100th Anniversary of St. John the Baptist Orthodox Church

On Saturday, July 19, His Eminence, Archbishop Michael arrived at our church for the celebration of Great Vespers and for the Divine Liturgy the next day on Sunday July 20. Our event of celebration had finally begun. Anticipating this monumental day included planning and hard work, however for the two incredible women who co-chaired this event, it was a labor of love and devotion. Kudos to Betty Ann Fechisin and Kathy Cahayla who masterfully coordinated everything into a successful event.

The next morning, the day started as all things should, with prayer. and this event started with a Hierarchical Divine Liturgy with Archbishop Michael. The beauty of the sacred prayers and singing express the unity and love of the clergy and laity together with their Archbishop. A community of closeness and spiritual harmony throughout the service continued throughout the day.

The banquet could be described in a host of different accolades. The place was beautiful, the food delicious, the decorations were lovely, the pictures of our past scattered around all added to the ambience. All of that was excellent but the best part were the people who were present. Words cannot describe the good feeling of seeing so many friends from the past. The community of a church is more than people just floating past each other in the storm of life. The community is you and everyone there - being together filled with love, hugging each other, smiling, shaking hands. I am a novice at writing so it is hard for me to express the warm and deeply emotional feeling I had there with these beautiful souls.

My dearest hope is that somehow in the near future we can once again get that wonderful feeling of love and companionship we had that day on July 20. My hope is that somehow some of those who were there will visit us at St. John’s again and relive that wonderful event that occurred for all of us. I do not doubt for a moment that God’s blessings were upon Betty Ann and Kathy and those who worked with them and that He continues to Bless St. John’s Orthodox Church and those who pray there.

“Lord, bless those who praise You and sanctify those who trust in You, Save your people and bless Your inheritance. Protect the whole body of Your church. Sanctify those who love the beauty of Your house. Glorify them in return by Your divine power, and do not forsake us who hope in You. Grant peace to your world, to Your churches, to the clergy, to those in public service, and to all Your people. For every good and perfect gift is from above, coming from You, the Father of lights. To You we give glory, thanksgiving and worship, to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and forever and to the ages of ages. Amen. (Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom)