AROLA November Newsletter

Transcript

1. On the occasion of the Holy Feast of the Nativity of the Lord, we wish that the light of Bethlehem may fill your hearts with peace, faith, and holy joy. May the Christ Child be born in every home and in every soul, bringing hope, love, and strength in all good works. We thank you for the dedication, gentleness, and love with which you serve the community and the Church, being living examples of faith, modesty, and unity. A blessed Christmas, radiant holidays, and a New Year filled with health, peace, and spiritual fulfillment! Christ is Born! Glorify Him!
2. Opening Message Dear ladies, With joy, we share with you beautiful moments experienced in our parishes, where women, children, and families have come together in activities that strengthen faith, friendship, and the spirit of community. We invite you to discover some of the events that have brought light to this period! • Mother of the Year 2025 – Women Who Inspire • St. Catherine Scholarship 2025 • Life in Our Parishes • Deanery Meetings in the Romanian Orthodox Metropolia of the Americas • Calendar of Upcoming Activities Contact us: contact@arola.us “You carried in your womb the One who gave birth to Life, the Pure Mother of God, O God-wise Saint Anna. Therefore now, in the heavenly dwelling, where those who rejoice in glory abide, rejoicing, you have moved on; pray for forgiveness of sins for those who honor you with love, O ever-blessed one.” — Troparion of Saint Anna Quarterly Newsletter – December 2025, Edition 3
3. "Mother of the Year 2025" Started in 2017, this project consists of awarding the title “Mother of the Year”, accompanied by a one-year subscription to Familia Ortodoxă, Orthodox Word, or Orthodox books, to women who are exceptional Christian mothers. One title is awarded for each deanery in the USA, Canada, and Latin America. Applications are accepted between January and March, and the recipients are announced on March 25. Mothers who received the“Mother of the Year” 2025 title: • Maria Ulici (Holy Trinity Church, Rochester, NY) • Ana Popa (Annunciation Cathedral, Olmsted Twp, OH) • Mihaela Elena Gliga (St. George and St. Demetrius the New Church, Las Vegas, NV) • Mihaela Livingston (St. Luke the Evangelist Church, Columbia, SC) • Presbytera Mihaela Ceaușu (St. Demetrius the New Church, Montreal, QC) • Ilariana Manole (Nativity of the Theotokos Church, Gatineau, QC) • Daniela Iliescu (St. Paraskeva Church, Newmarket, ON) • Ileana Gavriș (Sts. Constantine and Helen Cathedral, Edmonton, AB) • Martha Luz Peña Tapias (St. John the Wallachian Church, Barranquilla, Colombia) • Viktoria Goncharova (St. Silouan of Mount Athos Church, Concepción, Chile) • Andrada Poliana Bar (St. Hierarch Joseph the New of Partoș Church, Quito, Ecuador) Mihaela Elena Gliga - St. George and St. Demetrius the New Church, Las Vegas, NV Mihaela Livingston - St. Luke the Evangelist Church, Columbia, SC
4. St. Catherine Scholarship Started in 2015, this project offers a $300 scholarship to young women enrolled in college or undergraduate university programs who demonstrate active involvement in church life. Supporting young women in our parishes is an essential investment in the future of the community. Through these scholarships, AROLA not only offers financial support but also sends a strong message: faith and education go hand in hand, and the future of the Church rests in the hands of young women who grow with light and responsibility. We joyfully announce that the following young women received the AROLA scholarship in recognition of their church involvement and academic efforts: - Christina Maria Balan (Saint George and Saint Dimitrie the New Romanian Orthodox Church, Las Vegas , NV) - Maria Rosvold (Holy Trinity Romanian Orthodox Church, Troy, MI) - Lisa Dascalu (Saint Nicholas and Saint George Romanian Orthodox Church, Woodside, NY) - Christina Ilie (Saint Parascheva Romanian Orthodox Church, Andover, MA) - Victoria Ioana (Saint Hierarch Nicholas and Saint Prophet Elijah Church, Port Kells, Surrey BC) - Crina Niță (Holy Resurrection Romanian Orthodox Church, Hamilton, ON) - Catherine Gabriela Băjenaru (Saint Demetrios the New Romanian Orthodox Church, Montréal, QC)
5. Life in Our Parishes Meetings of women, prayer and thematic discussions, volunteer activities. Ladies’ Tea Party – An Afternoon of Joy and Fellowship, "Protection of the Mother of God" Parish, Houston, Texas • Under the initiative and organization of Mrs. Daniela Abayan, President of the Ladies’ Association, women from the community gathered for an elegant Tea Party. • The atmosphere was warm, filled with uplifting conversations, smiles, and moments of relaxation among friends. • This meeting was not only a social event, but also an opportunity to slow down, share encouragement, celebrate Christian femininity, and strengthen community unity. • The photographs included in the newsletter beautifully capture the spirit of this heartfelt moment.
6. Prayer Group In preparation for the Feast of the Protection of the Mother of God (October 1), under the guidance of Father Iulian, a women’s prayer group was organized. • For two weeks, every evening, participants prayed the Akathist of the Protection together with their families. • Through this practice, we sought to bring united prayer before God, cultivate humility, peace, and love, and prepare our souls for the joy of the parish feast. Reading the Bible in 365 Days – AROLA Bible Study “Reading the Bible in 365 Days” is an AROLA initiative designed to encourage women and families in the Metropolis of the Two Americas to discover the beauty and depth of Holy Scripture through a clear and accessible daily plan. This program offers: • Organized daily Bible readings for the entire year • A steady, peaceful rhythm suitable for busy schedules • Strengthening of one’s personal relationship with God through daily reading and meditation • Spiritual growth within the family, as readings can be done together with children or spouses This program is not merely a daily discipline, but a spiritual journey that helps believers better understand God’s plan for their lives and live their faith consciously and deeply. Access : https://arola.us/index.php/bible-study/
7. Romanian Carousel – Windsor, Canada - June 14, 2025 • The Romanian community joyfully gathered at the summer event in Windsor. Children, families, and volunteers created a festive atmosphere full of energy, tradition, and play. The images reflect the strong bond among Romanians everywhere and their desire to preserve the beauty of our culture.
8. Deanery Meetings of the Romanian Orthodox Metropolia of the Americas – 2025 Representatives of the Ladies’ Association met during the deanery meetings within our Metropolia, where ongoing projects, parish initiatives, and activities dedicated to families and youth were discussed. Their presence once again highlighted the important role women play in parish community life— strengthening collaboration between parishes, giving visibility to AROLA activities, enriching dialogue with family-centered perspectives, and encouraging unity and solidarity in the Church’s shared mission.
9. A Word of Gratitude and Reflection We thank all the ladies, mothers, volunteers, and coordinators who bring beauty and life to the AROLA community. May God reward your love and dedication! In the same spirit of inner beauty, our ladies continually show elegance and discretion in the way they dress. Modesty in clothing is not rigidity, but an expression of dignity and respect—for oneself, for others, and for the House of God. A respectful manner of dress: • Highlights natural beauty and feminine dignity • Is chosen with care, favoring harmonious simplicity • Reflects purity of heart, delicacy, and good taste • Sets an example for young women • Contributes to an atmosphere of respect and peace in church and community activities Thus, through attitude, behavior, and appearance, our ladies become models of authentic beauty—a beauty that flows from faith, modesty, and kindness.
10. Ongoing AROLA Projects In the spirit of Christian support and solidarity, AROLA continues to carry out two important projects dedicated to families and young people within the Romanian Orthodox Metropolis of the Two Americas. 1. “You Are Not Alone” Project – Support for Families in Need • Started in 2009, this program offers $500 in financial assistance to a family or individual (woman, mother, or young woman) from parishes of the Metropolis facing financial hardship. One aid is granted per deanery in the USA, Canada, and Latin America. Applications are submitted between October and December, and beneficiaries are announced on December 25, as a Christmas gift. 2. St. Dumitru Stăniloae Scholarship – Support for Future Priests • This scholarship supports young people from our Metropolia who are studying at an Orthodox theological seminary in preparation for becoming priests. • With the blessing of the hierarchs, St. Gregory Palamas Sunday (the second Sunday of Great Lent) is dedicated to fundraising activities for this project. Donations and membership payments: USA Zelle – adriana.obreja@arola.us CA e-transfer: conta.ca@arola.us