December 2, 2006

Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men.

Ephesians 6:7

Dear faithful and friends of St. Mary Armenian Apostolic Church 80 years of no less than illustrious service to and for the Armenian community, from Newark to Livingston, is an outstanding achievement for St. Mary Armenian Church.  I am so proud of the many accomplishments that have become etched in the collective memory of this parish. 

This service however, has ostensibly been and must continue always to be our service to the Lord and His Church.

Since I arrived here 5 years ago, with very little knolwedge of this parish's history, it took me very little time to realize the love and the sense of family that this community has.   This inspired me to "christen" this church;

The Little Church that Shares and Cares at Prayer.

While really no longer a "little" Church, we maintain the character of the close knit family with which we began in 1926 by a few faithful but visionary founders.  It is this legacy that lives on in the wonderful and loving work that we contuinue to do today, no less visionary and no less faithful to the glorious apostolic mission of our blessed founders.

We have been blessed by the inspiring and faith driven service of the past generations and are thus propelled with the same sense of purpose to build upon the foundation that was laid in order to embark on a new path for the children of our children.

The celebration of the 80^th Anniversary, my dear faithful, is not only a look back, but is a springboard for the realization of our future dreams.

God bless each and everyone of you as you submit to the invitation to become architects of the future and joyfully pledge to be the shareholders of her divine mission for the glory of God and the children of St. Mary Armenian Church.

Peace to you all, and love with faith from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace to all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with an undying love.

Ephesians 6:23-24

In Christ’s love

Fr. Shnork Souin, Pastor