BOSTON – It was another beautiful and moving Thanksgiving Day at Maliotis Cultural Center. Chris Katerinakis, an employee of the Center and a Holy Cross seminarian, organized the second annual meal offered to his fellow students, faculty, staff, and their families. Last year, he wanted to start a tradition there, which he did under the guiding hand and support of the Center’s executive director Chrysoula Kourkounti.

After losing his parents and being far from home in Texas, he wanted to honor their memory and the struggle to recreate memories of future holidays when you’ve endured such loss or when you can’t be near those you love at the holidays.

Kourkounti agreed without hesitation to honor his request. She said, “we thank Chris and our beloved ‘work-study‘ students who spent their holiday with him to help set up and celebrate this beautiful day. We are grateful for Chris’ creative energy and his love of our beloved school and its students. So many came out to celebrate and it would not have been possible without his dedication, and the support and the food provided and donated by the Manolis Family Foundation of Dracut Massachusetts.”

The Maliotis Center distributed gifts to the small children of the students, for whom a space was created for them be able to read and color during the Thanksgiving Dinner.