JOHNSTOWN, PA [National ACRY] With the blessing of His Grace, Bishop Gregory, the National Sr. ACRY is pleased to announce their second annual Advent Mission Project. After a successful project last year, the members of the Senior ACRY decided at the 2015 National Convention, to support an initiative to build a Habitat for Humanity Home in memory of +Protopresbyter Michael Rosco. This memorial building project is being spearheaded by the faithful of Fr. Michael’s former parish, St. John the Baptist Orthodox Church of Perth Amboy, NJ, in conjunction with International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC). Plans call for a home to be built in the Summer of 2016 for a deserving family in Mandeville, LA where Fr. Michael, working with IOCC Relief teams, assisted with 3 similar building projects in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. It was through his initial efforts that the Diocese saw an increased awareness and participation in hands-on mission work. That work continues to this day.

The 2015 Advent Mission Project has a two-fold-purpose, to help raise funds for the building project and encourage the faithful of the Diocese to volunteer their time and talents in the actual construction of the new home. The goal is to raise $75,000 which will cover the construction costs and building team’s expenses, and to find 45 individuals willing to serve on one of three construction teams. (Click Here for construction dates and other information on the building teams)  present time, approximately $5,000 has already been raised and the ACRY and St. John’s Parish are in the process of applying for a matching grant from the Kulis Foundation.

Throughout the Advent Season, ACRY chapters and parishes can help by holding an event or fundraiser to provide funding for the Advent Mission Project. Individual donations, as well as donations from other church groups are welcome. Collection boxes in parish fellowship halls for use during social times following the Divine Services may also be a means of raising funds.

Download Informational Flier  (PDF Format)

Local ACRY chapters and parishes are also invited to send pictures and/or articles about the activities they are doing in their chapter or parish to help raise funds. These pictures could be posted on the Diocesan (www.acrod.org) and ACRY websites (www.acry.org) as well as the National Sr. ACRY Facebook Page. Pictures may be sent to Advent Mission Project Coordinator, Rachel Pribish at rachelprib@gmail.com who continues to coordinate this project. The deadline for submissions is January 31, 2016.

The deadline for submitting donations is January 31, 2016.

Checks are to be written out to “National ACRY” with “Advent Mission Project” in the memo line and sent to:

Barbara Fitzgerald
57 Grandview Drive
Woodland Park, NJ 07424

Those who are interested in serving on a construction team are kindly asked to contact Fr. Michael Chendorain at fathermikec@verizon.net or (732)-826-4442. More information regarding construction dates and other logistical concerns will be released in the near future. For the latest information please visit the Building Project’s website http://www.sjhfhmbp.org and click on the “Volunteer” link.

Working together as a Diocesan family during the Nativity Fast Season, may we, with the help of our Merciful Savior, reach our goal of funding and staffing this vital outreach project in honor and memory of +Protopresbyter Michael Rosco, a role model and champion of hands-on missionary work in our God-Saved Diocese.

The ACRY, The Fellowship of Sts Cyril and Methodios,  is an Orthodox Christian family fellowship dedicated to the purpose of encouraging spiritual growth through charitable and apostolic missionary works, prayer and fellowship for the Glory of God and the building up of the Church and our Diocese.

To learn more about the ACRY visit their website at www.acry.org.