January - Holy Apostles Greek Orthodox Church

Coming together, we form an icon of God’s Kingdom
Vol. 10 , No. 9
Holy Apostles Greek Orthodox Church 2501 S. Wolf Rd. Westchester, IL.
(708) 562-2744
January 2006
www.holyapostleschurch.com
From Father Bill...
A Year
To
Celebrate
Just about everyone enjoys a celebration. It
is perhaps one of the most characteristic traits
of being a human being. We will celebrate at
the drop of a hat, using any excuse, from a
baby’s first tooth to a forthcoming retirement
as a cause for celebration. One of the happiest
expressions we can hear is the exuberant
shout: “This calls for a celebration!”
We have just come through (for some, survived) our annual celebrations of Christmas
and New Year’s. For many they were genuinely festive occasions of rejoicing and happiness.
For the Chiganos family, it was a time of great
joy, thankfulness and hope with the arrival of
our 12th grandson. Regardless of the situation,
once the exhilaration has dissipated, we realize
we must come to grips with a New Year.
Several resolutions come to my mind as I
contemplate the twelve months that stretch out
before us. Perhaps you have determined the
ones that will be your focus in 2006. If not,
may I offer a suggestion? I’ve been considering
it for over a month as the old year ground to
an end. The longer I meditate on it, the more
committed I am to it. In our house, Presvytera
and I begin each day with devotions and reading of Scriptures. We include the readings
from the Daily Bible Guide and selective readings from Psalms. It seems that this precious
book speaks eloquently to our personal needs
as it did to the Prophet David and the early
church. A regular celebration in my life has
been the Divine Liturgy, where the words
from the Psalms are readily encountered.
In my reading, I have learned the most
worshipful, God-centered book ever written is
the book of Psalms. We read psalms at all of
A reluctant Luke Ernst receives a gift from Santa at the Communion Breakfast.
photo by Eleni Poteres
our daily services. Located in the middle of
the Bible, it is not only the longest of its
Books, it is rich in meaning, especially to those
who sincerely seek a lasting and deep relationship with the Father. Unlike the Proverbs,
which are horizontally focused on helping us
live well and get along with one another, the
Psalms are profoundly vertical, enabling us to
understand and draw near to God. They
invite us to express our hearts to God. They
compel us to make course corrections in our
walk with God. They bring us comfort and
peace in difficult times. They model what it
means to be men and women after God’s
heart, to become imitators of His life, and to
literally align our hearts with His. Small wonder we automatically turn to the Psalms to
find strength for the present, and direction for
the future, as well as, comfort and peace in
chaotic situations. When Presvytera and I
encountered such moments in life, when God
crushed us with burdens and unsuspecting
challenges, we took refuge and comfort from
Psalm 91.
This December, by God’s Grace, I completed 50 years of service in the holy priesthood. The fleeting years have been rewarding,
for us, but have had several bumps on the
road. Along life’s journey, we encountered
challenges plus disappointments and victory.
But through it all, God has blessed us. Now, I
am compelled to offer pastoral counsel, with
confidence that your walk with God will
become more profound.
As your pastor, I suggest you saturate yourselves with Psalms during 2006. It’s time for
some of us to dig into the book least read, the
Old Testament. Since the book of Psalms contains 150 chapters, it is easy to break it down
to bite-sized, readable portions.
If you prefer to read the book through each
...See Fr. Bill on P. 6
Mosaic
Holy Apostles Greek Orthodox Church
From Father Nicholas
January 2006 Page 2
Gavel to Gavel
Preparing
The Way
For
The Lord
Now that the frenzied Christmas buying
season has come to a close, I was hoping that
I could go shopping in peace. However, the
malls are now offering “After New Years” and
“Post Holidays” sales. JC Penney is hosting a
special one-day sale. Sears will offer a special
early morning sale on Monday. Kohl’s is having a special yellow dot sale. The commercials
tell us to get there fast! These are once in a
lifetime sales with incredible deals that we
don’t want to miss!
On January 7, we celebrate and remember
someone who preached with a greater and different sense of urgency, St. John the Baptist.
He was different from most of us. John was a
very ascetic person who wore clothing made
of camel’s hair and ate locusts and wild honey.
The prophet Isaiah (writing in the Old
Testament) talked about John 700 years before
he was born. In the 40th chapter of Isaiah we
read, “In the wilderness, prepare the way of
the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God.” John is called the
Prodromos (one going and running ahead) or
Forerunner of Christ. In fact, the angel
Gabriel told the old Zacharias (John’s father)
that he would have a son and this son would
“go before the Lord” to make ready a people
prepared for the Lord.
The picture from the Book of Isaiah would
make immediate sense if we lived in that era.
Oriental eastern kings or monarchs customarily went to visit their people. They would send
a messenger in advance to say, “The king is
coming! Make ready a way for the king.”
This journey would be made with simple animals. The ground would have some rough
places. As there were no super-highways, a
path would need to be cleared so that the king
and his entourage could visit their people.
This was well worth the effort because it
resulted in the king’s visit.
The Lord wants to visit His people (us)
again in our day. God wants to revive His
church and revive the hearts of His people.
He wants His presence to be known in our
churches, our homes, and our lives. This
requires preparation. Prepare the way for the
Lord to come and visit your family and your
life.
In the passage, the people are commanded
to prepare this highway in the desert. The
BY GEORGE MANNOS, JR... Parish Council Secretary
Parish Council meeting of Thursday, November, 17
Present: Fr. William Chiganos, Don
Alexander, James Banakis, George
Chechopoulos, Terry Chiganos, Sandy
Fiascone, Ted Gregory, Nick Kirkeles,
George Lampros, George T. Mannos Jr.,
Peter Poteres, Steve Savas, and Chris
Zurales.
Financial Report
º Peter Poteres reported that for the month of
October, the church has a deficit of
$8,388.28. For the ten months ending
October 31, the church has a positive cash
flow of $1,108.77. Don Alexander moved
to approve the financial statement for
October. The motion passed unanimously.
Stewardship
º Ted Gregory reported that as of October
31, the church had received 844 pledges
(down 36 from 2004) totaling $614,039.85
(up $22,908.85 from 2004) for an average
pledge of $727.54 (up $55.80 per pledge
from 2004). Amount paid YTD was
$557,645.85, (up $18,885.87 from 2004).
º Ted Gregory reminded everyone that
November 20 is Stewardship Sunday. An
additional 1000 pledge cards have been
ordered. Our goal for 2006 is $650,000.
Ted extended his thanks to everyone on
his committee. It was noted that George
Aravosis has worked very hard on this
project, as well as on a number of other
projects.
Correspondence
º A letter was received from the College Year
in Athens, Inc., with flyers enclosed,
announcing its 2006 Summer Programs.
Meditation
º Father Bill spoke of the phronema (religious
posture, mental approach to our worship)
in the family. The family is lacking this
aspect of life and needs to engender these
thoughts and sentiments into its members
while children are young. Of course, it
would be most helpful if parents applied
the religious principles taught by the
church into their daily life. Phronema is a
feeling that needs to be reestablished. In
this same spirit, Father is suggesting that
we can contribute to it by encouraging
those families who have been absent from
church to resume their attendance. It
would be helpful for each of us to bring a
friend or family member to the Divine
Liturgy. By doing so, our phronema and
spirituality will be strengthened.
Finance
...See Fr. Nicholas on P. 6
º Peter Poteres and Nick Kirkeles have a
meeting scheduled at the Harris Bank on
November 22. They will review the
Harris Bank FDIC resolution for the
church accounts, and sign the necessary
paperwork.
Ways And Means
º Steve Savas provided a sample invitation for
Father Bill’s 50th Anniversary luncheon.
It was decided that the invitations be
mailed by December 15. George
Beshilas will be handling the reservations.
President’s Report
º Sandy reminded everyone that there is a
Thanksgiving service scheduled for
November 23 at 6:30pm. There was a discussion regarding the staff Christmas gifts.
Steve Savas moved that the Parish Council
approve the same amount as 2004. The
motion passed unanimously.
º Nick Kirkeles presented an overview of the
Metropolis of Chicago-Clergy/Laity
Philoptochos/Choir Federation Assembly,
which was held Nov 2-6 in St. Louis. Our
choir director, Nick Paloumpis, distributed
the choir awards.
Long Range Planning
º Terry Chiganos met with his committee.
Some of the ongoing items to be addressed
include: revision of the washrooms for
handicap accessibility; the renovation of
multi-purpose room; additional iconography; expansion of HARC; an addition of a
3rd level over the classrooms. It was also
suggested that the Stewardship and
Steering Committees initiate a demographic study to be completed by the end
of 2006. It has been determined that at
the present time, the following items are
too cost prohibitive: acquiring additional
land, expanding the seating in the church,
and construction of a parking deck. Terry
commented that the “Come Receive the
Light” radio show is not available in our
area.
New Business
º Don Alexander announced that the Rotary
Club is having its Annual Thanksgiving
Dinner at the Diplomat, with open seating
and a free-will donation.
º Sandy Fiascone reported that it has been
suggested that the Council revisit the possibility of having a pre-school/day care
program, at the church, for 3 and 4 year
old children. This will be added to next
month’s agenda.
Holy Apostles Greek Orthodox Church
Hellenic
Museum
Odyssey
Continues
Mosaic
January 2006 Page 3
Artist’s drawing
of the exterior of
the new Museum
exterior.
capital campaign entitled “for generations”, with a goal of $15 million.
Long time supporter, Dr. Mary
Dochios Kamberos has given over
$1 million, and John Calamos of the
Calamos Foundation recently
pledged $2 million. There are still
many opportunities for naming
rooms and parts of the facade in the
museum, ranging from $15,000 to
$750,000. These major donors will
not only receive naming opportunities, but will be recognized on a
Wall of Founders in a permanent
and visible location in the Museum.
The Board of Directors hope that
capital
fund donations of any
Mayors Daley and Bakoyannis tour the Hellenic Museum’s exhibit Philoxenia, a friend to the stranger
amount will be forthcoming from
the Greek-American community.
end of one odyssey and the beginning of a
Since its founding in 1983, the Hellenic
In addition, support for the general operanew journey for this long cherished dream of
Museum and Cultural Center has moved
tions of the museum includes a growing
the Greek community.
twice before coming to its final “temporary”
nationwide membership base now reaching
On hand for the demolition was Athens
home at 801 W. Adams Street, on the fourth
into 26 states. Further, businesses and families
Mayor Dora Bakoyannis, who praised the
floor of the Greek Islands Building in the
are increasing their interest in sponsoring
Museum for its efforts, saying “It was an
heart of Chicago’s Greektown.
exhibitions and programs presented by the
odyssey and like Homer’s Odyssey, this jourThe Hellenic Museum preserves Greek
museum. Recently, the museum has received
ney has a happy end.” Also present was Mayor grants from the Illinois Humanities Council,
culture and traditions through its collections,
Daley, who thanked the Greek-American
cultural events, recorded oral and visual histoCityArts and the Illinois Arts Council.
community and said “Mayor Bakoyannis and
ries of the Greek immigrant experience, and
Everyone can show their support of this
I share a similar vision for our cities. We conpresents the stories of Greeks in America and
unique institution by becoming a member
stantly strive to make our cities a better place
throughout the world from antiquity to the
now. There are various levels of membership,
to live, learn, work and raise a family. It’s the
present.
beginning with $25 for seniors. Membership
family values and work ethic of the GreekBuilding a freestanding institution has long
applications are available in our church office,
Americans in Chicago that make this new
been a goal of the founders of the Museum
as well as on the Welcome Table in the multiHellenic Museum so important to our comand its Board of Directors. In 2000, UHAC,
purpose room.
EXCITING NEW EXHIBIT
munity. This museum will be a sense of pride
under the leadership of Andrew Athens, was
Now through February 25, the museum
for all Chicagoans for generations to come.”
instrumental in securing the property at 333
invites you to share a unique experience.
The mayors signaled and a wrecking ball
S. Halsted for the Museum. With the active
Around 1500 BC, a great earthquake and volcrushed the walls of the old Turek hardware
support of Mayor Daley, the plans became a
canic eruption destroyed a thriving Minoan
store, sending a shower of bricks onto the
reality when his administration approved the
civilization on the island of Thera (Santorini).
pavement and eliciting cheers from the crowd.
Hellenic Museum and Cultural Center
Come immerse yourself in a full scale re-creThe new 40,000 square foot building was
Redevelopment Agreement. In the 2000
ation of actual living space in the ancient town
designed by the award-winning firm of
Near West Side Area Land Use Plan, the City
of Akrotiri, and experience what everyday life
Pappageorge/Haymes, after a competition
of Chicago identified the Museum as a gatewas like in this unique society. The Thera
open to architects across the country. The
way to both Greektown and the Near West
Exhibit Lecture Series will explore art and
striking design was inspired by the Stoa of
Side. The city approved a $3.5 million Tax
natural disasters, both ancient and present
Attalos in Athens, a classic form of Greek
Increment Financing (TIF) subsidy for the
day.
project.
architecture that utilizes a promenade with a
colonnade. Construction is scheduled for comDEMOLITION
pletion in 2008.
By Marilyn Athas
For the many who braved the inclement
weather on October 24, the rainbow that
SUPPORTING THE MUSEUM
briefly appeared between showers signified the
The museum has recently embarked on a
Holy Apostles Greek Orthodox Church
Mosaic
January 2006 Page 4
Bette Schieber, right, directs the Junior Choir in a selection of Christmas hymns, songs, and carols.
Above, Katie Berg, Rebecca Schieber, and Angela
Bicos perform and instrumental. Not pictured in the
group is Alexa Kussick.
Above, Mary Daly sings The Birthday of the King, accompanied by an instrumental ensemble.
At left, the Way
group makes senior care kits as
part of doing philanthropic efforts
for a
Humanitarian
Service Project
which serves the
needy in DuPage
and Kane County.
Holy Apostles Greek Orthodox Church
Mosaic
January 2006 Page 5
Memories
of the
Season
Holy Apostles’ Christmas concerts and
pageant are annual highlights of the season. Special thanks to Zoe Ann Tomaras,
Joan Berg, Bette Schieber, Stephanie
Lekas, Karen Chiganos, and all the mothers who helped make these presentations
special.
In the Adventure Theater play Quiet
Packages, John Mercouris gets Zoe
Kafkes’ attention, above.
Members of the
Sunday School
choir line up in
the multipurpose
room before the
pageant.
In Adventure
Theater’s play,
during a scene
on a bus, driver
George Katerinis
chats with passengers from left,
John Mercouris,
Demi Korpan,
Zoe Kafkes, and
Maxx Lozano.
Mosaic
Holy Apostles Greek Orthodox Church
Is the Lord’s path to you clear?
Fr. Nicholas from P. 2
wilderness, the desert, is an unlikely place for
a king to visit. Isn’t it wonderful that God is
willing to visit and meet with us in the middle
of our wilderness, in the middle of our desert?
If we have broken relationships, we need to
mend them. Obstacles are hindrances. In
preparing a highway, we need to bring down
the mountains and fill in those low places.
These may be low places of hopelessness,
despair, or self-pity. We can fill them in with
the goodness of God and the promises and
trust in God.
St. John presents us with a challenging
question: Are our lives prepared for the Lord?
Would God be comfortable really showing up,
manifesting Himself, His presence and His
glory in our lives and in our homes?
Sometimes, we wait for everyone else to get
prepared. Everyone else should bring down
his or her mountains. We wait for that parent
or that child to come back to seek forgiveness.
St. John challenges us, “No, you prepare the
highway.”
º
In sympathy
On behalf of the Holy Apostles family, we offer our warm expressions of sympathy to Father Nicholas, Presvyetera Michelle, their children, and the entire
Georgiou family.
Anastasia Georgiou, mother of Father Nicholas, fell asleep in the Lord in
Gainesville, Florida, on December 11.
Father Nicholas, as you and your family come together, we offer our support and
love. Please know that we are offering prayers for the soul of Anastasia and especially for each of you.
May the Father of mercies and God of all comfort ( 2 Cor 1:3,4 ) console you
and your family and give you all strength today and in the days to come.
God grant her eternal rest.
The
HARC
Corner
Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow
By Fr. William Chiganos
40 sermons in 20 years
In today’s world, where there is a
need for “visible” Christians, these eloquent and spiritual sermons by Father
Bill serve as a valuable reminder of what
is expected of us throughout our early
lives. Father Bill reminds us that the primary goal of all Christians is the importance of acquiring the gift of the Holy
Spirit in us. These beautiful and inspiring sermons emphasize discipline,
courage, faith, and most importantly, our
never-ending love for God and His love
for us. We are encouraged to remain
steadfast in our faith and as Christians,
are not to fear or worry needlessly for
Jesus tells us, “with God all things are
possible.” Father Bill’s sermons have
been selected from more than 800
Sunday presentations.
One MP3 CD $20.00
Let The Little Children Come
to become acquainted with. The psalmists, in
telling everyone to praise God, are doing what
all men do when they speak of what they care
about.
By following these guidelines and embracing each moment, 2006 will be a time for celebration. His word will bring great joy when
you worship Him, especially in the presence of
His people. The Psalmist made it so clear
when he wrote: “I was glad when they said to
me, let us go to the house of the Lord.”
God’s blessing and joy to your family as
you search God’s word throughout this New
Year. May we always celebrate many joy-filled
moments together in His name.
By The Lodenkamp Family
These CD’s (2 per set) were born in the
hearts of the Lodenkamp family and
their desire to share with other families
the stories of character-building and
peace that have blessed their lives. They
want to encourage parents to listen with
their children, these beautiful stories of
everyday situations which teach and reinforce the messages found in Biblical passages. Stories such as The Right
Decision, Telling Mother, and Duties and
Pleasure, to name a few, deliver lessons of
morality and love. The Lodenkamps
pray that by listening to these stories,
families will reevaluate where their treasures truly lie. Appropriate for children of
all ages.
CD set $20.00
December Registry
The Song Of Francis
And The Animals
Resolve to meditate on the Psalms in the New Year
Fr. Bill from P. 1
month of the New Year, read five psalms a
day. If that seems a little too ambitious, how
about reading three psalms a week? That way
you could complete the book in a year, as you
stroll more slowly and meditate more deeply.
In addition, you may want to keep your journal nearby, noting the things the Lord reveals
to you about Himself from His inspired hymnbook of praise.
Either way, the discipline you apply in that
worthy process will result in your beginning to
interpret life from God’s perspective rather
than your own limited human viewpoint.
Believe me, the system works. In our household, it has been tested and the results have
been beneficial.
Finally, the goal. I am convinced that the
faithful concentration of our minds on the
truths of this magnificent book will cause our
hearts to become increasingly more in tune
with the things of God, His will, His ways, His
goodness, His glory. In brief, I believe we will
end the New Year with a heart more tenderly
aligned with our Lord than when we began
the project. And, frankly, I cannot think of a
greater need within us than that one!
Several of the Psalms are praises we need
January 2006 Page 6
Baptisms
None
Weddings
None
By Pat Mora
Award-winning author Pat Mora celebrates the tender relationship between
Saint Francis and the animals he loved.
Inspired by Saint Francis’ own reverence
and love for animals, this book will
encourage readers young and old to join
in with the sights and songs of God’s
creatures.
Hardbound, $17.00
15
8
5:15pm The Way
Monday
8:00am Orthros
9:15am Awaken To God
9:30am Divine Liturgy
Fellowship Hour
29
FEAST DAY OF
THE THREE HIERARCHS
8:00am Orthros
9:00am Divine Liturgy
8:00am Orthros
5:15pm The Way
9:15am Awaken To God
9:30am Divine Liturgy
Luncheon At The Diplomat
Honoring The 50th
Anniversary
Of Fr. Bill’s
22
Ordination
8:00am Orthros
9:15am Awaken To God
9:30am Divine Liturgy
Fellowship Hour
8:00am Orthros
9:15am Awaken To God
9:30am Divine Liturgy
Vasilopita Celebration
6:00pm Metropolis Vasilopita
Celebration
New Year’s Day
FEAST DAY OF ST. BASIL
10:00am Divine Liturgy
Sunday
30
23
16
9
2
10
3
4:30pm Greek School
4:30pm Greek School
4:30pm Greek School
EVE OF EPIPHANY
4:30pm Greek School
6:00pm Divine Liturgy
Thursday
26
4:30pm Adventure Theater
The Lord’s Goodness
4:30pm Greek School
7:30pm Parish Council Meeting
4:30pm Adventure Theater
4:30pm Adventure Theater
27
20
13
6
5:00pm Great Vespers
5:00pm Great Vespers
7
28
21
14
FEAST DAY OF ST. JOHN
8:00am Orthros
9:00am Divine Liturgy
Saturday
The Lord is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.
The Lord is good to all, and his mercy is over all that he has made.
Psalm 145: 8-9
25
FEAST DAY OF ST. GREGORY
8:00am Orthros
9:00am Divine Liturgy
1:00pm Adult Christian Fellowship
And Study Group
7:30pm Catechism Instruction
19
12
5
HOLY EPIPHANY
8:00am Orthros
9:00am Divine Liturgy
4:30pm Adventure Theater
Friday
2501 S. Wolf Rd. Westchester, Illinois
FEAST DAY
4:30pm Greek School
OF ST. ATHANASIOS
8:00am Orthros
9:00am Divine Liturgy
1:00pm Adult Christian Fellowship
And Study Group
7:30pm Catechism Instruction 18
11
1:00pm Adult Christian Fellowship
And Study Group
4
1:00pm Adult Christian Fellowship
And Study Group
Wednesday
January 2006
31
24
17
FEAST DAY OF ST. ANTHONY
8:00am Orthros
9:00am Divine Liturgy
4:30pm Greek School
4:30pm Greek School
4:30pm Greek School
Tuesday
Holy Apostles Greek Orthodox Church
Weekday Services
Eve of Epiphany
Feast Day of St. Anthony
Feast Day of Three Hierarchs
Thursday, January 5
6:00pm Liturgy
Tuesday, January 17
8:00am Orthros
9:00am Liturgy
Monday, January 30
8:00am Orthros
9:00am Liturgy
Feast Day Of St. Athanasios
Great Vespers
Wednesday, January 18
8:00am Orthros
9:00am Liturgy
Saturday, January 14 @ 5:00pm
Saturday, January 28 @ 5:00pm
Holy Epiphany
Friday, January 6
8:00am Orthros
9:00am Liturgy
Feast Day of St. John
Feast Day of St. Gregory
Saturday, January 7
8:00am Orthros
9:00am Liturgy
Wednesday, January 25
8:00am Orthros
9:00am Liturgy
Philoptohos
Vasilopita
On January 8 following the Liturgy, Philoptohos will host the annual Vasilopita
celebration in the multi-purpose room. A collection will be taken to support
St. Basil’s Academy which houses and educates underprivileged children.
This fundraiser is celebrated in Greek Orthodox communities throughout the
United States. The city-wide Philoptohos Vasilopita Celebration will also take
place 6pm, January 8, at St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church in Oak Lawn.
Godparents’ Luncheon
On February 5, godparents and godchildren are invited to take communion
and enjoy lunch together following the Liturgy. Reservations will be accepted
in the multi-purpose room on Sundays leading up to the event or by calling
Cynthia Stathopoulos at (630) 986-0630. Prices are $12 for adults (13 & up)
and $6 for children (12 & under). Payment is required prior to the event to
secure the reservation. Seating is limited so book your reservation today!
Save the date - The next Philoptohos meeting will be Tuesday, February 21
at 7pm. Watch the Sunday bulletins for details on the featured presentation!
Holy Apostles Greek Orthodox Church
2501 S. Wolf Rd.
Westchester, Il. 60154
(708) 562-2744
Memorials
( December )
Perry Deimer
Demetri Vandarakis
Harry Psimos
Fotini Karapas
Peter Bouloukos
Vasiliki Bouloukos
Angeline Johnson
Christos Patsavos
Funeral
Nicholas Bell
Mosaic Deadline
The deadline for the February Mosaic
is Tuesday, January 10.
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