JANUARY 2010

Calendar of Services / Events

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IANUARIE  2010

Duminică, 10 Ianuarie – Duminica după Botezul Domnului. Sf. Liturghie la 10:30 a.m.  Apostol: Efeseni 4:7-13; Evanghelie: Matei 4:12-17

Luni, 11 Februarie - Sedinta Cons. Parohial, 6:00 p.m.

Marţi, 12 Februarie – Studiul biblic se întruneşte in fiecare marţi de la 10:30 la amiază.  Tema: o călătorie prin Sf. Scriptură. Alte date: Ianuarie 19 şi 26.  

Duminică, 17 Ianuarie – Duminica a 32-a după Rusalii. Sf. Liturghie la 10:30 a.m.  Apostol: 1 Timotei 4:9-15; Evanghelie: Luca 19:1-10 (A lui Zaheu). Scoala duminicală de la 10:00 am la 10:45 a.m. Adunarea Generală a parohiei după Sfânta Liturghie.

Duminică, 24 Ianuarie– Duminica a 33-a după Rusalii. Sf. Liturghie la 10:30 a.m.  Apostol: 2 Timotei 3:10-15; Evanghelie: Luca 18:10-14 (A Vameşului şi Fariseului). ). Scoala duminicală de la 10:00 am la 10:45 a.m.
 
Sâmbătă, 30 Ianuarie – Sfinţii Trei Ierarhi: Vasile cel Mare, Grogorie Teologul şi Ioan Gură-de-Aur.  Sf. Liturghie la ora 10:00 a.m. Apostol: Everi 13:7-16; Evanghelie: Matei 5:14-19.

Duminică,  31 Ianuarie – Duminica a 34-a după Rusalii. Sf. Liturghie la 10:30 a.m.  Apostol: 1 Corinteni 6: 12-20; Evanghelie: Luca 15:11-32 (A fiului risipitor). Scoala duminicală de la 10:00 am la 10:45 a.m.
Vom sărbători şi Papandina şi Duminica Naşilor.  

Anticipând Februarie

Luni, Feb.1 – Sedinţa Consiliului parohial la 5:45 p.m.

Marţi, 2 Februarie. - Intâmpinarea Domnului.  Sf.  Liturghie la 10:00 a.m. Apostol. Evrei 7: 7-17; Evan.: Luca 2:22-40.

Sâmb|t|, 6 Februarie - Sâmbata mortilor (Caraga) - Sf. Liturghie la ora 10:00 a.m. Apostol: 1 Corinteni 10: 23-38 şi Tesaloniceni 4: 13-17; Evanghelie: Luca 21:8-9;25-27;33-36 şi Ioan 5: 24-39. Urmată de  parastas de obste.

Duminic|, 7 Februarie - a 35-a după Rusalii. L|sata secului de carne.  Sf. Liturghie la 10:30: 1 Corinteni 8:8-13; 9:1-2; Matei 25:31-46 (a Înfricosatei judecaţii). ). Scoala duminicală de la 10:00 am la 10:45 a.m. In cursul acestei saptamâni este dezlegare la ou|, peşte Õi lapte.

Duminic|, 14 Februarie - a 36-a dupa Rusalii.(Lasta secului de brânza. Duminica  iertarii).  Sf.  Liturghie

10:30 a.m.: Romani 13: 11-14;14:1-4; Matei 6:14-21(Izgonirea lui Adam din Rai). Scoala duminicală de la 10:00 am la 10:45 a.m.

Luni, 15 Februarie - Incepe Postul Mare.

Miercuri, 17 Feb. - Liturghia înainte sfintite, 6:00 p.m.

Vineri 19 Februarie – Pr. Cornel va fi  disponibil pentru Sf. Spovedanie de la amiază până la 7:00 p.m.

Sâmb|t|, 20 Februarie - Sf. Teodor. Sf. Liturghie la ora 9:00 a.m. Evrei 1: 1-12; Marcu 2:23 -3.5, este urmat| de Micul dejun.

Duminic| 21Februarie B Prima Duminic| din post, (a Ortodoxiei) Sf.  Liturghie la 10:30 a.m.: Evrei 11: 24-26; 32-40;  Ioan 1:43-51. Scoala duminicală de la 10:00 am la 10:45 a.m.
B Vecernia pan-ortodoxa la ora 4:00 p.m.

Miercuri, 24 Feb. – Liturghia înainte sfintita, 6:00 p.m.

Duminica, 28 Februarie - Duminica a doua din Post (A Sf. Grigorie Palama). Sf. Liturghie la 10:30 a.m.Apostol: Evrei 1:10-14; 2: 1-3; 7:26-28; 8:1-2; Evanghelia: Marcu 2:1-12; Ioan 10:9-16. Scoala Duminicală de la 10:00 a.m. la 10:45 a.m.
B Vecernia Pan-Ortodoxa la Biserica St. John , Stratford, Silver Ln.  la 4:00 p.m.

NOTE SI COMENTARII

Urmând Botezul Domnului (Boboteaza) şi sfinţirea apei (aghiasma), de la 6 Ianuarie,  Pr. Cornel va fi disponibil pentru sfinţirea caselor (in lunile Ianuarie şi Februarie).  Dacă doriţi să aveţi casa sfinţită vă rugăm să  chemaţi la oficiul parohial - şi o dată va fi stabilită cu preotul, la convenienţa dvs.
Dintre beneficiile binecuvântării caselor menţionăm:  sănătatea trupească şi sufletească a celor ce locuiesc în casă; iertarea păcatelor mai mici; îndepărtarea a tot răul din casă: răul fizic, precum, prin foc, apă, etc. şi răul spiritual, precum  vraja, neînţelegeri, vrajbe, ispite şi pe ispititorul.  Şi mai presus de toate ajută la mântuirea sufletelor.  Prin sfinţirea cu aghiasmă, casa devine şi o biserica mică, a familiei.

Adunarea Generală a parohiei noastre se va ţine Duminică, 17 Ianuarie după  Sf.  Liturghie, în biserică. Vă rugăm să participaţi.

Ţi-ai plătit cotizaţia? Dorim să reamintim parohienilor noştri că numai membrii care şi-au satisfăcut obligaţiile financiare pe anul trecut pot vota sau să fie aleşi în Consiliul Parohial.  Dar mai presus de toate, plata cotizaţiei la Sf. Biserică este o datorie spirituală, pe care orice creştin ortodox român trebuie să o facă.  Din darul lui Dumnezeu, trebuie să aducem şi noi dar casei Lui

Duminică 25 Ianuarie, Ziua Unirii o vom sărbători după Sf. Liturghie cu o masa în stil transilvănean. Vedeţi anunţul din buletin Vom servi sarmale, porc, mamaliga. Ca aperitive vom avea jumeri, slanina si cârnaţ. Vom închina si un paharel de tuică sau visinata. Veniţi cu toţii sa încingem Hora unirii.  Iuliana ne va conduce în cantec şi la horă

Duminica Naşilor este sărbătorită în acest an Duminică, 31 Ianuarie.  Legată de sărbătorirea Prezentării la Templu a Domnului Nostru Iisus Hristos (2 Februarie), unde a fost primit în braţe de dreptul Simeon şi proorociţa Ana, este o tradiţie în Biserica noastră de a sărbători şi a onora naşii, părinţii spirituali, care ne-au primit la Botez. Este bine ca naşii împreună cu finii să primească împărtăşania împreună în această duminică.

PARISH COMING EVENTS

General Assembly - January 17, 2010
Transylvanian-Style Dinner - January 24
Papandina - Godparents’ Sunday – Jan. 31

ANNUAL PARISH EVENTS:
January 31        Papandina, Godparents’ Sunday
February 6        Caraga (Moşii de iarnă)
February 21      Sunday of Orthodoxy
March 28          Palm Sunday Fish Dinner
April 4             Holy Pascha (Easter Sunday)
June tba           Festival 2010
May 22             Rusali (Moşii de vară)
May 23             Holy Pentecost
October 24        St. Dimitrie Day Banquet

Great Lent Pan-Orthodox Vesper Services

February 21 - Sunday of Orthodoxy - 4:00 p.m. at
St. Dimitrie Church, Easton
February 28 – 2nd Sunday of Lent - 4:00 p.m. at
St. John’s Church, Stratford, Silver Lane           
March 7 – 3rd Sunday of Lent – 4:00 p.m. at
Holy Ghost Church, Bridgeport
March 14 – 4th Sunday of Lent - 4:00 p.m. at 
St. Mary’s Church, Bridgeport
March 21 - 5th Sunday of Lent
OCA CT Deanery Unction Service – TBA

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 other parishioners to glorify Him. Please see Gina Cook, our Choir Director, and sign up.
Happy New Year!

It is a beautiful greeting. But viewed in the light of the Gospel, it is a empty wish. For what do people understand through this greeting?  They wish each other health, riches, well-being and success in everything. Of course these are also good, for they are also gifts from God. But these wishes forget the role of the soul. In these wishes we find only AMartha,@ and no AMary.@ The Lord said: AMartha, Martha you are worried and upset about too many things. Only one thing is important. Mary has chosen the right path@ (Luke 10:41-42).
To be happy does not mean only to be healthy, nor only to be rich and to do well. Many times, you can be very unhappy with only these gifts. With perfect health you can very easily forget about God, and riches can become very soon an idol. When everything is going well with you, regularly one thing is not going well:  your care for the soul.  AAnd Jacob ate and became full and forgot about God@ (Deuteronomy 32:15).
In the Gospel, we find happiness linked to something else. Happy Aare those who mourn... those who are persecuted... those who have pure hearts... those who are merciful,@ etc. (see Matthew 5:3-10). The true happiness is that which is linked with the soul, with heaven, and with God, indifferent to whether we are doing Awell@ or Abadly.@  Many times, a Abad year@ with many tests, struggles, and troubles can be one of the greatest blessings for our spiritual lives. AI was glad for the years when I saw troubles@ said the Psalmist (Ps. 89:17 or 90:15).
True happiness is that which comes from the soul of man and ends with the Heavens above.  True happiness links heaven with earth and man with God. True happiness is when you have the peace of God in your souls, which was won through the blood of His Son. AHappy are those whose sins are forgiven@ (Psalm 31:1 and 32:1)).
This is the happiness we should think about in the threshold of the New Year.  AHappy New Year@ in the language of the Gospel means a new year with a new life . . . a new year lived with God and His Gospels.
Once, a believer gave a non-believing neighbor this wish in the New Year Day: AMay God help you, dear neighbor, to look for and to find the Lord Jesus Christ this coming year.@  This is the wish which we wish to all those who have not truly found our Lord Jesus, the Savior of our souls.

Ladies’ Auxiliary
Reported by Ann Nastu, President

     Many thanks to M/M Van Michaels who donated the holy bread for the month of December for the good health of their family: Van and Bea and family; Janet and Alan and Family, Christopher and Molly and Family, Georgette and Christy and their Family.
     The Holy Bread for January is being offered by Tula Michael and her sister Elefteria Kastanaras.
     Our bake sale was quite a success due to our wonderful kitchen crew, those who worked, and those who bought!  Thank you all!
     Orders for stuffed cabbage, pita, and bread are being taken by Psa. Mariana.  Please contact her with your order.
     On January 3rd following the 10:30 Liturgy, the new Ladies’ Auxiliary Committee was sworn in.  We will then have a Luncheon for all our members.
     The beautiful Christmas flowers and wreaths for our church were donated entirely by an anonymous member of our church.  God bless you for your generosity!
    Papandina this year will be held on January 31st, hosted by Audrey Fatsy and Psa. Louisa.  Following the service, the first Ladies’ Meeting of 2010 will be held in the church hall.
The Ladies’ Auxiliary always welcomes new members. Please join our hardworking organization.  The annual membership fee is only $25.00. Now that we’re settled in our new church in Easton, we welcome your help and fresh new ideas. 

Retirees’ Update
Reported by Mary Seferi, Secretary

Birthdays:  January:Liz Lambro and Marie Dimitriades
   February:  Mary Chiacu, Julie Cipu, Jim  
   Giambazi, Nikki Kressu
Hosts:          January: Florence and Peter Costulas
February:Florence Godin and Mary Chiacu

Events:
December 8th: Twenty-four retirees and guests had a good time and enjoyed the delicious food at Mancuso's Restaurant at the Retirees’ Annual Christmas Luncheon.

    December 17th: Audrey Fatsy provided refreshments and a birthday cake in honor of the 88th birthday of her mother, Alexandria Yanka. La Multi Ani!
    A blessed Christmas and a Happy New Year to all!
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Lists of Firsts
October 25, 2009 -- We held our first St. Dimitrie Day Anniversary Banquet in the new church.

The event was very successfully chaired by Karen Jordan, aided by her sister Alexandria Mallios.
At the banquet we honored our altar boy, Justin Puzstay, as well as his parents, Maria and Josef Puzstay, for their dedication to our church.
Also we honored George Cipu as a longtime active member of the church, active in the Parish Council, in the choir, as a cantor, and in the Retirees’ organization. He received his reward, escorted by his wonderful granddaughters.  At the banquet we also presented Gina Cook with a plaque which was placed in the choir loft, dedicating it as the “Gina Pittu Cook Choir Mezzanine.” We are grateful for her continued activity in the choir.
We also were grateful to all those who made donations at the banquet. One of them had a special significance, as it was made by Mr. Jim Connelly, who has helped our church during his many years as the Superintendent of Schools in Bridgeport. This donation of $1.500 was even more special as it was made in honor of Mr. Robert Nicola.

December 25, 2009 – The first Christmas.
Our new church was beautifully decorated with abundance of flowers, wreaths, greenery, bows, and candles donated by an anonymous “angel.” The choir lifted our spirits with the angelic liturgical music.  The concert of carols was very much enjoyed by everyone. Over 400 people participated at the Nativity Liturgy.

December 26, 2009 – The First Hierarchical Liturgy was celebrated by His Grace Bishop Irineu.
 The second day of Christmas we celebrated the first hierarchical liturgy in our church with His Grace Bishop Irineu. His Grace Irineu was joined by Fr. Ionut from Holy Ghost Church in New York, Deacon Sebastian from the Vatra Romanesca, and Deacon Carol Bratosin from St. Mary’s, New York.  His Grace, who saw the church for the first time, was very impressed with its beauty.  In his address to the community he stated that our church is the largest and most beautiful Romanian Orthodox Church in America and called our church a miracle of God. At the conclusion of the service the well-known Romanian folk singer Ilie Madrea from Ardeal, Fr. Cornel’s region of Romania, delighted us with a few beautiful Romanian carols.

December 31, 2009 – January 1, 2010:  The first New Year’s Party was celebrated in our Church.
We would like to thank Mr. Dan Munteran, who did a wonderful job organizing our first Revelion in the new church. In spite of bad weather, the church hall was warm, joyful, and very festive. Our cater Andrei of Amici Mei  (on Main St., Bridgeport) provided a delicious meal. Our own choir member and newly-appointed assistant choir director, Iuliana Roata, provided us with a beautiful concert of folk dance music from Moldova and other regions of Romania. The morning came too soon for some of the partying group

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 Annual General Meeting Convocation

     The Annual General Meeting is called for Sunday, January 17, 2010 in the church hall immediately after the Divine Liturgy.

A G E N D A

I. Opening Prayer
II. Roll Call
III. Appointment of Parliamentarian
IV. Secretary's Report
V. Treasurer's Report
VI. Building Committee’s Report
VI. Report of Delegate to the Episcopate Council
VII. Auxiliary Reports
A. Parish Council
B. Ladies' Auxiliary
C. Retirees
D. Church School
E. MAC -AROY
F. Endowment Fund
G. Choir
H. Parish Deacon
I. Parish Priest
VIII. Old Business
IX. New Business

• Recommendations from the Parish Council
  B. Election of New Parish Council

Only members in good standing who have paid their membership for the year 2009 will be allowed to vote or be elected to the Parish Council. If you are not a member of our parish, we encourage you to become one and hope you join us in worship and in working for the building up of our parish. These are exciting times for our parish.
            As we make plans for the future of our church, we need to know if St. Dimitrie can count on you. Let us know and become a member. For membership forms or for more information please, contact the church office at (203) 261-1149.  

FORCC NEWS
Reported by Bill Balamaci, President

MEETING SCHEDULE FOR 2010
January 21, 2010 -- St. John the Baptist Carpatho
Russian Orthodox Church Silver Lane, Stratford
March 18, 2010 -- St. George Albanian Orthodox Church, Trumbull
May 20, 2010 -- St. Dimitrie Romanian Orthodox Church, Easton
June 17, 2010 -- Three Saints Orthodox Church, Ansonia
September 16, 2010 -- Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, Bridgeport
November 18, 2010 -- Sts. Peter & Paul Orthodox Church, Meriden. Elections to be held.

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 Women's Council News

        Our annual post-holiday luncheon will be held at the Blue Goose Restaurant in Stratford on January 31st at 1 p.m. Menu choices are: chicken & shrimp, prime rib, or fish. Donation is $32. Please see Audrey Fatsy for reservations.
        Thank you to all the ladies who participated in the pajama program for the Women's Council. We beat all records this year by sending 243 pairs of pajamas for needy children. To date we have sent over 700 pairs.  Thank you to all who participated.
        Our February meeting will be held at St. Dimitrie. Please plan on attending.

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

Fellowship Hour Donations
– Donated on October 18, 2009 in loving memory of Louise Vanghel Ghitsa by her daughter Sandra Batsu and family (40 days memorial).
– Donated on January 1, 2010, by Bill Balamaci for the good health on his family on his name’s day.
– Donated on January 10, 2010, in loving memory of Camil Eugen Neagu by his daughter Christine Ionescu and family (5 years).
5-Day Sanctuary Lamps
– In loving memory of Myriam Alexandra Norwood, from Brenda Bicki (12/13/09).
– In loving memory of Katherine Bici and George Schilira, from George and Loretta Bici (2 candls) (1/1/10).

7-Day Sanctuary Lamps
– In loving memory of Theodore Andry (5 yrs memorial), from Sister Elizabeth Andry Shola (12/17/09)

Additional Chrismas Card Wishes from Our Friends
Fam. Dinescu, Nora Hoag & Family, Mr. & Mrs. Dumitru Siriniean – In loving memory James Pittu, from Elizabeth Andry Shola (12/17/09)
– In loving memory of Flora Pitu, from Paulina, SDtela and Cristian Dima (12/13/09)
– In loving memory of Ioan Dima, from Paulina, Lili Stela and Cristian Dima (12/13/09)
– In loving memory James G. Shola ( 1 year memorial), home at last – Love from Barbara and Lucy(12/13/09)
– In loving memory of Christ E. Fatsy. Happy Nameday Papu, love from Marianne Vito, Audriana and Christopher Ocrain (12/17/09)
Special donations
– IMO Tom Michaels from Fr. George & Mariana Coca  ($30.00 on 12/20/2009)
– IMO John V. Nastu from Fr. George & Mariana Coca  ($30.00 on 12/20/2009)
– IMO of Betty (Culetsu) Fitzgerald, Jim & Mary Culetsu and Jason Kalakay from Nina Shaw ($10.00 on 12/6/2009)
– IMO my parents Helen (Elena) M. & Theodore D. Stoica from Victoria S. Zisk ($100.00 on 12/27/2009)
– For the health of the Murad Family ($25.00 on 12/14/2009)
– Daniel & Mioara Naum – In Loving Memory of our godparents, son, brother, sister-in-law & parents:  Pr. Ion, Psa Maria, Ioan & Ionut Gheorghe, Lidia-Maria, Elena, Ioan, Ion, Maria  ($100.00 on 12/14/2009)
– Maria Tudor - Prayer for my grandson, Alexandru, who serves in Afghanistan ($100.00 on 12/14/2009).

Christmas Offerings
$1,000.00
Raymond & Elena Herrmann        
$500.00
Andrew & Alexandra Shillira
$300.00
Florina & Alexanre Sota in memoria lui Busi Sota din partea Familiei
$250.00
Georgetta Marian
$100.00
Ana Maria Apoltan, Fam. Barba, George and Vony Fatsy, Dan & Michaela Ene, Alexandru & Cristina Ionescu,
George & Eftimia Kiosse, Andronica Kressu, Ion & Adriana Sirbu, Ioan & Florica Tataru
$70.00
Emil & Ileana Jombur Sipos  
$50.00
John & Ecaterina Aliman, Gloria Caranica, Josephine Chanaca, Dr. George Cody, Fam. Heamu, Costica & Rodica Ianus, Sofia Jakab, Gabriel & Victoria Matei, Victor & Anne Nastu, Mihai & Steriana Palavra, Lucian & Elena Popa, Flora Zarcu Power, Elena Radu, Dimitrula Rich, Radu Rusu, Elena Seri, Nick Stoicescu, Dale Ziem.
Under $50.00
Anonymous, Anonymous, Anonymous, Vasel & Ronnie Atanese, Constantin Bargiuma, Robert & Georgeta Blaschke, George & Julia Cipu, Mary Costulas, Eleftheria Fatsi, Florence Godin & Family, Gina Lity, Magistro Family, Florence Marsala, Dumitru & Daniela Nicola, Marie Nicola, Elena Olszyk, Ted & Kallie Schuster, Michael, Joanne, Talia & Carly Seamon, Constantin & Mariana Seri, IMO Betty (Culetsu) Fitzgerald, Jim & Mary Culetsu & Jason Kalakay from Nina Shaw, Tanase, Sotir & Veronica Stilu - "La Multi Ani", Raymond and Terri Trinkley.

New Members
We welcome the following new members. Please extend warm greetings to them when they come to church.
Rica Vasile Nicolescu; Christian & Anamaria Ciuca

Other Contributions

Year-To-Date through December 24, 2009
We thank all of the persons who have supported
St. Dimitrie Church. May God bless all of you.
Candles:                                               $31,439.00
Trays:                                            $27,626.00
2nd Building Fund Tray                    $16,711.00

St. Dimitrie Church Pledge Status
Phase 1 - $696,127 Pledged - $616,412 Received - $79,715 Balance Due
Phase 2:   $236,457 Pledged - $189,025 Received = $47,432 Balance Due
Interior Furnishings*:  $179,839 Pledged - $171,189 Received = $8,650 Balance Due

Special Fundraisers by Individuals or groups of Members
Tuesday Bible Study Class (Coin Jar)            $333.00
Candle Stand Large Jug                                 $698.00
Early Mortgage Payoff Group                      $8,600.00
2009 Building Fund Assessment               $109,744.00

2009 St. Nicholas Dinner
The St. Nicholas Dinner netted $2,350.00. That includes $300.00 in donations.  We express our heartfelt thanks to Kyratsa Jombur and Ileana Sipos for donating the entire cost of the dinner.

Two Sunday Services
The statistics for the two Sunday Services since we started on 5/3/2009 are:
9:00 a.m.  - $14,010 Income and Average Attendance of 42 persons
10:30 a.m. - $36,517 Income and Average Attendance of 150 persons

Thank You Note
Andrew Ghitsa, Sandra Ghitsa Batsu, Sandra's husband Vasil Batsu, & Louise's grandchildren, Lisa Batsu and Christopher Batsu, would like to extend a  warm thank-you to all of the people who contributed to the $2,055 Memorial Fund set up in memory of their mother and grandmother, Louise Vanghel Ghitsa.

Please note that the deadline for any bulletin news, thank-you notes, or any other notice is the 20th 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” (IMO)  or “In honor of” (IHO) a loved one, please fill out a white bulletin slip with your names recorded exactly the way you wish them to be printed in the bulletin, along with the date of the donation. Thank you!