On Sunday, May 27th, while George and Nancy Plantus attended our Pentecost dinner at Descent of the Holy Ghost Church, a thought crystallized in the mind of George Plantus. The thought was how nice it would be to end the upcoming Ford City tour at the Descent of the Holy Ghost Church. The thought became an action when he approached Sherry Staudt, the president of our Ladies Auxiliary. He asked her if the ladies would be able to provide coffee and desserts for the seniors who would be on the tour. Sherry responded by stating the ladies would provide a traditional Romanian banquet!
Mr. George Plantus is the President and Interim Coordinator of the University of Windsor’s Lifelong Learning with UNI-COM. He created this tour of Ford City as a result of a multi week course on a book about Ford City. Herb Colling, a freelance writer, wrote Ford City. The book is more than an historical perspective of Ford City. It, also, develops the social, political, and cultural fabric of the city. At the conclusion of the course, George had asked the participants if they had ever been to Ford City. No one raised their hand, so George, being the traveler and explorer that he is, decided to create a tour of Ford City.
On Wednesday, June 27th, our Church was the last stop on the tour. The stop just before Descent of the Holy Ghost was Holy Trinity Russian Orthodox Church. At that location, the group of 17 seniors saw historical photos of Holy Trinity Church from its beginning including the original blueprints. When the group arrived at the Descent of the Holy Ghost Church, they were welcomed, handed copies of a drawing explaining the priest’s vestments, and were seated in the Church. Fr. Simion Catau gave a brief explanation of Church architecture, including the structure of our Church while Romanian religious hymns were softly playing in the background. In the middle of Church before the solea was a table displaying Church vessels. The censer burning sweet incense, t he blessing cross, the Holy Gospel, the diskos, the chalice, the spear, the communion spoon, the star, and the marriage crowns were exhibited. Fr Simion provided a brief explanation of each item. The group was given an opportunity to closely observe the items as they passed by the display. Fr. Simion answered any questions that were asked and George Plantus concluded the presentation with a few welcoming words about Orthodoxy and the visit today.
Everyone was invited to the parish hall for a traditional Romanian feast. Sherry, her parents, George and Gina Bodnar, and Preoteasa Marina prepared a delicious luncheon. The menu included sausage, cabbage rolls, mamaliga, fasole, salad, pickles, coffee, tea, and water. The main course was followed with sweets deserts.
This event was another opportunity to reach out to the Windsor community, just as we have with our participation in “Windsor Open Doors.” It was our honor to serve our invited guests and make them feel at home!
Photographs courtesy of George Plantus
