ARFORA

 


THE ASSOCIATION OF ROMANIAN ORTHODOX

LADIES AUXILIARIES OF NORTH AMERICA

(Founded 1938)

 

A.R.F.O.R.A. was initiated in 1938, by our first Bishop, His Grace Bishop POLICARP. Since then our purpose has been “to initiate and promote unity, cooperation and fellowship among the Ladies Auxiliaries of the Parishes and Missions under the jurisdiction of the Episcopate, and to contribute to the preservation and propagation of the Orthodox Faith through personal devotion and common projects.”

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 Projects & Scholarships

 

ARFORA PROJECTS

 

 ST. ELIZABETH PROJECT

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.

 

 

Executive Board Members 2023-2025

SPIRITUAL ADVISOR
Rev Fr Sabin Pop
1323 ASHBOURNE RD
ELKINS PARK PA 19027-2678
(248) 808-2465
sabinpop14[at]yahoo[dot]com

PRESIDENT
Lucy Pop***
1341 HILLSIDE RD
NORTHBROOK IL 60062
(708) 601-0006
lucypop53[at]yahoo[dot]com

VICE PRESIDENT
Louise Gibb**
1664 Tanglewood Dr
Youngstown OH 44505
(330) 550-0696
louisegibb[at]roadrunner[dot]com

SECRETARY 
Adela M. Price*
222 OCEAN PARK DR
NEW CASTLE PA 16105
(724) 652-4313 / (724) 202-9214
adelap[at]verizon[dot]net

ASSISTANT SECRETARY 
Mary D. Sankey
150 WOUGH AVE
NEW WILMINGTON PA  16142
(724) 652-0903 / (724) 730-9248
marysankey[at]verizon[dot]net

TREASURER
Adelina Balog**
764 S MITCHELL AVE
ELMHURST IL  60126
(630) 699-1072
adelina_balog[at]hotmail[dot]com

AUDITORS
Denisa Ilea*
228 PROSPECT AVE. 
WOOD DALE, IL 60191            
(Cell) (630) 290-5592
denisa_david[at]yahoo[dot]com

Liliana Bruckner
22481 CENTER RIDGE RD
ROCKY RIVER OH  44116
(216) 939-6157
Cispa77[at]aol[dot]com

 

MEMBERS AT LARGE


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 / Website
Joanna Tatomir
7150 COPPER CREEK CT
YPSILANTI MI 48197
(734) 262-4714
jtatomir[at]umich[dot]edu 

ARFORA Packets / Fundraising / Publications
Louise Gibb
1664 Tanglewood Dr
Youngstown OH 44505
(330) 448-6939
louisegibb[at]roadrunner[dot]com

Membership & Communication
Ioana Mihailescu 
11 N COUNTRY CLUB RD
DECATUR  IL 62521
(630) 303-0475
ioana1621[at]gmail[dot]com

Newsletter/Anniversary Letters
Psa. Daniela Nemes
5825 N MOZART
CHICAGO IL  60659
(248) 721-5259
danielaster[at]gmail[dot]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

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