Contact Information
Mary O'Hara, Catechism School Director, mohgec@comcast.net
Mission and Organizational Information
St. Theophan, the recluse, once said, "of all works, the education of children is the most holy." As such, those of us who have been given the opportunity to participate in such holy work should endeavor to understand the holy teachings of our Orthodox Christian Faith, not only in theory but also in practice! The purpose of Orthodox Religious Education (catechesis) is to help build up the Church, the Body of Christ, by nurturing every Christian in the life of personal communion with the Holy Trinity-THEOSIS. Through this life-long diakonia (ministry), every Orthodox Christian is encouraged to bear joyful witness to God's loving and redeeming work in the world. Religious education encompasses every aspect of Orthodox Christian life. From the home to the parish, from youth work to every aspect of adult church community activity, the "holy work" of religious education under-girds the continuing spiritual development of Orthodox Christians of every age. Consequently, nothing is more crucial today than learning to express our love and faith for our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and His Holy Church with dignity and spiritual maturity. A "holy work" is characterized by:
Learning,
Loving, and above all,
Living our Orthodox Christian Faith!
Participation Information
Click here for a 2010-2010 Registration Form
Classes for all students begin immediately following Holy Communion, until 12:15 pm. Please make every effort for your child to remain in class through the entire lesson.
Children are welcome from 3 years old up to 12th grade. Pre-schoolers should be fully potty trained.
As a general courtecy to teachers and fellow catechumens, students are asked to leave their cell phones, or any other electronic device that may be distractring, outside the classroom.
The grades are organized as follows:
Pre-K: Mrs. Maria GrigorakakisK: Mrs. Kiki Hatzinikolaou1st: Mrs. Toula Pithis2nd: Mrs. Angela Godshall3rd: Mrs. Susan Gouris4th: Mrs. Alexandra Wrigley5th: Mrs. Zaffie Zoubroulis6th: Mrs. Jane Papacostas7th & 8th: Mrs. Patra Karidas9th - 12th: Mrs. Stella Fisfis
We are always in need of helping hands to improve our program for the children and our service to our community. Please do not be shy! If you have an interest to become part of this very worthwhile effort, please contact Fr. Christos Christofidis, or Mary O'Hara.
Learn about Philip the Apostle, Patron saint of Religious Education, one of Christ's chosen twelve who eloquently and energetically taught many persons the Good News throughout Asia Minor until his Martyrdom.
Please see the Community Calendar for upcoming Catechism School activities.
Our Church School program follows the recommended texts identified by the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America to which we supplement with various other references, projects, and/or activities. To gage where the students, your/our children, are in their religious studies, the following summary for Grades 1- 5 has been published by the Department of Religious Education from Dr. Vrame. Please take the time to review these milestones with your children. There may be some opportunity for 'family' learning!
http://www.goarch.org/archdiocese/departments/religioused/resources/what_your_child_should_know
Class Of 2010 High School Graduates.1. Dawn Artemis Armentani graduated from Saint Basil Academy. She has been named class of 2010 Valedictorian of Saint Basil. Dawn will be attending Drexel University, Pennoni Honors College.
2. Nick Christman graduated with honors from Roman Catholic High School. He is a member of the National Honor Society, Student Council, School Band, Annunciation GOYA, Altar Server and Sunday School. Nick recently took 4th place in the world Taekwondo tournament in Argentina. Nick will be attending Drexel University with academic scholarship, studying civil engineering.
3. Thomsen Cummings graduated from Cheltenham High School. Thomsen will be attending the University of Vermont, studying engineering.
4. George Fisfis graduated from Council Rock South High School. He was a member of the Student Executive Board. George will be attending St. Josephs University.
5. Stefanos Grigorakakis graduated from Abington High School. Stefanos will be attending Penn State University at Abington, studying engineering.
6. Maria Karidas graduated from Council Rock South High School. Maria will be attending Gwynedd Mercy College on academic and athletic scholarships, studying special education.
7. Samantha Rose Kelly graduated from Upper Dublin High School. She is the Silver Key winner for writing portfolio from the Philadelphia Writing Project. Samantha will be attending Arcadia University, studying journalism and communications.
8. Gregory Mariani graduated from Hopewell Valley High School. Gregory will be attending Pace University of New York.
9. Alexandra Verros graduated from Hatboro Horsham High School. She is a member of the national Honors Society. Alexandra will be attending the University of Delaware, College of Engineering.
Class of ‘10 College and University Graduates.
1. Elliot Cummings graduated from Penn State University with a Bachelor of Science in Information Technology.
2. Katina Anastasia O'Hara graduated from Elon University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration~ Marketing Concentration. Exercise Sport Science Minor.
3. Kristalia Sandilos graduated from Pennsylvania State University with a Master of Education Degree in School Psychology. Kristalia will continue her studies in Penn State’s School of Psychology doctoral / Ph. D. program.
4. Krystallo Sandilos graduated from the University of Virginia with a Master of Science Degree in Biological and Physical Sciences. Krystallo is a Ph. D. candidate in Neuropharmacology at the University of Virginia Medical School.
To all graduates, we express our heartfelt best wishes and we congratulate each one of you for your impressive achievements. May God bless each one of you with the gift of His love, and may He guide you to every good work in serving and helping your fellowmen that His Holy Name be glorified.
