Weekly Update - October 19, 2026

Peace & Grace

The Martyrdom of St. Matthew the Evangelist

Baba 12, 1743 / October 22, 2026

 
 

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

“‘Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword. For I have come to ‘set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law’; and ‘a man’s enemies will be those of his own household.’ He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it.’”

Matthew 10:34-39

SERVICES THIS WEEK

MONDAY:

  • Preparation for Baptism (Catechism) Class: 8 p.m. - 9 p.m. (online)

TUESDAY:

  • Midnight Praises: 7:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.

WEDNESDAY:

  • Divine Liturgy: 8 a.m. - 10 a.m.

THURSDAY:

  • College Coptic Club meeting: 7 p.m. - 9 p.m.

    • Guest Speaker: Mike Hanna from St. Verena and the Three Holy Youth

FRIDAY:

  • Living Stones: 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

    • Guest Speaker: His Grace Bishop Kyrillos

SATURDAY:

  • Young Adults Coffee & Walk at Lake Miramar: 8:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. (more information below)

  • Junior Choir Leaders Hymns Class: 6 p.m. - 7 p.m.

  • Vespers: 7 p.m. - 8 p.m.

SUNDAY:

  • Divine Liturgy: 8 a.m. - 11 a.m.

  • Agape Meal: 11 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

  • Hymns Class: 11:30 a.m. - 12 p.m.

  • Sunday School Classes & Adult Education: 12 p.m. - 1 p.m.

 
 

Annual Fall Festival - RSVP and Volunteer!

Saturday, October 31st

Mark your calendars for this year’s event on Saturday, October 31, 2026, from 4:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

This year’s theme is the desert monasteries of Shaheet: St. Macarius, St. Bishoy and Baramous.

  • Entertainment for kiddos and parents alike!

  • And like every year, there will be other saint appearances, and each will tell their story (consider volunteering)!

  • Farm petting zoo from 5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.

  • There will be games, facepainting, crafts, bouncy house, food, fellowship, and of course candy!

  • Please RSVP here so we know how much candy and food to bring for the kiddos!

  • If you’d like to take the blessing of helping in this event, please sign-up here.

 
 

Living Stones Ministry

Next Event

  • Location: St. Basil American Coptic Orthodox Church

  • Date: Friday, October 23

  • Time:

    • Refreshments from 6:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

    • Discussion form 7:30 p.m - 8:30 p.m.

  • Guest Speaker: His Grace Bishop Kyrillos

Living Stones is a ministry dedicated to helping those who began their Orthodox Christian journey as adults continue to grow in Christ and become deeply rooted in the life of His Church. Through continued Orthodox Christian formation, fellowship, service, and events, we seek to build a community where members encourage and strengthen one another. Inspired by 1 Peter 2:5, our mission is to grow together as “living stones” being built up into a spiritual house, each discovering and embracing our place in the life and service of the church. Let Fr. Michael or Fr. Anthony know if you’d be interested in helping in this amazing service!

Upcoming Speakers:

 
 

San Diego Symphony Orchestra - Christmas Classics

December 20th

San Diego Symphony's holiday tradition, Noel Noel, returns outdoors to The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park. Featuring favorite songs, Christmas classics, sing-alongs and holiday cheer, the concert will be led by celebrated San Diego Symphony Orchestra, the San Diego Master Chorale and the San Diego Children’s Choir.

Tickets are $35 each through St. Basil (regular price is $66 but the church is subsidizing a portion of the cost). Reserve your seat(s) by clicking here and the church will purchase your ticket. A payment link will be sent to you at a later date:)

 
 

Homeless Ministry Event!

On Friday, 125 dinners were cooked, packaged, and delivered to homeless brothers and sisters in downtown San Diego. God bless the efforts of those who made this happen! This event was led by the Living Stones group but, based on request, the next homeless support event will be opened up to everyone!

 
 

Young Adults

A lot of great events are coming up so mark your calendars so you don’t miss anything! Reach out to Fr. Anthony with any questions.

 
 

Next Men’s Event

Mark your calendars for the next men’s event! More details to come.

  • Date: Sunday, November 15th

  • Time: 6 p.m.

  • Agenda: BBQ, Sunday Night Football & Spiritual Talk

 
 

New Junior Choir Leaders Hymns Class

  • Weekly on Saturdays from 6 p.m. - 7 p.m. (before Vespers)

  • Intended for the next generation of choir leaders (boys and girls) with a focus on elementary/middle school ages

  • Curriculum will initially focus on hymns of the liturgy in both English and Coptic

  • Open to all

 
 
 

Opportunity to Help New & Expecting Moms

Help provide meals to new moms! Click Here to join the meal-train!!

Want to help the many new mommies in our church with much needed services? As you may know the first few months can be challenging! Consider joining the New Mommy’s Committee that helps in:

  1. Connection to other moms for support and advice

  2. Offer to babysit for a break

  3. Provide supplies or food for them

  4. Let them know the church is child friendly with a cry room and a changing room

  5. Help to prepare a baby shower

  6. Provide a gift and card from church

  7. Visit new mommy with a group!

  8. Invite them to the ladies meeting

  9. Shopping for them

  10. Baptism gift

  11. Provide a home cooked meal for family or join a meal train

Click Here to join this wonderful service group or browse other potential services you may be interested in joining!

 
 

Want to get Involved?

Many have asked how they can volunteer to help in the many services St. Basil’s offers! CLICK HERE to browse through the services and check the ones you wish to get involved in! For example, we are actively looking for:

  • Prepare (bake) Urbon (holy bread) for Holy Liturgies

  • Social Media Manager

  • Visitor Welcoming Committee

  • Summer Camp Support

  • Agape Meal

Contact Fr. Michael or Fr. Anthony if interested!

 
 

NEW CHURCH BUILDING CAMPAIGN

As many of you have noticed, our church family has been growing steadily over the past several years. This is a great blessing from God, and we thank Him for it. That growth comes with a demand for increased pastoral need and larger facilities.

The board is actively looking for a new home. If you’d like to help in this important effort that will positively impact our St. Basil community for generations to come, please contact Fr. Michael or Fr. Anthony. God bless your efforts!

And the leaders of the fathers’ houses offered willingly. They gave for the work of the house of God… according to their ability. ~ Ezra 2:68–69

 
 

AGAPE MEAL AFTER THE LITURGY

Hello St. Basil family! After every Divine Liturgy, our agape meal means more than food — it is fellowship, healing, and a living expression of our unity in Christ. “They continued steadfastly… in the breaking of bread and in prayers” (Acts 2:42) reminds us that from the earliest days of the church, believers gathered after worship to share life together. This simple meal becomes a lifeline for newcomers trying to find their place, for those who feel alone and long for community, and for every soul who needs to experience the love of Christ in practical, tangible ways. The volunteers who serve in this ministry quietly carry a sacred responsibility: They help people feel seen, included, and loved.  This is why hospitality is an amazing virtue! Hebrews 13:2 says “Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels.”

We are deeply grateful to the few who continue to offer their time, energy, and generosity despite the challenges. Your service is a fragrance of Christ among us! At the same time, we warmly invite others to join this beautiful ministry to lighten the burden on the few. Preparing or serving food may seem small, but in God’s eyes it is an act of love that strengthens the bonds of our parish family and proclaims, without words, that we are “one body in Christ, and individually members of one another” (Romans 12:5). If you feel called to help build St. Basil’s community so no one stands alone, please consider joining this blessed service. Your hands can become instruments of fellowship, hospitality, and grace. 

You can help in the following ways:

  1. Sign up to bring food (Please refrain from excessive sweets).

  2. Sign up for the coffee cart: set up and clean up the coffee cart on Sunday morning.

  3. Hall clean-up following the agape meal.

Please CLICK HERE to sign up.

God bless your efforts!

 
 

PREPARATION FOR BAPTISM (CATECHISM) CLASSES

Join us on ONLINE Monday nights at 8:00 p.m. for baptism preparation classes. Visit www.stbasil.net/baptism for more information. These classes are open for: 

  • Anyone interested in becoming members of the Coptic Orthodox Church.

  • Those recently baptized (within the last few years). 

  • Simply anyone seeking to better understand the basics of the Christian faith and history. 

Together, we will review the importance of baptism and its impact, the Sacraments, the inspiring church history, the Orthodox Creed, the Holy Bible, Orthodox prayer and spiritual life, and Church traditions. Reading material will be provided for those who wish to attend.  To register for this class, please contact Fr. Michael at 949-378-0350 or frmichael@stbasil.net.

 
 

DIOCESE EVENTS

Annual ACTS Gala Dinner Event!

November 8, 2026 (5-8PM) in Costa Mesa, CA

This is the only fundraiser they do throughout the year so please consider purchasing a seat!

St. Basil’s has purchased a table of ten for $2,500 

$ 250 per seat for you or sponsor a seat for someone!!

Contact Fr. Michael if you are interested!

Interested in participating in missionary trips abroad? Join one the many happening soon! Click here to find out more!

 
 

Social Media

 
 

FAMILY HOME VISITS

Father Michael and Father Anthony are offering home visits for anyone who is interested. It’s a wonderful practice to have a priest visit your home at least once a year. Please reach out to them directly to schedule a visit!

Phone: 949-378-0350 (Fr. Michael) | 858-729-8655 (Fr. Anthony)

Email: FrMichael@stbasil.net | FrAnthony@stbasil.net

 
 

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Please let us know if you have any upcoming important events for us to share with our fellow congregants. Special events are best shared among our family, and we encourage you to share your special news with us.