"Grant us seasonable weather and fruitful seasons; send gentle showers upon the earth so that it may bear fruit; bless the crown of the year of Your goodness." (Saint Basil the Great).

Beloved parishioners and friends of the Annunciation Cathedral -

With much anticipation, the year 2022 is upon us today.  It is a time in which we begin to make resolutions, committing an opportunity to make changes in our lives.

Today is that new beginning - and whatever we resolve, let’s all make that change in our lives to intensify our prayer life.  Beginning our day, pausing throughout the day, and ending the day with prayer creates a different atmosphere in our life.

COVID19 has prevented so much, and we hear the same words that we want back our “sense of normalcy.”  It is today that in our spiritual journey we realize there is nothing abnormal at all, but rather things take place in our own coming closer to Christ.  

The life of the church continues.  There were not any services missed, the continuation of all things proceeded - maybe not in the same way we knew as “normal,” but in a way that continued to serving our Lord.  

Church is home, and it is very important we remember that.  There are things we have missed over these last few months, the holidays were different, and we make every effort to stay connected with one another.  God-willing, we return and have that opportunity to greet one another with more than an elbow tap or a wave.  

Through that simple action of keeping your church in your prayers, we remember all of our faithful and those surrounding us.  

Saint Basil the Great, whom we commemorate today, offers a simple prayer during the Divine Liturgy - “reunite those separated.”  

May continue to share in the joy of the Love of Christ.  Let us resolve today to grow stronger spiritually and come closer to Him.

On behalf of myself, Trevor, the Parish Council, and all ministries of the Cathedral, I thank you for your constant outpouring of love and care.  May we have a blessed 2022 and the years to come!

With blessings in Christ,
Father Dean

Beloved Parishioners of the Annunciation Cathedral,

I pray this finds you to be well and in the best of health. Some wonderful and inspiring news was just conveyed to me today.

A family at our Cathedral has offered to match every 2022 Stewarship Donation received now until December 24, 2021, up to a total of $80,000.

Stewardship cards have been mailed to your homes. You may bring the cards back to the Cathedral on Sunday, or you may make your pledge online (click on the donate button in the upper right corner of the page).

Our extreme gratitude to this anonymous donor for offering this matching challenge!

Let’s rise to the occasion, support our Cathedral, and double the impact of this gift.

God bless,
Father Dean

Greetings in the Name of our Lord, God and Savior Jesus Christ,

“When God is thanked, He gives us still further blessings, while we, by receiving His gifts, love Him all the more and through this love attain that divine wisdom whose beginning is the fear of God” (Prov. 1:7).

As we celebrate Thanksgiving Day, let us be more mindful of the things for which we are thankful.  I humbly ask that you pray for peace in the world and in particular, for the military personnel serving our country here and abroad; pray for our civil authorities that they may govern in wisdom and truth; pray for those suffering under such adverse conditions;  pray for those suffering in the Name of Christ; pray for your families and friends.  I would also like to remind you to pray for departed relatives and friends.  Give thanks to God for the love and memories you treasure in your heart.  

Living in this great nation we recognize that although this holiday commemorates an important historical day, it is a reminder that we not take things for granted.  The pilgrims understood this as they, having endured great struggles, gave thanks.  We, too often, overlook the day to day blessings we receive from God and in doing this, become neglectful in giving Him due thanks.  Is there anything worse than one who is ungrateful?  The Church Fathers encourage us to be attentive to the blessings in our life and to give thanks to God for all things.  

We sometimes take for granted and overlook the many blessing we enjoy as a Parish.  The tremendous support and participation of the stewards of our Parish is truly admirable and has enabled us to succeed in all our endeavors.  Together, we comprise the Body of Christ and many parishioners sacrifice their Time, Talents and Treasure to build up our Church.  Times become difficult, but through everything, the Love for Christ continues to guide us in all things.  

During these times where we are limited in what we can do, we are called to do even more.  We bow our heads in prayer and rejoice in all conditions. While now we are limited in what we can do during this day, we are unlimited in how we thank God.  While our tables may not be surrounded by all of our loved ones, we are surrounded by the love of Christ.  May God give us strength in everything we do.

I rejoice in the Lord for each of you.  Please know that I pray for you each and every day and I thank all of you that have been so willing to express your faith in cooperation with me, your parish priest.  I thank God for the challenges, in knowing that it is only Christ who is guiding us.  I thank God for all things

As you gather for your Thanksgiving Day celebration, I pray that it be a day of transformation, a day of change, so that each of us may become thankful to God, to His Church, to our family and friends for all we have in our lives.

 ...I do therefore invite my fellow citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next, as a day of Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens... (President Abraham Lincoln).

May this Thanksgiving Day and each day of your lives be filled with the peace that comes from being thankful to God for everything you experience by living your Christian Orthodox Faith.  

With blessings,
Father Dean

Veterans Day is a time for us to pay our respects to those who have served. For one day, we stand united in respect for you, our veterans.

This holiday started as a day to reflect upon the heroism of those who died in our country's service and was originally called Armistice Day. It fell on Nov. 11 be