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Metropolis of Boston
SAINT ATHANASIUS THE GREAT GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH
ORTHODOX STEWARSHIP PROGRAM 4 Appleton Street, Arlington, MA 02474
A Rich Man is not one who has much but one who gives much.
For what he gives away remains his forever.” ‐ St. John Chrysostom
March 2014
Dear Parishioner
Wise Men offered gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh to the Christ Child. These wealthy scholars and priests of the
East endured danger and traveled a great distance to offer their treasures to Christ. What a beautiful and meaningful example of
stewardship they set for us, helping us to understand the blessing of properly using and sharing God’s gifts. We thank you for
past support of Saint Athanasius as we know there are many worthy causes for your donations.
In this our 50th year (1964‐2014), we hope to make another leap forward to grow our ministries for another 50 years. This
year, with the support of our members, we hope to initiate ministry programs in the areas of Youth, Seniors, and Outreach, to
those we know that are home bound and sick, as well as those in our community who are in need.
We invite you to please fill out Stewardship card on the back of this letter and return it with your information… We ask
you to please to participate and share your financial blessings this year as a pledge or donation.
In the following months, we will initiate our plan to visit/meet with all of our parishioners to share the current vision of
our parish leadership and seek your participation in realizing this vision. Just like the five loaves and two fish that fed the 5,000,
we too offer what we can and what we have – however great or small our gift. When we do this prayerfully and with humility,
God will take our gifts and multiply them in order to feed His people.
Please take the time to make your offering today and enable our Church to continue to enhance the spiritual growth of
all the Orthodox Christians entrusted to our care. You donation in this our 50th year, (1964‐2014), will be respected and put to
good use. Whatever you can do to help us meet challenge, this will be appreciated and cherished.
May our Lord richly bless you in every way!
We offer you our personal thanks for your love, support, and dedication to our Parish in the work of salvation.
Me agape and gratitude,
Rev. Fr. Nicholas Kastanas A. Paul Tsitsopoulos Theodore A. Speros
Parish Council President Stewardship
Fr. Nicholas M. Kastanas – Parish Priest
Parish Office: 781-646-0705 | Fax: 781-641-4700 | Fr. Nick Voicemail: 781-673-2002 email: [email protected] | web: www.saintathanasius.org | Fr. Nick email: [email protected]
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2014 SAINT ATHANASIUS GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH CONFIDENTIAL FAMILY INFORMATION FORM Please complete and return this form to the Church Office
4 Appleton Street Arlington, MA 02474
Name: ___________________________________________
Address : _____ City: State Zip
Home Telephone: I would like bulletin via mail ___ via email ____
Member Spouse
Name:
Mobile Tel:
E‐mail:
Occupation:
Work Tel:
SAINT ATHANASIUS GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH CONFIDENTIAL FAMILY INFORMATION FORM
Please complete and return this form to the Church Office
Please check those items in which you or a member of your family has some expertise or interest.
Place name or initials of the specific family member after each item checked.
Bible Study Youth Work Real Estate Management
Teaching Sunday School Medical/Nurse
Greek School/Little Halos Church Choir Art/Design Services
Visitation of Elderly/Infirm Soup Kitchen Youth Ministry
Scouting Finance New parents
Computer ‐ software Legal Ushering / Welcome
Web Design Mechanical / Plumbing Reader (in liturgy)
Computer – Hardware/Systems Electrical Architecture
Outreach to Community Evangelism Festival
Publishing/Marketing Construction Other ________________________________
Gardening Office Work _______
STEWARDSHIP PLEDGE / DONATION
Family Name ______________________________________________________________
We would like to pledge $___________ Monthly
We would like to pledge $___________ Semi Annually
We would like to pledge $___________ Yearly
Please accept our donation of $_________________ enclosed for support the efforts of St Athanasius in its 50th year.
You can also pledge at http://www.saintathanasius.org/stewardship/
Children / Age
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ANNOUNCEMENTS 2014‘PastPresidentsLuncheon’
Time,TalentsandTreasures
Greetings from the Church Ministries, as we are off to a great start for 2014. As VP ofMinistriesmycorefocuswillbetoenhanceandenrichourgrowingministries.Iencourageyou to step up and champion a ministry that interests you. Currently we are seekingvolunteerstoleadourtechnologyministry,anareawheretheChurchneedsyourideasandexpertisetoimproveourITinfrastructure.
MinistryoftheMonth:
PlowingMinistry.Wearegrateful toMr.ArthurGillis fromRegalManagement, forhis hardwork and dedication during this very busy and demanding snow season.Thankyou!
Respectfully,
JohnS.IoakimidisVPofMinistries
50thAnniversaryCommemorativeAlbum
Aswepreparetocelebratethe50thAnniversaryofourparishchurch,SaintAthanasiustheGreat, in 2014, a commemorativealbum is being created. Photosof families andvariousministryactivitieswillbefeatured,alongwiththehistoryofourcommunity.
You can reserve your space in the album using the form in this bulletin or online atwww.tinyurl.com/50album
PleasecontactGeorgeMakredes,withanyquestions ThankfullyandGratefully,
GeorgeMakredes,AlbumCommitteeChairperson
Email:[email protected]
Phone:(781)492‐0138
IOCC Callingallundergrads,recentgraduates,andadvancedegreestudentswhoareinterestedincareersininternationalreliefanddevelopment! ApplyNowFor2014IOCC
InternshipProgram—ApplicationDeadlineExtendedtoMarch10!Theprogramprovidesauniqueopportunitytogainfirsthandexposureto theoperationsofanOrthodox
Christianinternationalhumanitariananddevelopmentorganization.Summer internshipsareavailableintheUSandGreece(mustbefluentinGreek).Fordetailedinformationandtodownloadanapplication,pleasevisitwww.iocc.org/internship
YOUTHMINISTRIESUPDATES
SundayCatecheticalSchool
AlltheChristmassingingabout‘Letitsnow!’cametrueinJanuaryandespeciallyFebruarythisyear.However,despite the cold and the snowweall enjoyedsomeveryspecialdaysduringthiswinter,includingtheGodparents‐GodchildrencelebrationonSunday,February9th. It’s traditional that for this event the children write personalized notes to theirgodparents,butthisyearthankstotheinternetwewereabletoalsoreceivemessagesfromgodparents to their godchildren. After the heartwarming candlelight prayer service inChurch,godparentsandgodchildrensharedmessages,hugs, andcake in frontof the20 ftlongboardwheremessagesandpicturesweredisplayed.We thank all of the families fortheirparticipation to thismemoriescreating event, aswell as to the CatecheticalSundaySchool teachers (Mary,George,Loula, Val, Tina)whoprovided flowers, balloons, suppliesandsetuphelp for thisevent.We finally thank theNickAlex family fordonating thecakeweallenjoyedforthisevent.
TheannualteachingDivineLiturgyiscurrentlyscheduledforSunday,March30th.Thisisaunique opportunity for everyone including teachers, students and parents to experiencetheDivineLiturgy in a uniqueway that helpsusunderstandbetter thismost important
celebrationofOrthodoxLiturgical life.Asalways,wewould like to thankFr.Nickfor thisgreatteachingopportunityheofferseveryyear.
PreparationfortheannualSt.JohnChrysostomOratoricalFestivalhasstartedandstudentsinthe4th‐12thgradesshouldhavereceivedemailswithinformationandinstructions.Thisyear’sParishFestivalwill takeplaceonSaturday,March22nd in ourparishauditorium.The District Festival is scheduled on April 5th, with our parish hosting the event.Introduced in 1983, the St. JohnChrysostomOratoricalFestivalprovidesGreekOrthodoxyouththeopportunitytowriteandspeakabouttheirfaith.Please,encourageyourchildtoparticipatein thisspirituallyrewardingandeducationalactivity.We thank our2ndgradeteacherMrs.TinaPavlakis‐Bowlingforherexemplaryleadershipincoordinatingthiseventand extend our thanks to all the teachers, parents and students thatwill practice,contributeandparticipate!
OnMarch 3rd we’ll also embark on our forty day Lenten journeywith destinationHolyWeekandthegloriouscelebrationofPascha/Easter.IntheCatecheticalSundaySchool,andhopefullyathome,as teachers,parentsandstudentsalike wewill learnandpracticethespiritoftheLentenseasonandenjoythe‘spiritualviews’ofourLentenjourney.EachofthefiveSundaysinLentwillbringusanewopportunitytocelebrate,learnandfollowthelifeoftheSaintsasweproclaimourfaith,havequiettimewithGod,carryourCross,struggletogrowingoodnessandrepentfromoursins.
The next staff meeting is scheduled for SundayMarch 9th, immediately after the end ofclasses. And letus notforget thatwiththe calendar turned toMarch, weare lookingforwardtothefirstdayofSpringonMarch20th!
GreekAfternoonSchool
ThisisthetimeoftheyearwhenourstudentsarepracticingfortheMarch25th celebrationthatconcludeswiththeBostonParadeonSunday,April6th 2014.ChildrendressedinthetraditionalGreekcostumescommemoratethisGreekEthnicHoliday.Manytimes,studentsare in need of such costumes and so we are asking families who have such traditionalapparelthattheirchildrenhaveoutgrowntokindlydonatethem. Yourgenerositywillbegreatly appreciated. Please contact the church office at 781‐646‐0705 if you havecostumestodonate!!!
OurclassesmeetonceweeklyMonday‐Thursdayafternoons:KindergartenonMondays4:00‐6:00pm,1stand4thgradesonTuesdays4:00‐6:30pm,2ndand5thgradesonWednesdays4:00‐6:30pm,and3rdand6thgradesonThursdays4:00‐6:30pm.
Ifyouneedanyfurtherinformationaboutourschool,programoranyofourevents,pleasecontactKaitiGalanopoulos,Principal,at781‐354‐9232.
LittleHalos
The month of February began with our students attendingtheLiturgyforthePresentationofourLordintheTempleonFebruary 2nd. Curriculum themes for February includedGroundhogDay activities and exploration of the concept ofshadows, as well as Valentine’s Day and related crafts andactivities. February was also dental health month. Thechildrentalkedabouttheirteethandmouth.Ourstudiesforthe month of February were concluded with the custom ofΑποκριές and theGreekcarnival that takesplacebefore thelentperiod. Thebooksthatwereadwere:TheCatintheHat,One fish two fishRedFishBlue Fish,HoponPop,TheLorax,TheFootBook,GreenEggsandHam,ICanAddUpsideDown,FoxinSocksandHappyBirthdayToYou.
On Thursday, January 30th, 2014 Little Halos hosted a wellattended parent/teacher workshop on “Second LanguageAcquisition and Cultural Identity”. Dr. AnastasiaGalanopoulos,presentedthelatestresearchonthistopic.
*([email protected],[email protected]‐968‐5013)
LittleHalosPreschoolisofferingNewflexiblescheduleoptionsareofferedforthe2014‐2015
8:30am‐12:00noon
12noon‐3:pmand
8:30am‐3:00pm
**Registration for2014‐2015schoolyearhasnowbegun and an “OpenHouse” isscheduledfor,March19,20,&21,2014at10:00‐11:00am.
For more information andregistrationmaterials, call theschoolat781‐646‐1322 or781‐354‐9232.
JOY
JOY is off to amidyear start as a group effort. Lisa Paganis,whoworkedextremely hardorganizingand running all JOY events for the past few years, ismovingon toworkwithGOYA.ThecurrentteamisLoulaBoretos,ArgyroTsiaras,OlgaPatoucheasandJaneAwad.We thank Lisa for all her hardwork and dedication. Please be on the lookout for flyersannouncingourfunMarchevent.
ADULTMINISTRYUPDATES
Philoptochos
St.Barbara’sPhiloptochoswelcomeseveryonebackafterawinterbreak.WewillbebackontrackwithourmonthlyGeneralAssemblymeetingstoprepareforabusyspringseasonwithmanyeventsandvisits. Pleaseconsiderjoiningusandseewhatwedo! PleaseseeourSAVETHEDATEbelow to plan.I look forward to sharing time and fellowshipwithmyfellowPhiloptochossisters.
HousewarmingBasketsforHomelessVeteran’s
Thank youforallyourdonationsforthisproject!The Metropolis of Boston Philoptochos will bepreparing our church’s contribution and deliver totheBedfordVA. Thispicturedisplayswhat itemswillmake up a basket for veteranswho are starting freshand will begin living on their own. This basket willcontain a collection of basic necessities for their newhome.
Our Philoptochos welcomes donations/gift cards topurchase these items, or they can be purchased on your own. Veteran’s display in thechurchhallexplainsadetailedlistofwhat isneeded. This isanon‐goingproject,andwecontinuetowelcomedonationsfortheMaycollection.
PleasecontactKathyVanKuilenburgat978‐663‐3936 [email protected] orStellaKazantzasat781‐646‐0705inthechurchoffice.
Therearemanyeventscomingup‐SAVETHESEDATES
Friday‐Saturday,March14‐15–PhiloptochosRetreat inContoocook,NHat theRetreatCenter–SPACEISLIMITEDandonaFIRSTCOMEFIRSTSERVEDbasis.
“TheLentenRetreat forWoman”willbeMarch14‐15. Sisters,Mothers,Aunts,Daughters,andofcourse,Friendsarewelcome. ThisretreatwillbeattheSt.MethodiosRetreatHouse,inContoocook,NH. SuggestedDonationis$50/person,whichincludes1night lodging,3
meals,andRetreatprogram. Pleasecompleteandmailtheregistrationforminthisbulletin.
Sunday,March16 –Wewill be serving coffee to the residents at theHellenicNursingHome,pleasemeetafterchurchtocarpool–Everyoneisinvited
PlanAhead:
NextGeneralAssemblyThursday,April10,2014,7:00p.m.
Thursday,April3‐PhiloxeniaHousevisit(EfhelionService),5:00p.m.–WewillcontinuetoprovideaPotLuckLentenmealtosharewiththeguests,4:00atchurchtocarpool–Everyoneinvited–ParishwideEvent
Sunday,April6–GreekIndependenceDayParade–1:00p.m.
Ifyouknowofanyonewhoisill,inanursinghome,orjustcan’tgetoutandaround,pleasereachPhiloptochosorthechurchofficesothatweareaware.
Ifyou have questions aboutPhiloptochos or any events, please feelfree tocallKathyVanKuilenburgat(978)663‐3936orbyemailat,[email protected]
HomelessandNeedy
OurHomeless andNeedyministrysupports anumberof peopleby sharing foodcertificates fromlocalsupermarkets. Pleaseconsiderdonatingagiftcertificateinordertohelpothers…
PineStreetInn
Wewould like to thank everyonewhohas been involved in ourSt. Athanasius theGreat Parish'sefforttoprovidemealsatthePineStreetInnoverthelast24years.Weareinvitingallwhohavevolunteered throughout that time for a group photo to be included in the Church’s 50thAnniversaryAlbum.PleasejoinusintheChurch'skitchenonFridayMarch14that6:15pm.Please bring your friends and familymemberswho have participated. Thank you for yourcommitmenttoourchurchandespeciallythosewhomweserve!
We continue our long tradition of preparing and serving ameal to the 100women guests at thePineStreetInnonamonthlybasis.Whetheryouare lookingtomakethisamonthlycommitmentorwouldliketomakeaonetimevisitweencourageyoutojoinus. PleasecallRandyFassas617‐966‐1452formoreinformation.
Ifyouareinterestedingettinginvolvedpleasecallthechurchofficeformoreinformation,Wewouldlovetohaveyou!!
Allbulletinsubmissionsforthebulletinmustbesenttocchamallas@gmail.combythe15thofthe preceding month. It is the responsibility of each ministry to submit theirannouncements;weencourageeveryonetoberepresentedeachmonth!
Metropolis of Boston Philoptochos Fourth Annual
Lenten Retreat for Women Sisters, Mothers, Aunts, Daughters and of course Friends!
Friday, March 14 – Saturday, March 15, 2014 St. Methodios Retreat House
Contoocook, NH
Elizabeth Metallinos‐Katsaras PhD RD, Dept. of Nutrition, Simmons College, Boston
Women's Health and Nutrition‐‐ How can the Traditional Greek Diet Keep us Healthy
Come enjoy the grounds of the lovely retreat center, experience the retreat, share a meal and make some new friends
Please Join Us!!
Suggested Donation $50 Includes: One night lodging in the Retreat House, Three meals,
and Retreat program
Arrive Friday Afternoon between 4 & 6 p.m. Depart Saturday Afternoon
Metropolis of Boston Philoptochos Retreat REGISTRATION FORM
NAME: ADDRESS: CITY, STATE, ZIP: PHONE:
E‐MAIL: PARISH:
Rooms are double occupancy and first come first serve basis. Singles are available depending on attendance numbers.
Would you like a Roommate? Name of Roommate (If you would like a roommate but do not have a name we can assign someone):
Do you need a room on the first level? (There is an elevator to 2nd floor)
Would you be willing to give a ride to other attendees from a mutually agreeable meeting place?
Would you be interested in a bus that would leave from a central location (i.e. Weston Church?) at an additional cost?
Recommended Donation: $50 per person
Please make check payable to: Metropolis of Boston Philoptochos Return Forms to: Diane Stamatopulos
3 Pond Street Peabody, MA 01960
Any questions – you can reach Diane at 978‐530‐1064 Or Email: [email protected] REGISTERATION DEADLINE: March 5, 2013
Directions are available on the website: http://www.boston.goarch.org/faith_heritage_center/contact_us.html
ANASTASIA (ANN) AND GEORGE C. DIMITRAKIS MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
The Anastasia (Ann) and George C. Dimitrakis Memorial Scholarship was established in 2008 at the St. Athanasius the Great Greek Orthodox Church with a generous gift of $100,000 by the late Ann Dimitrakis, in loving memory of her spouse, George C. Dimitrakis. George and Ann Dimitrakis have long been faithful stewards and communicants at the St. Athanasius Church. The first scholarships were awarded in June 2009. St. Athanasius the Great Greek Orthodox Church has established the Scholarship Awards Committee for the purpose of administering this scholarship. The Awards Committee, in its discretion, will award a scholarship(s) to that high school graduating senior(s) who achieve(s) exemplary rankings according to criteria established by the Awards Committee. The amount of the award(s) will be based on the scholarship fund’s return on investment, as determined by September 1st of each year, and as distributed by the Trustees of the Scholarship Fund. Please visit the parish website at (www.stathanasius.org) for all application materials and application instructions. Application information is only available online. Eligible applicants must meet all of the following requirements: (1) be in their senior year of high school; (2) complete in full all application forms (typed) and provide all requested information; (3) family must be stewards of St. Athanasius the Great Greek Orthodox Church for three successive years (if one year has been missed, applicant’s family has the opportunity to become current for that year); (4) must have been accepted to a full-time course of study at an accredited 4-year college or university. Applications will not be reviewed if each of the aforementioned requirements has not been met. Applications are available on-line (www.saintathanasius.org) and must be submitted in full by Friday, May 16, 2014. Only complete typed application packages will be reviewed by the Awards Committee; it is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that all materials have been mailed to the Awards Committee. Please mail complete application packages to the Anastasia (Ann) and George S. Dimitrakis Memorial Scholarship, c/o St. Athanasius the Great Greek Orthodox Church, 4 Appleton St., Arlington, MA 02476. The awarding of the scholarship(s) will take place on a Sunday, June 15, 2014. The disbursement will take place after October 17, 2014, and only after the student(s) has provided to the Awards Committee an official confirmation of enrollment from the Registrar’s Office of the university/college. Awards Committee Dennis P. George, Jr. Dr. Elizabeth Prodromou Kyrou Emmanuel V. Meimaris, Esq. Dr. Valerie Relias
Dorothy Zevitas M.Ed. Rev. Nicholas M. Kastanas (ex officio)
It’s All About Who You Know !
We’re looking to reach out to former parishioners now residing outside of our ministry area, and hope you can help in that effort. Some of these people may be old friends and acquaintances, either from the neighborhood, or from your Sunday School, GOYA, Greek School, JOY, YAL, Altar Servers, Choir, Philoptochos or Parish Council days.
All parishioners, past and present, have participated one way or another, towards our parish’s progress. As such, we’d like to learn of their whereabouts and doings so as to make them aware of the many special events being planned for this year’s 50th
Anniversary Celebration of Saint Athanasius Church.
Please take the time to think about someone you know who has moved far off, or not so far off, and let us know.
Send any e-mail or regular mailing address information to Nick Ypsilantis at [email protected] Time is of the essence, and so, we look forward to hearing back from you!
Thank you ! The 50th Anniversary Committee
St. Athanasius The Great Greek Orthodox Church
Four Appleton Street | Arlington, MA 02474 | (781) 646-0705
‘Join The Celebration’
Dear Parishioners and Friends,
If you’re planning on having your family’s photo in the upcoming 50th Anniversary Album, we urge you to make an appointment today with professional and renowned photographer, Areti Bratsis. Areti has made room in her schedule to be available at the church on
1.) Saturday, March 15th from 10:00 am until 1:00 pm, and on
2.) Sunday, March 16th from 1:00 pm until 4:00 pm
It is recommended that you call her soon at (508) 698-0150 to arrange your preferred sitting time. Areti has graciously offered her services at a special rate for our parish. The fee for a sitting session is only $59.00 Some of her work can be viewed at her website: www.AretiPhoto.com You are welcome to call Stella at the church office with any questions at (781) 646-0705, or email your questions to [email protected]
$
George Makredes, Album Chair Fr. Nicholas M. Kastanas
Awillfinds away.— OrisonSwett Marden
FOODFORTHOUGHTWe are not here merely to make a living. We are here to enrich the world with a finer spirit of hope andachievement‐andweimpoverishourselvesifweforgettheerrand.~WoodrowWilson
Doallthegoodyoucan,byallthemeansyoucan,inallthewaysyoucan,inalltheplacesyoucan,atallthetimesyoucan,toallthepeopleyoucan,aslongaseveryoucan.~JohnWesley
Thatbestportionofagoodman'slife;Hislittle,nameless,unrememberedactsOfkindnessandoflove.~WilliamWordsworth
"Lifeisnobriefcandletome.ItisasortofsplendidtorchwhichIhavegotaholdofforthemoment,andIwanttomakeitburnasbrightlyaspossiblebeforehandingitontofuturegenerations."~GeorgeBernardShaw
Volume Twenty‐Five, Number Seven, March 2014
