Over 20 youth, young adult leaders, volunteers and clergy from the Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of St. Josaphat in Parma and beyond gathered together on October 8 at the “Trinity Acres” in Collier Township, Pennsylvania for the annual Fall Youth Retreat.

“Trinity Acres” was again alive with campers, counselors, chaperones, religious and clergy at the annual Fall Youth Retreat that took place on October 8 this year.  The theme of the day was “Press On” taken from the Letter of St. Paul to the Philippians 3:10-14. Young people from Grades 7 to 12 braved a cold, damp morning to participate in fun, games, community building, prayer, confession and reflection. The cold never dampened the team spirit, as they competed in a Shark Tank type activity, archery, GAGA Ball as well as other games. 

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Just as the activities of the day warmed up, so did the temperature, when the sun peaked through the clouds. Mr. Paul Hladio of Sts. Peter and Paul Ukrainian Catholic Church in Ambridge, PA helped to warm the retreatants with a hot lunch, coffee, hot chocolate, snacks and desert throughout the day.

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During the day, Deacon Myron Spak of Holy Trinity Ukrainian Catholic Church in Carnegie, PA led the icebreakers followed by some good discussion and the Third Hour. Fr. Michael Polosky, Pastor of Sts. Peter and Paul Ukrainian Catholic Church in Ambridge, PA prayed with the participants the Sixth Hour followed by an inspiring homily. Mrs. Lisa Hladio, member of the Eparchial Youth Committee (EYC) and the retreat’s main coordinator, led everyone in song at prayer and throughout the day. Fr. Jason Charron, pastor of Holy Trinity Ukrainian Catholic Church in Carnegie, PA finished the day with confessions and the Small Compline.

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The participants included young people from Saints Peter and Paul Church in Ambridge, PA, Holy Trinity Church in Carnegie, PA, St. Anne’s Church in Austintown, OH and beyond. The chaperones were Sr. Ann Laszok, OSBM, Vicky Freed and Joe Levy. The counselors, who led some of the activities, were Bohdan Myhailiv and Vasyl Zurbyda (Holy Trinity Church, Carnegie, PA), Allison Cross (Saints Peter and Paul Church, Ambridge, PA) and Alex Lischak (St. Anne’s Church, Austintown, OH)

Everyone was grateful to Fr. Lubomyr Zhybak, Director of the Eparchial Youth Committee and pastor of Holy Trinity Ukrainian Catholic Church in Youngstown, OH and St. Anne’s Ukrainian Catholic Church in Austintown, OH as well as the EYC members for the support of the event. Special gratitude also went to Holy Trinity Church for the use of “Trinity Acres” as well as to Camp Heritage for the use of all the archery and other sport equipment. Everyone praised the Lord for the great spirit-filled retreat!

 

The next retreat is planned for 7-8 October 2017.