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Happy New Year 2004
As this is my first message to the
community, I wish to thank you for
selecting me to serve as president
of the parish council. I would also
like to thank the five outgoing parish
council members, Nicholas Petralis,
President, Dino Charalmalides (Vice
president), Mike Dionis (secretary),
Don Theoharides (Grecian Festival
Chairman 2004), and Mike Christakis
(Stewardship Chairman). Each has offered
passion, enthusiasm, and patience
in serving our community.
We are at the dawn
of a new century gazing at a new time
with wide eyes, hope and promise.
The next 96 years will find remarkable
advancements in science and technology,
some that will enhance the human condition,
and others may cause us to question
our resolve. Through all the coming
years, our community will too find
change, at our door steps.
For some it maybe
difficult to embrace, for others it
will serve as an opportunity to execute
many ideas that will ring in a new
era for our cathedral. Although change
in and of itself is difficult, it
is necessary, yet it is not new. The
generation that has preceded us has
seen horse and buggy morph into SUV’s
and months of transatlantic travel
shortened to hours in flight. They
worshiped in a small converted building
and with love built our beautiful
cathedral.
Yet the marble and mortar of this
building is only as strong as its
people as a whole. There are some
of us through their love and faith,
have tirelessly offered their time
and talent with grace and humility.
They have served as true stewards.
However, for all too many of us we
excuse our limited contribution with
rationale of a life too busy to squeeze
in time for our church. But this too
must change. In order for our community
and heritage to flourish we need to
take proactive measures in improving
the resources for the present and
future.
We must begin to take the necessary
steps to build upon the strong foundation
of our mothers and fathers and forge
new centers of outreach and ministry.
Where does our future lie? The answer
is simple…in the eyes and hearts
of our children and grandchildren.
We must ask ourselves what we are
willing to do for our future.
There have been
many good and solid ideas circling
our community for several years; web
site, computer labs, new parking lot,
renovations to the auditorium, new
community center, etc. It is now time
that we begin to execute some of these
ideas to provide a new home for our
children to utilize the resources
that our loving community can and
should provide. All I am asking for
is some of your time and talent! I
cannot promise you a ticker tape parade
or even a testimonial dinner…but
I can promise you rewards that cannot
be measured in words!
Let our journey
begin…
With love and humility,
William P. Kiritsy
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