Our Help and Comfort

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1 Our Help and Comfort St. Katherine Greek Orthodox Church Rev. Fr. Michael K. Courey, D.Min., Economos Rev. Dcn. Cary Constantine, Pastoral Assistant 722 Knob Hill Avenue, Redondo Beach, CA (310) Website: March & April 2012 Volume 2, Issue 9 GREAT LENT: THE SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINE OF ALMSGIVING The Orthodox Christian Church gives emphasis to three important spiritual disciplines during Great and Holy Lent. These disciplines are prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. The giving of alms to the poor is an act of Christian charity that should be done on a regular basis, but especially during Great Lent. This Lenten Season, our beloved Archbishop Demetrios has made a special appeal to the faithful of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America to respond to the needs of the people of Greece. Each and every one of us are called to respond on an individual basis by reading the Archbishops message below and sending our contribution directly from our homes to Greek Orthodox Archdiocese as instructed at the end of the Archbishop's letter. May the Holy Spirit guide and guard you during this most blessed of seasons as we prepare for Pascha with faith, hope, and love. In Christ's service, +Father Michael Beloved Brothers and Sisters in Christ, On behalf of the Holy Eparchial Synod of our Holy Archdiocese of America, I am writing to you, the faithful members of our Holy Orthodox Church here in the United States, this heartfelt appeal for our brothers and sisters in Greece. The financial crisis that has rocked Europe and deeply affected Greece has reached proportions where the suffering of innocents and the ordeal of common people cry out for urgent and substantive help. So many of our families have roots in Greece and many of us have relatives and friends who are now experiencing privation unknown in that country since the time of the harsh occupation of the Second World War. Cognizant of this harsh reality, we must respond by offering real and tangible assistance to our brethren through trusted Church affiliated humanitarian and philanthropic agencies which will directly assist those most in need. Therefore, as the time of Great Lent approaches, when we are called by the Church to a greater consciousness of the needs of our fellow human beings, I hope that every Christian will generously respond to this special appeal by making a donation to the Relief Fund for the People of Greece of the Archdiocese. With parental blessing and prayers for you and your beloved families, that this Lenten Season may be even more spiritually rewarding to you because of your love and generosity, I remain, Four Convenient Ways to Donate: Mail a check to: Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America 8 East 79 th Street, New York, NY Memo: Relief Fund for the People of Greece Give $10 (via mgive) by texting GREECE to Via Facebook Cause: Relief Fund for the People of Greece JustGive.org Search: Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America. Designate: Relief Fund for the People of Greece ORTHROS 9:00 AM; DIVINE LITURGY 10:00AM; SUNDAY SCHOOL FOLLOWING HOLY COMMUNION; MEMORIALS / 40 DAY BLESSINGS AFTER LITURGY Our Help and Comfort

PRESIDENT S MESSAGE NICK BOYIAZIS **Anticipation (emotion) From Wikepedia, the free encyclopedia: Anticipation, or being enthusiastic is an emotion involving pleasure, excitement and sometimes

Let s see I can remember our beloved, late Georgia Rosenbury being our Parish Council President, I can remember Father Ted Dorrance being our Spiritual leader and I can remember a much younger Bob

2 PRESIDENT S MESSAGE NICK BOYIAZIS **Anticipation (emotion) From Wikepedia, the free encyclopedia: Anticipation, or being enthusiastic is an emotion involving pleasure, excitement and sometimes anxiety in considering some expected or longed-for good event. How long have we been anticipating the proposed renovations of our facilities? Let s see I can remember our beloved, late Georgia Rosenbury being our Parish Council President, I can remember Father Ted Dorrance being our Spiritual leader and I can remember a much younger Bob Vezzuto leading a group planning for what was needed then and what is now more relevant today. Our facilities need to grow to meet our new demands, they need to be upgraded to meet structural necessities and they need a general facelift to look better to all of our future parishioners and us. We have a need to accommodate our disabled, our seniors and our youth and the planning is to do it in a sensible manner. Our Planning Committee has dedicated many years of time and effort to arrive where we are today. In the very near future you will be hearing and reading more and more of our Campaign Funding Committee. We need funding for this venture. Yes we have a lot more savings than most other Churches that have been in similar circumstances, but we do not have enough at this time to see this project through it s entirety. When the approval was given to proceed with the preparation of the construction drawings, specifications and project overview, it was estimated that we needed just over eight million dollars to complete the various phases of construction. Our current financial reports show that we have more than $2,800,000 in various investments, so we have some way to go to reach the expectations. We are enthusiastic that our Community can and will raise the monies required to place our Church into the 21 st Century. It is the time to get excited because we can do it. We have a very important Parish Assembly scheduled for June 3 rd when the decision can be made to continue towards the construction phase. I am anxious to be a part of it all and hope and pray the same for you. May the good and gracious Lord be with you all. PHILOPTOCHOS NEWS CAROLYN CROSSLEY To begin with, thank you for your generous response to our calendar mailing and stewardship drive. We had 107 stewards by the middle of February and are looking forward to surpassing the 181 we had in We are happy to welcome the following first time Saint Katherine Philoptochos stewards: Katina Beach Olympia Harris Alexandria Rausch Nicole Carroll Gena Klostrakis Roxanne Sandoval William Costley III Mary Lee LaRiccia Nicole Ticknor Anastasia Giakouminakis Katherine Marutsos Secondly, thank you to everyone who has recently donated to Philoptochos by your generous response to our calendar mailing, who baked the delicious vasilopitas that were shared with our community on January 29, and who supported our tray collection on Vasilopita Sunday. We are sincerely grateful for the continued support of our community which enables us to carry on our philanthropic work. We wish our Saint Katherine community a Blessed Lent. During Great Lent, Philoptochos will be coordinating several events: Second Annual Blessing of the Animals on March 24, Palm Sunday Luncheon on April 8, decorating the Kavouklion (Epitaphio) on Holy Friday, April 13, and collecting red eggs for the Anastasi service. Watch for the announcement/reservation form that will come in a separate mailing with our Epitaphio letter. Please note that Palm Sunday reservations will be pre-sold and seating will be assigned. We would also appreciate donations of calla lilies, bay leaves and rose petals if you have them in your garden. Please bring them to church on Holy Friday morning. SAINT KATHERINE PARISH COMMITTEES - SEE WEB SITE 2 Our Help and Comfort

STEWARDSHIP ROZ HALIKIS As we continue to serve our Church, the Stewardship Committee is constantly seeking how best to improve the entire Stewardship process by representing and acting on what the

3 STEWARDSHIP ROZ HALIKIS As we continue to serve our Church, the Stewardship Committee is constantly seeking how best to improve the entire Stewardship process by representing and acting on what the vast majority of our parishioners wish to see accomplished. We have thought long and hard on some of these changes. In the last two years we have categorized our financial commitments as many other churches and non-profits have successfully done. Our parish has responded overwhelmingly by realizing the need for a stronger fiscal base which this method creates. With a goal of $425,000 for the 2011 Stewardship Campaign, you have responded with almost $480,000. No matter what decisions are made by the Committee, it is YOU, our parishioners, who have RESPONDED and made the difference! For the 2012 Stewardship Campaign, the Committee wishes to give titles to each category as it is posted on our Stewardship Board. They will be as follows: Archangels, Angels, Seraphim, Cherubim, Seraphim, Guardians, Protectors and Faithful. Please keep informed by reading your weekly bulletin as we work through making our contributions through Online Giving. This will help many of our stewards who wish to save precious time by having their stewardship donations taken directly from their accounts. Many of you requested automatic deduction style giving. You may go on the St. Katherine website, click the DONATE Icon, and you will be guided through the process. Online Giving will also give you the capability to utilize credit cards for your payment. We would also like to remind those who have not sent in their 2012 Pledge Cards, please do so. Thank you to all who have done so and may God s love continue to inspire us to do good deeds and with the vision to grow and go forward. Please continue to check the Stewardship Bulletin Board in our Community Hall. The Stewardship Committee is very proud to honor Tony Kostas and John Menzelos during the months of March/April; spotlighting them for their dedication to our Church and the community. Thank you, Tony and John for all the support you have given! GREEK SCHOOL MARY PRUITT, ASSISTANT DIRECTOR Come celebrate with us the March 25 th Celebration March 25 th is the most important day for all Greeks around the world. On that day, we celebrate Greek Independence Day and the Annunciation of the Theotokos. Each year, the children of St. Katherine Greek recite poems honoring the Virgin Mary and Greek Independence Day. Some of these poems remind us of the struggles of the Greeks to gain their independence from the Ottoman Empire. The celebration begins with the children singing both the Greek and American National Anthems This year, we are fortunate that March 25 th falls on a Sunday and our children may offer their celebration to the entire community, after Liturgy. Fish, wine and oil are permitted that day so we will serve lunch including Salmon. Reservations and tickets for the luncheon ($25 for adults, $10 for children) may be obtained from Mary Pruitt pruitt@usc.edu or , or George Vassilakis vassilak@usc.edu. Please join us to encourage our children to continue in this tradition. ST. KATHERINE FOUNDATION ANGELO REVELS We have had a great early response for the Foundation Scholarship Applications and wish our young scholars much success in their application process. The deadline for submitting the sealed & completed applications is April 23, This deadline is strictly adhered to because of our commitment to Loyola Marymount University which processes and ranks the scholarship applications. Our Help and Comfort 3

4 March 2012 Schedule COFFEE SET UP: Carolyn Crossley & Bonnie Mitrosilis Date Epistle Coffee Hour Altar Boys March 4 Arlene Staich Joelle Bardos Ann Gianoukakis Argyro Yiakas Team No. 1 Garrett Pierson, Captain: William Scolinos, Adoni Tzortzoudakis, Vaggeli Tzortzoudakis, George Gianoukakis, Jackson Dulgarian, Harrison Dulgarian March 11 Carolyn Crossley Maria Santy Helen Servetas Stephanie Vezzuto Team No. 2 Ioan Gheorghiu, Captain: Dimitri Frangoudis, John-Paul Frangoudis, Alexander Farrow, Timothy Farrow, Larry Jenkins, Michael Ticknor, Henry Hood March 18 Karen Hood Mattina Alexakis Ellie Thermos Evelyn Tragus Team No. 3 Michael Vezzuto, Captain: Archer Defterios, Harrison Mitsanas, Michael Mitsanas, Robbie Vezzuto, Teddy Stavropoulos, Niko Stavropoulos March 25 Nathaniel Hubbard Kay Alex Connie Constant, Mary Peters Team No. 4 Samuel Wolfe, Captain: Panos Makrygiannis, Nikolaos Florakis, Andrew Vasilion, Kosta Schiappa, Sam Menzelos, Theodore Nezis April 2012 Schedule COFFEE SET UP: Dina Andrews & Helen Andrews April 1 Gus Alex Bella Carpou Judy Frangos Maria Smith Team No. 1 Garrett Pierson, Captain: William Scolinos, Adoni Tzortzoudakis, Vaggeli Tzortzoudakis, George Gianoukakis, Jackson Dulgarian, Harrison Dulgarian April 8 Palm Sunday Lucretia Watkins No Coffee Hour Palm Sunday Luncheon Team No. 2 Ioan Gheorghiu, Captain: Dimitri Frangoudis, John-Paul Frangoudis, Alexander Farrow, Timothy Farrow, Larry Jenkins, Michael Ticknor, Henry Hood April 15 Jan Chilimidos Holy Pascha (Resurrection Svc.) No Coffee Hour Pascha - Easter Team No. 3 Michael Vezzuto, Captain: Archer Defterios, Harrison Mitsanas, Michael Mitsanas, Robbie Vezzuto, Teddy Stavropoulos, Niko Stavropoulos April 22 Rdr. Michael Ghekiere Katherine Kennedy Catherine Stevens Alexandra Zarkas Team No. 4 Samuel Wolfe, Captain: Panos Makrygiannis, Nikolaos Florakis, Andrew Vasilion, Kosta Schiappa, Sam Menzelos, Theodore Nezis April 29 Arlene Staich Irene Crossley Sophia Delyan-Steer Mary Tervo Team Captains Panos Makrygiannis, Captain: Garrett Pierson, Ioan Gheorghiu, Michael Vezzuto, Vaggeli Tzortzoudakis, Samuel Wolfe May 2012 Schedule May 6 Carolyn Crossley Dena Giakoumis Youla Krikelas Fane Zambros COFFEE SET UP: Gus & Kay Alex Team No. 1 Garrett Pierson, Captain: William Scolinos, Adoni Tzortzoudakis, Vaggeli Tzortzoudakis, George Gianoukakis, Jackson Dulgarian, Harrison Dulgarian May 13 Karen Hood No Coffee Hour Mother s Day Luncheon Team No. 2 Ioan Gheorghiu, Captain: Dimitri Frangoudis, John-Paul Frangoudis, Alexander Farrow, Timothy Farrow, Larry Jenkins, Michael Ticknor, Henry Hood May 20 Nathaniel Hubbard Helen Anastassiou Helen Brock Maria Donlou Team No. 3 Michael Vezzuto, Captain: Archer Defterios, Harrison Mitsanas, Michael Mitsanas, Robbie Vezzuto, Teddy Stavropoulos, Niko Stavropoulos 4 Our Help and Comfort

5 St. Katherine Greek Orthodox Church Weekday Services of Great Lent 2012 Clean Monday February 27 Great Compline / Confessions* Wednesday February 29 Pre-sanctified Divine Liturgy / Confessions* Friday March 2 Pre-sanctified Divine Liturgy / Confessions* 1 st Salutations to the Theotokos Saturday March 3 Divine Liturgy & 3 rd Saturday of the Souls Monday March 5 Great Compline / Confessions* Wednesday March 7 Pre-sanctified Divine Liturgy / Confessions* Friday March 9 Pre-sanctified Divine Liturgy / Confessions* 2 nd Salutations to the Theotokos Monday March 12 Great Compline / Confessions* Wednesday March 14 Pre-sanctified Divine Liturgy / Confessions* Friday March 16 Pre-sanctified Divine Liturgy / Confessions* 3 rd Salutations to the Theotokos Monday March 19 Great Compline / Confessions* Wednesday March 21 Pre-sanctified Divine Liturgy / Confessions* Friday March 23 Saturday March 24 Pre-sanctified Divine Liturgy / Confessions* 4 th Salutations to the Theotokos 1:00 p.m. Blessing of the Animals Great Vespers of the Annunciation Monday March 26 Great Compline / Confessions* Wednesday March 28 Pre-sanctified Divine Liturgy / Confessions* Friday March 30 Pre-sanctified Divine Liturgy / Confessions* AKATHYST HYMN Monday April 2 Great Compline / Confessions* Wednesday April 4 Pre-sanctified Divine Liturgy / Confessions* Friday April 6 Saturday April 7 Pre-sanctified Divine Liturgy / Confessions* 6:00 p.m. Special SKY Night - Dinner and Palm Tying 9:00 a.m. Orthros SATURDAY OF LAZARUS Divine Liturgy *The Sacrament of Holy Confession is available by appointment at the conclusion of the Great Compline on Monday evenings & also after the Pre-Sanctified Liturgy on Wednesdays & Fridays. Please call the Church Office to schedule your Lenten confession with Father Michael. Our Help and Comfort 5

6 2012 Holy Week Services - St. Katherine Greek Orthodox Church Sunday April 8 Monday April 9 Tuesday April 10 Wednesday April 11 Thursday April 12 Friday April 13 3:00 p.m. 10:30 p.m. 8:00 a.m. 3:00 p.m. Palm Sunday Morning **Divine Liturgy Palm Sunday Evening 1 st Bridegroom Service with procession of the Icon of Christ 6 Our Help and Comfort Holy Monday Morning **Pre-sanctified Divine Holy Monday Evening 2 nd Bridegroom Service & Confessions* Holy Tuesday Morning **Pre-sanctified Divine Holy Tuesday Evening 3 rd Bridegroom Service & Confessions* Holy Wednesday Morning **Pre-sanctified Divine Liturgy Holy Wednesday Afternoon The Sacrament of Holy Oil (Holy Unction) Holy Wednesday Evening The Sacrament of Holy Oil (Holy Unction) Holy Thursday Morning Commemoration of the Last Supper & Institution of the Holy Eucharist **Vesperal Divine Liturgy of St. Basil the Great Holy Thursday Evening Matins of the Holy Redeeming Passion of our Lord Jesus Christ (The Twelve Gospels and the Crucifixion of our Lord) Holy Thursday Night All Night Vigil with the reading of the Book of Psalms Holy Friday Morning The Royal Hours (followed by the decoration of the Epitaphio ) Holy Friday Afternoon Apokathelosis Vespers The Removal of our Lord Jesus Christ from the Cross Holy Friday Evening The Lamentations and procession outside with the Epitaphio Holy Saturday Morning **Vesperal Liturgy of St. Basil the Great Saturday April 14 11:00 p.m. Holy Saturday Evening Vigil for the Holy Resurrection of our Lord, God and Savior Jesus Christ 11:45 p.m. Holy Saturday Night The Service of the Holy Resurrection Candlelight procession with the Banner of the Resurrection Midnight Holy Pascha Easter Sunday Midnight **Divine Liturgy According to St. John Chrysostom Sunday April 15 Holy Pascha Easter Sunday Morning 11:00 a.m. The Office of Great Vespers of Easter Sunday Agape Service - Reading of the Gospel in Various Languages * Please call the office to schedule a confession appointment ** Holy Communion offered CHRIST IS RISEN! TRULY HE IS RISEN!

7 2012 South Bay Greek Festival Preliminary Food Prep Schedule Date Time Task Description Lead Mon. May 21, pm Koulourakia Prep Tue. May 22, am Koulourakia Bake Mon. June 4, pm Tyropita/Spanakopita Prep ingredients for pan Tue. June 5, am Tyropita Bake sheet pans Tue. June 5, am Spanakopita Bake sheet pans Sun. June 10, pm Pastitsio Make pastitsio T. Kostas Mon. June 11, pm Pastitsio Wrap pastistio C. Tzelepis Mon. June 11, pm Keftedes Make C. Tzelepis Tue. June 12, am Keftedes Package Mon. June 18, pm Melomakarona Prep Tue. June 19, am Melomakarona Bake Wed. June 20, pm Dolmathes Prep leaves and filling Thu. June 21, am Dolmathes Roll, package Mon. June 25, pm Baklava Prep Mon. June 25, pm Karithopita Prep Tue. June 26, am Baklava Make Tue. June 26, am Karithopita Make Sat. June 30, pm Tsourekia Prep Sun. July 1, pm Kalamari Prep S. Frangos Thu. July 5, am Dolmathes Bake Mon. July 9, am Karithopita Finish Tues. July 10, am Galaktobouriko Make Wed. July 11, am Feta,Olives, dip pastries Our Help and Comfort 7

8 St. Katherine Greek Orthodox Church 722 Knob Hill Avenue, Redondo Beach, CA South Bay Greek Festival Christ Tzelepis OPA! You guessed it. Our Greek festival isn t that far away! Planning is underway so save the dates of July 13, 14 and 15. Meetings for booth chairs are on the last Sunday of every month after church in the multipurpose room, though check with the office for last minute changes. Bring your ideas for discussion. Enclosed in this month s newsletter is the food preparation schedule. Similar to last year, cooking activities will be planned throughout the week, evening and days, to accommodate everyone s busy schedule. Ad Book fliers will be available next month and are a great way to support our festival and promote your business to the thousands of guests who visit our festival each year. Finally, a warm thank you to our volunteers who in years past have come through and have made the festival the joy that it is for us and our guests. I look forward to working with each of you and making the 2012 South Bay Greek Festival a success. 8 Our Help and Comfort

9 (as of 3/1/2012) March 2012 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday * 6:00pm SKY Night * 7:00pm 1st Salutations * Sunday of Orthodoxy * 7:00pm Compline & Confessions* * 10:00am Icon Procession & Divine Liturgy * 2:00pm GOBL Home Game (v. St. Anthony) * 10:00am Budding Angels Fellowship * 7:00pm Philoptochos Board Meeting * 10:00am Writing Your Life Story * Saturday of the Souls (3) & Memorials * 2:00pm GOBL Home Game (v. St. Nicholas) * 7:00pm 2nd Salutations * 11:45am Sons of Pericles * 12:00pm Festival Meeting * 2:00pm GOBL Away Game (v. Assumption) * 7:00pm Compline & Confessions* * 11:00am Seniors' Meeting * 6:30pm Daughters of Penelope Mtg * 7:00pm AHEPA Meeting * Sr. GOYA Ski Trip * 7:00pm 3rd Salutations * Sr. GOYA Ski Trip * 11:30am Sunday School Open House * 2:00pm GOBL Home Game (v. St. Sopia) * 7:00pm Compline & Confessions* * 10:00am Budding Angels Fellowship * 10:00am Writing Your Life Story * 7:00pm 4th Salutations * Annunciation * 10:15am SJC Oratorical Festival * 11:30am Greek Independence Day Luncheon * 7:00pm Compline & Confessions* * 7:00pm PC Meeting * 7:00pm Akathyst Hymn * Sr. GOYA Ski Trip * 1:00pm Blessing of the Animals * 7:00pm Great Vespers of Annunciation NOTE: Events are subject to change. Please consult weekly bulletin for most current schedules.

10 (as of 3/1/2012) April 2012 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday * 2:00pm SJC Oratoricals - Covina * Jaime Away * 7:00pm Compline & Confessions* * Jaime Away * 10:00am Budding Angels Fellowship * 7:00pm Philoptochos Board Meeting * Jaime Away * Jaime Away * 10:00am Writing Your Life Story * Jaime Away * 6:00pm SKY Night - Palm Tying * Saturday of Lazarus * Palm Sunday & Palms Procession * 12:00pm Palm Sunday Luncheon * 7:00pm Bridegroom Service & Confessions* * 7:00pm Bridegroom Service & Confessions* * 7:00pm Bridegroom Service & Confessions* Liturgy * 3:00pm Holy Unction * 7:00pm Holy Unction * Holy Thursday * 10:00am Vesperal Divine Liturgy * 7:00pm Passion of our Lord - Twelve Gospels * 10:30pm Vigil Service * Holy Friday - Office Closed * 8:00am Royal Hours * 3:00pm Unnailing from the Cross * 7:00pm Epitaphio - Lamentation Service * Holy Saturday * 10:00am Vesperal Divine Liturgy * 11:00pm Vigil of the Resurrection * 11:45pm Holy Resurrection Service * Great & Holy Pascha * 12:00am Divine Liturgy of Pascha * 1:00am Magheritsa Fellowship * 11:00am Agape Vespers * Renewal Monday - Office Closed * 6:30pm Daughters of Penelope Mtg * 7:00pm AHEPA Meeting * 10:00am Writing Your Life Story * 2:00pm GOBL Away Game (v. St. George) * 5:00pm Daughters Regional Meeting * 2:00pm GOBL Home Game (v. St. John) * Great Martyr George * 5:30pm Greek Dance Practice * 10:00am Bible Study * 7:00pm PC Meeting * 7:00pm Bible Study * 11:00am GOBL Quarter Finals * 1:00pm GOBL Semi Finals * 11:00am Foundation Meeting * 5:30pm Greek Dance Practice NOTE: Events are subject to change. Please consult weekly bulletin for most current schedules.

Our Help and Comfort

Our Help and Comfort St. Katherine Greek Orthodox Church Rev. Fr. Michael K. Courey, D.Min., Economos Rev. Dcn. Cary Constantine, Pastoral Assistant 722 Knob Hill Avenue, Redondo Beach, CA 90277 (310)