20th Anniversary Commemorative Booklet St. Nicholas Orthodox Church

1St. Nicholas Orthodox Church • 20th Anniversary Commemorative Booklet
St. Nicholas Orthodox Church
20th Anniversary Commemorative Booklet
1989-2009
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2 St. Nicholas Orthodox Church • 20th Anniversary Commemorative Booklet

Thanks to God,
thanks to Saint Nicholas,
and
thanks to all of you
for twenty wonderful years
at Saint Nicholas Church.
God grant us many more!
with love in Christ our God,
Father Bill and
Khouria Dianna
Table of Contents
Letter from Bishop ANTOUN . . . . . . 4
Letter from Bishop MARK . . . . . . . . . 5
About St. Nicholas School . . . . . . . . 7
Letter from Our Church School . . . . . 8
St. Ignatius Society Members . . . . . 12
Parish Council Members . . . . . . . . . 13
The St. Nicholas Factor . . . . . . . . . . 14
May their Memory Be Etermal! . . . . 15
G
reetings in Christ! God has truly blessed us in our first 20 years. This booklet includes just a few highlights
from the past, and is dedicated to the biggest blessing of all, the future: our children. Please enjoy the
artwork of a few of them, two articles about the wonderful work of our St. Nicholas Church School, which is
a living legacy of founders Joan and John Philosophos—may their memory be eternal—as well as our current school
directors: Marina Huff, Kim Mamamlakis and Mary Beth Newhouse, and their staff. Heed words of wisdom about
“the St. Nicholas Factor” from founder and former treasurer, Vicky Shinners. Many thanks to the committee who
put together our celebration, our Council for their support, and our many advertisers who have generously helped
underwrite the cost of this wonderful celebration. I also wish to deeply and humbly apologize to those whom we were
unable to include, as contributors for artwork or articles, in photographs, in acknowledgements, or in any way. Please
know you are as important to our congregation as anyone. May we all continue to obey Christ’s new commandment
and be His true disciples, loving one another as we have these first twenty years, for ages unto ages. Amen.
With Love In Christ,
Laurel A. Kashinn
From the Editor . . .

THE MOST REVEREND ARCHBISHOP OF NEW YORK AND
METROPOLITAN PHILIP METROPOLITAN OF ALL NORTH AMERICA
THE RIGHT REVEREND THE BISHOP OF THE DIOCESE OF TOLEDO
BISHOP MARK AND THE MIDWEST
AND
ASSISTANT TO THE METROPOLITAN
“...the Disciples were called Christians first in Antioch!” ACTS 11:26
The Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America
The Diocese of Toledo and the Midwest
2656 Pemberton Drive, Toledo, OH43606
Tel. (419) 535-1390 * Fax (419) 535-7999
Website: www.antiochian.org/midwest * Email: Mutron.Mark@Sbcglobal.net
October 5, 2009
The V. Rev. William and Kh. Dianna Olnhausen
St. Nicholas Antiochian Orthodox Christian Church
N65 W6503 Cleveland St
Cedarburg, WI 53012
Dear Fr. Bill and Kh. Dianna,
Christ is in our midst! He is and ever shall be! First of all, I want to thank you for
your years of sacrifice and service to the One, Holy, and Orthodox Church over
the last twenty years. I am deeply grateful for your ministry and the sacrifices you
and your family have made to establish and maintain the vibrant community of
Saint Nicholas. The hospitality and diversity of the entire community is a testa-
ment to your graciousness and pastoral care for all people.
May our Lord continue to look down from Heaven and visit and establish and per-
fect this vine which He hath planted with His own right hand through your capa-
ble ministry. I ask the Lord also to grant good health and many years to you, and
the faithful of Saint Nicholas, and that He continue to bring healing and whole-
ness to those whom He brings across your pathway.
Your unworthy father in Christ,
+ Bishop Mark
Welcome, Your Grace!

Welcome, Your Grace!

Congratulations to
St. Nicholas Parish
and Father Bill on your
20th Anniversaries!
God grant you many,
many years!
The Elchert Family
Rick, Veronica, Jake,
Benjamin & Audrey
W
May God Bless You
for Your Dedication,
Devotion, Love and
Honesty to Your
Entire
Congregation.
With Much Love
and Respect,
Stan and Virginia Stacey
Congratulations to
St. Nicholas Parish and
Father Bill on
your
20th Anniversaries!
God grant you many,
many years!
Lou & Kathy Chambers
Stand firm in the counsel
of your heart, for no one
is more faithful to you
than it. —WSir 37:13
Congratulations Father
Bill and St. Nicholas
parishioners on your 20th
Anniversary!
Tony, Cheryl, Lauren &
Nicole Haska

St. Nicholas, bless our
children and guide them
to grow and share their
love for God and the
Orthodox Church.
Current & Past
Parish Councils
About St. Nicholas School
by Father Bill Olnhausen
Here we teach the Orthodox faith. Our youth
can learn everything else imaginable, good
and bad, out there, but here is where they learn
Orthodoxy.
1Most important, they learn by worshiping, by
being at Divine Liturgy. This above all is where
they pick up spirit of Orthodox Christianity, even
when they’re not paying attention. This is where
you pick up spirit of Orthodox Christianity, even
when you’re not paying attention! Because what
is Orthodoxy? “Right glory”, right worship of God.
Parents, your children need to be at Liturgy.
2Our youth learn from formal teaching —
and, as I say, where else will our kids learn the
Orthodox faith and how to practice it?
I know it’s hard to get your children here every
Sunday. But consider how much time they spend
learning other things and how little time we have to
teach them the Orthodox faith. Kim and Marina and
Mary Beth and their staffs pour their hearts into this,
and they do a really good job. Look at our youth
and their devotion to the Church! They deserve
your support.
Please see the article from our school
director on page 8 that provides further insight into
what St. Nicholas School is about.

Mrs. Huff presenting a lesson in the Fellowship hall.
SaintNi
cholas Church
School

Congratulations 2009 Midwest
Bible Bowl Champions!
Anna Treptow, Nicole Haska,
Lydia Newhouse, Abe Newhouse,
and coach, Mary Beth Newhouse,
SOYO Advisor
We are blessed with the spiritual education available to us here at St. Nicholas. The Holy Spirit who descends during Liturgy, Father’s
sermons, our dedicated teachers—all combine to touch the hearts and minds of our children. On October 4, 2009, children
second grade and older began to sing in the choir. The following is an excerpt from a letter to parents from our church school director,
summarizing how the children were prepared for this service. “Wow! I want to go back to Sunday school,” said Vicky Shinners, 87, who
happened to overhear the instruction. The children heard, too, and are doing their best. Please encourage them. Many parents report that
their children love church so much, they ask their parents to bring them—a real testament to our spiritual education program.
“St. John Chrysostom said that we fill our children with the sacraments which, like a
thick bark, envelops them, so when they leave us, they will have that protection.”
SINGING IN THE CHOIR
We had a small talk with the children about singing in the choir
and discussed the following:
1. Singing in the church choir is a little complicated. Sheila
Barber has the task to learn and conduct the choir with each
week’s new hymns while keeping the Divine Liturgy flowing
with Father Bill. It is really an honor to be sitting up front.
(Our little guys are eager to sing. Usually, that interest wanes
as they grow older, so as a long as they are willing to be
involved we will encourage that.)
2. Singing in the church choir is not a performance like a regular
school choir. It is meant to be a form of prayer. We sing as
a group. We try not to sing louder than those around us and
Sheila will guide us if she needs us to sing louder or quieter.
3. All are welcome to sing even if they arrive late, but please
make an effort to be on time especially since we have been
given such a great opportunity.
4. The service, of course, is long. Our kids will be able to sit
any time the congregation sits - at least we will start out with
that goal.
PERSONAL AND GROUP PRAYER
Last week over snack, we learned about the two types of
prayer; personal and group (sometimes called,”corporate”)
prayer. We talked about the specific prayers we use,
(The Lord’s Prayer - given to us by Christ himself) the
Jesus Prayer (addressing Christ, Himself) the prayers to the
Holy Spirit (O Heavenly King, Comforter, etc.) and those that
encompass all three (Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal).
We learned how the title “All Mighty” when referring to Christ is
also the icon depicted in most Orthodox churches in the center
of the church on the ceiling called the Pantokrator —“Ruler
of All”—directly translated “All Mighty” which is Christ alone
holding the Gospel. Our parish has always hoped that after our
new Iconostasis is built that someday a Pantokrator Icon would
be part of our church.
We use our personal prayers before bed, in the morning, before
a meal, and anytime we feel we need to pray. Our group prayers
are said during our church services. We intentionally memorize
the prayers the church gives us because we know they work and
sometimes we need to rely on the familiar prayers to stay focused.
At any time, especially if we are really sick and cannot pray,
we need only to call on the name of Jesus, which in itself, is so
powerful. We discussed that our personal prayers can deviate from
those that we memorize, especially if we find our prayers becoming
too robotic and impersonal. We explained that between the two
types of prayer, St. Macarius writes, “Concerning prayer in church,
know that it is higher than prayers at home, for it is raised by a whole
group of people, among which many are most pure prayers, offered
to God from humble hearts, which he accepts as fragrant incense.”
Abba Macarius also responded when asked how one should
pray, that “There is no need at all to make long discourses, it is
enough to stretch out one’s hands and say, ‘Lord as you will, and
as you know have mercy.’ And if the conflict grows fiercer say ‘Lord
help!’ He knows very well what we need and shows His mercy.”
As parents we must instill the habit of prayer and attendance
at the services. It is these good habits that the children will
remember when they grow up. St. John Chrysostom said that
we fill our children with the sacraments which, like a thick bark,
envelops them so when they leave us and have to find their way
on their own, they will have that protection. Those sacraments—
Communion, Holy Unction, and Confession—in addition to
regular prayer are the bark that St. John refers to.
Our lives are so busy but so much of what happens to our
children is out of our control. We can guide them to the best
of our abilities, but at some point it is our prayers that protect
them. If we can pray daily without fail, God will have no choice
but to hear our pleas and protect our dear children. The prayers
are simple and easy to recite. I find the struggle is not in reciting
the prayers but stopping my day for 5 minutes. If you have any
interest to pray [a special Akathist for children] now or in the
future, please let me know. This is not just for mothers.
Thank you again for trusting us with your children. They are
really delightful. Until Sunday, In Him, —Marina

Congratulations to St. Nicholas Parish and Father Bill on your
20th Anniversaries! God grant you many, many years!
Our family would like to extend our sincerest best
wishes and congratulations to the Parish and to
Father Bill on this joyous occasion.
God grant you many, many years!
Vicky Shinners
The Kashinn Family
The Van Veghel Family
The Kasprzak Family
The Mueller Family

Congratulations to St. Nicholas Parish and
Father Bill on your 20th Anniversaries from
your friends at
Memory Eternal
Father Bill and the Deacon John McQuide—
memory eternal—enjoying coffee and conversation
at the Java House, circa 1999.

W
Congratulations to Fr. Bill
and St. Nicholas Church
on your 20th Anniversaries!
We always remember you in
our thoughts and prayers,
as St. Nicholas is the church
where we were “born” into
the Orthodox faith.
With Much Love in Christ,
Fr. Ignatius, Kh. Maria,
Hannah, Lizzy, Katie and Josiah
Valentine
Congratulations
to Father Bill and
St. Nicholas Church on
your 20th Anniversaries!
God grant you many,
many years!
With Love in Christ,
Sts. Constantine and Helen
Greek Orthodox Church
√
Congratulations to St. Nicholas Parish
and Father Bill
Mary Terry Kohler

St. Ignatius Society at St. Nicholas
On a February night in 1995 when the Bishop visited St. Nicholas,
Eddie Koury, sponsored by Father Bill, became the first member
of St. Ignatius. Four years later, Bishop ANTOUN visited St. Nicholas,
and more faithful became members.
And here they are!
From left, back row: Arthur Nimmer, Father Bill Olnhausen, Zoe Ganos, Jim Spice,
Dr. Salim Shammo. Front row: Mary Kachyeanos, Jean Koury, Eddie Koury, Dr. Tom
Grossman, Vicky Shinners. Not pictured: Julia Werner.

Parish Council, 2009. From left to right, back row: Suheil Acra, Mike Huber, Father Bill, Lew Herro. Front row:
Michael Jammal, Cheryl Haska, Lina Kassees. Not shown: Fritz Usinger, Sheila Barber, and Dori Panagis.

Memory Eternal!
Duane Newhouse
Husband to Mary Beth
Father to Elizabeth,
Katherine, Luke, Lydia
Abraham
“May God watch between you and
me when we are absent from one
another.” Genesis 31:49
May God continue
blessing our young community
for many more scores of years!
Mary Alex
and in Memory of Anna Alex
Our family would like to
extend our sincerest best
wishes and congratulations
to the parish and to
Father Bill on this joyous
occasion. God grant you
many, many years!
Subdeacon Henry, Laella
and Patrick Shirley
St. Nicholas was working, creating
a new mission with a small
group of converts and a tiny group
of cradle Orthodox. He covered
all areas, beginning with Fr. Wm.
Olnhausen and Khouria Dianna. We
all walked with faith in our beginning.
We were a handful of people joined
together as a family in this mission, and the income of this
mission began with all of us tithing. We built this church with
love, prayer, and giving.
I came from Annuciation Greek Orthodox Church where
I worked so hard at bazaars and dinners to raise money. For
years, I worked so hard raising money, I forgot to pray.
Do not forget how little miracles were always there for this
church. We called it “The St. Nicholas Factor.” Give with your
heart and it will come back, doubled. We double-tithed from
the very beginning. Even when we had almost nothing, we gave
to support our archdiocese and we gave to charities. Always. It
came back to us in many, many ways.
For years I had been praying for the Orthodox liturgy in
English. I thought it would take a miracle. After seeing the
ordination of Father Bill, I went home and fell on my knees
and thanked God and prayed for help to see us grow. The
miracle was the love and the prayer and the giving. As we
grow, remember to love, to pray, and to give. Do not get so
consumed by money concerns that you ever forget to pray.
Always remember that our miracle-worker, St. Nicholas,
brought us here together as a family. He helped us grow in
our first 20 years, with love and prayer and giving. May we
continue to grow and to stay a family, remembering that the
“St. Nicholas Factor” will take care of the money. With love
and prayer and giving, God will provide.
The St. Nicholas Factor
by Vicky Shinners, Founder Former Treasurer

Congratulations to
St. Nicholas Parish and Fr. Bill
Constance Janis
The Lord Bless you and keep you!
Congratulations on celebrating your
20th Anniversary! We love you all!
Jim Evie Spice
Shanon, Lucy Charlotte
Blessings to you all!
Reider Eleni Hoff
Our family extends
our most sincere
best wishes and
congratulations
to the parish and to
Father Bill on this
joyous occasion. God
grant you many, many
years!
Paul Ebeling
Sts. Constantine and Helen
Greek Orthodox Church
“When you are insulted by someone or
humiliated, guard against angry thoughts,
lest they arouse a feeling of irritation, and
so cut you off from love and place you
in the realm of hatred. You should know
that you have been greatly benefited
when you have suffered deeply because of
some insult or indignity; for by means of
the indignity self-esteem has been driven
out of you.” —From St. Maximos the Confessor
The Philokalia Vol. 2; Faber and Faber pg. 56
W
Congratulations
to St. Nicholas Parish
and Father Bill on your
20th Anniversaries!
God grant you many,
many years!
Father Gregory and Matuska
Elizabeth Madlom; and
St. Herman of Alaska Orthodox
Chapel (OCA) West Bend
Congratulations Best wishes!
—Fr. Gregory Buss

Congratulations to
St. Nicholas Parish and Father Bill
With love in Christ,
Markos Angelica Mamalakis
Our family would like
to extend our most
sincere best wishes and
congratulations to the
parish and to Father Bill
on this joyous occasion.
God grant you many,
many years!
Mitchell Diane Ticoras
W
Congratulations to St.
Nicholas Parish and
Father Bill on your 20th
Anniversaries! God grant
you many, many years!
Fr. Alexis Sandra Fedec
Family
Pleasant Prairie, WI

Congratulations to
St. Nicholas Parish and Fr. Bill
Tara Wisdorf
Congratulations to
St. Nicholas Parish and Fr. Bill on
Bill Shepherd
Our family would like to extend our
best wishes on this joyous occasion.
May the parish continue to grow
and prosper.
John and Loretta Krenitsky
Our family extends our
most sincere best wishes
and congratulations to the parish and to
The Haddad Family

and Father Bill
on your
20th Anniversaries!
Mary Chris Tsoris
c c
and Father Bill on your 20th Anniversary!
pediatric healthcare
20611 WATERTOWN RD., WAUKESHA, WI 53186
FAYE E. MANSOUR-SHAMMO, M.D.
MARY C. DONOVAN, M.D.
DAVID J. PIKNA, M.D.
DENNIS J. SARAN, M.D.
www.pediatrichealthcare.us (262) 798-1810

Congratulations
to St. Nicholas Parish and Fr. Bill
David L. Luhrssen
Congratulations to
St. Nicholas Parish and Fr. Bill on
The Usinger Family
The Lord Bless you and
keep you! Congratulations
on celebrating your 20th
Anniversary! We love you all!
With Love in Christ, Rev. Mann
We would like to extend our sincerest best
wishes and congratulations to the parish!
We hope you will remember us in your prayers
as we will keep you in ours.
We are a full service company that will give you
the best service possible. Our staff is constantly
working on new creative designs as well as
providing professional services all year long
from great horticultural designs, weed control,
fertilization, pruning, plant maintenance, new
plantings, innovative patio and hardscape designs,
water features, decorating for the holidays and
snow removal.
If you are interested in any of these services
contact us and one of our staff will come out to
the property, estimate the job, and send you a
proposal in the mail.
Thank you for the opportunity
to share in your celebration.
Our family extends our
most sincere best wishes
and congratulations to the parish and to
Pam Dick Grote

Congratulations to
St. Nicholas Parish and Father Bill
Sartori Reserve award-winning artisan cheese is available at
retailers across the country, including:
Larry’s Market, 8737 N. Deerwood Dr., Milwaukee
Sendiks, 2195 1st Avenue, Grafton
Layton Fruit Market, 1838 E Layton Ave, Milwaukee
Sendiks, 8616 West North Avenue, Wauwatosa
Outpost Natural Foods, 205 W Highland Ave, Milwaukee
Sendiks, 500 East Silver Spring Drive , Whitefish Bay
Outpost Natural Foods, 2826 S Kinnickinnic Ave, Milwaukee
Sendiks, 10930 N. Port Washington Road, Mequon
Outpost Natural Foods, 100 E Capitol Dr, Milwaukee
West Allis Cheese Sausage Shoppe, 6832 W Becher St, West Allis
Outpost Natural Foods, 7000 W State St, Milwaukee
Order Online at www.sartorireserve.com

Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands.
Serve the Lord with gladness;
come before His presence with singing.
know ye that the Lord He is God;
it is He that hath made us, and not we ourselves;
we are His people, and the sheep of His pasture.
Enter into His gates with thanksgiving,
and into His courts with praise;
be thankful unto Him, and bless His name.
For the Lord is good; His mercy is everlasting;
and His truth endureth to all generations.
Psalm 100
Chris and Lesa Potos

Celebrate Your Next Event
Perfect for
* Reunions
* Anniversaries
* Birthdays
* Weddings
* Special Events
* Fundraisers
* Businesses
* Festivals
* Groups
* Cruises
* Schools
* Causes
* Bands
Located in Cedarburg in back of Echo Plaza 262.376.7777 . lkashinn@danceartfx.com
The theme and artwork for the Yianoplis Family Reunion reflected our
Greek roots as well as the musical and theatrical talents shared by many
in the family, who enjoyed a musical jam session together at Blue Harbor.
Let Tony design a cool t-shirt for your family reunion, event, or group!
Congratulations St. Nicholas and Father Bill
God grant us all many years!
with Fun Custom T-Shirts, Bags and More
Coming soon, in time for Christmas:
St. Nicholas Christmas Shirts
Bag Designs—a fundraiser for the church
Custom T-Shirts Gifts
➤

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God grant you all many more fruitful years!

20th Anniversary Commemorative Booklet St. Nicholas Orthodox Church

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