-- Nick Huott is graduating from Pawling High School and will be going to State University of New York, Cobleskill. He will be majoring in Diesel Technology.

-- Melanie Sulich is graduating from New Fairfield High School. She will be going on to University of Connecticut and plans to major in athletic training.

-- Nick Gross graduated from TrueNorth Wilderness School and is currently attending the Echo Springs School in Bonners Ferry, Idaho.

-- Luke Faubel is graduating from Joel Barlow High School and has plans to attend Naugatuck Community College to earn a degree in manufacturing.

-- Adrienne Fedyna-Dembeck is graduating from Shepaug High School. She will be going on to University of Connecticut where she will major in athletic training.

-- Taylor Freitas is graduating from Bethel High School. She will be attending the University of South Florida and plans to major in nursing.

First Holy Confession

We will be having First Holy Confession classes for those who children who have reached at least the age of 7.

Please let Paul and/or Elaine Toaso know if you have a child or children who are ready to take classes on First Holy Confession.

Food Drive

Once again this year we will be collecting non-perishable food items to go to Dorothy Day and the Loaves and Fishes food bank, and participating in the Feinstein Challenge.

A man in Rhode Island, Alan Feinstein, has offered 1 million dollars of his own money annually for the last 16 years to help fight hunger in the U.S. Any donations of food items or cash given while we are conducting this food drive will added up and reported to the Feinstein Foundation.

They will match what we collect and send us a check to use for future outreach projects. So giving during the Feinstein Challenge is actually a way to double what you donate. Last year we collected 96 non-perishable food items and received a check from the Foundation for $96.00.

A box will be in the back of the church for your donations.

Hanging Basket Program

Bob Popp is putting together hanging baskets of flowers for the church porch that will be professionally grown.

Bob has done a lot the research as to what kind of flowers will grow well on each side of the church depending on sunlight and a watering system to make sure the baskets stay watered throughout the season.

If you would like to sponsor a hanging basket for more information, contact Bob Popp at ashfordgroup@optonline.net

Diocesan Camp Nazareth 2013

Week 2 – July 21-27, 2013 – New England, New York, New Jersey, Florida and Canada Deaneries. Bishop Gregory has requested that parishes do everything we can to ensure that every child from our parish goes to Camp and that there be no Financial reason why any child cannot attend camp.

I would also include here our Altar Boys attendance to the Annual Retreat held in Johnstown every year at the end of June beginning of July.  Parents, Click Here for information and requirements related to the Altar Boy retreat.

Cupola Installation & Dedication

A cupola is being built and will be installed for our church during 2013. After many years of planning and saving, we have contracted Baut Studio from Pennsylvania to construct our cupola.

Fr. Luke and Stephen Fong visited Baut Studios in Swoyersville, Pa where they are fabricating the cupola. Pictured with Stephen is Conrad Baut who is heling us with the design and construction.

You can see one of the trusses they are making which will be part of the lower cupola of our double stacked cupola.

The cupola will be green in color which is the traditional color used during Pentecost and symbolizes life. It will also mimic the patina of copper.

The cross will be gold as will the ball at the base of the cross.

We are planning a cupola installation celebration when it comes time to lift the cupola with a crane to place it on the tower of our church.

Please do your best to keep your schedules free for that once in a lifetime experience.

On that day, we will bless the cupola and invite guests, dignitaries and the media for this momentous occasion in the life of our parish family. (Artist rendering, not actual cupola)

ASP

The Orthodox Youth Mission Team is grateful for our parish’s continued support. Plans are already underway for next year’s trip. We will be traveling to West Virginia July 6—14, 2013. If you have any questions, please contact Susan Sulich (203-746-6008/ssulich@yahoo.com) or see Father Luke.