THE ASSOCIATION OF ROMANIAN ORTHODOX
LADIES AUXILIARIES OF NORTH AMERICA
(Founded 1938)
The role of A.R.F.O.R.A. has been a vital part in the life of the Episcopate and in the local Parishes. It is the women who are called upon to share our time, talents and dedication towards spiritual growth of the Church. We are depended upon to bring the Orthodox Faith to a real and personal level in the lives of our families. By working together we can expand our Faith into the communities, help the less fortunate, assist in religious education, provide opportunities for Retreats, and generate resources for the maintenance and growth of our Episcopate. Only as an organized group can we meet the challenges in today’s society.
The aim of A.R.F.O.R.A. is to bring the women together to fully participate in the life of the Church, and to speak out as the voice of the women in the Episcopate. With God’s guidance all our efforts will be accomplished.
ARFORA Documents
- ARFORA By-Laws: English / Romanian
- ARFORA Guide Book: English / Romanian
- ARFORA Pamphlet: We are ARFORA / Noi suntem ARFORA
- ARFORA Booklet: Let's Talk Abuse / Să vorbim despre Abuz
- The 2021 ARFORA National Congress Convocation: CLICK HERE
ARFORA Projects & Scholarships
ARFORA PROJECTS
ST. ELIZABETH PROJECT
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As a way to remember the work and dedication of the widowed Preotese (priest wives) of the Episcopate, each year, A.R.F.O.R.A. sends each of them a greeting card and small monetary gift at Christmas, Pascha (Easter) and the Feast of St. Parascheva. Please continue to pray for these exceptional women who sacrificed much together with their husbands in service to Christ and His Church. |
ST. PARASCHEVA PROJECT
In an effort to assist with the missionary outreach of the Episcopate, each ladies auxiliary is invited to hold at least one fundraiser during the year, the profits from which they are asked to send to the Episcopate's Department of Missions to be used to support the needs of newly-forming parishes across the country. The funds go toward religious objects for the holy services, service books, clergy vestments, and supplementing clergy salaries where needed.
"SHARE THE WEALTH" PROJECT
Recognizing our call to Christian stewardship and sharing the talents and blessings given to us by God, A.R.F.O.R.A. invites ladies auxiliaries to "Share the Wealth" by holding a fundraiser and sending A.R.F.O.R.A. a percentage of the profits. A.R.F.O.R.A., in turn, contributes a percentage of the portion they receive to an annually designated charitable cause. This year we decided to contribute to “Vatra Generation” project.
INFORMATION BROCHURES
Caring for the needs and concerns of women, physically as well as spiritually, A.R.F.O.R.A. has developed informational brochures in both the English and Romanian languages concerning such topics as prayer and cancer.
GREAT LENT RETREATS
Recognizing the importance that all women have opportunities for spiritual nourishment, A.R.F.O.R.A. established that a spiritual retreat should be hosted by parishes/auxiliaries in each geographic area (or Deanery where convenient) on the Fifth Saturday of Great Lent each year. These events are usually open to all women, and even men in many cases, and everyone is encouraged to participate in them.
SCHOLARSHIPS
A.R.F.O.R.A./MARTHA GAVRILA SCHOLARSHIP FOR WOMEN
The A.R.F.O.R.A./Martha Gavrila Scholarship for Women is offered to women in post-graduate studies. It was established in memory of Mrs. Martha Gavrila, long-time president of A.R.F.O.R.A. who worked tirelessly for the Episcopate and Vatra Românească. The first scholarship was awarded at the 1985 A.R.F.O.R.A. Congress held at St. Mary Church in Chicago, Illinois. The sum of $1000.00 may be awarded annually to a selected student.
CLICK HERE to download the Application Form & Requirements.
A.R.F.O.R.A. UNDERGRADUATE SCHOLARSHIP FOR WOMEN
The A.R.F.O.R.A. Undergraduate Scholarship for Women was offered for the first time in 1994. A scholarship of $1000.00 may be awarded annually to selected students who have successfully completed their first year of an undergraduate program.
CLICK HERE to download the Application Form & Requirements.
A.R.F.O.R.A. HELEN MUNTEAN EDUCATION SCHOLARSHIP FOR WOMEN
The A.R.F.O.R.A. Helen Muntean Education Scholarship for Women is a scholarship of $1000.00 that may be awarded annually to women who are working toward a career in teaching.
CLICK HERE to download the Application Form & Requirements.
SPIRITUAL ADVISOR
Rev Fr Sabin Pop
1323 ASHBOURNE RD
ELKINS PARK PA 19027-2678
(248) 808-2465
sabinpop14[at]yahoo[dot]com
PRESIDENT
Ioana Mihailescu***
11 N COUNTRY CLUB RD
DECATUR IL 62521
(630) 303-0475
ioana1621[at]gmail[dot]com
VICE PRESIDENT
Psa. Daniela Nemes**
5825 N MOZART
CHICAGO IL 60659
(248) 721-5259
danielaster[at]gmail[dot]com
SECRETARY
Denisa Ilea*
228 PROSPECT AVE.
WOOD DALE, IL 60191
(630) 290-5592
denisa_david[at]yahoo[dot]com
ASSISTANT SECRETARY
Rodica Babut
7369 MANOR CIR
WESTLAND MI 48185
(734) 536-2521
ioanrodica[at]yahoo[dot]com
TREASURER / IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT
Lucy Pop**
1341 HILLSIDE RD
NORTHBROOK IL 60062
(708) 601-0006
lucypop53[at]yahoo[dot]com
AUDITORS
Denisa Ilea
228 PROSPECT AVE.
WOOD DALE, IL 60191
(630) 290-5592
denisa_david[at]yahoo[dot]com
Cornelia Merchant*
427 S BROAD ST
GRIFFITH IN 46319-3132
(219) 545-1925
corneliam[dot]merchant[at]icloud[dot]com
MEMBER AT LARGE
Parascovia Concannon
3710 LUKENS LN
HATBORO PA 19040
(215) 834-8917
parascovia76[at]gmail[dot]com
St Paraschiva Missions
Andreea Ghetu
7108 ENFIELD AVE
CHICAGO IL 60053
(773) 943-0215
andreeaghetu[at]yahoo[dot]com
St. Elizabeth Project
Dorina D Riscutta
23468 Lorain Rd #312
North Olmsted OH 44070
(440) 777-0862
driscuttad[at]yahoo[dot]com
Scholarships
Pasha Bortnova
5886 CARLSON ST
SHOREVIEW MN 55126-4601
(612) 298-9066
pbortnova[at]gmail[dot]com
ARFORA Packets / Fundraising / Publications
Louise Gibb
1664 Tanglewood Dr
Youngstown OH 44505
(330) 550-0696
louisegibb[at]roadrunner[dot]com
Communication & Public Relations
Psa. Elena Cautis
18405 W 9 MILE RD
SOUTHFIELD MI 48075
(310) 415-9772
luci_kl[at]yahoo[dot]com
Newsletter/Anniversary Letters
Psa. Mihaela Balanean
27341 DAWSON ST
DEARBORN HEIGHTS MI 48127
(313) 454-7850
mihaelabalanean@yahoo.com
Retreats
Andreia Filip
360 S OTT AVE
GLEN ELLYN IL 60137
(847) 757-6741
andreiafilip[at]kw[dot]com
***Ex-Officio Church Congress Delegate
**Church Congress Delegates
*Church Congress Alternates