Dear fellow parishioners,
As March approaches, I can’t help but think about all the activity that historically has occurred across our parish preparing for our annual March 24th vesper service and our March 25th Divine Liturgy and luncheon commemorating our Annunciation Cathedral name day. We have been fortunate to have parishioners like George Gaggos (and many others), who has selflessly headed up our luncheon committee for many years in order to ensure that we enjoy the wonderful dishes that are provided by many different people (an example that comes to mind immediately is Bill Loizon and his one-of-a-kind “tarama salata”) and to organize the selling of the luncheon tickets. We have been very fortunate to have most of what is necessary donated and to have great attendance for the luncheon each and every year.
Unfortunately, this year like last year, we will not be able to have our luncheon on March 25. I of course hope to still see most of you at both our March 24th evening vesper service and our March 25th morning divine liturgy. Also, both services will be streamed on our website, annunciationcathedral.org. Although we will not be able to participate in the luncheon on March 25, I would like to propose that in the spirit of involvement and cooperation that we have demonstrated in the past, we still give what we can to help support our Cathedral and to honor our name day. Perhaps those who have donated food or other supplies could give an equivalent monetary donation. Or, for those who have traditionally given the $25 donation for a luncheon ticket, you could give a donation to the church for the same amount. As we have done in the past, if you make a donation with instructions earmarking it for March 25th, your names will be placed in our weekly bulletin. Remember that you have the following options to donate:
1. In-person at Cathedral services
2. By mail to the Cathedral office (please include special instructions)
3. Online (where you also have the ability to write special instructions for the donation)
Hopefully, you all appreciate our ongoing special circumstances due to the covid pandemic, and thus the need for emails like this. The good news is that there appears to be some light at the end of this horrible tunnel and I am very confident that not only will we be able to enjoy each other’s company (and Bill’s tarama) at our March 25th name day luncheon next year, but that we can also go back to just sending out gentle reminders about stewardship.
With kind regards,
Harry Harris
Annunciation Cathedral Parish Council President