Happy and Healthy New Year 2017 to you and your family! We hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas Season. As we know, giving is the message of the Christmas season. Philoptochos’ Christmas holiday boxes were lovingly prepared and delivered to our parishioners who may not be able to join us as often as they would like. We always think of them and we wish them a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Our exceptional committee did a fantastic job with the elegantly decorated boxes filled with home baked holiday goodies and wishes from Philoptochos during this blessed season. I would like to thank all who helped prepare for these heart-filled gifts; Pauline Biernacki, Olympia Ntakos, Maria Melas, Ann Mulopulos, Presvytera Ann Hadgigeorge, Barbara Hartford, Rich Hartford, Jerry Biernacki, George Mulopulos and Aphrodite Kourous.
We always love to hear the Kroger Reward Card Profit. Mary Dedes gets our community excited and charged up on this fantastic fundraiser; we made almost $3,800 this past year 2016. Please be sure to read Mary’s full report in this Echo article. We thank Mary and her work and please use your Kroger Reward Card and if you do not have a card contact me, call our Cathedral office or see Mary Dedes.
“Making a Difference with Philoptochos” During the National Philoptochos Biennial Convention in Nashville, National Philoptochos invited chapters across the country to join together with their parishioners and fulfill random acts of kindness. Our chapter’s committee prepared bright and beautiful “Love in a Bag” for students from TPS Sherman Elementary. Our committee donated and prepared beautiful personalized Christmas gift bags filled with treats special items and made 17 very elated and euphoric preschoolers. Thank you to Pauline and Jerry Biernacki, Ann Mulopulos, Presvytera Ann Hadgigeorge, Barbara Hartford and Kathy Chaka for “Making a Difference”.
We know the special event at Holy Trinity is Philoptochos’ Vasilopita Luncheon. This celebration continues on January 8th, 2017. This timeless tradition is the highlight of the New Year as it is time to gather as God’s family and pray for a good year. We are confident that you will not want to miss this family tradition. The Vasilopita dates back to Saint Basil the Great, who was a Bishop, and would hide money or jewels in baked sweet bread as a way to help the poor. Today a coin is baked in the bread and the person who receives the slice of bread with the coin will receive blessings of almighty God. Donations will benefit Saint Basil’s Academy. St. Basil Academy is the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese home for children in need. The Academy provides a loving Christian environment where resident Children are nurtured to adulthood. Looking forward to seeing everyone at this cherished heart-warming afternoon event and celebrate the New Year together with our friends and family. Please do not forget to send in your reservations as soon as possible. On behalf of Philoptochos I wish you a Happy New Year with all God’s blessings of faith, health, peace and love throughout the New Year.
