St. George recently learned that Osman Karaja passed away on Tuesday, September 10th.. We extend our condolences to Osman’s family:  Steffie Karaja, Janus Karaja, Jane Quinn and her husband Brendan, and his grandchildren. Memory Eternal!

On September 8th, after the first Sunday Divine Liturgy after Archbishop Nikon's death, the parish of St. George held a Memorial Service in his memory. Click onto the more information link to view two photos. Memory Eternal! I Përjetshim Kujtimi! 

Per the statute of the Orthodox Church in America, the office of the bishop of the Albanian Archdiocese was declared vacant with the death of Archbishop Nikon. His Eminence, Metropolitan Tikhon informed the Holy Synod that he will serve as the Locum Tenens of the Albanian Archdiocese for the immediate future.
As Locum Tenens, Metropolitan Tikhon’s primary responsibility is to see to the election of a new bishop and to maintain the widowed diocese in the interim period. (As is the Orthodox Church practice, when a Diocese loses a Bishop to death, it is referred to as “widowed.”) Additionally, Metropolitan Tikhon will attend to other administrative and pastoral matters.
Click on the following link to view the attached letter from Metropolitan Tikhon. Albanian Diocese Announcement

We were saddened to learn of the death of Don Jordan.  We extend condolences to wife Shirley; daughter Beth & son-in-law Mike and grandchildren Jordan & John Veneri; and daughter & son-in-law Sue & Tom Batura.

The parish of St. George wishes to congratulate Nikolas Nani on the occasion of his recent Baptism in Albania.  Congratulations are also extended to his parents Ledi and Olsi, and brothers Kosta and Evan. Click onto the more information link to view three photos. Many Years! Për Shumë Vjet!

His Eminence, the Most Reverend Nikon, Archbishop of Boston, New England, and the Albanian Archdiocese, fell asleep in the Lord on Sunday, September 1, 2019.

He was predeceased by his beloved wife Sarah (Arthur) Liolin and dear brothers John and Billy Liolin. He is survived by his devoted & loving brothers, The Very Reverend Arthur Liolin and his wife Margaret of Milton and James Liolin and his wife Christina of NY; in addition he is survived by many nieces, nephews, grandnieces & grandnephews.

Link to view statements from the Albanian Archdiocese and Diocese of New England - Statements

Link to the OCA Memoriam - https://www.oca.org/in-memoriam/his-eminence-archbishop-nikon

We were saddened to learn of the passing away of James (Jim) Pando on Wednesday, August 28th.  St. George extends it’s condolences to his wife Mary Ann, daughter Susan (Athanasios) Lazos, and son Michael. Memory Eternal!

The following is a status of some of our young adults currently enrolled in college. We give our best wishes for their continued success!
 
Kristen Babich – Senior majoring in Elementary Education at Saint Joseph's University (Pennsylvania).
John Babich– Freshman attending the University of Maryland.
Henry Brunneau – Sophomore attending the University of Maine.
TJ Coughlin – Senior majoring in Finance at the University of Maryland.
Haley Flynn – Senior majoring in Business, attending the University of New Hampshire.
Eric Flynn - Senior majoring in Business, attending the University of Rhode Island.  
George Goetz - Junior majoring in Business at Penn State.
Jackie Goetz – Senior majoring in Biology at the University of Connecticut.
Carly Jane Nicholas – Junior at Providence College (Rhode Island)
John Veneri - Junior majoring in Business Management attending Coastal Carolina University (South Carolina)
Eve Wight - Senior attending the University of Vermont.
Owen Wight – Sophomore at the University of Connecticut

On Sunday, Aug 18th after Divine Liturgy, volunteers assembled 24 backpacks with school supplies as part of the FOCUS Backpack Drive.  This charity project, coordinated with Holy Ghost Church (Bridgeport) is supporting the middle school students at Roosevelt Middle School in Bridgeport.   Many thanks to the numerous parishioners who donated monies and/or specific supplies required to fill the backpacks.   Also, a heartfelt thank-you to Karen Masek who coordinated the project for St. George. Click onto the more information link below to view a few photos. 

The St. George parish was saddened to learn that Archpriest Steven John Belonick passed away on August 7, 2019.  Before becoming ill, Fr. Steven served at Holy Ghost parish in Bridgeport from 2013 -2017.
Click on the following link to read the OCA Memoriam for Fr. Steven: https://oca.org/in-memoriam/archpriest-steven-belonick  May Father Steven’s memory be eternal!

Congratulations to the following collegians, and to their parents, who were named the 2019 Scholarship Recipients of the Thomas & Katherine LaBache Fund:
 
TJ Coughlin – a senior at the University of Maryland
Kristen Babich – a senior at the St. Joseph University
John Babich – a freshman at the University of Maryland
Jacqueline Goetz – a senior at the University of Connecticut
George Goetz – a junior at Pennsylvania State University
Carly Jane Nicholas – a junior at Providence College
 
The St. George parish offers continued success and best wishes to these young adults.