September/October

Saint Katherine Chronicle
September / October 2008
A Word from your Pastor
What a way to celebrate a 20th anniversary!
This year has been a wonderful one, indeed. Since the beginning of the year, we
started making preparations for our “Burn the Mortgage” program, we had our most
successful Crab Feed, a new bell for our belltower was donated and installed, a
beautiful water fountain was donated and installed, and nearly $28,000 was given as a
Summer Offering by over 80 of our families in order to help shore up the finances of
the parish during the difficult summer months.
On top of all that, planning has already begun on our 20th Anniversary Dinner/Dance
on November 8th. It promises to be an elegant evening in our beautiful hall, featuring
our special keynote speaker for the evening, Father John Bakas of the Saint Sophia
Cathedral in Los Angeles.
Attendance in church is strong, youth programs are active, volunteers are enthusiastic
and the grace of God seems to be shining on Saint Katherine.
What a way to celebrate a 20th anniversary!
Our “Weekend in Greece” at the end of September will be an important part of this
20th anniversary year, and I hope you’ll be able to participate in it…by inviting your
friends, volunteering for a shift, and by providing a donation to help with the expenses
of the weekend.
This year it seems that a devoted Christian spirit has filled our community and we
should all praise the Lord, Jesus Christ for it and for all His blessings.
Father Dino
Parish Notes
Church Office ℡ 683-3443 / Church fax 683-3389
Father Dino's Home ℡ 684-8731
website: www.saintkatherine.org / e-mail address: [email protected]
OFF TO A GREAT START! – Our thanks to event Chairman Tom Balalis and the Parish Council for
organizing the Pre-Festival Glendi to officially kick off our efforts for the Weekend in Greece Festival.
Close to 150 St. Katherine parishioners enjoyed a delicious steak dinner prepared by the Parish Council.
Thank you to everyone who participated in this event, which raised nearly $5,000 toward the expenses of
the Weekend in Greece Festival.
SPEAKING OF THE WEEKEND IN GREECE… As you know, the success of the Weekend in
Greece depends on the support of our parish - we rely on your donations to defray the Festival costs, and
on your help working at the Festival to ensure that our guests and visitors have a wonderful experience at
the Weekend in Greece. Festival setup will begin at 11 AM on Friday, September 26th to ensure that we
are ready to go on Saturday morning. We are grateful for the help of all volunteers, whether you are
young or young at heart, experienced or new to the Weekend in Greece. Please contact Festival Chairman
Ted Pantazis for more information regarding how you can help us make this the best Weekend in Greece
ever!
NEW HYMNALS – Our thanks to Dr. John and Sophia Evrigenis, who donated the lovely hardback
hymnals for our church. These new hymnals were published by Fr. Jon Magoulias from the Annunciation
Church in Modesto.
JOURNEY TO THE iWORLD – The Annunciation Church in Modesto invites you to attend a special
workshop on Saturday, September 6th from 9:30 AM to 3:30 PM focusing on internet technology, its use
and abuse, for young and old alike, presented by Theo Nicolakis, Director of Information and
Technologies, Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America. For additional information and reservations
contact the Annunciation Church at 209-522-7694.
JANUARY MISSION TO HOGAR RAFAEL AYAU ORPHANAGE - The Annunciation Parish of
Sacramento is organizing a short-term mission team to help at the Hogar Rafael Ayau orphanage in
Guatemala January 20 through January 27, 2009. The team will be limited to 10 individuals who are
interested in a wonderful, spiritual experience. We will work hard, eat modestly, and pray daily, as well
as affecting the lives of many orphans at the Hogar.Each missionary must raise funds for the mission.
This is important for two reasons: to financially support the orphans at the Hogar and to raise awareness
of this amazing ministry of our Church. The goal is to raise an average of $2500 per missionary. The
mission is open to all three parishes of Sacramento on a first come, first served basis. Please contact Sam
Manolakas at 916.638.0733 or Andrew Burrows at 916.443.2033 for more information. For additional
information about the orphanage, please go to http://www.hogarafaelayau.org.
MAKING STRIDES FOR BREAST CANCER – Dina Scordakis is organizing a team from Saint
Katherine to walk for the American Cancer Society’s Making Strides for Breast Cancer, to be held on
October 19th on the West steps of the Capitol. The goal is to show support for breast cancer survivors and
to raise $2,000 toward breast cancer research. If you would like to participate in Making Strides, or to
make a donation to this worthy cause, please contact Philoptochos president, Dina Scordakis.
Save the Date
November 8, 2008
Saint Katherine 20th Anniversary Dinner Dance
SUMMER OFFERING
Many thanks to the 82 parishioners who responded to our urgent call for donations to help pay our church
expenses during the financially lean summer months. Your contributions totaled $27,690 - enough to
help us through the difficult summer! Thank you for your generous support!
Alison Aleman
Mary Alifrangis
Ken & Kathleen Almeida
Georgia Andritsakis
Helen Andritsakis
Kosmas & Anastasia Andritsakis
Savvas & Stamatiki Coss
Robin Askew
Tony & Helen Diavatis
Gus & Bronya Bagatelos
Aristides & Carol Boutris
Richard & Diane Bueche
Jim & Eleni Camperos
Barry & Deborah Cassidy
Petrina Chiovitti
Tim & Sandy Constantine
Anita Cooke
Constance Curtis
Art & Elaine Daniels
William & Suzanne Demas
Georgia Econome
James & Christine Economy
Andrew & Vernie Engilis
John & Sophia Evrigenis
Orlando & Alana Figueroa
Anna Fotiades
Helen Gianakakis
Alex & Sophia Goetze
Xavier & Isabel Granados
Chariclia Handlin
Henry & Athina Holland
Stephen & Lydia Howell
Rosemary Johnston
Anastasia Jones
Paul Kakouris
Demetra Karnegas
Alec & Georgia Karnezis
Terry & Penny Kastanis
Lefteris & Alexia Kavros
Connie Keriotis
George & Bessie Kokkinis
George & Mary Kondos
Fran Koulos
Katherine La Giusa
Paul & Maria Leones
George & Iva Lionakis
John & Rose Lionakis
James & Bessie Makris
Gerald Maris
Helen Mayberry
Matthew Mayberry
Greg & Debbie Meyer
Kaliope Michos
Harry & Antonia Miller
Tom & Susan Mouzes
Ernest & Gay O'Banion
Nick & Anna Panagakos
Anonymous
Jacqueline Pappas
Elaine Pavlatos
Anne Petras
Valentin & Opritsa Popa
Bessie Pothos
Perry & Sophia Potiris
Michael & Nia Putnam
Mel & Lois Rapton
Frank & Eva Reale
Tom & Carol Robinson
Nicolas & Carol Rotas
William & Helen Rotas
Anonymous
Judith Santrizos
Donald & Mary Savage
Peter & Dina Scordakis
Dean & Lisa Scourtes
Perry & Sophia Stathos
Emmanuel & Maria Tzanakakis
Richard & Antigone Vaccaro
Mary Vasos
Chris & Demetra Vrame
Bradley Wenger & Georgia Jenkins-Wenger
Angelo & Sophia Zogopoulos
[\ [\ [\[\[\
PROSPHORON SCHEDULE
Athanasia Manikas: September 7, October 19
Sevasti Hatzopoulos: September 28, November 9
Eleni Camperos: September 14, October 26
Mary Savage: October 5, November 16
Christine Economy: September 21, November 2
Eleni Vathis: October 12, November 23
OUR BEAUTIFUL BELL TOWER
The beautiful bell tower on the north end of the Church property is finally complete, now that the
inscribed brass bell has been installed. A special ceremony was held before Divine Liturgy on
August 17, where the bell was rung for the first time. Each Sunday the altar boys will ring the bell
before Divine Liturgy to call the faithful to worship. They will also ring the bell when the Divine
Liturgy is over. Our thanks to bell donors: The Macedonian Society of Sacramento, the Laguna West
Homeowners Association, Tom & Carol Robinson, Anne Petras and to the anonymous donors who
made it possible to construct our beautiful bell tower.
GOYA NEWS
Elections for GOYA officers will be held in September. GOYA meetings take place the second Sunday
of each month after Church in the Tsakopoulos Hall, unless posted otherwise. Saint Katherine youth ages
12-18 are invited to join GOYA—please contact Mike Makrakis for more information.
ACOLYTES' SCHEDULE – The team schedule for the next several months is:
Archangel Gabriel
Constantine Johal
Lucas Makrakis
Nicholas Scordakis
Anthony Stathos
Christopher Gergiannakis
John Potiris
Michael Constantinou
Sept. 7 & 21; Oct. 5 & 19
Archangel Michael
Dimitri Pappademos
Ryan Stralen
Jack Stralen
Manoli Leones
Alexander Leones
Anthony Balalis
Sergio Chipain
Sept. 14 & 28; Oct. 12 & 26
Philoptochos News
Dear Philoptochos Members,
My mother always taught me that God helps those who help themselves. What she meant by this was,
don't just pray or wish for good things to happen. You have to go out and make them happen! It is
wonderful to see so many active members of the Philoptochos constantly working in the kitchen preparing
food, organizing, cleaning, and teaching others about the preparation of many delicious Greek dishes.
The kitchen is where we make the majority of our money to give to so many different charities. In
addition, our members work tirelessly in every capacity to do whatever the Philoptochos of Saint
Katherine Church needs to provide for as many charities as we can.
From the beginning, we have been responsible for the kitchen at Saint Katherine Church. This is the core
fund-raising tool of our chapter. We use the kitchen to host coffee hours, the annual Mother's Day
Luncheon, the Palm Sunday Luncheon and several bake sales. Recently we have purchased pans and a
new freezer. Jack and Demetra Johal have also very generously donated a second freezer. We have
stocked the kitchen with rolling carts and in the past bought dishes and flatware. Luckily, these items do
not have to be purchased very often. They will be there for our children and younger members of our
church to use for more fundraisers and for fellowship in general.
We all in the past have used our own resources and money to have wonderful coffee hours. Due to the
steadily increasing attendance at church and at coffee hour, providing elaborate treats is proving to be a
financial challenge. At times, I wonder if this is what makes some women shy away from becoming more
active. In the future, we will be simplifying our coffee hours by serving only juice, coffee and a cookie.
Speaking of coffee hour, I would like to take this opportunity to thank our honorary Philoptochos
member, John Tatarakis, who prepares the coffee for us every week and lifts the heavy coffee pots into
place. God Bless you and your other fellow honorary Philoptochos member Jack Johal!
Everyone should realize how much good philanthropic work we do in the community. Each month, we
donate to the Elk Grove Bank and the Wind shelter for homeless children. We also support the admirable
work of our member, Sue Tsorakis who visits and feeds the homeless on a regular basis. We contribute to
Chicks in Crisis, Ronald McDonald House and the Mercy Corps. We provide donations to a charity
dedicated to helping young girls in Africa get an education in order to escape poverty. We contribute to
the Benevolence fund that has emergency money available for people who are having a difficult time
paying their rent, utilities or groceries. We send things to people who are shut-ins and many other
wonderful causes.
If you would like to help us in our work with our various charities, or if you have any questions regarding
any of the donations we make, please contact me or one of our Board Members. We are proud of ALL of
our works for the poor and needy and we are happy to provide help for our Saint Katherine parish that is
so dear to all of us. To reiterate what I have said in the opening statement, GOD HELPS THOSE WHO
HELP THEMSELVES. We all have to insure that Saint Katherine Church is on solid ground so that we
can continue our philanthropic causes. Without the Saint Katherine Church, there would be no Saint
Katherine Philoptochos Society.
Everyone should be very proud of the Members in each Circle of the Saint Katherine Philoptochos. They
are generous of their time and talents. They are very hard working women. We welcome any woman
who wants to make a difference in the lives of others. You can learn so much from our members. God
bless all of our members past, present and future and remember to thank God for all his wonderful gifts
and works that get accomplished through Jesus Christ our Lord
Sincerely,
Dina Scordakis
Philoptochos President
Weekend in Greece Cooking Schedule
Please sign up to cook for the festival.
Cooking schedule sign-up sheets will be posted in the Hall Kitchen
next to the Coffee and Ice Machines.
Food Item
Date
Moussaka
September 8, 9, 10 & 11 (Mon, Tues, Wed & Thurs) 9:00am
Paximadakia & Koulourakia
Put in baggies September 14 (Sun) after Church Service
Kadaife
September 16 (Tues) 9:00am
Baklava
September 18 & 19 (Thurs & Fri) 9:00am
Melomakarona
Dip in honey September 21 (Sun) After Church Service
Diples & Baklava
Dip Diples in honey & bake Baklava
September 24 (Wed) 9:00am
Galatoboureko
We need Galatoboureko donations.
A la Carte Food:
Workers are needed in the A la Carte Food.
The hours are flexible.
September 27 (Sat) 10am-10pm
September 28 (Sun) 11am-5pm
Chairperson: Athena Holland 916- 424-7601
Workers are needed in the Pastry Booth.
The hours are flexible.
September 27 (Sat) booth hours 10am–10pm
September 28 (Sun) booth hours 11am-6pm
Pastry donations are needed.
Chairperson: Janet Potiris 916-684-3529 or [email protected]
Pastry Booth:
MEMORIAL FLAME -- If you would like to have the Memorial Vigil Flame on the Holy Altar Table burn in
memory of a loved one on a specific day, please send your donation together with a note of explanation and
the date requested to the church office.
UOn Sunday, June 29th, the Holy Altar Vigil Flame burned in memory of Mary Scordakis one year
since her passing, offered by George and Mary Kondos.
UOn Sunday July 27th, the Memorial Flame burned in memory of Athanasios Giogas, brother-in-law
of Helen Gianakakis, 9 days since his passing.
UOn Tuesday, August 26th, the Memorial Flame burned in memory of Claire Santrizos, 4 years since
her passing, and was offered by her children, Clair and Charlie.
UOn Friday, October 3, Georgia Jenkins-Wenger offered the Holy Altar Vigil Flame in memory of
her daughter, Jennifer, 8 years since her passing.
The Gift of Peace
by the Very Rev. Vladimir Berzonsky
“I have said these things to you while I was still with you. But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit,
Whom the Father will send in My name, will teach you everything and remind you of all that I
have said to you. Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you. Not as the world gives, do I give
to you” (John 14:25-27).
At the poignant parting of the Lord Jesus with His disciples, He gave them a gift and a promise. He
left them His special peace, and He promised that the Father would soon send them the Holy Spirit.
The Spirit is His partner in salvation. He will teach them and remind them -- teach, meaning explain
the implications of all that Christ had revealed to them about Himself and the Father; remind them, so
that they would have emblazoned in their memories each event they witnessed in their precious
period of training to be apostles and evangelists.
The true Christian is a tradition bearer. We have received as a precious heritage from our Hebrew
spiritual ancestry the love of our salvation history. We know who we are because we remember the
journey of our ancestors in the faith. “Do this in remembrance of Me,” our Lord Jesus said and we
repeat at the Divine Liturgy. At the conclusion of each worship we hear a listing of the saints for that
day. We do more than honor them; we recapitulate their lives and apply them to our own. As the
Holy Spirit worked through those in Christ in the past, so too we emulate their commitment by our
own lives.
The Holy Spirit “will teach you everything.” Until the minute we die, the Spirit of God draws us ever
deeper into the mysteries of our life in Christ. Even as we die, when the priest prays at our side that
our faith will be enhanced by the experience, we are learning something else about the Lord’s love
for us. Never is there a time for taking a vacation from learning about that divine image within us.
Those who say that they had learned everything the Church has to teach when they completed a
parish school program learned nothing if they actually believe they know all about God and creation.
We have no excuse for stopping Bible reading, prayer, contemplation and worship among the people
of God. I recall the words of our seminary homiletics professor: “Young men, you must read the
sacred scriptures every day of your lives, even when you have committed the Bible to memory. The
words do not change, but you do.”
As Jesus Christ is the Bread of Life, the Holy Spirit nourishes us on that Bread by conjuring up the
Dominical phrases at appropriate times in our life, depending on the situation. Just as a computer
screen shows all references to a word we type in, so the Holy Spirit brings to our consciousness the
scriptural message suitable to the state of affairs that confronts us. We know right from wrong. It’s
not the truth of the matter that befuddles us. When temptation comes, we require a gift from the Holy
Spirit that will strengthen our weak will and draw us back from the edge of sinfulness.
Jesus Christ upon leaving the world and accepting the cruelty of the cross blessed His apostles with
peace. It is not what the world means by peace, which is law and order on the local level and absence
from warfare on the national level. His gift is more precious -- His gift is inner peace. Just as He
amazed the onlookers when beaten nearly to death, humiliated, mocked, forced to bear the cross and
then suffer upon it without surrendering to anger, hatred, bitterness or despair, so too is it possible for
His followers to bear their anguish, pain and grief by opening up the channel of peace that
accompanies grace from the Holy Spirit. Peace is not flight. It is not avoiding pain and suffering. It is
not a cowardly fear of danger or absence of problems. Christ’s peace is an ability to endure all that is
laid upon us and eking out a meaning through the misery. All that happens to us in this lifetime is
learning potential, and in that sense even the negative experiences have something to teach us as long
as we keep alive the access to God’s Spirit within. (Source: www.oca.org)
Our thanks to the Sunday School teachers for the 2008-2009 school year – we are very fortunate to
have such dedicated and loving teachers to help guide the children of St. Katherine:
•
Preschool - Maha Habiba and Sophia Trotter-Goetze
•
Kindergarten/First Grade – Maria Leones, Heidi Perris, Candace Makrakis, Elaine Stralen
•
2nd/3rd Grades – Angie Gergiannakis, Steven Scordakis, Janet Potiris, Sophia Stathos
•
4th /5th Grades – Dina Scordakis , Antigone Vaccaro, Sophia Stevens, Daphne Constantinou
•
6th Grade/Advanced – Diane Petersen, Cindy Nules
We are still in need of a Sunday School Director – if you are interested in helping with this important
ministry, please contact Father Dino or Elaine Stralen. Another exciting year is planned for Sunday
School, as you can see from the Sunday School Schedule of Events below:
Sunday School Schedule of Events
October 5 - First Day of School/Registration
November 2 - Grandparent's Sunday
November 9 - Christmas charitable giving project begins
November 23 - Emphasis: Feast of Saint Katherine
December 14 - All items due for charity project
December 21 - Christmas program
December 28 - No Sunday School
January 4 - Emphasis: The Feast of Epiphany
February 8 - Godparent's Sunday
February 22 - Meat Fare Sunday
March 1 - Cheese Fare Sunday Almsgiving Project Begins
March 2 - Pure Monday
March 8 - The Sunday of Orthodoxy Icon Procession
March 22 - The Veneration of the Holy Cross
April 10 – Palm Cross - making
April 11 - Lazarus Saturday – Sunday School Retreat & Confession
April 12 - Palm Sunday/Easter Egg Hunt
April 19 - Easter Sunday- no school
May 10 - Mother's Day
May 17 - Graduation Celebration
2008 Weekend In Greece
Donation Form
We would like to help make our festival a big success this year, by
enclosing our donation of: $ __________________________
Your Name: _______________________________________________
Telephone: _____________________________________
Please make your check payable to Saint Katherine Church, mark the memo
section with the words “Festival Donation,” and return it to the church office
(9165 Peets Street, Elk Grove, CA 95758)
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2008 Weekend In Greece
Gift Certificate Order Form
I would like to order gift certificates to distribute to our friends and
associates. I am enclosing a check in the amount of $ ___________
For the purchase of _________ gift certificates at $15 each.
Name ____________________________________________________
Address __________________________________________________
City, State Zip _____________________________________________
Gift Certificates will be mailed to you within one week of the receipt of your
order and check. Certificates may be used at the Ala Carte, Pastry, Taverna,
Gyro, Loukoumades and Coffee booths only.
For additional information regarding the Weekend in Greece donations
or Gift Certificates, please contact Festival Chairman Ted Pantazis
Saint Katherine Greek Folk Dance Program 2008
By Heidi Perris
The St. Katherine Greek Folk Dancers continue to perfect their dance steps for the Weekend in Greece
Festival. All groups are working very hard. The hot days of summer and occasional smoggy days are proving
to be a challenge; however, the committed Dance Program participants make every attempt to attend practice.
Most families with children in the program juggle sports, social, and vacation schedules as well as making it
on time every Friday night for a weekly practice. Some families travel from far distances to dance with our
program. These families are to be commended! The dancers this year will demonstrate their commitment to
Greek Dance as their finely tuned dance skills entertain us in an effort to share the warm Greek culture with all
who attend the Festival!
The children in Ta Pethakia will return to the Festival to dance
the Hasapiko. After a year of development we see much visible
progress. They will also learn and dance the Tsamiko this year!
Dance Director, Maha Habiba reinforces the dance moves of the
Hasapiko. Parents
of this dance
group participate
with their children
as extra helpers
for the teachers.
Dance
Director
Sophia
TrotterGoetze, uses "Shaky Eggs" to move to the rhythm of the song.
These types of musical tools help the children learn how to
count beats of the music.
Ta Pethakia
Shaky Eggs – Ta Pethakia
Maria Leones leads Ta Asteria. They will bring back two
dances to the Festival: Yerakina and Hrata. This year, they are
also learning Mermingas Kefalonia in hopes to dance this at the
Festival as well. Pictured are the members of Ta Asteria
working hard to perfect their performance of Hrata.
Practicing out in the
circle in front of the
hall are the members
of Panayiri taught by
Daphne Constaninou
and Elaine Stralen.
Ta Asteria
In this picture they
are practicing the Zagorisios.
They will also dance the
Zonaradikos and Lazikos. This group may also surprise us with a
special new dance let's wait and see!
Panayiri
The Glendi Dancers, led by Paul Leones, are serious dancers and
take on the most challenging dances. Pictured here, the Glendi
Dancers practice the Kritikos Sirtos. They will also dance the
Pentozali and Ikariotikos. These dancers take the time to stretch
before dancing and practice in their Festival shoes. They can
also be seen watching video footage of themselves at practice to
recognize their accurate moves and opportunities for
improvement alike.
The Glendi Dancers
MARK YOUR CALENDAR
September 2, Tuesday – Bible Study, 10 AM.
September 8, Monday – Weekend in Greece Chairpersons Meeting, 7 pm
September 9, Tuesday – Bible Study, 10 AM. Also, Parish Council Meeting, 7 PM.
September 13, Saturday – Metropolis Parish Council Seminar at Holy Trinity (San Francisco), 9 AM.
September 14, Sunday – Exaltation of the Holy Cross, Divine Liturgy, 10 AM.
September 16, Tuesday – Bible Study, 10 AM.
September 22, Monday – Weekend in Greece Chairpersons Meeting, 7 pm
September 23, Tuesday – Bible Study, 10 AM.
September 27 & 28 – Our annual Saint Katherine “Weekend in Greece” festival!!
September 29, Tuesday – Bible Study, 10 AM.
October 5, Sunday – First Day of Sunday School, 10 AM.
October 7, Tuesday – Bible Study, 10 AM. Also, Annunciation Senior League Luncheon at Annunciation
Church (Sacramento), Noon.
October 14, Tuesday – Bible Study, 10 AM. Also, Parish Council Meeting, 7 PM.
October 21, Tuesday – Bible Study, 10 AM.
October 28, Tuesday – Bible Study, 10 AM.
November 8th, Saturday – Saint Katherine 20th Anniversary Dinner Dance
St. Katherine Greek Orthodox Church
9165 Peets Street
Elk Grove, CA 95758
Time Dated Material
Non-Profit Org.
U.S. Postage
PAID
Elk Grove, CA
Permit No.11