A summer opportunity for youth aged 17 – 22 with the Paros Foundation. This year’s program features work sites in and around Yerevan, Gyumri, and Zorakan. Service work includes classroom renovations, work with orphanages and child centers, and the distribution of humanitarian supplies. Please click here for more information and application.
A special requiem service took place on Sunday, April 7, 2019 for the soul of Vanessa Ouzoonian. Fr. Papken also performed a blessing of the Khatchkar (CrossStone) that was donated by Mr. and Mrs. Andy Ouzoonian in memory of their beloved daughter.
Victoria Bourghol, also an alumna, is the art teacher for kids in 1st through 3rd grade of the Kirikian Armenian School. She is teaching them about the Armenian Genocide through various art projects this month. The children learned about the symbolism of the Forget-Me-Not-Flower while painting their very own last week.
It’s been an exciting start to our year. We had our first meeting a few weeks ago and elected a new executive committee. Congrats to our new executive team. We look forward to a fun year! We had 12 kids attend the Sports Weekend at St. Peter’s Church in Albany this past weekend. A huge thanks to chaperones John and Jane Torigian and Raffi and Aline Jamgotchian who split the weekend and watched over the kids. Thank you so much! The kids made it to the semi-finals in volleyball and enjoyed the dances and other activities. We have 2 more events this month…
St. Thomas Armenian Church is indebted to its volunteers, in all capacities. It’s a community effort each year to put together the annual Bazaar, with deliciously prepared foods, items carefully displayed for sale, and much more behind the scenes! As a friendly reminder, we are still accepting goods for the white elephant sale, which is always a popular first stop for many visitors to the bazaar. We are also graciously accepting sponsorship for the Bazaar. Please see the attached flyers, and if you wish to sponsor, kindly follow the instructions to make your donation.
If you are looking for an exciting opportunity to learn about basketball, good sportsmanship, and making friends, then joining one of the St. Thomas basketball teams is the answer. Girls between the ages of 10-18 and boys from 8-18 are eligible to join the practice squads or game teams. Please contact Douglas Martaian (973-616-5289) or Andrew Martaian (201-788-0982) as soon as possible.
Please consider home care for a loved one in your family or refer to family/friend. Armine has five years recent experience with a solid referral. She is multilingual in Armenian, Russian, and some English.
We are very proud of Arianna Cruickshank, who grew up in and continues to be a very active member of the St. Thomas Armenian Church family. She is currently interning in Washington, DC, this summer with Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. of NJ’s 6th Congressional District. Congressman Pallone serves as Co-Chairman of the Armenian Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues.
We pray for her success toward her endeavors to practice international law to be an advocate for human rights both here and abroad.
“It is with deep gratitude to God that I write this follow up letter to you regarding the ongoing renovations at our Sacred Home, St. Thomas Church and its complex.” (Read Hayr Papken’s full letter and see photos here.)
The students of the Kirikian Armenian School participated in pre-Easter festivities today. After their lessons, the children of the Armenian school were taught about Easter traditions while coloring vibrant eggs of their own to take home. Pictured are the first grade students, taught by Mrs. Hilda Giritlian, and assisted by the helpful hands of other dedicated teachers and helpers!