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Newsletter of Assumption Greek Orthodox Church

Vol.XX-IssueIV,April, 2008

Rev.AndrewBarakos,PresidingPriest & V. Rev.VirgilSuciu,LiturgicalAssistant

8202 E. Cactus Rd. Scottsdale, AZ 85260 (480) 991-3009

There are two ways, one of life and one of

death, there is a great difference between the

two ways (Didache). The earliest teaching of

the Apostles begins with the clear distinction

between the two ways of living the way of life

and the way of death. Either a person is headed

towards God, away from Him or against Him.

The Lenten Prayer of St. Ephraim explains how

vastly different the two ways are by detailing

the consequences of each.

O Lord and Master of my life do not give me the

spirit of sloth, despondency, lust of power and

idle talk.

But give me rather the spirit of whole-

mindedness, humility, patience, and love.

Yes, O Lord and King grant me to see my own

sins and not judge my brothers and sisters; for

You are blessed unto the ages of ages. Amen.

The first four conditions which lead to death are

sloth, despondency, lust of power and vain talk.

Each has consequences which form an ever

increasing fall into a deeper and deeper crevasse

that leads further and further away from God.


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Each condition gives birth to the next. Together

they form a spiritual check list for ailments of

the soul which lead to death. There are four

principle conditions which lead to life, they are

whole-mindedness, humility, patience and love.

Wholeness opens the way which leads to God,

Who is the source of life. The fruit of following

the way of life is the unconditional loving of

one another.

THE WAY OF DEATH

Sloth the root of all sin

The word sloth or laziness is not being used in

the sense of - I would rather be golfing than

going to Church but, it refers to spiritual apathy

and inactivity. In other words, there is a neglect

of caring for ones spiritual life. One can in fact,

even attend church, receive communion and say

the Lords Prayer, while being apathetic

spiritually if these actions are only superficial.

It is that strange laziness and passivity of our

entire being which always pushes us down

rather than up which constantly convinces us

that no change is possible and therefore

desirable. It is in fact a deeply seated cynicism

which to every spiritual challenge responds,

What for? and makes our life one tremendous

spiritual waste (Fr. Schmemann, Great Lent).

Spiritual sloth manifests itself as indifference

towards the bible, coming to Church, prayer, the

sacraments, holy confession and other people. It


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becomes a force which is expressed as cynicism

toward the Church, its leadership and

parishioners.

It

essentially

validates

a

conviction that everyone is a hypocrite and

therefore, the Church is a not necessary. Why

should I care about making personal changes, I

can do whatever I want. Such a state is

characterized by a spirit of negativism that is

easily identified when we listen to how others

speak. There is no hope, no faith, no God, only

a dismal assessment of the world, people and

especially the Church.

Spiritual indifference leads to despondency

suicide of the soul

The consequence of a wasted spiritual life is a

despondent

soul.

Despondence

is

the

impossibility for man to see anything good or

positive; it is the reduction of everything to

negativism and pessimism . . . it is the suicide

of the soul because when man is possessed by it

he is absolutely unable to see the light and to

desire it (Fr. Schmemann, Great Lent).


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The Two Ways , Contd. pg 2

The Two Ways On the Lenten Prayer of St. Ephraim

Page 2

2

Despondency manifests itself in behaviors

such as showing an unhealthy concern for the

affairs

of

others

and

meddling.

In

psychological terms, a despondent soul has

barrier issues because the painful consequence

of neglecting the soul is artificially soothed by

obsessing in the perceived problems of others.

The most dangerous despondent soul is the one

which thinks it is doing this on behalf of God

and for all the right reasons. Any time a

judgment is made about an individual, it is

critical to evaluate why such an assessment is

being made. In this state, a return to God is

very difficult because of the darkening of the

soul it no longer can see God nor desire Him.

Despondency leads to a Lust of Power

spiritual murder

Once despondency has been created in the

soul, the next consequence is to murder my

brother or sister with condescending thoughts

because I am above everyone else. The lust


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of power is thus a fundamental depravity in my

relationship with other beings, a search for

their subordination to me. It may result as

well in indifference, contempt, lack of interest,

and respect (Fr. Schmemann, Great Lent). The

further down one falls into a crevasse away

from God, the soul becomes more and more

vainglorious. If God is not the Lord and

Master of my life, then I become my own lord

and master the absolute center of my own

world, and I begin to evaluate everything in

terms of my own needs, my ideas, my desires,

and my judgments (Fr. Schmemann, Great

Lent). Typically, such a state is characterized

by destructive behaviors directed towards

hurting others. In marriages, spouses are at

enmity with one another. Parents abuse

children. Careers are marked by conflicts.

Parishioners have contempt for one another,

for priests and bishops. Clergy mandate rules

that no one can follow and no one else does

ministry in the Church.

Idle Talk the power of sin

Idle talk does not refer to meaningless,

unedifying talk, in the prayer of St. Ephraim, it

has a definite purpose, and it is a power which

seeks the destruction of others. At the bottom

of the crevasse which leads to death is to use

speech as a weapon. Instead of the tongue

being employed to praise God and build up one


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another, it utters malicious comments, slander

and spends hours in gossip. If one decides to

continue in this way, spiritual death is its end.

With God however, all things are possible.

This final state can only be corrected by a deep

sense of repentance, compunction, confession

and by Gods grace.

THE WAY OF LIFE

Whole-mindedness is found in Christ

Wholeness is a gift from God that results when

one turns to Him in prayer, seeking self-

knowledge THROUGH THE ACT OF

CONFESSION. Christ restores wholeness in

us and He does so by restoring in us the true

scale of values by leading us back to God (Fr.

Schmemann, Great Lent). This radical change

is seen when defensiveness, which was

employed as a means of closing ones eyes to

personal sins, is replaced with openness to

correction, and a heart ready to be changed by

Gods grace. The first step is willingly

becoming obedient to God and acknowledging

Him as the Lord and Master of my life.

Standing before Christ, bringing out that which

was hidden from us, by Gods grace we confess

to Christ through a priest. God knows our sins;

it is us, who by bringing sin out before

ourselves that begins the process of change.

The priest stands next to us, and becomes our

advocate and advisor so that we may be


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strengthened not to return to the way of death

again.

Humility the first fruit of wholeness

Humility is a divine virtue, as such, it is

something which comes from God, not us.

Virtues are gifts received from God as a result

of our union with Him. Virtue is expressed in

personal traits; however, it has a divine source

that is allowed to be seen in us following

repentance. Christ said, Come to Me, all you

who labor and are burdened, and I will give

you rest. Take up My yoke upon you and learn

from Me, for I am meek and humble in heart;

and you shall find rest to your souls. For My

yoke is good and My burden is light. [Mt.

11:28-30] It (humility) is above everything

else the victory of truth in us, the elimination

of all lies in which we usually live (Fr.

Schmemann, Great Lent). Christ restores

wholeness which leads to humility because

now Christ is acting in and through our

actions. Personal awareness of the wounds

caused by sin allows for Christ to come and

make his abode in our hearts. This is why

many after completing a confession feel

freedom from a great burden and lightness in

their soul. The soul is freed from restlessness

that was caused by living in a state of

estrangement from God and our true selves.

Christ Who is Light, reveals sin so that it can


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The Two Ways, from page 1

Page 3

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Parish Council Update

This years Lenten Journey is well underway and it is a

busy time at Assumption. In addition to the regular Liturgy

service on Sundays, there are many additional services held

weekly throughout the Lenten season. Please review the

monthly calendar for April, included in this newsletter, for

details on when these services are scheduled and make

plans to attend as many of the services as possible.

As we go to press, plans are being finalized for several

dinners to be held at Assumption Church during the Lenten

season. The Annual Palm Sunday Luncheon is scheduled

for Sunday, April 20. Plans are also underway to serve

dinner following the Pascha midnight service. Please watch

for details about these dinners in upcoming weekly

bulletins and in the Community Center.

Our annual Saturday of Lazarus pancake breakfast & palm-

cross making event will be held on Saturday, April 19, in

the Community Center following services. This is a great

family event and all are welcome so please make plans to

join us.

The Parish Council continues to work diligently on the

church repair project. As reported in late 2007, we have

engaged the services of a forensic architect group, Gervasio

& Associates, to assist with determining the extent of the

problems as well as to provide recommendations for fixing

these problems. We are currently awaiting the details of

this groups recommendations and estimates for the needed


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repairs before we finalize a course of action.

We are pleased to announce that $50,000 from the proceeds

of the 2007 Greek Festival were used to pay down the

church mortgage. As of February 18, the remaining

mortgage balance totaled approximately $110,961. Icon

contributions continue to be received; as of February 18,

the total contributions received were $201,540.

Please mark your calendars and make plans to attend the

Spring General Assembly meeting which will be held on

Sunday, May 4, immediately following Liturgy. All

stewards of Assumption are invited to this important

meeting. More information will be mailed to your homes

in the next few weeks.

Estelle Stell, Parish Council Secretary

Stewardship

As of 3/17/08

Total Stewards.......247

Total Pledged.. $269,824

Stewardship Paid.......$47,119

Mortgage Balance......$107,226.91

The Two Ways, cont from pg 2

be healed. The world is no longer a dark place;

Gods love and goodness become our life and

the disparity caused by sin goes away.

Patience God is patient because he sees the

depth of all that exists

The next divine virtue which is the fruit of

humility is patience. The closer we come to

God, the more patient we grow and the more we

reflect that infinite respect for all beings which


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is the proper quality of God (Fr. Schmemann,

Great Lent). This virtue only sees the good in

others and with a discerning eye, understands

others in light of having personally experienced

Gods patience and His loving us

unconditionally despite wrong decisions and

sins. Respect for others is the highest form of

love one can give. Grace is increased in us by

expanding our ability to affirm the value of

others. This is expressed as being present when

someone is talking to us. It is seen when our

own agenda of tasks that I would like to

accomplish in a day are quickly abandoned when

the needs of others demand our attention. In this

state, our life becomes a source of life to others.

We become a positive force that others seek to

be near and engaged. Learning, spiritual growth,

renewal, illumination, discernment are all fruit

of increasing Gods patience and grace in our

lives.

Love the greatest of all virtues

God is love. The last line of the prayer reads:

Yes, O Lord and King grant me to see my own

sins and not to judge my brothers and sisters;

for You are blessed unto the ages of ages.

Amen. The goal of the spiritual life, of fasting

and prayer is to love one another with the love

with which we have been loved. As we grow in

our relationship with God, we grow in our

relationships with others. Lenten disciplines that


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lead to isolation and alienation from others are

misdirected efforts. Love that is life-giving to

others is primarily manifested in ones ability

not to judge others. This is possible when we

have an awareness of our own sinfulness and

errors.

The last thing we do before singing Christ is

risen is to forgive one another. It is the first and

last action of Great and holy Lent because it is

indeed the test of whether or not we are truly

His disciples and following the WAY OF LIFE.

In Christs love,

Fr. Andrew

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Annual Lenten

Retreat

Retreat Keynote:

V. Rev. Dr. Josiah Trenham

pastor of St. Andrew Orthodox Church

Riverside California

Theme:

Making Marriage and Family Life

Christian: Orthodox Teachings on

Marriage and Family Life

according to St. John Chrysostom

Saturday,

April 12th

10am to 4:30pm

(lunch included with


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Vespers to follow)

Hosted by:

St. George Orthodox Church.

4530 E Gold Dust Ave

Phoenix, AZ 85028

Located SW of Tatum and Shea

602-953-1921

Free and open to the public!

Sponsored by AECOC

(Arizona Council of Eastern Orthodox Clergy)

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The Orthodox Oasis, April 2008

Father Andrew and Assumption

parishioners at the Serbian

Orthodox Monastery of St.

Paisius, in Safford, AZ on

February 9, 2008.

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6

Please join our Brothers & Sisters at the host parishes

for these Sunday Evening Lenten Vespers Services

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Abba, Father,

Prayer Ministry

The Abba, Father, Prayer Ministry is a ministry of

prayer for those who have special needs and requests.

Each week a Prayer List is updated and sent via email

to our parish prayer ministry partners. The list also is


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available in the church on Sundays. To volunteer, or

to learn more about the ministry, please contact

Sherry Chakonas. You may send prayer requests to:

[email protected]

Aaron *

Adam *

AJ *

Alexandra

Andrew *

Christina

Colin *

Danny *

Eddy*

Eddie

Geoff *

George *

Jay *

Jessica

Jim*

Luke *

Richard

Children of Assumption

Youth in Juvenile Facilities

*Military

Remember In Your Prayers

The book club met and discussed two books last month. Raising Them Right by St. Theophan the

Recluse; and Making God Real in the Orthodox Christian Home by Fr. Anthony Coniaris. As a

group, it was decided that every Orthodox home should possess the Coniaris book!It contains a

wealth of information with a very easy format. We all benefitted from reading bo


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th books. Our next

book is The Way of the Pilgrim. Congratulations to Joanne Lewandowski who won thered rose

centerpiece last month! If you enjoy reading and discussing books from differentgenre, come and

join us! A list of the books and discussion dates is available in the communitycenter. Our next

meeting will be on Thursday, May 1, at 9:30AM. The book is titled Gilead, by Marilynn Robinson

and is available in Assumption

s bookstore. Presvytera Andrea

Book Club Meets Monthly

Greek School

Greek school classes continue to meet every Thursday starting at 4:15PM and

concluding at 6PM. Teachers are available to meet with parents from 6PM until 6:15 PM.

Please note the Greek school will not have classes on Holy Thursday, April 24, 2008

due to Holy Week. The Greek school held their March 25 celebration in the churchafter

liturgy and the students presented background information about this historic date, sang

songs such as the Greek national anthem, and recited poems. The children did a

wonderful job and we are very proud of them! The Greek school also hosted Coffee

Hour on this same day and we would like to thank everyone for their donations toour

Greek Language Program. The last day for classes will be Thursday, May 15, 2008and

the Greek school will celebrate the end of another year with a party, pizza, and

beverages. If anyone would like to register their children for next year, pleasepick up

a registration form located on our bulletin board in the Community Center and return it

to the Greek school mailbox located outside of the secretarys office. You may also

contact Angie Fotias if you have any questions concerning registration. For questions


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about tuition contact treasurer Angela Koufidakis. All other questions concerning the

Greek school program may be directed to Francine White.

Please feel free to check

out the Greek school bulletin board in the Community Center located right over the

water dispenser. There you will find photos of the teachers and children throughout the

school year.

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GOYA is for 6-12 graders, and all are

welcome to participate. GOYA calendars

are now available in Sunday School

Classrooms. If you would like to be added

to the GOYA e-mail list, please contact

Nicole Dimtsios.

GOYA Calendar of Events

JOY

The Orthodox Oasis, April, 2008

We will meet regularly the 4th Sunday of every

month after Sunday school (11:45AM - 1:00PM).

The next meeting is May 25, 2008. It is our

hope that this will give more children, grades K-

5, an opportunity to get involved in the JOY

group. We always have FUN and always have

room for more!

Shannon David & Joanne Lewandowski

SUNDAY SCHOOL

March was an incredible month for our classes!

The teachers were amazed at the amount of

students who came prepared with an icon on the


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Sunday of Orthodoxy.

The students participated in the icon procession

with a great deal of reverence and respect. We

are truly proud of your children! On that same

Sunday, many children were able to receive

Holy Communion with their godparents as we

celebrated Godparents Sunday. Thank you to all

who made the effort to get your children

together with their godparents.

In April, we will be hosting some of the youth

speeches for the St. John Chrysostom Oratorical

Festival. Assumption will host the southwest

regional speeches on April 13 at 3:00.

If

possible, plan to attend the speeches with your

children and support our young speakers. It s a

great way to encourage younger children to

speak publicly about their faith.

Once again, your children came home from

class with an OCMC mission coin box. They

should be asking for ways which they can "earn"

money to be put into their coin box. We have

been spending time in class discussing prayer,

fasting, and almsgiving during the lenten

season. Please encourage your children during

this time to place the needs of others before

their own desires. We will collect the boxes

following Pascha Sunday.

On April 25, we will host our annual Holy

Friday Retreat. The retreat will be held from


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10AM-3PM. Please sign-up with your child

s

sunday school teacher so that we may plan

accordingly with food and activities.

Fr. Andrew will have letters available for

excused school absence.

Of course, there won

t be class on Pascha!

Kalo Pascha!

Presvytera Andrea

Isn

t Springtime in Arizona wonderful? Our tots

had a fantastic time playing at the Train Park on

one of our beautiful, sunny days. Of course, we

had to ride the train and the carousel...some of us

rode multiple times! While the kids played, the

moms enjoyed visiting and sharing some ideas

and thoughts about "kid friendly" Lenten meals.

Another day we used our "bubble wands" and had

as much fun chasing the bubbles as we did

making them.

We will spend time in April preparing for Holy

Week and Easter. We will not meet on Holy

Wednesday, April 23. Hopefully, we will see one

another at the afternoon Holy Unction service. On

Wednesday, April 30, we will meet at Cactus Park

for our annual Easter Egg Hunt!

Kali Anastasi

Presvytera Andrea

Moms N Tots

April

4-6 Regional Youth Retreat with Metropolis Youth

Director


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13 Southwest Regional Oratorical Festival hosted

at Assumption

19 Saturday of Lazarus Pancake Breakfast & Palm

Making/Confession

25 Holy Friday Retreat/Confession

27 Pascha & AGAPE Vesper Service at 4PM

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Saint Sophia Summer Camp 2008

Another Great Season Coming Your Way!

Session I

July 27th-August 2nd

Session II

August 2nd-August 9th

Camp will again will be located at beautiful

Camp Seely.

Registration will open May 5th, 2008 at

www.SaintSophiaCamp.org

For further information please visit our website

www.saintsophiacamp.org

or

contact Vicki Kades St. Sophia Camp,

Administrative Assistant

www.saintsophiacamp.org

[email protected]

310.869.4499

**PLEASE NOTE NEW CAMP EMAIL**

[email protected]

ROC Ministry Report- Yesterday and Tomorrow

YESTERDAY, we visited our boys at Adobe Mountain Juvenile Prison. The Assumption m


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inistry,

ROC (Rest On Christ), is scheduled for a visit on the third Saturday of each month. Yes, Adobe is a

real prison. The boys ages range from 12-18. All are there because they have broken the law--some

more seriously than others. While at Adobe, they attend school and various activities. They live a very

structured life.

Each boy has a sad or tragic story. However, they are given the chance to straighten out their lives

while at Adobe. If not, at age 18, they will not go home. They will be sent to an adult prison.

Our Lord is The True Light and Hope for all of us. In Matthew 25:34-35, He commands us to feed the

hungry, visit the sick, clothe the naked, AND TO COME UNTO THOSE IN PRISON. Jesus went on to

say that when we follow this commandment, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one ofthe least of

these my brethren, ye have done it unto Me.

It is our hope and prayer to be used by God to show our boys the Light and Loveof Christ. It is so

evident that they are hungry for the love of God and fellow humans. We are trulyblessed to have

become friends with our Adobe boys. They are precious to us. So often, we arrive

at Adobe keenly

aware of our unworthiness to help them. Yet, by Gods grace and the work of the Holy Spirit, one or

two boys always opens up to us. We are blessed to witness a beginning of a changeof attitude. And,

with His Amazing Grace, we end our visit, leaving with joy and a glow in our hearts. After all, we and

they are seeking a much better TOMORROW.

Rennie Nicholson

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An area containing 92 adult size spaces is set aside, that has a tree located inthe eastern part of the block.

Paradise Memorial Gardens will give a 10% discount on the current price of the spaces to members of the

Greek Orthodox Church. The current price is $2,500 per space. Less the 10% discount, the price would be

$2,250 per space. Additional fees are $325 endowment care and $75 recording fee.This brings the total price

(with discount) to $2,650 per space. Each of these spaces can be used for companion burial (2 caskets in one

space). Paradise Memorial Gardens will freeze the price of the spaces until January 1, 2009, after which the

10% discount will be applied to the then current price. Paradise Memorial Gardens can be contacted at (480)

860-2300. For more information, call Chris Evangelides.

Section for Greek Orthodox Church Members set aside at

Paradise Memorial Gardens

The Orthodox Oasis, April, 2008

Assumption Greek Orthodox Church marker for

the souls of the Orthodox reposing at Paradise

Memorial Gardens in Scottsdale.

Akathist Hymn to the Theotokos

You are invited to pray for the children of

Assumption the Akathist Hymn to the

Theotokos, Nurturer of Children.

This

prayer booklet is available at Assumptions

bookstore.

If interested in praying this

Akathist Hymn, please come on Thursday

evenings, from 6-7PM at the church. On

Holy Thursday, April 24, we will not meet.

For more information on The Akathist

Prayer Ministry for Assumption children,


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contact Angelina Radjenovich or Fran

Gallo.

Steve Acheson Mission Trip to Romania

Steve Acheson with OCMC staffer Claudia.

Photo taken Cibiu, Romania

This April 5th, 2008 please join us for a Benefit Lenten Dinner to be held at

Macayo

s Mexican Restaurant to benefit Project Mexico and the St. Innocent

Orphanage, a boys

orphanage in Rosarito (Baja California, Mexico)

We are most honored to have

His Grace, the Right Reverend BENJAMIN

in presence to bless this charitable event.

April 5th, 2008

begins at 7 pm

Macayo s Mexican Kitchen

12637 S. 48th Street, Phoenix

$35.00 per person

For more information contact:

Rom & Raquel 480-704-0238

email: [email protected]

Benefit Lenten Dinner

Page 12

Reception for Sunday of Orthodoxy Vesper

Service

Philoptochos hosted the reception following

the Sunday of Orthodoxy Vesper Service at

Assumption on March 16. It was a well-

attended service with many visitors from the

other Orthodox churches in the Valley.

Thank you to all who prepared Lenten dishes

and also to those who assisted with the set up


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and clean up.

Pascha Plant Sale

Our Pascha Plant Sale is planned for March

23-April 13, 2008.

Remember beloved

family and friends; beautify the Church with

plants this Pascha. To order plants, please

use the order form in this issue of the Oasis.

Tsourekia/Koulouria Sale

Once again, Philoptochos is planning our

annual Tsourekia and Koulouria Sale,

scheduled for Palm Sunday, April 20,

following Divine Liturgy.

Please contact

Helen Serelis to let her know that you will

be baking Tsourekia and/or Koulouria.

General Membership Meeting

The next scheduled Philoptochos meeting

will be on Wednesday, May 14, 2008 at

6:30PM in the Community Center. As has

been the custom in the past, we will have our

potluck supper before we break for the

summer months. Please bring your favorite

dish.

Art Auction

Art Auction is being planned for Saturday,

May 10. For the details, please see our ad in

this issue of the OASIS.

Coffee Hour

Philoptochos is looking for Coffee Hour


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hosts for June, July and August.

If you

would like to volunteer for an upcoming

Sunday please call Sotera Catsadimas to

check for available dates. You may choose

any Sunday that works for you and you may

co-host with one or two other persons.

Coffee

Hour

responsibilities

include:

Arranging coffee and juice cups along with

napkins, plates and forks (all items are

located in the kitchen on shelves), bringing

in simple food items like cookies, cake, and

donuts as well as juice for the children,

leaving coffee pots to cool down after use. It

is not necessary for you to make the coffee in

the morning, as it is done by volunteer

George Genetos every Sunday, but please

plug in the coffee pot(s) when you drop off

your food items so that it will be ready after

church. You need to arrange your food items

on the tables provided in time to

accommodate people as soon as they come

out of church.

IT IS VERY IMPORTANT

THAT

THE

HOSTS


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CLEAN

UP

EVERYTHING AFTER COFFEE HOUR

(remove all unused food, clean any dishes

used, and place trash and garbage in the

proper containers).

Coffee Hour hosts for the following

upcoming dates are:

APRIL

04-06-08 Nia & Mike Ristagno

04-13-08 Loukoumathes Sale

04-20-08 Palm Sunday Luncheon

04-27-08 Pascha! Vesperal Liturgy at 4PM

MAY

05-04-08 Society of Wisdom

05-11-08 Mothers Day/Parish Council

05-18-08 Kelly Pateras & Joyce Pateras

05-25-08 Helen Noplos

***Reminder: Please continue bringing non-

perishable food items (canned food, macaroni

& cheese, cereal, etc.) to be collected at

every Philoptochos meeting for Vista Del

Camino.

PHILOPTOCHOS NEWS

Visit Philoptochos Web Page @

www.assumptionaz.org/philo.htm

12

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The bookstore is open Sundays after


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Liturgy until 11:45 AM and Tuesdays 9:30

AM to 1:30 PM. For information, and to

request special orders, please contact

Diana Ozee. We have 14-karat and

sterling silver crosses, birthday and

nameday cards, CDs, and many other

items, in addition to a wide selection of

books for adults and children. Now is the

time to get your red egg dye packets and

Holy Week books, too!

ASSUMPTION

BOOKSTORE

Baptisms

Michael Amity was baptized on January

26, 2008. His godparent is Christine

Babey.

Anastasios Contes was baptized on

January 19, 2008. His godparents are

Nicholas Moore and Cassandra Quinn.

Amelia Piyis was baptized on January 26,

2008. Her godparents are Philipis and

Katerina Grammenos.

[email protected]

Often, people hold a vision of senior citizens

sitting in rocking chairs watching the world go

by.

Perhaps they have never met the

Assumption Society of Wisdom seniors! These

seniors are busy playing card games,

backgammon, bingo, and going on a variety of


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outings.

The first week of March, there were two

events. On Wednesday, March 5, eight ladies

went to the Ritz Carlton for high tea. The

atmosphere was very elegant, and the food

was delicious. The second excursion was on

Friday, March 7, to Fort McDowell Casino.

Those who went were treated to a great lunch,

and everyone had a wonderful time.

These seniors believe watching the world isnt

near as much fun as being a part of an activity

with their brothers and sisters in Christ! The

Society of Wisdom meets Friday mornings at

the Assumption Community Center. Please

stop by at 10AM to enjoy some food, fellowship,

and fun. On Holy Friday, April 25, there will be

no meeting in observance of our Lords

sufferings.

Patricia Christopoulos & Effie Garcia

Society of Wisdom Fieldtrip

Lenten Studies Classes for Inquirers

The April Lenten Studies classes are on

Wednesday, the 9th & 16th. The classes are

at 7PM here at Assumption. There is no fee

or registration required.

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