ParishNews 11-10 - St.Nicholas Serbian Orthodox Church

PARISH NEWS
FROM FATHER’S DESK
IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER AND OF THE SON
AND OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.
- Make an effort to Fast this Advent. (this is for
those of you who are not fasting regularly)
- Take Confession/Communion
- Come to Divine Liturgy on Time
- Fight for Family Time.
- Return Pledge Cards: Stewardship 2011.
*** We’ve had excellent youth meetings, twice a month.
ANNUAL MEETING IN DECEMBER
ANNUAL MEETING NOTICE
All Stewards in good standing are being asked to please attend
the Annual Meeting, which will be held on Sunday December 5,
2010 following Divine Liturgy. Lunch will be served.
Who is a Steward in good standing?
• A person who is a practicing Orthodox Christian (comes
to Church regularly and partakes of the Sacraments of
the Church).
• A person who supports their church through Treasure,
Time &/or Talent.
Parish Council Members for 2011
The hope is that all of the Parish Council Members will remain
on the Council. In any case, we are always looking for more
help. For your information, Parish Council Members are
responsible for social and financial issues of our Church as well
as maintaining the Church property. If you have been a Steward,
in good standing of our church for at least one year and are
interested in being a part of this wonderful group of volunteers
for the coming year, please call the Church office 471-8006 or
one of the Nominating Committee members (in edition to the
Parish Priest), Mane Bubalo, Judy Gajic or Angie Devitt. The
Parish Council each year is confirmed at the Annual Meeting and
approved by our bishop. Your talents will be welcomed,
appreciated and your works will be blessed. Thank you for your
consideration.
*** Please volunteer yourself or recommend someone else. One
must be a Steward in good standing.
BIBLE VERSE
"Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye
and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you
say to your brother, 'Brother, let me take the speck out of your
eye,' when you yourself fail to see the plank in your own eye?
You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your eye, and then you
will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye.
Luke 6:41
Folklore Group at our Parish in 2011
Recently we had a profesional folkore group from Serbia
(Talija) visit our parish for a concert. It was amazing. At that
time they met with some of our folks with hopes of
establishing a branch of this group here at our parish. All went
well. The idea is to bring one of their choreographer once a
year to teach us how to dance. Stay tuned for more
information. For specific info. Check with those working on
this: Tina Mizdalo, Branka Rayman, Nedeljko Djukanovic
and Vera Schuster.
OUR DEACON NEEDS A CAR – CAN YOU DONATE?
We are looking for anyone that can donate a car in good
condition for our Deacon Marko, for personal use and to use
doing work for our parish. You can donate the car to the
church. Please call Fr. Dragan at 374-3414.
Resurrectional Canon
Every Sunday before Divine Liturgy we read the
Resurrectional Canon from the Matins. We begin 15-25
minutes before the Liturgy starts. At this time our main reader
is an old time member Yovanka Savich. In the past we’ve had
young girls read as well. We are asking other young girls
(over the age of 10) to come forth.
Teta Yovanka does a wonderful job in supporting the readers. Please
call Fr. Dragan if you are interested.
EPISTLE READERS – GIRLS 12 & UP
Looking for girls to read the Epistle in English during Diving
Liturgy. Must be 12 or older. Please contact Father Dragan.
We are glad to have Alexandra Schuster and Marija Petrovic.
Also, we are grateful to God for having Prof. Petar Jankovic
(world renowned Classical Guitarist) read the epistle in
Serbian.
PRAY FOR YOUR CHURCH FAMILY
Please pray for the health of: Sherrie Trusler, Jasmin, Perry
Knezvich, Mamie Stoshitch , Jim Yerich, Dorothy (Havrilak),
Oksana (Paly), Nikola, Rada (Stanisic), Sabo, Mary
(Mandich), Lee, Hugh (Grant), Zoya, Natasa, Tomislav, Jason,
Paul & Tina (Stoyanovich), Kathryn (Ralic), Ronny, Borivoje,
Jenny Newman.
***If you would like to add or delete a name call the Office.
$1.00 A DAY BOX
Don’t forget to bring your yellow $1.00 a day box to church on
December 19th our Slava. 150 ($365.00 of these boxes equal’s
$50,000.00 for our mortgage pay down)
SHUT- INS: Phone call could be enough
SAYING OF THE MONTH
Become a good Steward of those things given to you by
th
God.
REF:Saint John Chrysostom (4 Century)
We hear from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, when ever we
visit/help/support one of our brethren we have done it to Him.
Therefore let us not forget our shut-ins – they need us more
than we know:
PARISH NEWS
Paul Stoyanovich
Tina Stoyanovich
Boja Loncarevic
To add/delete names or for more information on the shut-ins
please call the Church office.
SUNDAY ATTENDANCE
= under 80
9-5-10 - 70
9-12-10 - 95
9-19-10 - 81
☺=
over 80
= 80
9-26-10 - 98
10-3-10 - 80
10-10-10 - 68
☺☺= over 110
10-17-10 - 97
10-24-10 - 98
10-31-10 - 80
THANK YOU:
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•
•
•
•
Chuck & Sue Baldwin, Emil & Brendan Shemer,
Augustina Voss, Tatiana Goris and everyone that
brought things for coffee hours in Aug. Sept. & Oct.
Dan Guynn and his son Danny for donating and
delivering a conference table, storage shelving and other
needed items.
Everyone that works so hard making the bowling
tournament a success.
Stan Cvetkovich, Nic and Chris Babic, Mirko Milivojac,
Vladislav Koloberdinov, Daniel Stanjevich and all the
special people that worked on finishing the picnic
pavilion.
Diana Szelei for donating games for the children.
Ed & Dragicia Kerr for donating a new censer for
Church.
Fabric Care Center Dry Cleaners (Greek owned) for
several years now they have been cleaning Altar Server
and Priest robes for FREE.
Augustina Voss for the display case for the bookstore
and her delicious soups.
KOLO NEWS
***On Saturday, August 28, 2010 four of our sisters from St.
Nicholas Church – Jackie Balfour, Terri Fields, Dorothy
Milivojac and Anica Foreman - traveled to New Gracanica
Monastery for the Midwest Kolo Slava. Liturgy was at 10:00
a.m. served by Bishop Longin and local clergy, followed by a
Parastos for our deceased sisters. A lovely luncheon was served
in the camp building and we were able to socialize with many of
our sister/friends from other parishes.
Monastery where we toured the interior and grounds and
reminisced about days long past spent there.
***Slava, Sunday September 19th. What a wonderful day!!!
Thank you to everyone that helped and donated desserts.
Thank you to everyone that came and helped us celebrate.
***October 13th, around 20 of our parishioners attended a tea
at the Columbia Club in Indianapolis. The Keynote speaker
was Princess Katherine of Serbia. It was a beautiful event with
over 300 people present. Our Kolo President, Jackie Balfour
presented the Princess with a bouquet of flowers. Biljana
Bojovic and Diana Szelei sang the Serbian National Anthem as
the Prince and Princess were escorted in. At the end of the
program the Prince and Princess came to our tables only and
we were able to greet them personally.
*** November 20th is our Bake Sale and Bazaar. We will
have the following bake days here at church: a Nov 6, 11, 1117, 11-18, 11-19 will be set up day. Of course baking at home
is always welcome. Please call the church office if you have
any questions.
***SOUP DURING ADVENT – ASK K.S.S.
On Sundays after Divine Liturgy during Advent we will have
a light luncheon: Soup, salad and bread. If you are able to
contribute any of these please call the church office, or see
Jackie Balfour or Terri Fields.
*** KOLO CHRISTMAS DINNER
Thursday, December 2. at 6:30pm
Macaroni Grill 2375 E. 116th St. Carmel, IN 46032.
Look for a flyer coming your way on email or in the mail.
*** FREE Massage Therapy for Sisters
Before returning to Indianapolis, we stopped at St. Sava
At this years' Bazaar and Bake Sale SAT. Nov 20th we have a
special treat being offered to all Sisters. Audrey Falke, a
member of our parish a licensed massage therapist, is offering
"complimentary" 20min. massages to our Sisterhood. Audrey
will have a sign up sheet available at her vendor area.....next to
your name and time slot be sure to indicate you are a "Sister"
so Audrey can plan accordingly........remember, this offer is
complimentary to her Sisters, and she is looking forward
to sharing her Time and Talent.
PARISH NEWS
CHOIR NEWS
Would you like to join us?
Talk to our Choir Director: Dylan Jensen
We welcome new members.
MONASTERY VISIT
On September 21, the Birth of the Most Holy Theotokos, 25
souls from our parish went to the Monastery in New Carlisle.
The Liturgy was beautiful, 2 bishops were present. The Liturgy
was served outside in the Monastery field with many people
present. The lunch was wonderful, the program was great and
everyone had a wonderful time.
NEW GRACANICA SLAVA TRIP _ Oct 14th
Our Executive Board President with Fr. Dragan and Deacon
Marko, lead a group of 8 people to the New Gracanica
Monastery Slava. After which they also visited a beautiful Greek
Monastery, ask Ana Selivanova to see the pictures.
BULLETIN SPONSORIf you would like to sponsor a bulletin please call the church
office 471-8006. Note: In order to sponsor a bulletin, we are
asking for a donation of $50.00 or what ever you can afford.
BIRTH ANNOUNCEMENT
- Maksim Radovic, born in August, 2010. Congratulations and
God’s blessings to the parents Rade & Natasa.
- Veronica Mace, born September 11th Congratulations and
God’s blessings to her parents David & Jelisaveta
MNOGAJA LJETA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
CHURCH SCHOOL NEWS
Fall Festival
On Sunday October 31 (St. Luke and St. Petar of Cetinje) we had
our Fall Festival. The day started off with Divine Liturgy and a
prayer asking God to protect each and every home of our parish
and our children and families from the evil one and all that is
evil. Then, Hay Rides, Hot Dogs & So’mores, Pumpkin patch,
and fun!!! The children had a wonderful time, and learned that
every day is God’s and no day belongs to the Evil one (witches,
ghosts, vampires, monsters…). Also, that we are responsible to
transfigure (change) all that is evil into that which is good.
Visit from the Director of Christian Education.
On Nov. 13th Father Tom Kazich will be meeting with our
Teachers and on Nov. 14th with our Church School Children.
Please make sure that you don’t miss this awesome opportunity –
Bring you Children to church this Sunday.
***Our average attendance this Church school year has
been 30+!!!!!
SOCIAL ACTIVITY COORDINATOR NEEDED.
We are looking for a person (preferably a parent) to relieve
our teachers in organizing and realizing social events for
Church school. Also looking for parent helpers for Church
school events. Please let the church office or George
Grahovac know if you can help out. The Pay is what usually
draws folks ☺.
St. Sava Poems
Anyone who needs a poem for St. Sava earlier than December,
call Father ASAP and he will be more than glad to send it to
you.
FREE CAMP
If one has attended Sunday school at least 15 times in the
school year our parish will pay for your one-week at New
Gracanica camp.
Is your Child a College Student?
If so, please send us their address at school so we can send
them the bulletin and keep in touch, it will be good for them to
receive something from Church. If Church can keep in touch
with them, they will keep in touch with the Church.
CONGRATULATIONS!!!!
Alex Schuster was selected as one of the 80 member AAU
USA Junior Karate team that competed in Caorle, Italy, just
outside of Venice, Oct 22-24.
In order to be placed on the team Alex competed quite a bit
this past summer. She was a triple bronze winner at the AAU
National competition and then earned two silver medals and a
bronze medal at Junior Olympics.
Alex bonded with team mates from all over the US. They
served as US ambassadors and became friends with young
people from 26 countries - our favorite being Serbia!!!! She
was able to sing Mashirala and recite Vjeruju (the Creed) and
Oce Nas to her new friends! They couldn't believe that this
American girl had roots in Serbia!
Alex won the Gold medal for Shorin Ryu Kata (form) 15
year old female. Thanks to all who supported her with prayers
and other means.
SOME OF 2011 STEWARDS:
We have come to the end of Stewardship month. Please if you
have not already, turn in your Pledge Cards as soon as
possible. We really need it by the end of the year. Special
Thank you to the 35 families that have done so. They are:
STEWARDS 2011
BOJOVIC Deacon Marko & Biljana
STANJEVIC Marija
IVANCHEVICH Robert & Suzan
FOREMAN Ann
VOSS Augustina
FIELDS James & Terri
STRONG Michael & Andrea
PETROVIC Dragan, Vesna
STEVENS Georgia
GORIS Tatiana
KERR Dragica & Ed
DEVITT Angelina
SAVICH Yovanka
SZELEI Diana
DAWSON Olga
MORGAN Mark
PARISH NEWS
MILIVOJEVIC Milan
GAJIC Judy
BUBALO Manojlo-Mane
ROSICH, Ronald
BALFOUR Doug & Jackie
SHARKEY, Belinda
SELIVANOVA, Anna
RAISOVICH, Eli Jr.
STANKOVICH, Bob and Dorothy
MARIC, Petar & Janet
JIMENEZ, Christian & Nada
FIELDS Sofia Ann
MILIVOJAC, Mirko & Marija
MILIVOJAC, Bogdan & Dorothy
GORGIEVSKI, Zivko
JANKOVIC, Petar & Ivana
SULJIC, Dragan & Bosa
CVETINOVIC, Milos & Eftimia
SEREDA, Yoriy & Victoria
JEFTENIC, Mladen & Bojana (Radovanovic)
*** Don’t forget to bring/send your
Stewardship Pledge Cards before the
end of the year. Thank You.
On our website if you click on the house your will go to our
Stewardship page, where you can find more information on
STEWARDSHIP
www.st-nicholas-indy.org
WALL CALENDARS & STEWARDSHIP ENV.
Bring the icon portion to church – don’t throw into trash.
will discard it properly.
We
ADVENT LECTURE – December 11th
Special Lecture by a special Person. Lecture on World
Religions, especially Islam by a Muslim convert Fr. Daniel
Buanturo - 6pm at our Church. Cost: $5.00 per person or
whatever you can afford. All proceeds go to help his mission in
Indonesia.
Diocesan Bowling Turn.
THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO PARTICIPATED IN
MAKING THIS SUCH A WONDERFUL EVENT.
THANK YOU TO ALL OF OUR SPONSORS
Bob & Susan Ivancevich
Ron Salatich
Virgil, Dorothy, Natalie & Nick Cross
Milovac Family
Diana Szelei
St. Lazarus Serbian Orthodox Cathedral “Ravanica”
Household Furniture
Angie Devitt & Family
Gremp Steel Company
Stanjevich Family
Maria Stanjevich
Chuck & Sue Baldwin
Judith Gajic
Orchestra Sumadija
Yovanka Savich
Milo & Sofia Cvetkovich
Arsich Family
Jim & Terri Fields
Circle of Serbian Sisters – St. Nicholas Church
Diocesan Circle of Serbian Sisters Serbian Orthodox Diocese of
New Gracanica-Midwestern America
SINGING WITH THE SYMPHONIC CHOIR
The Indianapolis Symphonic Choir presents Rachmaninoff
Vespers: Sunday November 7th 2:30 pm at the Holy Trinity
Greek Orthodox Church. www.indychoir.org or call 317-9409057. It’s a must hear type of Concert.
ANNUAL ASHANIN LECTURE @ C.T.S.
Saturday, November 13th, 1PM - C.T.S. 1000 W. 42nd Street,
Indianapolis. Keynote Speaker Dr. Vigen Guroian, who will be
speaking about the merits of Classical education.
He will also be available for Q & A’s on 11/12(Fri.) re:
Classical education at St. George beginning at 7 PM .
Comments from the Two Trips our parishioners took
this past summer to Mt. Athos and Serbia:
*** At the end of September and in the beginning of October
we had two presentations on our last-summer trips to Holy
Mountain and Serbia.
Here are the impressions of the pilgrims.
Holy Mountain:
It is something you cannot really describe. You have to be
there – I think all our folks should go there at least once in
their life time. Whenever I go there, I ask myself whether I am
worthy just to walk along the same pathways our national
spiritual giants did. And my answer is always: I am not worthy,
but I have to constantly pray about it and strive to it.
Dragan Suljic
An exceptional trip, which incepted lasting inspirational
processes in my soul.
Petar Jankovic
Just wonderful! We have to go again next year!
Svetislav Arsich
Peacefulness… Holiness… Nobody is mad… Everybody is
close to God… It is hard to talk about it… Much better than in
any city…
Stefan Arsich
I fulfilled my life-time dream – the best place on earth to go.
You wish to stay there for the rest of your life.
Radovan Bata Arsich
Serbia:
My experience in Serbia was a profound enlightenment,
personal and spiritual. From a personal stand point of view, I
experienced the love of the Serbian people through their
hospitality and culture. From a spiritual stand point of view,
this was the first time I have visited an Orthodox country as an
Orthodox Christian. I began to learn the roots of our faith
through the historical and spiritual life of Serbian monasticism.
I cannot wait to go back and continue exploring our One and
Holy Orthodox faith as well as Serbian culture.
Diana Szelei
PARISH NEWS
The trip to Serbia was unique in many ways and will be one of
the most memorable for me. One of the highlights was the
opportunity to learn about the religion and culture with no
questions left unanswered. Visiting the monasteries was
overwhelming, the country beautiful. I'll always be grateful
for the hospitality shown by family and friends throughout our
travels, from Belgrade to the villages and cities.
We began our journey as a group of strangers, but when it
ended it was like saying goodbye to members of a loving family.
Dolly Smith
My Serbia Experience was a wonderful balance of the spiritual,
the cultural and the personal. Each experience cannot be placed
into simply one category as the three were constantly
intertwined.
On the spiritual side we visited a multitude of ancient
monasteries where we received blessings from the nuns and
monks and had the opportunity to light candles, pray, and view
the many incredible icons. Our group had the providential gift of
hearing the harmonious voices of Diana and Biljana rising up to
God from within the walls of several of the churches we visited.
On the cultural side we got to taste the wonderful food, view the
beautiful countryside, visit historical buildings and monuments,
and tap our feet at a folk dance festival.
On the personal side we got to know and become close to many
wonderful people, both within our own group as well as those
members of the families we visited.
Eva Kvaas
by providing Food, Occupation, Clothing, Understanding, and
Shelter. Actually, they are already doing it at many places.
Right now, they are establishing their branch for Indianapolis
area. All of you who have felt called to help in some of those
practical ways and so fulfil the Gospel, stayed tuned for we
will soon give you more details on how to get involved.
FOOD FOR THE NEEDY
We are collecting non-perishable food for the
Thanksgiving / Christmas. The food barrel will
Vestibule for you to drop off your donations.
donations will also be helpful to purchase turkeys
Please help fill the barrel.
needy for
be in the
Monetary
and hams.
THROWING FOOD AWAY – GREAT SIN
We have been raising awareness of this issue at our Church for
a while. Please only take as much as you can eat (at our
Church functions) and if there are leftovers ask for a container,
don’t throw food away – specifically bread.
S I M P L E FASTING
GUIDELINES
The purpose of fasting is to focus on the things of
God’s Kingdom and be freed from dependence on
worldy things.
Fasting in itself is not a means of pleasing God.
My trip to Serbia was a trip to a place that was very familiar,
even though I had never been there before. A place where I
recognized many of the people on the streets, but I did not know
their names. A place that was far from home, yet felt like I was
home.
Ron Rosich
Fasting is not a punishment for our sins. Nor is fasting
a means of suffering and pain to be undertaken as some
kind of atonement. Christ already redeemed us on His
Cross. Salvation is a gift from God that is not
“purchased” by our hunger or thirst.
My trip to Serbia was a very spiritual and moving experience.
The beauty of the monasteries, our excellent leadership,
congenial group, and warmth of the Serbian people made for a
trip that will remain with me forever.
Virginia-Ginny Horan (Ralich)
We fast to be delivered from wordly passions so that
God’s gift of Salvation may bear great fruit in our lives.
***If you are interested in visiting Serbia and/or Mt. Athos
in 2011 call Father Dragan ASAP.
FOCUS?
Fellowship of Orthodox Christians United to Serve
(www.focusnorthamerica.org)
Inspired by the biblical words of Christ: “I was in need and you
helped me”, which tells us that we are called to help needy
people around us if we can, a group of Orthodox Christians
recently founded a new charitable organization. Its headquarters
are in Kansas City, but it should operate throughout North
America as a network of Orthodox Christians helping the needy
on the local level. One of their board members is a prominent
Serb from California. Speaking more practically, they are willing
to serve the hungry, thirsty, stranger, naked, sick and imprisoned
We fast so that our eyes may more easily turn towards
God in His Holy Church. Fasting and Prayer and the
giving of Alms are meant to go together.
Most of all, it is important that we do not “eat” each
other. We ask God to “set a watch and keep the door of
our lips.”
Fasting is not irrelevant, is not obsolete, is not
something for someone else. Fasting is from God, for
us, right here and right now.
We fast faithfully and in secret, not judging others
and not holding ourselves up as an example.
Advent (Christmas Fast) begins November 28th