Saint Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church Ladies Philoptochos Society P.O. Box Cub Hill Road Baltimore, MD 21234

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1 Issue - Spring 2013 Saint Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church Ladies Philoptochos Society P.O. Box Cub Hill Road Baltimore, MD Executive Board Elaine Sackleh (President) elaine4ladybugs@comcast.net Mary Karavedas (1st Vice President) mskaravedas@comcast.net Lisa Jones (2nd Vice President) danskliese1@aol.com Cathy Xanthakos (Treasurer) cathy.xanthakos@yahoo.com Angie McQueeney (Assistant Treasurer) angie3a@aol.com Kriss Cocoros (Recording Secretary) kcocoros@umd.edu Margo Lambros (Corresponding Secretary) mlambros@comcast.net Maria Antonakas (Advisor) mariaa6@verizon.net General Board Mary Antonas Joanna Beleos Kate Cocoros Violette Cocoros Smaro Cook Dottie Ganer Christina Kakoullis Presvytera Alice Noplos Lori Paperacleous Thorina Trintis Sophia Vendelis Lenten Greetings to our Families of Saint Demetrios, This is a time of reflection. With the beginning of our Lenten journey having started March 18th, we now go forth and pause to experience the spirituality of Lent, the pain of the crucifixion, and eventually, the serenity and joy in Christ s Resurrection. We spend more and more of our time reading and re-reading the Bible, we go to the special Pre-Sanctified Liturgies, Akathists and Saturday Liturgies and prayer now takes a front seat in our life as we strive to become better Christians living our life here on earth. Philoptochos philanthropic outreach and mission parallels this journey. Our mission is continuously promoting charitable works and perpetuating and promoting the Orthodox faith and traditions to those we meet along the way. Sometimes circumstances bring pain and we as Orthodox Christian women are there to minister a helping hand, offer a shoulder to lean on, distribute food to eat and clothing to wear and sometimes even financial assistance to ease an economic crisis. From weather related disaster relief for the Hurricane Sandy victims to providing food and clothing for our neighborhood school students suffering economic hardship to consoling families in crisis due to illness, injury and death of loved ones, the Philoptochos sisterhood accepts the challenge. Education and spirituality are also integral parts of our journey. Plan to attend a Philoptochos General meeting and learn from our guest speakers; previous topics covered: Improving your Heart Health and Great Grains - Adding Grains to a Healthy Diet. We invite you to join us for My Ladies Luncheon a spiritual Lenten program established 30 years ago, as we gather on Sunday, April 7th at 1pm at Ikaros Restaurant on Eastern Avenue with our spiritual advisor, Father Louis Noplos, and guest speaker this year Presvytera Kerry Pappas visiting from the Archangels parish in Stamford, CT for a special presentation Underneath the Hats We Wear: Our Lives as Women in Christ. Bring your ideas and friendship so that together we can experience the serenity and joy of being Orthodox Christians in fellowship through the Saint Demetrios Philoptochos. During this time of reflection, consider joining Philoptochos as part of your Lenten journey. May God watch over and Bless our families during this Great Lent. Kali Anastasi~ Elaine Sackleh

2 Philoptochos means "Friends of the Poor". Our chapter at Saint Demetrios really takes this to heart. In 2012 alone, we gave out over $55,000 in funds to charitable organizations, projects and the less fortunate. Below is the breakdown of the funds distributed in 2012: National & Metropolis Commitments Donation NP - Vasilopita Benefit St. Basil Academy $1,000 NP - Social Services $ / Cancer Fund $ $600 National Per Capita Membership 4/30/2012 $1,710 NP - Autism Assistance Fund $250 NP- St. Photios Shrine $50 NP - Orthodox Christian Mission Center (OCMC) $50 NP - Support A Mission Priest (SAMP) $300 NP - Hellenic College / Holy Cross $200 NP - Sisterhood of St. Basil Academy $50 NP - International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC) $100 NP - 75th Anniversary Founders Fund $100 NP - Orthodox Christian Fellowship (OCF) $100 NP - Hellenic College Holy Cross Scholarship Fund $250 NP - Retired Clergy & Widowed Presvyteres (RCP) $200 NP - Emergency Fund $200 NP - Sisterhood of Presvyteres Benevolent Fund (NCP) $100 NP - Welfare of the Hellenic People $500 NP - UNICEF $25 NP - General Medical Fund $300 NP - Ecumenical Patriarchate *Tray collect + $ $886 Metropolis Per Capita Membership $798 Metropolitan Conference (NJ) $560 National Conference (AZ) $5,077 Metropolis Camp Good Shepard $200 Metropolis Social Services - March Tray Collection $605 Metropolis Office Operating Expenses - June $500 Metropolis Social Services - October $250 Total National & Metropolis Commitments $14,961 Other Obligations/Donations/Projects Donation Adopt A Family & Holiday Food Baskets $1,133 ALS $5,000 Back To School Luncheon $303 Baltimore Rescue Mission $200 Beans & Bread $3,336 Benevolent Fund $4,219 Bibles For Graduates $70 Building Commitment (Finished in 2012 ) $2,000 Christmas $400 Coats For Kids $450 Covenant House $25 CYC Camp (4) 2011 & 2012 $3,200 Easter Flower Donations $2,685 Fashion Show $5,680 The Fisher House $400 NP- Philo House Giving Tree Leaf Program $1,500 Greek Independence Day Parade $250 Hurricane Sandy Donation $1,138 IOCC $1,000 Macy's For A Cause $340 Military -Support our Troops $479 My Ladies Luncheon & Book Signing $372 OCMM (2012) $1,000 One-Call $250 Orthodox Monastery of Transfiguration $50 Ronald McDonald House $54 St. Demetrios Scholarship $1,500 St. Michaels Home - Yonkers NY $500 Administrative/Mail/Supplies/Copies/Advertising $3,283 Paxamadia/Coffee Hour/Misc. Expenses $3,313 Zoe For Life $200 Total Other Obligations/Donations/Projects $44,330 Total Commitments, Obligations & Projects $59, Membership Application ~ Saint Demetrios Ladies Philoptochos Society Name Address Telephone Cell Address Stewardship Amount: For each pledged member a chapter sends $7/member to our Metropolis Philoptochos & $15/member to our National Philoptochos to support regional & national charity initiatives. The remaining pledge dollars are used to help fund our many efforts to help those locally in need. Please contact me regarding meetings and ways that I may volunteer with Philoptochos, please accept my stewardship for membership. I am unable to actively participate in Philoptochos at this time, but please accept my stewardship for membership. Send to: Saint Demetrios Ladies Philoptochos Society, Attention: Membership, P.O. Box Cub Hill Road, Baltimore, Md For membership questions, please contact Thorina Trintis, (410)

3 2013 Philoptochos Spring Events April Philoptochos Projects: Chocolate Easter Candy Orders/Sales Ronald McDonald Red Shoe 5K Race (Sun-April 14th) 7(Sun) 7(Sun) 8(Mon) 10(WED) 14(Sun) 17(Wed) 21(Sun) 21(Sun) 1(Wed) 2(Thur) 3(Fri) 5(Sun) 12(Sun) 14(Tues) 1(Sat) 10(Mon) 16(Sun) 17(Mon) 30(Sun) My Ladies Luncheon- Presvytera Kerry Pappas from Archangels parish in Stamford, CT. She will speak about "Underneath The Hats We Wear: Our Lives As Women in Christ" Preorders for Easter Breads - Sunday Coffee Hour or Contact Georgia Kerasiotes, Ronald McDonald House - Serve Spring Themed Dinner Philoptochos General Meeting Ronald McDonald House "Shuffle For The Shuttle" Easter bread making 1st Annual Philoptochos 'All You Can Eat' Pancake Breakfast Easter Bread Sales/Pickup May Egg Boiling- done in between the afternoon & evening Holy Unction services Egg Dyeing - after morning service Coordinator: Kate Cocoros (painterkate@zoominternet.net) Good Friday - Decorate The Kovouklion Easter Sunday - The Resurrection of our Lord Mother's Day- Mother of the Year Presentation General Philoptochos Meeting & Elections June "A Big Fat Greek Bingo Night" Ronald McDonald House - Serve Barbeque Dinner Father's Day- Father of the Year Presentation & Luncheon End of Year celebration - honoring Philoptochos sisterhood and Mother & Father of the Year Graduate Sunday, Presentations honoring High School & College Grads

4 April 7 - Vangie Alexion, Patricia Galanakis, Diamando Sarigianis, Vula Stamatopoulos, +April 14 - Sandra Dzwonczyk, Olga Garrish, Lucy Kosmos, Diane Zamaria April 21 - Mary Antonas, Katherine Diafokeris, Harriet Hatzidimitriou, Toula Woods +MAY 12 - MOTHER S DAY GOYA LUNCHEON MAY 19 - Mary Cross, Vangie Demetrakis, Georgia Kerasiotes, Diane Stavros MAY 26 - Violette Cocoros, Christina Kakoullis, Georgia Vavas, Sophia Vendelis JUNE 2 - Joanna Beleos, Bessie Makris, Karen Rallis, Debbie Rizas +JUNE 9 - Maria Christ, Linda Edwards, Vikki Fellner, Carole Fulghum JUNE 16 - FATHER S DAY PHILOPTOCHOS LUNCHEON Just as a reminder, if you cannot keep your assigned Sunday, please call Maria Antonakas at your earliest convenience at A different team of four ladies is assigned randomly to the Coffee Hour list. Weekly coordinators will or call you to remind you to bring juice or milk and sweets to be served with coffee prior to your assigned week. The weekly coordinators are: Carolyn VanRoden, Lisa Mitsos, Sophia Gunzelman, Katherine Strakes and Mary Triandafilou. We all thank our coffee hour ladies for their continued willingness to provide an after Liturgy snack to be shared by all. If you would like to join us, please let us know. +Memorial Sunday 2013 Coffee Hour Hostesses April 7, 2013 thru June 16, 2013 Christmas Spirit at Saint Demetrios Left: Philoptochos members with Father Lou pose for a picture during their Christmas meeting/lunch. Above: Philoptochos members delivering toys and supplies to our adopted school.

5 Dear Beloved Stewards, Lent began March 18th-- it is the time of year when we prepare for our spiritual walk towards Holy Week. We receive Holy Unction, see our Lord crucified, hold candles through the funeral procession of Holy Friday evening, which is preceded by the chanting of Engomia. Saturday begins with Liturgy in the morning and climaxes with the Resurrection Service of our Lord and Savior, followed by AGAPE Service Easter Sunday. Philoptochos once again invites you to participate in the Flower Donation Appeal in memory of your loved ones or for the health and welfare of your families. We have enclosed an envelope for the various flower donations beginning with Sunday of the Veneration of the Cross, Palms for Palm Sunday, Azalea plants and Flowered Wreath for the Cross for Holy Thursday, red and white carnations and orchids for Holy Friday, rose petals for Saturday morning Liturgy, the Altar Table arrangements for Holy Saturday and the Lily plants for the Anastasi Service and Liturgy. Yours In Christ, If you would like to participate in this wonderful tradition, submit your donation in the enclosed envelope, bring it to church and place it in the designated basket in the Narthex. We also invite you to join the Philoptochos on the morning of Holy Friday to decorate the Kouvouklion. We encourage mothers to bring their daughters, grandmothers bring your granddaughters, and godmothers bring your grandchildren - share this tradition and teach them our faith as we bond with the women at the Cross and Tomb of our Lord Jesus Christ. Reverend Louis J. Noplos Elaine Sackleh 1 st Annual Pancake Breakfast Sponsored by the Saint Demetrios Ladies Philoptochos Society Sunday, April 21, 2013 $5.00 per person (all you can eat) Immediately following Divine Liturgy in the Hermes Center All proceeds will benefit our many ministries, benevolent and emergency funds of Philoptochos

6 Saint Demetrios will be celebrating Graduate Sunday on June 30, As in the past, the Philoptochos will be putting together a program booklet for the graduates. Please fill out this form and return it to church (along with a senior picture and a baby picture of the graduate) no later than May 26th. Please include a self-addressed and stamped envelope so that we may return your pictures. For mor information please contact Jean Sfikas at or j.sfika@comcast.net Graduate Biography Form Full Name: Nickname: Parents Name: School Graduating From: School Activities: College Attending AND/OR Future Plans: Other Activities or Achievements (ie.,church, sports, etc.) Please Describe the Graduate as a child/baby: Special message to Graduate( include names for whom message is from)

7 Saint Demetrios Ladies Philoptochos Society presents A BIG FAT GREEK BINGO NIGHT to benefit the many great charities of Philoptochos Saturday, June 1, 2013 St. Demetrios Hermes Center 2504 Cub Hill Road Baltimore, MD Tickets are $15 in advance; or $20 at the door Doors open at 6pm; First game begins at 7pm Refreshments will be available Extra cards and special games will be available Join us for a fun evening and win great prizes for all (Coach, Craftsman, Mattel, Pandora and more!) For tickets, please call Lisa Jones at or Alice at anoplos@comcast.net

8 St. Demetrios Philoptochos Easter Candy Sale Pre-Order your fresh home-made Easter candy today! A limited amount of candy will be available for sale, so be sure to pre-order yours today! Fill out this form and return it to Cathy Xanthakos (410) or Presvytera Alice (410) with your payment. Please make checks payable to St. Demetrios Philoptochos. All orders will be available for pick-up on Sunday, April 28, 2013 (Palm Sunday) after Divine Liturgy unless noted below. You can also mail your order and payment to: Philoptochos Easter Candy Sale P.O. Box Baltimore, MD PHILOPTOCHOS EASTER CANDY ORDER FORM PHILOPTOCHOS EASTER CANDY ORDER FORM Chocolate Filled Easter Eggs or Chocolate Bunny Lollipops $2 each or 6 for $10 Candy Quantity Price Peanut Butter filled Milk Chocolate Eggs Coconut filled Dark Chocolate Eggs Chocolate Cream filled Milk Chocolate Eggs Butter Cream filled White Chocolate Eggs Milk Chocolate Bunny Lollipops White Chocolate Bunny Lollipops Total Pick-Up Date Requested Name Phone Number

9 Practical Ways to Take Lent Seriously in Our Hi-Tech Lives! 1) TURN OFF THE TV! If you must watch TV with your family, limit it to one hour a day and edifying programs. Limit your computer browsing and phone use. 2) Read the Bible! Begin with the Gospel of Matthew.. Go to the other Gospels. The Acts of the Apostles deal with what the Apostles did after Christ s Resurrection. 3) Go to the additional church services your local church offers; Pre-Sanctified Liturgies, Akathists, Saturday Liturgies, etc. 4) PRAY! If you don t know how to pray, ask your priest. Don t make it long & complicated, but concise and REGULAR, morning & evening. Find a good Orthodox prayer book for this. 5) Perform more good works! Go visit the sick, the shut-ins, those in nursing homes, those in prison. 6) Heal all bad relations with relatives, ex-friends, business associates, brothers & sisters! FORGIVE! 7) Give to the poor & needy! Find someone who can REALLY use your help and give it. Food, clothes, money, shelter or other. 8) FAST according to what you can. Not just substituting one food for another, but realizing and limiting food intake. Feed the soul! 9) Truly emulate God s LOVE with all people in our lives and ALL those we interface with. HOW TO FAST: +Fast from judging others; Feast on Christ in them. +Fast from bitterness; Feast on forgiveness. +Fast from anxiety; Feast on faith. +Fast from complaining; Feast on appreciation. +Fast from hostility; Feast on love. +Fast from pessimism; Feast on optimism. +Fast from thoughts of illness; Feast on the healing power of God +Fast from words that pollute; Feast on phrases that purify. +Fast from anger; Feast on patience. +Fast from worry; Feast on unceasing prayer. +Fast from hatred; Feast on divine love. Philoptochos members at work - for the glory of God!

10 Father Louis Noplos Invites You To Attend The 30th Annual MY LADIES LUNCHEON Sponsored by: The Saint Demetrios Ladies Philoptochos Society Sunday, April 7, :00 pm Our guest speaker: Presvytera Kerry Pappas of Archangels parish in Stamford, CT. Presvytera Kerry s topic: Underneath the Hats We Wear: Our Lives as Women in Christ. IKAROS Restaurant 4901 Eastern Avenue Baltimore, Maryland Ticket Donation: $35 Purchase tickets during Sunday coffee hour or contact Olga Garrish Proceeds will benefit the Philoptochos Ministries A Delicious Lenten menu has been planned. St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church Ladies Philoptochos Society P.O. Box Baltimore, MD 21234