THE PARISH RELIGIOUS EDUCATION
by Sub-deacon Liviu Constantinescu, Director
Dear parents and grand-parents,
A great preoccupation
of our church is the care for the religious education of the youth of our
community, and its participation at the Sunday’s religious services of
the church. In this respect, we have
built a nice intimate holy Chapel, where Sunday English Services are held
regularly between 10:00-11:00 am, the children are offered a Sunday brunch
afterwards, and Classroom sessions are held between 11:30 am through 12:30 pm,
in all three nicely decorated, repainted and newly recarpeted Sunday School
rooms of the church.
Neither the clergy,
however, nor the Sunday School Teacher’s by themselves, and/or in cooperation with the Church’s clergy, could
alone fulfill this vocation of the church. It is therefore absolutely
imperative the cooperation of all the parents and grandparents, who have
children of age 4 and older, to enroll them and bring them to the Sunday
School, on a regular basis, and make sure that they are on time.
This year, the
official beginning of the Catechetical School Year was: SUNDAY, October 8, 2000.
_________________________________
Why English Services?
Sub-deacon Bill Clark, Young-Adults/ Coordinator
As Romanian Americans of Orthodox Faith, we have the duty to do our
part to continue the Orthodox Mission, initiated by the Russian Orthodox Church
in North America (since 1794) more than 200 years ago.
From the history of the Orthodox
Christianity, we all know of the great and holy work started by our beloved
Saint Herman of Alaska, followed by the vast unbelievable work completed by
St.Innocent, which could easily fill several books.
We do recall that in late 1898 to
1905, the future Patriarch of Moscow, St. Tikhon, coming to America, along with
Bishop Raphael (+1915), united many ethnic Orthodox people, healed divisions,
built Churches, and instructed that English be used in America.
Through his vision from God, St.
Tikhon stated that throughout Orthodox Missions, through the ages, the Church
was able to proclaim the Gospel of Christ in the language of the people, which
is used for each Country accordingly. In the spirit and prophetic vision of
Saint Tikhon, we must press forward, using English in our services, or run the
risk of becoming ethnic clubs forever in America.
The Holy Trinity Orthodox Church
of Southern California (“HTOCSC - The Chapel ”), conducts its services in the
“Orthodox English Chapel”, built in the former chancery (parish offices) of the
Holy Trinity Romanian Orthodox Church, located at: 3315 Verdugo Rd., Los
Angeles, CA 90065.
The Sunday Catechetical School, as well as the “HTOCSC/The Chapel“
Services are held entirely in the English Language.
All people of ORTHODOX FAITH are
wholeheartedly welcome to attend.
Serving Clergy:
“HTOCSC” (The Chapel) services are held by all
the clergy of the Holy Trinity Church:
·
V. Rev. Father
Constantin Alecse, Sr. Rector
·
Rev. Father Minas Sarchizian, associate (adults)
·
Rev. Father Virgil Anton, associate (youth)
·
William John (Bill) Clark, Sub-deacon/cantor
·
Youth Ministry & overall out-reach:
Sub-deacon Liviu G. Constantinescu.
·
Young Adults Retreats and services coordinator: Sub-deacon
William John (Bill) Clark.
_______________________________________________
"Let the children come to Me…!” Jesus said (Mark X, 14)
·
Our Church School will
offer this year a well established Religious Educational Program. We need
everybody’s help however. The parish council already spent some $ 800 on books
and other religious materials.
·
The young adults, the
L.A.R.O.Y. members (Los Angeles Romanian American Orthodox Youth Organization)
will be provided with the knowledge of the Church through worship, study and
share, which is the motto of the A.R.O.Y. National Organization. The materials
contain only “Orthodox” teachings, choosen adequately for each level, according
to the Today’s Society challenges.
Rev. Father Virgil Anton,
Spiritual Advisor, Sub-deacon Liviu Constantinescu, director of studies, and
Sub-deacon Liviu G. Constantinescu have in their care over some 100
video-cassettes, on Religious subjects (for all the age groups), to help the
youth learn - through the visual means:
·
the Religious Teachings of
the Church (Bible Study, Holy Tradition, the Lives of Saints, Church History,
on Prayers, the Sacraments of the Church, the Worship and Liturgy, Church
Iconography, the meaning of the priest’s vestments, Fasting Days and Confession,
etc.), as well as exposure to questions and answers regarding:
·
Contemporary-Ethical
issues: young and adult relationships, dating and marriage, abortion, Christian
teachings regarding the wars, drugs and smoke abuse, alcoholism, depression,
suicide, atheism, divorce, disfunctional families, crime, violence, gangs, AIDS,
occultism & satanism, sexuality and homosexuality, etc. We are sure that
the parents, and grand-parents have “no time”, nor the expertise (necessary
materials) to discuss these matters with their youth, and the only institution,
besides the school which your children attend, is the Sunday School of the
Church. We are here to help you. Let’s make it clear: We are not the
“baby-sitters” however. Your involvement is absolutely necessary and
appreciated.
Sub-deacon Liviu Constantinescu, Director Sub-deacon Bill Clark, Young-Adults
Coordinator