American Carpatho-Russian Orthodox Diocese of the USA - Diocesan Altar Boy Retreat - Encounter 2013
Dear Fathers and Parents,
Christ is Risen! Indeed He is Risen!
Plans are being finalized for this year’s Altar Boy Retreat - “Encounter 2013". This Diocesan-wide event will take place from Sunday evening, June 30 (Registration is from 6pm until 8 p.m.) until Wednesday, July 3rd (pick up time is 11am) The Retreat will once again take place at our Christ the Savior Seminary, Cathedral and Education Center in Johnstown and SS. Peter & Paul Church facilities in Windber. This is the time and place for your faithful Altar Servers to join other Altar Boys from all over our Diocese. Last year 80 young men gathered at “Encounter 2012" in Johnstown and Windber and from all the comments we heard, they had a great time.
The cost of this year’s retreat is $100.00, a slight increase from previous years. This includes everything for the three days and also includes a commemorative “Encounter 2013" T-Shirt. We are asking that parishes, if at all possible, underwrite the cost of the retreat for each altar boy attending. All checks should be made payable to “ALTAR BOY RETREAT”. Please do not make them out to the Seminary, the Cathedral, or to the Diocese.
With this letter, we are asking your help to make this year’s retreat an enjoyable experience for our altar boys. To properly prepare your son(s) for the retreat, we ask that you keep the following items in mind:
- Please be aware that registration begins at 6:00 pm. Early registration cannot be guaranteed and staffing of the area is not guaranteed either. If you must arrive prior to 6pm, you will be responsible for yourself and your child until registration begins at 6pm. There will be no early “drop-offs” and no exceptions. Parents or guardians are asked to go first to the Seminary and check in with Fr. Miles Zdinak to find the boys sleeping assignment, which will either be at the Seminary, the basement of Christ the Savior Seminary or the Cathedral Education Center. At that time the parent or guardian is asked to take the child and his belongings to his assigned place. Staff at each sleeping location will assist you and your son(s) getting settled with a cot. You are then asked to return the boy to the Seminary and then you are free to go.
- Pick up time is Wed July 3rd, 2013. Areas of the retreat must be cleaned and put back in proper order before dismisal. Please plan your arrival accordingly. Also, please plan to arrive promptly as many of the staff have a long drive to get back to their parishes.
- ITEMS TO BRING: Altar Boy Robes; Personal Toiletries; Casual Clothes; Swimsuit; Sneakers; Sweater or Sweatshirt; Sleeping Bag or Sheets, Pillow & Blanket, Insect Repellent, Baseball Glove, Extra Spending Money. A GOOD ATTITUDE!!
- ITEMS NOT TO BRING: Cell Phones and Pagers; Gaming Systems; Laser Pointers;. Roller Blades, Sneaker Skates, Roller Skates; Alcoholic Beverages; Cigarettes or any Tobacco Products; Illegal Drugs; Knives; Guns; Fireworks; Shaving Cream; Clothing with suggestive or obscene imagery or words; or any other item NOT deemed appropriate. A BAD ATTITUDE!!
- A special note for those older boys staying in the Seminary: The television in the Seminary lounge will be OFF-LIMITS during the retreat. This includes watching T.V. and/or playing video games on the T.V. The breaking of this rule will result in an immediate dismissal from the retreat.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me.
Fr. David Cochran
203-385-1020 203-339-1913 pauldcochran@gmail.com