September 2009

 

Calendar of church services:

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FESTIVAL ‘09

Friday, 25, Saturday 26 & Sunday 27, September, 2009

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ENGLISH

Tuesday, September 1 – Beginning of the Church Year.

Sunday, Sept. 6 – 13 th Sunday after Pentecost. Divine Liturgy (E) at 9:00 a.m. Divine Liturgy (M) at 10:30 a.m. Epistle : Corinthians 16:13-24; Gospel : Matthew 21:33-44. PTA Meeting and Sunday School Registration after 10:30 church service. See details in this bulletin.

Monday, Sept 7 – Eve of the Nativity of the Birthgiver of God. Vespers Service at 6:00 p.m.

Tuesday, Sept. 8 – Nativity of the Birthgiver of God (Theotokos). Epistle : Philippians 2:5-11; Gospel : Luke 10:38-42; 11:27-28. Divine Liturgy at 10 a.m.

Sunday, Sept. 13 – Sunday before the Lifting of the Cross. Divine Liturgy (E) at 9:00 a.m. Divine Liturgy (M) at 10:30 a.m. Epistle : Galatians 6:11-18; Gospel : John 3:13-17. Sunday School Registration after church service. See details in this bulletin.

Sunday, Sept. 13 – Eve of the Lifting of the Cross . Vesper service at 6:00 p.m.

Monday, Sept. 14 – Lifting of the Holy Cross . Epistle : 1 Corinthians 1:8-24; Gospel : John 19:6-11, 13-20, 25-28, 31-35. Divine Liturgy at 10:00 a.m. Strict fast .

Sunday Sept.20 – Sunday after the Lifting of the Holy Cross. Divine Liturgy(E) at 9:00 a.m. Divine Liturgy (M) at 10:30 a.m. Epistle : Galatians 2:16-20; Gospel: Mark 8:34-38; 9:1 (Taking up your Cross and Following Christ).

Sunday, Sept. 27 – 18 th Sunday after Pentecost . Divine Liturgy at 9:00 a.m. Divine Liturgy (M) at 10:30 a.m. Epistle : 2 Corinthians 9:6-11; Gospel : Luke 5:1-11 ( Miraculous Catch of Fish ).

ROMANIAN

Marti, 1 Septembrie - Inceputul Anului Bisericesc

Duminica, 6 Septembrie - Duminica a 13-a dupa Rusalii . Divine Liturgy (E = Engleza) la ora 9:00 a.m. Sf. Liturghie (M=mixta) la 10:30 a.m. Apostol 1 Corinteni 16:13-24; Evanghelia: Matei 21:33-44 ( Pilda lucratorilor rai ). Sedinta Profesorilor scolii duminicale cu parintii dupa serviciul de la 10:30 a.m.

Luni, 7 Septembrie – Inaintepraznuirea Nasterii Maicii Domnului. Vecernie la ora 6 :00 p.m.

Marti, 8 Septembrie - Nasterea Maicii Domnului . Sf. Liturghie la ora 10:00 a.m. Apostol: Filipeni 2:5-11; Evanghelia : Luca 10:38-42; 11:27-28.

Duminic | , 13 Septembrie - Duminica înainte de Inaltarea Sf. Cruci . Divine Liturgy (E) la ora 9:00 a.m. Sf. Liturghie (M) la 10:30 a.m. Liturghie la ora 10:00 a.m. Apostol Galateni 6:11-18; Evanghelia: Ioan 3:13-17 . Registrarea copiilor pentru Scoala duminicala. Vezi detalii în buletin.

Duminica, 13 Septembrie – Ajunul Inaltarii Sf. Cruci . Vecernia la 6 :00 p.m.

Luni, 14 Septembrie - Inaltarea Sf. Cruci - zi de post strict..Sf. Liturghie la 10:00 a.m. Apostol: 1 Corinteni 1:18-24; Evanghelia : Ioan 19:6-11, 13-20, 25-28, 31-35.

Duminic | , 20 Septembrie - Duminica dupa Inaltarea St. Cruci. Divine Liturgy (E) la ora 9:00 a.m. Sf. Liturghie (M) la 10:30 a.m. Apostol: Galateni 2:16-20; Evanghelia: Marcu 8: 34-38; 9:1 (Luarea crucii si urmarea lui Hristos).

Duminic | , 27 Septembrie - Duminica a 18-a dupa Rusalii. Divine Liturgy (E) la ora 9:00 a.m. Sf. Liturghie (M) la 10:30 a.m. Sf. Liturghie la ora 10:00 a.m. Apostol: 2 Corinteni 9:6-11; Evaghelia : Luca 5:1-11 (Pescuirea minunata ).

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Ladies' Auxiliary

Reported by Anne Nastu, President

Many thanks to Rodica Ianus and Audrey Fatsy who made the prosfora for the month of August and to Veronica Stilu , who will make the bread for the month of September.   If you would like to bake/donate the church bread in the future, please call Psa. Mariana Coca.  

Holy Bread (Prosfora) Donations :   For those who would like to donate the Prosfora for church services, three or four loaves can be ordered from the Ladies Auxiliary for a fee of $20.00 by calling Psa. Mariana Coca at (203) 373-0410.

The annual St. Dimitrie Church Festival will take place on Friday, September 25; Saturday, September 26; and Sunday, September 27. MARK YOUR CALENDARS ! Many members of our organization will be actively involved in this annual BIG social event of our parish. If you did not get a spot in the working schedule, please call the one of the chairpersons, Ovidiu Ocrain or Patti Johnson , or the President of our Ladies' Auxiliary, Anne Nastu .

The responsibilities of those sponsoring a coffee hour include: preparation, setting up, and cleaning up. It has been very hard to get volunteers to prepare the coffee hour lately!

The Ladies' Auxiliary always welcomes new members. Please join our hardworking organization. The annual membership fee is only $25.00. We can always use lots of help and fresh new ideas, especially at our new church in Easton. 

Our August 23 rd monthly meeting was well attended. All of the members present have specific jobs for the Festival. Many thanks to those who have volunteered.

We are pleased to report that George Cipu baked and donated 2 piti which were sold at the coffee hour.  The proceeds from these sales ($106) came directly to the Auxiliary's treasury.  May God bless you abundantly, George, for your very generous contributions!

On Sunday, September 13, some members of St. Nicholas Antiochian Church will be worshiping with us, and afterwards will present Fr. Cornel with a gift. Our ladies will host the fellowship hour that Sunday.

We are issuing a plea to all our members to attend the Women's Council Fashion Show at Testo's Restaurant on Saturday, September 12. This fundraiser is for seminarian scholarships. See Audrey Fatsy or Florence Marsala for tickets.

he Council only has two fundraisers a year, the second one being the Annual Bake Sale. This year our church will host that event on Saturday, October 10. We will have a luncheon, and each parish brings ethnic pastries and/or food. The entire church is urged to participate in this project by buying the goodies.

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Retirees' Update

Reported by Mary Seferi, Secretary

Birthdays in September: Florence Costulas, Florence Marsala, Athina Pontikis, Mary Seferi, Betty Shola.

Birthdays in October: Veta Babu, Sina Balamaci, Stephanie Bellas, Victoria Bileca, Alexandra Jurebie, Doris Servatas.

Anniversaries in October: Gina and John Cook, Florence and Peter Costulas, Liz and Charles Geambazi, Kay and Mitch Ziu.

Hosts:
September hosts: Florence Godin and Kyratsa Jombur.
October hosts: Audrey Fatsy and Nancy Graham .

Events:

June 18: Psa. Mariana sponsored the coffee hour in celebration of the baptism of her granddaughter, Isabela.

June 25: The family of Nick Cipu served a variety of appetizers, fruit cocktail, and a delicious birthday cake on the occasion of Nick's 93 rd birthday. La Multi Ani!

July 16: Cathy Angelos suggested that, as a means of raising more money for the church, members donate $1.00 for coffee and pastry unless the coffee hour is sponsored.

August 13: Elena Balamaci, Julie Cipu and Ronnie Atanase sponsored the coffee hour in honor of Gina Dumitre's 90th birthday. They served cheese, crackers, fruit, candy and a delicious birthday cake. Many happy returns, Gina!

Aug. 20: Mary Chiacu sponsored the coffee hour in honor of Sam's name day.

Many thanks to Florence Marsala for her donation of a Dust Devil vacuum for the use of the Retirees.

We welcomed the following new members: Elena Balamaci, Doris Servatas, and Theodora Valmas.

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PARISH EVENTS :

**Festival 09: September 25, 26 and 27

**Sunday School starts: October 4

**St. Dimitrie Day Banquet: October 25

**Christmas Lent begins: November 15

**Christmas: Thursday, December 25

 

Please Note. The October 24 Consecration of the Church has been postponed to a date to be determined in 2010.

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Choir Notes

Reported by Gina Cook, Choir Director

Choir members are always needed! If you can carry a tune, please join. All the talents we have are gifts from God, so if God granted you the gift of singing, He will be very pleased if you use it to glorify Him and to lead parishioners to glorify Him. Please see Gina Cook , our Choir Director, and sign up.

We would like to thank Chris and Dria Mallios for donating two bookcases in the choir loft, and to Bob and Karen Jordan for helping with transportation and set up.

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FORCC NEWS

Reported by Bill Balamaci, President

The November 19, 2009 business meeting of FORCC will be held at St. Dimitrie Church at 7:30 pm. Our parishioners are welcome to attend the meeting and informational presentation.  

See flyer for the FORCC annual dinner.

St. Dimitrie parishioners and friends are encouraged to join the parishioners of 30 member parishes in their support of FORCC-sponsored events.

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Women's Council News

Reported by Audrey Fatsy, Church Representative

Women's Council Fashion Show on Saturday, September 12th from noon to 3:30 p.m.  The donation is $30.  Please see Audrey Fatsy or Florence Marsala for reservations and tickets.
The Women's Council Bake Sale will be held on Saturday, October 10, 2009, at St. Dimitrie Church Hall, from 10 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. The income will support the Seminarian Scholarship. Thank you for your support.

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Counting Our Blessings

Donations

St. Dimitrie Romanian Orthodox Church gratefully acknowledges the following donations of time, talent and treasure:

Fellowship Hour Donations

-- Donated on July 5th IMO Andre Geambazi (3 yr. Memorial), by daughter Jenny Babu & Family

-- Donated on July 12 In honor of the baptism of Isabella Josephine Coca, daughter of Dean & Dr. Sara Coca and granddaughter of Fr. George & Psa. Mariana Coca.

-- Donated on July 26 IMO Todi Ciufecu by brother Aurel (5 yr. memorial)

-- Donated on August 2 IMO George & Thoma Ghianuly by daughter Nora Hoag and family

-- Donated on August 16 IMO Onisie (2 yr. memorial), by daughter Vica Gallen ($200).

-- Donated on August 9 by Mitch & Kay Ziu

Ambon Candles

--For the good health of the family (Stila, Mihaela Florentina and Joita) from Zoe Zgura (7/19/09)

5-Day Sanctuary

-- In loving memory of Arlene and Edith, from Mort Gelfand (6/21, 8/16/09)

-- In loving memory of Christy Janelu (28 years), from sister Florence Marsala (7/14/09)

-- In loving memory of Claudiu Ocrain (10 year memorial), from Marianne, Ovidiu, Audriana, and Christopher (7/26/09)

7-Day Sanctuary

-- In loving memory of my grandmother, Marina Ghianuly Coca. on her “Name Day,” July 17, from Mary Coca Tambakis and her family. Her memory is eternal!

-- In loving memory of Catherine Semo, from Florence Marsala (8/19/09)

-- In loving memory of James Mitica Shola (6 month memorial), from Lucy and Barbara. Rest in peace!

- In loving memory of Vasilia Shola – Happy Birthday, Maia Mari, love from George, Audrey, and Kristin Fatsy and Ovidiu, Marianne, Audriana, and Christopher Ocrain (7/5/09)

-- For the good health of Audrey Fatsy (Happy Birthday) from family (8/7/09)

-- In loving memory of Dad, Stavri Yanka, Happy birthday & our dear friend Ernie Godin, from George and Audrey Fatsy (8/7/09)

-- In loving memory of Ernie Godin (Happy Birthday), from Florence and family (8/7/09)

-- In loving memory of Teta Sopha Yanka Dallaku, from George and Audrey Fatsy and family (8/9/09)

-- In loving memory of James Dacoles from George and Audrey Fatsy and family. Memory eternal! (8/9/09)

Altar Candles

-- In loving memory of Hrista Andry and departed family (8/2/09)

-- For the good health of Alexis Kressu and family from Grandmother Nikki Kressu (7/12/09)

Special Donations

-- In loving memory of Constantin Jombur, Gheorghe Culcearu, and Maria Culcearu from Kyratsa Jombur and Sultana Culcearu (8/15/09) ($1,000 – votive candles)

-- In loving memory of Julik Gabet, from Rachel Zylberkain (7/5/09) ($50)

-- In loving memory of Mary Khoury and Ibrahim Enez, from Hilda Enez (8/2/09) ($50)

-- IMO Hilda Enez, from Nadia and Isaac Murad (8/9/09) ($50)

-- IMO Catherine Semo, from Brenda Bicki (8/23/09)

-- IMO Bill Chanaca , Jr. (2 Years), from Jo Chanaca (6/28/2009) ($200)

-- IMO Vasil Tanacea, from Gina & Sam Giavara (8/23/09)

-- IMO Father & Grandfather Nick Maravich, from Carole Maravich (6/21/09) ($20)

-- IMO Catherine Semo, from Florence Marsala (8/23/09)

-- IMO Catherine Semo, from St. Dimitrie Retirees (8/16/09) ($25)

-- Michael Adam (8/23/09) (($20)

-- Anonymous (for the Liturgical Fund) (8/16/09) ($15)

-- Julia Iana Basu (8/23/09) ($50)

-- Fr. Deacon Carol Bratosin (8/16/09) ($100)

-- Mother Veronica (Crisan) (7/5/09) ($100)

-- Peter Cutler (8/2/09) ($300)

-- Anca Dando (7/12/09) ($60)

-- Ion Mircea Georgescu (8/16/09) ($160)

-- Maria Hancin (8/9/09) ($50)

-- Gus & Pamela Hatzis (8/9/09) ($100)

-- Frank Lynch (Check from Jeannette Ranucci) ($25)

-- Nadia Murad (8/9/09) ($50)

-- Helen Pariza (8/23/09) ($60)

-- Iliana Paschalidis (6/28/09) ($175)

-- St. Dimitrie Ladies Auxiliary Donation for 2 Carts (6/21/09) ($300)

-- St. Dimitrie Retirees Donation for 1 Cart (6/21/09) ($150)

-- United Way of Central & Northeastern CT for Radu Rusu (6/28/2009) ($89.46)

Dinner Donations

Anonymous ($500)

Betsy Cipu ($25)

Dan & Michaela Ene ($100)

Nick & Elsie Fatse ($40)

Audrey & George Fatsy ($45)

Bea Kolton, IMO Virginia Nastu ($50)

Tom & Vera Morrison ($500)

Marianne Ocrain ($24)

Kathy Olschan ($100)

Elena Vartic ($20)

Dale Ziem ($25)

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Other Contributions in Support of St. Dimitrie Church

Year-To-Date through August 23, 2009

 

We thank all of the persons who have supported St. Dimitrie Church. May God bless all of you.

Candles $21,452.00

Trays $19,090.00

2nd Building Fund Tray $ 9,746.00

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St. Dimitrie Church Pledge Status

Phase 1: $696,127 Pledged - $600,177 Received = $ 95,950 Balance Due

Phase 2: $219,459 Pledged - $152,292 Received = $ 67,167 Balance Due

Interior Furnishings* $179,059 Pledged - $166,894 Received = $ 12,165 Balance Due

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Special Fundraisers by Individuals/Groups

Wednesday Morning Bible Study Class (Coin Jar) $333.00

Candle Stand Large Jug $698.00

Early Mortgage Payoff Group $6,650.00

(Please start a fundraising activity on your own. See the published suggestion list available at the candle stand.)

Religious Bookstore

The Religious Bookstore has started up again thanks to

Brenda Bicki. Brenda has been selling books, and soon icons will be available. Please see her for your needs.

2009 Building Fund Assessment

The Building Fund Assessment amount received is $80,472.

Church Community Dinner

Our first Church Dinner was a great success both financially and socially. The expenses for the dinner were donated by an anonymous sponsor. The net income was $2,900. We had an excellent turnout and an enjoyable time was had by all!

Two Sunday Services

The statistics for the two Sunday Services since we started on 5/3/2009 are:

 

9:00: $6,684 income and average attendance of 41 persons

10:30: $18,185 income and average attendance of 157 persons

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Welcome To Our New Members

Linda Delguidice Trumbull, CT

Anca Balajc Stamford, CT

Dr. George Cody Bridgeport, CT

Christian Petrescu Bethel, CT

Cristina Malik Norwalk, CT

Costin Ionescu Norwalk, CT

Correction : we apologize that we incorrectly published Betty Balamaci's name in this section in the last Bulletin. Betty is, of course, a longtime member.

Please note that the deadline for any bulletin news , thank-you notes, or any other notices is the 20 th of each month. Any information received after this date will appear in the following month's bulletin. Leave your information at the candle stand in the Bulletin Folder .

If you would like your special donations or candle donations to be recorded in the bulletin “In Memory of” or “In Honor of” a loved one, please fill out a white bulletin slip with the name exactly the way you wish it to appear in the bulletin, along with the date of the donation. Thank you!

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Congratulations Graduates:

Erica Crowell, daughter of Glenn and Cathy Crowell, was graduated from Stratford High school this past June. She is attending Southern Connecticut State University. The proud grandparents are Vas and Ronnie Atanase.

Thank you note!

Thank you to all my friends for the phone calls and cards wishing me a speedy recovery.  It brightened up my day. GOD BLESS you all, Audrey Fatsy.

Parents, grandparents and godparents,

please take note:

 

Sunday School

will resume its classes on

 

Sunday, October 4, 2009.

Classes will be held every Sunday

between the two services

from at 10:00 a.m. too 10:45 a.m.

 

Registration of the students will take place during the month of September after the Divine Liturgy.

Religious education is very important for our children. We have to instill in their souls the faith in God – the true faith in God – to help them establish and develop a personal relationship with God. This education will help them, during this life, to save their souls, and to root them in the true church. Our children need the spiritual food and drink that comes from above (in addition to the material help that we give them) for complete growth. The church is here to help you. The church might very well be the only place to help you, since the society is so secular and almost anti-religious.

Jesus said: I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst (John 6:35).

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Bible Classes :

The Pan Orthodox Bible Study will resume its classes on Tuesday, September 15 at the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church. The theme is The Gospel according to St. John . The classes will meet every Tuesday from 7:30 to 9:00 p.m. with instructor Fr. George Coca.

The Romanian Bible Study will resume its classes on Tuesday, October 6. The classes will meet every Tuesday from 10:30 to 1:00 noon. The theme is The Book of Revelation.

The English Bible Study will resume classes on Wednesday, October 7. The classes will meet every Wednesday from 10:30 to 12.00 noon. The theme is The Letters of the Apostles.

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Life Passages

Dennis (Dionisie) Balamaci fell asleep in the Lord on Tuesday, August 4, 2009. Born in Bridgeport on July 21, 1922, Dennis spent his youth in Bridgeport, New York City, and Woonsocket, R.I., graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree from Providence College in 1943. After serving in World War II, he taught school and and received a Master's degree in Education from Boston University. After moving to Bridgeport in 1951, he worked for Sikorsky Aircraft until his retirement in 1987. Dennis was a devout member of the St. Dimitrie Romanian Orthodox Church and served for many years on the Parish Council. He also was a decades-long member of the Board of Directors of the Society Farsarotul.

Dennis is survived by devoted wife, Frusina Giavara Balamaci. Earlier this year they celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary. He also is survived by four children, Marilyn Balamaci, James Balamaci, Caryn (Nicholas) Balamaci, and Dean (Jo Anna) Balamaci; four grandchildren, Julie, Andrew, Kathryn and Matthew Balamaci; his sister, Trulie Rich and her husband, Charlie; numerous nieces and nephews, and many cousins and friends. Funeral services were held on Friday at 11 a.m. at St. Dimitrie Romanian Orthodox Church, with burial at Lakeview Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory were made to the St. Dimitrie Building Fund, P.O. Box 146 Monroe, CT 06468. Dennis loved his family and his church, and he will be missed.

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You Are Cordially Invited To Attend the

SIXTEENTH ANNUAL

BENEFIT DINNER

sponsored by

The Fellowship of Orthodox Churches of Connecticut

 

Sunday, October 4, 2009, at 1:00 p.m.

Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church Hall

4070 Park Avenue, Bridgeport, CT

 

Honored Guest Speaker

 

His Beatitude, Metropolitan JONAH

Archbishop of Washington and New York

Metropolitan of All America and Canada (OCA)

Full Course Dinner with choice of:

Stuffed Fillet of Scrod or Stuffed Chicken Breast

Donation $35.00 Adults - $10.00 Children

 

Reservations required by September 20, 2009

Contact our parish FORCC Representative:

Bill Balamaci 203-876-2379

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Please Help Us Help the Church!

 

Please join us for one of the most important social and fundraising event of our parish, our Annual Festival! We need everyone's help! There are many reasons why we must make this festival very successful, especially from a financial and fellowship view!

This Festival must be successful financially. We need the income from this Festival to help us to pay for some of the building costs of our new church. We also need our Festival income to supplement our General Fund, the operating fund of our church. Without the three main events of our parish life – Easter, Christmas and the Festival – we cannot meet our obligation for the daily operations of our church. In other words, we cannot keep the doors of our church open.

This Festival must be successful as regards fellowship. Our past Festivals have always been community builders. People came to the festival to meet old friends as well as make new friends. Members and friends of our parish came together, socialized, and got to know one another better. They shared stories and the experiences of their lives. The Festival was always a great occasion for the community to bond. For those who worked at the Festival, it was also an occasion for bonding. The church community was strengthened by the fact that people worked together, collaborated with one another, and felt the common need to help maintain and increase the progress of our church community.

The Festival must be successful as our primary ethnic activity. We have always been proud to show off our ethnic foods and hospitality. There is no other Festival in the area like ours, where 100 percent of our food is homemade, delicious, and conveniently priced!

Thank God for Good Chairpersons.

We are very grateful to our Festival Chairpersons; Ovidiu Ocrain and Patty Johnson . They are experienced, since this is not the first time they have chaired the Festival. If you would like to help, please contact one of them. Give them a call. They will appreciate it. It takes a lot a people and organization to run a successful Festival.

Do you know for each booth at the Festival we need approximately eight people to run each section? There is a list in the vestibule of our church on which you can sign up for the place and time that you are willing help. Put your phone number and you will be contacted!

Church Tours

Since we have a beautiful new church, we are sure that many people coming to our Festival would like to see it and might want to know more about our faith and traditions. For that reason, we will have a regular time for the church tours. We need some help with this activity. If you would like to be one of the guides, please get in touch with one of the chairpersons.

Thank God for Good Captains

Each booth of the Festival is led by a captain. They keep a record of the helpers and make sure that the booth is well organized, well- provided, and has the help it needs.

St. Dimitrie Festival Captains

Function Name(s)

Food Line Anne Nastu

Pastry Caterina Colimitra / Mary Tambakis /

Gina Giavara

Coffee Kyratsa Jombur

Cake Walk Gina Cook

Mititei Iancu Bica

Shish Kabob Tom Carameta

What's New Florence Godin

Bar - Inside Art Giavara

Bar – Outside Dan Munteanu

Cafenea Steve Kiosse / Chris Michaels

Shuttle Bus Andrei Colimitra

Kitchen Mariana Coca

Tents Bill Balamaci

Permits Bob Nicola

Religious Books Brenda Bicki

DJ Radu Matei

Advertising Bill Balamaci / Patti Johnson

Gas Grills Pete Fatsy

Take A Chance Ronnie Atanase

Set-Up Sorin Breaz

Sponsors Andrei Colimitra / George Fatsy /

Sam Giavara / Bob Nicola

Church Tours Fr. Cornel / Fr. George

Raffle Tickets

For many years Mrs. Florence and Mr. Peter Costulas have chaired the main raffle for our Festival. You have already received raffle tickets in the mail. We ask that you sell them to your friends and coworkers, or even purchase some yourself. Every year this raffle brings a wonderful income to the church.

Festival Sponsors

Our community is very generous, since we have always had a very successful Festival sponsorship. The sponsors of the Festival bring a half or even more of the Festival income. All the donations as Sponsors are pure profit. For this reason, we would like to encourage you be a Sponsor of this festival! This is more needful than ever in the past due to our financial situation. Please become a Sponsor, especially if you have never been one before. If you have been a Sponsor before, please help us again. Within this bulletin we include a letter requesting your donation. We need everyone's help!

Take-a-Chance

We have always had many interesting things to raffle. Most of the prizes are donated by our parishioners. If you would like to donate something to this booth, please call the captain of the booth, Mrs.Veronica Atanase.

Thank God for Good Dance Instructors

This year we will have two groups of ethnic dancers to perform during the Festival. We are very grateful to Mariana Ocrain, who instructs the Youth Group, and to John Babu, the instructor for the Young Adult Group. Both groups have very good dancers, and it is a joy to watch them. We're sure they are going to be one of the prime attractions at our Festival!

Cake Walk

The Cake Walk is also a very exciting part of the Festival. For years, our Choir Director Gina Cook has done a wonderful job taking care of it. We get homemade and restaurant-made cakes to raffle during the Festival. If you can donate one or more cakes, we would appreciate it. We're grateful to Tula Michael, who for many years has solicited restaurants to donate cakes in support of our Festival. Get a ticket (a playing card on a hat), walk around enjoying the Festival, and listen, because your ticket might be called! The cakes come in various flavors and are absolutely delicious.

What's New Booth

Donations of new and almost new items are greatly appreciated for this popular booth. Suggested items are: jewelry, art work, small working appliances, and household items. No clothing or footwear will be accepted. Call the team captain, Florence Godin, at 203-377-5074, for additional information.

Volunteer Workers Needed

Our September 25 th , 26 th & 27 th FESTIVAL will require the support of all parishioners and friends. Please contact Festival Co-Chairmen Ovidiu Ocrain and Patricia Johnson to volunteer to work at our first Festival in Easton. We have plenty of work assignments to fulfill. Help make this our 30th Festival our best yet!

Festival '09 – Make It a Priority

Just a year ago, the question on our minds was “When?” When our new church will be completely built? It was indeed an anxious question that we all had, as we were getting closer and closer to the historical moment. Now it feels like we have been here forever. It is our home away from Home, the heavenly Home.

It took longer to complete than we anticipated or expected. We did have our challenges, and we still have more! Thanks be to God that on the way to the completion the building of our church, we had, especially in the hard and difficult times, the strong feeling and the knowledge that God was present among us with His grace and blessings. He helps us to pick ourselves up and continue.

We are grateful to all the people involved in the relocation project. Although we cannot mention each individually here, we are thankful to every one of you for helping in different degrees. We still need help, and lots of it, as well as the prayers of all of you.

However, we must all ask if we have honestly done our utmost in helping to build our new church, the house of God? Many may still ask themselves: “What can I do to help with the building of the church in Easton?” Perhaps some have forgotten to help altogether.

The truth is that everyone's help is needed! The key word to answering this question is participation . Show your interest in the community and the welfare of the church by participating in its religious and social activities. Come to church on Sunday, and pray with us. Show your dedication to our faith! Become a member in good standing of the church (pay your dues to the church). Pledge your financial support for the new church. Join one of the committees that works for the good and welfare of the church. There are indeed many opportunities to participate in the life and activities of our parish.

Festival ‘09 is also an answer. Participate in the Festival. If you can help, please help by donating some time. Become a sponsor by donating money to the Festival. Purchase or sell raffles tickets. Come and enjoy our Festival '09. Bring some friends and advertise our Festival. By participating in this Festival, you will help our church.

Come and enjoy Festival '09. Make it a priority for you and your family this summer. It is the first big event in the life of our new church community.

Father Cornel