Faith, Service, and φιλοξενία.

Every year, our parish joyfully welcomes our neighbors from near and far to share in our celebration of faith, service and Greek culture, especially philoxenia (fee-lohk-seh-KNEE-ah),  which literally means “love of strangers,” and is the essence of Greek hospitality, warmth, generosity and welcoming others as family.

This year our joy is mixed with deep sorrow. Last week’s horrific violence at Annunciation Church has touched affected our parish deeply. We stand with Annunciation in shared grief, prayer, and fervent hope.

Attending school mass at Annunciation last Wednesday were multiple parishioners of St. Mary’s, including 12 year-old Sophia Forchas, a beloved member of our Greek dancing troupe. She remains in critical condition. We ask that you join us in praying for Sophia, her family, and for the doctors, nurses, and all those caring for her and her family.

For decades, the Forchas family has been the heart and muscle behind the Taste of Greece. We are aching without them here this weekend. This year’s Festival honors the love, faith and service that the Forchas family as poured into our parish and this event, year after year.

The events of August 27^th have taken so much from so many – but no act of violence will ever shake the resilience that is built in faith, service and philoxenia.

Give Blood during the Festival
Friday, September 5

Give blood and help save lives! The bloodmobile will be at St. Mary’s on Friday, September 5, 2:00-6:00 p.m. Appointments are now being accepted for donations on that day. Donors will receive a $10.00 Festival gift card! The bloodmobile is sponsored by St. Mary’s and the Hellenic Sons Squadron 129, Sons of American Legion.