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THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2020 Page 9 Mayor announces new city employees M ayor Carlo DeMaria is pleased to welcome three new employees to the city’s administration. Attorney Erin Deveney will serve as the Mayor’s Chief of Staff. She holds a Juris Doctorate from Suffolk University Law School and a Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science from the College of the Holy Cross. With more than 20 years of government service, Deveney brings a wide range of experience in upper level performance management, project administration and strategic planning. Michelle Doucette will serve as the city’s Communication Specialist. She holds a Master of Business Administration degree as well as a Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing and Public Relations, both from Suffolk University. Doucette has an extensive background in communications, website development and content creation. She is also fluent in Italian. Vanessa Alvarado will be serving as the city’s Public Information Officer. Alvarado is a recent graduate of Loyola University New Orleans, where she received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Mass Communication with a minor in Latin American Studies. She brings a new perspective to the communication team with an extensive background in journalism, graphic design, strategy and branding. Alvarado is also fluent in Spanish. “I am excited to welcome Holiday Assistance Program available for income eligible residents M ayor Carlo DeMaria and the Office of Human Services invite low-income Everett residents to apply for holiday meal and toy assistance. Applications will be taken at the rear entrance of the Connolly Center at 90 Chelsea St. on Thursdays from 9 to 11:30 a.m. and from 1:30 to 3 p.m. Applications will also be accepted on Fridays from 9 to 11:30 a.m. The dates for dropping off applications are October 22, 23 and 29 as well as November 5 and 6. Applicants should have proof of residence (Everett only), birth certificates for underage dependents and verification of low-income status. Applications will not be taken over the phone. During the current health crisis, you must wear a mask, have a temperature check and remain socially distant and outside the rear entrance of the Connolly Center until you are called. Please: only one member for each family. For additional information please call the Office of Human Services at 617-3942260 or 617-394-2323. Rev. Granitsas: unwavering hope in the face of a pandemic By Dnee Sirichantaropas R ev. Nicholas Granitsas sat in his office, praying, while across town his longtime friend and parishioner, Roland Morse, was buried alone. Granitsas looked up at the crucifix, his hands shaking underneath the fluorescent lights. He wished he could be with his friend during his final moments. But the dangers of COVID-19 made it impossible. This has become Granitsas’ new reality. He was no longer able to perform rituals or fulfill his usual duties. When Morse died in the ICU at Massachusetts General Hospital, he was one in a long line of Granitsas’ parishioners who will meet the same fate. “I should’ve been there,” Granitsas said. The two men were friends for over 40 years. Granitsas officiated at Morse’s wedding ceremony in 1985 and was saddened that he couldn’t perform his funeral services. “He was on the verge of death,” Granitsas said. “And I wasn’t able to be there with him.” Congregational churches and worship services, long known for their adherence to tradition, have been significantly transformed due to the pandemic. More than 90 percent of regular churchgoers in the United States reported that their churches closed to prevent the virus’s spread, according to a survey by the Pew Research Center. Prior to the pandemic, about 175 people regularly attended Sunday services, Granitsas said. Now, about 30 people attend Mass. “Before the pandemic, we had three hardcore regulars in their 90s that never missed a single service,” Granitsas fondly recalled. The Church has been offering livestream resources for those unable to attend in-person, he said. “Our attendance for live services has greatly reduced,” he said. “But actually, I think we have more altogether because we have people watching on the stream.” Dr. John H. Ewart, director of Pastoral Leadership at the Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, said counseling classes and crisis intervention classes are part of the pastoral care training. However, no amount of training could have prepared church leaders on how to shepherd their congregants during the pandemic. “It’s been a huge shock to try to walk through the minefield of a church during a pandemic,” Ewart said. According to Ewart, there has been an increase in ministers’ resources on how to handle the pandemic. Centers for preaching and pastoral leadership, faith, culture and missions have released special resources that range from podcasts to panel discussions and blog posts. “There was not a class that was designed for COVID,” Ewart said. “But it will certainly be a part of the curriculum from now on.” One of the most difficult challenges Granitsas has had to face is losing close friends and people he considers family. When Granitsas and his family first moved to Revere in 1970, the friendly couple next door would always come over to help out and babysit Granitsas’ young child. “They both died of COVID a month ago,” he said. Although Granitsas feels disheartened by all the losses, his faith remains unbroken. “I still have this joy that no one can take away from me,” Granitsas said. “It’s a gift from God.” Granitsas came to Revere and helped make the Church flourish by establishing specialized ministries, which range from annual Gospel music festivals to ESL classes to the Food Pantry, according to Loralei Lauranzano, the Church’s administrative assistant. Lauranzano, who has known Granitsas for more than half of her life, said he always lifts everyone’s spirits. His joy is constant and contagious. “Every year, we have church picnic and play softball,” Lauranzano said. “And Pastor Nick is our pitcher every year, all day long. Every age plays. He pitches and he calls and just laughs and enjoys the whole time.” Local parishioner Lisa Sturgis said that finding her way to the Church and to Granitsas changed the trajectory of her whole life. She still looks back to 1979, the year she discovered the Church, as a pivotal point in her life. “Pastor Nick was always prepared for his sermons,” Sturgis said. “He is very knowledgeable and always encouraged people to be who God has called them to be.” He has always been warm, genuine and encouraging, Sturgis recalled. To be able to have that level of caring is a gift. “The thing that shines most brightly in him,” she paused, “is that he cares about people in a way that is palpable.” As Granitsas ended his solemn prayer honoring Morse, his thoughts returned to his parishioners, who need his strength and leadership now more than ever. He made the sign of the cross and stood up. Mass was about to begin. “I have the sense that God is with me,” he said. “He’s going to see me through and see others through, too.” FBI Warns of Potential Charity Fraud Associated with the COVID-19 Pandemic M any Americans want to help dur ing the COVID-19 pandemic by contributing to charities, but the FBI is warning that scammers also want to help—they want to help themselves to your money. Nationwide, the FBI and other law enforcement agencies have received reports of scammers fraudulently soliciting donations for individuals, groups, and areas affected by COVID-19. They are leveraging the COVID-19 pandemic to steal your money, your personal information, or both. Don’t let them. Charity scams often occur when a scammer poses as a real charity or uses the name of a real charity to get money from you. Be careful about giving money to any charity calling you for donations and be wary if you get a call about a donation pledge that you don’t remember making. Remember, you can’t always believe your caller ID. Scammers often spoof orFBI WARNS | SEE PAGE 19 Erin, Michelle and Vanessa to the city administration,” said DeMaria. “I am confident in their abilities and willingness to help further the mission of the city of Everett and my administration. It has been my commitment to hire more bilingual employees. Michelle and Vanessa are a great start.” ganizations’ phone numbers. It’s always best to research the organization telephone number yourself and call direct to verify. Do not be pressured or rushed to donate. That is a

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