Ladies Philoptochos Society
St. Irene Chapter

Mission

Philoptochos is a national Greek Orthodox women’s organization established 80 years ago to work through the parishes of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese to assist those in need. Its expanded mission is to preserve and perpetuate Orthodox Christian
concepts and the Orthodox Christian Family, and through them to promote the Greek Orthodox Faith and traditions.

For over 40 years, St. Irene’s Philoptochos of Lexington has worked to assist those in need at the national, metropolis and local levels. We are also available to assist our beloved St. Nicholas Church community when we can. All women in our church over
the age of 18 are invited to become stewards of Philoptochos.

St. Irene’s Philoptochos presently consists of 78 stewards. Our Board of Directors consists of 17 elected members. For the period covering June 2011 – May 2012, the board list includes the following: Pam Brown, Charlene Colt, Mary Correia, Maria Decoulos,
Stephanie DeVasto, Kathy Dimas, Gloria Doukakis, Pam Giannatsis, Evelyn Milona, Marcy Norse, Elena Proakis, Felia Proakis, Pam Saledas, Monica Vafiades, Christine Vallas, Stephanie Wilson, Amelia Yanakis.

Our Philoptochos chapter raises funds throughout the year to support 19 National Philoptochos commitments and three Metropolis of Boston Philoptochos commitments. St. Irene’s Philoptochos has also contributed to the needs of St. Nicholas Church, and local charities including the Hellenic Women’s Benevolent Association Radiothon, the Lexington Food Pantry, Project Bread, REACH, as well as others.

We believe in the strong values of faith and family and can be counted on to provide hands and heart to our parish whenever needed.  If you are interested in supporting our causes, please consider joining St. Irene’s Philoptochos.

OFFICERS
President:       Pamela Brown
Vice President:    Maria Decoulos
Recording Secretary:   Stephanie DeVasto
Corresponding Secretary:    Mary Correia
Treasurer:        Stephanie Wilson
Assistant Treasurer:   Gloria Doukakis
Advisor:      Felia Proakis

Ladies Philoptochos Society Events and Schedule of Donations

SEPTEMBER  Annual collection for Hellenic College/Holy Cross (national commitment) – September 18 and 25.
Donation to Retired Clergy Benevolent Fund to support retired clergy facing financial problems (national commitment).

OCTOBER Donation to Cancer Fund  and  National Philoptochos Emergency Fund (national commitments.)
October 12  General Meeting
October 17  Pampered Chef event

NOVEMBER Annual collection for the Ecumenical Patriarchate (national commitment) in conjunction with the celebration
of the feastday of Philoptochos Patron Saints Cosmas and Damianos in early November. Donation to the National Sisterhood
of Presbyteres Benevolent Fund (national commitment.) Donation to Saint Methodios Faith and Heritage Center (metropolis
commitment.) Presentation of Philoptochos report at St. Nicholas General Assembly – meeting date to be announced.
Swearing in of new  officers on a Sunday to be announced.
November 5 Rummage Sale
November 8 General Meeting
November 27  Christmas Holiday Luncheon –Lowell, Massachusetts, Sunday, 12:30
 
DECEMBER  Decoration of church for Christmas Season – early December.  Donation to UNICEF  and General Medical Fund
(national commitments.) General Meeting  date to be announced.
December 5 St. Nicholas feast day celebration – Philoptochos hosting Fellowship Hour following vesper services.
December 6 Host Fellowship Hour for St. Nicholas feast day celebration.
December 18  Collection of Toys for local needy children. Our Annual Bake Sale.

JANUARY Annual collection for St. Basil’s and  Social Services (national commitments.) 2012 Stewardship  Drive letter goes out
to St. Nicholas community. General Meeting  date to be announced.
January 8 Basilopita blessing

FEBRUARY  Donation to Fellowship of Orthodox Stewards (FOS) (metropolis commitment.) Donation to Autism Assistance
Fund (national commitment.) Tray collection for St. Photios Shrine (national commitment) date to be determined. General
Meeting to take place only if necessary.

MARCH Donation to Orthodox Christian Mission Center (OCMC) (national commitment.) Tray collection for Hellenic College
Holy Cross (national commitment.) 2012 letter requesting Easter flower donations goes out to St. Nicholas community.
General Meeting  date to be announced.

APRIL Donation to the Sisterhood to benefit needs of St. Basil’s Academy children and graduation costs - (national
commitment.) Donation to International Orthodox Christian Charities (IO CC) (national commitment.) General Meeting  date to
be announced.
April 8  Palm Sunday Fellowship Hour
April 13 Decorate Kouvouklion for Holy Friday services

MAY Tray collection for Philoxenia House (metropolis commitment.)  Donation to 75th
 Anniversary Founders Fund to support
existing continuing care facilities for the aging Greek Orthodox population in the US (national commitment.)  Presentation of
Philoptochos Report at the St. Nicholas General Assembly Meeting – date to be announced.  Tea Time hosted by St. Irene’s
Philoptochos – date to be announced. General Meeting – date to be announced.
May 6 Artoclasia in celebration of feast day of our Patron Saint – Saint Irene

JUNE Donation to Support a Mission Priest and Orthodox Christian Fellowship (OCF) for college campus newsletters, etc
(national commitments.) End of year Pot Luck Supper Meeting, date to be announced.
None of the above (meetings, events, collections, hosting of fellowship hours, etc.) could take place without the dedicated
work of the active members of St. Irene’s Philoptochos.  It’s amazing to see what’s accomplished.  We are always open to
suggestions to better ourselves, and we are always prepared to welcome new active members with the desire and willingness
to share their valuable time, knowledge and resources.