2010 May Newsletter - Saint Garabed Armenian Apostolic Church of

May, 2010
OUR CHURCH
غð ºÎºÔºòÆÜ
DER (REV. FR.) KRIKOR ZAKARYAN, PARISH PRIEST
MONTHLY PUBLICATION OF THE ARMENIAN APOSTOLIC CHURCH OF THE DESERT
ARMENIAN APOSTOLIC CHURCH OF THE DESERT • 38-900 VISTA DUNES RD • RANCHO MIRAGE • CA 92270 • PHONE (760) 773-2155 • FAX (760) 773-2755 • E-MAIL: AACOD@LIVE.COM
“For God so loved
the world that He
gave His one and
only Son, that
whoever believes in
Him shall not perish
but have eternal
life.”
John 3:16
Inside this issue:
Through His Eyes, Part 2
2
Mother’s Day Poem
2
HYE CAMP
2
UPCOMING
3
Ladies Society Luncheon at the 3
Balian's
Genocide Commemoration
3
CALENDAR
4
ANNOUNCMENTS
4
BUSINESS PAGE
5
“Command them to
do good, to be rich
in good deeds, and
to be generous and
willing to share.”
1 Timothy 6:18
Through His Eyes
The day is over, you are driving home.
You tune in your radio. You hear a little
blurb about a little village in India
where some villagers have died suddenly, strangely, of a flu that has never
been seen before. It's not influenza, but
three or four fellows are dead,
and it’s kind of interesting. They're sending some doctors over there
to investigate it.
You don't think much about it, but on
Sunday,
Coming
home
from
Church, you hear another radio spot.
Only they say it's not three villagers, it
is 30,000 villagers in the back hills of
this particular area of India, and it’s on
TV that night. CNN runs a little blurb;
people are heading there from the disease center in Atlanta because this
disease strain has never been seen
before.
By Monday morning when you get
up, it's the lead story. For it's
not just India; it's Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iran, and before you know it,
you're hearing this story everywhere
and they have coined it now as
"the mystery flu". The President has
made some comment that he and everyone are praying and hoping that all
will go well over there. But everyone is
wondering,” How are we going to contain it?" That's when the President of
France makes an announcement that
shocks Europe. He is closing their
borders. No flights from India, Pakistan, or any of the countries where this
thing has been seen.
That night you are watching a little
bit of CNN before going to bed. Your jaw
hits your chest when a weeping woman is
translated from a French news program
into English: "There's a man lying in a
hospital in Paris dying of the mystery
flu.”It has come to Europe."
Panic strikes. As best they can tell,
once you get it, you have it for a week and
you don't know it. Then you have four
days of unbelievable symptoms. Then you
die.
Britain closes its borders, but it's too
late. South Hampton, Liverpool, North
Hampton, and it's Tuesday morning when
the President of the United States
makes the following announcement: "Due
to a national security risk, all flights to
and from Europe and Asia have been
cancelled. If your loved ones are overseas, I'm sorry. They cannot come back
until we find a cure for this thing."
Continued on p.2 ►
Witness the Progress of Our Church
As the construction of the new Armenian Church of the Desert continues,
final design decisions are being made
and implemented each day. The metal
framing of the interior walls, arched
ceilings and dome are now complete, as
seen in the adjacent photos. The rough
electrical and low voltage wiring has
also been completed.
Final designs and bids are being re -
viewed for the Narthex doors, Altar
curtain, candle niches and exterior
stone façade. Interior finishes for
paint texture and color, plumbing and
lighting fixtures, and flooring materials
are in the process of being selected.
The construction committee and
Parish Council are taking extra steps
to carefully review each design decision and make changes when necessary. The additional time that has been
required to implement the changes has
extended the completion date to June
2010, however, has also resulted in a
more functional, desirable, and improved overall design for the
Church. As we near completion, the
continued progress on the construction of the Church is visible with each
day, as the realization of the dream of
having an Armenian Church in the desert
comes true.
Construction Committee
Page 2
Through His Eyes
► from p.1
Within four days our
nation has been plunged into
an unbelievable fear. People are selling
little masks for your face. People are
talking about what if it comes to this
country, and preachers on Tuesday are
saying, "It's the scourge of God."
It's Wednesday night and you are at a
c hu rc h p ra ye r mee tin g
when somebody runs in from the parking lot and says, "Turn on a radio, turn
on a radio!" While the church listens to
a little transistor radio with a microphone stuck up to it, the announcement
is made," Two women are lying in a Long
Island hospital dying from the mystery flu." Within hours it seems, this
thing just sweeps across the country.
People are working around the clock
trying to find an antidote. Nothing is
working. California, Oregon, Arizona,
Florida, Massachusetts. It's as though
it's just sweeping in from the borders.
Then, all of a sudden the news comes
out. The code has been broken. A cure
can be found. A vaccine can be made.
It's going to take the blood of somebody who hasn't been infected, and so,
sure enough, all through the Midwest,
OUR CHURCH
through all those channels of emergency
broadcasting, everyone is asked to do
one simple thing: "Go to your downtown
hospital and have your blood type taken.
That's all we ask of you. When you
hear the sirens go off in your neighbourhood, please make it to the hospitals."
Sure enough, when you and your
family get down there late on
that Friday night, there is a long line,
and they've got nurses and doctors
coming out and pricking fingers and
taking blood and putting labels on it.
Your wife and your kids are out there,
and they take your blood type and
they say, "Wait here in the parking lot
and if we call your name, you can
be dismissed and go home."
You stand around scared with your
neighbours, wondering what in the world
is going on, and that this could be the
end of the world. Suddenly a young man
comes running out of the hospital
screaming. He's yelling a name and
waving a clipboard. What? He yells it
again! And your son tugs on your jacket
and says, "Daddy, that's me."
Before you know it, they have
grabbed your boy. "Wait a minute,
hold it!" And they say, "Its okay, his
blood is clean. His blood is pure.
We want to make sure he doesn't have
the disease. We think he has got the
right type. Your son could save the
world."
Five agonizing minutes later, out
come the doctors and nurses, crying and hugging one another some are
even laughing. It's the first time
you have seen anybody laugh in a week,
and an old doctor walks up to you and
says, "Thank you, sir. Your son's blood
type is perfect. It's clean, it is pure, and
we can make the vaccine."
As the word begins to spread all
across that parking lot full of
folks, people are screaming and praying
and laughing and crying. But then
the gray-haired doctor pulls you and
your wife aside and says, "May we see
you for a moment? We didn't realize
that the donor would be a minor and we
need. .. We need you to sign a consent
form."
You begin to sign and then you see
that the number of pints of blood
to be taken is empty. "H-h-h-how many
pints?" And that is when the old doctor's smile fades and he says, "We had
no idea it would be a little
child. We weren’t prepared. We need it
all, sir." "But...but..." "You don't understand. We are talking about the world
here. Please sign." "But can't you give
غð ºÎºÔºòÆÜ
him a transfusion?" "If we had clean
blood we would. Can you sign? Would
you sign?"
In numb silence you do. Then they
say, "Would you like to have a moment
with him before we begin?"
Can you walk back? You're asked
yourself. Can you walk back to that room
where he sits on a table saying, "Daddy?
Mommy? What's going on?" Can you
take his hands and say, "Son, your
mommy and I love you, and we would
never ever let anything happen to you
that didn't just have to be? Do you understand that?" And when that old doctor comes back in and says, "I'm sorry,
we've got to get started. People all over
the world are dying." Can you leave? Can
you walk out while he is saying,”Dad?
Mom? Dad? Why, why have you forsaken
me?"
And then next week, when they have the
ceremony to honor your son, and some
folks sleep through it, and some folks
don't even come because they go to the
lake, and some folks come with a pretentious smile and just pretend to care.
Would you want to jump up and say,
"MY SON DIED? DON'T YOU CARE?"
Is that what God is saying? "MY SON
DIED. DON'T YOU KNOW HOW MUCH
I CARE?"
Mother’s Day
(FILLED UP)
غð ºÎºÔºòÆÜ
OUR CHURCH
Page 3
EVENTS REVIEW
Hats On, Ladies Society Luncheon at the Balian's
Ha ts w ere flourishing—pink,
red, purple, flowered, ribboned - at the
Saturday, April 17 Ladies Society luncheon
on the patio of Michael and Betty Balian's
lovely home in Rancho Mirage.
Tammy Kirkjian chaired and emceed
the event which began with a prayer
offered by Velo Herbekian.
The delicious lunch was prepared by
Betty, her mom, Silvia Tchakmakian, and
mother-in-law, Zabelle Hindoyan.
Forty-one women attended the $40
fundraiser which received donations and
silent auction funds totaling $2,733, according to Sonia Matossian and Rosalie
Kalamian, Ladies Society co-chairwomen.
Lillie Merigian
Coachella Valley Armenians Commemorate the Genocide
The 95 th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide was
commemorated in the Kirkjan Hall of the Armenian
Apostolic Church on Saturday, April 24, 2010.
Organized by the Armenian Church Youth Organization under the auspices of the Parish Council,
the event began with an American and Armenian flag
ceremoney followed by a speakers program and ended
with a candlelight requiem service celebrated by Rev.
Fr. Krikor Zakaryan. Chris Markarian, ACYO chairman,
welcomed guests that included Rancho Mirage Mayor
Richard Kite, California 64 th district Assemblyman,
Brian Nestande, and Indio Council member Melanie
Fesmire.
Speakers included ACYO members Harout Mazmanian, Ani Michaelian,Hansel Balayan, Alexia Locklear;
parishioner, Freda-Teny B. Iskenderian, Parish Council
member, Lillie Merigian, and the chairman of the Western Region of the Armenian National Committee, Haig
Hovsepian.
Refreshments were provided by the Parish Council
and prepared by Ani Markarian and Nicole Mazmanian.
Lillie Merigian
FUNDRAISING
Dear Friends, we invite you to become part of the history of the Armenian Apostolic Church of the Desert by having a BRICK engraved with your name or
the name of a loved one. The Bricks will be laid in a pathway that will lead to the Church. The proceeds from the bricks will go toward the construction
and completion of the Church which promises to be an Architectural Landmark in the Desert, a Spiritual Home for the Faithful and an accomplishment of
tremendous Pride to all Armenians. Thank you for your support and may God Bless you all. Parish Priest & Parish Council
For more information talk to a PC member or call the Church office at 1 760 773 2155
Page 4
OUR CHURCH
THANK YOU
The Armenian Apostolic Church of the Desert
thanks Mr. Mark Asdourian, Esq. for the
donation of an outstanding ancient Cross, which will be
consecrated and placed in the Church Sanctuary.
May God Bless you Mark
The Armenian Apostolic Church of the Desert
thanks the family and friends of
the late Dr. Antreas Mesrobian for the
donations in lieu of flowers to our Church
May the Lord Bless his soul
The Armenian Apostolic Church of the Desert
thanks Mrs. Freda Berberian for
the donation of a First Aid Kit to our Church
May God Bless you Freda
The Armenian Apostolic Church of the Desert
thanks Mrs. Vanda Guzelian for the donation of a
beautiful ancient Armenian Alphabet plaque.
May God Bless you Vanda
غð ºÎºÔºòÆÜ
Church Calendar and Events
MAY 2010
Sun
Mo Tue We
DIVINE
30
LITURGY
11:30 AM
Thu
Fri
Sat
31
1
ACYO Round
Table 2 pm
2
3
4
DIVINE
9
LITURGY
11:30 AM
10
11
16
17
18
DIVINE
LITURGY
11:30 AM
5
6
7
12
13
14
19
20
21
22
26
27
28
29
LADIES
SOCIETY MONTHLY
MEETING
6:30 PM
KIRKJAN HALL
ACYO Meeting
2pm
DIVINE
LITURGY
11:30 AM
24
DIVINE23
Memorial
LITURGY
Day
11:30 AM
25
LADIES
SOCIETY
Executive Board
Meeting
6:30 PM
KIRKJAN HALL
8
15
LS
Champagne
Brunch
ANNOUNCEMENTS
CHAMPAGNE BRUNCH
ORGANIZED BY LADIES SOCIETY
MAY 15 , 2010
11 AM, KIRKJAN FAMILY HALL
$35/A PERSON
GENTLEMEN ARE WELCOME
Please RSVP before May 15th, 2010
Questions?
Sylva 760 799 9321
Mary 760 219 9399
LADIES SOCIETY
ORGANIZES
GAME NIGHT
Saturday, june 12, 2010
Kirkjan family hall
Our deepest condolences to the family and friends of
Mrs. Margaret Bianco who passed away on April 20, 2010.
Margaret was the mother/-in-law of Jacci & Garo Tutunjian.
The funeral service was officiated by
Rev. Fr. Krikor Zakaryan and was held on April 27, 2010
at Forest Lawn Mortuary in Cathedral City, CA.
MAY GOD REST HER SOUL IN PEACE.
IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO DONATE
ALTAR FLOWERS
PLEASE CONTACT THE CHURCH OFFICE
AT 1 (760) 773-2155
The Church Choir
Has changed the day of the rehearsals on Sundays
at 10:30 for the convenience of their members.
If you are gifted with good voice I strongly encourage you to participate and bring its beauty to the
services. All the choir members are looking forward
helping you learning our beautiful sharagans.
Fr. Krikor
غð ºÎºÔºòÆÜ
OUR CHURCH
Page 5
BUSINESS PAGE
Sun Center
REALTOR/ASSOCIATE
DRE Lic #01429077
PLACE YOUR AD HERE
611 S. Palm Canyon Dr. #11
Phone 760-416-3302
Fax 760-416-3304
PLACE YOUR AD HERE
DEAR PARISHIONERS/FRIENDS OF THE ARMENIAN APOSTOLIC CHURCH OF THE DESERT,
BY PLACING YOUR AD IN THIS CHURCH NEWSLETTER YOU ARE ALSO SUPPORTING ITS PRINTING AND MAILING EXPENSES
DONATION PER AD $20/A MONTH. PLEASE CONTACT THE CHURCH OFFICE AT 1 - 760 - 773 - 2155
ARMENIAN APOSTOLIC CHURCH OF THE DESERT
38-900 VISTA DUNES RDAD
RANCHO MIRAGE, CA 92270
NON-PROFIT
ORGANIZATION
U. S. POSTAGE
PAID
PERMIT No. 27
PALM DESERT, CA 92260
THIS COPY GOES TO:
The “OUR CHURCH/غð ºÎºÔºòÆÜ” Newsletter is published once a month by the
Armenian Apostolic Church of the Desert
38-900 VISTA DUNES RD • RANCHO MIRAGE • CA 92270 • PHONE (760) 773-2155 • FAX (760) 773-2755 • E-MAIL: AACOD@LIVE.COM
Editor Der (Rev. Fr.) Krikor Zakaryan
The deadline for all articles is fifteenth (15th) of each month
Parish Priest/President of all Church Organizations Der (Rev. Fr.) Krikor Zakaryan
Parish Council Chairlady, Carolon Nigosian • Vice-Chairman, V. J. Mkrtchian • Treasurer, Alice Safoyan • Recording Secretary, Lillie Merigian • Membership, Armen Karimiyan
Corresponding Secretary/ACYO Chairman, Chris Markarian • Fundraising, Rita Walden & Mary Vartanian • Ladies Society Co-Chairlady/PC Advisor, Sonia Matossian • LS Co-Chairlady Rosalie Kalamian