GRADUATES:
Graduates this year are as follows: John Piperis, son of Mr. & Mrs. George I. Piperis will be graduating from Carroll High School (John will be attending Wayland Baptist University in Plainview, Texas on academic and soccer scholarships), Nicholas Karagas, son of Dr. & Mrs. Mike Karagas, will be graduating from Calallen High School. Billy L. Sissamis, son of Mr. & Mrs. Louis Sissamis, will be graduating from American University in Washington, D.C. Elias Abdalla, son of Mrs. Nawal Abdalla and the late Jamal Abdalla will be graduating from Gregory/Portland High School. George Livaditis, son of Mr. & Mrs. Mike Lividitis, will be graduating from Hellenic College Theological School in Brooklyn, Massachusetts. Congratulations to all graduates!
METROPOLIS CLERGY-LAITY CONFERENCE:
Father Stelios will be out of town from Monday, May 11th thru Saturday, May 16th attending the Denver Metropolis clergy retreat followed by the biennial Metropolis Clergy-Laity Assembly in Dallas, Texas. Also, in attendance at the Clergy-Laity Assembly will be Parish Council President Tony Zannaras and Parish Council Vice-President Harry Plomarity. Harry will also be attending the Denver Metropolis Council meeting Thursday evening, prior to opening of the Clergy-Laity Assembly on Friday, May 15th. Attending the Metropolis Philoptochos Conference, which is being held in conjunction with the Clergy-Laity Assembly, will be Olga Plomarity as the delegate from the local Philoptochos Chapter.
END OF CATECHISM SCHOOL:
Sunday, May 17th, 2009, will be the last day of the Catechism School classes for the current school year. Certificates and awards will be presented to the Catechism School pupils after the Divine Liturgy. We would like to thank this year=s teachers: Kindergarten -Alexia Maragakis and Vasoula Piperis; First Grade - Constance Sanchez and Virginia Livaditis; Second Grade - JoAnn Talarantas; Fourth Grade - Maria Papakostas; Middle School - Karen Karagas; High School - Tony Zannaras, and substitute teacher - Carol Mays. We also express our appreciation to Olga Plomarity for serving as the Catechism School Coordinator.
SPRING GENERAL ASSEMBLY:
On Sunday, May 3, 2009, the Spring General Assembly will be held in the Church Hall following the Divine Liturgy and coffee hour. All parishioners in good standing are urged to attend.
ARTOCLASIA:
On Friday, April 24, the feast of the Zoodochou Peghe (Theotokos of the Life-Giving Font), an Artoclasia Service was held by Mrs. Soula Piperis, on the occasion of her daughter Zoe=s nameday and for the health of her family.
AGREEKS OF CORPUS CHRISTI@:
The recently produced video AThe Greeks of Corpus Christi@ will be aired on KEDT-TV in early June. When the exact date and time is announced we will notify all the parishioners. This video which was produced by Bill Mays and William J. Chriss features interviews by many of our local parishioners. The videography and editing was provided courtesy of Del Mar College.
CHANTERS FOR HOLY WEEK AND EASTER SERVICES:
We would like to thank the following parishioners who served as chanters and sang in the choir during the Holy Week Services: Penelope Lividitis, George Paraskevas, Harry Plomarity, Olga Plomarity, Mariam Psimaris, Dora Thomas and Esther Valverde.
ASSISTING DURING THE HOLY WEEK SERVICES:
We would also like to thank and recognize the many parishioners for their help and assistance during Holy Week. We especially wish to thank the following:
Father Stelios for getting the Palms from the Church of Good Shepard for the Palm Sunday Services and to Olga Plomarity for making the crosses.
The women of our Parish who helped decorate the Epitafio on Good Friday.
The young girls who participated as the Myrofores (symbolizing the three Myrrh bearing women) during the Great Friday Evening Epitafio services: Sophia Sanchez, Amanda Pollakis, Sophia Papakostas, Zoe Piperis, Faith Staudt, Anna Maragakis, Ariel Del Bosque and Sophia Hartofilax.
ASSISTING WITH THE HOLY WEEK SERVICES, continued:
All the parishioners who brought red eggs that were distributed at the conclusion of the Resurrection Services.
All of the Altar Boys who served during Holy Week.
The Parish Council members who served in so many different capacities.
The parishioners who read the Gospel in the different languages during the Agape Services on Easter Sunday: Mrs. Christina Ikonomopoulos - Greek; Robin Allen - English; Olga Plomarity - Latin; Jim Ikonomopoulos - French; Mrs. Marioara Moody - Romanian; and Irene Baker - Russian.
HOLY WEEK AND EASTER DONATIONS:
We wish to recognize and thank the following parishioners for their generous donations during the Holy Week and Easter Services:
Mrs. Maria Hrisos for donating the frame of flowers for the Icon of the Nymphios
Mr. & Mrs. Vasile Hartofilax, Jo Ann Talarantas and Sophia Piperis for donating the flowers for the Epitafio; Mrs. Marie Crumly and others for donating the greenery; Marika Govatos for her monetary donation for flowers for the Epitafio.
Olga Plomarity for donating all the items needed for the Holy Unction Service..
Mrs. Zoe Pollakis for donating the candles used during the Holy Thursday Evening Services.
Mr. & Mrs. Pete Santikos for donating the wreath that was placed on the Cross during the Holy Thursday Evening Service.
The many parishioners who donated flowers and garlands that were hung on the Cross Holy Thursday Evening.
The white sheet used during the Apokathelosis Service on Holy Friday afternoon was donated in memory of Mrs. Diana Theofilos.
Virginia Livaditis for donating the rose water and rose petals for the
Friday evening Epitafio Service.
Kelly Stamatiadis for donating the flowers for the Banner of the Resurrection.
Mr. and Mrs. Peter Ikonomopoulos for their monetary donation toward the cost of the Easter lillies.
HOLY WEEK AND EASTER DONATIONS, continued:
Mrs. Marie aCrumly for donating the Pascal Candle.
All the Parishoners who brought flowers during Holy Week and also those who sent in money for the purchase of flowers.
Harry, Thalia, and Olga Plomarity for preparing and donating the Magheritsa and Chicken Avgolemeno Soups that were served after the Resurrection Service.
The members of the Delphi Club for donating the Easter Bread that was served after the Resurrection Service.
The many families that brought baskets of traditional Easter foods and eggs that were blessed by Father Stelios after the Resurrection Service and distributed in the Church Hall.
All the parishioners who brought red eggs to be blessed by father and then distributed to all present.
A special thanks to all the parishioners for their generous Easter offerings.
(If we omitted anyone from the above list, please notify the editor and you will be recognized in next month=s bulletin)
CONDOLENCES:
Mrs. Gail Ann Skarvellis Olson (63) formerly of Port Lavaca and Corpus Christi, Texas fell asleep in the Lord on Saturday, April 18, 2009 in Dallas, Texas after a long illness. She was preceded in death by her parents, Steve and Irene Skarvellis of Port Lavaca, Texas. Gail Ann is survived by her husband, Warren Dean Olson, her two children, Stephen Olson and Cathy Santa Cruz; and one sister , Marlene Treaner. of San Antonio, Texas Funeral Services were held at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in Dallas, Texas on Wednesday, April 22, 2009. Internment was held Thursday, April 23rd at the Port Lavaca Cemetery with Father Stelios Sitaras officiating.
May her memory be eternal!
MEMORIAL SERVICES:
On April 5, 2009, a Memorial Service was held for Mrs. Sofia Halkias, mother of Mrs. Irene Piperis. The coffee hour following the Divine Liturgy and Memorial Service was hosted by Mrs. Piperis. May her memory be eternal!
MEMORIAL SERVICES, continued:
A forty day Memorial Service will be held on May 10, 2009, for Mrs. Marika Govatos. The coffee hour will be hosted by the Delphi Club and the Govatos family. May here memory be eternal!
A Memorial Service will be held on May 24, 2009 by Mrs. Katherine Hrissikopoulos for Dr. Pat Hrissikopoulos, Charles and Nafsica Hrissikopoulos, Homer and Helen Cazamias, Paul and Helen Kairis, Aleco and Christina Papadopoulos, Stephen Pool, and also for Dr. John Chriss.
Also on May 24th, a Trisagion Service will be held for Nick Shibylo, husband of Mrs. Ann Shibylo. The coffee hour will hosted by Mrs. Hrissikopoulos and family and Mrs. Shibylo. May their memory be eternal!
WEDDING ANNIVERSARY@
On May 20th Christopher and Georgia Lontos Butta of Houston, Texas, will celebrate their twentieth wedding anniversary. Chris and Georgia were married on May 20, 1989. Congratulations!
COFFEE HOUR:
Please sign up on the poster in the Church Hall to host thecoffee hour after the Divine Liturgy:
May 3 ........................... Dr.Ioan Nicolau - In memory of his his parents
May 10 . . . . . . . . . . . . .Memorial Coffee for Mrs. Marika Govatos
May 17 . . . . . . . . . . . . .End of School for the Catechism School Coffee
May 24. . . . . . . . .. . . . Mrs. Katherine Hrissikopoulos and Mrs. Ann Shibylo
May 31 .............................................................................................. OPEN
BIRTHDAYS:
Best wishes to everyone who has a birthday in May:
Gus Minas Piperis ....................................................................... May 5th
Anna Minas Talarantas .............................................................. May 6th
Daniel Marion Eliades ................................................................ May 7th
Eric Hamanei .............................................................................. May 8th
BIRTHDAYS, continued:
Noelia G. Spentzos ( 1 year old) ................................................. May 8th
George Pollakis .......................................................................... May 9th
Mrs. Daisy Rubio ....................................................................... May 9th
Mary Grace Rubio .................................................................... May 9th
Mrs. Rosemary Vaseliades ........................................................ May 10th
J. R. Stendeback ....................................................................... May 15th
Mrs. Diane Hamauei ................................................................... May 18th
Dr. Nicholas Hallick ................................................................... May 18th
Alexis Chrissy Karagas .............................................................. May 19th
Mrs. Melody Vogel ..................................................................... May 20th
Christina Sissamis ...................................................................... May 23rd
Mrs. Mariam Psimaris ............................................................... May 24th
Anthony Christian Hancock ( 2 years old) .............................. May 27th
Katherine Jane Butta ................................................................ May 28th
James Davis ................................................................................. May 31st
IN LOVING MEMORY:
Each month we will mention our loved ones who have fallen asleep in the Lord during the particular month. If I have omitted anyone, please let me know so I can include them in the future.)
Mrs. Ethel James Pothitakis ........................... May 1, 1987
Mrs. Irene Orphanos ..................................... May 1, 2006
Malcolm Doyle Wilkinson ................................ May 1, 2009
Mrs. Isamaro Baklajoglou .............................. May 2, 1979
Mrs. Cleo Hartofilax ...................................... May 2, 1991
Constantine G. Meles (Port Lavaca, Texas) . May 2, 1961
Mrs. Helen Cazamias .................................... May 2, 1997
Agnes Aboud .................................................. May 3, 1967
Jack Lymberry ................................................ May 3, 1954
Demetrios Cazassis ........................................ May 4, 1956
Mrs. Jane Hrissikopoulos Mays ...................... May 4, 1993
Mrs. Anastasia Stoilis ................................... May 4, 2000
Christ V. Hartofilax ....................................... May 5, 1994
Katy M. Glaros ............................................. May 5, 1976
Mrs. Sophia Lignos ...................................... May 6, 2006
Mrs. Marika Eliades ...................................... May 8, 2001
Jack M. Glaros ............................................. May 9, 1983
IN LOVING MEMORY, continued:
John Gilson (Raymondville, Texas) ............... May 9, 1967
Mrs. Maria H. Sissamis ............................... May 9, 1980
Mrs. Patsy Kandis ......................................... May 10, 2006
Emmanuel Argyros ........................................... May 11, 1975
Mrs. Jo Ann Comnas ...................................... May 11, 1998
Mrs. Panagiota Tahinakos .............................. May 12, 1989
Mrs. Anna Nicolau .................................................... May 14,
Mrs. Darleen Stoilis ........................................ May 14, 1987
Mrs. Fofo Giannukos Sfiris ............................. May 15, 1990
Mrs. Louise Lymberry ..................................... May 17, 1990
Mrs. Marina Roussakis ................................... May 18, 1992
Nicholas (Nick) Shibylo .................................... May 19, 2005
Dr. Pat Hrissikopoulos .................................. May 20, 2003
Panagiotis Sofronas ....................................... May 21, 1955
Marcus C. Karides .......................................... May 21, 1961
Mrs. Maria Spentzos ..................................... May 21, 2000
Gallo Estefo .................................................... May 22, 1987
Betty Whitaker ................................................ May 24, 2005
Billy Louis Whitaker ........................................ May 25, 2000
Michael Sotiriades ........................................... May 28, 1970
Dr. John Chriss ............................................ May 28, 2007
Mrs. Lula Morrean ......................................... May 29, 1990
Philip Benson .................................................. May 29, 1988
John Sedar ..................................................... May 30, 1976
Mrs. Helen Gatoura ....................................... May 30, 1992
Mr. Nicolaie Nicolau ...................................... May 30, 1998
May their memory be eternal!
MARIKA GOVATOS TRIBUTE