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5 THE SHEPHERD • MARCH 2022 • SAINT SPYRIDON GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH OF SAN DIEGO ank you to all the GOYAns and parents who helped with our care packages for the homeless in our community on February 26th. What a great way to get ready for Great and Holy Lent which begins this month. As many of you know, I have been the GOYA Director for the past 9 years. e rst 7 with my wife Stephanie and the last 2 on my own a er her passing. Before taking over as GOYA Directors, Stephanie and I had been in youth ministry for many years, and we wanted to do something together to serve our St. Spyridon community. As we all know, the teenage years can be di cult for many (even without a pandemic). Some have trouble tting in and nding their way. A Priest ear- ly on told us the key to youth ministry is having a relationship with the kids and modeling your Orthodox Faith. He said tell the kids you love them God loves them and they are going to be OK. We tried to do that over these past 9 years and in turn made some wonderful relationships with the GOYAns and of course their parents. Stephanie grew up in this communi- ty and being GOYA Directors gave us the opportunity to reconnect with some of her Church friends while our kids and their kids developed relationships. ese last 9 years have truly been a blessing in my life, and I know it was in Stephanie’s too. Some of our early GOYAns are out of col- lege now and working and still active in the life of the Church. A er a lot of prayer and conversations with Father Andrew, I informed the parish coun- cil last month that I will be stepping down as GOYA Director this sum- mer. I want another parishioner to have the same amazing experience I had with the next group of GOYAns. I am not going anywhere so whoev- er takes over this position I can be a resource if needed. ank you all for trusting your precious children with us and bringing them to GOYA. Last month, Marina and I attended FDF in Phoenix. It was fun connect- ing with some old friends and watch- ing the groups dance. Parents, please continue to encourage your GOY- Ans to attend FDF, Oratorical Festi- val, Bible Bowl, Youth Retreats and St. Nicholas Ranch Summer Camp as this is how lasting friendships are formed with your fellow Orthodox Christians. On April 17th GOYA will once again have the opportunity to serve our parish by hosting the Palm Sunday luncheon . is luncheon is not only the major fundraiser for GOYA but it is the time that we give back to our parish by hosting a meal before we all continue our Lenten journey into Holy Week. Many hands are needed to make this event a success so please plan to help us set-up on Saturday, April 16th and serve and clean-up on Sunday, April 17th. ank you to the GOYA parents who have committed donations already to help o set some of the costs. Parents, there are still op- portunities to make a contribution to support the Palm Sunday luncheon. Please contact me for more details. is is GOYA’s ONLY fundraiser and we want to continue to fund the min- istries we have supported over the past few years which include OCMC (thru Father Stefanos Ritsi and his family ministering in Albania) and St. Nicholas Ranch & Retreat Center, just to name a few. Wishing you all a Blessed Lenten Season, Bill Navrides, GOYA Director St. Spyridon GOYA San Diego G . O . Y . A . NEWS AT THE CORONADO FERRY LANDING 619.435.1225 WWW.SPIROSCAFE.COM Best Greek food in the region Draft beer varieties Imported & domestic wine Spacious indoor/outdoor seating Panoramic views of S.D. Bay Catering Available BEST GREEK FOOD SINCE 2002 Our Greek School students and teachers will be presenting a variety program commemorating The Greek Revolution of 1821 Sunday March 27 At the Church Hall, Immediately Following The Divine Liturgy Following capacity guidelines, admission is limited to Greek School students and their extended families. Please register in advance at the school website www.stspyridongreekschool.org as seating is very limited.