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.
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Check Church Calendar for calendar updates
Weekly Services
- Saturday, Great Vespers 5 pm
- Sunday, Orthros and Liturgy 9 am
- Wednesday, Vespers 6 pm
- Friday, Vespers 6 pm
Special Services
- Feb 1 | Great Vespers for the Feast of the Entrance of Christ into the Temple | 6 pm
- Feb 2 | Divine Liturgy for the Feast of the Entrance | 9 am
Great Lent and Holy Week Schedule
Great Lent is right around the corner - it starts on February 23. Please view the full schedule by following the link below
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Annual Meeting Held January 11
Our Parish Annual Meeting was held immediately after Liturgy on Sunday, January 11, 2026. Official minutes of the meeting will be released at a later date, but a summary of what was discussed follows.
- Fr. Nicholas’ Pastor’s report reflected on who we are as a parish. And while there are different teams and ministries, what we do together – all of us working together – is necessary for the whole to thrive. He reflected on our full calendar of more services – with prayer and worship being central to our church life. Fr. Nicholas thanked many people, including Dn. Peter for serving so faithfully, the committee chairs, the parish council, Dana Hanna and Liana Fine for being a light for our young people, Subdeacon Peter Thomsen who serves so faithfully on the altar, chanters Teresa Thomas and Caitlin Parson, and choir director Daria Incorvaia. Fr. Nicholas reflected that our parish is strong – but most grow stronger. God wants all of us – this is a family and it needs every member.
- Jim Vagias gave the Parish Council Report, and spoke about the hall renovations as well as submitted the names for the two open spots on the parish council: Robyn Ziemba and Rob Scarpa, both of whom were unanimously approved.
- Ed Assile went over our financials, representing both he and James Tweel. It was an honest conversation about our financial situation – we have fewer families than we did 10 years ago and, as a result, even with very generous one-time donations last January, we still ran a deficit for the year. We had a discussion about the archdiocese assessment and how it was necessary for individuals to pay annual dues ($150 per individual; $300 for family), as we had in the past, in addition to their pledge, in order to help us meet our commitment to both the archdiocese and our parish.
- There is also, separate from pledges, opportunities for designated giving for the church hall renovation project. Look for more opportunities to come. Our church home is over 60 years old and we have ducts that need replacing and a roof that leaks… expensive but necessary repairs that have to be made before they become larger problems.
- Ed also presented the 2026 budget. Revenue has gone up, but expenses have gone up faster. Still, the budget submitted was balanced, always with estimates of how much parishioners will give and fundraisers will earn.
- John Gakos spoke about the terrific work accomplished in House and Grounds. He thanked Robyn and Brian for their work on the hall and Jim Bach and Helen Chimel for a long, long list of projects that they oversaw, from fencing and overhang roofs to paving our lot, that are necessary for maintenance of parish property.
- Various groups submitted reports in writing or orally, including the Walk-in Dinner Program and the 20-40 Group. In addition,
- Brian Scarpa talked about the three-part hall renovation – taking down and replacing the ceiling, which occurred in September; the walls and electrical, which will start in mid-January and then phase three, a new dance floor and carpeting.
- Pam Scarpa spoke about her new role as a fundraising liaison for various groups – helping them get the support and expertise they need for various fundraising activities, including our latest endeavor – delicious frozen foods for sales.
- Nike Bach informed the parish that St. Anthony would be hosting this year’s IOCC Wine Tasting, to be held on Saturday, April 25, 2026. This is a fundraiser where churches across northern New Jersey come together to raise funds for the International Orthodox Christian Charities.
After the annual meeting the new Parish Council met and elected Mike McMinn as President and Isaiah Vallejo-Juste as Vice President.
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Your Annual Pledge
We would usually discuss pledge giving at St. Anthony's Day, but with this snowy winter.. didn't want to let too much time pass.
Each parishioner, every year, is asked to submit a pledge form in order to cover parish expenses. The pledge has two financial components.
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We, like all churches, support our Archdiocese by paying an annual assessment. Each parish family is asked to pay this fee each year: $150/individual; $300/family. This assessment can be paid by check, on our website, or through your Parish Soft Giving account
- Your Pledge/weekly offering covers all Parish Expenses: (Building & Grounds maintenance and repair, Utilities, Clergy, Staff, Christian Ed and parish programs, and Kitchen supplies.)
Paying your Assessment and filling out your pledge form confirms that you are a member in good standing of St Anthony’s Church.
The attached pledge form helps quantify giving at various percentages and salary points. Please return the form to the Pledge Box in the narthex. All financial information is confidential.
Thank you for supporting your Church!
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The Luck of St. Anthony Tricky Tray March 6
Friday, March 6 is the The Luck of St. Anthony Tricky Tray! The Tricky Tray is an all-parish event and is now our largest fundraiser and in the thick of it right now!
Our 150 baskets are being built now with generous donations solicited from area stores, restaurants, salons and more. The Carter house is once again our beautiful staging storefront (thank you Leslie and Mark!)
And our Amazon Wish list for themed baskets are coming together nicely! We’re asking every parish family to support this fundraiser by donating one themed basket. Please click here to view our 2026 Tricky Tray Themed Gift Catalog, which shows how the individual items listed on Amazon come together to create each themed gift basket. Below are a few examples at different price points but don't forget - please check the ACTUAL list before making a purchase so we don't have duplicates!
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All Amazon Wish List items ship directly to Robyn Ziemba, who will beautifully wrap each basket and add a “Sponsored By” tag so every donor is properly thanked. Please feel free to reach out to her with any questions: 201-694-9133
Thank you for your generosity and for helping make this event a success!
As far as selling tickets, invite your friends for a great night out and when you see us post on social media, share with your contacts. This event always sells out so reach out to your network now to get tickets!
Download flyer
Buy tickets
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Women's Guild News
In celebration of International Women's Month, members of the Women's Guild will read the Epistle and serve as ushers during the month of March.
Women's Guild will be hosting the coffee hour on Sunday, March 8. This is a celebration to honor of all the women in our parish for all that you do for our church family. A Memorial Service will also be offered on this day in remembrance of the departed women of our parish.
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All are welcome to Book Night on Friday, March 13. We will discuss the book entitled "The View from Lake Como" by Adriana Trigiani. "The View from Lake Como" is a compelling exploration of love, family, and the courage to pursue one's dreams, set against the backdrop of two contrasting yet beautiful locations - Italy and New Jersey. Time and location to follow.
| | We will kickoff our philanthropic Lenten Project on Sunday, March 15 during coffee hour. More information to follow. | | |
IOCC Fundraiser to Be Hosted By St. Anthony on April 25
St. Anthony would be hosting this year’s IOCC Wine Tasting, to be held on Saturday, April 25, 2026. This is a fundraiser where churches across northern New Jersey come together to raise funds for the International Orthodox Christian Charities. Nike Bach is looking for volunteers who wish to help put on this event.
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Yard Sale May 1-2
The perfect motivation to get cracking on your new, stress-free minimalist lifestyle: the Yard Sale on May 1-2!
Do you have just too many Christmas decorations? Serving pieces? Pocketbooks? Too much luggage, bric-a-brac or art? The Yard Sale is the perfect place to recycle/reuse. You clear out your house; you don't fill landfills; other people get great buys and the Church makes money! Start boxes in your basement now, and as you come across things you don't need, load them up by theme.
As an idea-sparker of what to donate, these items are always welcome. (It goes without saying they should be gently used, clean and working condition, right?)
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- Small Furniture
- Lamps, Light Fixtures & Clocks
- Bath Items, Packaged Soap, Toiletries, Unused Candles
- Small Household Appliances Computers, Printers & Electronics
- Toys, Games, Puzzles, Dolls & Clean Stuffed Animals
- Kitchen Utensils, China, Glassware & Dinnerware
- Decorative Items: Candlesticks, Mirrors, Vases, Wreaths, Floral Arrangements
- Garden Items
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- Sporting Goods
- Craft & Stationery Items
- Artwork & Collectibles
- Vinyl Records
- Flat Panel TVs, Cameras & Radios
- Bed Sheets, Table cloths (indicate size) & Towels
- Decorative Pillows
- Tools (not rusted)
- Pocketbooks, Luggage & Totes
- Books
- Accessories & Costume Jewelry
Please, no clothing, large pieces of furniture, treadmills, used water bottles,
CDs, DVDs, children’s car seats or cribs.
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Each of us clearing out equals a department store of items for shoppers! Start saving and sorting now, and bring it all to Church on Sunday, April 26 during Coffee Hour.
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Orthodox Christians for Palestine
Orthodox Christians for Palestine (OCP) invites you to join its 2026 monthly sessions, centering Orthodox Christian witness in conversations about justice and peace in Palestine. The Orthodox Church is the indigenous Christian presence in Palestine and the surrounding region, rooted in the very land Christ was born, lived, was crucified and rose from the dead, where the Church itself began. This speaker series aims to focus on how Orthodox tradition can offer depth and steadiness to the movement for justice in Palestine, the United States and beyond. For more information or to become involved in OCP please reach out to Dana Hanna.
See flyer
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St. Anthony Frozen Food
Our church has a long tradition of serving an array of ethnic, high-quality foods, and it's all too delicious to have just once a year!
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. Our first menu items include Italian meatballs; Middle Eastern Kefta; and Greek Spanakopita, Moussaka and Pastitsio. And the site lists all the ingredients and even has cooking directions!
Current plans are to have pick up available twice a month during coffee hour. If you have questions, please contact Pam Scarpa.
Thank you for your support and Bon Appetit!
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Coming this September: An International Feast!
We have new and exciting plans underway for an International Feast, September 9, 10 and 11! It will bring back some of the delicious foods we all love from our festival, plus games, as we have our first indoor/outdoor event! Stay tuned for all the details, but save those dates from now!
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Automated External Defibrillator
St. Anthony’s has an Automated External Defibrillator in the Church Hall.Betty Gakos is the Safety Officer of the AED program. Please advise Betty at jbgakos@yahoo.com if you are currently trained in CPR and AED use including your certification dates.
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Antiochian Village Camp Registration
It may be snowy and cold, but it's not too early to be thinking about Summer Camp at the Antiochian Village! In addition to four 2-week sessions for campers aged 9-17, AV offers Family Camp, Winter Camp, Alumni events... something for everyone. See avcamp.org for all the details, including dates and pricing. We have two generations of former campers at St. Anthony's who would be happy to share their experience. It's the two weeks of the year that campers talk about the other 50. Camp scholarships are available. St. Anthony campers traditionally attend the 4th session. For those seeking transportation options, St. George in Little Falls usually rents a bus and, in they have room, make it available to our children, too. Please see Fr. Nicholas for more information.
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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.
| 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 | | It's time to Sign up for 2026 Coffee Hour Hosting | | | | 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. | | |
Floral Arrangement Fundraiser, Year Round
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 Karen Canellos.
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Beautiful Babies
Congratulations to Daniel and Jennifer Kalyoussef on the baptism of their beautiful son, Joseph Daniel, on January 3, 2026. God bless!
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Welcome to the Faith
On January 4, 2026, we welcomed two families to the Orthodox faith and our church community! Congratulations and God bless the Radoncic and Shimpfky families!
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Wedding Bells
Congratulations to Alexandra Stith and Barry Cavett who were married on January 18, 2026 at Sts. Peter and Paul Orthodox Church in Manville, NJ. We have been so blessed to have Alexandra as a member of our church since she first came to St. Anthony's in 2020. Her smile, hard work and can-do attitude will be greatly missed as she and Barry begin their married life in Michigan. But Alexandra's family is in the area so we very much looking forward to her visits! Congratulations and God Bless!
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Memory Eternal
We were saddened to hear Valerie (Maloof) Watson, who departed this life on January 17, 2026. Valerie's father, Theodore Maloof, was one of the seven founding members of St. Anthony's. Our condolences to Valerie's husband Richard, their sons and families, and Valerie's siblings. Memory Eternal!
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Women's Guild Meeting
Sunday, February 1 in Jabara Room
Great Lent Begins
Monday, February 23
Tricky Tray
Friday, March 6 (See above)
Women's Guild Celebration and Memorial
Sunday, March 8 (See above)
Women's Guild Book Night
Friday, March 13 (See above)
IOCC Taste of New Jersey Fundraiser
Saturday, April 25 (See above)
Bring Yard Sale Donations
Sunday, April 26 during Coffee hour
Yard Sale
Friday May 1-Saturday, May 2 (See above)
International Feast
September 9-11(See above)
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