archived messages from Pete

Fall, 2005

Well, hello, hello.  How are all you wonderful people  doing?  For those of you who may not know me, my name is Pete, your new SF Metropolis Youth Director, and I’d like to welcome you to YOUR webpage—the official webpage for teenagers and GOYAns of the Metropolis of San Francisco. 

For those of you who have MySpace, you may be wondering why in the world you need another webpage.  That’s a very good question.  Why would you come to this webpage?  Well, for starters, we have pictures, and everyone loves pictures of themselves and their friends.  We don’t have as many as we’d like right now, but hopefully with your help, well get some more.  We’re looking for pictures of you guys at your Church events, so send me some; the goofier the better.

Speaking of Church events, this will be the place where you’ll be able to find out what the next big event coming up will be.  It’s also the place where you can learn more about other GOYA groups in the Metropolis.  I’d like to do a feature on the different GOYA’s so send me a profile of your group. 

On this webpage, you’ll also get messages from me, Phil and a priest.  Who’s Phil?  He’s a good guy.  That’s all you need to know.  Actually, many of you might know Phil from summer camp—he was a counselor for a few years.  He’s a very entertaining writer so be sure to check out his article and respond to him.  Also, be sure to check out Fr. Chris Flesoras’ message too.

Of course, you can count on a website like this to help you grow closer to God and God’s Church.  You see, all of you are baptized members of the Church.  What does that mean?  It means that you have been clothed with Christ (Galatians 3:27).  So, basically, it’s not just your shirts, jeans, shoes or make-up that you have on.  You also have put on Jesus.  We’re all about image in our society.  We care about what people think of us when they see us.  Well, when they see us, they should see Christ.  How can they see Christ?  Should we dress in robes and sandals?  No, of course not.  They should see Christ by the way we live!!!  They should see Christ by how we treat people, by helping the poor and the sick, by forgiving those who have hurt us and by loving our enemies.  When we do these things, people will see that we have been clothed with Christ.

If we live our life for Christ, we will experience difficulties, but we also can be assured that we will be resurrected in Him and inherit the Kingdom of Heaven.  However, just like an athlete needs to train to get that prize, we too need to get off our lazy spiritual butts and give a little effort.  Being like Jesus doesn’t automatically happen, and that’s why this website also has a “Spiritual Life” section—to help you become more Christ-like.  Be sure to check it out.     

Along with introducing the webpage, I’d like to introduce myself.  Many of you wonderful people already know me from having gone to St. Nicholas Ranch Summer Camp the past five years.  For those of you who didn’t go, I’m Pete, and as I mentioned already, I was recently appointed by our Metropolitan Gerasimos to be your new Metropolis Youth Director.  I’m 26 years-old. I love the Niners and the Cal Bears.  I like playing sports, particularly basketball and football.  My favorite movie is Rocky but I’m upset that Stallone is going to make another one.  I used to wrestle in high school and in college so don’t mess with me.  I particularly enjoy beating my brother in ping-pong, and in every other sport.  If you’re good at ping-pong let me know….I’d like to beat you too.  I went undefeated at camp (with one loss to Fr. Michael Prevas, but I had to let him win.  He’s a priest and his kids were watching him—it wouldn’t have been right, you know?)

Okay, enough of me; back to the webpage.  Bottom line: this webpage is for you.  It’s meant to help you deepen your relationship with your friends, with God and with the Church.  This webpage will never be complete.  I plan on adding new features, and I want you guys to contribute to it too.  I don’t want it to be just me, or just Phil, or just Fr. Chris.  I want this site to be about you, for you and done by you, so if you want to write something for this webpage, or you have a cool idea for a new feature, please, please, please, let me know.  You can contact me at: sfyouth@sanfran.goarch.org. 

All right guys, that’s it for now.  I’ll catch ya later.  Take care and God Bless! 

Sotiras out.