Father Bill's Corner

WELCOME LETTER

With much joy, anticipation and humility I arrive as your new Proistamenos & Pastor. I replace a distinguished and dedicated "young man" who has served you for over 35 years and I can only hope to accomplish a fraction of his great works during my ministry here at St. Nicholas, a community with a distinguished history, much to be thankful for and humbly proud of. Fr. James Moulketis has been a mentor, a friend and a faithful guide to me during my ministry these past 12 years. He is truly a great man and an accomplished servant of the Lord.

Presvytera Sophia (Mindy), my two children, Justinian and Lillianna, are happy to be joining your family! For me, this assignment is a return to Bergen County and an opportunity to be closer to my family. I come to you after serving the then Diocese of New Jersey as Youth Director from 2000-2002 under the direction of the then chancellor, V. Rev. Alexander Leondis. From 2003 through 2011 I have served the Saint George Greek Orthodox Church Trenton where, together for Christ, we accomplished many goals including establishing two summer camps for our children and the church's beautification. Prior to my ministry, I worked for 15 years in the business world as an accountant and then an executive recruiter. I earned a B.S. in Business Administration from Seton Hall University, a Masters of Divinity from Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology and I did post graduate work in human resources at Rutgers University. I currently serve as treasurer/officer of the Archdiocesan Presbyters Council (APC). Presvytera Sophia is a Human Resources officer for a Public Relations firm in New York City and a graduate of Drew University. We have been very happily married for more than fifteen years.

I thank our spiritual leader, His Eminence Metropolitan Evangelos, for this assignment and I have asked for his and I seek your continued support and guidance. Please fervently pray for us as I will fervently pray for you and serve Christ through you. Be mindful that I am entrusted with your souls as your shepherd and my burden at times will be weary for me. I too will be mindful that as a family, at times, we will disagree or diverge in how to make our offerings of time, talent and treasure. This concern is to no avail for "Who can be against us when Christ is for us?" We are laboring for His Heavenly Kingdom and not our personal glory. A Greek Orthodox Christian parish is the Body of Christ, the Church Militant on earth, proclaiming, laboring, witnessing for Christ and His Church, while enduring the spiritual storms of a chaotic and fallen world. Jesus was sent to save His creation from the bondage of Satan and to usher in eternal life. Our awesome mission is divinely inspired but humanly expressed. Our labor broaches upon the eternal, although we, as God’s creation, are all too human and have a fleeting period of time to serve His Church.

I am certain that through God's Grace, your offering of time, talent and treasure we will bear much fruit in the Lord's vineyard. My family and I look forward to meeting each of you soon.

with paternal love in Christ,