Philoptochos

Upcoming Events

During the summer, Philoptochos moves into a season of few meetings and many activities, including Bake Sale preparations, Dormition celebrations, and more. Please watch for details on weekly church emails and website.

 New Philoptochos Board Members Installation, June 11, 2023.

President: Connie Kouzes
1st Vice President: Lisa Gallmeyer
2nd Vice President: Carol Smith
Corresponding Secretary: Cathy Forchas
Secretary: Shannon Baustian
Treasurer: Kathleen Wendland
Assistant Treasurer: Mary Ellis
Advisor: Annette Legeros

Board Members: Sandra Anderson, Erline Holman, Donna Psihos, Maria Smith, Andrea Tiggas, Dena Tortorelis, Mary Kay Twito

Philoptochos Board Meeting, Tuesday, Sept 19, 2023, 6:30 PM, Fireside Room

Board Members Assemble!

Philoptochos Metropolis Luncheon & Raffle, September 23, 2023. Chicago

The September Luncheon and Raffle is the biggest fundraiser of the Metropolis Philoptochos. If you’re unable to attend, please consider buying a raffle ticket. Tickets were mailed to all Philoptochos members, and a few are available for purchase at the Philoptochos table after liturgy. The raffle ticket purchase deadline is Sunday, September 17th. Grand prize is $1000 with 4 smaller cash prizes. Donation is $10 each or 3 for $25. The raffle benefits the St. Iakovos  Retreat Center, IOCC, and Metropolis philanthropic endeavors.

 Philoptochos General Meeting,  Tuesday, Sept 26, 2023, 5:30PM, Terrace Room

Come for fellowship, refreshments, & to make plans for Philoptochos activities.

Service Day Project. Saturday, September 30, 2023, 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM, Lecture Rm

The project we will work on is TBD. Watch for a sign-up sheet at the Philoptochos table.

Women’s Book Club, Fall 2023

Passions and Virtues, the fifth volume of the Spiritual Counsels of Saint Paisios the Athonite, is the next read for the Philoptochos Book Club. This book will be discussed in the September, October, and November meetings. All women of the parish are welcome. The book is available for purchase in the bookstore. To have your name added to the Book Club email distribution list, please contact Katherine Boosalis at katherine@boosalis.net

Thank You…

Thank you to all those who helped with volunteering in July 2023!

• Thank you to all who helped bake thousands of melomakarona for the festival bake sale.
• Thank you Naira Istephanous, chair, and all who helped make baklava for the festival Baklava Sundae station.

What is Philoptochos?

The Greek Orthodox Ladies Philoptochos Society, Inc. is the philanthropic arm of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America. Founded in 1931, Philoptochos now has more than 400 local chapters the mission to promote charitable, benevolent and philanthropic outreach, to preserve the sanctity of life and family, and to perpetuate and promote our Orthodox faith and traditions.

St. Mary’s established the official Philoptochos Chapter 2049 in 1945, but women of the church have been serving others since 1910 when seven women founded the first known service group Elpis, which means Hope in Greek. Today, nearly 200 women are members of our chapter. We hold fundraising events and receive monies from the parish to support many charitable groups, including:

• Seven food shelves and four non-profits that lift up women and children in the Twin Cities
• Orthodox organizations including Prison Ministry, 4 monasteries, 6 orphanages, Hellenic College Holy Cross Seminary, IOCC, OCMC, and Orthodox Christian Network
• Organizations supported by the Chicago Metropolis and National Philoptochos Boards

We also provide support to the parish by planning decorations and special needs during the Easter and Christmas seasons, running a Women’s Book Club, hosting receptions for special occasions and guests, organizing hands-on service projects, and responding to clergy requests.

All women are welcome to participate in Philoptochos activities and invited to join as a member. The annual membership drive runs from January through April each year.

To contact St. Mary’s Philoptochos, please email philoptochos@stmarysgoc.org.

Membership

St. Mary’s Philoptochos Chapter 2049 holds an annual membership drive from January through April. Dues are self-determined, meaning you decide the amount you wish to give, and in 2021, the average gift was $82. The first $22 of your gift supports Metropolis of Chicago and National Philoptochos programs, and the remaining donation stays in our local chapter.

All levels of giving and volunteering are welcome! Large and small gifts as well as significant and minimal involvement work together to make our Philoptochos chapter vibrant. And all members of the parish are invited to our activities – you don’t have to be a member to participate.

According to our bylaws, Philoptochos membership is open to Greek Orthodox women aged 18+, and associate (non-voting and non-office holding) membership is eligible to non-Greek Orthodox women married to Greek Orthodox men, Greek Orthodox men, and non-Greek Orthodox men married to Greek Orthodox women.