SOCIETY OF ST. JOHN CHRYSOSTOM-WESTERN REGION
GENERAL MEETING
October 1, 2011
St. Paul’s Greek Orthodox Church, 4949 Alton Pkwy., Irvine, CA 92604
The meeting began at 12.45 p.m. immediately after the Program:
Christian Baptismal Catechesis: In the Traditions of the Eastern & Western Churches with Fr. William Fitzgerald, O. Praem. and Fr. Steve Tsichlis after an opening prayer offered by Fr. James.
Present:
President Fr. George Morelli; VP Fr. James Babcock,; Sect’y Anne Petach; Treasurer; Bob Greenwell, Parliamentarian, Frank Scialdone, Chaplain Fr. Ramon Merlos. Fr. Deacon Michael Creighton, Diane Alves. Salma Ghaly, Fr. Kyrillos Ibrahim. Excused: Msgr. Dennis Mikulanis.
Agenda Approval.
Motion: Frank S.; Second: Bob G. Unanimously accepted.
President’s Remarks:
Fr. George: Thanked Fr. Steve Tsichlis and St. Paul’s Greek Orthodox Parish for hosting with as full breakfast; and to the Presentation speakers, Fr. William and Fr. Steve. Jack Figel conveyed to him that the Orientale Lumen Foundation is 20k in debt so it is questionable if another program can be held. Figel requested prayers, and will send updates.
Vice President and Newsletter:
(Fr. James B.) The next newsletter is just about ready for issue (within two weeks). He expressed appreciation to those who send him potential items. As to the Vice-Presidency, he announced that due to escalating parish needs and additional diocesan assignments he will not be able to continue to devote so much time to SSJC-WR. Fr. George thanked him for a “premier newsletter” that is “an extremely important part of our ministry and asked him to consider staying as editor of the LOE newsletter and said that we would provide him as much help as we can.”
Secretary & Historian:
(Anne P.) There having been no intervening meetings since then, the Minutes of the Jan. 29 meeting were read aloud. Motion to accept: Frank S. Second: Fr. James. Unanimously accepted.
Treasurer:
(Bob G.) Balance in the account is $3027.85. See attached sheet for cumulative financial report since Jan. 2011. The bill for the last newsletter has come, but is not yet paid. He had paid the speaker honorarium immediately after the program (i.e., not shown on attached sheet). Dues are coming in slowly. He will send another e-mail reminder.
Parliamentarian:
Frank S. Nominations are in order for VP and Sec. as per By-laws. He announced that self-nominations are allowed. He will assemble a nominating committee. The Secretary is to send him the contact list for members. Father Ramon Merlos was asked to run for Vice-President and accepted. Anne Petach is willing to accept nomination for Secretary for just one more term but requests help with some of the tasks for which she is now responsible.
Old Business
Programs Report 2010-2011-
There were no comments from the floor concerning the programs of the past year.
New Business
Proposed Programs for 2011-2012: were outlined by Fr. George as:
2) December 9, 2011, 7. pm.
Lessons and Carols. Put on by St. Margaret’s Roman Catholic Church. An opportunity to share cultural and feast-day celebration traditions as a balance to our informational programs.
3) Feb 25 2011
Lent in East and West. In San Diego. Details TBD.
Mar. 24, 2012.
Light of the East Conference. Irvine .Working topic: Forgiveness: The Path to Reconciliation. Fr. George has contacted as possible speaker a Professor Robert Enright, a Roman Catholic psychologist at the University of Wisconsin who specializes in Forgiveness, is a consultant to two Pontifical Academies asks no stipend from religious groups and is available on this date. We would pay his transportation and lodging while he is here.
4) May 17, 2012. 5)
Praise of the Mother of God: in Eastern and Western traditions. Possible location: Ukrainian Catholic Church in La Mesa. Fr. James Bankston is checking for parish conflicts.
Approval for continuation of planning for these programs was made by vocal consensus. Secretary, Anne Petach announced she will not be able to attend the Dec. 9, 2011 Program.
Fr. Kyrillos Ibrahim offered to host a program at some time at his parish, St. Marina Coptic Church, Irvine.
Announcements:
March 16-17, 2012 (Friday and Saturday) The 2012 Huffington Ecumenical Symposium. Topic: “Pan-Orthodoxy“, at Loyola Marymount University, Los Angeles. No fee but reservations required. Info at:
http://bellarmine.lmu.edu/ecumenical/Future_Events/pan-orthodoxy.htm
Next meeting date and time: December 9, 2011 at 6 p.m. at St. Margaret’s Oceanside, (before the Lessons and Carols Program).
Motion to Adjourn: Frank; Second: Bob. The meeting was adjourned at 1:10 p.m. after a closing prayer offered by Fr. Ramon Merlos.
Respectfully submitted by:
Anne C. Petach, Secretary, Society of St. John Chrysostom-Western Region