YOUTH GARAGE SALE WAS A BIG SUCCESS Thank you to all who donated items and spent time working the sale.

Philoptochos Summer Fundraiser: A No-Bake Cookie Sale, now through June 14. How does it work? (1) Decide what it would cost you to bake a dozen cookies. For example, cookie dough pre-made from the store = $3.95; time invested @ $8/hr, including going to the store = $12.00; total investment for the dozen cookies = $15.95. (2) Donate the value of your cookies to St. Irene Philoptochos. We give heartfelt thanks to you for your continued support. With your support we are able to continue assisting women, children and families in need in our community, the Crisis Pregnancy Center, the Support a Mission Priest Program, our Thanksgiving and Christmas Programs, our food bank, and our own church community.

OUR FOOD PANTRY COULD USE A BOOST The food pantry maintained by St. Irene Philoptochos could use more items on its shelves. Please keep this in mind when you are grocery shopping. A few things from a number of parishioners make a real difference in our offerings to those who are have needs and come to us for assistance. Thank you!

FR. THEODORE DORRANCE TO VISIT NEXT WEEK Fr. Theodore, NW Vicar, will be visiting our parish Tuesday through early Friday. If anyone would like to have Fr. Theodore and Fr. Leo pay you a visit sometime next Thursday, just inform Fr. Leo, 720-1957. If anyone would like to go fishing with Fr. Theodore next Wednesday, call Fr. Leo. Fr. Theodore will be meeting with our Parish Council next Tuesday evening and with our Building Committee next Thursday evening. Anyone may attend a breakfast served at our church next Friday at 8 AM.

FINANCIAL BASICS FOR OUR PARISH, Week 21 Our parish is committed to a stewardship program in lieu of the annual Greek festival to keep ourselves up and running. The target figure for each week is $3,100. These 21 weeks have brought in an income of approx. $55,800; a $9,300 deficit. Many have increased their giving and some new stewards have made an offering. This is very encouraging. May the Lord help and save all the benefactors of His holy Church.

WEEKLY SERVICES Wednesday evenings 5:30PM Bible Study; 6:30PM Paraklesis to the Theotokos; every last Tuesday of the month: 6:30PM Akathist to the Mother of God, Healer of Cancer; Saturday evenings 5:30PM Great Vespers; Sunday mornings 9:15AM Orthros, 10:30AM Divine Liturgy. Any services apart from this schedule are noted separately in the bulletin.

Individuals may always request to participate in a Divine Liturgy to be celebrated on a person`s Name Day. Please contact Fr. ahead of time to arrange.

The St. Alexis Garden and Plant Sale will take place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, June 6, at 5801 Arctic Blvd. in Anchorage. The sale features a wide variety of plants -- perennials, native plants, rock garden plants, annuals, vegetables, berries, herbs, roses, trees, hanging baskets -- along with food and garden-related items. Look for garden art, books, magazines, note cards, jams, embroidery, earrings, Icon cards, crosses, special pots and more. A variety of baked goods will be available, along with fry bread, coffee, tea and soda.
Questions? Call 764-9027.


PHILOPTOCHOS NEWS The St. Irene Philoptochos Board Election is on the horizon. We will hold a Philoptochos General Meeting on Sunday, June 14 after coffee hour. The main item on the agenda will be election of officers. More information about the meeting and Board nominations was sent to members this week. If you did not receive it, please talk to Lynne Lucher, Philoptochos Secretary.

THANK YOU CORNER Who should receive a note of thanks? Please send info to Pres. for inclusion in the bulletin: doxa@clearwire.net (include a request for a "read" receipt under the options tab before sending to make sure she has received your message--thx!)

PLANNING A PILGRIMAGE HTGOC Community - I am excited to communicate with you all that the Youth Group will be organizing a pilgrimage to Kodiak Island and Spruce Island this summer. Although the focus for the organized trip will be to provide events for our Junior High to Young Adult age groups we want to make sure that the entire community understands they are invited and encouraged to attend.

For those outside of the Youth Group - it will be up to each individual or family how they would like to get to Kodiak. The Youth will be traveling together via the ferry system from Homer. An announcement will soon be made as to the scholarship amount provided per youth to support affording such a wonderful trip. Craig and I will pursue fundraising events prior to leaving to reduce costs further for each youth. For the community - the Youth Group will cover the cost and coordination of getting from Kodiak Harbor to Spruce Island. We will also help coordinate lodging as we make contacts with the Seminary and other potential locations.

Important - the dates for the Youth pilgrimage are:
Depart from Anchorage to Homer, Friday June 26 Depart for Kodiak from Homer, Saturday, June 27 Kodiak Activities - Sunday through Wednesday, June 28 to July 1 Trip to Spruce Island - may occur on best weather day from Monday to Wednesday, June 29 to July 1 Depart for Homer from Kodiak, Wednesday Night, July 1 Return to Anchorage, Thursday or Friday, July 2 or 3

Please begin chatting with Craig and me about your desire and commitment to join. Please allow your youth the opportunity to participate if the schedule works for your family. More details will follow. For any questions please talk to Craig or myself. God Bless, Greg