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"Revered Fathers, Ladies and Gentlemen, It is my great honor and privilege this evening to welcome each of you to our Gala concert and dinner. I greet you with the most special greeting: Mir Bozji , Hristos se rodi ! The Peace of God, Christ is Born! Tonight's program is truly the crown of all the cultural events we have organized since our foundation more than a decade ago. We are especially blessed to have a distinguished and talented woman who will serve as Mistress of Ceremonies Lolita Davidovch. Lolita Davidovich has starred in over twenty feature films and numerous television shows. She has won the Best Film Actress award at the Tokyo Film Festival, and been nominated for two ACE awards for her work on HBO, as well as two GEMINI nominations, which is Canada's highest honor. {A selection of her feature credits includes September Dawn (208) Dark Blue (2002), Show in August (2001) Play it to the Bone (1999) Mystery, Alaska (1999) Gods and Monsters (1998) Intersection (1994) Cobb (1994) Younger and Younger (1993) JFk (1992) Object to Beauty (1990) Blaze (1989) A selection of television credits includes Curb Your Enthusiasm, Prison Stories, Criminal Minds, CSI, Monk, The Practice, and The Agency. I have been thinking about what words I can say to all of you tonight. And the only words that come to my mind are simple, humble and heartfelt: thank you. I most sincerely thank you for the tremendous love you have shown this parish, and for your dedication to the Eastern Orthodox faith. Millions of Christian churches and communities throughout the world have struggled for more than two thousand years to bear witness in various cultural and historical settings to Christ's birth, crucifixion and resurrection. We have been striving for the last eleven years to establish a spiritual and cultural center to bear the same witness. I can truly say that it has been an incredible blessing to be part of this most worthwhile endeavor. It has created in me a feeling beyond compare to share this blessing with each member and supporter of our Church. My sincere gratitude goes to every faithful member of our church starting with our children to whom we are leaving this legacy and extending to each one of you and further to those who were not able to join us tonight. Words are inadequate to thank the Board presidents, Board members, Choir members, KSS sisters, Altar servers and every person who has stepped through the door of our Church seeking salvation. For tonight's program, I am most especially grateful to the main guest, Artist Mr. Stefan Milenkovic , who is not only known as a world renowned Artist, but also recognized as the number one Artist in giving charitable concerts. Our Church and all of us here are truly honored and blessed to have him with us tonight. The main person deserving credit for bringing Stefan and for planning the whole program tonight is our own beloved member, and dedicated choir director, Professor Gorjana Zekic . She is truly multiplying her talents for the Glory of God and His Holy Church. I express my deepest gratitude to Professor Gorjana and each choir member, the best ambassadors of our Parish and our Community. Supporting our program and our cause tonight are two very gifted people Miss Minako Horimura , the pianist, and Kenneth Haro , the solo tenor. My special thank you to both of them. My deepest gratitude goes to our distinguished special guests tonight who need no introduction: Mr. Ron Shelton, the well known movie director; Lolita Davidovich , an award-winning actor; and Sasa Vujacich of the LA Lakers. All of them are dear friends and supporters of our Church. Without the ongoing efforts of our Board President, Zika Tatalovich , and of Radmila Rihter , the event Coordinator, who originated the idea for this event a few years ago, and all the Board Members and volunteers such an event could not happen. I thank you very much. Without our sponsors Mark and Hillary Radovic , Samo Toplak , all the contributors to the auction, all the clergy here and all of you present tonight our efforts would be in vain. Once again, I thank each and every one of you from the bottom of my heart, and I kindly ask you to keep Nativity of the Most Holy Theotokos Serbian Orthodox Church of Orange County in your prayers. We continually pray for the Holy Spirit to inspire us to be a loving and nurturing Christian Community. God bless you all, and may God grant you many, many years." Fr. Blasko |
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