Santa Barbara AHEPA Chapter 243

GIFT PRESENTATION

We are gathered here this evening to Honor a man-Fr. Paul Paris, who is our Parish Priest, and a very supportive member of our Ahapa Chapter on the eve of his departure to minister the Parish of St. Mary, Greek Orthodox Church in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Yes, this chapter has been Blessed to have Fr. Paul as an active, participating member He has been at every meeting. He has provided a link to our Parish community which has given us insight as to how we may be of service locally. He has given this chapter validation in our Parish community by allowing us to be part of the community through our monthly newsletter in our monthly Church Bulletin-The Epistle, the occasional announcement in our Sunday Bulletin, by allowing us to use church facilities for events, and by just being with us. For this Fr. Paul, we are very grateful.
As a participating organization of the Saint Barbara community we together have retied the bonds that unite Ahepa and our Saint Barbara community. There is a history of this relationship not only in our community but in the history of Ahepa. One uniting element of the Greek Community has been our Holy Orthodox church. This is why
in our Chapter are many leaders and participants in church organizations, serving as stewards of St. Barbara and working with Fr. Paul to accomplish his greater vision.
Yes Fr. Paul we have been very Blessed to have you as a member of our Chapter.
But more importantly this evening we are here to honor the man. Fr. Paul has shown a very peaceful, quiet optimism, which reflects a deep spiritual faith that God is in control and all will be well. This creates an aura of peace that affects all concerned and leads to a positive outcome. This is an example that we all can learn from. Fr. Paul’s loving personality, and sense of humor is welcomed and lends itself to a win-win attitude which is what we try to emulate within this very enthusiastic and energetic chapter.
As we gather tonight to wish you and Presbytera Stephanie well, we have a bit of sadness that you are leaving. You will be missed. We also have an optimistic and joyful expectation for everyone concerned with this transition because of the belief that God is in control and everyone is learning and moving to their common good. This expectation is as it should be.
Fr. Paul, again I have the Honor of representing the members of Chapter #243 in presenting our gift to you and to Presbytera Stephanie. With this gift goes our Love, and our prayers that you know that you are always protected, that your needs will always be provided for, and that you will always be guided to the correct course of action in what ever you chose to undertake.