Assumption

Greek Orthodox Church

e p a g A ws ne

May 2012

PASCHA 2012

PASTORAL MESSAGE Dear Parishioners of our Beloved Assumption,

Χριστός Ανέστη!!! Christ is Risen!!! Together we celebrate our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ’s victory over death! His crucifixion and resurrection have freed us from the consequences of our fallen human nature and He is among us now as we approach the Blessed Great and Holy Feast of Pentecost! Going forward in life we must realize that the greatest of all debts has been lifted from our shoulders - the generational debt that could not be repaid except through Christ’s victory over death. He has loosened us from our bonds; He has given us true pursuit of eternal happiness; He has given us life and hope! Let these Holy days not be routine. Let us not accept the status quo. Each of us must examine our life in the context of what He has given us, and in return offer back to him the appropriate gifts of thanksgiving and love—which is nothing less than our whole life! May the Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the Love of God the Father and the Communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all!!! Worshipping His 3rd Day Blessed Resurrection, I remain, In His Service,

Rev. Father Jon Boukis PROISTAMENOS

SUNDAY SCHOOL All children with cumulative attendance of 80% or better have “hit the mark” and will be listed monthly in the Agape

News.

Vasilia Boukis Anthony Gorman Naina Ninan Naveen Ninan

Congratulations to: Peter Stopoulos Tony Stopoulos Stephanie Theofilis

Save the Dates!!! Metropolis of Chicago Junior Olympics May 25th-27th

Junior Olympics

Fanari Summer Camp June 17th-23rd

ORTHODOX BIBLE STUDY The Orthodox Bible Study will meet on Monday Evenings from 6:00pm7:30pm and on Thursday Mornings from 9:30am-11:00am to study the Book of Acts. We will also study the lives of the Apostles. Bible Study is an opportunity for us to apply the Scriptures to our everyday lives. The Bible is the “Good News” that enriches our faith and deepens our understanding of every issue that we face. This can only be done through obtaining the mind of the Holy Fathers. Let the scripture come alive in your life today!!!

PHILOPTOCHOS RUMMAGE SALE It’s never too early to donate to the rummage sale. We have made space in the garage to store your clean, gently used treasures until August. Please bring them in a closed box so they can be stacked in the garage. You may bring them on Sundays. Leave them in your car and you can unload them into the garage during coffee hour. Do You know of anyone in our parish graduating from High School or College? Please let us know so that we may recognize all our graduates.

Philoptochos Cook Out

June 3rd following Sunday Services on the South Lawn Ala Carte Items: Burgers ($4), Hot Dogs ($3), Souvlaki ($2) & Chips ($1)

MAY BIRTHDAYS 1st 2nd 8th 9th 11th 13th 15th 18th 20th 21st

th

7 8th

Paris Fotos Cathy Diakogeorgiou Dean Papanikolaou Kulla Anggeloplos Joseph Olvera Gus Fotos Alexia Kontos Pat Stopoulos Sholly Ninan John Arvanitis

21st 22nd 23rd 26th 26th 27th 27th 29th 30th 31st

Connor Maess Erica Melchin Nicholas Fotiadis Lambros Fotos George Kontos John Dokolas Vanessa Scudder Karen Bagatelas Angela Minas Biju Ninan

Just a few Saints (Namedays) commemorated in May... St. Cyril of Jerusalem 15th St. Achillios, Bishop of Larissa St. John the Theologian 21st Ss. Constantine and Helen

PASCHA DONATIONS Icon Wreaths 1st Salutations - Offered by Steve and Nancy Pyevich in Memory of Danica and Todor Pyevich 2nd Salutations - Offered by Fr. Basil and Christina Papanikolaou for the Health of their family. 3rd Salutations - Offered by Anthony and Joan Stopoulos in Memory of Steve Stopoulos 4th Salutations - Offered by Fr. Basil and Christina Papanikolaou for the Health of their family Akathist Hymn - Offered by Deno and Dr. Ann Kandis in Memory of Bill, Gus and Katherine Kandis, Angela Minas and Mary Fotiadis Saturday of Lazarus - Offered by Lambros and Lisa Mihalopoulos in Memory of his parents, Chris and Sophia Mihalopoulos Palm Sunday - Offered by Mike and Helen Haney in Memory of Arthur and Rita Mihalopoulos Palm Sunday Bridegroom - Offered by George and Maria Georgiadis in Memory of Nikolaos, Nina and John Yigas Holy Monday Bridegroom - Offered by Fr. Basil and Christina Papanikolaou for the Health of their family Holy Tuesday Bridegroom - Offered by Fr. Basil and Christina Papanikolaou for the Health of their family Holy Wednesday Last Supper - Offered by Fr. Basil and Christina Papanikolaou for the Health of their family Wreath for Holy Cross - Offered by Pete and Arlene Gust in Memory of Michael and Metaxia Gust and William and Marvin Fenno and for the Health of Pete Gust, Nancy Gust and Christina Gust Holy Friday Apocathelosis - Offered by Costas and Yvonne Constantinou in Memory of Arthur and Rita Mihalopoulos Holy Friday Crucifixion - Offered by Derek and Sophia Anderson for the Health of their family Holy Saturday Morning - Offered by Fr. Basil and Christina Papanikolaou for the Health of their family Resurrection - Offered by Georgia and Scott Photiades for the Health of their families Resurrection (Large) - Offered by Ludmilla Cherevko in Memory of Nickolaus, Halina, Andrei and Nickolaus Resurrection (Round) - Offered by Litsa and Tom Gregory for the Health of her family and in Memory of our husband and father, Pete Gregory

PASCHA DONATIONS Daffodils (Holy Cross Sunday) - Offered by Loretta Yigas in Memory of her husband, John N. Yigas Palms for Palm Sunday - Offered by Jim Jannes in Memory of his parents, Chris and Anastasia Jannes Holy Unction Supplies - Offered by Litsa and Tom Gregory for the Health of her family and in Memory of our husband and father, Pete Gregory Holy Cross Candles - Offered by Chris and Helen Petaros in Memory of their daughter, Kathy Petaros Stamatis Gardenias for Epitaphion - Offered by Lynn Boukis for the health of her nieces, Vasilia Boukis and Vasilea Gaudio, and her nephew, Joseph Steven Gaudio Bay Leaves - Offered by Steve and Vaso Boukis in Memory of their son, Jimmy Boukis Pascha Eggs - Offered by Jim Jannes in Memory of his parents, Chris and Anastasia Jannes Ribbon and Tulle for Eggs - Offered by Litsa and Tom Gregory for the Health of her family and in Memory of our husband and father, Pete Gregory Pascha Resurrection Meal - Offered by Saki Padazopoulos for the Health of his family Resurrection Priest Candle - Offered by Steve and Vaso Boukis for the Health of Father Jon, Presbytera Doreece and Vasilia Boukis Candy and Plastic Eggs - Offered by Fr. Jon and Presbytera Doreece Boukis in Memory of Jimmy Boukis, Darlene Kotonski and Irvin Spencer Rose Petals for Flower Girls - Offered by Loretta Yigas in memory of John N. Yigas Candle Drip Cups - Offered by Fr. Basil and Christina Papanikolaou for the Health of their family Charcoal - Offered by Fr. Basil and Christina Papanikolaou for the Health of their family Epitaphios Flowers offered by the Parish Council: Offered by Orest Akulow for the Health of Haline, Oksana, Alex and Alastaire Offered by Cathy Diakogeorgiou in Memory of Christodoulos and Harikleia Diakogeorgiou

PASCHA DONATIONS Offered by Elizabeth Gorman in Memory of Rita and Arthur Mihalopoulos Offered by Michael Haney in Memory of Arthur and Rita Mihalopoulos Offered by Deno Kandis for the Health his family Offered by Sherry Kontos for the Health of her family Offered by Roger Lovejoy in Memory of Lee, Alyce and James Dokolas Offered by Celia Lubbers for the Health of the Lubbers and Maroudas Families Offered by Lambros Mihalopoulos for the Health of his family Offered by Biju Ninan in Memory of his parents, Mathew and Anima Ninan Offered by Nick Passini in Memory of Thomas Poterack Offered by John Thodos in Memory of Steve and Norma Thodos and Gregory Binder Easter Lilies (30 x $10) Offered by Kulla Anggeloplos for the Health of her daughter, Kathy Quillin (2) Offered by Steve and Aimee Arvanitis for the Health of their family (2) Offered by Lubmilla Cherevko in Memory of Gregory Binder Offered by Abraham and Molly Chicackal for the health of the Chirackal Family (2) Offered by Pete and Arlene Gust in Memory of Michael and Metaxia Gust Offered by Pete and Arlene Gust for the Health of Pete Gust and Christina Gust Offered by the Roger Lovejoy Family in Memory of Lee, Alyce and James Dokolas (5) Offered by George and Georgia Eleftheropoulos for the Health of their family (2) Offered by the John Eleftheropoulos Family for the Health of their family (2) Offered by Nicholas Fotiadis in Memory of his wife, Mary Ann Fotiadis(2) Offered by Gus and Toula Fotos for the health of their family Offered by Paris Fotos for the health of his family Offered by Mike and Helen Haney in Memory of Arthur and Rita Mihalopoulos Offered by Mike and Helen Haney in Memory of Anastasio and Georgia Mihalopoulos

PASCHA DONATIONS Offered by Andy Hasakis for his continued good health and for his family (5) Offered by Mike and Terri Kandis for the Health of their family Offered by Maria Kotrogiannis for the Health of her family Offered by Diane Lamacki for the Health of and in Memory of the Minas and Kandis Families (2) Offered by Momcilo Lecic in Memory of departed loved ones Offered by Denny and Molly Mekus in Memory of Charles and Deanna Mekus Offered by the Nikolopoulos Family for the Health of their family (2) Offered by Daphne Olvera in Memory of her father, Bill C. Panouses Offered by Daphne Olvera for the Health of her daughter, Angie, her family and her mom, Helen Panouses Offered by Chris Panouses for the Health of his mother, Kathy Panouses Offered by Helen Panouses for the Health of her granddaughter, Angie and for the Olvera family Offered by Helen Panouses in Memory of her husband, Bill C. Panouses Offered by Georgia Papageorgeou for the Health of her family Offered by Fr. Basil and Christina Papanikolaou for the Health of their family (5) Offered by Chris and Helen Petaros in Memory of their daughter, Kathy Petaros Stamatis Offered by Kathy Panouses in Memory of Pete Panouses Offered by Marina Pikis in Memory of her mother, Sophia Kollias Offered by Marina Pikis for the Health of her son, Chris Pikis Offered by Marina Pikis for the Health of Nick Pekis Offered by Marina Pikis for her continued good health Offered by Louis and Toula Poulimas for the Health of their family Offered by Luda Sloan in Memory of Vasiliy, Evgeniya, Dima and George Offered by Paraskevi Stamatoukos for the Health of her family Offered by John and MaryBeth Stopoulos for the Health of the Stopoulos Family Offered by Bill and Tracey Theofilis for the Health of the Theofilis Family Offered by Bill Theofilis in Memory of his mother Pam Theofilis Offered by Chris Theofilis in Memory of his mother Pam Theofilis Offered by John Thodos in Memory of Steve and Norma Thodos and Gregory Binder

SAINT JOHN THE THEOLOGIAN Celebrated May 8 This Apostle was from Bethsaida of Galilee, and was the son of Zebedee and Salome, and the brother of James the elder. First a fisherman by trade, he became an Apostle and the beloved Disciple of Christ. Only he of all the Disciples followed Him even to the Cross, and was entrusted with the care of our Saviour's Mother, as it were another son to her, and a brother of Christ the Teacher. After this, he preached throughout Asia Minor, especially in Ephesus. When the second persecution against the Christians began in the year 96 during the reign of Domitian, he was taken in bonds to Rome, and there was cast into a vat filled to the brim with boiling oil. Coming forth therefrom unharmed, he was exiled to the island of Patmos, where he wrote the Book of Revelation. Returning again to Ephesus after the death of the tyrant, he wrote his Gospel (after the other Evangelists had already written theirs) and his three Catholic Epistles. In all, he lived ninety-five years and fell asleep in the Lord during the reign of Trajan in the year 100. He was called Theologian because he loftily expounded in his Gospel the theology of the inexpressible and eternal birth of the Son and Word of God the Father. It is for this cause that an eagle-a symbol of the Holy Spirit, as Saint Irenaeus says-is depicted in his icon, for this was one of the four symbolic living creatures that the Prophet Ezekiel saw (Ezek. 1:10).

SAINTS CONSTANTINE AND HELEN Celebrated May 21 This great and renowned sovereign of the Christians was the son of Constantius Chlorus (the ruler of the westernmost parts of the Roman empire), and of the blessed Helen. He was born in 272, in Naissus of Dardania, a city on the Hellespont. In 306, when his father died, he was proclaimed successor to his throne. In 312, on learning that Maxentius and Maximinus had joined forces against him, he marched into Italy, where, while at the head of his troops, he saw in the sky after midday, beneath the sun, a radiant pillar in the form of a cross with the words: "By this shalt thou conquer." The following night, our Lord Jesus Christ appeared to him in a dream and declared to him the power of the Cross and its significance. When he arose in the morning, he immediately ordered that a labarum be made (which is a banner or standard of victory over the enemy) in the form of a cross, and he inscribed on it the Name of Jesus Christ. On the 28th Of October, he attacked and mightily conquered Maxentius, who drowned in the Tiber River while fleeing. The following day, Constantine entered Rome in triumph and was proclaimed Emperor of the West by the Senate, while Licinius, his brother-in-law, ruled in the East. But out of malice, Licinius later persecuted the Christians. Constantine fought him once and again, and utterly destroyed him in 324, and in this manner he became monarch over the West and the East. Under him and because of him all the persecutions against the Church ceased. Christianity triumphed and idolatry was overthrown. In 325 he gathered the First Ecumenical Council in Nicaea, which he himself personally addressed. In 324, in the ancient city of Byzantium, he laid the foundations of the new capital of his realm, and solemnly inaugurated it on May 11, 330, naming it after himself, Constantinople. Since the throne of the imperial rule was transferred thither from Rome, it was named New Rome, the inhabitants of its domain were called Romans, and it was considered the continuation of the Roman Empire. Falling ill near Nicomedia, he requested to receive divine Baptism, according to Eusebius , and also according to Socrates and Sozomen; and when he had been deemed worthy of the Holy Mysteries, he reposed in 337, on May 21 or 22, the day of Pentecost, having lived sixty-five years, of which he ruled for thirtyone years. His remains were transferred to Constantinople and were deposed in the Church of the Holy Apostles, which had been built by him . As for his holy mother Helen, after her son had made the Faith of Christ triumphant throughout the Roman Empire, she undertook a journey to Jerusalem and found the Holy Cross on which our Lord was crucified (see Sept. 13 and 14). After this, Saint Helen, in her zeal to glorify Christ, erected churches in Jerusalem at the sites of the Crucifixion and Resurrection, in Bethlehem at the cave where our Saviour was born, another on the Mount of Olives whence He ascended into Heaven, and many others throughout the Holy Land, Cyprus, and elsewhere. She was proclaimed Augusta, her image was stamped upon golden coins, and two cities were named Helenopolis after her in Bithynia and in Palestine. Having been thus glorified for her piety, she departed to the Lord being about eighty years of age.

M A Y 2 0 1 2

CHURCH Sunday

Monday

.

Tuesday 1

6 Sunday of the Paralytic Orthros 9:00am Divine Liturgy 10:00am Sunday School Coffee Hour

7

8

No Bible Study

Clergy Retreat in Lake Geneva, WI

13

14

15

20

21

22

Sunday of the Samaritan Woman Orthros 9:00am Divine Liturgy 10:00am Sunday School Coffee Hour

Sunday of the Blind Man Orthros 9:00am Divine Liturgy 10:00am Attendance Awards Coffee Hour

Feast of Saints Constantine & Helen Divine Liturgy 10:00am No Bible Study

27 Sunday of Fathers of the First Ecumenical Council Orthros 9:00am Divine Liturgy 10:00am Family Worship Coffee Hour Junior Olympics in Palos Hills

28 Memorial Day Riverside Cemetery (10:00 am) Moline Memorial (12:00 Noon)

29

.

CALENDAR Wednesday

Thursday 2

Friday 3

9:30am-11:00am Orthodox Bible Study

9 Pastitsio Take-Out Lunch for the Public 11:00am-1:00pm

16 

10

Saturday 4 

5

11

12

No Bible Study

Assumption Garden Club Courtyard Clean-up 10:00am

17 9:30am-11:00am Orthodox Bible Study

18 

19

25

26

6:30pm - Parish Council Meeting

23

24

Apodosis of Pascha Divine Liturgy 10:00am

Great Feast of the Ascension Divine Liturgy 10:00am

Metropolis of Chicago Junior Olympics in Palos Hills, IL

Metropolis of Chicago Junior Olympics in Palos Hills, IL

No Bible Study

30 

31

Fasting Symbols



Strict Fast Wine and Oil Allowed Fish Allowed



Fast Free

SERVICE SCHEDULE May 6

Sunday 9:00 a.m. 10:00 a.m.

Sunday of the Paralytic Orthros Divine Liturgy

May 13

Sunday 9:00 a.m. 10:00 a.m.

Sunday of the Samaritan Woman Orthros Divine Liturgy

May 20

Sunday 9:00 a.m. 10:00 a.m.

Sunday of the Blind Man Orthros Divine Liturgy

May 21

Monday 10:00 a.m. Wednesday 10:00 a.m. Thursday 10:00 a.m. Sunday 9:00 a.m. 10:00 a.m.

Feast of Ss. Constantine and Helen Divine Liturgy The Leave Taking of the Feast of Pascha Divine Liturgy The Great Feast of the Ascension Divine Liturgy Sunday of the Fathers of the 1st Ec. Council Orthros Divine Liturgy

May 23 May 24 May 27

Πρόγραμμα Ιερών Ακολουθίων 6 Μαϊου

Κυριακή 9:00 π.μ. 10:00 π.μ.

Κυριακή Δ του Παραλύτου Όρθρος Θεία Λειτουργία

13 Μαϊου

Κυριακή 9:00 π.μ. 10:00 π.μ.

Κυριακή Ε της Σαμαρείτιδος Όρθρος Θεία Λειτουργία

20 Μαϊου

Κυριακή 9:00 π.μ. 10:00 π.μ.

Κυριακή ΣΤ του Τυφλού Όρθρος Θεία Λειτουργία

21 Μαϊου

Δευτέρα 10:00 π.μ.

Των Αγίων Κωνσταντίνου και Ελένης Θεία Λειτουργία

23 Μαϊου

Τρίτη 10:00 π.μ.

Απόδοσις του Πάσχα Θεία Λειτουργία

24 Μαϊου

Τετάρτη 10:00 π.μ.

Ανάληψις του Χριστού Θεία Λειτουργία

27 Μαϊου

Κυριακή 9:00 π.μ. 10:00 π.μ.

Κυριακή Ζ των Αγίων Πατέρων (Α Οίκ. Ζυν.) Όρθρος Θεία Λειτουργία

DIAKONIA

Prosforo Schedule

Coffee Hour

May 6

May 6

Helen Petaros

Not Yet Reserved

May 13

May 13

Toula Poulimas

Lambros Mihalopoulos

May 20

May 20

Elaine Eleftheropoulos

Mekus, Collier and Lovejoy

May 27

May 27

Toula Fotos

Not Yet Reserved

Sunday Gospel and Epistle Readings May 6 Gospel John 5:1-15

Epistle Acts 9:32-42

May 13 Gospel John 4:5-42

Epistle Acts 11:19-30

May 20 Gospel John 9:1-38

Epistle Acts 16:16-34

May 27 Gospel John 17:1-13

Epistle Acts 20:16-18, 28-36

Parish Council Ushering Teams & Schedule St. Matthew

St. Mark

St. Luke

St. John

9:00

Celia Lubbers

Cathy Diakogeorgiou

Biju Ninan

Deno Kandis

9:25

Nick Passini

Michael Haney

John Thodos

Lambros Mihalopoulos

9:50

Orest Akulow

Sherry Kontos

Elizabeth Gorman

Roger Lovejoy

May 6 – St. Luke May 13 – St. John May 20 – St. Matthew May 27 – St. Mark

Άγιος Κωνσταντίνος 21 Μαϊου Ο Μέγας Κωνσταντίνος γεννήθηκε το 274 μ.Χ. Πατέρας του ήταν ο Κωνστάντιος ο Α΄ ο Χλωρός και μητέρα του η Ελένη, απο το Δρέπανο της Βιθυνίας. Ο Κωνσταντίνος απο 18 χρονών έγινε στρατιωτικός και, χάρη στην ανδρεία του, τιμήθηκε με τα ανώτερα αξιώματα του στρατού. Ήταν αυτός, που με το χριστιανικό σταυροειδές λάβαρο με το ελληνόγραμμα "εν τούτω νίκα", κατατρόπωσε τα στρατεύματα του Μαξεντίου και έπειτα του Λικινίου. Επίσης, ήταν ο πρώτος αυτοκράτωρ που ευνόησε την Εκκλησία, μετά απο τρείς αιώνες ανελέητου διωγμού. Μετέφερε την πρωτεύουσα του κράτος του στο αρχαίο βυζάντιο, και εκεί έκτισε τη βασίλισσα των πόλεων, την Κωνσταντινούπολη. Στο τέλος, ο Κωνσταντίνος αξιώθηκε και του Αγίου Βαπτίσματος, και αμέσως μετά είπε: "Νύν αληθεί λόγω μακάριον οίδ΄ εμαυτόν, νύν της αθανάτου ζωής πεφάναι άξιον, νύν του θείου μετειληφέναι φωτός πεπίστευκα". Τώρα, δηλαδή, σύμφωνα με το λόγο της αλήθειας, ξέρω ότι είμαι μακάριος, τώρα έχω γίνει άξιος της αθανάτου ζωής, τώρα έχω πιστέψει πώς έλαβα το θείο φώς. Ο Μέγας Κωνσταντίνος πέθανε σε ηλικία 63 ετών (21 Μαΐου 337). Η δε μητέρα του Ελένη, που συνεορτάζεται με το γιό της, ήταν αυτή που βρήκε τον Τίμιο Σταυρό στους Αγίους Τόπους και έδωσε στο Μέγα Κωνσταντίνο την πρέπουσα διαπαιδαγώγηση. Άλλωστε, και ο ίδιος την τίμησε, όταν στη μεγάλη πλατεία της Κωνσταντινούπολης έκτισε δύο στήλες, μία δική του και μία της Ελένης, που έφερε την επιγραφή: "Είς Άγιος είς Κύριος Ιησούς Χριστός, είς δόξαν Θεού Πατρός, Αμήν".

PASTITSIO BOX LUNCH

2012 ANNUAL GOLF OUTING

Presents

The Greek Cultural Festival 6th Annual Golf Tournament Monday, June 11, 2012 9:00 a.m. Shotgun Start $100 per golfer includes Greens Fees, Practice Range, Cart, Locker Room and Shower Facilities, On Course Soft Drinks, Continental Breakfast, Casual Lunch, On Course Events…

Sponsorship Opportunities: Lunch Sponsor ($1,000)

Breakfast Sponsor ($500) Beverage Cart Sponsor ($500) Cart Sponsor ($300) Raffle Sponsor ($200) Shared Hole Sponsor ($100) Hole Sponsor ($200)

See you at TPC Deere Run!!!

GOLF OUTING REGISTRATION Name: ____________________________________ Company: ____________________________________ Address: ____________________________________ City/State/Zip: ____________________________________ Phone: _______________ Email: ______________

□ I am organizing a Foursome, attached is a check(s) For ____ foursome(s) x $400 = _______ (with 2 or more Foursomes you receive a free Shared Hole Sponsorship!)

□ I am golfing as an individual; please place me in a foursome or with: _____________________________

□ I enjoy the Golf Outing and would like to be one of the sponsors: Company/Individual Name: _____________________________

□ Presenting Sponsor ($2,500) □ Breakfast Sponsor ($500) □ Golf Cart Sponsor ($300) □ Golf Hole Sponsor ($200)

□ Lunch Sponsor ($1,000) □ Beverage Cart Sponsor ($500) □ Raffle Sponsor ($200) □ Shared Hole Sponsor ($100)

□ I can’t golf, but please accept my donation of $________ Please return prior to May 31st with payment to: GREEK CULTURAL FESTIVAL 4900 Kennedy Dr., East Moline, IL 61244 Additional Golfers for Foursome Reservations Golfer #2 _____________________________________ Golfer #3 _____________________________________ Golfer #4 _____________________________________

PARISH COUNCIL MINUTES Parish Council Meeting Minutes March 22, 2012 Call to Order at 6:35pm. Fr. Jon offered the opening prayer. Roll Call Present: Deno Kandis, Roger Lovejoy, Orest Akulow, , Liz Gorman, Celia Lubbers, John Thodos, Lambros Mihalopoulos , Biju Ninan, Cathy Diakogeorgiou, Sherry Kontos Excused: Nick Passini, Mike Haney Minutes: OK Priest’s Report: Fr. Jon is printing and laminating sheets to put in the pews that cover the proper etiquette for church. The new copier is to be delivered in a week or so, new books should be printed within a few weeks. Luminaries will be available for Holy Week as a means to raise money. $5 per name recognized on the luminary. We have been notified that we can reduce the amount of social security that is reimbursed in the priest’s pay by 2%. Rather than making adjustments during the year, Fr. Jon is recommending that he just donate $1400 in expenditures and not get reimbursed for them – for the sake of simplicity. (plane ticket, clergy retreat lodging, sorter/stapler, etc.) Upcoming trip to Clergy Laity in Phoenix, AZ. Celia and Fr. Jon are attending at $550 per person. Stewardship status: $146,000 is the current estimate for 2012 stewardship. We are most likely in the top 3 in the Metropolis for average stewardship per family – which shows how difficult things are for everyone. President’s Report: Thank you letter from the Food Pantry (Christ United Methodist Church). $339 collected in the mission jar so far. This has been very successful. Mardi Gras at St. George raised $1,154 for our parish. The proceeds were from the baskets that were donated by our parishioners. Goya donated $400 to the Building Fund to help pay for the lighting project. Those were proceeds made from their Christmas Caroling. Victor will be leading the project to trim the trees.

PARISH COUNCIL MINUTES Upcoming fundraisers: May 9th Luncheon (boxed lunches for dine in, carry out or delivery) – Sherri and Celia looking for people to work that day and help out. June 11th Golf Outing – we need a few people to lead the sponsorship effort. Roger to talk to Georgia about volunteering – Liz will help also. It’s Greek to Me – Celia has 3 booked so far. Treasurer’s Report: Current balance $6,356.18. Through the 1st two months of the year we have a deficit of $6,800 with the full year budget showing a deficit of ~$50,000. Old Business: Kitchen Update: $1,500 was given from Philoptochos and $1,500 from the Building Fund. Lighting Update: Phase I is going to cost a net of ~$1,784 (after the Mid-American rebate). Phase II is labor intensive and will be very expensive to hire from the outside. Bill Theofilis, Victor, and Fr. Jon have graciously donated their time to do the labor for Phase II of the lighting project. Overhang: We have 2 options: repair at a cost of