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“…the Disciples were called Christians first in Antioch
”
(Acts 1:26)
Feast of Saints Peter & Paul Patron Saints of the Patriarchate of Antioch On this
day we celebrate the Feast of Saint Paul
“Remember that the person who sows few seeds will have a small crop; the one who
sows many seeds will have a large crop. Each one should give, then, as he has decided,
not with regret or out of a sense of duty; for God loves the one who gives gladly.
And God is able to give you more than you need, so that you will always have all
you need for yourselves and more than enough for every good cause”
(2 Corinthians 9:6-8)
His Eminence, Metropolitan Archbishop Paul Saliba together with the Antiochian Orthodox
Archdiocese Board of Australia, Fr Georges El’Khoury and the St.Paul Church Council
has pleasure to inform the members of St. Paul’s and the Antiochian Orthodox Community
of Melbourne the purchase of a property at 32-34 Plunkett Road, Dandenong, Victoria.
The growth of St Paul Antiochian Orthodox Church
His Eminence, Metropolitian Archbishop Paul Salida established St Paul Antiochian
Orthodox Church in 2001 as a ‘Mission’ Church with a vision for an innovative Church
and a Community Center for the Antiochian Orthodox families and young people strategically
located in the southeastern suburbs, the fastest growing region on Melbourne.
St. Paul’s is a growing community; it is building a strong sense of identity and
purpose. Its aim is to provide innovative spiritual education and respond creatively
to the needs of the families and young people. St. Paul will endeavor to build a
strong Antiochian Orthodox community in the South Eastern suburbs of Melbourne.
St. Paul’s will have a multi-purpose building providing a Church, where we can worship
as Antiochian Orthodox Christians and a social meeting place for our families and
young people:
The Church will provide an Orthodox setting for the performance of the Sacraments
of the Church and its Services including:
Divine LITURGY , Baptism; Holy Matrimony, Funeral and Memorial Services.
Religious Education, Sunday School.
An integrated community center for our families, children and young people.
Reception center.
Center for social functions and family parties.
Baptisms
Birthday, ENgagemets parties
Wedding receptions
Funeral bereavement gathering.
Community Services including
Family awareness programs
Language classes
Counseling Services
Meeting place for families, elderly citizens, youth group.
The purchase of the Church
With the blessing
of is Eminence, Metropolitan Archbishop Paul Saliba and the support of the Antiochian
Orthodox Archdiocese Board of Australia, Father Georges El’Khoury and St Paul’s
Church Council had identified and purchased a building in the center of the City
of Dandenong. The total building size is 1087m(11696ft) and land area 2465m(26523ft).
The property will meet the vision and needs for St Paul’s parish that will include
a Church to seat approximately 250 persons; a reception center for recreational/social
activities for approximately 300 people, and educational/meeting rooms for our youth
and children.
The property contains: 30 .car spaces and one disabled car space on the property,
two road accesses and ample parking in the streets. The building is fully air-conditioned,
has modern men’s, ladies and disabled toilet facilities, kitchen and outside barbeque
facilities.
The purchase price of the property is $730,000 not including stamp duty and GST
(To be continued as tax exempt) plus an estimated $250,000 to establish and create
the Church and Reception Center for our requirements.
Internal renovations that need to be completed include:
Build the Haikal and Altar table.
Raise ceiling in the church ab=nd Reception Center
Purchase seating for the Church.
Reception Tables/chairs.
Purchase Kitchen equipment.
Purchase sound system.
How can you help
His Eminence Metropolitan Archbishop
Paul Saliba together with Father Georges El’Khoury and St Paul’s Church Council
are asking all Antiochian Orthodox families and their friends for their assistance
on this very special occasion.
The purchase of a Church is truly a once in-a-lifetime event and we ask now for
your generous and immediate support.
In view of the heavy financial commitments to cover the balance of the deposit of
the purchase price prior to property settlement date on 20 the September 2003 and
the immediate requirements to establish the Church and Community/Reception center,
Father Georges El’Khoury and the St Paul’s Church Councils are asking all families
and friends to help us raise $250,000 approximately.
Father Georges El’Khoury and a member of the Church Council will be visiting each
home for this purpose or this donation may be made direct to Father Georges El’Khoury
and or to any members of the Church Council.
His Eminence, Metropolitan Archbishop Paul Saliba together with Father Georges El’Khoury
and the Church Council of St Paul Antiochian Orthodox Church thank you for your
generosity and support for the establishment of St Paul Antiochian Orthodox Church
and for the future benefit of all.
All donations will be acknowledged with a receipt and appropriately
recorded.
May God Bless you all.
Father Georges El’Khoury
Parish Priest
St Paul Antiochian Orthodox Church
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