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FAITH IN ACTION PHILOPTOCHOS NEWS—DECEMBER 2008
Last Month
Thank you for coming! The Annual Anniversary Spiritual Weekend offering fellowship and spiritual growth began with the Divine Liturgy celebrated on the Nov. 1st Feast Day of our Patron Saints, The Holy Unmercenaries Cosmas and Damianos. Then, guest speaker, Rev. Father David Bissias of St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church, Hammond, Indiana was welcomed by a large gathering of parishioners and guests. His two presentations were inspirational and enlightening on his topic “The Mystery of Faith: The One and the Many”. With earnest listening and eager questions, our group enjoyed a deep appreciation for his lively instruction. On Sunday, your contributions were dedicated to the Ecumenical Patriarchate, its programs and charities. At Special Coffee Hour both the new Fleece Blankets Project “Warming the Children From our Hearts” and the “Afghan Project” were on full colorful display for all to see. Thank you Co-Chairs Berdi Kakas and Angela Retzios and their entire committee for all arrangements, delicious food, and hospitality; the weekend was a beautiful gathering of the Faithful.
Community Care Ministry (CCM) The December CCM project is “Caps Mittens, and Coats” for students of Edison School. See this Newsletter for details. An envelope is enclosed for your convenience. We are grateful for your support; you are truly touching lives.
Christmas Luncheon Deadline is Sunday, November 30th, to reserve with Jodie Gianopulos (454-1950) for the Annual Christmas Luncheon held on Thursday, December 4th, at 11:30 AM at Moraine Country Club, 4075 Southern Blvd., Kettering. $17 check to “Philoptochos”
VASILOPITA 2009—START THE NEW YEAR RIGHT! Sunday, January 11th is the Annual Vasilopita Celebration benefiting St. Basil Academy, our Greek Orthodox orphanage in America. This is always a family event with the great fun of anticipating who will find the coin in their piece of the Community Pita! The silent auction will again feature pitas from the best cooks in the world and the popular children’s bidding table. A delicious meal is planned. Pre-paid Reservations deadline is Sunday, January 4th. (Again this year, there will be NO ticket sales on the day of the event, on January 11th.)
Upcoming Dates Thursday, December 4th: Christmas Luncheon 11:30 @ Moraine Country Club, see above. Sunday, December 14: Philoptochos hosts Coffee Hour January: Stella Moulas will be accepting your memberships for 2009 very soon! Thursday, January 8th: Membership Meeting, Coffee 9:30, Meeting 10:00 AM Sunday, January 11th: Annual Vasilopita! Following the Divine Liturgy
PHILOPTOCHOS INVITES YOU TO OUR ANNUAL VASILOPITA LUNCHEON Benefiting St. Basil’s Academy (Our Greek Orthodox Orphanage in America) Sunday, January 11, 2009 Silent Auction of pitas and the popular children’s bidding table Monetary donations welcome
MENU
Salad / Bread
Entrée
Dessert
Coffee /Juice COST
Adults: $10 / Children: $6
Pre-paid Reservations Deadline: Sunday, January 4, 2009 No ticket sales on the day of the event!! Tickets go on sale on Sunday, December 21st
ALL Tables will have Vasilopitas RESERVE A TABLE AND BRING THE ENTIRE FAMILY Ticket Sales: Irene Davis at 298-2093
Hat, Scarf and Mitten Tree Benefiting the children of Edison School
Hang your donations on the Christmas tree in the Community Center Lobby
Monetary donations are appreciated“Philoptochos” – Memo: Dec. CCM
Michelle Zois 885.5319 and
Katina Tsatalis 291.1748December Community Care Ministry
Department of Social Services HELP STARTS HEREProviding individuals and families with free and confidential help with useful information to ensure people get the help they need from the best resources available. We work to assist you in overcoming life’s most difficult challenges and troubles of everyday living by addressing issues such as health and mental health, housing and homelessness, poverty and income inadequacies, aging and family services, alcohol and other drug use, domestic violence, immigration, employment, government entitlements, legal services and adoption referrals. CONTACT US
New York, NY 10021 (212) 744-4774 Grkorthsocialwrk@aol.com www.philoptochos.org Monday—Friday, 9 AM—5 PM Evaluations, referrals and services are provided by bi-lingual (Greek/English),Culturally sensitive,
New York State Licensed Social Workers
Programs for 2008 January Saint Basil’s Academy
Vasilopeta Michelle Zois : February Day of Caring
Loukoumades: Irene & Pete Davis / Harriet Ellis
March Kathy McAlpine/Charrie Tolliver
Day Break
April Cindy Keilholz/Sandy Alex
For the Love of Children
May Hospice
Flower Sale: Harriett Ellis/Tina Fote June Mary McDonald/Mary Searles House of People
July Vicki Weatherly Mercy Manor/ Clothes that Work
August The Other Place / St Vincent De Paul
Diane Briggs/Ruthann Zavakos
September Miami Valley Literacy Council Diane Margioras/Margie Polites November Artemis House/YWCA
Tina Fote October Kids with Hair Loss
Chris Makaritis December Edison School
Caps Michelle Zois / Katina Tsatalis /Mittens/Scarfs:
The Philoptochos organization is the right hand of the church and its ministry to the needy. This organization sponsors many parish, philanthropic and community projects. Open to all women, 18 years of age and over, as well as welcoming men as sponsoring friends. The philanthropic endeavors of the Greek Orthodox Ladies Philoptochos Society during more than six decades is a genuine expression of love and Christian Charity. This expression of love is evident in the multitude of meaningful programs and services undertaken during the past sixty five years. With the arrival of Archbishop Athenagoras in February, 1931 to assume the leadership of the Greek Orthodox Church in North and South America, a new era began in the life and mission of the Greek Orthodox community. The Thirties were turbulent times for the Greeks in America and Archbishop Athenagoras soon realized that there was an urgent need to provide philanthropic and relief services to the poor and suffering omogenia.
THE MISSION OF THE SOCIETY * To aid the poor, the destitute, the hungry, the aged, the sick, the unemployed, the orphaned, the imprisoned, the widow, the handicapped, the victims of disasters, to undertake the burial of the impoverished persons and to offer assistance to anyone who my need the help of the Church through fund raising efforts; and
* To promote the charitable, benevolent and philanthropic purposes of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, through instructional programs, presentations, lectures, seminars and other educational resources;
* To preserve and perpetuate Orthodox Christian concepts and the Orthodox Christian Family, and through them, to promote the Greek Orthodox Faith and traditions, in accordance with its doctrines, canons, discipline, divine worship, usages and customs;
* To promote the participation in the activities of the Greek Orthodox community, with the cooperation of the Parish Priest and the Parish Council.
Our Philoptohos ladies bake Vasilopita for the silent auction to be held in January at their annual, traditional luncheon. All proceeds from your attendance, donations, and generous bids on these sweet breads will benefit our children at St. Basil’s Academy.
Programs and Commitments
Academy of Saint Basil Aging Cancer Fund Children's Cardiac Fund Children's Medical Fund Ecumenical Patriarchate Family and Society / Interfaith General Medical Fund Hellenic College/Holy Cross School of Theology HIV/AIDS Virus International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC) National Sisterhood of Presvyteres (NSP) Benevolent Fund Orthodox Christian Mission Center and Support a Mission Priest Retired Clergy Association's (RCA) Benevolence Fund Social Services / Philanthropy St. Photios National Shrine United Nations United Nations Children's Emergency Fund
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