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Update from Linda Blazev - President

November 5, 2023

Philoptochos is the ministry of our church that has been established to serve as the way for our church to reach out and assist those around us who are in need of help. Our mission statement and thus our task as we have been given it by the church is to:

“Aid the poor, the destitute, the hungry, the aged, the sick, the unemployed, the orphaned, the imprisoned, the widowed, the handicapped, the victims of disasters, to undertake the burial of impoverished persons and to offer assistance to anyone who may need the help of the church.” This is only a portion of our mission statement. We also promote the ministry of the church by preserving and promoting the teachings and traditions of our church.

Of course when we endeavor to live out this mission statement it is not Philoptochos who is doing these things, but you the dear Christians who are members of St. Katherine Church. And we are always seeking more of you to join with us because we find that many hands make light work.

In the past six months we have been able to assist a family that is struggling with medical bills, facilitate the burial of one of our parishioners that passed away without resources or family. We have donated to assist St. Katherine families to be able to send their children to church camp. We have raised funds for and staffed our beloved Kids”n”Cancer Camp Agape Family camp for families with children with life threatening diseases. And some of us have served at the other Kids'n'Cancer camps held in California. Through the love of the church we were able to donate to the water drive for Phoenix Rescue Mission, to provide water to the homeless people in our area during the hotest part of the summer. We have sent money to for disaster relief to Hawaii and Greece, and other spots where there is grave need. We do a little toward helping the St.Innocent Orphanage in Tijuana.

Presently our projects are:

  • Our “Everybody deserves a Warm Nights Sleep” Blanket and Sleeping Bag drive to donate these to the Phoenix Rescue Mission.
  • We are also collecting money to provide Thanksgiving and Christmas Dinners to families in our own Parish who can use a helping hand.
  • Next Sunday we are honoring the military veterans in our parish with a small ceremony during fellowship hour (If you haven't provided the name of your veterans do so today)
  • And coming up later this month we will host the reception after St. Katherines feast day vespers.
 
 

Philoptochos

Philoptochos is a philanthropic organization of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese and one of the largest Christian women’s philanthropic organizations in the United States. Chapters exist on national, regional and local levels.

This ministry was founded in 1931 by Archbishop Athenagoras of blessed memory and its benevolent works are a continuation of Christ’s ministry on earth. Philoptochos not only supports charities, but also spiritually enriches its members through participation in philanthropic endeavors, enabling them to return a portion of the time, talents and treasures with which God has blessed us. The charitable work of the Society is performed with discretion, courtesy and kindness.

Our Chapter’s Projects:

The primary force behind each Philoptochos Chapter is clearly the love and devotion of women who serve their churches and their communities with faith and zeal. On a local level we are involved in the following ministries:

  • Contribute to the Priest’s discretionary Good Samaritan fund.

  • Provide outreach and assistance for our parishioners in need.  

  • Support the Chandler Christian Community Center by collecting non-perishable goods for the homeless and families in need.

  • Each year we adopt a family in need at Christmas.

  • Everyone Deserves A Warm Night’s Sleep so we support The Sleeping Bag Project by collecting sleeping bags and blankets for homeless and needy.

  • Support the Phoenix Rescue Mission by Provide sleeping bags for homeless and funds for meals for homeless and those in need.

  • Dress for Success: Provide business clothing for low-income women returning to the work force.

  • Care Packages for Our Soldiers

  • Assist Homeless Veterans

  • Support My Sister’s Closet

  • UMOM

  • Homebound Ministry: We visit homebound parishioners and make phone calls to them during the year. These individuals are remembered during Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter Holidays with seasonal baked goods.

  • Assist parishioners who need a ride to church.

  • Prepare baskets, during Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter for families within our community.

  • Prepare paximadia (Greek cookies) and koliva (traditional boiled wheat) for memorial services.

Please join this dynamic group as we seek to enlarge our membership so that we can do even more for those in need. As much as our chapter does, we can always do more, and whether you are new to St. Katherine’s or a long-time member of our parish, we encourage you to become a member of St. Irene’s Philoptochos. Membership is open to all women (and men*) over 18 years of age who are of the Greek Orthodox faith.  *Men and non-Orthodox Christian women may be associate members.

Any inquiries about our ministry or membership details can be directed to any Philoptochos member or the parish office.

Philoptochos Email: philoptochos@stkatherineaz.org