards God; he can no longer do this 
through you.  
 
Others are also complaining: “Most people coming to church these days are old ladies”. What is the 
basis of these grievances? Let us recall this fragment from an epistle by Apostle Paul: An unmarried 
woman or virgin is concerned about the Lord’s affairs: Her aim is to be devoted to the Lord in both body 
and spirit. But a married woman is concerned about the affairs of this world —how she can please her 
husband (1 Corinthians 7: 34). 7: 34). The priority for a young person is to start a family, gave children 
to provide for his loved ones and to make their home comfortable. He should take care not to become 
fully consumed by these tasks, so his heart is in the right place. Still, finding a partner and supporting 
the family take a very important place in the life of a young person. In later years, as his hair goes grey 
with age, and he becomes wiser and more experienced, he will remember about God and eternal life, 
and will return to Church. 
 
Older people in our churches are our precious assets. They have wisdom, and wise people will seek out 
God’s Truth. So, seeing so many older people at church is a good sign. 
 
As for the parents of today’s adolescents, my advice to them will be not to despair. Instead, let us watch 
with amazement and admiration how our Lord is guiding then on the journey towards His sacred Truth; 
let us celebrate their progress along this path t hat is full of joys and sorrows, sadness and happiness, 
confusion and discovery. Our children are at the start of a great adventure and a spectacular journey.