Youth Retreat 2005
The Youth Retreat this year was the same weekend as the Greek Festival at the Greek Orthodox Cathedral of the Annunciation. Both events were very successful. The Retreat itself was Friday 11 November 2005 and Saturday 12 Novemer 2005.
Peggy Mukai did an excellent job of coordinating the events and keeping things going. Dr. Pat Disharoon did much of the cooking. Dr. Stephanie Glassman also helped with the affairs as did other members from various parishes which included St. Mary Antiochian Orthodox Church (the host parish), Holy Cross Antiochian Orthodox Church, St. Andrew Orthodox Church, Holy Trinity Orthodox Church, and St. Thomas Orthodox Church. Probably other parishes were also represented. Jurisdictions represented included the Antiochian Archdiocese, the Orthodox Church in America, the Moscow Patriarchate, and the Capathro-Russian Archdiocese.
I met the retreat master, but I do not remember his name. His first name is Steve, I think. I'm sure that somebody will correct me.
I arrived late Saturday afternoon with the intention of attending Vespers. The reception from some of the kids was overwhelming. When I entered the room, three of the teenage girls came over and hugged me. One also asked me to sign her hat since I will be serving at Vespers.
All the teenagers stayed for Vespers and dinner. I was also invited to stay and I did.
Right before dinner I was talking with one of the parents and she told me that her son really did not want to attend. He kept changing the time that he wanted her to fetch him: 3:00; 2:00; 1:00 etc. Finally, he asked if he had to attend. During the retreat they talked and he said that he wanted to stay for the whole thing since he was enjoying it so much.