Please see our new newsletter:

Download HTOC Spring Newsletter 2012

Please see our new printable calendar for March-May 2012:

Download HTOC Spring Calendar 2012

The Taste of Spring has been cancelled for Feb. 10, 2012. We apologize for any inconvenience.

Please see our new newsletter:
Download Winter Newsletter

Holy Trinity Faithful,

Happy New Year! Today is the first day of the Church Year.  From the OCA website:

Commemorated on September 1

The first day of the Church New Year is also called the beginning of the Indiction. The term Indiction comes from a Latin word meaning, “to impose.” It was originally applied to the imposition of taxes in Egypt. The first worldwide Indiction was in 312 when the Emperor Constantine (May 21) saw a miraculous vision of the Cross in the sky. Before the introduction of the Julian calendar, Rome began the New Year on September 1.

According to Holy Tradition, Christ entered the synagogue on September 1 to announce His mission to mankind (Luke 4:16-22). Quoting Isaiah 61:1-2), the Savior proclaimed, “The spirit of the Lord is upon me; because He has anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent me to proclaim release to captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord…”

Tradition says that the Hebrews entered the Promised Land in September.

Download – HTOC Fall Newsletter 2011

The Summer Newsletter has been completed and will be sent out shortly. You can download it here:

Summer Newsletter

We also have Memorial Saturday forms available for download:

Memorial Saturday Form

Lenten Youth Retreat – April 1-2
Orthodox and non-Orthodox students are encouraged to attend the overnight youth retreat sponsored by The Diocese of New York and New Jersey at Holy Resurrection Orthodox Church, Wayne NJ for students 7th-12th Grades on April 1-2, 2011.  The Lenten Youth Retreat is entitled “Baptized into Christ: Galatians 3:2 and Romans 6:3” Orthodox and non-Orthodox students are encouraged to attend. This is a great opportunity for Orthodox young people to invite a non-Orthodox friend.
The cost for the weekend retreat is $35 per student.  Check-in at 6:30 pm on Friday.  Pizza will be served.  Parents are invited to conclude the retreat experience with their child by participating in Vespers at 5:00 pm on Saturday.  If you have any questions, please contact Father Joseph or Matushka Charlotte  Woodhill (Retreat Coordinators) by phone at (718) 767-7292 or by e-mail at josephwoodill@yahoo.com.   Further details and forms are available online at http://nynjoca.org/news_110225_2.html.

Celebration of Faith Contest – Deadline is April 17
“Who is God? Who am I? Who are You?”
The Fellowship of Orthodox Christians in America (F.O.C.A.) in conjunction with the Orthodox Church in America (OCA) is sponsoring the 7th annual Creative Arts Contest entitled “Celebration of Faith.”  The contest is open to all Church youth. This year’s theme is “Who is God? Who am I? Who are You?” All youth who submit an entry will receive recognition and chosen entries in each category will receive a savings bond.

There are four age divisions:  Under age 10 (3^rd grade and under), 4^th - 6^th grade, 7^th - 9^th grade, 10^th -12^th grade.  Students may submit works in any of the four arts areas:  literature, music composition, photography, and visual arts.  The deadline for submissions of all material accompanied by an official entry form is April 17. Additional information including instructions and entry form are available on-line through the F.O.C.A. web site www.orthodoxfellowship.org.

F.O.C.A. Scholarships – Deadline for submission is May 31
The F.O.C.A offers an educational financial aid program to members.  The application deadline and additional information are available on the web site at www.orthodoxfellowship.org under scholarship.  You must be an F.O.C.A. member in good standing since January 1, 2010 to participate.

National Basketball Tournament – April 29 – May 1
The F.O.C.A. National Basketball Tournaments attract 500+ Orthodox youth from parishes throughout the Northeast and Midwest offering a truly unique opportunity for combining competition and worship. Youth need not be members of the F.O.C.A., but must be Orthodox to be eligible to play.

This year’s tournament will be in Cleveland, OH.  Activities begin on Friday evening and exciting plans are in the works.  Games begin early on Saturday morning followed by Vespers and a Banquet/Dance.  Sunday starts with Divine Liturgy followed by Brunch and championship games.   Details are available at www.orthodoxfellowship.org under 2011 basketball tournament.

New Jersey Basketball teams are being formed for both boys and girls ages 10 and up.  If you are interested in playing on a team from New Jersey please contact Marge Kovach at mjkovach@aol.com.

National Bowling Tournament – May 20-21
The Central PA District will host this year’s National FOCA Bowling Tournament. Bowling will be at the ABC East Bowling Lanes, 11171 Eisenhower Blvd., Harrisburg, PA.  Housing will be at the Best Western Hotel, 815 E. Eisenhower Blvd., Middletown, PA.  Bowlers and non-bowlers are invited to come and enjoy the fellowship and fun. Details are available at www.orthodoxfellowship.org.

National Junior Summer Sports Tournament – Ohio – July 10-16
National F.O.C.A. Junior Summer Sports Tournament (formerly known as Junior Olympics) is a summer camp held at St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Camp and Conference Center in Farmdale, OH (outside of Youngstown) where Orthodox Youth from across the country gather to enjoy fellowship and participate in a variety of events, both sporting and non-sporting. All youth entering grades 5-12 in the fall are welcome to attend. Participants are divided into appropriate age groups for camp activities.

Each day begins and ends with Chapel Services in the St. Vladimir’s Chapel located on the grounds of the camp. The campers also participate in daily choir practice in preparation for the Great Vespers and Divine Liturgy celebrated at week’s end.  The week includes team challenges, pool parties, dances, talent shows, Olympic awards, hay rides, campfires and more.   More information is available on the F.O.C.A. website www.orthodoxfellowship.org.

St. Andrew’s Camp – July 10 – August 6
The dates for the 2011 camping season have officially been announced. The 2011 Schedule consists of the Regular Camping Program for ages 7 – 14 and a Teen Week with a minimum age of 13.  Week 1 runs from July 10-16, Week 2 runs from July17-23, and Week 3 runs from July 24-30.  Teen Week is July 31- August 6.  More details regarding the camp and its programs are available at www.saintandrewscamp.org.

NJ District F.O.C.A. Jr. Advisory Committee:
Marge Kovach  (732) 815-9765 mjkovach@aol.com
Allison Steffaro (732) 698-1952 michaelsteffaro@comcast.net
Laura Johnson  (201) 796-5676 ljfaj@optonline.net

The Spring Newsletter has been completed and will be sent out shortly. You can download it here:

Spring Newsletter

We also have Memorial Saturday forms available for download:

Memorial Saturday Form

During the lenten season the Church School will be going through the Gospel of Luke. We are encouraging everyone, including the parents, to read the entire Gospel during the lenten season. Also, We are putting together a practice schedule for our new youth choir, led by Christine Bulko. The Youth choir will meet and practice every third Sunday of the month.