COMMUNION ANNOUNCEMENT: While we pray and work for the reconciliation and unity of all the world's Christians, the reality remains that there is still no intercommunion between our Orthodox Churches and the Churches of the West. This means that only baptized, chrismated and observant Orthodox faithful receive Communion in our churches. At the same time, we warmly welcome all non- Orthodox to join us in prayer and celebration, and humbly offer to all present the Antidoro bread of fellowship at the end of the service. We offer this important symbol 'instead of the Gifts', in the words of the Apostle Paul, 'Till we all come to the unity of the Faith' (Eph. 4.13).
ADULT RELIGIOUS EDUCATION: Our Adult Religious Education classes will begin again on Wednesday, May 10th and classes will be offered at 11:00 a.m. & 6:30 p.m., so that everyone who wants to partake can. It will also be in 6 week increments. We will be focusing on the Book of Acts this time around. So please join us as we journey through this wonderful book in the time following our Lord’s Death and Resurrection.
HOLY LAND PILGRAMAGE: We are planning a trip to the Holy Land & Saint Katherine’s Monastery at Sinai from October 29th to November 9th of 2017. It is a truly once in a life time experience. So make your plans to join us in the Holy Land. The price is finalized to between $3,100 to $3,300 includes airfare, Hotel, transportation as well as breakfast & dinner everyday. Please speak to Fr. Chris-todoulos if you have any questions. We will have a meeting on Sunday, April 23rd, 2017.
HOLY CONFESSION IS AN ESSENTIAL PART OF LENT: Each of us should go to the priest for Holy Confession during this period of Great Lent. Our very salvation can be threatened when we ignore this most beautiful sacrament of our Church. This year make this important effort. Please call the office for an appointment
SAVE THE DATE TO HONOR FATHER NICHOLAS: As some of you may have heard, Fr. Nick Greanias will be leaving us as he has been assigned to the Parish of Annunciation in Kankakee, IL. His last Sunday here will be on April 30th. In honor of his 6 years of service here at Saint Nicholas, we will be hosting a special farewell luncheon following Divine Liturgy that Sunday. Please join with us as we say goodbye and many blessing on His new assignment. AXIOS!
EARLY BIRD FESTIVAL RAFFLE DRAWING: Run, don’t walk, to your nearest Parish Council member or the Church Office to buy your Raffle Ticket for the Festival. Our Early Bird Drawing will take place on Sunday, May 14 (Mothers Day) during the Coffee Hour. The prize is $1,000! And your ticket goes back in for the Fest Drawing. Thank You!!
CHOIR BOOK FUNDRAISER: The choir is still collecting used books for their ongoing fundraiser. Please bring your books on Sundays or to the Church Office during the week. Thanks for your donations!
SAVE THE DATE: 90th Anniversary of Saint Nicholas Parish: St. Nicholas’ 90th Anniversary Dinner Dance is September 24th, 2017 at Tuscany Falls in Moke-na. It is easily located right off of I-80 and LaGrange. Very accessible from I-355, 294 and I-57. Mark the date down and prepare for a wonderful evening of great memories and even better fellowship.
WE NEED YOUR HELP: We are searching for volunteers to bring their creativ-ity to the table. The only way we can make the 90th Anniversary event memorable and successful is with the help of everyone.
We are also searching for old photos and memories to share with everyone. If you have any photos could you please email them to George Danos at gpd81@comcast.net. Or bring them into church and we can scan them. If you would like to contribute your talents to this event please call Dorothy Mezilson Pavlick @ 708-203-6402.
CALLING ALL READERS: Any parishioners who are able to read a foreign language and would enjoy reading the Gospel at the AGAPE Vespers on Pascha, April 16th, please contact Father Christodoulos.
PASCHAL CANDLES: Our Greek School P.T.O. is once again making Pascha Candles and making them available for sale. This is a great opportunity to support our Greek School Program. They cost $20 each and come in many different de-signs.
FESTIVAL DONATIONS-AN EARLY START: Please watch for Greek Fest 2017 Alerts. We will again begin collecting donations early. You all made it such a great success last year! Every donation in any amount helps the Church. April is oil, lemon & pop month! Please see the enclosed flyer for details.
S.O.N. BOOKSTORE - LENTEN/EASTER BOOKS AVAILABLE: We've transformed the bookstore into a Lenten haven. Aside from books on the Pre-Sanctified Liturgy, Akathist Hymn and combination Holy Week/Easter service we have an array of new Easter books for children. Also, we have many unique gift items that are sure to please. We invite you to come in and browse
PHILOPTOCHOS SCHOLARSHIPS: Every year our Ladies Philoptochos gen-erously offers scholarships from $300 to $2,000 to Philoptochos members, their spouses and children who are pursuing post secondary education at a university, community college or trade school. Please contact Sharon Sinadinos at 708-429-5642 for information and to get an application. Applications are also available in the Church Office. The deadline for submissions is Friday, May 12th at 4:00 p.m.
JUNIOR OLYMPICS: This year’s Junior Olympics competition is fast ap-proaching. The Olympics is for all the Orthodox youth in the Chicago Metropolis and offers many competitive track and field events as well as swimming and ten-nis. This event is held on Memorial Day weekend (May 26-28) at Sts. Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church in Palos Hills. Please consider participating in this year’s events and proudly representing our community. For more information please contact Ted Cachampis. There will be an informational meeting for parents and children on Sunday, April 23rd following the Divine Liturgy. Try outs will be held on May 7th.
GREEK PARADE: The Chicago Annual Greek Independence Day Parade will be held on Sunday, April 30th in Greek Town. Our Parish will once again have a float. There will be a bus leaving from the Church at 1:00 p.m. to go to Greek Town . The parade begins at 2:30 p.m. We hope many of our parishioners will join us for this fun day to celebrate our culture. Those who are interested in com-ing , please contact the Church office.