SEPTEMBER /OCTOBER 2015 THE NEW CHURCH-AND-SCHOOL YEAR BEGINS!

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1 You Belong Here! The MONTHLY NEWSLETTER OF THE HOLY TAXIARHAI AND SAINT HARALAMBOS GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH 7373 CALDWELL AVENUE, NILES, ILLINOIS PHONE (847) Where there is no vision, the people perish. (Proverbs 29:18) SEPTEMBER /OCTOBER 2015 THE NEW CHURCH-AND-SCHOOL YEAR BEGINS! We would like to welcome everyone back as we begin an exciting new year! You belong here, and there is so much going on! Do you know about these St. Haralambos youth programs for children of all ages? SCOUTS The St. Haralambos Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts are the only Greek Orthodox scout troops in the Midwest. The Scout program builds character, trains them in the responsibilities of participating citizenship, and develops personal fitness. SUNDAY SCHOOL In our secular world, there are few places where our children can build an Orthodox Christian identity and learn the basics about the Scriptures, our faith and our traditions. Sunday is so important! Be sure that your children attend! YOUNG ADULTS If you are between the ages of 18-35, check out the St. Haralambos Young Adults. We meet monthly, perform outreach, take amazing trips, and we have discussions on various topics. Join us for one of our meetings! SR GOYA All our High teens are invited to join Sr. GOYA! We gather every other Monday and we have discussions, social events, plan trips, and perform outreach. JR GOYA We invite all our students in the 6th, 7th and 8th grades to be a part of Jr. GOYA. We gather every other Monday and we have discussions, social events, plan trips, and perform outreach. Join us for another wonderful year! FAMILY NIGHT Parents and children from Pre-K through 5th grade are welcomed to be a part of Family Night! Join us every other Monday as we learn about our faith, make crafts ad share dinner. All are invited. LITTLE ANGELS Our play group for children 4 and under is a fantastic opportunity for toddlers to become familiar with an Orthodox environment, and for parent and grandparents to meet one another. We learn to kiss icons, light candles, play, sing, etc. We meet every Tuesday. BASKETBALL Basketball is a great sport where young people learn and experience teamwork and fidelity to their teammates! Registration begins now for Basketball! Practices wil begin soon at the Culver gymnasium. We have teams for kids of all ages: Kindergarten-2nd grade Practices will be on Thursdays at 6:00pm. 3rd-4th grade This team will practice on Wednesdays at 6:00 pm. 5th-6th grade Plan to be at the gym on Wednsdays at 6:45 pm! Jr. boys team The Jr. Boys practice sessions will be on Wednsdays at 7:45. Jr and sr high girls Our Girls team will practice at 7:00 pm on Thursdays. Sr boys (9th-12th) Practice for the Sr. Boys will be on Thursday evenings at 8:00 pm. (Look on page two for activities for us grown ups!)

2 WORSHIP SCHEDULE September Schedule of Services Monday, September 14 Exaltation of the Precious Holy Cross 8:30 am Orthros and Divine Liturgy Sunday, September 20 9:30 am Sunday Sunday, September 27 9:30 am Sunday Sunday, October 4 9:30 am Sunday Sunday, October 11 9:30 am Sunday Sunday, October 18 9:30 am Sunday Tuesday, October 20 St. Gerasimos 8:30 am Orthros and Divine Liturgy Sunday, October 25 9:30 am Sunday OUR SISTER CHURCH of Holy Cross in Justice, IL, invites you to Great Vespers on Sunday evening, September 13 and Liturgy on Sept. 14 in honor of their parish Feastday, the Exaltation of the Holy Cross. (Of course, Liturgy WILL be celebrated at St. Haralambos on Sept 14.) OUR SISTER CHURCH of St. Sophia in Elgin invites you to Great Vespers on Wednesday evening, September 16 and Liturgy on Sept. 17 in honor of their parish Feastday. (Liturgy will NOT be celebrated at St. Haralambos on Sept 17.) OUR SISTER CHURCHES of St. Demetrios (in Chicago, Libertyville, Elmhurst and Hammond) invites you to Great Vespers on Sunday evening, October 25 and Liturgy on October 26 in honor of their parish Feastday. (Liturgy will NOT be celebrated at St. Haralambos on October 26.) THE NEW CHURCH-AND-SCHOOL YEAR BEGINS! We would like to welcome everyone back as we begin an exciting new year! You belong here, and there is so much going on! In addition to our youth activities, did you know about these St. Haralambos activities for us grown ups? THE PARISH COUNCIL The Council handles the everyday operation of the Church. New people are always needed. Elections take place in December! ST HARALAMBOS PHILOPTOCHOS is the official women s organization of the Greek Orthodox Church. It is a philanthropic, social and service sisterhood. Our Philoptochos is DYNAMITE! THE PTA (Afternoon, Saturday, Day ) The PTA is the most important partner and asset of every school. It is able to complete and round out school programs and activities and offer valuable assistance to the students and the teachers. It is important for each of the PTA s of our three school to be strong and active. We need you! OUTREACH COMMITTEE The Outreach Committee plays a key role in the church s mandate to serve. It provides an opportunity for our members to help the poor and lonely in a real, hands on way. New people are always welcome! (see page 9) BOOK AND BIBLE STUDY This study group meets weekly to dig into the deeper meaning of the Scriptures that we may implement them in our life. Our Bible Study will meet on Tuesday, beginning Oct 13. STEWARDSHIP COMMITTEE Stewardship is the life and oxygen of our church. Every year, a Stewardship Program is designed and distributed to our members. Would you like to help? FOOD FEST COMMITTEE The St. Haralambos Big Greek Food Fest is a major event for us and for our patrons. It is a big project, and takes a lot of work! If you are willing to offer your help, let us know. Meetings will begin in early Spring. SACRAMENTS AND BLESSINGS MINISTRY TO PERSONS WHO ARE SICK Orthodox Christians who would like to receive Holy Sacraments but are unable to attend church (hospitalized or at home) should contact the church office so Holy Sacraments can be administered to them. If your loved one is hospitalized please call us, even if the illness is not serious! In a holistic approach to healing and well-being, a visit from the priest can be very positive. Most hospitals do not inform us when they receive patients from our parish. We depend on you! BLESSINGS OF INFANTS Forty days after birth, a child and its mother come to church to receive a 40 Day Blessing, imitating Christ who was presented in the Temple 40 days after He was born. Please call the church office to arrange this blessing. BAPTISMS Please call the church office to schedule Baptisms. Plan ahead! there are some days when Baptisms are not performed. Keep in mind that there should be only one Godparent and that a child is supposed to be given one name when he or she is baptized. WEDDINGS Please arrange an appointment with Fr. Dean at least eight months before the proposed wedding date to allow time for all necessary marriage preparation. CONFESSION Confessions are arranged by appointment. Please call the church office to schedule Confession. MEMORIAL SERVICES Memorial Services are offered for the eternal rest of persons who have fallen asleep in the Lord. Customarily, these services are offered at 40 days, at 6 months, at 1 year and at 3 years. When three years have passed, the departed are more properly remembered on the Saturdays of the Souls.

3 HOLY TAXIARHAI AND SAINT HARALAMBOS GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH 7373 CALDWELL AVENUE, NILES, ILLINOIS PHONE: 847/ From Father Dean September 2015 Dear Friends and Stewards, The New Year begins! September first is the official beginning of the church year (called The Indiction ), and it is not a coincidence that it is the beginning of our activity year as well. The beginning of the year offers a chance to reconnect with God, Faith and Church. As we initiate a new cycle of life, I think we have a great need and opportunity to restore our Orthodox Identity. We are living in a secular world that is becoming increasingly hostile to us from a perspective of faith and conviction. Any disagreement with today s political correctness is not tolerated. All the more reason that we need to examine the Bible, our Faith and our roots, and to reconnect with our faith community! It would be irresponsible to be completely assimilated and absorbed into the secular world without resistance, but to do so requires study, conscience and guts! One strategy is to learn how to live a Liturgical life. By tuning into the church calendar and its holidays, we are guided to a value system that is soundly Orthodox. Of course we have to work and we might miss some church services. But if we make an effort to observe feasts and fasts, to live in communion with God and to get to know Him, an Orthodox Identity and life style will emerge. If we come to the church only for funerals, baptisms, weddings and some big holidays, can we honestly say that we are trying to live closely in communion with God? I don t think so! Let us try to use this new year as a step-off to new life close to God! -- We offer you some opportunities to serve and some opportunities to experience community in the coming days. The Metropolis Philoptochos invites you to their annual Luncheon on September 19 at the Café la Cave. Our St. Haralambos Philoptochos invites you to its Membership Dinner on Monday evening, September 28. Something new and special: our Fall Fiesta on Sunday, September 27 after church services. Chef Grande Jake invites you to taste his special Al Pastor Souvlaki Taco! Mmmm! Plan to join us! Our Outreach Committee has a monthly commitment to Bessie s Table, where meals are provided to the hungry, and they would love to expand their Committee. Call the church office if you can help! Finally, please keep these three dates in mind: Saturday, October 17, for our annual Symposium. This year s topic is The Cross and the Crescent and will offer a fascinating perspective about Christianity and Islam. (See page 4) Godparent Sunday is October 18! Thursday evening, November 5 for an all important General Assembly to discuss and decide the future of our church facility and its expansion! HOLY TAXIARHAI AND SAINT HARALAMBOS GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH NILES, ILLINOIS Proistamenos...Fr. Constantine P. Botsis Synefimerios....Fr. George Lamberis Pastoral Assistant Deacon John G. Suhayda Chanter Nick Harisiadis Parish Council Officers President Perry Giannopoulos Vice President Nick Andrews Treasurer..... David Loomos Secretary.... Argy Koutsikos Phase III Chairman... Stewardship.. Budget Committee Chairman...Perry Giannopoulos Building & Grounds Chairman.. Michael Pontikes and Theodoros Karabatsos Decor Committee Chairman...Stephan Aliferakis Finance Committee Chairman... Outreach Committee.....John Pierce Board Chairman......Olympia Bournias Audit Committee Chairman...Evan Houpis.. Food Fest Chairman. Philoptochos President......Maria Dimitriou PTA Co-Presidents (Afternoon ) Anna Sikoral and Kathy Ioannidis PTA President (Preschool)...Marianna Memmos PTA Co-Presidents (Saturday )......Angelo Mihalopoulos and Georgia Pipikios Greek Principal... Mrs. Anastasia Liapi Saturday Director...Mrs. Andrianna Panayiotou Preschool Director Mrs. Rita Petratos Sunday Director...Presvytera Georgia Botsis Athletic Director David Loomos Scoutmaster George Alpogianis Asst Scoutmaster Sam Parmakis Asst Cubmaster John Frake Little Angels....Mrs. Tasia Liapi YAL President......Christina Pappadis GOYA President Alex Anton Jr. Goya Advisor.. Jolynn Ruggerio Bookstore Manager..... Jolynn Ruggerio Web Master George Houpis Office Staff..Barbara Skaouris and Alexandra Grivas Maintenance Staff.Juan Caro and Carolina Contreras IN THIS ISSUE: Letter from our Priest (pg 3) Announcements (pg 4-5) Fest Report (pg 6) Off to College! (pg 7) Upcoming Events ((pg 8-9) Calendar (pg 10)

4 YOU BELONG HERE WE BELONG TO GOD! Our church and our home give us the warmth and assurance of love and belonging. This church and our homes are the places where we experience love from God and His people. At the same time, we need your help to ensure that our church will be here to offer love and belonging to others: friends, visitors and future generations! The way we do this is through sincere and conscientious Stewardship. Stewardship means friendliness, welcoming visitors, pride and ownership of our church, and offering our time, talents and treasury. IT IS NOT TOO LATE to make a bold and faith-filled commitment to your church for 2015! Please set a level of giving that is a reflection of your love for God and of your appreciation for the blessings and benefits you derive from your Church. There is no minimum, but true stewardship means proportional giving giving in proportion to our resources and income. You belong here! COMMUNITY NEWS CHICAGO SYMPOSIUM UPDATE Synergy s Annual Symposium is scheduled for Saturday, October 17, 2015 at Holy R e s u r r e c t i o n S e r b i a n Orthodox Cathedral in Chicago. Father Josiah Trenham will present THE CROSS AND THE CRESCENT. Please visit for more information! SUNDAY SCHOOL BEGAN SEPTEMBER 13! Register your children now! GENERAL ASSEMBLY IMPORTANT NOTICE! Plan to attend an important General Assembly of our community on Thursday evening, November 5. Mark your calendar! PRAY FOR Greek Orthodox Metropolitan Paul Yazigi and Syriac Orthodox Archbishop John Ibrahim, both of Aleppo, Syria, who were kidnapped April 22, Twenty-four months have passed, and their location and well-being remain unknown. There has been practically no media attention to their kidnapping. ST HARALAMBOS GOLF OUTING will take place Thursday, September 24 at the Old Orchard Country Club (Mount Prospect). Golf Lunch Dinner--Prizes--Rafflesmark your calendar! GREEK SCHOOL REGISTRATION has begun for all our school programs for the school year. Our Preschool program, for 3, 4 ands 5 year-olds is daily Mon-Fri from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm. Our Afternoon is offered on Tuesdays and Fridays from 4:30 to 6:30, and our Saturday Greek runs from 9:00 am to 12:30. Registration information is available in our church office ( ). COLLEGE ADDRESSES--We would like to compile a list of all our students who are attending college, whether they are living at home or away. Please call the church office to let us know your student's mailing address and e- mail address! SAINT HARALAMBOS PHILOPTOCHOS ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP DINNER will take place Monday evening, September 28 in our Community Center. Philoptochos is the official women s organization of the Greek Orthodox Church, and is one of the most dynamic organizations in the life of the church. All the ladies of our community are invited to attend this dinner and become members of our Philoptochos! METROPOLIS PHILOPTOCHOS LUNCHEON--The Annual Philoptochos Luncheon for the Metropolis of Chicago will take place this year on Saturday, September 19 at the Café La Cave in Des Plaines, IL. For reservations, please call the church office ( ). Plan to attend and support the work of Philoptochos! WALK THE WALK FOR IOCC Join the 2015 IOCC 5K Walk/Run on Saturday, October 3, at 8:00 am, starting off at St. Andrew Church in Chicago! IOCC is one of our most worthy Orthodox ministries, and this fund-raising program supports IOCC in its humanitarian relief programs around the world! We encourage everyone to help or participate in the Walk/Run! For more info, visit or ioccchicago5k@gmail.com OUR GODPARENT SUNDAY will be Sunday, October 18! Save the date! OUR ANNUAL METROPOLITAN IAKOVOS Namesday Banquet will take place this year on Tuesday evening, October 27 at the Chateau Ritz in Niles! Mark your calendar; plan to attend and honor our beloved spiritual father!

5 ΕΝΟΡΙΑΚΕΣ ΑΝΑΚΟΙΝΩΣΕΙΣ ΑΝΗΚΕΤΕ ΕΔΩ -- ΑΝΗΚΟΥΜΕ ΣΤΟΝ ΘΕΟ! Η εκκλησία μας και το σπίτι μας μας δίνουν θαλπωρή και επιβεβαίωση αγάπης και της αίσθησης του ανήκειν. Η εκκλησία αυτή και τα σπίτια μας είναι οι χώροι όπου αντιλαμβανόμεθα την αγάπη του Θεού και των ανθρώπων Του. Ταυτόχρονα, χρειαζόμεθα την βοήθειά σας δια να εξασφαλίσουμε ότι η εκκλησία μας θα είναι πάντα διαθέσιμη να προσφέρει την αγάπη και την αίσθηση του ανήκειν σε όλους: φίλους, επισκέπτες, και μελλοντικές γεννεές! Αυτό επιτυγχάνεται δια του ειλικρινούς και ευσυνειδήτου Stewardship. Το Stewardship σημαίνει καλωσύνη, καλωσόρισμα επισκεπτών, υπερηφάνεια δια την εκκλησία μας, και προσφέροντας τον χρόνο μας, τα ταλέντα μας και χρηματικές δωρεές. Σας παροτρύνουμε να συμπληρώσετε μία γενναιόδωρη και ευσυνείδητη κάρτα προσφοράς δια το 2015! Το αληθινό Stewardship σημαίνει να δίνουμε ανάλογα με τα εισοδήματά μας. Ανήκετε εδώ! ΝΕΑ ΕΛΛΗΝΙΚΟΥ ΣΧΟΛΕΙΟΥ--Οι εγγραφές έχουν ήδη αρχίσει διά το σχολικό έτος για το Νηπιαγωγείο, το Απογευματινό Ελληνικό Σχολείο καθώς και για το Σαββατιανό Σχολείο. Σχεδιάστε να εγγράψετε τα παιδιά σας σε ένα από τα Ελληνικά Σχολικά Προγράμματά μας, όπου τα παιδιά μας θα μάθουν την γλώσσα, πίστη και κουλτούρα μας, και θα δημιουργήσουν φιλίες μέσα στην Ελληνική Ορθόδοξη Κοινότητα. Η συμμετοχή των παιδιών μας στα προγράμματα αυτά, εξασφαλίζει την διατήρηση των αρχών μας και της Ελληνικής μας ταυτότητας! NEA ΚΑΤΗΧΗΤΙΚΟΥ ΣΧΟΛΕΙΟΥ-Το Κατηχητικό Σχολείο αρχίζει την Κυριακή, 14 Σεπτεμβρίου! Μην παραλείψετε να εγγράψετε τα παιδιά σας εις αυτό το σπουδαίο πρόγραμμα. Το Κατηχητικό Σχολείο θα αρχίζει 9:30 π.μ.-μην αργοπορείτε! Save the Date! St. Haralambos 2015 GOLF OUTING THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 24! ΠΕΡΙ ΕΚΚΛΗΣΙΑΤΙΚΩΝ ΕΥΧΩΝ ΚΑΙ ΜΥΣΤΗΡΙΩΝ ΕΥΧΕΣ ΝΕΟΓΕΝΝΗΤΩΝ ΤΕΚΝΩΝ--Κάθε μάνα και το παιδί της, σαράντα ημέρες μετά την γέννησή του προσέρχονται στην εκκλησία για να λάβουν την Ευλογία των 40 Ημερών, κατά μίμησην του Ιησού Χριστού ο οποίος παρουσιάσθηκε στον Ιερόν Ναόν σαράντα ημέρες μετά την γέννησή του. Παρακαλούμε τηλεφωνείτε στο γραφείο της εκκλησίας για να κανονίσετε την ευλογία αυτή. ΒΑΠΤΙΣΕΙΣ Παρακαλούμε όπως τηλεφωνείτε στο γραφείο της εκκλησίας δια να προγραμματίσετε Βαπτίσεις. Σχεδιάστε πολύ ενωρίτερα!-υπάρχουν μερικές μέρες που δεν γίνονται βαπτίσεις. ΓΑΜΟΙ-Παρακαλούμε όπως κανονίζετε συνάντηση με τον π. Κωνσταντίνο τουλάχιστον οκτώ μήνες πριν την προτεινόμενη ημερομηνία του γάμου δια τις απαιτούμενες προετοιμασίες. ΕΞΟΜΟΛΟΓΗΣΗ Οι Εξομολογήσεις κανονίζονται κατόπιν ραντεβού. Δια να προγραμματίσετε εξομολογήσεις, παρακαλούμε τηλεφωνείτε στο γραφείο της εκκλησίας. ΜΕΡΙΜΝΑ ΑΡΡΩΣΤΩΝ Ορθόδοξοι Χριστιανοί που θα ήθελαν να λάβουν τα Άγια Μυστήρια και δεν μπορούν να έλθουν στην εκκλησία (βρίσκονται εις νοσοκομεία ή ανήμποροι εις τα σπίτια τους) παρακαλούνται να επικοινωνούν με το γραφείο της εκκλησίας δια να μπορέσουν να τα λάβουν. Παρακαλούμε να επικοινωνείτε με το γραφείο της εκκλησίας εαν κάποιος συγγενής σας είναι στο νοσοκομείο! Τα νοσοκομεία πλέον δεν μας πληροφορούν όταν έχουν αρρώστους από την ενορία μας. ΜΝΗΜΟΣΥΝΑ Επιμνημόσυνες δεήσεις γίνονται για την αιώνιον ανάπαυση των τεθνεώντων. Συνήθως, αυτές οι δεήσεις γίνονται κατά τις 40 ημέρες, τους 6 μήνες, τον 1 ον χρόνο και τον 3 ον χρόνο. Όταν έχουν περάσει τρία χρόνια, είναι πιο αρμόζον να ενθυμούμεθα τους αποθανόντας κατά τα Ψυχοσάββατα STEWARDSHIP YOU BELONG HERE! 2015 STEWARDSHIP UPDATE As of July 20, 2015: 569 families have committed $ 297, How about you?

6 ===================================================================================== THE BIg greek FOOD FEST OF NILES JULY , 2015 ===================================================================================== REPORT Our 2015 Big Greek Food Fest was a big success once again! In spite of uncooperative weather both Friday and Saturday, we had big crowds on Sunday, and you can see the results below. Our Agioharalambites worked like heroes! We thank you all! We also thank our chairpersons, Perry Giannopoulos, George Anastasiadis and Tom Andrews and all the committee chairpersons for a big job well done! EXPENSES: Raffle 25,845 All Food 49,828 Tents/Chairs 30,884 Liquor/Beverages 15,212 Security 16,031 Advertising 5,944 Supplies/Repairs 8,520 Labor 6,360 Music 5,450 Kids Korner 3,132 Garbage 5,245 Equipment 3,838 Books 2,251 EXPENSES 178,509 Capital Items 750 Gross Expenses 179,259 INCOME: Raffle 66,006 Food Tent 76,519 Taverna Tent 24,162 Loukoumathes 22,691 Pastries Tent 11,113 Gyros Tent 24,923 Bar Tent 48,437 Lamb Tent 13,496 Church 3,954 Admission 17,041 Books 2,367 Kids Corner 3,835 Coffee 6,072 Novelty 12,100 Donations 10,820 TOTAL INCOME 343,536 EXPENSES - 179,259 NET INCOME $ 164,277 OFFICIAL NOTICE GENERAL ASSEMBLY A General Assembly of the Stewards of the Holy Taxiarhai and St. Haralambos Greek Orthodox Church will take place on Thursday evening, November 5, in the Community Center. The purpose of the General Assembly will be to discuss our community s plans for the expansion of our facilities and their approval. This will be an important meeting and we ask you to plan to attend. Mark your calendar!

7 OFF TO COLLEGE Our students are going off to college, and both parents and children are full of questions and expectations as they both make a transition to a new life style. Students will go to Orientation, and parents will also be invited to various orientation activities. The colleges and universities will be absorbed in exciting the students, and equally absorbed in selling their school to the parents. But there are important things that colleges and universities are not likely to speak about during orientation. On such occasions, both students and parents are shown the glossier features of the institution, while more troubling areas are kept in the dark. Parents who are focused may be asking themselves: what are the things that parents and students need to hear about life at the big U? It s best to begin, dear parents and students, by remembering the principle that parents are the primary educators of their children. We know that college students aren t children, and they need to experience independence and responsibility for themselves. Parents at this stage don t enjoy the same authority they enjoyed in the past, and must strive for a good balance between loving care and letting go. But the principle is still worth recalling, if only to underscore the fact that the college or university is no more and no less than a contract worker in the educational enterprise. You hire a painter to help paint your house, and if he s no good you fire him and look for another. Go ahead and take the same attitude with regard to your school. While the school itself will want you to consider it your family from the moment you step onto the verdant quadrangle, you will remember that the term family, even by extension, implies trust. And that trust must be earned. Second, keep in mind that college is not meant to be a LaLa Land in which students enjoy the right to party or otherwise act like animals, as the weekend reward for five days of hard work. The point of these four years is to bring the moral, intellectual, and spiritual formation begun by your parents to the point where you can contribute to society in a constructive, independent way. And at quite a substantial cost please bear that in mind. At the same time, parents, your child s college career is not an opportunity for you to relive your glory days. Yes, it s fun to put on the spirit wear, attach the school decals to the rear window, and tailgate before the football games. But your primary role in this adventure is not to play, but to make sure the institution is helping form the immortal soul of your child. Third, dear students and parents, be encouraged that the faculty of your school, upon whom so much depends in the coming years, includes some very good, if not exemplary, people. You will doubtless encounter teachers who embody everything that is good and who transform the lives of their students in profoundly positive ways. That said, note well that the faculty of your school also includes those with a very different agenda. A student s values, faith and identity will be challenged by the values of other students and by faculty who encourage questioning those values, sometimes with destructive intentions and results. The university family, in short, is dysfunctional. Thus you will need a very sure guide to help you navigate the minefield of college life so that a real education will be achieved. Have you identified such a person? Who can you turn to at times of confusion and misdirection? Finally, dear students and parents, please be vigilant. In many ways, you and your family will want to assimilate to the environment of your school. But in other ways, you will need to push back and be counter -cultural. The need to identify will be strong, but don t let the t-shirt make you complacent. The disastrous impulses of the secular culture need to be balanced by an understanding of the dignity of the human person and the person s ability to know reality. Wisdom, my friends, is the glorious prize that awaits at the end of the road of these four years. Watch out for the bandits along the roadside, and keep your goal in sight! (Based on an article in the Newman Society Newsletter)

8 ST HARALAMBOS PHILOPTOCHOS PLEASE JOIN US FOR OUR FALL FIESTA! SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 27TH AFTER THE DIVINE LITURGY IN THE SAINT HARALAMBOS COMMUNITY CENTER ADULTS $15 AL PASTOR SOUVLAKI TACOS, BEANS & RICE CHILDREN $7 QUESADILLAS, BEANS & RICE PLEASE CONTACT THE CHURCH OFFICE TO MAKE A RESERVATION GENEROUSLY SPONSORED BY: GRANDE JAKE S AUTHENTIC MEXICAN GRILL SAINT IAKOVOS Feastday Dinner Honoring His Eminence Metropolitan Iakovos on his Feastday Tuesday, October 27, pm Reception 7 pm Dinner The Chateau Ritz 9100 N. Milwaukee Avenue Niles, IL $100 per person Call our church office ( ) to reserve your place! ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP DINNER MONDAY EVENING, SEPTEMBER 28, :00 pm-cocktails 7:00pm-Dinner St. Haralambos Community Center 7373 Caldwell Avenue, Niles, IL Philoptochos is the official women s organization of the Greek Orthodox Church, and is one of the most dynamic organizations in the life of the church. All the ladies of our community are invited to attend this dinner and become members of our Philoptochos!

9 THE ST HARALAMBOS OUTREACH COMMITTEE BESSIE S TABLE The St. Haralambos Outreach Committee was very active in the last year, and expects to be even busier this year! In addition to its Meals on Wheels and its Coat Drive, the Outreach Committee prepared and served a monthly dinner at Bessie s Table, a food kitchen in Des Plaines. The Outreach Committee, under the chairmanship of John Pierce, plans to continue this ministry, and invites you to join us at Bessie s Table! We are grateful to all the volunteers who have helped until now: Hiona Agalliu, Volunteer Coordinator Tom Kanelos, Cooking Coordinator Christos Agalliu Argy Koutsikos Costa Koutsikos Anastasia Nenos Rita Petratos Eleni Petratos Christine Blackaby Anastasios Giannakopoulos Vasiliki Giannakopoulos Tom Kalogeros Susan Barron Amalia Barron David Loomos Elaine Loomos Perry Giannopoulos Rubine Giannopoulos Michael Pontikes Toula Sofios-Stolle Theodore Rubio Dino Costas Pete Coologeorgen Maryann Kanelos John Pierce Eleanor Pierce William Boundroukos Nicholas Gianaris Peter Gianaris June Goudes Nick Andrews Voula Andrews Andrew Andrews Tom Andrews Paulette Andrews Nancy Brocato Dan Mihalopoulos Carol Mihalopoulos Fr. Chrysanthos Kerkeres Fr. George Lamberis Angela Rizos Pam Papakanelou Eleni Couris David Batrich John Anton Paul Waggoner Elenie Kontos Eugenia Bliamblias Maria Dimitriou Tasia Svigos Sophia Sidiropoulos Joanne Karabetsos Nicole Pirpiris Kalitsa Georgatsos Voula Asimacopoulos Valerie Asimacopoulos Julia Asimacopoulos Kim Yutakis Andru Yutakis Ted Karabatsos Valerie Karabatsos George Anastasiadis Angelo Anastasiadis Kyriako Anastasiadis Dimitra Anastasiadis Georgia Houpis This is a partial listing

10 SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2015 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 13 FIRST DAY-SUNDAY SCHOOL 9:30 am Sunday 9:30 am Divine Liturgy 20 9:30 am Sunday 9:30 am Divine Liturgy 27 9:30 am Sunday 9:30 am Divine Liturgy FALL FIESTA! 4 9:30 am Sunday 9:30 am Divine Liturgy 11 9:30 am Sunday 9:30 am Divine Liturgy 14 Exaltation of the Holy Cross 8:30 am Orthros and Liturgy 7:30 Sr GOYA 21 5:30-Family Night 6:30-Jr GOYA 28 5 Bessie s Table 6 St Haralambos Philoptochos Membership Dinner 5 5:30-Family Night 7:30-Sr GOYA Bonfire 12 COLUMBUS DAY Feed My Starving Children :00 am-pre-school First Day of Classes 4:30 pm-afternoon Greek First Day of Classes 6:00-PanOrthodox Youth 22 11:30 -Little Angels 29 11:30 -Little Angels 5:30-Open House 6 11:30 -Little Angels 7:30-Philoptochos Mtg 13 11:30 -Little Angels 7:30pm Bible Study 16 10:00-Preschool PTA Mtg 7:30 pm Parish Council Mtg 8:00 pm-scouts GOLF OUTING :00 pm-scouts :00 am Saturday Greek 12 pm-metropolis Philoptochos Luncheon 26 9:00 am Saturday Greek 3 9:00 am-iocc 5K walk/run 9:00 am- Saturday Greek 10 9:00 am Saturday Greek 9:00-Jr GOYA Retreat 1:00- Board 17 9:00 am- SYMPOSIUM 9:00 am Saturday Greek

11 HOLY TAXIARHAI AND SAINT HARALAMBOS GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH 7373 CALDWELL AVENUE NILES, IL Address Service Requested