General Assembly Meeting, Sunday, May 4th, 2014 Following Divine Liturgy

Transcription

1 May 2014, 1645 Phillips Road, Tallahassee, Florida (850) Rev. Fr. Robert J. O Loughlin Χριστος aνεστη! Christ is risen! Khristos voskrese! El Messieh kahm! Hristos a Inviat! Krishti U Ngjall! Christos t'ensah em' muhtan! Kristos haryav ee merelotz! Helisituosi fuhuole! Christus ist erstanden! Khristus zmartwyckwstal! Cristo ha resucitado! Being Joyful and Positive ~ A Message from Fr. Robert People have always been trying to understand why bad things occur which cause suffering in this world. God is not angry and is not why bad things happen in the world. Ultimately, it comes from living in a fallen world from Adam and Eve. Jesus gave us the greatest example by transforming His own suffering and death into a victory. He used something negative, the Crucifixion, and came out with a positive result, the Resurrection. Also, we can look to many of the saints as they endured much suffering and pain. They tolerated many difficulties during their lives and transformed them into being a witness for the glory of God. It can be easy to say we believe in God when everything is fine. But when we suffer and face different kinds of problems, it is more challenging. And yet, this is exactly when we need to show our true belief. How often are we inspired by examples of people who suffer and yet continue to believe, keep positive and don t complain. I can remember many years ago when I was playing in a summer basketball league with a guy nick-named Hook. He had this name because he had lost one arm in Vietnam. He did not let that tragedy in his life defeat him and played a mean game of basketball and he also was a black belt in karate! He used his handicap as an opportunity to continue to be positive and was not bitter or angry. A true Christian is someone who can take even the worst experiences of life and turn them into experiences which help them grow, help them become better people, help them show others what strength God gives them. All of us face various struggles and difficulties in our lives. Some of us will suffer more than others. However, as Christians we are to look at each situation as an opportunity to show how God is still with us! While others may be anxious and worried, we can radiate God s peace. When others are complaining, we can find reasons to thank God for what we have. The question remains if we can trust God as we go through difficulties and disappointments. It means that when things don t go as we want them to, when we encounter disappointment or setbacks, we do not fall into despair or anger. We are to believe that whatever happens to us in this life, if we are faithful to Christ and put our trust in him, then even disappointments are made to be part of the path that leads to our joyous end in Christ. He will open our eyes to see the light of Christ in everyone. Truly He is Risen! Fr. Robert General Assembly Meeting, Sunday, May 4th, 2014 Following Divine Liturgy

2 Page 2 If an emergency or special need should arise, please contact Fr. Rob immediately at Our next ECHO Sundays are May 4th and June 1st. Please drop off your non-perishable food donations into the bins located in the Hellenic Center and Patmos Hall. AHEPA The AHEPA Patmos Chapter 317 is offering a $1500 scholarship to be divided among the graduating High School Seniors who apply and qualify. Please pick up an application from the church office or see Mr. Papageorge. The deadline is Sunday May 11, Next Spaghetti Dinners: May 2nd, June 6th and July 11th If you have high school/college graduates, please call the church office so the graduates can be listed in the Reflections. Holy Mother of God Monthly Community Outreach Wednesday, May 14th from 11 a.m. -1 p.m. If you want to Make a difference and help fight hunger, join us for our monthly outreach in serving others at America s Second Harvest warehouse facility which supports numerous agencies in the Big Bend area. If you are interested in assisting in this effort for a half hour, one hour or two, or have any questions, please contact: Fr or Presv Dear Parishioners, Χριστός Ανέστη και Χρόνια Πολλά! It was nice exercising our faith's traditions of Great Lent and Holy Pascha during the recent couple of months. We had indeed a wonderful Lenten Journey. The Holy Week Services solemnly gave us vivid recounting of the Passion and Crucifixion of Jesus. Palm Sunday and Resurrection Services as well as Easter celebrations were spiritually uplifting and joyous. In addition, the food was bountiful and delicious! I would like to express my sincere appreciation to our spiritual leaders, the members of our Parish Council, the many volunteers and all of you for making this Great Season of Christianity a memorable one. Looking ahead, we anticipate May to be full of church activities. On May 2, we will resume the monthly Spaghetti Dinners. In addition to Greek Pastries, Homemade Frozen Foods will be available. On May 4, the Spring 2014 General Assembly of our Parish will take place. The Parish Council invites everyone to attend. It is a good way for all to hear about the current plans and activities of our church and provide input on related issues as well. On May 18, we will celebrate the end of the Church School year for our youth. In the meantime, some repair work on our buildings and one or two capital projects will get under way soon. Please remember that the General Assembly on May 4 is a wonderful opportunity to be updated on the ministries of the Church. Yours in Christ Pete Koikos

3 Calendar Symbol Key + = Strict Fast = Wine and Oil allowed Page 3 MAY f 4 SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT Orthros 9:30 a.m. & Divine Liturgy 10:30 a.m. Church School ECHO General Assembly Meeting 11 Mother s Day Orthros 9:30 a.m. & Divine Liturgy 10:30 a.m. Church School Orthros 9:30 a.m. & Divine Liturgy 10:30 a.m. Church School Graduation Orthros 9:30 a.m. & Divine Liturgy 10:30 a.m Parish Council Meeting 5:30 p.m Office Closed Choir Practice 6:00 p.m. Choir Practice 6:00 p.m. Choir Practice 6:00 p.m. 7 Catechetical Class (Newcomers/Inquirers) 6:00 pm 14 f Second Harvest 11:00 a.m. 1:00 p.m. 21 Catechetical Class (Newcomers/Inquirers) 6:00 pm Feast Day of Sts. Constantine & Helen Liturgy 9:00 a.m. Catechetical Class (Newcomers/Inquirers) 6:00 pm s = Fish Allowed Pangari Schedule for May *Denotes a 9:30 start time 05/04 - Joanos*/Mathes/Branch(c) 05/11- Manias*/Koikos/Gorb(c) 05/18 - Poulos*/Eudy/Joanos(c) 05/25 - Perrigan*/Manias/Mathes(c) 06/01 - Gorb*/Branch/Manias(c) Catechetical Class (Newcomers/Inquirers) 6:00 pm 1 2 Monthly Spaghetti Dinner 11:00 a.m. 7:00 p.m Philoptochos End -of -Year Dinner 6:30 Z Bardhi s 3 Great Vespers 5:00 p.m. GOYA Gathering at Wakulla Springs Holy Ascension Liturgy 9:00 a.m. Great Vespers 5:00 p.m. = Dairy & eggs allowed = Father Away 30 31

4 Page 4 Lazarus Saturday Pancake Breakfast and Palm folding Palm Sunday Luncheon Holy Wednesday Sacrament of Holy Unction Fr. Christodoulos visiting the community on Holy Thursday Adorning the Kouvouklion on Holy Friday

5 Page 5 Choir Myrrhbearers Holy Friday Holy Friday evening- re-entering Church Chanters Resurrection Service Christ Is Risen! Xristos Anesti! Agape Vespers Gospel read in various languages Easter Egg hunt at Glendi Pascha Glendi

6 Page 6 For May hmogphil@comcast.net Visit us on Facebook at Holy Mother of God Philoptochos Society of Tallahassee, Florida Christos Anesti, Alithos Anesti! Philoptochos End of Year Party May 16, 6:30 pm Dutch Treat Z. Bardhi s Italian Cuisine 3596 Kinhega Dr, Tallahassee, FL (It is located at the entrance to Killearn Lakes) RSVP Vicky Gavalas as soon as you know if you will be able to make it. We need a head count. Our last event for the year was a tremendous success! Many thanks to all of our members who volunteered and worked so hard to make this event a success. A Special Thank You to Chris Myers and his crew for being in charge of the gyros. Also a Special Thank You to Chris Myers, Alex Drzewiecki, Olibia Drzewiecki and Vicky Gavalas for finding sponsorships for our event. Special Thank You to Our Wonderful Sponsors George & Louie s Restaurant, Nic s Toggery, Brown & Brown Ins., Logo Factory Signs & Screen Printing, Farmers & Merchants Bank, Hilly Fields Florist, Corry Law Firm, S. Monroe Animal Hospital, The Grain, Orchard Pond Organics, Mike Pertrandis-Financial Advisor, Nick s Restaurant, Miller s Tree Service, Southside Mowers, North Florida Sports Medicine, Bevis Funeral Home, Sweet Stuffins, Capital Shoe Fixery, Bill & Phyllis Kalfas, Angelo & Sons Seafood Restaurant, The Nick Joanos family, The Perrigan Family, The Drzewiecki & Enis families.

7 Page 7 Donor Easter Lilies in memory of loved ones In Memorandum Nadiya and Alex Caspary - George Caspary, Vasiliy and Alexandra Isar George Condaras - Constantine & Anastasia Condaras Dorothy C. Downing - Ron Downing and our loved ones The Drzewiecki Family - Our Parents, Godparents and other family Justin & Jennifer Edge - Michael Lowery Vicky & Michael Gavalas & Family - Dionisios and Elleni Dimopoulos Boyan Hristov - Alexander Hristov, Nadezhda, Jordanka, Georgi, Sava, & Nona Emanuel & Laura Joanos - Mr. & Mrs. Mike Joanos & Steve Joanos Mr. T. C. Green, Jr. & Jimmy Lambert Stamie Joanos & Billy - Mike Joanos, Kalliopi Joanos, Steve Joanos, Eva Kypreos, Stavros & Stamatia Stratas, Theologia Joanos and Emanuel Joanos Pete & Zografia Koikos - Our Parents Corinne A. LaPointe - Mike, Sadie, Samuel, Anne, Lyelle, Michael, Samuel, Eileen, Lyzette, May M. LaPointe & Maye (Osborne) Yvonne Lockwood - Harilaos, Elleni, Hrisoula, & Chuck Alexandra Mamangakis - Fr. George Mamangakis Kelli Biondich George & Connie Mathes - Sophie & Louie Mathes and Mary Pierce Alexandra Nick - My Father, Antonie Fr. Rob, Presv. Joy, Jaclyn & Krista O Loughlin - Mary O Loughlin Mike & Sally Ann Papageorge - Maria Powrzanas and Sally Walker Keith, Nia, Maria & Magnolia Parmer - Katherine Vrachnos Corinna Reeves - Anna & Max Scholz, Lilo & Helmut Zeugner, my grandparents Liz & Karl Sipfle - Ann, Richard, Grace, Karen, Theodora, Theophany, George, Georgia, George, Christos Kathleen Talantis - James Nicholas Talantis Thank you GOYAns for hosting the community Pancake breakfast on Lazarus Saturday-job well done. Thanks to the GOYAns who served on youth Sunday: Epistle Reader-Maria Parmer, Greeters James Perrigan and Krista O Loughlin, Passing of the tray-anne Leftheris and Valeria Atayants. We look forward to the outing to Wakulla Springs on Saturday May, 10th.

8 Holy Mother of God Greek Orthodox Church 1645 Phillips Road Tallahassee, Florida Return Service Requested Holy Mother of God Greek Orthodox Church 1645 Phillips Road Tallahassee, FL Office: Hall: Fr. Rob s Cell: Holy Ascension Celebrated May 29th Website: Addresses: Father Rob: fr.robert@comcast.net Church Secretary: hmog@comcast.net Secretary Hours: Mon./Wed./Fri. 9am-2pm