Virtus Choir Christmas Performance (Saturday, Dec 21 following Great Vespers)

“Virtus,” Latin for “Virtue” is the name of John Adams Academy – Roseville's Advanced Vocal Ensemble.  Virtus is one of the longest-enduring institutions at John Adams Academy.  Since 2013, the three-fold vision of Virtus has remained the same: 

EXCELLENCE in Musicianship and Performance (the Greek meaning of virtue or “arête”) 

EXCELLENCE of Character (the medieval Christian meaning of “virtue”) 

EXCELLENCE in Courage and Valor, in service to the academy and community (the Roman meaning of virtue or “virtus”).   

Through the performance of great works, Virtus is the embodiment of the mission and vision of the Academy and a profound reminder of the beauty and power of an institution that works to help form great citizens and great souls.  By regularly performing at Academy events such as Constitution Day, Veterans Day, Revolution Run, graduations, assemblies, and flag ceremonies, Virtus serves the needs of fellow scholars and staff and helps add beauty and inspiration to Academy programming. 

Virtus is one of the major public contributions of the Academy to our broader community. Through participation in Virtus, scholars get the opportunity to perform at community events such as: Rocklin Hot Chili & Cool Cars, Roseville Christmas Tree Lighting, and JAA Foundation Nativity. Close to home, scholars have sung at the California State Capitol, Roseville City Hall, the American Legion, and other veteran organizations. In their travels, they have sung in amazing places like the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville and the Historic Saint Patrick’s Cathedral in New York. Virtus always does so with a love for America, a love of the Academy, and a heart of service for those to whom they perform.  

Virtus has regularly earned “Superior” ratings at the Sacramento-area Golden Empire Music Festivals and has three times received “Gold” ratings at the national Heritage Festival online, in Nashville, and in the Bay Area, most recently winning four top honors at the New York City Heritage Festival, including an adjudicators award, and an award for best soloist.  Dozens of Virtus choir members have been accepted into honor choirs on the Sacramento, Central California, All-State, and Western States levels. Many have gone on to further their studies at top institutions in various disciplines. 

Participating in these local, state, and national-level events has allowed scholars in Virtus to excel at our choir’s mission while being great ambassadors of virtue and excellence. 

The members of the award-winning Virtus choir from John Adams Academy will be singing Christmas carols at our parish on Saturday, December 21, following Great Vespers (5 PM).  

Santa Needs Helpers (Saturday Dec 21, Box and Deliver Food to families in need)

Prayers and Support for Kali, Danny and Oliver

As you will read, one of the young women (Kali Changris) who grew up in our parish was diagnosed with breast cancer when she was nine months pregnant.  Shortly after delivering their beautiful son, Oliver, Kali underwent surgery and began treatments; unfortunately, her cancer spread and treatments continued.  

Thanks be to God for opportunities to pray and support others in their moments of need.  May our Good Lord provide them with every necessary gift and be well pleased with our offerings, all unto His glory. 

Visit the GoFundMe site to learn more and give

Giving Tree Opportunity for the Vincent Family

Several weeks ago, we were introduced to the Vincent family. Karen, who is a mom to 6 beautiful children, including a newborn, and a wife to Vincent, has Stage 4 breast cancer that has metastasized.  Philoptochos would like your help to sponsor a Giving Tree for this beautiful family, who need our prayers and blessings this Christmas season as they battle the most difficult moments of their lives.

The Vincent family has an Amazon wish list, which you can find here. All gifts purchased will be sent directly to the family. If you need any help with the list, please contact me directly so I can assist.

The Vincent family also has a GoFundMe page that tells more of their story. You can find it by clicking here. Raymond, the father, is not working right now as he cares for the children, so financial assistance is needed with medical bills and other living expenses.

Above all, please keep this precious family in your prayers in hopes of healing for Karen and that all their needs will be met with God’s love.
As we celebrate the birth of Christ our Savior this Nativity season, may we “Share with the Lord’s people who are in need and practice hospitality. Romans 12:13”

Wishing you a blessed Christmas,

Shen Medeck

shenshine@yahoo.com

Welcome to our Visitors (Dn. Alexios Demos & Zachary Heller)

This weekend, November 30-December 1), we will also welcome to our community Dn. Alexios, Diakonissa Constandina, and their daughter Panayiota from Denver, Colorado, and Zachary Heller from Toledo, OH.  

Dn Alexios Demos began his studies at Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology in 2019, transitioning from his five-year role as a youth director and pastoral assistant at St. Catherine in Denver, CO, where he grew up.  In 2020, Dn Alexios joined the CrossRoad Summer Program and eventually served as its program director for two years. While at Holy Cross, he met and married his wife, Constandina, a native of Fremont, CA, and a member of Ascension Cathedral in Oakland (she worked for the Office of Student Life for three years as the Director of Campus Housing). In 2023, they welcomed their beautiful daughter, Panayiota, into their family.  After graduation, their family returned to Denver, where he began working as the Director of Ministries at the Holy Metropolis of Denver. On November 16, he was ordained to the holy diaconate to further serve and travel with His Eminence Metropolitan Constantine.

Zachary was born and raised in Michigan before attending Ohio State University for Film Studies from 2014 to 2017. After a year off and a year-long stint in Film grad school, he enrolled at Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology. Upon graduating in May 2023, he was assigned as the Ministry Coordinator/Pastoral Assistant at Holy Trinity Cathedral in Toledo, Ohio.  Zachary will offer the sermon on Sunday.  

Following Divine Services, we will host a parish potluck.  Please bring a lenten dish for our families to enjoy and as we welcome our guests.  The hall will be open before Orthros if you would like to drop items off in the kitchen.   

Fall General Assembly (December 8) Agenda, Spring Minutes, Reports, Proposed 25 Budget

The following is the proposed agenda for the next General Assembly meeting. Join us on Sunday, December 8, immediately following Divine Services. All active stewards* of the Church of Saint Anna are encouraged to participate.

1.    Prayer & Call to Order

2.    Selection of General Assembly Chair

3.    Approval of Minutes of previous GA

4.    Clergy Report

5.    President’s Report

6.    Treasurer’s Report

7.    Community Updates (reports will be posted on the parish website).

  a.    Philoptochos

  b.    Religious Education  

  c.     Archangel Gabriel Bookstore 

  d.    Byzantine Chanting

  e.    Youth & Young Adult Ministries

   f.     Stewardship

  g.    2024 Greek Food Festival

  h.    St. Vincent de Paul

  i.      Fellowship Groups

8.    Old Business

  a.    Sanctuary Beautification and Capital Campaign

9.    New Business

  a.    2025 Operating Budget

10. For the Good of the Parish

11. Closing Prayer

12. Adjournment

*To be considered a member in good standing, the member must regularly participate in the life of the parish and have fulfilled the previous year’s stewardship commitment and contributed toward the current year’s commitment.  New members may exercise their vote at Parish Assemblies if they have been in good standing at the parish for at least three months.

Congregational Singing & Chanting, submitted by Tim Burkhard

At our parish, we prayerfully sing our music in an accessible way while being faithful to the traditions handed down across many centuries. We chant as clearly as possible in English, using standard musical notation. We practice "congregational singing" during the Divine Liturgy. Yet we use the traditional "tones" and recognizable melodies across the Orthodox world. We meet weekly on Wednesday evenings to study the Divine Liturgy and the Vespers and Orthros repertoire.

We need more helpers in the music program. I hope that some more individuals with a music background (reading music and voice/choral) will be inspired to join us in studying and singing during services. We are also working on forming a girl's choir that can lead the congregational singing at Liturgy.

Stewardship Report, submitted by Marci Pelka

Another year, hard to imagine, time really does fly. No matter where you go, the malls, grocery stores, drive through for fast food or coffee, you cannot help but see the hustle and bustle of the season.  Parking lots are full.  There are so many packages being delivered, gifts abound.

But once again, our faithful stewards have not forgotten that everything we have and are is a gift from God.  Our stewards have shown that they are grateful and generous with the gifts and blessings God bestows on us each and every day.  How much can your offering do for Christ and His church? It depends on your love for Christ. We give back to Christ not according to our means but according to our love for Him. We are called to be stewards, love God with our entire being, give of our time, talents and treasury.  Five simple words say it all: we give from our hearts.

Our annual budget for 2024 is $460,000. As of October 2024 (I do not have the November figures), our year-to-date budget is $448,432. Basically, we need $11,568 to meet our budget. We have once again exceeded our budget. Thanks be to God and to our faithful stewards, who know what a privilege it is to give back to God by supporting those in need, funding Christ’s ministries through St. Anna’s, and meeting the church's operational needs.

Stewardship has three “T”s: time, talent, and treasury. We are called to be generous in all areas of our lives.  There are many opportunities that one can share here at St. Anna’s. Our prayer shawl ministry reaches around the world.  Our acolytes serve Orthros and Divine Liturgy weekly and sometimes on weekday services.  Our Sunday school is thriving thanks to our dedicated teachers.  We have bell ringers.  Stewards of our parish volunteer to serve at St. Vincent de Paul.  Others bring flowers to the church.  Others step up for candle duty, sandbox cleaning, greeting new people, provide meals to those in need. And it goes on, but only when our stewards take it upon themselves to assist in so many areas.

Once again, I am so grateful to all our faithful stewards who give freely from their hearts.  In giving, we show our love for God and draw closer to Him.

To become a steward of St. Anna’s, we only need your name and address. A stewardship packet will be sent to you.  I invite you all to read Heartfelt Stewardship in the weekly bulletin.  Become a steward!  It’s never too late.

“I do not believe one can settle how much we ought to give. I am afraid the only safe rule is to give more than we can spare.”  C. S. Lewis

The Parish of St. Ann Mount Kenya (Update)

In 2016, our parish began financially supporting St. Ann Parish in the Diocese of Nyeri and Mount Kenya. Our yearly contribution has helped finance the first church and sustain Fr. Cosmas's ministry. What joy and privilege it has been to witness the vibrant faith of our brothers and sisters in Christ under the care of their priest and their chief shepherd, His Grace Bishop Panaretos. May our Good Lord continue to bless our sister parish!

Below are recent photos from their community.

Prayers & Support for the Hong Family

Earliest this fall, we welcomed the Hong family to our community. Although they live in Georgetown, Jonathan, Jiana, and Taylor attend Divine Services and regularly participate in our Catechism classes. God-willing, they will all be received into the Church in the spring!  

As you will read in the attached, Jiana learned that her unborn son, Tayden, was diagnosed with severe non-immune fetal hydrops.  It was a very difficult diagnosis to receive, but by God's Grace, they continue to maintain hope. 

Besides asking for your prayers, I’ve also encouraged them to set up a GoFundMe page so that we can support them during this season, 

Whether for Tayden or Jiana’s medical care or to provide for their family, I invite you to give.  At the least, I ask your prayers for their family.  

May our Good Lord through the intercessions of Ss. Joachim and Anna keep Joanthan, Jiana, Taylor and Tayden in His care.  

Philoptochos - Feed the Hungry / Thanksgiving 2024

Thank you again for your support and generosity for our FEED THE HUNGRY ministry.

Together, we were able to raise funds to sponsor 75 families in need from the Brown, Buljan, Cirby, Crestmont, Eich, Gates, Jefferson, Kaseberg, Sargeant, Spanger, and Woodbridge schools...and in time for Thanksgiving 2024.

Packages were delivered to Principals today to distribute gifts and for groceries to ensure tables--and bellies--will be full. We have attached some images for you.

I hope and pray that our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, continues to provide for these families and grant them every blessing from above.

With love and gratitude,

Linda Stoll

Newly Installed Icons of St. Panteliemon and Panagia Eliestria

Thanks be to God and Fausto's hard work, our two side altars are complete. Below are two links about the Holy Unmercenary Healer, St. Panteliemon, and the Holy Icon of Panagia Eliestria.  

Saint Panteliemon was selected for this niche for several reasons: We have his Holy Relic, a Physician Saint seemed appropriate since we are less than a mile from Sutter and Kaiser hospitals, and we don’t have a church dedicated to him in our Holy Metropolis. What a blessing it was, and it will be, to celebrate his feast day from this altar on July 27.

Panagia Eliestria was a unique selection but most meaningful to our parish.  The first two icons of our parish, now in the salon to the left in the narthex, were painted in Koroni, Greece, by a family member of our parishioners.  There, in the village of Koroni, we find a Church dedicated to Panagia Eliestria and the miraculous finding of the Holy Icon.  What makes it all the more special is that our woodworker, George, crafted the wooden case for this icon in Koroni; now, he will frame the niche that houses the holy icon here in Roseville.  I’m confident this is the only icon of its kind in the United States, making it all the more remarkable when we celebrate the Feast on January 22.