Once again the combined efforts of 4 KOLO's Humanitarian Fund Mothers Against Hunger Banquet was hugely successful and well attended. Representatives of all four KOLO's (St. Sava - Merrillville, St. George - East Chicago, St. Elijah - Merrillville, and St. George - Schererville) planned and coordinated the annual fundraiser for Serbian orphans in the homeland. This year's host was St. Sava, Merrillville, and the banquet was held at St. Elijah's Hall. Milena Rudman was mistress of ceremonies for the event. Thanks to all the ladies who served, baked, set up, and cleaned up for this worthy cause. If you missed the banquet, donations can be sent to St. Sava Church, 9191 Mississippi St. Merrillville, IN 46410, checks payable to: Humanitarian Fund.

The Northwest Indiana Four Kolos will again sponsor the 18th Annual Humanitarian Relief Fund Banquet. This year's event will be hosted by the Circle of Serbian Sisters of St. Sava in Merrillville with the blessing of His Grace Bishop longin. The banquet will be held on Sunday, October 3, 2010, at 1:00 pm at St. Elijah Serbian Hall at 8700 Taft Street in Merrillville.

As in the past, the purpose of this banquet is to collect funds for distribution to the needy children of the Diaspora in all Serbian lands, and all proceeds from this event are distributed directly to those in need. Our program will include a performance by the combined choirs of NWI as well as presentations by Fr. Marko Matic and Nada Mlinarevich, last year's visitors to Serbia who distributed the funds.

We hope that you will join us for this humanitarian event. Our Serbian children still need your help, and your generosity will be greatly appreciated. If you cannot attend, please send your donation check payable to: Humanitarian Relief Fund, c/o St. Sava Church,  9191 Mississippi St., Merrillville, Indiana 46410.

We thank you in advance for your help and consideration.

Yours in Christ,

Very Rev. Dobrivoje Milunovic, St. George, Schererville

Rev. Marko Matic, St. Sava, Merrillville

Rev. Aleksandar Novakovic, St. Elijah, Merrillville

Rev. Sasa Savic, St. George, East Chicago

Kolo Presidents:

Milena Rudman, St. Sava, Merrillville

Milica Bodrozic, St. Elijah

Ljuba Rakonja, St. George, East Chicago

Mara Dobrijevic, St. George, Schererville

The Serbian Sisters celebrated their annual Christmas Luncheon at Innsbrook Country Club this past Sunday. After a busy and hugely successful year of hard work, it was time to sit back, relax, and let someone else do the cooking! This past year, the women made and sold 3500 strudels and nut rolls, thousands of palachinke, sarmas, and krofne, all to benefit their Church. The Sisters provided appetisers and desserts for many events, made gift baskets and visited the elderly and sick. Their commitment is unbelievable, and they keep going, starting at 7 a.m., and don't leave until all the dishes are put away. Their sore feet and tired backs don't discourage this group of women.

The following Sisters were presented rolling pins as a symbol of appreciation for their hard work and contributions during this exceptionally busy year:

Zorka Glumac, Danica Beslich, Rada Gasic, Mariola Rajkovich, Smilja Andrich, Radmila Milivojevic, Lillian Galich, Dragica Trikich, Vesa Wolanyk, Millie Moncilovich, Donna Nicolich, Polly Vrtikapa, and Beba Rudman.

Kathy Friedlander, Donna Erceg, and Mimi Orlich outdid themselves this year planning a wonderful Christmas Party. They had everyone up on their feet matching parts of Christmas cards, doing puzzles, and other of interactive games. Please join the Sisters next year. You'll have a great time!

Thank You to Donna Erceg for providing these wonderful photos!

Mirko Kljajic will host this Sunday's Luncheon immediately after Divine Liturgy.

Confession will start at 9:00 a.m., Sunday School at 9:45 a.m.

The Kolo ladies of our Serbian Sisters Circle will enjoy an afternoon of fun at their Annual Christmas Luncheon at Innsbrook Country Club, 6701 Taft St., Merrillville.

The Serbian Sisters Circle has a limited supply of apple, cheese, and cherry strudels for sale. See Milena Rudman Sunday at church, or call Snezana at the church office every morning at 736-9191 for pick-up. Milena will also be available at Badnje Vece. Take-and-bake strudels are priced at only $10, and are home made by our Kolo Sisters.

This 300 page cook book makes a wonderful holiday gift. Traditional Serbian food recipes including Lenten dishes are included in this collection of International favorites. Every book is gift-wrapped and can be ordered in Goods & Services with PayPal. Cook Books are also available in the Church office or in the Cultural Room (North Wing). Price: $15 plus $5 S&H. Order today for delivery before Christmas.

Ladies, you are cordially invited to attend a Christmas Luncheon sponsored by the Serbian Sisters on Saturday, December 6th at 12:30 p.m. at Innsbrook Country Club, 6701 Taft St., Merrillville. Please call Mimi Orlich (310-8044), Donna Nicolich (226-1758), or Kathy Friedlander (476-9193) as soon as possible for Reservations. Please bring a friend to this enjoyable event.

$20 per person

How about a quick and easy way to serve your guests a delicious treat this Thanksgiving  Holiday? St. Sava's Serbian Sisters have been busy peeling apples and stretching the dough. Nothing else compares to a strudel fresh out of the oven. Strudels are sold frozen and ready to bake. Nut Rolls are pre-baked, frozen, and ready to go. You'll be glad you have one handy when company arrives. Call in your order (219) 736-9191 or download this ORDER FORM BELOW and FAX it to (219) 736-7836. Order early, as quantities are limited. ORDER DEADLINE is November 12th. (Take an Order Form to work and share it with friends).

• Apple, Cherry, or Cheese Strudel (Frozen, Ready to Bake)     $10 each

• Nut Rolls  (Baked, Frozen-Ready to Eat)    $10 each
  

PICK-UP DATE is Saturday, November 22nd from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. at St. Sava Church, 9191 Mississippi St., Merrillville, in the South Wing Social Center. Contact person is Borka.........you can email your order to bgrimsgard@yahoo.com

Our dear Serbian Sisters Circle celebrated their Krsna Slava, the Venerable Mother Paraskeva. It has become a tradition for Ruth Ann Bjelopetrovich and Dan Sever to stand as Kumovi in honor of their beloved parents, Jagoda and Nick Sever. The children of our Sunday School presented a short program about the remarkable life and sacrifices of St. Paraskeva. This was their gift to the Serbian Sisters Circle, our special, hard-working women, the backbone of this Church. We were all treated to a great banquet and endless dessert table! Special guests included Sisters from nearby Church Kolos. Sretna Slava, Ladies!

If you can attend, please join the Sisters at Divine Liturgy Monday, October 27th. The names of all deceased members will be read during the Parastos. This long-held tradition is a very emotional and touching tribute to all the dear Sisters that have passed; generations of our Mothers, Grandmothers, Aunts, Kumas, Sisters, and Friends. May their Memories be Eternal.

(Click photo to enlarge)

St. Sava's Serbian Sisters Circle celebrates their Slava, St. Paraskeva, this Sunday, October 26th. Please attend the blessing and cutting of the Kolach and Banquet in the south wing following Divine Liturgy.  A  special presentation by the Sunday School children will honor the Patron Saint of our Kolo Sisters. The Kolo Sisters would also like to invite everyone to church on Monday, October 27th, where they will observe Parastos for all deceased members and reading of their names. Refreshments will follow.

The 4 Kolos, Serbian Sisters Circles of Northwest Indiana, invite you to attend the 16th Annual Mothers Against Hunger Humanitarian Banquet. This year's banquet will be hosted by St. George of East Chicago on Sunday, October 5th at 1:00 p.m. The Hall is located at 4021 Elm Street in East Chicago. The entire proceeds from this fund-raiser will benefit the refugees, orphans, sick, and elderly in Serbia and Kosovo. You will hear reports from members of the 4 Kolos who personally deliver the monies. Your generosity will impact the lives of many who are suffering the effects of war and poverty. If for any reason you cannot attend, donations can be given to a Kolo Officer or sent to any church office with the check made to: "Mothers Against Hunger".

St. Sava Church, 9191 Mississippi St., Merrillville, IN 46410

St. George Church, 905 E. Joliet St., Schererville, IN 46375

St. Elijah Church, 8700 Taft St., Merrillville, IN 46410

St. George Church, 4021 Elm St., East Chicago, IN 46312

This organized annual event comes from the hearts of Serbian Mothers who understand that innocent victims of war and poverty are usually children, the sick, and elderly. Please contribute to this very important  cause.

Our wonderful Serbian Sisters will prepare the first Sunday Luncheon in the newly remodeled south wing after Divine Liturgy this Sunday. There are many dates still available, so please call Snezana to reserve a date soon at 736-9191. You can buddy-up with a group of families, or your organization can host a luncheon. This fun gathering was very well attended in the past, and a great fund-raiser for the church and its organizations. Everyone is welcome to participate.