Parish News & Notes

Parish News & Notes

Special Announcements from our Clergy, Staff, and Societies

SENIOR CITIZENS MEETING: Thursday, April 24th, 10:00 a.m., at Café Stelios in Merrillville. All seniors of our community, 55 years old and up, are invited to attend.

GREEK FESTIVAL MEETING: Thursday, April 25th, 6:00 p.m. in the Library. All parishioners and Parish Council members are encouraged to attend.

PARISH COUNCIL MEETING: Thursday, April 25th, 7:00 p.m. in the Library. All council members are to be in attendance as we will be discussing Holy Week responsibilities, as well as regular business.

PARISH COUNCIL VACANCIES: Currently, the Parish Council has three openings. Are you interested in serving on the Parish Council? If so, you must submit your name to the church office in writing (either in person or via e-mail to
office@ssconstantineandhelen.org) no later than Sunday, April 21st. The council will vote on all submitted nominees at the April 25th meeting. To be eligible to serve on the Parish Council, you must be a member of our parish in good standing as defined by the UPRs in Article 18.

ARE YOU INTERESTED IN ASSISTING OUR PARISH? COMMITTEE OPENINGS AVAILABLE! All parishioners in good standing are welcome to join committees and work with the Parish Council. Please find committee sign-up sheets on the library hallway bulletin board. The following committees are immediately available for volunteers: Festivals, Special Events, Schools, Outreach/Philanthropy, Stewardship, Maintenance/Security, Planning/Development, Scholarships, Youth, Rental, Golf Outing, Choir, Senior Citizens, Church Order and Internet/PR.

LENTEN/EASTER DONATIONS: Lent is a time that allows us to provide for the church various items needed. Giving to the church is always special, but during Great Lent and Easter it takes on even more meaning. As we gaze at the icons depicting the events of the season, the Cross with Jesus crucified, or the tomb in which He was laid, we believe that we are connecting ourselves
with that event by our donation. For this reason, we would like to take this opportunity to extend to you, the faithful, an invitation to share in making Great Lent, Holy Week and Easter a most beautiful and inspiring time. Those wishing to donate towards any of the following items should contact the church office.
Palms and Bay Leaves for Palm Sunday (April 28): $4,000
Candles for Good Friday (four total): $50 each, $200 total
Easter Lillies: $265 total
Epitaphio Flowers – Carnations, Orchids, etc.: $4,396

DONATIONS FOR THE FLOWERS ADORNING THE ICON OF THE VIRGIN MARY: Each Friday evening during the Great Lent the Salutations to the Virgin Mary are offered. Traditionally, the icon of the Virgin Mary is adorned with flowers for these services. We ask families or individuals wishing to contribute toward these flowers to donate on line or contact the church office. Cost of the flowers are $150 each week. Please be generous in your support.

EPITAPHIO FLOWER DONATIONS will begin to be collected by our Philoptochos Society next Sunday, March 3rd and throughout the Triodion period, Pre-Lent, Great Lent and Holy Week. This year with Greek Orthodox Easter coming a week before Mother’s Day, costs have skyrocketed. Even with cutting back on our order of flowers, we estimate that even to decorate the Epitaphio in a simple way will cost $10,000. Please give generously!

PROSPHORON & OLIVE OIL NEEDED: Once again, our parish is seeking donations of prosphoron and olive oil. Please bring these items to church with you when you come for worship or to the church office during the week. Thank you!

SHUT-IN VISITATION: If anyone is shut in at home, the hospital or nursing home and would like our clergy to visit and administer the Sacraments of Holy Confession, Holy Communion and/or Holy Unction, please call the church office at 219-769-2481 to make an appointment. 

HOLY CONFESSION: Make an appointment with your spiritual father or parish priest for your spiritual checkup. Remember, confession is good for the soul!