Pg. 7 Calendar Pg. 8 Very Important

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1 ISSUE 6 JUNE 2017 Pg. 2 From the desk of Father Soteri Pg. 3 Philoptochos and Greek School Pg. 4 GOYA and CHOIR Pg. 5 Advertisement Pg. 6 AHEPA Pg. 7 Calendar Pg. 8 Very Important Looking into June June 3rd - Saturday of Souls 9:30am Divine Liturgy June 4th - Sunday of Pentecost 8:30am Orthros 9:30am Divine Liturgy June 11th - Sunday of All Saints 8:45am Orthros 10:00am Divine Liturgy Friday, June 16th - Sunday June 18th GOYA Jr. Olympics at St. John, Tampa June 18th - Father s Day 8:45am Orthros 10:00am Divine Liturgy June 25th - 3rd Sunday of Matthew 8:45a Orthros 10:00a Divine Liturgy June 29th - Sts. Peter and Paul and the Holy Apostles 5:00pm Orthros 6:00pm Divine Liturgy June Usher Duty Sunday, June 4th - Team 6 Bill Christopher, Jim Ververis, Sandra Carnevale, Gregory Spantidakis and Manny Spantidakis Sunday, June 11th - Team 7 Maria Olavarria, Ron Gregory, Rita Hurst Anastasia Gregory and Dominique Hurst Sunday, June 18th - Team 8 Jimmy Kalyvas, Maria Olavarria, Visha Anevich and Christine Petsalis Sunday, June 25th - Team 9 Nicky Stamoulis, Vivian Mendonides, George Klimis, Noah Karakatsanis and Christopher Klimis Please be on time for your duty and if you can t be here, please find someone to fill in for you. Thank you! Reverend Father Soterios Rousakis, Protopresbyter Reverend Deacon John Pantelis th Street North St. Petersburg, FL fax: office@ststefanos.org

2 FROM THE DESK OF FATHER SOTERI Father s Day 2017, will be upon us this month and since we wrote about the Mother in the last issue, we will dedicate our remarks to all the Fathers, if for no other reason that: There are few to sing their praises, and in every song and story it is sweethearts, wives and mothers, who attain the fame and glory. So beloved fathers, relax! This is your equal time and opportunity, for you to know, How sad it is that no one so worthy, so deserving of our mention, is so seldom given homage and receives such scant attention. Reflecting on Thomas Wolfe s words, Which of us has looked into his father s heart, we notice that so much is expected of fathers. The good father is supposed to be strong, sensitive, caring, concerned, unflagging in his devotion to his children. They are supposed to be rigid enough to present uncompromised standards of behavior for their sons and daughters, and flexible enough to have compassion on the quiet hurts and private needs of childhood. They are supposed to love their children without indulging them unduly. They are expected to care completely about a child, but remain detached enough to provide for their best interest. Being a father is not an easy job! This balancing act can last for several decades and demands much of the father. It requires them to shoulder incredible responsibilities, the weight of other human lives, and bear them cheerfully. This is not always hard, because fatherhood, like motherhood, has joys to match its burden. The joy comes from seeing their children, who have been carefully nurtured, take their own shape and assume their own identity. It comes from watching their children discover the blessings and mysteries of life for themselves. It comes from the links of love and family that unite parents and children. Those links of course are always present. However, one day, each year is reserved for children of all ages to honor and thank their father. Yes, beloved fathers, whoever you are, on that day, rejoice in it, and in all the days of your lives. You are fully aware that you are the ones, faced with problems never ending, uncomplaining, never daring to relax your toil, and striving; ever-giving, always sharing. I salute you, beloved father, and pray that, your renewal, lies in the pleasure that your years of serving love brings. And I assure you that, to those of us who love you dearly, you are our uncrowned king. We give you, father, the respect and thanks you have earned on a Day for Father!

3 PHILOPTOCHOS and GREEK SCHOOL Philoptochos news: Our Philoptochos ladies stepped up to honor Deacon John Pantelis on the 5th Anniversary of his ordination on May 14. Many of our ladies helped set up, decorate, cook and serve for this lovely event. Congratulations to our Deacon John and many thanks to all of our ladies who help. On may 21st, Commencement Sunday, we were pleased to honor Abigail Grantges with our annual scholarship award. Our last meeting until the fall occurred on Sunday, May 28, at which time we held elections for our new executive board. The ladies elected were: Maria Olavarria, Maria Gregory, Christine Petsalis, Suzy Balasis, Polly Serbanos, Cleopatra Economou. Bessie Adams will be past president. Our end of the year luncheon will be held after church Sunday, June 11, at 1 o'clock at Isla del Sol. Choice of Chicken Piccata, Beef Bourgignon or Salmon Brulee with sides, salad, coffee and dessert-- upside down caramel nut apple pie. Tickets are available now for $25. Please see Betty Morgan by June 5. Maria Olavarria will be attending the Clergy Laity conference in June as our Philoptochos delegate. Greek School News Greek School Commencement took place on May 21 st in conjunction with Sunday School Commencement. The presentation was wonderful and seeing all of the children of St. Stefanos together made a lovely, heartwarming event! Mr. Panagiotis Diamandakos, Vice-President of the Laconian Society and Mr. Tsafatinos, presented several awards to our students for their Greek School accomplishments. We thank the Laconian Society for their continuous generous support of our Greek School program. I would like to thank the parents for being involved in our activities and making time for our Greek School events. I would also like to thanks the Kokkinakos family for sponsoring our events and also John Tischner and the Kitchen Crew who also dedicated their time. A big thank you to Orson Gregory, Tanya Kalyvas, Kristine Konstantakos and Monika Spantidakis for their big help at Beacon House. Last but not least, the entire St. Stefanos community who supported our Greek School. Our Adult class was very successful and enthusiastic too. We are looking forward to next year! hope everyone has a wonderful and relaxing Summer! -- Elisavet Makris, Greek School Director

4 GOYA and CHOIR GOYA Newsletter June 2017 Happy summer to all our GOYA families and friends, On April 30 th we prepared a meal and served Beacon House. And on Mothers Day we honored our moms and all the special women in our community with carnations. June 16 th -18 th we will be attending the 32 nd annual St. John Summer Olympics. We wish everyone a wonderful summer and safe travels. See you in August! Blessed, Kathy and Christine Choir notes for June: We will be singing for the last time until the fall on Pentecost Sunday. Several members of the choir will be attending the Choir Conference in Raleigh, NC, on June in conjunction with the Metropolis Clergy-Laity Convention. We will be learning the Anna Gallos II liturgy and the George Raptis liturgy and performing much of it in English.

5 ADVERTISEMENT

6 AHEPA AHEPA/DAUGHTERS OF PENELOPE/ SCHOLARSHIP FOUNDATION: The St Petersburg AHEPA Family Scholarship Foundation had the 7th Annual Scholarship and Awards Banquet on May 5, 2017 at Isla del Sol Yacht and Country Club. Scholarship Chairman Dr. Linda Murray presented scholarships to the following students: high school graduates, Cailyn Ruff-Carpintier and Anastasios Taso Halverson and undergraduates Alexander Gregory and Garyffalia Fallia Zacharopoulou-Gregory. Charles Stamoulis, Chairman of the AHEPA Citrus District 2 Scholarship Foundation presented (2) two AHEPA District 2 Scholarships in the name of George and Poppy Apostolou, one to Alexander Gregory and one to Anastasios Halverson. He also presented a special recognition plaque to Charles Adams for his many years of service to the district as Selection Committee Chairman. Many thanks to this year s keynote speaker the Honorable Dora Komninos. Βest wishes to all recipients! Και σε ανωτερα!

7 4 Pentecost 8:30am Orthros 9:30am Divine Liturgy Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 11 8:45am Orthros 10:00am Divine Liturgy Philoptochos Luncheon 18 Fathers Day 8:45am Orthros 10:00am Divine Liturgy 25 8:45am Orthros 10:00am Divine Liturgy :00pm Choir Practice Jr. Olympics :30pm Parish Council June Ss. Peter and Paul 10:00am Office Angels 5:00pm Orthros 6:00pm Divine Liturgy 30 Holy Apostles 3 Saturday of Souls 9:30am Divine Liturgy Jr. Olympics 24

8 ST. STEFANOS GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH th Street North St. Petersburg, Florida NON - PROFIT ORG. US POSTAGE PAID PERMIT #6203 ST. PETERSBURG, FL ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED VERY IMPORTANT Effective next month we will no longer be mailing the Light through the Postal System. Only our Shut-ins/Homebound individuals will be receiving the Light through the mail. We will continue to send out the Light electronically and for those who do not have , copies of the Light will be available in the Narthex as well as the Office. If you have and are not receiving s from the Church, but would like too, please send your address to the Office so that we can put you on the list. Thank you very much for your understanding. God Bless You!