January 25, 2009

JOHNSTOWN, PA - The National Junior ACRY has announced plans for a special Lenten Youth Project to benefit our Diocesan St. John the Compassionate Mission in Toronto Ontario. While sponsored by the JR. ACRY all diocesan youth are encouraged to participate. The following is the text of a letter from Very Rev. Miles Zdinak, National Jr. ACRY Spiritual Advisor, which is being sent to all JR.ACRY chapters and all diocesan parishes regarding the project.

For I was Hungry and You Fed me

(Matthew 25:35)

Reverend & Very Reverend Fathers; Sunday School Teachers; Parish Organizations.

RE: Lenten Project

The National Junior ACRY has taken it upon itself to help aid the Diocesan mission of Saint John the Compassionate located in Toronto, Canada. This decision was made by the National Jr. ACRY at the National ACRY Convention held Labor Day Weekend 2006

The mission, run by the Very Reverend Father Roberto Ubertino, provides assistance to those in need in Toronto, Canada. The mission provides 2000 meals a month, plus job training and spiritual counsel.

The missions future is being threatened by a severe cut-back in municipal funding from the city of Toronto. However the work of the mission is still greatly needed in the community. One of the challenging aspects in keeping the mission up and running is have in the finances to meet the salary for the chef/kitchen volunteer coordinator who is amongst the community's poor. The amount the mission needs to meet this requirement is $6,000.00. The mission also has other material needs to provide assistance to those it cares for in the city. Please visit the missions web site for detailed information on its work: www.stjohnsmission.org

The National Junior ACRY would like you to help in assisting the mission of Saint John the Compassionate. This appeal is going out to all diocesan parishes. The National Juniors are inviting all parishes, Church school classes and other parish organizations to aid in this endeavor of provided for the needs of others through this diocesan mission during this season of Lent . This appeal is a great opportunity to teach the lesson of our Lord in taking care of the needs of other. We minister to our Lord by meeting the needs of others.

How can you help? You can also hold an event or fund-raiser to provide funding for the mission. You can also have a collection box in the parish hall for use during your social time following the service. Special collection containers can be given out to families to have in their homes to use during Lent. Funds will be coordinated through Holy Resurrection Orthodox Church in Potomac Maryland. Checks can be made out to Holy Resurrection Church with Lenten Youth Project in the memo and sent to 10201 Democracy Boulevard, Potomac, MD 20854. We are asking that all contributions be sent by no later than April 30, 2007 so that we may assist the mission in a timely manner. Please call Fr. Miles at 301.299.5120 if you have any questions.

Please post and include the attached informational flier in your Sunday Bulletin.

(Material assistance is not practical at this time, as sending things through customs is expensive and slow.)

I pray you will join us in this Christian ministry. May the good Lord assist you in all the work you do in His name so that your light may shine forth before men.

Very Rev. Fr. Miles Paul Zdinak

Jr. ACRY Spiritual Advisor

Download Youth Project Informational Flier

Adobe Acrobat Reader is Required to Open These Files