February - Holy Apostles Greek Orthodox Church

Coming together, we form an icon of God’s Kingdom
Vol. 20 , No. 10
Holy Apostles Greek Orthodox Church 2501 S. Wolf Rd. Westchester, IL
(708) 562-2744
From Father Nicholas
Relying on
God’s
Promises
2016 is a presidential election year. Many
of us are following the debates, listening to the
politicians’ promises, and determining who we
will support.
Potential politicians are known for making
promises. Sometimes these promises fall
short. Here are a few. We will expand the
child and dependent care credit, end income
tax for seniors making less than $50,000, create a $60 billion bank to fund roads and
bridges, double the Peace Corps, double funding after school programs, require plug-in
fleet cars at the White House, ensure that no
family making less than $250,000 will see any
form of tax increase, cut the cost of a typical
family's health insurance premium by up to
$2,500 a year, bring Democrats and
Republicans together to pass an agenda,
repeal Obamacare, reduce federal pay, and
block funding for implementation of the
health care bill.
One candidate even promised the creation
of a moon colony! Every election season
brings promises and we cling to the ones we
want to believe. Unfortunately, some of them
never materialize.
What about God’s promises? Are they
accurate? Can we rely on them? St. Symeon,
who we remember this month, relied on
God’s promises. He invested much time
studying and learning about God’s prophecies
and the coming of the Messiah.
Symeon prayed for the Messiah to come.
God promised Symeon that he would not die
until he had seen the Messiah. After many
years of waiting, as Symeon saw Jesus enter
the Temple, he immediately took baby Jesus
in his arms and proclaimed, “Lord, now let
your servant depart in peace according to
February 2016
www.holyapostleschurch.com
Tradition of Vasilopita starts the New Year
Fr. Jim gives a piece of vasilopita to Peter Savas,
above, and organist Stephanie Leider, right, is the
lucky recipient of the piece with the coin.
Chanting seminar to be held at Holy Apostles
A Lenten Services immersion seminar will
be held on February 19 - 21. It will focus on
the Great Compline Service, Pre-Sanctified
Liturgy and Salutations to the Theotokos.
The AGES Digital Chant Stand provides texts
and music in Greek and English for Vespers,
Matins, Divine Liturgy, and other services for
use by clergy, church singers and the entire
congregation. Interactive texts and music are
available on the Internet, iPods, iPhones and
iPads.
Church singers and worshippers will benefit from attending this program as they
become aware of the Church’s music ministry
by learning to chant the selected services and
gaining an appreciation for the Church’s liturgical expression of worship.
Attendees will learn to chant the hymns of
the services in English using western notation;
hear speakers address the meaning and structure of the services; and learn about the origins of the hymnology and its reference to and
integration of the Holy Scriptures and teaching of the Fathers of the Church.
We hope that many can join us. For more
information and registration please visit: “triodionfoundation.eventbite.com”. We look forward to a wonderful weekend of learning!
Your word, for my eyes have seen Your salvation which You have prepared for all people.”
(Luke 2:29-31) God kept His promise!
Many other examples of God fulfilling His
promises can be found throughout the Holy
Scriptures. God told Noah to build an ark
because a flood would come and destroy all of
the creatures on earth.
God promised that He would save all the
people and animals in the ark. The flood
came and the people and animals in the ark
were saved! God kept His promise.
God promised the very elderly Abraham
and Sarah that they would have a child. They
were in shock. Abraham “fell on his face and
laughed” when he heard this, but God kept
His promise and blessed them with a boy!
God promised Moses that He would deliver the children of Israel from the land of
Egypt. He did!
God promised David that his throne would
See Fr. Nicholas on P. 3
Mosaic
Holy Apostles Greek Orthodox Church
What’s
Happening?
By Steve Savas
Parish Council President
Let’s focus on our youth. The youth are
the future of our church. In order for our
children to become exemplary Christians and
future leaders of a strong church, we need to
maintain their involvement today. When they
participate in the church from a young age,
children have the opportunity to form a strong
religious base for the rest of their lives, as well
as fostering faith-based relationships that often
last a lifetime.
One of the unique things about the Holy
Apostles programs is that they are constantly
evolving to meet the needs of a changing
parish. Our Holy Apostles Facebook page has
been recently booming, along with the
GOYA’s Instagram account as well as many
other social media outlets that I’m not familiar
with but my children tirelessly try to explain
to me.
Our newest event, Diving for the Cross,
was a successful Jr. GOYA and Sr. GOYA
activity. Fr. Nicholas performed a service at
the Westmont Swim Club culminating with
the kids swimming to retrieve the cross.
Congratulations to Louka Ziogis and Alex
Thiakos, who emerged with the cross in each
division. Remember this event for next year
and encourage our youth to participate.
Another program, the Young Adults
League, is for young adults ranging from college age to the early 30’s. This group is off to
a great start. Last month, the bowling night
had an impressive turnout of almost 30 people. This is a great program to keep a group
active that, under the pressures of young
adulthood, is often one whose members can
feel distanced from the church.
In addition, Holy Apostles has secured a
gymnasium in Westchester on Saturday afternoons during the basketball season. The basketball teams have been using this for home
games. We would like to encourage parishioners to attend the games and cheer them on.
The schedule is posted on the Holy Apostles
website. Since not all of the reserved
Saturdays are being used by the basketball
team, we have organized the YAL, GOYA,
Family Synaxis and other groups to take
advantage of the facility. Please check the calendar on our website for days and times.
Once again, I strongly encourage every
member of the parish to get involved, especially those with children.
We are very blessed to have the youth
groups and both advisors and leaders who
make these programs such a success.
On a lighter note: Why didn’t Noah go
fishing? Because he only had two worms!
February 2016 Page 2
Gavel to Gavel
Minutes of the December 17 Council Meeting
Financial/Treasurer’s Report:
º Peter Bell reviewed the financial report for
the month ending November 2015. The
church had net income of -$57,067.50,
which was $36,785.30 over budget. The
church for the period ending November
2015 had a net income of -$116,536.68,
which was $72,782.15 over budget. This
contained $70,000. in advance purchased
cemetery plots and funeral expenses. Paul
Kallis moved to approve the report pending the year-end audit. The motion was
passed unanimously.
º Alicia Magas has joined the Financial
Committee to advance the recording and
reporting of financials using QuickBooks.
Stewardship Report:
º Norm Pomrening reviewed the
Stewardship Report for November 2015.
Number of pledges to date for 2015 is 777,
which is 6 less than this period last year.
Total amount pledged to date for 2015 is
$693,767.60, which is about $11,171.47
more than the same period last year. The
average pledge of $892.88 is $21.11 more
than this period last year. Percent paid to
date is 93%, which is 1% less than last
year.
Correspondence:
º The correspondence was reviewed by
Nick Kouchis.
º Thank you from John Dixon of the
Midwest Shelter for Homeless Veterans for
a donation.
º Thank you from Barbara Pappas for a gift
of a poinsettia plant.
º Thank you from Metroplitan Nikitas and
the PAOI family for the financial gift
towards the Patriarch Athenagoras
Orthodox Institute.
º Thank you from Metropolitan Ambrosios
of Korea for the financial gift to the missionary efforts of the Orthodox
Metropolis of Korea.
Missions & Outreach:
º Norman Pomrening stated that approximately $40,000 from the Parish Council
has been donated to various charitable
organizations so far this year. The committee will explore having an event with
the Feed My Starving Children organization.
Old Business:
º Nick Kirkeles presented an update on the
remodeling of the front bathrooms. The
project was longer and harder than anticipated because of construction difficulty,
but it should be completed within a matter
BY NICK KOUCHIS,
SECRETARY
of days.
º Mr. D Retirement: Spyro Demakis stated
that the fellowship hour on January 31,
2016 will be prepared and augmented to
honor Mr. D’s decades of work for our
church. George Alex made a motion to
offer a retirement gift of $5000. The
motion was approved.
New Business:
º Priests and Front Office Remodel: Steve
Savas stated that Fr. Bill’s office is now
empty and ready for refurbishing (new
paint, new floor, and re-finishing of cabinetry.) Upon a motion by George Alex,
$10,000 to refurbish both priests’ offices
was approved.
º Employees’ Christmas Bonus: Peter Bell
presented a recommendation that
Christmas bonuses be paid at the same
schedule as 2014. There was unanimous
approval.
º Cemetery Plots: Steve Savas stated that a
parishioner had recently bought four
cemetery plots and now, due to extenuating circumstances, wanted to sell them
back. After discussion, it was unanimously
agreed to re-purchase the plots at their
initial sale price.
º Parish Council Retreat: the proposed date
of Saturday, January 30, 2016 will not be
suitable for a majority of the Board. Steve
Savas will determine a new date.
Building & Grounds & Technical
º Jim Fotopoulos presented a need to clean
the Narthex from candle soot for a cost
not to exceed $2000. Paul Kallis made a
motion to complete this. The motion
passed.
º A seminar for the church office and
parishioners will be scheduled in the coming months to educate those interested in
using Windows 10 Operating System.
This will be the future operating system
that the church’s computer network will
be using.
º A shadowbox displaying Fr. William
Chiganos’ vestments will be installed in
the side hallway.
Long - Range Planning
º Terry Chiganos presented the committee
recommendation that a meditation garden
be created on the church campus. The
matter was referred to the Building and
Grounds Committee to assess the feasibility and to develop proposals.
º A Scholarship Committee will be formed
to make recommendations for the use of
the Scholarship Fund.
From Agamemnon to Alexander the Great
Fr. Nicholas from P. 1
Mosaic
Holy Apostles Greek Orthodox Church
God’s promise:
bonds of darkness
broken in Christ
be established. It was!
God promised Daniel that he would be
delivered from the lion’s den. He was!
The prophet Isaiah, who lived hundreds of
years before the birth of Christ, was living in a
time of darkness, tyranny and cruelty. He
conveyed God’s promise: “The people who sat
in darkness have seen a great light, and for
those who sat in the region and shadow of
death, light has dawned!” (Isaiah 9:1)
The great light that Isaiah prophesied
about centuries before is our Lord and Savior
Jesus Christ. He comes as light into a dark
world. Darkness came into the world because
of our sins and shortcomings. In the midst of
this darkness, God keeps the lamp of His presence and grace burning.
Throughout the entire Old Testament,
God kept promising that one day the bond of
darkness would be broken. He kept His
promise and came down from the heavens as
light – as the Son of God – Jesus!
God still makes promises to us today. He
promises to supply every need that we have!
God shall “supply all you need according to
His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”
(Philippians 4:19) Food, clothing, shelter, companionship and love are included. The verse
does not include wants but needs.
God promises that His grace “is sufficient
for us.” (2 Corinthians 12:9) “God is faithful,
who will not allow you to be tempted beyond
what you are able, but with the temptation
will also make the way of escape, that you will
be able to bear it.” (1 Corinthians 10:13)
Some of us may be wondering why we are
suffering or hurting so much. God promises:
“we know that all things work together for
good to those who love God.” (Romans 8:28)
Finally, God promises: “I have come that they
may have life, and that they may have it more
abundantly.” (John 10:10) The Lord came to
give us a much more abundant life! A guarantee!
God’s promises are much different than
the politicians’ guarantees. They are real,
accurate and certain! When we find ourselves
in the middle of the storms of life, we rely on
these promised of God. They provide hope,
comfort, strength and peace. The day after
we celebrate The Presentation of Christ in the
Temple on February 3, we commemorate and
remember St. Symeon. He centered his entire
life on God’s promises. God delivered. He
keeps His promises to us. If we place our
hope and trust in God’s promises, as St.
Symeon did, we will not be disappointed.
He will deliver us!
February 2016 Page 3
Join the
Greek
School to
visit Field
Museum
special
exhibit
Coach buses will depart from Church promptly at 12:30pm,
returning approximately 5:30pm
The viewing will begin with a guided docent presentation.
Following the viewing,
C a
r we will enjoy fellowshiptduring
a four course meal at Pegasus Restaurant.
$65 for Adults/$60 for Seniors 65 & over/$50 for Students ages 3 through college
Children under 3 are FREE
Included in price: Museum Exhibition fees, Museum Docent, Transportation in
Heated Coach Buses and Four course meal with Choice of Entree.
Please mail payment to Church or see us in the Fellowship Hall after Church.
Checks payable
to Holy Apostles Greek School PTO.
(
RSVP before March 1st to Marika Panton
(708) 337-7435 or [email protected]
Sponsored by the Holy Apostles Greek School
c
the Holy Apostles Greek School
t
Philoptochos Happenings for February
Sunday, February 7- Godparents Sunday
Luncheon following Liturgy. This is a wonderful opportunity for godparents, godchildren, friends and family to share a meal in the
multi-purpose room as one Holy Apostles
community. Call Diane Hank at
708.246.3391 to make your reservations.
Thursday, February 11- Koukla’s Kafenio
Come join us to celebrate Valentine’s Day.
The Kafenio will be open at 12pm for an
afternoon of food, games and entertainment.
For more information, contact Cathy Magas
at 630.948.8448.
Tuesday, February 16- General Meeting
Our get-together will begin at 7pm. Awardwinning author Paula Burzawa will present
and discuss her new novel, Tasso’s Journey: A
Novel. The novel takes readers back in time
to her family’s mountain village outside
Sparta, Greece and depicts the love story of
her grandparents during World War II and
Greece’s Civil War. Refreshments will be
served. RSVP with Aleka Ernst at
630.561.1660 or [email protected]
Blankets of Love Service Project
We will be collecting blankets through
February 16 and then will donate them to a
local children’s hospital. Knitted, crocheted
or fleece blankets are welcome. For more
information contact Faye Adams at
630.517.8097.
Philoptochos Membership
If you have not paid your membership for
2015-2016, it is not too late. Your member-
ship fair-share dues help fund our many obligations and projects. Membership envelopes
are available in the church office. If you would
like more information, call Alyssa Petropoulos
630.790.9701.
Feeding the Hungry
With your generosity and Christian love, in
2015 we were able to provide the equivalent of
1400 meals for Feeding the Hungry in our surrounding communities and beyond. This charitable endeavor is part of the National
Philoptochos "250,000 Meals” program. While
feeding the hungry has always been a key part
of the Philoptochos mission, this coordinated
effort has refocused our collective attention on
the pervasive plight of hunger across the
United States.
Watch for new food collections and other
related hunger projects throughout 2016.
Thank you for your ongoing support!
Baptisms
Geoff Dutton
Sponsors: Diane & Roy Sietsema
James, son of
Angela & John Deligiannis
Sponsors: Stratigoula & Brian Berlin
Weddings
None
5 0
Holy Apostles Greek Orthodox Church
Mosaic
February 2016 Page 4
Holy Apostles Greek Orthodox Church
Mosaic
February 2016 Page 5
Holy Apostles Greek Orthodox Church
Mosaic
February 2016 Page 6
Small crosses wait to be thrown into the pool
above, as Fr. Nicholas leads a procession to
bless the pool, at left.
Holy Apostles’ first
Diving for the Cross
event in Willowbrook
Julie Tzolias conducts a brief class
about Christ’s
baptism using the
icon of the
Epiphany, above.
At right, Fr.
Nicholas throws
one of the crosses in the pool as
the high school
boys start to
swim for it.
Above, the Jr. Goyans and Sr. Goyans were blessed by Fr.
Nicholas with myrhh before the ‘dive.’ Safety rules prevented the kids from actually diving into the pool, but
swimming for the crosses worked just as well.
At left, Louka Ziogis holds up the cross as the winner of
the Jr GOYA event. Above, Alex Thiakos holds the cross
after grabbing it before Josh Glavanovits in the GOYA
event.
7
8:15am Orthros
9:30am Divine Liturgy
Fellowship Hour
AGES Initiative Seminar
8:15am Orthros
9:30am Divine Liturgy
Fellowship Hour
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21
14
8:15am Orthros
9:30am Divine Liturgy
Fellowship Hour
5:00pm Greek School Dinner Dance
GODPARENTS SUNDAY
8:15am Orthros
9:30am Divine Liturgy
Godparents Luncheon
Sunday
Monday
29
22
15
8
1
23
16
9
2
11:30am Parea outing at Drury Lane
24
1:00pm Adult Christian Fellowship
& Bible Study
17
1:00pm Adult Christian Fellowship
& Bible Study
5:15pm The Way
10
1:00pm Adult Christian Fellowship
& Bible Study
3
1:00pm Adult Christian Fellowship
& Bible Study
5:15pm The Way
Wednesday
Silence
NO Greek School
4:30pm Greek School
4:30pm Greek School
4:30pm Greek School
4:30pm Greek School
25
18
11
4
4:30pm Adventure Theater
AGES Initiative Seminar
4:30pm Adventure Theater
4:30pm Adventure Theater
4:30pm Adventure Theater
Friday
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19
12
5
Saturday
6
13
27
9:30am Metropolis Of Chicago
Be The Bee Retreat
3:00pm Young Adult Open Gym
20
AGES Initiative Seminar
3:00pm Jr. GOYA Open Gym And
Outreach Project
3:00pm Young Adult Open Gym
3:15pm Youth Basketball
2501 S. Wolf Rd. Westchester, Illinois
Thursday
February 2016
Slow down. Be calm. Find a place where you can regularly practice silence.
There, you will find resources such as The Jesus Prayer
to revitalize your body, mind, and soul.
NO Greek School
4:30pm Greek School
7:30pm Apollo Dance Troupe
10:00am TOTS
4:30pm Greek School
6:00pm GOYA Ice Skating
4:30pm Greek School
10:00am TOTS
4:30pm Greek School
7:30pm Apollo Dance Troupe
Tuesday
Holy Apostles Greek Orthodox Church
Memorials
Eleni Papadakis
Anastasios Papadakis
Panagiotis Papadakis
Dimitri Papadakis
Georgia Papadakis
Elaine Kalivas
Peter Bouloukos
Bessy Bouloukos
George Fountoulakis
Constandinos Kanary
George Hawriluk
Dr. Christos Patsavos
Michael Burtzos
Theodora Dorner
Rudolph Dorner
Anna Cotsilis
Peter Cotsilis
Gregory Ganakos
Antonea Malleris
George Adams
Lambrine Adams
Louis Adams
Antigone Kafkes
Gregory Kafkes
Thomas Kafkes
Peter Terovolas
Nick Poulos
Pauline Hamalis
The Greek Women’s University Club
The Greek Women's University Club invites you to its gala luncheon
on Sunday, February 28, at the Drake Hotel of Oak Brook. Price is $65
per person. Social Hour is noon to 1:00 pm with luncheon to follow.
For questions, contact Nia Kouchis at 630.910.8224 or
[email protected].
The Greek Women’s University Club is pleased to offer two academic
scholarships for the 2016-17 school year to women of Greek descent.
Applications are available in the office. Deadline is March 31.
Always on Sunday
Celebrate Valentine’s Day with your family
and friends at the Dinner Dance Gala of the
Holy Apostles Greek School on Sunday,
February 14 at the Diplomat West in
Elmhurst.
Cocktails at 5:30pm. Dinner at 6:30pm
with live music & entertainment. $55 per
adult, $25 per child. RSVP to Ann Karavitis
at 708.426.6986 or [email protected] Macaronatha
Luncheon
The Macaronatha Luncheon will be held
on Sunday, March 13 following Liturgy in the
multi-purpose room.
We welcome volunteers to help with setup,
kitchen, and serving duties.
Reservations are recommended and can be
made by contacting Alicia Magas at [email protected] or 630.222.9600 or
Nick Kouchis at [email protected]
or 630.244.7656.
Mosaic Deadline
Funerals
The deadline for the March Mosaic
is Tuesday, February 9.
Thomas Karonis
Sia Athanasas
Postmaster: Please deliver by the 3rd of February
Address Service Requested
Holy Apostles Greek Orthodox Church
2501 S. Wolf Rd.
Westchester, Il. 60154
(708) 562-2744
BELLWOOD, I L.
P ERM I T NO. 157
PAID
NONP ROFI T ORG.
U.S. P OSTAGE