NEW YEAR'S EVE "REVELION"
31 December 2007
 

Friends and family said farewell to 2007 and welcomed 2008 with a wonderful night here at our Cultural Center. For many years, our parish hosted New Year’s Eve and came together to enjoy this special evening. We are happy that this tradition has been renewed for a second consecutive year!

Preparations began several weeks in advance, with menus, decorations, ticket sales and more. Some 400 people of all ages arrived in formal gowns and even tuxedos, to find the Cultural Center arrayed in white, with silver and cobalt blue accents. Candles and lights twinkled and set a mood of elegance that was immediately appreciated by our guests, who enjoyed a wonderful appetizer buffet from 7 to 9pm. Remarks of welcome and opening prayer were offered by Fr Laurence Lazar and Dn Sabin Pop. Guests applauded in appreciation for the food they were enjoying and the night that lay ahead. From 9pm, the main buffet offered a variety of traditional foods like sarmale, fresh sausage, vegetables, salad and more. Between courses, hundreds danced to the live music of Soloist Bogdan Filimon and his orchestra.

Just after 11pm, everyone was invited into the Cathedral for a special service of Thanksgiving for the year ending, and the new one we were welcoming. Hundreds of candles illuminated the church and a true sense of thanksgiving and Christian love filled the hearts and faces of those who knelt in prayer. Several guests commented on how moving it was to pray together as part of the special evening.

When guests returned to the Cultural Center the countdown to 2008 began, champagne corks popped while the orchestra sang “La mulţi ani” and everyone toasted their glasses and offered good wishes to one another. The dance floor immediately filled again, as others sampled the lavish dessert buffet in Metes Hall. Later, delicious ‘ciorba de perişoare’ (meatball soup) was served, and a special surprise performance by Mr Visarion Popa continued the tradition of the “Capra”, that danced and delighted the crowd.  Friends and family danced until the early hours of the morning, all in an elegant, respectful, family atmosphere that was much appreciated by everyone. It was another real example of “Cathedral hospitality” and Romanian family that I am very proud to call my own.

On behalf of myself personally, the parish and all who took part, I offer thanks to everyone who helped make “Revelion 2008” so memorable. In particular, profound thanks are extended to the following: Mrs Emilia Barbu (kitchen/food), assisted by Mrs Viorica Placinta, Mrs Goldie Kalugar and several kind ladies who responded to our appeal for help; to Mr Gheorghe Placinta, Mr Mike Kalugar Sr, and Mr Virgil Barbu; to Mr Gheorghe & Mrs Florica Babiciu (our wonderful caretakers) and Dorina Babiciu; to Mr Ion & Mrs Paraschiva Sinea and Livia Sinea; to Mrs Cezarina Hritcu (office secretary); Christine Placinta (table set up) and those young people who helped set the tables; Diana and Virgil Barbu Jr; Preoteasa Anita Lazar and Ana Lazar; Doina Magda, Dr Lynn Taylor, Draganel Magda, Luminita Nikodin, and everyone else who contributed to the success of New Year’s Eve 2008. Your patience, love and dedication will be rewarded – and may God bless our entire Cathedral family in the New Year. Anul Nou cu sănătate şi bucurie!

John E Lazar, Chairman

It was a noticeably younger crowd		The "capra" entertains a happy audience		Music & dancing filled the hall throughout the night
Some of the "Cathedral girls" who took part		View of the dessert buffet after midnight		Friends pause for a photo on the dance floor
A Thanksgiving Service was offered just before midnight				Faithful lit candles & prayed for the New Year