January 26th Announcements
Council News – Stair Project Update
We are excited to announce that as of this past Sunday (January 23rd) the stairs and ramp to the Church are open for use by our parishioners. The Stair Project commenced September 7th, 2021, which was later than originally planned with a need to re-design and re-tender due to increased costs, primarily related to the pandemic. We also experienced a delay in getting the permit released by the city. Once the work began, it progressed well with some more hiccups, including additional demolition needed due to the way the old stairs were built. As well, the initial plan related to the ramp was to remove the old red topping and re-pour concrete, but once demolition was done, the ramp needed to be completely removed, as well as the brick along the Church wall. This meant the entire ramp needed to be re-poured and the brick along the Church wall re-installed. The concrete was completed November 12th with some deficiencies, and we have held back monies and will correct them in the spring as it is too cold to do that in the winter.
The handrails are a work in progress, and we are hoping to have them done soon. The recent cold temperatures have presented challenges, not allowing for the welding of the rails to be completed properly. With better weather as of late, the handrails are almost complete. Remaining for the spring, when we have consistent above zero temperatures, will be all other exterior landscaping, exterior finish on the ramp wall and small guard rails from the columns to the staircase.
Even without the handrails, the stairs allow for gentle, easy access into our Church and we look forward to the completion of this significant project. Thank you to all for your patience and to all the donors who made this project possible.
Church Support Volunteers
The Church committee is looking for some support during services. If you can help, click here to sign up.
Sunday School
Join us on February 6th for God-parent Sunday! All members of St. Demetrios are encouraged to invite their Godchildren to celebrate the Divine Liturgy and receive Holy Communion together. Sunday school will follow communion. Yiayiades, Pappoudes, Aunts, Uncles & Cousins are encouraged to participate if a Godparent cannot attend. ❤ God bless all the Nounos & Nounas!
Philoptochos
As a reminder, Philoptochos will not be providing coffee and fellowship after church services, for the month of January. Our Philoptochos meeting for January has also been postponed to February 15th at 6:00 pm.
Greek School
2022 has started off at Greek School with a bang! On the first Wednesday and Saturday session of the year, Vasilopita was cut with each class. Preschool has also started, with the first class held on January 15th. We help a bottle drive and are thrilled to have raised $240. Thank you to all who participated in the bottle drive!
Adult Greek Dance
The next practice for Adult Dance is Wednesday, February 2nd @ 6pm in the main community hall. Drop-ins are more than welcome to attend! Bring a non-perishable food item for the Food Bank or $5 whenever you’d like to attend.
Food Bank Donations
Boxes have been placed in the Narthex of the Church where non-perishable food items can be collected. Some of the Food Banks most wanted items include: peanut butter, Kraft dinner, canned fruit, canned beans, and canned tomatoes.
Attention Business Owners
Our membership business directory is live! Click here to view it. As a reminder, all paid members can have their business listing added free of charge. Contact Penelope at admin@calgaryhellenic.com if you wish to add your business name and contact information to the directory.
Information for Funeral Services
For information regarding funerals and memorial services, please click here. Parishioners can contact a funeral home of their choice first. Please contact Fr. Thomas at (403) 246-4553 ext 2 or at Fr.ThomasSandberg@icloud.com.
January 12th Announcements
Elected Executive Board Members
At last night’s first council meeting of 2022, the following council members were elected to the Community and Society executive:
Hellenic Community
President: Kathy Marinakos
Vice President #1: Lambros Tsaprailis
Vice President #2: Aristotle Tipoukidis
Secretary: Linda Hasapes
Treasurer #1: Spyros Stathonikos
Treasurer #2: Vaso Morfessis
Hellenic Society
President: Kathy Marinakos
Vice President #1: Aristotle Tipoukidis
Vice President #2: Lambros Tsaprailis
Secretary: Linda Hasapes
Treasurer #1: Vaso Morfessis
Treasurer #2: Spyros Stathonikos
Below are the committee chairs for 2022:
Church: Linda Hasapes
Maintenance: Nick Vasilakos & Ari Tipouklidis
Finance: Spyro Stathonikos
Rentals: Pat Zack
Events: Nick Alefantis/Lambros Tsaprailis
Greek School: Pat Zack
Casinos/AGLC: Dave Anagnostou
Niata: Bill Douros
Membership: Bill Douros
Public Relations: Harry Diamantopoulos
Philoptochos Rep: Maria Hontzias
Philoptochos
Happy New Year, Everyone! We hope you are all healthy and well. We wanted to let you know that unfortunately, due to Covid cases rising in large numbers in Calgary, Philoptochos will not be providing coffee and fellowship after church services, for the month of January. Our Philoptochos meeting for January has also been postponed to February 15th at 6:00 pm. Until then, we pray to God that this new year will enable us all to be healthy, to reconnect with our faith, and to strengthen our love and compassion for one another. May God bless you all!
Church Support Volunteers
The Church committee is looking for some support during services. If you can help, click here to sign up.
Sunday School
Sunday School will resume with in-person lessons on January 23rd, following communion. Classes are held on the first and third Sunday of the month (unless otherwise notified). Click here to register. Levels: (1) ages 4-6 (2) ages 7-10 (3) ages 11+
Greek School
SAVE YOUR BOTTLES! Our first ever bottle drive held on January 15th from 9am-11am! For more information or volunteer opportunities, please email principal@calgaryhellenic.com.
Intermediate online adult classes start on January 12th! If learning Greek is one of your 2022 resolutions, contact us now to reserve your spot. For more information, click here or email us at principal@calgaryhellenic.com.
Preschool class will start on January 15th and run until June 18th, from 9-11am on Saturdays for ages 4-6 years old. For more information and to register, email Principal Vicky at principal@calgaryhellenic.com.
Food Bank Donations
Boxes have been placed in the Narthex of the Church where non-perishable food items can be collected. Some of the Food Banks most wanted items include: peanut butter, Kraft dinner, canned fruit, canned beans, and canned tomatoes.
Attention Business OwnersOur membership business directory is live! Click here to view it. As a reminder, all paid members can have their business listing added free of charge. Contact Penelope at admin@calgaryhellenic.com if you wish to add your business name and contact information to the directory.
Information for Funeral ServicesFor information regarding funerals and memorial services, please click here. Parishioners can contact a funeral home of their choice first. Please contact Fr. Thomas at (403)246-4553 ext 2 or at Fr.ThomasSandberg@icloud.com.
