FOURTH ANNUAL NATIVITY YOUTH RETREAT - SHADELAND
Shadeland, PA - With the Archpastoral Blessings of His Grace Bishop Dr. MITROPHAN, The Fourth Annual Eastern American Diocese Nativity Youth Retreat was held at St. Sava Camp-Shadeland on December 27-30, 2009.
The theme was “Let Everything that Breathes Praise the Lord!” Clergy talks, the preparation of icons, and singing reflected the theme.
Seventy-four campers between the ages of seven and seventeen attended. Additional younger children, clergy, counselors and volunteers brought the number in attendance to more than a hundred.
Interest and enthusiasm in the Nativity Youth Retreat has grown each year. The retreat schedule is full of activities of interest to the participants. The adults involved have the genuine interest of the youths at heart.
The youths arrived late Sunday afternoon. Brian Hayden conducted registration. The counselors fielded inquiries regarding dormitory location. Kolo Federation President Millie Radovick had her helpers preparing the evening meal.
The youths gathered in the chapel on Sunday evening for Vespers and then sat down for one of eight very-well prepared meals. Father Rade Merick conducted the “Ice-breaker” which involved everyone getting to know each other.
Following a brief review of basic rules, Father Milan Pajic organized the youths and put them to work preparing an icon they would take home that reflected the theme of the camp.
Father Rastko Trbuhovich and Father Rajko Kosic worked with the youths throughout the retreat to teach them music consistent with the theme.
On Sunday evening the youths watched a video portraying the monasteries of Meteora, “The Rocks of God.” Before the evening prayer, time was given for the youths to renew friendships and relax with each other.
The schedule for Monday and Tuesday had a basic structure with talks by clergy each morning following the morning prayers and breakfast. The afternoons were filled with recreation and structured learning activities.
Talks by clergy each morning were very well prepared and generated discussion and questions. On Monday morning Father Rade Merick spoke on the theme of “Liturgical Prayer”. Father Dejan Obradovic spoke on “Personal Prayer.”
On Tuesday morning, Father Rajko Kosic spoke on “”Praising God Through Our Way of Living and Treating Each Other.” Father Aleksa Pavichevich spoke on “Praising God by Caring for the Environment.
On Monday and Tuesday afternoons, the youths had the opportunity to go outside and enjoy the winter wonderland of Shadeland. They had periods of indoors games and learned to praise God through singing.
An enjoyable Bible verse game created by Vesna Meinert and used at each retreat from the very first one continues to be of value and shows youths can find enjoyment in working with Bible verses.
Father Pajic kept the youths busy completing the icons. Counselors overseeing activities included Steven Majstorovic, Nick Korach, Aleksa Ostojich, Zack Krieger, Dragana Masic, Mirjana Ruzicic and Danielle Vucelich.
Vespers were held on Monday and Tuesday evening. His Grace Bishop Dr. MITROPHAN came as He does each year to visit and talk with the youths. His Grace enjoys the youths very much and they enjoy being with Him.
On Monday evening the youths watched a showing of the Funeral of +His Holiness Patriarch PAVLE. One Tuesday evening the youths watched the repentance theme monastery-based movie entitled “Ostrov.”
On Tuesday evening following Vespers, the youths went to the chapel for Confession in preparation for the Divine Liturgy on Wednesday. Each morning and evening and all meals began and concluded with prayers.
Father Dragomir Tuba was present throughout the retreat to lead prayers, to serve and to assist with activities. St. Archangel Michael Church from Akron had the largest number of youths in attendance. Youths from eighteen parishes were present. Some youths traveled from Chicago to participate.
Camp Director Father Zivojin Jakovljevic was present on Tuesday evening and Wednesday to help as the retreat moved to conclusion with the celebration of the Divine Liturgy on Wednesday morning.
The youths sang music learned during the retreat at the Divine Liturgy. The icons they prepared were blessed and later distributed for them to take home. Almost all of the youths received Holy Communion at the Divine Liturgy.
Father Rastko Trbuhovich preached about the Serbian martyrs Deacon Avvacum and Abbot Paisius at the Divine Liturgy.
In addition to the individuals already mentioned a large number of adult helpers were needed for the retreat to be a success. These helpers included the following: Protinica Kristina Tuba, Kolo Federation Vice-President Dee Dee Baskot, Elaine Vucelich, Zika and Slavica Markov, Nikola and Vukica Kracidinac, Zeljka Vignjevich, Cvijeta Tuba, Dusanka Kocacevic, and Mike Radovick. Olga Dimitrijevich did her share of work in preparing the pogacas in advance of the retreat.
Having a corps of enthusiastic and dependable Christians is vital to the success of the retreat. The clergy, the Kolo members, the counselors, and the adult volunteers all make a necessary and special contribution.
Scott and Laurie Felix, caretakers of St. Sava Camp also deserve mention as they work in advance and throughout the retreat to ensure the physical facilities are well-prepared and tended.
The atmosphere is healthy for the youths and is safe. St. Sava Camp-Shadeland is a wonderful place for youths to experience Orthodox Christianity.
Father Rodney Torbic