September 08 Kandili Article
A MESSAGE FROM FATHER LOU
The New Church Year 2008-2009
Our New Ecclesiastical year, September 1, is upon us. In the midst of the beauty of nature at this time of year, as our children are again beginning school we have yet another opportunity for “renewing” our relationship with our loving Lord.Have a beautiful and blessed New Ecclesiastical Year!
Our fall schedule begins on Sunday, September 7. We will again this year provide Religious Education for our Youth on Sunday from 9-9:50 am, and Wednesday evenings from 6-7:30 pm. A detailed list is below. NOTE: This Fall we will offer Middle School and High School Church School on Sunday mornings only.
Remember children 3 years old-5th grade may attend EITHER Sunday mornings or Wednesday evenings. We are asking for a Church School registration fee of $15 to purchase manuals and supplies.
SUNDAY SCHEDULE BEGINNING SEPTEMBER 7
8:00 am – Orthros 9:00 am – Church School for children 9:15 am – Adult discussion in the Sanctuary 9:50 am – Doxology 10:00 am – Divine Liturgy followed by coffee hourSUNDAY CHILDREN CLASSES
Preschool – 2nd Grade: Teachers needed 3rd – 5th grade teachers: Alexis Howell & Christy Howell Middle School teachers: Pam Weinroth High School teachers: John and Suzanne MagerkoSUNDAY ADULT DISCUSSION
9:15 – 9:50 am in the Sanctuary (led by Clergy) Theme: “Considering Christ”WEDNESDAY FELLOWSHIP NIGHTS SCHEDULE
4:45-5:30 pm: Chapel Supplication Service 5:45-8:45pm: Nursery & free child care 5:30-6:00 pm: Dinner ($3 children, $5 adults) 6:00-7:30 pm: Faith and Spiritual Development, Church School ages 3 years old -5th grade and Adult Religious Ed 7:30-9:00 pm: Various Ministry MeetingsCHILDREN CLASSES WEDNESDAY
(Catechesis of the Good Shepherd methodology)
Preschool (potty-trained) – Kindergarten Teachers: Amy Holder & Dianna Pfefferle
1st – 2nd Grade Teachers: Niki Price
Bible Study: Letters of Saint Paul (Romans & I Corinthians) – Fr. Lou Christopulos
Intro to Orthodoxy – Fr. Dino Sinos
6:00 – 7:30 pm – Junior Goya
7:30 – 9:00 pm – Senior Goya
Children must be registered prior to the start of Church School/Fellowship Nights so we can plan staffing. Please complete the included registration form and mail it or fax it to the Church, attn Alina Buzdugan.
Adults, please register prior to the start of Fellowship Nights by signing up on the sheets provided at Sunday Coffee Hour or by calling Alina Buzdugan at (303)-773-3411 ext. 100. A Holy Water Blessing, Fall Religious Education and Youth Program Orientation will occur on Sunday, September 7, at 9:00 am in the Fellowship Hall. Adults, parents and children please plan to attend and meet teachers, youth advisors and Ministry Leaders.MINISTRY TEAM LEADERS
-Administrative: Peter Koclanes, Parish Council President
-Philoptochos: Barbara Latsonas, President
-Pastoral Care: Fr. Dino, Ministry Leader
-Youth Ministry: Father Dino, Ministry Leader
-Religious Education: Suzanne Magerko, Sunday Coordinator;
-Niki Price, Wednesday Coordinator
-Worship and Sacramental Life: Sr. Choir Director, Jenee Pappas; Acolyte Leader, Kirk Skogen; Chanters, Michael Pappas & Joan Moniot
Youth Sunday and GOYA: The first Sunday of each month is YOUTH SUNDAY (beginning September 7). We will ask our GOYAns on a scheduled basis to help usher, pass the trays, read the Epistle Reading in addition to our regular acolyte duties. That Sunday there is no Church School for Jr. and Sr. GOYA, (Middle and High School). ALL GOYAns are asked to attend Church. The homily will be geared toward the youth. The GOYAns will meet that evening for their monthly Fireside Chat. Religious Education will continue the following two Sundays. The fourth Sunday of the month, the GOYAns will have an outreach project instead of Church School. A retreat in the fall is scheduled under the general theme “Considering Christ.” The effort here is to more closely link our GOYA and Religious Education program for the sake of our youth.
Financial Freedom Committee: On the next page, Parish Council President Peter Koclanes and Financial Freedom Chair, Lee Payne, give updates on our upcoming debt reduction campaign. Our goal is to reduce the present debt from $ 4.4 million to a more manageable number of some $2.4 million over the next few years. Read these reports carefully as we, the Parish of Saint Catherine prepare to deal with this issue. Please note that almost $80, 000 has been paid this year to decrease the debt. This is in addition to our monthly principal payment.
Beginning on Saturday, September 6th, we will begin weekly Saturday evening Vespers at 5 pm. Parishioners now have the option of scheduling memorial services for loved ones either at the end of this service or on Sundays. Please contact our Church office to schedule memorial services or if you have any questions.
Once again have a blessed New Church Year, through the prayers of the Virgin Mary, Theotokos and Saint Catherine.
With our Lord’s blessings, Fr Lou