You're invited to our talk this Thursday

We will be giving a talk this Thursday, August, 2, at 7:00 p.m. about the monastic life for the monthly lecture series at St. Nicholas Byzantine Catholic Church, 1051 Robinson Avenue, Barberton, Ohio.  We have been working hard and learning a lot as we prepare for and reflect on the three main sections of our talk: What is monasticism?  How did it develop?  Why does the world need it?

Maybe you are thinking, "What does monasticism have to do with my life?"  Well, we think that there are profound connections between the monastic life and the other vocations in the Church, and Blessed John Paul II said that monastics are a "reference point for all people" (Orientale Lumen).  Please join us!

Mariapoch Pilgrimage info., and Teen Campout deadline approaching!

Don't miss the annual eparchial pilgrimage at the Shrine of Our Lady of Mariapoch (across the street from our monastery), which is coming up in two weeks!  Read the announcement below to find out who our featured speaker is this year!  (Oh, the picture gives it away I guess!)

In preparation for the “Year of Faith” announced by Pope Benedict, you are invited to the Shrine of Our Lady of Mariapoch in Burton, Ohio, August 11-12.  This pilgrimage weekend will explore the theme, “Rejoice, O Steadfast Foundation of Faith.”  Experience Byzantine Catholic prayer services, including a Divine Liturgy on Sunday with Bishop John Kudrick, attend talks and activities for all ages, enjoy the beautiful Shrine grounds, and camp out overnight if you choose.  On Sunday afternoon, Dr. Ray Guarendi—father of 10, clinical psychologist, author, public speaker, nationally syndicated radio host and EWTN personality—will speak on “Standing strong as a parent.”  Admission is free.  Meals will be available for purchase at the cafeteria.  For more information on the pilgrimage or the teen campout component, visit www.parma.org or call 216-741-3312.

Here is the direct link to the pilgrimage poster with the schedule and more information.

As part of the pilgrimage, our monastery is heading up the teen campout.  We have two great speakers on the topic of "faith," and fun activities planned!  The cost is only $20, which includes all meals at the cafeteria for the weekend.  And of course, hanging out with us is priceless... :) (and friends old and new too!)  So teens, there is only one week left to sign up!  Click on the teen campout poster above to see the schedule and guidelines and to register.

Girls' Camp 2012 Video!

An amazing group of 17 teen girls enjoyed the fourth annual Life in Christ Girls' Sleepover Weekend (aka Girls' Camp) at the monastery, June 28-July 1.  We can hardly begin to describe the graces that God poured out on the girls (of which we only know the tip of the iceberg) and on us, throughout this beautiful weekend!  

Our theme was "Priceless: Finding your value in Christ," and the talks and activities imparted to the girls their priceless value as women, God's design for our femininity, the lies that the devil tells women, and the love that God has for each one of them individually.  Speakers of each vocation (marriage, single life, monastic life) shared stories of their discernment and of the joys and struggles of their particular vocation.  We also prayed many of the daily Byzantine liturgical services, enjoyed meals together and just had a blast being together as sisters in Christ.  We were thrilled that nearly every girl told us that her favorite part of the weekend was her experience of the Mystery of Holy Repentance (confession) and the time of quiet prayer that followed.

The weekend closed with the Divine Liturgy on Sunday at the Shrine of Our Lady of Mariapoch with the boys' camp participants and the families of all the participants.

We put together the following video to showcase some of the talks, activities, comments from the participants and great memories from the weekend.  We hope you enjoy it!

Please click here to watch the video on YouTube!


Some comments from the participants:

"I have changed completely.  I feel closer to Christ and I feel more of a personal relationship with Him."

"My favorite part of the weekend was meeting a lot of other girls who had the same faith and beliefs as me because we could talk about God and not feel different."

"I would tell a friend that this is the best opportunity to prepare for the vocation that God has called you to."

"This experience made me realize that I shouldn't be afraid to listen to God."

"This weekend affected my relationship with Jesus Christ because now I know that He made me beautiful and thinks that I'm amazing and worthy of Him."