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My Fellow Parishioners,
As we start 2009 and our new year I would like to reflect on 2008 and how it serves as the foundation of many new changes happening at our Cathedral. I also see it as a launching point in setting our goals for 2009. 2008 was a momentous year as well as one with many challenges. We launched the New Year of 2008 with a wonderful New Year's Eve "glendi" organized by the Special Events Committee and lead by Chairwoman Evangelia Velentzas. I would like to commend this committee and their enthusiasm in bringing the community back together through events they organize such as the New Year's Eve party, the Mother's Day Brunch, The Father and Daughter Dance, the Masquerade Ball, The Taverna Night…and much more.
Another Saint Spyridon milestone that bonded our community in 2008 was the Family Center Phase II, Architectural Presentation presented in March, which was widely accepted and supported. Subsequent to this momentous day, on September 2 at a Special General Assembly, the community based on a majority vote, accepted several motions to proceed with the plans and commitments in preparation for ground breaking in the spring of 2009. I would like to extend a heartfelt "thank you" to the Family Center Committees both the Building Committee, lead by Chairman Dimitrios Vasiliadis, and the Capital Campaign Committee, lead by Co-Chairpersons, Nicholas Paleologos and Christina Andrianopoulos for their hard work and leadership in keeping us on task and focused over the last four years. The dedication of these committees will finally bring us to this important milestone this spring with the building of the Family Center. The committees have met almost every week throughout the four years resulting in presenting an architectural design that both refurbishes the existing facility that our forefathers built, as well as addresses the future needs of our Cathedral and its ministries through new construction. This project cannot happen with out the financial support of our parishioners. I want to personally thank all those who have donated and pledged to date. It is incredible to me that based on faith in the project many have stepped up to the plate resulting in current pledges exceeding $2,200,000. In the history of Saint Spyridon, the accomplishment of raising millions of dollars for a community project has never previously happened. Thank you from the bottom of my heart to both the major donors and the community members for contributing financially and spiritually. For those who have not given to date, it is time for you to all step up to the plate. This project is not a project for some it is a project for everyone-from the youngest parishioners to the most senior---we will all benefit from the new Family Center. Therefore, I urge you to pledge in your family name, in memory of a loved one who has passed…just pledge. The Family Center Committee has made it easy to donate and they have terms available whereby you can make payments within your means over the next three years. The important thing is to give…and give now so that we can start construction this spring.
Also in 2008, the Saint Spyridon Community hosted one of the most successful Grecian Festivals in the history of our Cathedral. With the leadership of Co-Chairmen Mike Dionis, and George Maniatis, hundreds of volunteers, and both "in kind" and monetary sponsors, the festival netted in excess of $120,000. I thank Mike and George, all the volunteers and our sponsors, supporters and guests for making 2008 Grecian Festival memorable and successful. It also represented “in-memory of” our devoted volunteer Alex Gazonas, who selflessly provided the artwork for all the festivals.
The Golf Tournament celebrated it's 10-years with the leadership of Co-Chairpersons Stu Paskalis and Tina Niedbala and their committee. Thanks to them, and all their volunteers, for hosting another fun event that netted in excess of $22,000.
2009 also launches the Nursery School into its second term with the guidance of our Director and Lead Teacher Mrs. Laura Fitzgerald and her talented teachers and staff. With the guidance and leadership of the School Committee lead by Co-Chairwomen Jessica Pitsillides and Katerina Kambosos, they are working diligently with the Director to develop a program and curriculum that promises to be one of the best Nursery Schools in Worcester. I encourage all of our community to let everyone who has pre-school children know about Saint Spyridon's Nursery School Program and attend one of the many open houses this winter. They are currently enrolling for the 2009-2010 school year.
Our Greek Community was also affected by the economic challenges our nation experienced and will continue to feel it in the New Year. Through the leadership of our Treasurer Harris Pitsillides, our Cathedral operated on budget. I am also proud to say that even with the financial downturn everyone is facing, our Cathedral's investment accounts have stayed their course and have not been affected substantially. The Investment Committee, also lead by Harris Pitsillides as Chairman, and with the financial expertise and guidance from our financial advisor George Leasca, met frequently to ensure that our investments were safe and not invested in any of the tenuous securities or financial institutions that were in trouble. Our investments were not in any of the troubled companies or securities. In 2009, they will continue to monitor the financial compass and react in the conservative manner set by our Cathedral's By Laws to be in top rated financial instruments. Please know that the Treasurer's report is available to be viewed by any parishioner in the office, and we welcome any questions that you may have in reference to the Cathedral's accounts.
I want to thank my fellow Parish Council members who served with me in 2008 for their hard work and devotion. We accomplished a lot and we should all be proud of serving together. I also want to thank the 2008 members whose term finished, Sideris Angelou, Charles Bloumis, Nick Petralias, for their years of devotion serving on the governing board of our church. We all have the good of the church in our heart when we offer our services as Parish Council.
The New Year also brings the business of the church to the new Parish Council. I also welcome the new members of our 2009 Parish Council, George Tsekalis, Don Theoharides, Aris Felis, and those who reinstated their names to continue into their next term, Katerina Kambosos, Christina Andrianopoulos. Making up the new 2009 15--member PC team, the baton is being passed to all of us with many new goals to accomplish, especially in these challenging economic times. We ask the community for your support and encouragement as we proceed with the business of the church.
One of the most important goals is our Christian Stewardship. As a Parish Council goal we have made Stewardship one of our priorities. With that said, the Stewardship Committee as a subcommittee of the Parish Council will be developing strategic plans to help educate the community to the value of the Christian Stewardship Program and the importance of your stewardship contributions to the financial support of our Cathedral. The operation of our Cathedral is all of our responsibility. We must understand, embrace and meet our Christian Stewardship responsibilities to our Cathedral, gladly. It is just as you manage your family's finances at home and make arrangements to pay your bills and utilities, such as your cable bill each month. It is important that we all understand that our respective Stewardship Contribution is equally as important to help sustain the operations of the church, support our religious and educational programs, maintain our ministries and youth and senior activities. Please budget your Stewardship contribution in your 2009 budget and pay it timely.
I want to extend a special thanks to our spiritual leaders Father Dean and Father Greg for providing our spiritual guidance while also working selflessly behind the scenes to hold up this community in time of need, sorrow, tragedy, joy and happiness. They hold the hands of our family members in need, pray for the sick and deceased, bless our homes and businesses, listen when there is a family crisis, financially support many in need and give to causes, and laugh with our joys and happiness. They are our best ambassadors within our community and representing our parish outside of our community….and they do it with a smile and with love in their hearts.
In conclusion, many of us have been involved in tough economic cycles and situations in our lives. Many of us have faced painful tragedies with our family and friends. But no matter how much turmoil exists in our outside world what brings me peace is knowing we have a very strong spiritual base and support in our church. It is amazing to me how much strength I receive from silently repeating the Lords Prayer or doing the sign of the cross when I feel the fear of the unknown creeping in as if it is going to asphyxiate me. I just want to remind you of how fortunate we are to have our strong unwavering belief in God, and the tools the church provides for us to tap into in both bad times…and good times. In these tough times, I just feel sorry for my fellow man who doesn't have their faith, such as we do with our Greek "Orthodoxy," to fall back on in time of need.
To a prosperous and healthy New Year,
Gus Giannakis
President
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