Diocese of Los Angeles News
Blessed Name's Day to Archbishop Joseph!
We extend our prayers and love to His Eminence, Archbishop Joseph of the Diocese of Los Angeles and the West, and locum tenens of the Diocese of Eagle River and the Northwest, on the occasion of his Name's Day on May 19, 2013 (St. Joseph of Arimathea, Second Sunday after Pascha). May God grant him many years!
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30 Years of Priesthood for Fr. Timothy Baclig of St. Michael Church in Van Nuys, CA
Fr. Timothy BacligPsalms 99:2 commands us to “Serve the Lord with gladness, come before Him with great joy.” St. Michael Church in Van Nuys, California did just that when it came together on the weekend of January 12-13, 2013 to honor and celebrate the 30 years of joyous service in the holy priesthood of their pastor, the Very Rev. Timothy Baclig.
The festivities began with the celebration of Great Vespers, presided by Archbishop Joseph with several clergy from throughout southern California in attendance. We then proceeded to our community center ballroom that was decorated with an elegant Hawaiian theme in honor of Fr. Timothy’s birthplace.
It was a joy for our parish to have Fr. Timothy’s son Michael, daughter-in- law Rebekah, and his grandchildren “home” with us for the weekend. Additionally, we were delighted to welcome several members of the Baclig family, many who came from Hawaii, including his brother and sister-in-law Andy & Rosemary Baclig, Jr., his sister Carol Bissen, along with Father’s nieces, nephews and cousins.
Classical Learning Resource Center Enrollment Open for Fall 2013
The Classical Learning Resource Center (CLRC), operating under the blessing of His Eminence Archbishop Joseph, Diocese of Los Angeles and the West, has updated its selection of classes for the 2013-2014 school year. The distance-learning school's founders, John and Anne Van Fossen, are Antiochian Orthodox Christians based in Idaho. Read more about the school's philosophy and Orthodox roots in Anne's 2010 Antiochian.org interview.
The CLRC listed the following learning opportunities in their announcement:
Classical Greek and Latin:
Once again, we’ve expanded our Classical Greek and Latin program with more Latin 4 Kids classes and more advanced classes for middle school, high school, and adults. We now teach Latin classes for students as young as 6 years old all the way up to a second year college level. CLRC Greek classes are now available for students as young as 12 years old and continue to a second year college level. We also offer tutoring in both Greek and Latin and a wide variety of study aids and suggestions for all those who wish to acquire proficiency in these wonderful languages and to gain access to the beautiful literature they have been used to write.
Order Member and House of Studies Alum Launches Podcast
Bill Hinkle is a founding member of Prophet Elijah Antiochian Orthodox Mission in Ellensburg, WA, a member of the Order of St. Ignatius, and a graduate of the Antiochian House of Studies. Bill's varied history also includes a stint as the Minority Whip of the Washington State House of Representatives, a career as a firefighter paramedic, service as a county commissioner, civic involvement in boards and a leadership institute, and a career in health insurance. He recently launched a bi–monthly podcast with the Orthodox Christian Network (OCN) called "Our Life in Christ and in America." Antiochian.org spoke with Bill about the many hats he wears.
1. How long have you been Orthodox and how did you discover the Church? Tell us a little about your parish.
I told my wife on our first date that I wanted to know God, live a Christian life and find the Church, but wasn't sure how to do any of that. Almost 10 years later in 1999, we met Fr. George and Pres. Dianthe Livanos on a ferry dock in Port Angeles Washington the week before Thanksgiving. He had travelled from Canonsburg, PA and we were on vacation six hours from our house. We spent 45 minutes crossing the Strait of Juan De Fuca on a ferry talking about "the historic church" as Fr. George explained it to us.
St. Katherine's College Hosts 2nd Annual President's Gala
St. Katherine College, an undergraduate Orthodox college of liberal arts and sciences in Encinitas, CA , is hosting its 2nd Annual President's Gala on May 18, 2013, at the Del Mar Fairgrounds. The Gala features a cocktail reception, an international menu, and a celebrity guest host.
Riverside, CA Parish Hosts Symposium with Metropolitan Kallistos
Metropolitan Kallistos with Archbishop Joseph in Riverside, CAOver the weekend of February 23-24, 2013, St. Andrew Orthodox Church in Riverside, CA and its Rector The Very Rev. Dr. Josiah Trenham, hosted the first Southern California Symposium of the Saints Cyril & Athanasius of Alexandria Institute for Orthodox Studies. Titled "Prayer in the Church Fathers," the event featured His Excellency the Most Reverend Metropolitan Kallistos (Ware) of Diokleia, St. Vladimir's Seminary Chancellor/CEO The Very Rev. Dr. Chad Hatfield, Institute Director The Very Rev. Dr. Irenei (Steenberg) and The Rev. Daniel Meyer (Antiochian Archdiocese, West Chester, PA), addressing the topic "Prayer and the Church Fathers."
On Sunday, His Eminence The Most Reverend Archbishop Joseph concelebrated with Metropolitan Kallistos for the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy. A photo gallery of His Eminence serving with Metropolitan Kallistos is posted on the Diocese of Los Angeles and the West website.
10th Annual Orthodox Men's Retreat of St. John the Baptist + April 12-14, 2013 in Caroline, Alberta
The 10th Annual Orthodox Men's Retreat of St. John the Baptist will be held on April 12-14, 2013 at Sanctum Retreat Centre in Caroline, Alberta, Canada. This year's speaker is the Very Reverend Archpriest Bohdan Hladio. The theme of this year's retreat will be Father, Brother, Husband, Friend: The Virtues of Christian Manhood in the Image of Christ.
Register Now for Your Parish Life Conference!
Now is the time to register online for your diocese's "family reunion" this summer, your regional Parish Life Conference (PLC)! The theme for this year, "The End of History...The Last Judgment," will be the focus of the Creative Festivals, a highlight of the conferences. Youth and organizational meetings, spiritually edifying speakers and services, and social events for kids and adults alike, all make the PLCs one of the Archdiocese's most established and popular traditions. Visit the Conventions and Conference Planning page for full information.
The 2013 PLC schedule begins June 5 in Kansas City and ends July 3 in Montreal:
Diocese of Wichita, June 5-8: St. Basil Orthodox Church hosts the PLC at the Westin Kansas City Hotel in downtown Kansas City, "one of America's Best downtowns" according to Forbes magazine.
Diocese of Miami, June 12–16: St. Basil Antiochian Orthodox Church hosts the PLC at the Hilton New Orleans, where guests will sample the history and cuisine of this historic city.
Memory Eternal! + The Very Rev. Fr. Nicholas Habib
From the Diocese of the West:
+ Memory Eternal!
It is with extreme sadness that we inform you that our beloved brother in Christ, The Very Reverend Father Nicholas Habib, fell asleep in the Lord on Sunday, December 16, 2012.
His Eminence Archbishop Joseph of Los Angeles and the West presided over the funeral service, which was held at 7 p.m. on Tuesday evening, December 18, 2012, at St. Nicholas Orthodox Church in San Francisco.
May God receive him in His Heavenly Kingdom, and may his memory be eternal!
Memory Eternal! + Rev. Fr. Polycarp Whitcomb
From the Diocese of the West:
It is with extreme sadness that we inform you that our beloved brother in Christ, Father Polycarp Whitcomb, Pastor of St. Athanasius Church in Sacramento, California, fell asleep in the Lord on Friday, January 4, 2013. His Eminence Archbishop Joseph has asked the parishes to remember him in your prayers for the departed for the next 40 days and to hold a special Trisagion for his eternal life. The funeral arrangements will be announced once they are set. May God receive him in His Heavenly Kingdom and may his memory be eternal.