THIS WEEK’S ANNOUNCEMENTS
 

Sunday, December 28^th
Sunday after Nativity/Christmas
8:15am  Orthros  9:30am Divine Liturgy
Parish Council Oath of Office
1pm  Philoptochos Christmas Party
(This is a FAST-FREE week)
 
Monday, December 29^th
4:30pm  GOYA Visitation to Safe Harbour
 
Wednesday, December 30^th
6pm  Vespers
 
THURSDAY, JANUARY 1^ST - 2026
St. Basil the Great – New Year’s Day
8:15am  Orthros  9:15am  Divine Liturgy
 
Saturday, January 3^rd, 2026
6pm  Vespers

TODAY
4-year memorial for Amalia Karagiannis
and 10-year Memorial for John Karagiannis
with Coffee Hour on behalf of
their Children and Grandchildren
May their memory be eternal

2025 STEWARDSHIP PROGRAM:  Fall Update

With less than a month before year-end, it is important that each parishioner fulfills their Stewardship commitment to our church. We are currently behind schedule in meeting our budget of $565,000 for 2025 but have an opportunity to close out the year strong with everyone’s participation.
You received your 2026 Stewardship packet in mid-November. This packet will include a status of your contributions/pledges thru October 31^st. If you find any error, please contact the office immediately.

Please look at your current status and make every effort to meet the remaining portion of your commitment.

If you have not yet made your 2025 pledge, please do so either via the church office or online through the church website.

The AVERAGE annual contribution needed to meet our budget obligation is $1,500 ($125/mo.)
Please keep in mind this monthly amount is less than what most people pay for cell phone or cable service each year.

The Leadership Stewardship contribution is $2,300 and above
The Church should be our priority for financial charitable contributions to support the numerous programs of our community. We have an active, vibrant community that will continue to grow and flourish with your continued support.

The Church should be our priority for financial charitable contributions to support the numerous programs of our community. We have an active, vibrant community that will continue to grow and flourish with your continued support.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!  We pray that you and your families had a blessed Christmas celebration with your families.  May you continue these holy days of the Nativity with every blessing and grace, glorifying our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, who took on flesh to be with us and save us. May the grace of our new-born Christ bless this coming New Year 2026 and spread peace and love and healing throughout the world.

New Years Resolution!!
Let's get moving and grooving together! OPA!   Greek Dancing is an amazing way to stay active and connect with the community!!  We can't wait to see you all at the Holy Trinity Cathedral Social Hall on Thursday January 8, 2026 starting at 6pm to 7:30pm.  Looking forward to seeing you there.  Wear comfortable clothes and shoes. It’s open to Women and Men 22 years old and up.  If you have any questions, please feel free to contact:
Penny Matangos 717-395-0537 or Maria Peslis 717-303-9716

We will have Sunday School Classes this Sunday, December 28^th. We ask that all Sunday School children please come.  

Bookstore news:  The Bookstore is open on Sundays after Church. Please come by and see the wonderful selections.  There are also great gift ideas. New items coming in every Sunday.
 

Upcoming Events 

• Parish Council Oat of Office held today, Sunday, Dec. 28th. 
• Philoptochos Christmas Party today, Sunday, Dec. 28^th, at West Shore Country Club at 1pm.
• GOYA will be going to Safe Harbour tomorrow, Monday, Dec. 29^th at 4:30pm to give out food and gifts to those who are residing there.
• Adult Greek Dancing will start on Thursday, Jan. 8^th from 6pm – 7:30pm in the Hall.
• Vasilopita Sunday will be held on Sunday, January 11^th after Church in the Hall. 
• GOYA Bowling at Trindle Bowl on Trindle Road on Friday, Jan. 16^th from 6pm-8pm.
• 17th Susquehanna Annual River Blessing on Sunday, January 18^th at 2:30pm at the deck area next to the baseball stadium.  Reception will follow at our Holy Trinity Cathedral with our warm avgolemono soup. There will be a Free will offering basket to support the ministries of the Orthodox Christian Charities of Greater Harrisburg (OCCGH). 
• Godparent/Godchild Sunday will be held on Sunday, Feb. 1^st.  Luncheon will be served. Please mark your calendars. 
• GOYA Fireside Chat on Sunday, Feb. 1^st at 4:30pm.
• GOYA Tournament at St. Nicholas, Pittsburgh on Feb. 13-15. Sa
• turday, Feb. 21 at 3pm: GOYA Dodgeball Tournament and Apokreatiko Dinner/Greek Dance at Holy Trinity Cathedral, Camp Hill.

We thank everyone for their flower donations through the Memorials and Trisagions that are done throughout the year.  In the new year 2026, those people who wish to sponsor flowers for their memorials and/or trisagion, the price will be $75.  If paying by check, you will make the check payable to Holy Trinity Cathedral and put in the memo “flowers” and give into the Office.   Thank you.

Graduation Sunday will be held on Sunday, JUNE 7^th, 2026.   All High School Graduates and College Graduates will be honored, and Scholarships will also be awarded that day.  Please mark your calendars and attend.
 
Congratulations to Connie Kokos and Ann Ariano their cast and all the wonderful participants of the Christmas Musical ““Letters from Yiayia, A Voyage of Hope.” that was held on December 20^th & 21^st.  What a beautiful display of the many talents that our children and adults presented. We were all impressed by all the cast members, their songs, dances and performances. It was a unique and wonderful musical. Family, history and culture were interwoven. Memories of grandparents coming to America were on stage. A job well done!!! Our Congrats to all again and we can’t wait to see what next year will bring.

VASILOPITA SUNDAY with Luncheon will be held on Sunday, January 11^th, 2026. We will bless the Vasilopitas in the Hall during the luncheon.  All organizations are invited and requested to offer a donation through their Presidents who will be announced to come forward at the luncheon.  You will be called up when Father cuts a piece.  If you are writing a check, please make your check payable to “St. Catherine’s Philoptochos Society” and put in the memo “Vasilopita”.  Thank you.      

The 2025/2026 AHEPA OPA Discount Card is here!
We are happy to announce that the all-new 2025/2026 AHEPA OPA Restaurant Discount card is now available to purchase, just in time for the holidays. They make great gifts. The card features many of the same great restaurants that have participated in the past few years, as well as a number of new places to try.  The card costs $20 and provides a $15 discount off of a $30 food purchase for 22 of our favorite local restaurants, (many that are owned by members of the church).   We have limited the number of cards to 250 this year.  Discounts are available from November 2025 through October 2026. So, pick them up before they completely sell out!   AHEPA will be selling cards on Sundays. Feel free to contact Anthony Ariano (anthonyariano67@gmail.com), or Dimitri Zozos (dzbail@aol.com), if you would like to purchase cards and will not be at church on Sundays. Thank you for supporting your local AHEPA Chapter.
 
PHILOPTOCHOS will be having Food Drive & MORE FROM NOW till December 29^th. We will be collecting for the less fortunate in our area of Central Pennsylvania. You may bring your items to the Hall Foyer where boxes will be available to place your items in. Please be generous and give to others. The items needed are:  Canned Foods, Dry Goods, Boxed Goods.  Also, when donating canned or dry goods, please make sure that the items have not expired.  Please check the expiration dates. We are also in need of diapers, toilet paper, paper products, baby food. Please donate.    Thank you.

Please donate to the Food Drive and more. When we go shopping we can buy something extra to bring back to Church. The majority of us are very fortunate to have food on our tables.  Let us think of others especially during this time.  Thank you.
 
HOME BLESSINGS!  The clergy will be blessing homes/businesses beginning on Monday, January 5^th. Forms were mailed out. Please fill out the form and give it to the office to have your home blessed. The Clergy will call you and adhere to the schedule as best as possible. 

THIS WEEK'S ATTACHMENTS
Click on the item to view the attachment

Lord's Voice
Foni Kyriou
River Blessing Ceremony Flyer
Metropolis Newsletter - December