Vol. 22 , No. 3 Holy Apostles Greek Orthodox Church 2501 S. Wolf Rd. Westchester, IL June/July 2017708.562.2744 www.holyapostleschurch.com

Coming together, we form an icon of God’s Kingdom

ParentingOurChildren

From Father Nicholas

Parents have beenhonored and remembered

the last few months. We honored moms onMother’s Day in May. Fathers will be cele-brated in June. July brings the remembranceof a contemporary spiritual father who wrotemuch about Christian parenting.

The blessed Saint Paisios was bornArsenios Eznepides in Pharasa of Cappodociaon July 25, 1924. He was baptized by St.Arsenios the Cappodocian who prophesiedthat “He was leaving a monk in his place.”His family settled in Konitsa of Epeirus. Helived an ascetic life praying unceasingly andcultivating the virtues of humility and love.

St. Paisios desired to imitate Christ somuch that he became a carpenter. He servedthe military for three and a half years as awireless radio operator. Throughout his mili-tary service, he lived ascetically practicing thevirtues of valor, self-sacrifice and moralintegrity. He then entered the monastic life onMount Athos, the Holy Monastery of Stomionin Konitsa and Mount Sinai in Egypt. Later,he founded the Holy Monastery of St. Johnthe Theologian in Souroti of Thessaloniki,Greece. He reposed in the Lord on July 12, 1994.

St. Paisios left us with a treasury of manyteachings dealing with all aspects of life. Eventhough he was a simple monk with only anelementary school education, he was filledwith God’s wisdom. People came from allover the world seeking the holy man’s advice,wisdom and counsel. St. Paisios emptied him-self for others. This saint entered deeply intopeople’s hearts and took on their pain, anxietyand trouble. He lived the Gospel and every-thing he taught flowed naturally from this wayof life characterized by love. He focused onpractical application and putting words into action.

The Family Life compiles the counsels of

St. Paisios. He took a very active role in theChurch family by acquiring divine love andbecoming a child of God. He felt that all peo-ple were his brothers and sisters and lovedeveryone “with the affection of Christ Jesus.”(Philippians 1:8)

St. Paisios provides very simple, practicaladvice for parents. He reminds parents thatwe are co-creators with God. The parents’greatest responsibility is helping their childrento spiritually live a life close to the Lord.Comparing small children to a fresh potato, hesaid if you scratch it a little, it is peeled. As thepotato gets older and stale, a sharp knife isneeded to clean it. A dark spotted potatoneeds a deep incision to be cleaned. If chil-dren are filled with Christ at an early age,

they will remain close to Him. The Book of Proverbs reminds us: “Train

up a child in the way he should go, even whenhe is old he will not depart from it.” (Proverbs22:6) St. Paisios encourages parents of adoles-cent children whose struggle is greater. Parentsare encouraged to do all they can to help theirchildren and leave circumstances beyond theircontrol in the hands of our Almighty Lord.

The parents of disobedient children arechallenged to entrust them to God and notpressure them. Helicopter parenting suffo-cates our children. Parents are encouraged togently pull on the reigns so that they do notbreak. The saint compares the parent to agood gardener. He plants a small tree and

...See Fr. Nicholas on P. 3

Greek School graduates from left,Gregory Theotikos, Vasilios Karavitis,Zoe Amoruso, James Panton, JamesSpagoletti, and Alexia Pappas take turnsspeaking in Greek about their graduation.At left, Zoe Amoruso, receives a blessingfrom Fr. Nicholas after receiving herdiploma from Greek School teacherAnna Georgopoulou at the May 18 ceremony.

Greek School graduation

Photos by Peter Bell

Holy Apostles Greek Orthodox Church Mosaic June/July 2017 Page 2

Gavel to GavelMinutes of the April Council Meeting BY NORM POMRENING

Present: Fr. Nicholas Georgiou, DeaconPanayiotis Hasiakos, George Alex, PeterBell, Cindy Clark, Terry Chiganos, SpyroDemakis, James Fotopoulos, TomGregory, Louis Katzioris, Nick Kirkeles,Alicia Magas, Norm Pomrening, PeterPoteres, and Steven Savas.

Meditation º Father Nicholas thanked all those who

helped make Holy Week and Paschal ser-vices moving, powerful, spiritually uplift-ing and beautiful. Specifically, DeaconPanayiotis, Deacon Perry, Presbytera,Chris Chakonas, Sophia Forero, TomGregory, Nick Kirkeles, JohnStathopoulos, the altar boys, ushersand Council members.

º Father Nicholas reflected that priestsjudge the success of Holy Week based onthe spiritual impact on people. Many peo-ple attended services, and Holy Apostlesis thankful to see people we have not seenin years. We pray that the Holy Spirit willimpact them in their lives. FatherNicholas challenged parishioners to makecontact with them, start a relationshipwith them, and encourage themto ‘plug-in’.

º Father Nicholas commented that DeaconPerry Hamalis chanted nightly duringHoly Week and put in a lot of extra hours.Spyro Demakis made a motion that wedonate $1500 to the Metropolis of Koreato recognize his service. The motion waspassed.

Financial/Treasurer’s Report º Alicia Magas reviewed the financial sum-

mary for March 2017. Alicia noted thatthere are $45,000 of projected expensesthat were not in the 2017 budget. Theyinclude medical insurance increases, mov-ing expenses and salary increases.

Stewardship Report º Pledges to date for 2017 are 564 which are

6 better than this period last year. Totalamount pledged to date for 2017 is$582,069 which is $15,005 less than thesame period last year. The average pledgeof $1032.04 is $37.99 less than this periodlast year. Percent paid to date is 69% vs.67% for the same period last year.

Correspondence º Thank you from Patriarch Athenagoras

Orthodox Institute for our $1000 donation.

º Thank you from IOCC for our $1713Souper Bowl of Caring donation.

º Announcement of St John ChrysostomNational Oratorical Festival on June 9 -11and request for financial support.

Missionsº The Holy Apostles 5K run and walk

which benefits Philoxenia House, is sched-uled for May 13. Steven Savas suggestedthat the Council increase its donation tothis event next year.

New Businessº Peter Poteres reported that our point of

contact at Chapel Hill has retired and thatwe have a new contact. Holy Apostles isthe largest property owner at Chapel Hill.We have sold about 100 plots to parish-ioners in the last 8 years. Holy Apostlescurrently has approximately 50 plots. Thecurrent rate for a plot purchased directlyfrom Chapel Hill is $4500. Tom Gregorymade a motion that we increase our rateto $3750 effective April 21, 2017. Themotion passed unanimously.

º Peter Bell reported that the church hasbeen contacted by a construction compa-ny that is looking for crew parking duringan upcoming construction project in ourimmediate area. The company proposesrenting spots in the Holy Apostles’ lot overa 14-month period Monday throughFriday. Jim Fotopoulos made a motionthat we continue negotiation with thecompany. The motion passed unanimously.

º Nick Kirkeles reviewed a plan for a gar-den honoring Father Bill and PresbyteraEffie Chiganos. The garden would beprivately funded and maintained, andwould be consistent with Father Bill’swishes. Peter Poteres made a motion thatplanning for the garden continue and thatarchitectural plans be completed. Themotion passed unanimously.

º Nick Kirkeles noted that Father Jim is ason of Holy Apostles and requested thatwe consider extending an open invitationto Father Jim Gordon to participatein services.

º Peter Bell recommended that the GreekSchool tuition for the next school year beincreased as follows: one student - $775,two students - $1425 & three students -$1800. Steven Savas made a motion thatthe above tuition rates be approved.The motion passed unanimously.

During my childhood,I marveled at the tremen-dous garden my grand-mother maintained in her

backyard. She also kept a number of large jarsof seeds. These jars, each filled with a differentkind of seed, were a beautiful sight to behold.But keeping them as a decoration would havebeen a loss; it would have paled in comparisonto the wonderful tastes that we enjoyed duringsummer meals around the table with mygrandparents.

The concept of seeds and gardening is cru-cial for our Christian faith. The Word of Godis likened to a seed which, when sown on goodsoil and properly cared for, takes root andbrings forth fruit (cf. Mt. 13:1-43).

If the Word of God is a seed, then it makessense that each Divine Liturgy has a portion ofprayers for catechumens (those preparing tobecome Orthodox Christians). Although manychurches only recite these petitions during thePresanctified Liturgy, they are actually pre-scribed to be said at every liturgy, followingthe Gospel. The Gospel is the Word of God.After the Gospel, we pray for the catechumens,who are in a critical stage where the seed isjust beginning to take root. The petitionsbegin, “Catechumens, pray to the Lord,” “Letus the faithful pray for the catechumens,” andso on. They pray for themselves, and we alsosupport them with our prayers.

The petitions continue, “[Let us pray] thatthe Lord have mercy on them; that Heinstruct them in the Word of Truth; that Hemay reveal to them the Gospel of righteous-ness; that He may unite them to His Holy,Catholic, and Apostolic Church.” We noticehere that it is God who does the work.Returning to the language of gardening, wesow and water the seed, but the growth comesfrom God (cf. 1 Cor 3:6), in the proper time.

In closing, the Word of God is a seed thatis meant to be sown in the heart. The Gospelbook is beautiful, like the jars of seeds, but itstrue beauty is realized when it is heard andtakes root in the hearts of the catechumensand in each of us. Our process of maintainingthe seed in us is never over, even if we are nolonger formally considered catechumens. Weall need to keep learning, and to be enlight-ened by Christ Himself. He is the true sourceof light that brings spiritual warmth andmakes everything to blossom. This is why,before the Gospel, the priest reads a prayer forall of us, that God will “shine within ourhearts the light of divine knowledge.”

Let us pray for ourselves, for one another,

Let us prayfor the catechumens

From Deacon Panayiotis

and certainly for the catechumens, “so thatwith us they also may glorify His most honor-able and majestic name, of the Father and of

the Son and of the Holy Spirit, now and for-ever and to the ages of ages.”

Holy Apostles Greek Orthodox Church Mosaic June/July 2017 Page 3

Chloe, daughter of Danyelle & Eric AndrewsSponsor: Leah Andrews

Andrew, son of Kristin & Tim Beaver

Sponsor: Andrianna Grippo

Theodore, son of Elena & Andrew Stott

Sponsors: Alyssa Plakas-Wise & Colin Wise

Alexandra, daughter of Lidia & Adrian PascuSponsor: Maya Albina

Kathryn Patt & Jason PattSponsor: Alexander Patt

Isabel Quinn & Kyle QuinnSponsor: George Rantis

Alexis Laughlin & Bret LaughlinSponsor: Sean Stryker

Eleni Hatzihristodoulou & George Chechopoulos

Sponsors: Elaine & Lou Katzioris

Baptisms

Weddings

Holy Apostles’ Feast DayThursday, June 29 - Coffee reception fol-

lowing the Vesper Service. Friday, June 30 - Coffee reception follow-

ing the Divine Liturgy.Volunteers are needed to assist on both

days. Donations of Greek pastry or otherbaked goods are also needed. If you wouldlike to help or contribute to the reception, con-tact Faye Adams at 630.517.8097.

Metropolis of Chicago Philoptochos Luncheon

Saturday, September 23- Please join mem-bers of Holy Apostles Philoptochos and attendthis annual fundraising event for the benefit ofvarious charitable causes. This year it will beheld at The Empress in Addison. ContactFaye Adams at 630.517.8097 for more informa-tion.

Annual Luncheon & Fashion ShowSaturday, October 14 - Have you already

marked your calendar for Moroccan Nightsat the Abbington Banquets in Glen Ellyn?

Philoptochos Spring Happenings

gently ties it to a strong stake so that it will notgrow crooked or be harmed when the windblows it from side to side. Once the branchesgrow big and strong, the gardener removes thefence. The big tree can bear fruit, and com-fort animals and people with its shade.

St. Paisios encourages parents to offer thescrewdriver to Christ to tighten some of thescrews in their children’s lives. Most parentskeep the screwdriver and try to do everythingby themselves. Some parents act like there isno God or Guardian Angel watching overtheir children.

We parents can actually impede divineintervention. Parents are challenged to hum-ble themselves and ask for God’s help. Ourmerciful Lord will protect our children. St.Paisios shares a beautiful story about a motherstruggling with an adolescent teen’s disobedi-ence. She faithfully cries out to God: “MyLord, my children will not listen to me. I can-not do anything to help them. Please takecare of them.”

A frustrated parent asked this blessed saintabout rebellious children. Something is wrongwhen a child behaves poorly. Maybe the childwitnesses unpleasant scenes or hears quarrel-ing. Children are spiritually helped primarilyby the example parents set not by force. Someparents fight in front of the children and set abad example. The children are confused andsad. Guilty parents try to comfort a child byfulfilling all of his/her demands.

When children see their parents’ great loveand respect for each other, acting with pru-dence and praying, these positive images areimprinted on their souls. The best inheritancea parent can offer is their own spiritual devo-tion. Children imitate their parents. Theypick up and record what their parents aredoing on an internal DVD. The saint encour-ages parents to rid themselves of their passionsbecause these passions can be transmitted totheir kids. Our example speaks loudly!

Our children need lots of love, affectionand guidance. Time is what children needfrom us. Children need us to sit by their side,listen to their problems and be present tothem. An encouraging parent’s kindness andpatience helps a child understand what he isdoing wrong.

Children need to be loved and affirmed.Kids that are filled with affection and love willbe strong and well prepared to face the stormsof life. St. Paisios provides wonderful counselfor Christian parents struggling to raise devoutChristian children. Through his prayers,may God guide and strengthen parents. TheChurch will celebrate his name day on July 12.

Fr. Nicholas from P. 1

Parenting OurChildren ...

Cocktails & raffle sales will begin at 11am andluncheon will be served at 12 pm. Tickets willbe going on sale in early September.Beneficiaries of this year’s event play impor-tant roles in our community.

A Silver Lining Foundation’s mission is toensure that socioeconomic status does notaffect an individual’s ability to obtain informa-tion, timely cancer screening and diagnosis.100% of our donation will go towards the Buya Mom a Mammogram, providing cost-freescreening mammograms and diagnostic evalu-ation for the uninsured.

Fanari Camp is a ministry of ourMetropolis of Chicago, offering 6th to 11thgrade youth the ability to share their commonfaith and heritage through its many programsand activities. The young OrthodoxChristians develop friendships and creatememories that last a lifetime. Our donationwill offer the opportunity for families withfinancial need to send their children to camp.

Enroll your children in Greek School andoffer them a unique language and culturalexperience!

Reading and writing are offered everyTuesday and Thursday from 4:30-6:15 pm.Emphasis is placed on developing conversa-tional skills. The children also enjoy prayers,history, geography, mythology, and Greekdancing.

This year is filled with fun programs runby our devoted PTO. For questions and moreinformation, please call the church office orArgiro Tobasi, Director at 708.579.5251.

Greek Schoolregistration is open

As heard from anonymous fathers ...

- Son, don’t ever get married.And tell that to your kids.

- You’re going to sit there until you eatyour dinner. I don’t care if you sitthere all night!

- When I say no, I mean no. Why?Because! That’s why.

- If you don’t stop crying, I’ll give yousomething to really cry about.

- We’ll do it the right way. My way.- This is your last warning.- Do what I say, not what I do. - When I was your age...

Holy Apostles Greek Orthodox Church Mosaic June/July 2017 Page 4

Despina Patos, above right, dashes to a first place finish in the first-ever Kids’ Dash event.

12th annual parish 5K features new eventWonderful weather greeted this year’s fast

5K runners as well as those who chuggedalong at a somewhat slower pace in HolyApostles’ 12th annual event.

While donations are still coming in, theamount given by participants is definitelyrecord setting and somewhere in the vicinityof $13,000.

Katherine Rehn was the overall winner,finishing the course in 20:18. Jason Kush wasmen's champion and second overall with atime of 20:20. Arianna Dreschler claimed thirdplace in 22:30, while Alex Thiakos (23:00) andLou Kafkes (23:36) rounded out the top five.

In the first-ever Kids Dash, Despina Patos,dashed across the finish line first. GabrielleTsagaris came in second. Arianna Panopoulos,Evanthia Panopoulos and Michael Govostisrounded out the inaugural field of tiny run-ners. From this day on, they will be known his-torically as the five original participants of theFirst Annual Kids’ Dash!

With Holy Apostles’ donation, thePhiloxenia House is launching its CapitalCampaign for the Philoxenia Village. Moreinformation about that is available atPhiloxeniaHouse.org.

Philoxenia House located in Rochester,MN, was the beneficiary of the proceeds fromthis event. It provides free lodging and food topatients and their families receiving medicaltreatment at the Mayo Clinic.

Organizers of this year’s event want tothank the Missions Ministry and our sponsors.Members of GOYA deserve special thanks asthey actually cut the check to the PhiloxeniaHouse and worked on set up and manned thevarious stations.

Only two seconds separated overall winner Katherine Rehn, from 2nd placefinisher Jason Kush, left. The rest of the runners and walkers race, above.

Photosby PeterBell

Lou Kafkes checks his finishing time, left,while Dionysia Hasiakos enjoys a ride inher stroller courtesy of her dad, DeaconPanayiotis while he chats with Brianna Kush.

Kiki Vale warms up the runnersbefore the race gets underway.

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NONPROFIT ORG.U.S. POSTAGE

PAIDBELLWOOD, IL.

PERMIT NO. 157

Holy Apostles Greek Orthodox Church2501 S. Wolf Rd.Westchester, Il. 60154(708) 562-2744

Address Service Requested

Postmaster: Please deliver by the 3rd of June

Tessie SigalosConstance Kosiara

Helen Nassos

Fr. William S. ChiganosGeorge Metros

Ruth Ann MurlasPenelope VlahosDavid VlahosAmelia VlahosGeorge Stavros

Panagiotitsa StavrosLawrie Panos

Patricia Panos-MoodyBob MoodyBetty PanosGus Panos

Helen AllenGeorge Allen

Mary AndritsisHarry Andritsis

Silvia TsoutsourisDonald Busch

Anthony GeorgiafentisMarina GeorgiafentisNicholas Georgian

Effie GeorgianJohn GeorgianLouis Lampros

Vasiliki LampropulosPeter Argires

Dr. Michalis LinardakisMary Kapolas

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Funerals

Memorials

Memorials

Holy Apostles Greek Orthodox Church Mosaic June/July 2017 Page 6

The deadline for the August Mosaic

is Wednesday, July 5.

Remember that the church continues to operate over the summer and needs your faithfulstewardship contributions.Deadline

58th Annual Golf OutingWednesday, July 12

Seven Bridges Golf Club

$150.00 per Adult Golfer$85.00 Youth Under 21

$65 Dinner OnlyIncludes: Lunch/18 Holes of Golfwith GPS Cart/Dinner Banquet

Grand Raffle with over 40 Itemsafter dinner!

Bag Drop & Lunch will begin at11:00 am.

Best Ball/Shot Gun Start at 12:30 pm.

Questions, contact Nick Kouchis at(630) 244-7656 or

nskouchismd@sbcglobal.net orTom Gregory at (773) 791-4672 ortompetergregory@msn.com or

James Maragos at (708) 651-4421or jmmdds4513@gmail.com