Parish Council News- 4. Philoptochos - 4. Youth- 6,7,9-11. Choir - 5, 9 Church School - 6

Transcription

1 The MESSENGER Saint Luke Greek Orthodox Church M a r c h Beloved brethren in the Lord Jesus, I hope and pray that you are all doing well. A quick look at the calendar and we notice that we are already three months into the year, a year filled with opportunities. One such opportunity, Lent, is around the corner. In a few days (March 11), we will enter this period of time the Church has established for more intense almsgiving, prayer, and fasting the three practical aspects of being a disciple the Lord identifies in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 6). Lent calls us to give more of ourselves to others who have less. A week before Lent begins, we will hear the Gospel lesson calling us to love and to serve the least of the brethren (Matthew 25). So let our almsgiving be fervent and real! Our prayer should be more intense as well, but not Pharisaical. It should be less about how great things may be for us, or even how difficult they may be at the moment, and more focused on how thankful we are for what we do have at the hand of the Lord. Prayer with genuine thanksgiving opens the gates of Paradise. For our parish, I ask you to pray for several of our parishioners who have serious health matters. Ask the Lord to protect and guide the physicians entrusted with their care, and to comfort and console those undergoing various health treatments. Their knowing you are praying for them is a spiritual balm. The third aspect of the life of a disciple of Christ is fasting. Here, too, our fasting should be balanced. With the suspension of meat, as the Church Fathers remind us, let us not devour our neighbor with our words and actions. Fasting has both an internal and external aspect, and so in our interactions with others let us be joyful and receptive to the gifts of the Spirit of God. Father s Message- 1, 3 Ministry Contact List - 2 Ministry Calendar - 2 Schedule of Services - 3 Messages -4-8, Parish Council News- 4 Philoptochos - 4 Youth- 6,7,9-11 Choir - 5, 9 Church School - 6 Stewardship - 5, Memorials - 14 Photos 7, 10, 13 Remember to Follow us on Instagram and Like on Facebook and Share. Links on Webpage.

2 The Messenger is a publication of the Saint Luke Greek Orthodox Church of East Longmeadow, MA located at 400 Prospect Street East Longmeadow, MA For mailing use PO Box 381. To contact the Church Office: ; (fax) and stlukego@aol.com. To contact the Pastor call or at frpklostri@gmail.com. Please send any submissions to church and Saint Luke Greek Orthodox Church 400 Prospect Street East Longmeadow, MA (413) (413) (fax) Fr. Panteleimon Klostri - Proistamenos frpklostri@gmail.com Church Office saintlukego@gmail.com Bible Study 6:30PM/ 11:00AM (unless otherwise stipulated) Orthodox Life -Weds 6:30p Council Meetings 2 nd Monday of the 7:00 PM (unless otherwise stipulated) Dance Practice TBA Loaves and Fishes Pick up on the 3 rd Friday of the month Knitting 1 st and 3 rd Wednesday of the (unless otherwise stipulated) Romeos and Juliettes 4 th Thursday of the month (unless otherwise stipulated) Choir 6:30 PM (September 10 th June10 th ) (unless otherwise stipulated) GOYA 3 rd Sunday of the month following Liturgy (unless otherwise stipulated) JOY 3rd Friday of the month 6pm-7:30 unless otherwise announced Endowment Meeting 2 nd 40 to 4 Club/Hope -seeking a volunteer coordinator and meetings TBA Miles to Smiles- Walking Ministry, TBA Health Ministry- Monthly Blood Pressure during coffee hour, TBA Pastor- Fr. Panteleimon Klostri 2019 Parish Council Assaad Hallak President Judy Lelas-George Vice President Joseph Dasco Treasurer Christos Nikolis Recording Secretary Evangeline Gouzounis Corresponding Secretary John Foscolos Harry Georgiades George Katsoulis Nick Vamvilis Jeffrey Clay Ron Rookey Philoptochos President - Maria Londo Vice President - Melissa Kaitis Treasurer - Vaceleci Zaharis Secretary - Rosanne Desautels Corresponding Secretary - Evangelia Tsikrikis Past President/Advisor - Dorsey Cokkinias Ministries Chanters - Aristidis Zaharis and Damian Zaharis Choir Director - Toni Rizas Endowment Fund - James Bologa GOYA Advisor - Kathy Kalaitzidis JOY Advisor - Sarah Kirchner Memorials - Maria Laware Messenger - Editor - Maria Londo Organist- Amanda Dee Stewardship Chairs - Joe and Meghan Dasco Sunday School Director - Priscilla Johnson Assistant Director - Leia Georgeopolus Outreach Committee - Harry Georgiades Facilities Committee - Nicles Lefakis Church Secretary- Paula Assad O Holy Apostle and Evangelist Luke, intercede with our Merciful God, that He may grant our souls remission of sins Apolytikion of Saint Luke

3 cont from page 1 Schedule of Services Orthros, 8:30, Divine Liturgy 9:30 SUNDAY SERVICES March 3 - Sunday of the Last Judgement (Meat-fare) March 10 -Sunday of Forgiveness (Cheese Fare) March 17 - Sunday of Orthodoxy (bring an icon and join the procession) March 24 - St. Gregory Palamas March 31 - Veneration of the Cross WEEKDAY SERVICES March 11th Lent Begins- CLEAN MONDAY Holy Unction 6PM March 25th Lent is also a time for greater fellowship. Of course, there are more services and thus, more opportunity to be together. In an effort to bring the various Orthodox parishes in the area together, we are doing something different this Lent. We are taking turns hosting the Pre-sanctified Liturgy. On March 20, Saint George will host and I will celebrate the Liturgy in the Chapel. On March 27, we will host, and Father Eustathios (Thomas) Cokotis will celebrate the Pre-sanctified. On April 3, Holy Trinity will host and Fr. Christopher Stamas will celebrate. The following week, on April 10, Fr. Ephraim Peters will be with us and he will deliver a Lenten talk after the service. As always, there will be a Lenten meal. Let us see the month ahead as a time for spiritual opportunity and growth. Take to heart Saint Paul s words to the Ephesians: Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children, and live in love (5.1). And on a not so final note: participate more! Do not be a spectator when opportunities abound. During Liturgy, sing with the choir, even from where you are in the pews. Learn a new hymn. Be a reader of the Sunday epistle. Receive with joy and give back to God with thanksgiving. May you and your families have a wonderful Lent! Liturgy- Holy Annunciation 8:30AM/9:30 AM Compline 6:30PM Monday March 18th Monday April 1st Presanctified Liturgy 6:30PM Weds March 13th *Weds March 20th at St George *Weds March 27th at St Luke *April 3rd at Holy Trinity Salutations to the Panagia Friday March 15th Friday March 22nd Friday March 29th Saturday of Souls 8:30AM (Bring names for remembrance and Koliva) 1st Saturday of Souls-March 2nd 2nd Saturday of Souls -March 9th 3rd Saturday of Souls-March 16th Feast-Feast- Forgiveness Sunday The Sunday of Forgiveness is the day before Lent begins (on a day called Clean Monday). On this day, by tradition, parishioners offer and receive forgiveness from one another for any wrongs they have committed throughout the year. Forgiveness is liberating and healing. It is God s Yes to the world s No. The Prayer of Saint Ephraim the Syrian O Lord and Master of my life! Take from me the spirit of sloth, faint-heartedness, lust of power, and idle talk. But give rather the spirit of chastity, humility, patience, and love to Your servant. Yes, Lord and King! Grant me to see my own errors, and not to judge my brother, for You are blessed unto the ages of ages. Amen. Matthew 5: But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven Amen! In Christ, Fr. Panteleimon

4 P A R I S H C O U N C I L Dear St. Luke Parishioners, May the blessings of our Lord and Savior be upon all of you and your families! I have to say it s exciting times at St. Luke. The community has come together to lift us up and bring love and care to our Church. It is so exciting to see our church pews fuller in the last few weeks. It s a blessing to see more people coming to Church. We welcome the new families that are attending the Sunday Liturgy. It s a beautiful reminder of when we joined the Church few decades ago. To say the least our main goal is and always will be to fill our pews and increase the attendance from our existing families and their youth in addition to our new parishioners. In addition to our main goal to fill the pews and increase stewardship, we have to pay attention to the fundraising events, that help us pay our bills and get us closer to balancing our budget. We all pray for the day where our stewardship by itself balances the budget. Until then, we have to all come together to put on successful fundraising events. The Lamb Shank dinner is on Sunday, to remind us of the Holy Month and Lent. I want to wish everyone a healthy and blessed fasting. Dancing with Heart is upon as well. A big thank you to Dorsey, Judy and the entire team that is working hard to ensure a successful fundraising event, for us and the Shriners. We are happy to announce that the event is sold out. We are looking for volunteers to help us sell Ads for the brochure. The brochure is a major part of this fundraising event. Please contact Judy or Dorsey for more info on how you can help with the brochure and the Ads. The Taste of Greece is our biggest fundraising event. I am so excited to announce that Vicki LaRoche has volunteered to chair it again. I urge you, as does Vicki, to volunteer to help. Since it is our biggest fund raiser, it requires all hands on deck. Please see Vicki to volunteer your help, thank you Vicki and all who volunteer! The budget shows us off balance by about $19K for I am excited to share that the parishioners have been coming with various ideas to raise money. We like to see that every steward raises their stewardship by $100 a year. Also one idea was adopted by the Parish Council that came from Parris Ochsner to raise funds by auctioning a new car. This idea is still fresh; we need volunteers to help Parris form a committee to get the ball rolling. Please reach out to Parris for more information. Thank you in advance Parris and all who volunteer to get involved. Again, may the blessings of our Lord and Savior, grant you a healthy and happy Lent. N E W S PHILOPTOCHOS During the month of February we held our annual GO RED for WOMEN! The hall was decorated in RED to celebrate the event. Parishioners proudly wore their red blouses, sweaters, socks, and ties... and supported the event by purchasing a RED pin. All proceeds go to support the American Heart Association. February was all the annual Philoptochos Membership Drive. Thank you to all who renewed their membership and WELCOME to the new members! If you haven t renewed your membership or would like to join this group of hard working women there is still time. See any Philoptochos Board member for information. We now are moving into March, it s hard to believe and EASTER is on the way. The Easter mailing has gone out. In the mailing you will receive an envelope for flower donations for the Epitaphios, Lily order form to decorate the altar, cookie and bread order form, and the food outreach donations form. Forms will also be available in Pappas Hall at the Philoptochos table. Please place your cookie and bread orders early so that we can plan supplies accordingly. Mark your calendars for March 30 and April 12! We will be holding Bread and Koulouria workshops. Come join the fellowship and laughter as we make bread and koulouria to fill orders for the Easter celebrations. Did you also know that 300 red eggs are dyed for Anastasi? We need volunteers to dye eggs - a dozen or two and we will supply thee tulle and ribbon. Please consider dyeing a dozen or two by signing up at the Philoptochos table or contact any board member. We hope that you will participate, help, and support the many events during this Easter season. We would like to also let you know that the distribution of the Blessing Bags was a success. ALL Blessing Bags (just under 100) have been given out to people in need. What a great project it was to work together as a parish. Thank you all for a job well done! Have a wonderful March! Maria Londo Philoptochos President Kindest regards, Assaad Andrew Hallak Parish Council President.

5 Dear Fellow Parishioner; STEWARDS OF THE FAITH: All Things are Possible to the One Who Believes in Christ You have recently received your giving statements for On behalf of the Stewardship Committee and your brothers and sisters in Christ, we want to Thank You for your generosity. Please take a moment to review your statement for accuracy and if you think there are any errors or omissions, please contact Paula in the church office. We also want to take this opportunity to remind those who have yet to send in their 2019 pledge forms, to please do so at this time. This information is vital in planning our resources moving forward for all Time, Talent and Treasure. While St. Luke s has been blessed with a generous endowment, we would like to remind everyone that these funds cannot be used for our operating expenses. Our beloved St. Luke s needs you now more than ever. We thank you for your continued support. Love in Christ, Joe and Meghan Dasco Stewardship Committee Start the Day with a Grateful Heart! We are grateful for everyone who has sponsored this ministry in the past year and some for helping multiple times! Fellowship time /coffee hour is a vital ministry of church - please consider signing up and stewarding a Sunday fellowship. Make it as simple as you like- it is all appreciated. Sign up with others - it becomes another opportunity for fellowship. It is a beautiful offering to remember someone or show friendship and gratitude to those around you. It is one of St Luke s hallmarks of philoxenia ( showing hospitality to others). Coffee is made for you and plates and cutlery are all provided. All you need to do is bring something to share and help with clean-up afterwards. We thank our Philoptochos, Argiri and Melissa Kaitis, Evangelis and Kathy Valaziotis, Sarah Kirchner, Barbara Clay, Maria Laware, Vicki LaRoche, Mary Poulos, Judy Lelas-George and all the friends of Elias Zovas who sponsored in the month of February. March 24th is being sponsored by the Delis and Lanides families ~ In Memory of Tony & Chris Delis Current openings are: March 10, 17 & 31 It s not too late to sign up!

6 M i n i s t r y N e w s Hope/JOY Fun times and learning all rolled into one. Watch for s and updates and please if you have a pre-school or school age child, call the office and add your name to the listing. Our next event is March 10 after Liturgy. All are welcome! Romeos & Juliets Romeos & Juliets meet at 12:30 pm on the 4th Thursday of each month. Our next meeting day is March 28th at LuLu s in Enfield, CT. GOYA Happy February everyone! GOYA had our fall outing to the Apple Place on October 21st, which was our first event for the multiple new members who have joined us. Among our usual activities, this year, we are focusing on outreach to other GOYAs, starting with the St. George GOYA. We look forward to seeing them at our events and attending theirs. Our GOYA dance on the 1st of December was a success! Our next meeting is March 17th. We will continue to discuss the Philoxenia House outing to Boston in the future, as well as the 30 Hour Famine, Loaves and Fishes, and the palm folding. We thank all who support GOYA as we continue to pursue our ministry. Irene Dimitroglou GOYA President Sunday School The children of the church school will be participating in the Procession of the Holy Icons for the Sunday of Orthodoxy and for the Sunday of the Veneration of the Cross. All children are welcome to participate. Ushering Ministry Please call Harry Georgiades at regarding ushering on Sundays. All are welcome, youths, adults - all ages. CHOIR Our practices are w e e k l y o n Thursdays at 6:30. P l e a s e d o n t hesitate to contact Toni Rizas or any choir member if interested. Knitting Group Knitting Group meeting weekly on Weds in the Church conference room. Dates scheduled: March 6th and 20th

7 COME, JOIN OUR CHOIR FAMILY WHAT S STOPPING YOU? If you would like to participate in ANY part of the Lenten period, our schedule for rehearsals is below. Just let Toni Rizas or any choir member know, and we will have music ready for you. Thursday, March 14 th Rehearsal for SUNDAY OF ORTHODOXY Thursday, March 21 st 3 rd Sunday of Lent Thursday, March 28 th Palm Sunday Thursday, April 4 th Holy Tuesday Thursday, April 11 th Holy Saturday Thursday, April 18 th Good Friday Rehearsals begin at 6:30. Loaves & Fishes St. Luke parishioners donate monthly meals for approximately 150 guests to the soup kitchen at South Congregational Church. The meals are delivered by Bill Sakel on the third Friday each month. Please contact Barbara Hallak (860) bhhallak@cox.net if a group, family or friends would like to assist in meal preparation. January 17th Friends: Sergides, Lavallee, Stathis, Babineau & Laware February 15th March 15th April 19th May 17 th June 21st St. Luke Choir Friends: Dasco, Hallak & Vamvillis Goya Sunday School Educators Volunteers NEEDED! July 19th Philoptochos August 16th September 20 th November 15th December 20 th Family: LaRoche, Laware & Nystrom Parish Council Endowment Committee Stewardship Committee

8 More about our Faith SATURDAY OF THE SOULS All parishioners are invited to submit the names of departed loved ones to Father, with the form below for your convenience. These vital days encourage our families to gather in holy remembrance; they remind us of the power of prayer. Please note that lists need only be submitted once and will be read at all three services. NAMES OF DECEASED ΟΝΟΜΑΤΑ ΑΠΟΘΑΝΟΝΤΩΝ These names will be read at each Saturday of the Souls Service this year. Please print clearly the names of departed family and friends that you wish to be remembered at these services.... Did You Know? What is the difference between a Compline, Pre-Sanctified, and Salutations service? Compline in the monastic tradition, this service of repentance is read after the evening meal and before sleep. Here we sing the hymn Lord of the Powers, be with us; for in times of distress, we have no other help but You; Lord of the Powers, have mercy on us. We will have Compline on most Monday evenings during Lent. Pre-Sanctified Liturgy Exclusively a Lenten service, it is a Eucharistic liturgy where the Gifts have been already sanctified at a prior Sunday Liturgy. It is attributed to Saint Gregory the Great, and includes also hymns from vespers. The Pre-Sanctified is served on a Wednesday evening; in some parishes it is also on a Friday morning. Salutations This is a service during the first four Fridays of Lent, with the fifth Friday service known as the Akathist. The hymns are connected to the Feast of the Annunciation and revolve around the intercessions of the Panagia, the Mother of God, as she prays for us in our daily struggles. If you would like to donate a Holy Pascha gift in Memory or in Honor of a loved one, please contact the Church Office. There is a list of gifts available for donation in the office. Thank you. Give graciously to all the living; do not withhold kindness even from the dead Sirach 7. 33

9 P h o t o s Another great Wear RED for Women s Heart Health Sunday. Thank you Philoptochos and to all who donated and supported this cause. Fun times and learning at the HOPE/JOY night.

10 "The purpose of the St. John Chrysostom Oratorical Festival is to give teenagers an opportunity to learn, write, and speak about their Orthodox Faith, Church and Heritage. This strengthens their understanding and appreciation of their identity as Greek Orthodox Christians, and cultivates spiritual growth and maturity. The overall Oratorical program is called an Oratorical Festival rather than a contest to minimize the competitive spirit and emphasize a joyful learning experience." This is a reminder to all St. Luke teenagers that it is time to start preparing for your Oratorical Festival. Our parish festival will be on Sunday, March 24, after liturgy. There will not be a district festival this year, instead, finalists from the local level will proceed directly to the Metropolis level in early May. The festival is open to all Greek Orthodox students in grades The junior division is for grades 7-9 and the senior division is for grades There are five topics to choose from for each level. Go to goarch.org click on the outreach/ministry tab at top of page. Go to Dept. of religious education tab on left, then click on St. John Chrysostom Oratorical Festival on left for topics and information. Each year, our parish has more GOYAns participating. Let's keep it up. Good luck to all, and any questions or advice, contact either myself or Fr. Panteleimon. Love, Mrs. Dasco We wish to congratulate the newly illumined Zoe-baptized on February 2, Daughter of Lainie & Mark Driscoll. Godfather- Andrew Grimaldi Please support our GOYAn s as they challenge themselves once more with the 30 Hour Famine. They will fast the weekend of April 12th. index.cfm? fuseaction=donordrive.team&tea mid=21907

11

12 Philoptochos Easter Outreach and Fundraisers Forms available in the Office and at Fellowship Hour EASTER 2019 FOOD OUTREACH Easter Lily Sale The purchase price of the Easter Lily is $20 Please fill out the attached form and send it to the church office to place your order. Deadline for placing your order is Sunday, April 14, 2019 Philoptochos is driven to provide healthy food options to those in need! MONETARY DONATIONS are being accepted. Suggested Pledge $35 Pledge of Support Name: Pledged Amount: Parishioner s Name placing the order: Phone # (please select from one of the following options below) Your name will be listed in the commemorative Easter Flower book as: In Honor of: _ In Memory of: From: Amount Enclosed: Check # : Cash $ : No amount is too small to help our neighbors who might otherwise go without. Check# or Please make your check payable to St. Luke s Philoptochos Society Memo - Easter Lily Sale Mail To: St. Luke Philoptochos Society P.O. Box 381 East Longmeadow, MA Cash Please make your check payable to St. Luke s Philoptochos Society MEMO: Easter Food Outreach PHILOPTOCHOS Sunday, May 5th 2019 Quarter Auction Fundraiser St. Luke Greek Orthodox Church Join the St. Luke Philoptochos Society FUNDRAISER Proceeds will benefit the SCHOLARSHIP FUND for HIGH SCHOOL&COLLEGE GRADUATES We NEED YOUR HELP! PICK UP SUNDAY APRIL 14 & 21 R s rv your Easter Breads & Koulouria Cookies NOW! Orders will begin on Sunday, March 3rd end on Sunday, April 7th. All orders must be paid in full before or during pick up on April 14th and 21st. Questions contact - Melissa Kaitis EASTER BAKE SALE ST. LUKE PHILOPTOCHOS SOCIETY To make this event successful Volunteer Opportunities Needed Advertising, Vendors, Setting Up Hall, Breaking Down Hall, Food Service Helpers, Cooks, Auction Helpers, Money Handlers Door Service, Greeters, Raffle Ticket Sellers, Solicitation for Raffle Items, Organization Support, Ticket Sales Share the Date with your friends and neighbors! Bake Sale Order Name: Phone: Easter Bread at $7 each Koulouria Cookies at $5 (per 1 dozen) Make check payable to: St. Luke Philoptochos Society - memo (Easter Bake Sale) Return to: St. Luke Philoptochos Society P.O. Box 381, East Longmeadow, MA 01028

13 M e m o r i a l s In memory of Elias Zovas Father Panteleimon, Pres. Eleni and Teddy Elizabeth Pappas George and Magda Galiatsos Phyllis LaVallee Connie Cokkinias Peter and Rita Rozantes George W. George and Christine Babineau Tom and Kathy Themistos Barbara Costas Lorraine and Luke Ahladas Nick Lefakis and Sarah Lefakis Elaine Sgueglia Doris Henault Venetia Karamallis Cynthia Rodolakis Aristidis and Vaceleci Zaharis Michael and Christine Kennedy George L. and Lynn George John and Sylvia Cardone Anthony and Ann Heropoulos Joe and Meghan Dasco Sandy Millas Mary Poulos Vicki and Lou LaRoche Tom and Maria Laware John and Anita Themistos Ann Flynn Domna Moropoulos Deborah and Robert Knihnicki Mrs. Phase Wallace James Louys Robert and Mary Rudd Michelle O'Heir Eileen Nacsin Peter and Mary LaMalfa Vera Roche Vito Riccio John Bellantonio Steve and Diane Mierz John and Beth Kelly In memory of Elizabeth Cokotis Sandy Miller Domna Moropoulos In memory of Constantinos Philips Domna Moropoulos In memory of Karen Louis Domna Moropoulos May Her Memory Be Eternal Chris Delis fell asleep in the Lord on February 11, 2019 and her funeral was held on February 16, May consolation and comfort be with her family. Bible Study Opportunities NEW - we will begin again after Pascha- Gospel of Luke! Tuesdays 6:30pm in the Conference Room Book of Sirach Fridays 11am in the Conference Room Current Orthodox Life Join us on Wednesdays at 6: 30 pm for hour long sessions and discussions on Orthodox life understanding and connecting our Faith with the world Will resume after Pascha