March 21, 2000
The Parish Priests
of the Holy Diocese of Denver
Beloved Co-Workers and Concelebrants,
As all of us know, the Philoptochos Society of our Archdiocese is the philanthropic arm of our holy church. We can all be proud of the accomplishments of Philoptochos on the local, the diocesan, and the archdiocesan levels. Simultaneously we thank our loving God for inspiring the women of the church to give of their time and talents in order to help the less fortunate in their life.
I urge each parish priest to give more time and attention to your parish Philoptochos chapter so that its charitable and philanthropic programs will always meet with great success. Without the Philoptochos, our parishes do not practice the words of our Lord concerning the hungry, the naked, the homeless, and those who are sick and in prison. Without such a ministry, we cannot claim to be the Church which our Lord established for the salvation of His people.
Please keep the following in mind:
- If you have an active Philoptochos chapter in your parish, let the members know that you are ready to assist them in ways that will increase the membership as well as the local, regional, and national programs for the benefit of those in need.
- Make your local Philoptochos aware of the urgent needs of individuals and families in your area, as well as sudden disasters locally and in various parts of the world, such as the recent earthquake in Greece.
- Urge your Philoptochos to send representatives to the Diocese and also to the Archdiocese conferences.
- If your local Philoptochos chapter is not functioning as well as it should, please inform the Diocese Philoptochos president, Ms. Elaine Cladis, through the Diocese.
- If your parish does not have a Philoptochos chapter, please inform me, as well as the Diocese Philoptochos president.
- If your parish has a local ladies' society which is not Philoptochos, please inform me as to the year of its establishment, the number of members, and the activity in which it is involved. Also inform me why it may not wish to become Philoptochos.
I thank you for acting immediately on this letter so that I may have a better perspective of Philoptochos in this Diocese.
With Paternal Blessings,
+Metropolitan Isaiah
Presiding Hierarch
of
the Diocese of Denver
cc: Ms. Elaine Cladis, Diocese Philoptochos President