The Ascension of Our Lord Jesus Christ
On the 39th day after Pascha we celebrate the Leavetaking of the Feast of Feasts, commemorating the last day of the risen Christ’s earthly soujourn. The following day is celebrated as His Leavetaking, His Glorious Ascension into Heaven, on the 40th day after Pascha. As Holy Scripture tells us, ‘after Jesus had spoken with His disciples on the Mount of Olives concerning the coming of the Holy Spirit, as they were looking on. He was lifted up, and a cloud took Him out of their sight. And while they were gazing into heaven as He went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, and said, ‘Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, Who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw Him go into heaven.’ Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a sabbath’s day journey away” (Acts 1: 9-12).
The Lord Ascended to Heaven not to sadden us with His departure, but in order to do what was best for us. “It is to your advantage that I go away, He had told His disci-ples. For if I do not go away, the Comforter, will not come to you” (John 16:7). “I will pray to the Father, and He will give you another Comforter, to be with you for ever, even the Spirit of truth…The Comforter, the Holy Spirit, Whom the Father will send in My Name. He will teach you all things” (John 14:16,26). The Savior saw that His mis-sion on earth was accomplished. The goal of His Incarnation was to proclaim the Di-vine Truth to the world, to direct men onto the path of repentance and salvation, and deliver us from Eternal Death. The Lord accomplished our salvation and man acquires it through the action of the Holy Spirit.
The Lord knew the trials and tribulations that would be endured by His disciples, mocking, scourging, imprisonment, and even death. And thus the Lord ascended to His Heavenly Father that the Spirit might descend from the Father as the Comforter, and fortify His Friends. The Lord ascended to Heaven in order to prepare for us too, the path to the Heavenly Mansions, to open the Gates of Paradise, and Himself to be our Guide. Heaven that had been closed to men before the Resurrection now at the Ascension was opened by Christ the Savior. None of the righteous men of the Old Tes-tament, the Patriarchs, the Prophets, and the men pleasing to God, could enter Heaven. “No one has ascended into heaven but He Who descended from Heaven, the Son of man” (John 3:13), the Lord had said.
Our first parent, Adam, closed the Gates of Paradise, and an angel with a flaming sword was placed at the gates (as commemorated on Forgiveness Sunday, the day prior to the first day of Great and Holy Lent). But the New Adam, Our Lord Jesus Christ, through His Ascension, opened the way to Life and Heaven itself. He was followed by the souls of the holy Fathers, Prophets, and hosts of righteous people of the Old Testament. All worthy Christians who follow in the footsteps of their Savior enter Heaven in this way today and so they will in the future.
The Lord ascended to intercede for us with His Heavenly Father. Towards the end of His earthly mission He said: “I go to prepare a place for you. And when I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to Myself, that where I am you may be also” (John 14:2-3). This same thought was also expressed by the great Preacher of Christ’s teaching, St. Paul, in the Epistle to the Hebrews: “Christ has entered, not into a sanctuary made with hands, a copy of the true one, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God on our be-half” (Heb 9:24). Theses words fill us with hope, for we now have in Heaven a great Mediator and Advocate for the world with God, Christ Our Lord.
Our Lord ascended in a cloud on high, symbolizing the rising smoke of an acceptable sacri-fice. Thus the sacrifice was accepted by God and Christ the Lamb that was slain is ushered into the preserve of God where He will be eternally offered in the Holy Eucharist. Therefore, we must be worthy of the great mercies of God, capable and ready to receive them. “All the power, all the fruit of His divine Ascension, therefore, belong to us, for when He ascended on High, He led captivity captive, and gave gifts to men” (Eph 4:8). This is why the Church re-peatedly proclaims, “Clap your hands, all you nations, for Christ ascended up to the place where He was from before” (from the Vespers of the Feast).
Troparion of the Feast (Tone 4)
O Christ God, Thou hast ascended in Glory, granting joy to Thy disciples by the promise of the Holy Spirit. Through the blessing they were assured that Thou art the son of God, the Redeem-er of the world!
Kontakion of the Feast (Tone 6)
When Thou didst fulfill the dispensation for our sake, and unite earth to heaven: Thou didst ascend in glory, O Christ our God, not being parted from those who love Thee, but remaining with them and crying: I am with you and no one will be against you!
+Rev. Dr. Emanuel S. Chris, M.D., D. Div.
2017 PLEDGE PROGRAM REPORT
We have to date 289 parishioners with a pledge of $155,027.00 as of April 30.
The Actual Amount Received as of April 30, is $119,111.98
Since our last newsletter, the following pledges have been received for 2017: Chrisoula Arsoniadis, Dr. & Mrs. Peter Barth, Christine Chifotides, M/M George Cicma, Priscilla Delis, Nicholas DiMaio & Julie Ly, M/M Spiros Fotopoulos, Argiri Ghionis, M/M Gerasimos Liberatos, M/M George Grammas, M/M Brian Leroux, M/M Christo Pakuris, Theodore Panagiotis, Evridiki Papaioannou, M/M Anthony Piscopio, M/M David Rawlinson, Dr. & Mrs. Savvas Rougas, M/M Nikolaos Sifakis, M/M Ray-mond Sinapi, Christopher Topouzis, Christos Vasiliadis, M/M Frank Vasiliadis, Carole Xanthakis, M/M Christos Xenophontos
Remember the wise words of the Scriptures
As it is written, “He scatters abroad, he gives to the poor; his righteousness endures for ever.” He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your resources and increase the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way for great generosity, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God; for the rendering of this service not only supplies the wants of the saints but also overflows in many thanksgivings to God. (2 Corinthians 9: 8-12)
Corporate Pledge
The Annunciation Church would like to say Thank you to George Coclin, of Coclin Associates for their yearly pledge.
Liturgical Donation
Estelle & Wilfred Demars recently donated 2 Liturgical Book Covers in memory of her sister Harriet Butler.
CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PHASE 2
Our fund-raising effort continues and we have received to date a total of $160,892.00 in pledges. This is an increase of $21,150.00 since our last month’s edition of the Annunciator. A total of $107,017.00 has been paid and deposited.
Since last month the following parishioners have submitted a pledge: Arthur & Dorothea Kazianis, Christo & Sophie Pakuris, Dr. & Mrs. Savvas Rougas, Golfo Tzilos and Frank, Angela & Christos Vasiliadis. Thank you all for your generous pledges.
If you have not yet submitted your 2 year pledge, please do so. We have a lot of work to complete in the coming months.
Submitted by James Silva
Dr. Mary Despina Lekas Endowment Fund News
Financial Report for the period ending 4/30/17
Endowment Fund Portfolio: $825,493.16
Endowment Fund Checking Account: $6,213.20
A donation has been made to the Endowment Fund by: Mary Samaras In memory of Bessie Tsiaras
A donation has been made to the Endowment Fund by: M/M Michael Haralambides In memory of Angela Promades
A donation has been made to the Endowment Fund by: M/M Michael Haralambides In memory of Maryanna Floskis
A donation has been made to the Endowment Fund by: M/M Emmanuel Mihailides In memory of Eleftheria Perdikakis
A donation has been made to the Endowment Fund by: M/M John Vanikiotis, Sue Cimino, James Cimino & Antonia Vanikiotis In memory of Charles Gionis
A donation has been made to the Endowment Fund by: Armenian Relief Society, Aurora Civic Association, Antranig Avakian, M/M Peter Babigian, Dr. & Mrs. Peter Baziotis, Sue Cimino, M/M Thomas Coyne, Dr. & Mrs. Cosmo Haralambidis & Family, M/M Michael Haralambides, Demetrios Haseotes, M/M Michael Haveles, Ann Heberg, M/M Harry Joannidi, Julie Karahalios, M/M Anthony Mardo, M/M Frank Masiello, Stephen & Dorothy Masoian, M/M John Massenzio, M/M Robert Messerlian, M/M Emmanuel Mihailides, M/M George Mihai-lides, M/M George Moorachian, Beverly Mourachian, M/M Leon Nahigian, M/M Har-ry Nicolopoulos, M/M Michael Papigiotis, M/M Kevin Phelan, Philoptochos Society, Ralph & Barbara Petrarca, M/M Polydoros Petrou, Dorothy Pliakas, M/M Constan-tine Rougas, M/M Peter Vassilopoulos, Carole Xanthakis, S . & J. Zaroogian, In memory of Gregory Demetrakas
“THE ENDOWMENT FUND—OUR LIFELINE TO FINANCIAL SECURITY FOR OUR PARISH!”
Recent Deaths
Gregory G. Demetrakas age 84, of Cranston, RI passed away on 4/9/17, his funeral was held on 4/19/17. Former parishioners: Dr. Dorothy Erinakes, age 97 of San Luis Obispo, CA passed on 3/20/17 with funeral in CA and burial here in RI set for May 20, Marcia Margolis of New London, CT on 2/21/17. Also: the brother of our parishioner Lefki Stephanopoulos in Greece, Fotis Vavoulis, the brother of our office bookkeeper Elaine Andrade passed away Raymond Brien age 66, of Norwalk, CT, on 4/11/17, his funeral was held on 4/22/17, the sister of His Eminence Metropolitan Methodios, Fotini Tournas of Chestnut Hill, MA on 4/12/17 with funeral on 4/18/17 and the father of our parishioner Barbara Goldis, William Grimshaw at age 103 passed on 4/12/17 with wake and funeral on 4/22/17.
The Financial Corner
We can now compare the actual revenues and expenses for the 1st Quarter of 2017 (January thru April), with the 1st quarter last year. This comparison will allow us to see how we are doing in relation to last year. As you can see on the revenue side we are $8,222.23 ahead of last year.
INCOME 2017 2016
Stewardship $118,491.98 $107,222.74
Total Envelopes $ 4,330.00 $ 3,475.00
Total Collections $ 13,669.00 $ 13,263.00
Special Function Income $ 6,360.00 $ 5,927.00
Special Contributions $ 8,328.84 $ 10,487.31
Sundry Receipts $ 3,528.47 $ 2,601.90
Parish Center Income $ 9,560.89 $ 12,710.00
Total Revenues $164,269.18 $156,046.95
On the expense side you can see below that expenses were very similar for both 2017 and 2016 during the 1st quarter.
EXPENSES 2017 2016
Pastoral Expenses (two priest). $ 38,788.68 $ 38,269.95
Administrative Expenses $ 24,075.99 $ 23,925.86
Building & Grounds $ 14,309.56 $ 13,337.77
Miscellaneous Expenses $ 15,087.37 $ 16,393.91
Social Function Expenses $ 4,105.76 $ 3,203.62
World Mission Ministries $ 14,450.00 $ 13,324.89
Music & Worship Ministry $ 5,651.02 $ 8,150.10
Education Ministry $ 10,019.10 $ 9,644.25
Utilities $ 11,322.97 $ 10,811.61
Parish Center $ 592.00 $ 2,017.98
Youth Ministry $ 3,575.05 $ 1,489.59
Hall Rental $ 290.75 $ 231.30
Total Expenses $ 142,268.25 $ 140,800.83
If anyone has any specific questions they can submit those questions to my attention at the church office.
Cordially Submitted by—James Silva
Spring Bible Study Series “Tongues of Fire—The Gift of the Counselor”
A 3 week study will focus on Bible passages concerning Pentecost—Thursday, May 25, June 1 and June 8, from 7:30-9PM.The series will be conducted by our parishioner, Holy Cross Graduate, Emile Sarkis.
Metropolis Award
The parish council has selected Eleni Trikoulis to be this years recipient from our parish of the Metropolis of Boston Award for service to the local parish in recognition of her dedicated service as an assisting teacher in our Greek language school and her long time volunteering in so many areas of parish life, over the years. The Awards Banquet will be held on Sunday June 11th at Lombardo’s in Randolph, MA and is open to the public. Reception at 5:30PM and dinner at 6:30PM. Donation is $75.00 payable to the “Annunciation Church”, memo line “Metropolis Awards Dinner.” Submit your check to the parish office before June 1st to reserve your seat.
Recent IOCC Fund Raiser
Thank you to one and all who supported the April 22 special fund raising dinner buffet for the benefit of International Orthodox Christian Charities. The 2 guest speakers were most inspiring concerning the philanthropic accomplishments of this important ministry in the name of Christ through Orthodoxy and the food was delicious. To date the funds collected have totaled at $2,880.00
This Year’s Graduates—in Next Annunciator
Please submit the names of parishioner graduates from high school, college, university, vocational schools and graduate degree programs to the parish office by May 20 so that we may list them in the June issue of the Annunciator, sharing in the joy and success of each household with a graduate. Be sure to state name of school, degree received and future plans. These can be e-mailed to the parish office at <office @annunciationri.org> or sent in by regular mail “Attention Newsletter”. Mark your calendar as well for our annual Graduates Sunday Coffee Hour set for Sunday June 18, 2017.
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SAVE THE DATE—Golf Tournament
Our golf tournament this year will be held on Sunday August 27 at the Metacomet Country Club in East Providence.
Donations for Holy Week in Memory of:
Josie Aliferakis in Memory of husband, William Aliferakis. M/M Wilfred Demars in Memory of parents, Ernest & Catherine Panagiotopoulos, Harriet Butler & Mark Davis. Anna Demetrakas in Memory of husband, Gregory Demetrakas. Sylvia Ghionis in Memory of husband, Peter Ghionis. James & Susanna Manis in Memory of George & Helen Manis, Elias Bassakyros & Trigona Liakos Zoe Mitrelis in Memory of husband, Solon Mitrelis. In Memory of Stella & Bill Pappas, from their grandchildren. Thomai Petropoulos in Memory of husband, Arthur Petropoulos. Vikki Poulos in Memory of parents William & Bessie Poulos, godparent’s M/M Spiro Margolis. George Stamatakos & M/M James Poulos. Diana Psilopoulos in Memory of husband, Dennis Harry. Jim & Kate Silva in Memory of M/M Manuel Silva & M/M Andrew Tsomi. Theodore Vaphiades in Memory of Basil Vaphiades.
Holy Week Liturgical Donations also made by, Haralambos Dafoulas, Jean Daras, Fr. Andrew G. George, M/M Arthur Kazianis, Dr. & Mrs. James Pascalides, M/M Dennis Sampalis, M/M Dean Vose, James Vose.
Ahepa Scholarship
The Sophocles Chapter 106 Scholarship is for a child or grandchild of an Ahepa mem-ber in good standing, with at least 1 semester of college. To fill out an application please call: Lakis Andriotis @401-451-1046 or Arthur Pappas @ 401-595-5881
Hellenic Woman’s Club, Inc.
The Hellenic Woman’s Club is pleased to announce a scholarship program for deserving young women who have demonstrated community service, leadership and academic achievement. Each Award will be $5000.00
For more information, including application materials please visit the website www.hellenicwomensclub.org
Deadline for 2017-2018 academic year is June 15, 2017.
2017-2018 John C. Kulis Charitable Foundation Scholarship Programs
The (“Kulis Foundation”),is excited to announce the availability of scholarships for the 2017-2018 academic year. Last year the Kulis Foundation provided over $400,000 in scholarship funds to students. The Kulis Foundation is a 501© (3) non-profit foundation organized, in part, to support educational scholarships for members of the Eastern Orthodox faith and the Hellenic community. Please visit our website. www.kulisfoundation.org, to view the eligibility require-ments of our scholarship programs and to download the application.
Epitafios Donations
Josephine Aliferakis, Elaine Allendorf, M/M Dionysius Argeris, M/M Dimitrios Arsenis, Chrisou-la Arsoniades, M/M Savvas Arsoniadis, Dr. & Mrs. Peter Barth, Theodora Bovis-Koch & Thom-as Bovis (in memory Hercules & Mary Bovis), M/M Michael Campopiano (in memory of Pres. Maria George), Rebecca Cardillo, Sue Cimino, Demetra Coclin, M/M Thomas Coyne, M/M Con-stantinos Dafoulas, Haralambos Dafoulas, M/M Gaby Daiaa, M/M James Demetriou, M/M Douglas DeRhodes, Nicholas DiMaio & Julie Ly, M/M Robert Ferland, M/M George Filip-pou, M/M Hercules Fircanis, M/M Thomas Frank, M/M Antonis Gavrielides (in memory of Charalambos Gavrielides), Constance Georgeadys, Argiri Ghionis, M/M Constantine Grammas, M/M George C. Grammas, Helen Hamilton, M/M David Hansen, M/M Nicholas Hantzakos, M/M Elias Haralambides, M/M Michael Haralambides, M/M Vasilios Harritos, M/M John Hat-jopoulos, Christopher Heberg, M/M Nicholas Janikies, Julie Karahalios, M/M Arthur Kazianis, M/M Vasilios Kotsiris, James Kripotos, Angelo Lazarides, M/M William Lehourites, Catherine Louth, Jason Maintanis, M/M Vasilios Malatos, Cecilia Maliangos, Dr. & Mrs. James Manis, Peter Manis, Elizabeth Marses, Marianthi Mastriano, M/M Emmanuel Mihailides, M/M George Mihailides, M/M George Mihailides, Jr. (in memory of Angela Promades), Jean Mihelakos, M/M Andrew Mitrelis, M/M Theodore Moran, Anne Morrell, Dr. & Mrs. Kenneth Morrissey, M/M Harry Nicolopoulos, Theodore Nicolopoulos, M/M Ernest Pappas, M/M James Pappas, M/M John Paraskevakos, M/M Constantine Perdikakis, Mary Pereira, M/M Pol-ydoros Petrou, M/M Kevin Phelan, Sheila Pliakas, M/M George Promades, Angela Provost, Sr. Helen Provost, M/M Gus Proyous, John Quinn, Dena Reall, M/M Nickiforos Revis, James Rosa-ki, M/M Steven Rothemich, M/M Nicholas Sarkis, Christopher Sheehan, M/M James Silva, M/M Peter Simone (in memory of Anthony, Helen & George Psilopoulos) M/M Michael Sotirakos, M/M Leon Stamatakos (in memory of George & Ifegenia Stamatakos), M/M Panag-iotis Stasinopoulo (in memory of Georgia Woods), Elle Strekouras, Ethel Strekouras, Virginia Strekouras, M/M Edward Tarbox, M/M Georgios Theodosiou, M/M Stylianos Triantafyllou, M/M Angelos Trombettas, Dr. & Mrs. William Tsiaras, M/M Hrisostomos Tsioplakis, M/M Aris-totelis Tsonis, Sophia Tzanetos, Dr. Golfo Tzilos, Antonia Vanikiotis (in memory of George Vanikiotis), M/M Frank Vasiliadis, Carole Xanthakis, Katherine Xiarhos, Zambeta Xiarhos, M/M Charles Xynellis, Leon Zachos, Maria Zaharakos, M/M Nondas Zarokostas. Total of $4467.00
“We sincerely Thank You for your Continued Support—God Bless”
“When You, descended to death, O Immortal Life, then did you slay Hades through the dazzling brightness of Your Godhead; and when You did raise up the dead from the Abyss, all the powers of Heaven cried aloud: Christ our God, Giver of Life, glory to Thee.”
“The Angel stood by the tomb and cried to the Myrrh-bearing women: Myrrh is fitting for the dead, but Christ has shown Himself free from corruption.“
Easter Offerings
Josephine Aliferakis, M/M Christodoulos Andriotis, Dr. & Mrs. James Andriotis, M/M Dio-nysius Argeris, M/M Dimitrios Arsenis, Chrisoula Arsoniadis, M/M Peter Baziotis, Nicholas Bouris, Rebecca Cardillo, Dr. & Mrs. Stephen Carr, Sue Cimino, Andrew Coclin, M/M Thomas Coyne, M/M Constantinos Dafoulas, M/M Gaby Daiaa, M/M James Demetri-ou, M/M James Degaitas, Viola Degaitas, M/M Wilfred Demars, M/M Douglas DeRhodes, M/M Robert Devlin, Drs. Nicholas & Sadie Elisseou, Susan Erinakes, M/M Thomas Frank, Constance Georgeadys, Argiri Ghionis, Panayota Gionis, M/M Constantine Grammas, M/M George C. Grammas, M/M Nicholas Hantzakos, M/M Elias Haralambides & Family, M/M Michael Haralambides, M/M Hatjopoulos, M/M Nicholas Janikies, Julie Karahalios, Zoe Kazianis, M/M Vasilios Kotsiris, James Kripotos, M/M Spiro Kyriakakis, Niki Kyrou, Angelo Lazarides, M/M William Lehourites, Peter Manis, M/M Kyriakos Marantidis, M/M Theofanis Markos, Elizabeth Marses, Marianthi Mastriano, M/M Emmanuel Mihai-lides, M/M Andrew Mitrelis, Cynthia Muccino, M/M Harry Nicolopoulos, Theodore Nicolopoulos, M/M Christo Pakuris, M/M Ernest Pappas, M/M James Pappas, Mary Pereira, M/M Demetrios Petrou, M/M Polydoros Petrou, M/M Kevin Phelan, Angela Provost, John Quinn, Mary Quinn, M/M Stamatios Revis, M/M Steven Rothemich, Panayiota Saviou, M/M Richard Scott, Christopher Sheehan, Elle Strekouras, Ethel Strekouras, Virginia Strekouras, Evanthia Theodoridis, M/M Stylianos Triantafyllou, M/M George Trikoulis, M/M Angelos Trombettas (in memory of Presv. Maria George, Anthony & Eleni Voul-garakis) M/M George Tsimikas, M/M Hrisostomos Tsioplakis, M/M Aristotelis, Tsonis, So-phia Tzanetos, Antonia Vanikiotis, M/M John Vanikiotis, M/M Theodore Vaphiades, M/M Frank Vasiliadis, Dr. & Mrs. Michael Vezeridis, Katherine Xiarhos, Maria Zaharakos, M/M Frank Zavota, Drs. John & Eleni Pappas-Zervos. “We Thank You for Your Generosity” Total of $3,535.00
“Let us in the deep dawn arise, and instead of myrrh, offer a hymn to the Master, and we shall see Christ, the Sun of Righteousness, who causes life to dawn for all.”
“You did descend, O Christ, into the nethermost parts of the earth and did shat-ter the bars, which held fast those who were fettered; and on the third day, like Jonah from the whale, You did rise from the tomb.”
Special Sponsorships in the Annunciator
Over the years we have had requests from families to have a Memorial page in the Annunciator for a deceased loved one or in honor of a special occurrence of a family member. Please call the office (401-942-4188) for the month you would like to request. We will help you design the page.
Back in April
On the April 1st weekend, our teen youth held their annual Lenten Lock-In which in-cluded an outing to “5Wits” up at Patriot’s Place for some fun fellowship. Their dis-cussion session focused on the theme of “God & You: An Individuals Relationship with God.” Then on April 22 a number of our teens attended a dance hosted by St Catherine’s Parish Braintree, MA which had some 150 teens in attendance from vari-ous parishes.
Coming Up Ahead
Preparing for Mother’s Day Fri May 12 from 5-9PM
We will have dinner together at the church center and also prepare our gift to be given to our Mothers in Church for Mother’s Day—Sun May 14.
Goya Youth Sunday—May 14
Our teens will serve on “narthex duty” this day and handle the various duties of the of-fering tray and etc.
Colt State Park Outing
This summer on Saturday June 10th, we will be gathering together at Colt State Park in Bristol RI for a day of food, fun, and family. The rain date for the Colt State Park outing will be Sunday June 11th. More details to follow.
Summer Swimming Party
A pool party at the Mihailides home in Seekonk is being planned for July. More details to follow.
Baby Sitters Available
If any family is in need of babysitters we have several Goyans who are able to help during the week and weekend. (Other teens who may not have already expressed interest to be part of this baby sitting pool should sign up with CJ.) Families desiring to use parishioners as baby sitters should contact CJ Mitrelis at (401) 632-8752 to receive this listing of contacts.
District Oratorical Held
Congratulations to our Goyans who participated in the District Oratorical at Saint. Spyridon’s in New-port. All 4 of our parishioner orators (Jr Division) Katherine Mitrelis, Nathaniel Nichols and (Sr Divi-sion) Alexandra Nichols and Eleni Mihailides, will all be moving on to the next round of the Oratorical at the Metropolis Center in Brookline on Sat, May 13.
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End of the Year School Programs
Sunday Church School—Sunday May 28 / Greek Language School—Sunday June 11
Vacation Church School Program (VCS)
Mon July 31st week—Watch for details soon!
PHILOPTOCHOS ANNUNCIATOR – APRIL /MAY 2017
CHRISTOS ANESTI!!! The Easter preparations are behind us now and we thank all the women who in any way contributed to the many activities and responsibili-ties associated with this time of year……Easter Visitations, Easter Gifts, Prepara-tions for the Red Eggs, decorating the Epitafios, and the Luncheon for our Senior Citizens. Many women helped with these events and we thank you for your time. It has been a very busy Paschal Season and we now turn our focus on our other activities.
PHILOPTOCHOS ELECTIONS: Our Election Meeting is scheduled for Monday, May 15th at 7:00 p.m. Please be sure to be up-to-date with your membership and come to this important meeting. If you have any questions regarding your membership, please call Mary Samaras 781-5528. Only those members who have paid their stewardship for this year (and prior years) will be eligible to vote.
END OF THE YEAR EVENT: Our Philoptochos under the direction of Marianne Phelan, are planning a “SUMMER CLAMBAKE” for our members and guests sometime in June. The Clambake will be on a Saturday evening and cooked on site in the New England tradition. The menu although it is still being determined will include 1.25lb Lobsters, Steak Tips and or BBQ Chicken, Claim Chowder, Baked Beans and more. After dinner we will have music for your dancing pleasure. This will be an event that you won’t want to miss. A flyer will be going out soon with the date and more details.
BOOK SIGNING AND LECTURE: Author Anita Baglaneas Devlin, a former native of Pawtucket and daughter of the late Rev. Theodore Baglaneas who was pastor of the Assumption Greek Orthodox Church for many years, has come back to Rhode Island to speak on her novel S.O.B.E.R. which tells about her struggles as a mother of a son addicted to opiate pills and her-oin, grappling with the stigma of her son’s addiction, fearing for his life and struggling to un-derstand the disease and her son’s suffering. Please come and listen to her compelling story on Wednesday evening, May 10th at 7:00 p.m. at the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church in Cranston. Coffee will be served and there will be a book signing. Admission is free. Bring your relatives, friends and children.
BAZAAR: Over the summer months we will all be working on our upcoming Greek Food Fair and Christmas Bazaar on Saturday, November 11th and Sunday, November 12th. If you have any hidden talents we would love to hear from you. Please call President, Georgia Pappas at 529-6826 with your ideas. We need new faces and new ideas!!!!!!
DONATIONS: National Philoptochos IOCC, $150; St. John Chrysostom Oratorical Festival, $100; Philoxenia House, $1000;; National Philoptochos Hellenic College Holy Cross, Lenten Obligation from sale of Easter Breads, $400; Hellenic Women’s Under the Tent Luncheon, $100; National Philoptochos 2017 Children’s Medical Luncheon Album, $500; McAuley Cor-poration, $100.
We wish for all a happy, safe, restful summer and look forward to beginning our new year in September. With Sisterly Love,
GEORGIA J. PAPPAS, PRESIDENT
KAREN DRAGER, CORRESPONDING SECRETARY
NOTIFICATION FOR REGULAR SPRING PARISH ASSEMBLY
Dear Parishioners, Christos Anesti!
We are pleased to inform you of the upcoming regular Parish Assembly. This Assembly will be held at the Mihailides Center on Sunday, June 4, 2017 after coffee hour. We urge all of our parishion-ers to attend for you will have the opportunity to hear the various matters listed below.
As always, only our parishioners, who are in ecclesiastical order, and are financially in good standing with the parish, may vote at this Assembly; your 2016 stewardship pledge must have been paid in full prior to the meeting and a stewardship pledge form for 2017 must have been submitted prior to the assembly.
The Agenda is as follows:
~Parish Assembly Agenda – Sunday June 4, 2017~
1. Opening Prayer
2. Election of Assembly Officers
3. Approval of the Minutes of the last Regular Assembly (November 20, 2016)
4. Presentation of the 2016 Financials—James Silva
– Available from May 25th by email from the office or in the Narthex
5. Auditor’s Committee Report- Maria Markos / Maha Mitrelis / Costa Dafoulas
6. Appointment of Board of Elections (for the fall)
7. Report of the Phase II Planning – Nick Tanionos
8. Unfinished Business?
9. Any New Business?
10. Closing Prayer & Adjournment
We look forward to welcoming you at the Parish Assembly on June 4, 2017.
Faithfully yours,
Kevin Phelan Elaine Otto Fr. Andrew G. George
Parish Council President Parish Council Secretary Protopresbyter
May – Mid June 2017
Divine Services (year round) Orthros (morning prayer) 8:15 am / Liturgy 9:30 am
Mon May 8– Elementary / Junior dance Troupe—6PM / Yal Meeting– 7:30PM
Wed May 10– OBSERVANCE OF MID-PENTECOST—services per usual morning hours – GUEST SPEAKER– Author Anita Baglaneas Devlin—S.O.B..E.R.—7PM
Sat May 13 – Metropolis Oratorical Festival (Brookline) – 10am
Sun May 14—5th Sun of Pascha / Samaritan Woman / Martyr Isidoros of Chios / Hieromartyr Therapon
MOTHER’S DAY’S / GOYA YOUTH SUNDAY
Mon May 15– Elementary / Junior Dance Troupe—6PM
– Philoptochos Election Meeting—7PM
Tue May 16- Parish Council Meeting—7:30PM
Thu May 18- Senior Citizens—12 Noon / Sr Dance Troupe—6:30PM
Sat May 20- Church School Outing at the Providence Zoo—10am—2PM
Sun May 21– 6th Sun of Pascha / Blind Man Sunday / Sts Constantine & Helen
MEMORIAL: Gregory G .Demetrakas—40days / Argyro Stratis—40 days
Sunday Church School “Faith Arts Celebration” in coffee hour
Mon May 22– Elementary / Junior Dance Troupe—6PM Dance Troupe
Tue May 23- Ahepa—7PM
Wed May 24- Choir Practice—6:30PM
Thu May 25- ASCENSION DAY—services per usual morning hours
– Sr Dance Troupe—6:30PM / Bible Study– 7:30PM
Sun May 28– 7th Sun of Pascha/ Fathers of the 1st Council / Eutychios of Melitene / Martyr Helikonis
Church School Recognition Sunday / Children’s BQ following sponsored by Ahepa
Mon May 29—MEMORIAL DAY—OFFICE IS CLOSED
Cemetery Prayers: 9:15am-Swan Point / 10am—North Burial (Old Greek Section)
11am—North Burial (New Greek Section)
Thu June 1- Marriage Preparation Seminar (Part 1) – 7PM / Bible Study—7:30PM
Sat June 3— SATURDAY OF SOULS—services per usual morning hours
– Philoptochos Lobster Clambake Social
Sun June 4– PENTECOST—Sts Mary & Martha / Kneeling Prayers after Liturgy /
– Parish Spring Assembly following coffee hour
Tue June 6- Appreciation Dinner—6:30PM (Twin Oaks)
Wed June 7– Stewardship Committee—7:30PM
Thu June 8- Marriage preparation Seminar (Part 2) – 7PM / Bible Study-7:30PM
Sat June 10- National Oratorical Festival – Woburn, MA and HCHC, Brookline. MA
– Goya Outing at Colt State Park
New Orthodoxy 101 Series in June
This 4 week series discussing the basics of Orthodox Christianity will be held on:
Thur June 15, Fri June 16 / Thur June 22, Fri June 23
From 6—7:30PM
REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED BY CALLING THE PARISH OFFICE 942-4188.