St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church

It's time to register your child for Sunday School Classes. Don't miss the opportunity to have your child participate in religious classes and many fun social events. Children will enjoy life-long friendships and memories from their experiences at our St. Sava Church. Parents, grandparents, and Kumovi should remember their responsibilities to providing a religious foundation for their children. The new St. Sava Learning Center is fully remodeled and stocked, and ready to receive the students. We are still looking for volunteer Substitute Teachers (Lesson Plans will be provided) and help for special events.

TEEN CLASSES: Teens (9th grade thru Seniors) will meet EVERY SUNDAY, and we are looking for more teachers at this level to take turns, one Sunday per month. This is an enjoyable class that touches on topics related to lifestyles and concerns of teens.

Registration is SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 14th at 9:45 a.m. in front of the Church Office in the north wing. The children should go directly to their classes, which start at 9:45 a.m. every Sunday. Please note that the new start time for class is 9:45 a.m. Fee is $25 for the first child, $10 for each additional student. For additional information or to volunteer, please call Gina Orlich at 462-2584.

Re-live the fun at this year's Serb Fest, Northwest Indiana's best ethnic festival. If you missed this year's event, visit us next year, always the first weekend in August. This annual fund raiser will help build facilities for future festivals and events on the Church grounds in Merrillville. Serb Fest is staffed by dedicated volunteers of all ages. The first day is always kicked off with the Golf Classic, followed by a Serbian Buffet, and the evening is filled with music, dancing, and of course, more great Serbian food. This 3-day event includes a Big Cash Raffle with a $25,000 Grand Prize, many live bands, and a Cultural Exhibit. Serb Fest Menu includes BBQ Lamb, Cevaps, Raznici, Sarma, Chicken, Palachinke, Krofne, Nut Rolls, Strudels of many flavors, and the fabulous Serbian Bakery! See you next year! Watch all 3 Slideshows in the VIDEO section to your right.

Helpful Hint: You can double-click on the arrow, go directly to YouTube, RE-START, and click on HIGH QUALITY for a better picture.

Jeff Samardzija's Aunt and Uncle, Cheryl and Mike Samardzija, have been walking for the Breast Cancer Cause for 5 years now. This is the second year that Jeff has shown his support for The Breast Cancer 3-Day Walk. Cheryl and Mike are hosting a RAFFLE: Jeff has signed T-Shirts, Banners, and Baseballs from Notre Dame, Daytona Cubs, and Chicago Cubs. This is your chance to win a piece of history! Show your support by purchasing a RAFFLE TICKET at this year's SERB FEST in the Cultural Display Area at St. Sava Church, 9191 Mississippi St., Merrillville, where the items will be ON DISPLAY. RAFFLE TICKETS are only $10, Winner need not be present. The Raffle Drawing will be held at Serb Fest on Saturday, August 2nd at 11 p.m. in the Main Tent. Remember, ALL ITEMS SIGNED BY JEFF SAMARDZIJA, the CHICAGO CUBS Newest Pitcher!

(Click photo to enlarge)

ST. SAVA SERBIAN FESTIVAL 2008 ENTERTAINMENT SCHEDULE

FRIDAY AUGUST FIRST: LOCATION TIME

T-RROMA TAMBURA NORTH TENT (golfers only) 2 – 6 PM

MISMO TAMBURA NORTH TENT 6 – 9 PM

DRINA TAMBURA NORTH TENT 9 – MIDNIGHT

SASA KUSEVIC SOUTH TENT 4 – 8 PM

NOCNA SMENA SOUTH TENT 8 – MIDNIGHT

SATURDAY AUGUST SECOND: LOCATION TIME

DUNAV TAMBURA NORTH TENT NOON – 4 PM

T-RROMA TAMBURA NORTH TENT 4 – 8 PM

DRINA TAMBURA NORTH TENT 8 – MIDNIGHT

SASA KUSEVIC SOUTH TENT NOON – 4 PM

JO-JO BLUES BAND SOUTH TENT 4 – 7 PM

ORKESTRA SUMADIJA SOUTH TENT 8 – MIDNIGHT

SUNDAY AUGUST THIRD: LOCATION TIME

DUNAV TAMBURA NORTH TENT NOON – 4 PM

MISMO TAMBURA NORTH TENT 4 – 8 PM

SASA KUSEVIC SOUTH TENT NOON – 4 PM

UNITED SERBS SOUTH TENT 4 – 8 PM

You could learn a lot from your Baba, Baba Mim, that is!

Mim Bizic has created a most wonderful website for an entertaining, yet educational Serbian experience. You'll learn something every time you visit babamim.com. Milana (Mim) is the daughter of Milan Karlo, now deceased, the talented photographer of the Observer Newspaper for many years. You can now brag about your Baba, the Apple Computer Expert. She has plenty of knowledge and pride in our Serbian History and Culture, so pay attention! (There's going to be quiz.)

This well - written Manual explains in detail the mysteries of Repentance and Communion, also offering Prayers for both before and after Communion. Commandments, Sins, and Virtues are also discussed in this 163 page soft - cover book prepared by the Very Rev. Father Jovan Todorovich. Written in both English and Serbian, it answers many questions you may have about Confession and Communion. Available for purchase in the Church entrance from Candle Sellers or buy it here online in Goods & Services for only $10 plus $4 Shipping & Handling.

Sunday's heat, fierce winds, and thunderstorms couldn't ruin this good time. The celebration of classes ending included indoor and outdoor games with prizes and even an ice cream sundae bar to help everyone cool down. The children did the Limbo, Hokey Pokey, played Musical Chairs, The Bucket Game, Bean Bag Toss, Balloon Games, and ran relays dressed as clowns. The competition was fierce for Musical Chairs, but Chris Orlich was victorious in a close race with Gorana Bilbija. Strategies were applied as some clowns got a little help from their friends, putting on overalls, shirt, gloves, and a wig. The biggest kid of all, Vinko, offered his talent as a DJ for the festivities. He sure knows how to get a party started. A few rounds of kolos, chachak, and Chicken Kolo were the perfect way to end a great time.

(Click photos to enlarge)

"Meet Me In St. Louis" was the theme for the annual Serbian Orthodox Choral Association (SOCA) Festival hosted by Holy Trinity Choir. The beauty of the city of St. Louis was captured in these photos taken by Mary Halfman.

(Click photos to enlarge)

The last day of the 2008 Sunday School season ended with a short awards ceremony at the end of services and a fun-filled day of outdoor games, activities, and a picnic-style lunch. All the students were congratulated for their participation in classes and programs during the past school year. Father Tom Kazich officiated the Liturgy and gave each student a keepsake bookmark.

Students with at least 90% attendance were presented an Award Certificate. Their names are: Luci Woldt (Pre-school), Bojan Bilbija & Milena Matic (K & 1st), Dusan Matic, Alexis Orlich, Bosa Woldt (2nd & 3rd), Gorana Bilbija & Karen Friedlander (4th & 5th), Michael Friedlander & Susan Friedlander (6th, 7th, & 8th). Many other students received Certificates for 50% or more attendance.

Congratulations to all the children, teachers, and parents for their patience and commitment this past school year!

The excitement built up to the Championship games played Sunday afternoon at Purdue Calumet. Sunday evening concluded 4 exciting days of games, music, dancing, and socializing. St. Elijah Cathedral's hard working volunteers handled the huge crowds efficiently, serving up countless meals and drinks throughout the long weekend. Everyone had a great time, and all the players made new friends. Early Sunday evening, trophies were awarded in various categories, including Sportsmanship, All-Stars, and the winning and runner-up teams. This year's Senior Men's Winning Team is Cevap Amigos. Congratulations to all players, St. Elijah, Nick Beader, Mico Stojic, and the SNF for continuing the tradition of the historic Serb National Federation Basketball Tournament. See you next year in Lansing, Illinois.

A complete list of winners will be posted as soon as we receive the info. from the SNF. Send us your photos and videos of games or events to: stsavachurch@gmail.com    We'd be happy to share them. (Click photos to enlarge)

There's still time to order this wonderful Cook Book offered by our Serbian Sisters, filled with classic recipes for traditional meals, salads, and desserts. Many tasty Lenten recipes are also included. This 300 page spiral bound book covers everything from appetizers, punch, and palachinke, to breads, jello's, and hearty stews. It will remind you of the delicious meals that Baba used to make just for you!

Many of the Kolo Sisters who submitted the recipes published have long since been deceased, but we have still published their names on our monthly listings. It's a small way of honoring them and stimulating warm, loving thoughts of the memories they left behind.

Order the Cook Book for only$15 plus $5 Shipping & Handling in Goods & Services. We'll send it out by Priority Mail and can send it directly to you or Mom. We'll gift-wrap it with a Mother's Day theme absolutely FREE. Use your credit card to purchase it online with PayPal.

What a pleasant surprise it was to hear the young voices sing "Hristos Voskrese", a very long and difficult song to learn. Under the direction of Dr. Kim Simic, the children seem to enjoy the challenge as they master the lyrics (some of the kids can't even read yet). We are so very proud of them and fortunate to have wonderful Sunday School teachers as well as Kim to teach our children.

Church was filled to capacity on the day we celebrate the Resurrection of Christ. Read Father Marko's interview in The Times newspaper Saturday's edition. The Sunday School children were treated to an Easter Egg Hunt on the north lawn, and then they surprised us all by singing "Hristos Voskrese" right before the Church Board passed out colored eggs. As you will see in the photos, this was a very special day enjoyed by everyone.

(Click photo to enlarge)

Stojanka Radulovic was kind enough to send us her photos and a wonderful Thank You for all the hospitality extended to Sumadija Folklore Group from Whitby, Ontario, Canada. We're glad they made it home safely and enjoyed their visit and new friendships. What a wonderful way for all the dancers to get to know each other.

(Click photo to enlarge)

Watch the 50 minute clip from the 2-hour Serb Fest 2006 DVD on Google Video. The mini-museum was put together by volunteers Milan & Roz Opacich, Ted Erceg, and Paul & Xenia Jancarich. This presentation was too lengthy to post on Youtube, so we chose to host it on Google Video.

You can purchase the complete 2 hour DVD in Goods & Services, including the Church overview, sounds of Karageorge, Milan's retirement performance, and musical highlights from MLADA SRBADIJA and DRINA. The proceeds from the DVD sale will benefit our future cultural display room and library in the north wing. Now grab some popcorn and follow the link:

Museum Tour with Milan Opacich from Serb Fest 2006.

SERB FEST celebrates Serbian heritage and culture: three wonderful days of music, dancing, and delicious food. Highlights include a MLADA SRBADIJA reunion and Milan Opacich's retirement performance with DRINA. Join Milan for a narrated tour of this year's mini-museum, a display of musical instruments and historical artifacts.