We are well into the first semester of the Catechetical School Year. Again, attendance could be better on any given Sunday because many students are still attending only sporadically. I encourage all parents to make Sunday School a priority in their children's weekly schedule of activities.

This year on the first Sunday of every month Father James will be explaining portions of the Divine Liturgy prior to Communion. This will hopefully impress upon the children the importance of the Eucharistic Service in their present lives as well as in their adult lives. The first lesson was on the Proskomide and the second on the Vesting of the Priest.

On Sunday, September 30, the annual Sunday School picnic was held at Boisserac Park. It was very successful with many children, parents, and teachers in attendance. Karen Koutzoukis and Orsa Stylianides, co-chairmen, once again did a wonderful job. A special thanks to Steve Xenos for donating the meats and rolls and to John and Karen Koutzoukis for their donation of drinks and munchies. Also, thank you to all the parents and teachers who helped with the cooking and games.

On Sunday, November 4, the second annual Godparents' Sunday was held and once again was very successful. Godparents together with their godchildren received the sacrament of Holy Communion and strengthened their spiritual bond. A delicious brunch followed. Thank you to:

Mr. and Mrs. Tony Georgopoulos for their generous donation of all the ingredients that went into the preparation of the French toast and the sausages as well as chairing the brunch.

Maria Foskaris for her donation of grapes and juice.

Duke Contos, Chris Mellas, Chris Minoudis, George Stephens and Tim Sarres for serving as sous-chefs.

Orsa Stylianides for the preparation and donation of the invitations and Orsa Stylianides and Karen Koutzoukis for chairing the godparents/godchildren picture-taking booth.

Jerry Kallaos, Anne Lewis, Helen Vest, Maria Massouris, and Liz Hadjis and Philoptoochos members for setting up.

Thank you to Mrs.John Kapogianis for demonstrating to the sixth grade class the art of making prosforo.
 

We have held two of our Cooking /Crafts workshops to date. Thank you to Helen Becris and Jerry Kallaos for sharing their expertise in the Prosforo/tiropetes workshop. Also, thank you to Jerry Kallaos for inspiring us with her talent for making arrangements from garden greens and flowers. Everyone enjoyed two wonderful evenings of fun and fellowship. Look for the "Galaktoboureko Workshop" to be held on January 20, 2002.

The Christmas Boutique/Pastry Sale was held on Saturday, November 17 and Sunday November 18. Thank you to all our parishioners who supported this annual event by baking and/or buying pastries and buying our hand-made items.
 

A special thanks to:

Jerry Kallaos, Angie Diamant,Anne Lewis, and Helen Vest who worked so hard so that we could have items of such professional quality.

All the Sunday School teachers who helped with their donations of pastries and hand-made goods as well their time manning the different booths on Saturday and Sunday.
 

A raffle was held in conjunction with the boutique. Our sincerest thanks to Penny Contos and Adelphia for their donation of 4 tickets to the Ducks' game which were won by George Ambatielos. This generous gift is appreciated. The winner of the electric ice cream maker was Mary Nichols. Tina Kosebas won the Christmas tree skirt and Kiki Kitsigianis and daughter won the Christmas gazebo. Thank you to all who supported this raffle. A special thanks to Kathy Lemonde, Julie Sarres, and Liz Hadjis for selling the raffle tickets. Without their excellent salesmanship, the raffle would not have been a successful part of the boutique. A special thanks also to Marina Medenas for the countless hours she spent shopping for and preparing the baskets for the Chinese Raffle.

The Christmas Pageant/Brunch will take place on Sunday, December 16. Please make sure that your children are present so that they can participate in this annual program and feel the true spirit of Christmas.

Presbytera