May 12, 2008

JOHNSTOWN, PA - His Eminence, Metropolitan Nicholas has announced today, that plans are underway for the Annual Altarboy's Retreat which will take place from June 29-July 22, 2008 at Christ the Saviour Seminary and Cathedral. The Very Rev. David Cochran has been appointed director of this year's retreat.

The theme for this year's retreat is "Christ Strengthens Me" (a paraphrase of Philippians 4:13). This theme was chosen to highlight the theological witness of  St. Paul, whose 2000th anniversary of birth is being celebrated this year. In addition to participation in daily prayers, liturgical services, classes, and instruction in Plain Chant, the particpants will be hosted on Monday, June 30, by the Sts. Peter and Paul Parish of Windber, PA where they will enjoy swimming, sports and other recreational activities, and a barbeque. 

On Tuesday all will participate in the Divine Liturgy in the Diocesan Cathedral and after brunch and classes, will board the buses for a trip to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and a visit to the Carnegie Science Center. We will explore the Center and its Sports complex.

After the museum, the participants will travel to St. Nicholas Church in Homestead and will be the guests of Fr. Robert Buczak and the parishioners of St. Nicholas. The Altarboys will serve and sing a Moleben to St. Nectarios and then be treated to dinner by the parish.

All parishes of the diocese are urged to underwrite the $85.00 participation fee for their altarservers, recognizing that the altarboy of today may very well be the priest of tommorow!  

All parish priests are kindly asked to send the completed registration forms for each of their altarboys attending by June 11, 2008 - with a check payable to the Altarboy Retreat in the amount of $85.00 per participant to:

Very Rev. David Cochran
40 Beaver Dam Rd.
Stratford, CT 06614

For additional information on the Altarboy's Retreat, please contact Fr. David Cochran at (203)-385-1020 or at pdavidcochran@msn.com

Download Registration Form (PDF Format)

Adobe Acrobat Reader is Required to Open These Files