TSN0922

1 THE SHEPHERD • SEPTEMBER 2022 • SAINT SPYRIDON GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH OF SAN DIEGO FROM THE DESK OF FATHER ANDREW www.theshepherdnews.com The Shepherd Newsletter My Brothers and Sisters in Christ, I take this opportunity to thank you for helping me to celebrate my twen- ty-five years of ordained priestly ministry to the Church. ank you to our dedicated Parish Council and our faithful Philoptochos Ladies and to all those who surrounded me on the solea a few weeks ago. ank you for the beautiful handwritten icon of Saint Andrew that was presented to me at that time. ank you as well to all who were responsible for a wonderful gathering in our fellowship hall. ank you to all the volunteers of the parish, our paid staff and to all those who have supported, encouraged and inspired me since my arrival here at Saint Spyridon sixteen years ago. I would also like to publicly thank my wonderful wife, my children and family who have traveled this journey across the United States to serve the Church with me as well. Even though we le family and friends be- hind all those years ago, we have had the op- portunity to create and establish other new “families” along the way – from Brookline, MA,Atlanta, GA, Pensacola, FL and now here at Saint Spyridon. e love, encouragement and support along the way have truly been a blessing. It is hard to fathom and explain how good our Great God has been to me and my family but He always keeps His promis- es – en Peter said, “See, we have le all and followed You.” So He said to them, “Assuredly, I say to you, there is no one who has le house or parents or brothers or sisters or children, for the sake of the kingdom of God who shall not re- ceive many times more in this present age and in the age to come (Luke 28-30). ank you, thank you, thank you and ank God! So, what does the future hold for me and more importantly for our wonderful parish? For sure only God knows; but what I know is that it is a very exciting time to be here in San Diego at Saint Spyridon. It is no secret that the properties accumulated over the years by the dedicated, hardworking, brave and talented members of our community have increased greatly in value over the last several years. In the coming months we, as a community, all together will have the oppor- tunity to discuss, debate and pray over the possible/potential sale of these properties to help fund a possible/potential building proj- ect we all decided/voted upon several years ago with regard to our Parish Master Build- ing Plan. It goes without saying that there will be sev- eral steps to climb before a potential sale can take place but we as a community, all together will have the opportunity to make that deci- sion hopefully before the end of 2022. Again, it goes without saying, because it has been said many, many times before that no sale will take place without the consent, support, and vote of our community through much debate, discussion, questions and answers, and through much prayer. Let us be mind- ful that as we move forward toward that goal, we do so in a way that is becoming of Greek Orthodox Christians with honor and digni- ty, respect and love, truthfulness and clarity, justice and unity; and not with self-serving, disruptive and foolish agendas and not with unfruitful, silly and secret petitions. e good news is that our Great God forgives … and there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents… (Luke 15:7). Again, as we move forward you will ALL have ample opportunity to ask your own questions and to speak for yourselves. My Brothers and Sisters in Christ, it has been an honor, a privilege and a blessing to serve you the faithful here at Saint Spyridon. I am so looking forward to the future and to my continues 7 IN THIS ISSUE FR. ANDREW ............................................. p. 1 PRESIDENT OF THE PARISH COUNCIL, PHIOPTOCHOS NEWS, SENIORS, AHEPA.......................................................... p. 2 DIVINE SERVICES, HOLY SACRAMENTS, BIRTHS, MEMORIALS, BOOKSTORE, WOMEN OF THE WORD .......................... p. 3 YOUTH MINISTRIES ................................ p. 4 GREEK LANGUAGE SCHOOL ................ p. 5 CALENDAR................................................. p. 6 A SPECIAL REPORT ................................ p. 7 CONTACT INFORMATION ...................... p. 8 The Shepherd The official newsletter publication for the parish of Saint Spyridon Greek Orthodox Church of San Diego I S S U E 3 1 6 • S E P T E MB E R 2 0 2 2