On Wednesday, December 5, 2018, the annual New Year and Christmas Luncheon-Boutique organized by the Western Prelacy Ladies Auxiliary was held at Brandview Ballroom in Glendale under the auspices of H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate. This year’s Luncheon-Boutique was hosted by Prelacy and community sponsor Mrs. Alice Navasargian. The Prelate was joined by H.G. Bishop Torkom Donoyan, Vicar General, and Archpriest Fr. Nareg Pehlivanian. Among the guests in attendance were sponsors and members of the ARS Regional Executive, ARS chapters, parishes’ Ladies Guilds, and Prelacy supporters.
The program began with welcoming remarks and well wishes by Ladies Auxiliary member and MC Mrs. Sossy Guekguezian. The Prelate and clergy delivered the invocation, after which His Eminence conveyed his message.
“The reason, source, and foundation of the day’s celebration and festivities is the Lord Himself, and we must be ready to renew our faith journey and always praise the Lord for all His goodness and grace just as the angels proclaimed “Glory to God in the highest” at His Birth. The Lord gave us the gift of His love and peace, thus, it is our wish for peace and harmony to reign in the world, within our families, and in the life of our church and nation. The angels also proclaimed, “and on earth peace, goodwill toward men;” love, peace, and harmony are the most vital virtues, and we can only enjoy those virtues when we place our Lord above all, for selfishness blinds us to God’s glory and grace which are the source of peace and harmony.” The Prelate wished for 2019 to be a year which brings the fulfillment of dreams, a year of peace and harmonious collaboration, to collectively praise the Lord and reach new heights. He concluded by commending the Ladies Guild, thanking the sponsors and guests, and in particular expressing his appreciation to Mrs. Navasargian for her years of generous support.
Rose and Alex Pilibos School students, dressed in festive holiday attire, heartened the atmosphere with Christmas carols, as did a visit from Santa Claus and guest singer Kevork Hadjian, who was invited from Armenia to participate in the Prelacy’s 45th anniversary concert and celebration the following day.
Mrs. Guekgeuzian thanked Mrs. Navasargian for her $10,000 donation, briefly spoke about her generosity toward the Western Prelacy and community organizations, and invited her to the podium to receive a plaque of appreciation from the Prelate on behalf of the Ladies Auxiliary. Mrs. Navasargian thanked the Prelate and Ladies Auxiliary for the recognition.
Guests participated in a raffle drawing, proceeds of which will benefit charitable causes, and did holiday shopping at booths that were set up in the hall. The festive ambiance also moved gusts to make gracious donations.
