Dear Parishioners,
Sunday School is in full swing for the Lenten season. We have/had lots of events in March. We are so proud of the hard work our children put into the oratorical festival. Thank you to Demos, Father Angelo, our parents, and our teachers for preparing the children for this very important event in the Orthodox church.
The children are working to collect coins for our philanthropy project to benefit Orthodox Christian Mission Center during Lent. Parents can encourage their children to do chores around the house, help a neighbor or a family member to earn coins! Father Angelo is also introducing the Sacrament of Confession to our Sunday School and we are looking forward to more chapel lessons with Juan and Sam coming up in April and May!
We would like to gauge interest in Vacation Church School this summer. We will be sending a survey through email in the coming weeks. We would like the parish’s feedback on volunteers, ideas, and times that work for people to be able to participate. We appreciate your time in filling this out!
Congratulations to all of the kids that made it every day to Sunday School in January!
Perfect Attendance for January
| Pre-K | Evangeline Gashlin and Zoe Onderdonk |
| Kindergarten | John Jackson and Stefanos Tzogas |
| 1st Grade | Mia Abuaitah, Anthony Gashlin, and Thanos Matakos |
| 2nd Grade | Daniel Collins |
| 3rd Grade | Meera Abuaitah and Brennan Collins |
| 4th Grade | Alex Chinchilla and Damianos Tzogas |
| 6th Grade | Antonio Chinchilla and Athanasia Tzogas |
| 8th Grade | Vasilios Koupas |
Important Dates:
March 5th: Procession of Icons- Children bring icon to church
March 12th: Oratorical Festival after the Divine Liturgy
March 19th: Confession with Father Angelo for older grades
March 26th: Confession with Father Angelo for younger grades
April 2nd: Attendance Announcements for December through February
April 14th: Lenten Retreat for all children
April 23rd: Chapel Lesson on the Divine Liturgy (first half), Bingo Boards due, and coin collection due
We have many Sunday School videos. Be sure to check them out if you missed a week with your child!
With Love in Christ,
Karina and Lauren
Religious Education Directors
ORATORICAL FESTIVAL – March 12, 2023
This year’s speakers:
Antonio Chinchilla (6th grade)
TOPIC 3 The sacraments are the mysteries of the Church through which God gives us His grace by actions, words, and material objects (for example, oil, wine, and bread). Pick one sacra-ment and explain its meaning. Antonio will discuss the sacrament of confession.
Athanasia Tzogas (6th grade)
TOPIC 4 Jesus models and teaches humility throughout His life and ministry. Discuss the chal-lenges of living according to Jesus’ teachings in a society that does not necessarily emphasize humility.
Vasili Koupas (8th grade)
TOPIC 1 Orthodox tradition teaches that the saints remain spiritually active beyond their earthly life. Discuss how we ask the Saints to intercede and pray for us and why.