August 2026 Desert News

August 2026

Desert News is published online, every month, for a quick glimpse of the goings on at St. Anthony’s and with our parishioners. Desert News editors are Claudia Bogris and Nike Bach. If you have parish organization or personal news to share, please email information to Claudia Bogris.

Did you get this newsletter forwarded to you? You can sign up and receive your copy directly. Just go to our website, stanthonybergen.com, and follow the signup instructions on the lower left side to have Desert News delivered to your inbox each month.

View our Church Calendar for all services and event updates

August Special Services

Wednesday, Aug 5 at 6pm: Orthros and Liturgy for the Feast of the Transfiguration

Wednesday, Aug 12 at 6pm: Paraklesis for the Dormition fast.

Friday, Aug 14 at 6pm: Great vespers for the Feast of the Dormition

Saturday, Aug 15 at 9am: Orthros and Liturgy for the Feast of the Dormition

Life in Our Parish

The Festival is BACK! November 13-14

A message from Fr. Nicholas Fine

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

I am excited to share that this November, we will once again host our International Food Festival!

We did not have a festival in 2025. We needed some time to think about the future of the festival and whether it was worth the time and energy to continue. After some thought, I, along with the Parish Council, have decided that we should continue to have our annual festival. It is a lot of work, but it is also a wonderful blessing. It brings together our parish family in a spirit of fellowship and hospitality, introduces many visitors to our church, and helps support the ministries and ongoing needs of our parish. We are grateful for everyone who has volunteered, donated, cooked, baked, served, cleaned, and welcomed our guests in the past. Your generosity made the event a tremendous success.

This year, we hope to make the festival even better—but we cannot do it without you!

Over the coming weeks, we will be asking for volunteers to help in many different areas, including food preparation, baking, setup, serving, hospitality, children's activities, cleanup, and more. Whether you can offer a few hours or several days, your time and talents will make a meaningful difference.

Please also help us spread the word. Invite your family, friends, neighbors, and coworkers to attend. One of the greatest gifts we can offer is the warm hospitality for which Orthodox Christians have long been known. Every person who walks through our doors is an opportunity to share the love of Christ and introduce someone to our parish community.

As plans continue to develop, additional information about volunteer opportunities, food donations, sponsorships, and the festival schedule will be announced in the bulletin, by email, and during our Sunday announcements.

Thank you for your continued love and support of our Church. May God bless our efforts, strengthen our fellowship, and use this festival to bring glory to His holy name.

With love in Christ,

Fr. Nicholas

Download Flyer

Calling All Bakers!

Our baked goods are a big highlight and hit for our community and guests at the Festival. We are anxious to have parishioners old and new help in our baking endeavor. Please let Betty Gakos or Lois Dedes know if you may be able to help and what times work best for you. We would like to offer a very flexible schedule for everyone to learn and participate in October.

Backpacks for Bergenfield

The Women's Guild is continuing to partner with The Fellowship of Orthodox Christians United to Serve - FOCUS - and will provide backpacks and school supplies to the Bergenfield School District. The cost of each backpack with supplies is $25 and we are hoping to donate 48 backpacks. The Women's Guild will be collecting donations on August 2 and August 9. (Please make your check payable to St. Anthony's Women's Guild.) If you won't be in church either of those days but want to be part of this important philanthropic initiative, please mail your check to church, attention Jackie Koskinas. Thank you for your generosity!

Walk-in Dinner Program

We will be feeding the less fortunate in Hackensack on Wednesday, September 2. Please let us know if you would like to help cook, serve or help finance this wonderful endeavor. Contact Betty Gakos.

Young at Heart News

Young at Heart will hold its first meeting of the 2026-2027 year on Thursday, September 10 in the Father Joseph Allen Memorial Hall. The meeting will be starting earlier than usual at 11:00 am when we will be entertained by Mary Taylor (website: http://marytaylor.org/) who is a highly recommended performer. Refreshments and short business meeting to follow. We welcome anyone 55 or older. New members can sign up on that day.

Tickets have been purchased for going to see “The Producers” at the Bergen Players Theatre in Oradell on September 27 at 2:00. (Date was changed from the 20^th).

Fr. Joseph Allen Memorial Lecture: October 3

Save the Date from now! The 5th Annual Father Joseph Allen Memorial Lecture will be held at St. Anthony’s on Saturday, October 3, following Vespers. Our featured speaker will be Fr. Michael Nasser, who will speak about the Changes and Challenges in Pastoral Care Today.

Please mark your calendar for what has become an evening of refreshment, fellowship and thought provoking discussion related to our faith.

Rev. Fr. Michael Nasser,

Director of Spiritual Formation at St. Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary

Young Adult Retreat, October 9-11

Our Young Adult Group will host a retreat for young Orthodox Adults from all jurisdictions. The weekend will include fellowship, fun activities (including a Paint and Sip and off-site bowling and arcade), good food, and Orthodox connection, including two sessions with Fr. Symeon Williams. Scan the QR code below to register, for the full schedule of events and for hotel information for those traveling to attend.

Seeking Sunday Drivers

We are looking for parishioners willing to occasionally provide transportation for seniors who can no longer drive themselves to Divine Liturgy on Sunday mornings. If you have a reliable vehicle and would be willing to serve in this ministry, even on an occasional basis, please speak with Fr. Nicholas or Helen Chimel. Your willingness to offer a ride can make a tremendous difference in helping our senior parishioners remain connected to our parish's worship and fellowship.

New Landscaping Group: Keeping Our Church Grounds Beautiful

If you are willing to volunteer on a few Saturdays in the Summer and Fall to help with landscaping and keeping our grounds beautiful, please speak to Rob Scarpa.

Tricky Tray: March 5, 2027

It’s not too early to start planning for the Tricky Tray. We are accepting any NEW items to fill the baskets such as: candles, novelty items, crystal, toys, household & kitchen items & more. We can store these for you from now! Save baskets, containers, decor boxes and even paper, yes brown stuffing paper from boxes and tissue wrap. We would appreciate the effort of starting early to acquire the donations we need. Any questions, see Leslie Carter.

Inter-Parish Picnic

St. Anthony parishioners joined with parishioners from 12 area churches on July 26, a perfect Sunday afternoon, for a picnic. This was the first annual Northern New Jersey Inter-Parish Association Picnic, hosted by St. John the Baptist Russian Orthodox Church in Little Falls. Over 100 fellow Orthodox Christians got to know each other, and had an afternoon of prayer, celebration, fellowship and fun!

Found!

Have you lost something in church? Try looking in the Lost and Found plastic tote with white lid behind the bar area in the church hall.

ParishSoft Giving

St. Anthony's provides an easy, convenient, and safe way for parishioners to make recurring payments or one-time gifts to the parish by using ParishSoft Giving. Click on the links below to see what you can do.

Stewardship (Weekly Donation)

Annual Assessment (To Support the Archdiocese)

Memorial Donations

Offer Divine Liturgy

Parishioners can also make gifts from their mobile phone. TEXT ‘Giving’ to 201-581-7385. Visit the Stewardship page on your phone or computer to create your PSG account

Year-Round Fundraisers

Flowers never go out of style and are always available for ordering. Whether you are looking for a bouquet or florals for a whole event, it's easy for you and a fundraiser for St. Anthony's. You can get all of your floral arrangements (name day, birthday, anniversary, etc.) throughout the year while supporting the church. To order, call Hanneh Kalyoussef (201-693-2968) or email hanneh@kalycomm.com

See flyer

A Taste of St. Anthony's offers frozen favorites representing the parish’s rich Pan-Orthodox culture, showcasing traditional favorites from across our diverse community. Specialties are made to order and sell out quickly, so be sure to place your requests early. The food will be sold throughout the year by our team of specialty chefs.

Visit our site for what's available now and visit often as the menu will change. If you have questions, please contact Pam Scarpa.

Reminders

Every parishioner is asked to host at least one coffee hour a year. This can be shared with others. A schedule and guidelines are posted in the coffee room. To sign up or learn more, please email Alice Ziemba or call her at 201-906-3850. Volunteers will receive a call from a coffee steward during the week they sign-up. Stewards will help hosts provide a simple coffee hour.

Milestones

Welcome Baby!

Congratulations to Fr. Nicholas and Pres. Liana Fine on the birth of their beautiful daughter, Evangeline Marie. Evangeline, who joins older siblings Elias, Moses and Zoe, was born on June 25, 2026 at the very Orthodox time of 3:33am! Congratulations and God bless! We can't wait to meet the newest member of our parish family!