Sophia - Melkite Eparchy of Newton

Archimandrite Sayegh poses with his faithfulwho joined him for the St. Barbara Hafleh.Clergy present to share the joy of ArchdeaconElias Sahyouni (1st row center) the recipient ofthe Cross of Jerusalem. (L. to R.): 1st Row:Deacons Fadi Rafidi and Antoine Shehata. 2ndRow: Fr. Angel Marzal, Archbishop Bustros, andRt. Rev. Sayegh.AJoyful CommunitySt. John the Baptist Church – Northlake, ILTRICK OR TREAT!!!LLast October 26, 2007, St. John’sSunday school held a Halloweenparty for the children of theparish. Costumes, candy, games filledthe room as boys and girls had someghoulish fun. But the kids were waitinganother appointment on November30: St. Barbara mid-eastern traditionalparty. The story of St. Barbara wasread, and the kids played the scene…Rouaida AlCheikh and Elain Makdahorganized both events.On November 3rd, St. John’s communityheld its Annual Dinner Dance at theAtlantis Banquets in Arlington Heights,IL. Archbishop Cyril Bustros welcomedthe parishioners and guests. ChairpersonMrs. Aimee Baroud, along with her Co-Chairs: Mrs. Inaam Bisharat and MissJoAnn Fakhouri and the committeemembers, organized an evening filledwith the talents of renowned Syriansinger Wasseem Semaan. During theevent, Mark Bendok presented MusilShihadeh, Fadi Shihadeh, and BasilAlcheikh each with a $500 scholarshipon behalf of the St. John the BaptistScholarship fund.The next day, Sayedna Bustros decoratedArchdeacon Elias Sahyouni withthe Cross of Jerusalem. “His love forthe Melkite Church,” said Pastor, Rt.Rev. Fouad Sayegh for the occasion,“is evidenced by a lifetime of dedicatedservice…” Archdeacon Elias wasmember, then chairman of the ParishAdvisory Council in the late 1980’s,and responsible of the church weeklybulletin. With his late wife Jeannette,he worked on the Theosis program. Heassisted the different Pastors whoserved St. John the Baptist Churchover the years with preaching, administeringthe Sunday school, teachingthe Pre-Cana courses and baptismalpreparations. He also helped in takingthe diocesan publication, Sophia, to ahigher standard giving it a new shapeand editorial leadership.5,4,3,2,1…HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!2008 was welcomed in on Dec 31st,when Miss JoAnn Fakhouri and hercommittee hosted the St. John NewYear’s Eve party in the church’s hall.The celebration drew many from theparish as well as outsiders. The musicaltalents of Ashraf Melki and hisband had everyone dancing thenight/year away! †Miss JoAnn Fakhouri, a parishioner of St. JohnChurch, contributed the above article.News from Around the Eparchy(L. to R.): Archimandrite Fouad Sayegh, Archbishop Cyril Bustros,Aimee Baroud (Chairperson), Denise Shehata, JoAnn Fakhouri(Co-Chair), and guests at the Annual Dinner Dance.The Scholarship recipients (L. to R.) Basil Alcheikh, Fadi and Musil Shihadeh,pose for a photo at the Annual Dinner Dance with Archbishop Bustros,Rt. Rev. Sayegh, and Mark Bendok (Scholarship Committee Chairperson).Fr. Michel Cheble (L.) (Hammond, IN), EliasTourjman and other party guests bid farewellto 2007 dancing.(L. to R.): Julie Yff, Odette and Janet Fakhourinibble on the appetizers waiting for the NewYear countdown.Gabe Fakhouri (R.) and the Issa Bisharatfamily welcome the 2008 New Year witha smile.Winter 2008 • SOPHIA 13