THE PHOS CHURCH SERVICES. Coming up. See Insert or go to our website PRESIDENT S REPORT

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1 THE PHOS Jan Mar 2017 Περιοδικό τῆς Ἐνορίας-Κοινότητος Ἁγίας Ἄννας, Χρυσή Ἀκτή Newsletter of the Greek Orthodox Parish- Community of St Anna, Gold Coast 31 a Crombie Ave, Bundall PO Box 5074 GCMC Qld 9726 (07) , admin@gocstanna.org If you would like to receive the Phos in colour by send your address to admin@gocstanna.org What an amazing effort was made by our very faithful parishioners for the Community s Grocery Drive. Many, many people contributed bags of groceries but others, who found it difficult to shop themselves, donated money to this very worthwhile cause and this proved to be an absolute success as the Ladies Auxiliary purchased items in bulk that they had not received from food donations. Eightysix boxes were packed and distributed to people in need - a wonderful effort by all. For the first time the Ladies Auxiliary asked for donations of gifts (under $10) for children in need. Thank you to everyone who brought gifts as many parents do not have the money to purchase anything for their children. Well done ladies for this initiative and for all the welfare and food vouchers you make to people in need throughout the year. What a beautiful day we had for Theophania. We were blessed with lots of sunshine and a Church filled with locals and visitors. Special thanks to Father Raymond Smith, Father Nicholas Stefanov. for co-celebrating the liturgy with Father Romanos. It was pleasing to see so many people join the procession to E v a n d a l e for the Blessing of the Waters c eremony and then returning to the Community Centre for lunch. We thank our special guests Assistant Commissioner Brian Codd, Mrs Codd, Mr & Mrs Terry Hobson of Gentle Touch Funerals and the first benefactor of our community, Betty Vaggelas, for accepting our invitation to join us in celebrating this special day. A special thank you to Gentle Touch Funerals for their generosity each year in donating the doves that are released and the cross given to the senior diver. Thank you Terry for your support of our Church. Congratulations to our junior diver Alex Papanikalaou and our senior diver Nicholas Conditsis for being the first to retrieve the cross in their group. May the year ahead be blessed for you both. We thank all of the families who have very kindly donated toward our Church maintenance drive. Over the next 6 to 8 months we hope, by the grace of God, to reach our target. Work will start shortly, PRESIDENT S REPORT with repairs to the water ingress, air conditioning and new tiles for the outside of the Church. The work will be ongoing, as the money is received, in order of priority. St Anna s Senior Citizens are celebrating their 20 th year. In 1997 the first committee was established to form a 60 s and over group. The first President Harry Demetriades, who with his committee, (George Grosdanis, Panteli Chrisostomou, Theophilo Gregory, Vicki Kozanaki, Marika Palyaris, Eleni Liopyris) worked to get this group up and running. Further presidents of the Senior Citizens have been Vicki Kozonaki, who worked tirelessly to organise functions and events for the benefit of the seniors and Vaso Kyriakou who has been President for the past 15 years. May Vaso and her committee, Costa and Sophia Dinas, Sophia Rafailides, Anna Miteff and Nitsa Gauci, continue their good work in the years ahead. Congratulations to all the members of the St Anna s Senior Citizens for their continued support of their each Tuesday. Many thanks to Alex Sen and the Senior Youth for the marvellous car wash fundraising effort. They washed many of our cars in blistering heat and raised $786 for our Church maintenance. Thank you all who helped Alex on the day. On Saturday 11 th February, Father Romanos, my husband Jim and I represented our community at the dinner held by The Dormition of the Theotokos to celebrate the 50 th year of their community. This was a fundraising event toward their planned Child Care Centre, which they hope to be completed by Congratulations to their President Mr Luke Comino, his committee and Ladies Auxiliary for hosting such an outstanding event. Congratulations must also go to the Dr Peter Marendy, President of the Parish of St Paraskevi, the Board, Management and Staff for the Opening Day of St John s Community Care Taigum, Estia Villas. Two homes for the disabled and their carer have been built. The Blessing and Official Opening by His Grace Bishop Seraphim, was held on Friday 17 th February. His Grace officiated at The Divine Liturgy at St Paraskevi on Sunday 19 th February. At the blink of an eye and our Easter period has begun. May your steps toward Paska be one of peace and harmony. Coming up Mar 25 National Day April 8 St. Lazarus Day - making crosses 9 Palm Sunday Luncheon 16 Easter Sunday Souvla CHURCH SERVICES See Insert or go to our website Father Romanos Stergiou Parish Priest Phone: Mobile: father@gocstanna.org Office Hours: Tuesdays 10am-12pm, Wednesdays 4.30pm-7pm and Fridays 5-7pm. Please ring for an appointment.

2 Page 2 REFLECTING BACK A quick run through the last 2 months: Christmas hampers were even more plentiful in December when an anonymous donor generously enabled us to boost our hampers by 20 making the final number 86. Thank you to that donor and to all of you who donated groceries and brought some happiness into needy households. The Ladies Auxiliary also introduced a new gift giving activity: the Auxiliary requested a small gift for a child to be brought along to the Christmas Breakup party. Forty gifts were donated by you and the Auxiliary to children in the wider community. Thank you for your generosity and compassion. As well, our Christmas Carol Welfare Drive collected $605. This will be very helpful to enable us to help people in need who come to the Church and Community for assistance. A portion of this was used to offer a Christmas party at our Hellenic Function Centre to a charity for disabled children. Words cannot describe the delight on the children s faces and we were honoured to have assisted. Thank you to all of you who assist us to assist others. This year commenced traditionally with the cutting of the Vasilopita and the Theophania celebrations. Many locals and visitors attended our Blessing of the Waters Feast Day and our celebratory luncheon after. Our many thanks to those who attended, who assisted and who donated such wonderful raffle prizes. After Church a few Sundays ago, the Ladies Auxiliary celebrated the 20 Year Anniversary of the Senior Citizens Group by offering a morning tea in their hon- LADIES AUXILIARY our. We wish them many many more years of success and fellowship. OUR GREEK FESTIVAL Even though some work has already commenced for this year s Festival, we are soon to find out whether it can even take place as the park is being used for the construction of the new Cultural Precinct. We will let you know of any changes to our program as soon as we are informed. GREEK DANCING CLASSES HAVE JUST COMMENCED Greek Dancing classes are for any child/youth interested, not just for students who attend our Greek language school. The groups are: Juniors Ages 5-8, Intermediate Ages 9-12 and Seniors strictly 13+. These age groups are to be closely observed. Greek Dancing classes for Juniors (Teacher: Mrs Effie Petridis- Alvanos) and Intermediates (Teacher: Mrs Sally Cominos- Daikin) are held every Wednesday from 4pm-4.30pm. The Senior group rehearses on Fridays from 6pm-7pm. (Teachers: Mrs Maria Voudouris and Mrs Effie Petridis- Alvanos) Thus far, the Ladies Auxiliary does not charge for the lessons and we maintain, repair, wash and dry clean the costumes. In return, it is anticipated that the students will be available to dance on National days, every 2 years at our Greek Festival and on the very rare other request. The Ladies Auxiliary warmly thanks the Greek Dancing Teachers for so generously offering their time and skills to help the children of our community. PSYHOSAVATO SATURDAY OF THE SOULS As is now customary, the Ladies Auxiliary will offer plates of kollyva for purchase on the 1 st and THE PHOS 3 rd Psyhosavata. The last Psyhosavato will be held on Saturday March 4 th. GREEK NATIONAL DAY Saturday 25 March On Saturday, 25 th March, a Greek National Day Dance will be held at our Function Centre at 6.30pm for 7pm. The Ladies Auxiliary invites everyone to come along to participate in that special Day. Please see the full page details in this newsletter. EASTER BAKING ORDERS In this edition of the Phos you will find an order form for baking of Easter bread, sweets and red eggs. We would love to assist you by baking these traditional items and you will also be assisting the Church. Our baking is done with only the best ingredients with tried and tested recipes. If you wish to place an order, please fill in and send in the attached Order Form, including the day you wish to collect your goods. EASTER FLOWERS As you are aware, each year on Good Friday, the sepulchre representing Christ s tomb is decorated with hundreds of flowers. If you would like to assist by donating towards the purchase of these flowers, please see any Ladies Auxiliary member or make your donation to Eleni Liopyris in Church on Sundays. ST LAZARUS DAY Saturday 8 April After the Divine Liturgy for St Lazarus, all are welcome to gather to make the crosses needed in readiness for the next day, Palm Sunday. Do come and be part of this beautiful morning. No experience is needed as the making of the crosses is easy to learn. If you are able to bring a pair of scissors on the day, it would be helpful.

3 THE PHOS Page 3 PALM SUNDAY Sunday 9 April You are all very warmly invited to join us at our traditional Fish Luncheon at Ashmore Seafood Restaurant, Ashmore Rd, on Palm Sunday. The cost of the luncheon is $20 for Adults and $10 for children. Come and be part of this joyous celebration just before we enter the solemnity of Holy Week. EASTER LUNCHEON Sunday 16 April A Paschal luncheon will be held after the Agapi Service. A Lamb on the Spit buffet will be served with all the traditional Easter fare. Please see the enclosed flyer for the details, noting that bookings are essential and that an early bird discount is offered. INFORMATION FOR WAKES AND MEMORIALS For information on wakes and memorials, catering and costing, please contact: Thalia Zakos on or Sandra Voukelatos on To arrange for Kollyva, contact Cathy Walker on You must give two weeks notice Memorials with Kollyva can not be conducted between the Sat. of Lazarus and the Sun. Μελαγχολία, θλίψη, άγχος SPIRITUAL CORNER Η ελευθερία δεν κερδίζεται, αν δεν ελευθερώσοµε το εσωτερικό µας απ τα µπερδέµατα και τα πάθη. Αυτό είναι η Εκκλησία µας, αυτή είναι η χαρά µας, αυτό είναι το παν για µας. Και ο άνθρωπος σήµερα αυτό ζητάει. Και παίρνει τα δηλητήρια και τα ναρκωτικά, για να έλθει σε κόσµους χαράς. αλλά ψεύτικης χαράς. Κάτι αισθάνεται εκείνη τη στιγµή και αύριο είναι τσακισµένος. Το ένα τον τρίβει, τον τρώει, τον τσακίζει, τον ψήνει. Ενώ το άλλο, δηλαδή το δόσιµο στον Χριστό, τον ζωογονεί, του δίνει χαρά, τον κάνει να χαίρεται τη ζωή, να νιώθει δύναµη, µεγαλείο. Είναι µεγάλη τέχνη να τα καταφέρετε να αγιασθεί η ψυχή σας. Παντού µπορεί ν αγιάσει κανείς. Και στην Οµόνοια µπορεί ν αγιάσει, αν το θέλει. Στην εργασία σας, όποια και να είναι, µπορείτε να γίνετε άγιοι. Με την πραότητα, την υποµονή, την αγάπη. Να βάζετε κάθε µέρα νέα σειρά, νέα διάθεση, µε ενθουσιασµό και αγάπη, προσευχή και σιωπή. Όχι να έχετε άγχος και να σάς πονάει το στήθος. Να εργάζεσθε µε εγρήγορση, απλά, απαλά, χωρίς αγωνία, µε χαρά κι αγαλλίαση, µε αγαθή διάθεση. Τότε έρχεται η θεία χάρις. Όλα τα δυσάρεστα, που µένουν µέσα στην ψυχή σας και φέρνουν άγχος, µπορούν να γίνουν αφορµή για τη λατρεία του Θεού και να παύσουν να σάς καταπονούν. Να έχετε εµπιστοσύνη στον Θεό. εν είναι ανάγκη να προσπαθείτε και να σφίγγεσθε. Όλη σας η προσπάθεια να είναι ν ατενίσετε το φως, να κατακτήσετε το φως. Έτσι, αντί να δίδεσθε στη στενοχώρια, που δεν είναι του Πνεύµατος του Θεού, να δίδεσθε στη δοξολογία του Θεού. Η στενοχώρια δείχνει ότι δεν εµπιστευόµαστε τη ζωή µας στον Χριστό.

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8 Page 8 THE PHOS Senior Citizens We meet at our Hall at am on Tuesdays. BYO Food Θά συναντηθούμε στο χώλ μας 10,30 π.μ. με τα φαγητά μας Twenty years ago at our community hall the priest of the time, Fr Elia Politakis, suggested to a group of ladies that they start a seniors club for people in the 60 years and older group to be under the umbrella of the Greek Community and named after St. Anna. The first president was Harry Demetriades for a short time and then Vicky Kozonakis with a new committee took over for the next 5 years. She organised some wonderful programs and trips for the Seniors. For the last 15 years Vaso Kyriakou has also been an excellent president with her committee and they still continue today. We missed the 13 people who have passed away in our celebrations of the 20th anniversary. We hope everyone enjoyed the party at the Food Fantasy restaurant on 17th January. We give a big thank you to John Carras for his wonderful assistance on the day. Providing Home Care Packages: Providing in home services for ACAT approved seniors Supporting your lifestyle needs and helping you stay in your home longer. For Enquiries contact Julie Firth or Kellie Burr on (07) Mon Fri. GOC Care Day Respite Centre for adults: 60 to 65years, with disabilities (chronic pain, vision or hearing loss, chronic illness etc) over age 65 years who are frail, have chronic conditions or are socially isolated caring for spouses or adult children with disabilities Mondays or Thursdays; morning tea and lunch provided. Based in community Hall, with regular outings. Older Men s Group meets alternate Mondays: active, excursion group. Members meet at community Hall. For Enquiries contact Joanne or Rebecca: or , Mon and Thurs only.