FOCUS ON YOUTH

G.O.Y.A. HIGHLIGHTS
by Alexandra Kallas,
G.O.Y.A. President

The Annunciation G.O.Y.A is off to a good start for 2004. First of all, at the February meeting the motion was made to lower the age requirement for G.O.Y.A. Formerly, it was open to teens 13-18 years old. However, due to the lack of teens between these ages, we have opened membership to 12 year olds born in 1991. Also Father Stephen appointed Tula Kallas-Chase, along with Athena Stavrakaras, as a G.O.Y.A advisor. New members, note: we meet the second Wednesday of every month.
You may have noticed G. O. Y. A. has re-opened the snack bar for business. It is open on Sundays when there are basketball games. It is also open week nights during dance and basketball practice. So far, we have raised close to $600.00. Thank you to everyone who has helped. Let’s keep up the good work. In addition, $500.00 was raised by G. O. Y. A. for staying after the Crabfeed and not only cleaning through the night but also helping to set up for yet another event the following day. Mike Canellos extends his thanks to all.

G.O.Y.A., you also did a wonderful job serving and cleaning on Godparents Sunday. I am very proud to see the Annunciation G. O. Y. A. once again active at the Cathdedral.

We have a very promising year ahead. Discussions have begun about the kinds of events we wish to sponsor, and how, as the teenage youth of the parish, we can contribute to the church. We have discussed holding more fundraising events, such as a carwash, candy sales, ice cream social, and a talent show brunch. If you have any questions about G. O. Y. A., please contact Alexandra Kallas at 510-538-8079 and please mark your calendars for our next meeting, which will take place on Wednesday, March 10 at 7:00 p.m. I'm looking forward to seeing a lot of new faces!

SUNDAY SCHOOL NEWS

As we begin our Lenten Journey, the Sunday School program will be very busy. Please try and make the classes during lent, as they are sequential. All classes will have lessons Lent specific. For all parents, please taketime to go to our cathedral website (www.annunciation.org) and look at our new Sunday School page. All important dates and information are listed there and you will also find links to help you raise your children in an Orthodox home. A special thanks to Jim Loukas for bringing this page to reality.

The St. John Chrysostom Oratorical Festival will be held this year Sunday, March 28, 2004 immediately following the Divine Liturgy. The purpose of the Oratorical Festival is to give our youth (ages 9 – 18), the opportunity to learn, write, and speak about their identity as Greek Orthodox Christians. It cultivates growth and maturity, while the Festival atmosphere minimizes the competitive spirit and emphasizes a joyful learning experience. Our youth will hear a variety of speakers give suggestions to both the public speaking and religious topics. A "Dress Rehearsal" will take place Sunday, March 21, 2004. For further information on the Festival, please contact your child’s Sunday School teacher or Denise Yeilding, Sunday School Principal.
The Sunday School will sponsor Presancified Liturgy on Friday, April 2, 2004. The children of Sunday School normally do the readings in this service and we follow the service with a wonderful Lenten meal cooked by Mr. & Mrs. Vellis. (This year a number of adults participating in the Lenten Program will also participate in the Liturgy and in the readings, as well.) It is a wonderful family event. This year we will begin at 6:00 PM, a little earlier so that we may eat dinner at 7:30 PM. The readings will be passed out at Sunday School at the end of March for children to take home and practice. Everyone is welcome to join us; the Lenten dinner is, of course, complimentary.

Mark your Calendar for TGI Pascha, Friday, April 9, 2004. Children ages 4 – 12 years old participate in a wonderful day of crafts and religious education. Youth ages 13 and older are encouraged to volunteer in the classrooms. Flyers will be sent home. See Denise Yeilding for more information.

HIGHLIGHTING OUR YOUTH: STEPHANIE VORRISES

Found in the College of San Mateo Bulldogs publication, alongside her picture, is the following blurb about Stephanie. We are very proud of her and would like to share the info. with you:

“Sophomore - 5’9 Forward, Sacred Heart Cathedral High School [graduate], “Steph” earned the Most Improved Player for the Bulldogs last season...did not play on her high school team, yet played in Greek [Orthodox] basketball leagues while she was in school...earned the last spot on the team last year, yet worked her way to a starting position by conference play...known for her strength on the inside...finds a way to score in situations that don’t seem possible...most memorable basketball moment was making the CSM team and scoring the winning basket in the victory over Gavilan...earned a 3.7 GPA last year...undecided on her major...works at Action Sports...enjoys hanging out with friends in her spare time...daughter of Louise and Jim...sister of Denis (29), Marie (24), and Angelo (22)...born in San Francisco on October 15, 1984.

Favorites: Book: Go Ask Alice; Food: Pizza dna Gnocchi; Music: L Hip Hop and R & B; Movie: Set it Off; TV Show: That 70’s Show; WNBA Team: Sting; NBA Team: Kings; College Team: North Carolina; Parish: Annunciation, of course!

Annunciation Cathedral Sunday School Calendar

Sunday, March 7 Regular classes held/Speaker to 4-8th grade - Oratorical Festival speaking tips
Sunday, March 14 Veneration of the Cross/children’s procession after liturgy
Sunday, March 21 Rehearsal for Oratorical Festival-
followed by the Greek Independence parade
in the afternoon
Thursday, March 25 Annunciation Day
Sunday, March 28 Oratorical Festival after Divine Liturgy
Friday, April 2 Presanctified Services/ Children do readings - Lenten Dinner following Service
Saturday, April 3 Services/ Palm tying/Pancake Breakfast-
Confession given to 5th –8th grades
Sunday, April 4 Palm Sunday / Class photos taken
Friday, April 9 TGI Pascha for all Sunday School Children
Sunday, April 11 Easter (no classes held)
Sunday, April 18 Regular classes held
Sunday, April 25 Regular classes held
Diocese Oratorical Festival /Novato
Sunday, May 2 Regular classes held
Sunday, May 9 Mother’s Day projects
May 14 –16 Metropolis Oratorical Festival Finals St. Nicholas Ranch
Sunday, May 16 Expression of Faith/Open House
Parents visit the classrooms
Sunday, May 20 Ascension Sunday - regular classes held
Sunday, May 23 Regular classes held
Sunday, May 30 Pentecost Sunday - regular classes held
Sunday, June 6 Last Day of Sunday School -
Graduation/Luncheon

**Regular Sunday School Classes held 10:30 am – 11:30 am The students then go to the Church for Holy Communion and remain until the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy.

JOY (Junior Orthodox Youth)

Joy sponsors annual pancake breakfast / Palm tying event Saturday, April 3, 2004. The pancake breakfast will begin immediately following the service for Lazarus.

Service 10:00 am
Breakfast 11:00 am

The youth (ages 10 – 18) will be encouraged to participate in confession (one on one with the priest) during the palm tying in preparation of Holy Week. Everyone is welcome and encouraged to participate.

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March 2004 Herald
Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral