Light of the West Holy Protection of Mary Byzantine Catholic Eparchy of Phoenix Pastoral Center 8105 N. 16th Street Phoenix, AZ 85020 Phone: (602)-861-9778 Fax: (602)-861-9796 www.eparchyofphoenix.org Glory to Jesus Christ! Glory Forever! Vol. XXIII, No. 4 July - August, 2015 Monastic Retreat Held in Gilbert, AZ he monastery is the prophetic place where creation becomes praise of God and the precept of concretely lived charity be- comes the ideal of human coexistence; it is where the human “Tbeing seeks God without limitation or impediment, becoming a reference point for all people, bearing them in his heart and helping them to seek God.” Pope Saint John Paul II, Orientale Lumen (Light of the East) St Thomas the Apostle Byzantine Catholic Church in Gilbert, AZ sponsored a three-day children’s monastic retreat. The retreat was led by Fr. Jerome from Holy Dormition Byzantine Catholic Franciscan Friary, Sybertsville, Pa and Sr. Gabriella from Christ the Bridegroom Byzantine Catholic Monastery, Burton OH. The children were given a foretaste of monastic life, learning about the history and daily life in a monas- They even have the monastic habits in small size. tery. Each daily session began in prayer followed with a silent breakfast and accompanied spiritual reading. Later, the lives of St. Anthony of Egypt and St. Mary of Egypt were present- ed. The children also made monastic dolls, icons and played a lively game Yes, your coloring book is nicely colored. of faith trivia. Fr. Jerome and Sr. Gabriella shared their vocation stories. The children were able to submit anonymous questions for their guests, ranging from, “How was God created?” to “Do you wear pajamas,” and everywhere in between! Three chotki bracelets were raffled off. The lucky winners were Macey Lucovich, Bella Aguayo and Jacob Aguayo. The chil- dren had a blast (and the adults too)! May God grant all those involved in the retreat many blessed, happy and healthy years! More Pictures on Page 3 July - August 2015 1 New Seminary Diaconate Program Begins From L. to R: Timothy Belke - St. Philip, Sacra- mento, CA - Patrick Cullen - St. Melany, Tucson, AZ - Lorcan MacMurchadha - Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Albuquerque, N.M. - Gregory Gath - Annuncia- tion, Anaheim, CA - Jona- than Deane - Holy Angels, San Diego, CA and Anthony Clark, SS Cyril & Metho- dius, Spokane, WA. Picture taken in the front of SS Cyril and Methodius Byzantine Catholic Semi- nary in Pittsburgh, PA. Pittsburgh, PA. – Six men from the Eparchy of Phoenix Scripture, Homiletics, Canon Law and Church History. recently began the Deacon Formation Program at These classes are very intensive and are held each day the Byzantine Catholic Seminary of SS. Cyril and of the week, except Sunday. The program lasts for two Methodius in Pittsburgh, PA. Each year for the weeks for each of the four years. God willing at the next four years they will be travelling to Pittsburgh end of their fourth year, they will be ordained to the during the month of June to attend classes in Dogma, Diaconate. Light of the West Holy Protection of Mary Byzantine Catholic Eparchy of Phoenix Pastoral Center 8105 N. 16th Street Phoenix, AZ 85020 Phone: (602)-861-9778 Fax: (602)-861-9796 www.eparchyofphoenix.org (USPS PERMIT #1750) Postage paid at Phoenix, AZ Official Publication of the Byzantine Catholic Bishop of Van Nuys. Subscription rate: $12.00 per year Published 6 times a year by the Holy Protection of Mary Byzantine Catholic Eparchy of Phoenix, 8105 North 16th Street, Phoenix, AZ 85020. Phone: (602) 861-9778. Fax: (602) 861-9796. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Light of the West, 8105 North 16th Street, Phoenix, AZ 85020. Most Rev. Gerald N. Dino, President Ms. Kathleen Slonka, Editor E-Mail us at: [email protected] 2 Glory to Jesus Christ The boys are practising their soccer skills. Fr. Diodoro talking with the children about the significance of the icon they were making. Caroline shows her Saint Mary of Egypt art. Fathers Jerome, Diodoro and Sister Gabriella are surrounded by the group of children holding their icons. The finished icon. Four of the retreatants are getting ready to sing a song. July - August 2015 3 Myrrh-Bearers Retreat Sends Women Forth to Evangelize Article and pictures submitted by Joyce Coronel ozens of women and young girls came from ciscan Renewal Center’s new building where retreatants across the western United States for the stayed had a replica of the icon for retreatants to take Myrrh-Bearers retreat held at the Franciscan home as a reminder of the weekend. RenewalD Center in Scottsdale, AZ June 26-28. Tanya Bartlett told the story of the encounter The Myrrh-Bearing women are revered as the first between Jesus Christ and St. Photina, known by many to proclaim the news of Christ’s Resurrection. as the woman at the well or the Samaritan woman. The retreat, organized by Sr. Jean Marie Cihota, Tanya’s presentation, “You are Called — Open Hearts OSBM, is an opportunity for prayer, meditation, — Metanoia,” told the story of how the encounter learning and growth for women at every stage of life. with the Lord changed the woman’s life forever. She Ten parishes were represented this year and many par- then went to tell everyone she knew about what Jesus ticipants reconnected with those they had met during had done for her. Tanya helped participants to under- past retreats. stand that each of us has people in our lives whom we The youngest girls were led by Patti Marmol while are called to witness to. the teenagers were guided by Janet Escobedo. The third presentation was given by Jennifer Mikit- This year, the focus was on “Heart-to-Heart Evan- ish and was titled “We are Church — Grateful Hearts gelization,” a way of sharing the Good News of the — Koinonia.” Jennifer, the mother of three young Gospel with others through sharing personal stories of children, focused her remarks on the nature of the faith. Domestic Church. She took each letter of the word After the opening prayer, the fun began with an “domestic” to get her point across, emphasizing that icebreaker activity reminiscent of black-out Bingo. each woman must first realize she is a daughter of God. The women laughed as they ventured from the chapel and into the shady quadrangle to search for fellow retreatants who fit such categories as “has traveled to Europe,” “has brown eyes,” “owns a cat,” and other clues. Sr. Jean Marie gave the first presentation for the adult women, “Rediscover — You are chosen — Prayerful Hearts,” and taught the retreatants about the cycle of liturgical prayer and the Theotokos as the model of prayer. Mary, the Mother of the Church and Mother of Evangelization was depicted in the icon of Our Lady of Perpetual Help. Each room in the Fran- Sr. Jean Marie responds to the insights of several participants as they evaluate the weekend retreat. The last presentation, “We are Sent---Generous Hearts—Diakonia,” focused on the call of conversion, the faith of martyrs and the ongoing suffering of the persecuted Church. Joyce Coronel raised the level of awareness of the necessity to "Pray for the Persecuted Church", our brothers and sisters, who were displaced by ISIS last summer. From all night adoration to the Mystery of Reconciliation and the Divine Liturgy, the retreat was Jennifer Mikitish challenges the Myrrh-Bearers to actively be- come a Domestic Church 4 Glory to Jesus Christ also an opportunity to receive many sacramental graces. Following the Divine Liturgy on Sunday, Bishop During the Divine Liturgy, Bishop Gerald Dino chal- Gerald Dino anointed and commissioned the women lenged the Myrrh-Bearers to continue proclaiming the and girls, sending them forth to evangelize as did the "Good News". Making references to the persecuted Myrrh-Bearing women of long ago. Church and the martyrdom of thousands of Christians, he reminded all to stand firm in their faith in God. Catechist Patti Marmol and her group of “little ones” Bidding fond farewells to new found friends is difficult. More Pictures on Page 8 MyrrhBearer Retreat July - August 2015 5 Palomar, CA Hosts Alive in Christ Camp Submitted by Basil P. Rabayda s a fast moving downpour blew over, and all day after the Hierarchial Divine Liturgy celebrated by the participants became drenched, the 2015 Bishop Gerald Dino. It is an intense and spiritually Alive in Christ camp began at Palomar Moun- driven weekend where we attend 2-3 services a day Atain Christian Center in California. This year’s retreat and are given an opportunity to go to confession. was held July 30th - August 2nd. This camp offers many fun opportunities for new campers to make As a camper of 10 years, I will always re- new friends and older campers to reunite with friends member the friendships I made with Priests, Leaders, they had made in previous years. Ranging from physi- and especially my fellow campers who are scattered cal challenges such as the favored games, Prisoner Ball across the Eparchy covering 8 states. I would also like and Gaga Ball, to the mental challenges and trivia to thank the directors and leaders of this retreat for games of Camp Leader Tic-tac-toe and Gazebo Trivia. making all the fun and learning possible. Next year’s Each team is awarded points when winning or placing camp will take place July 14th -17th at Camp Broth- in these competitions, as well as for their team build- erhood in Seattle, Washington. If you are considering ing skills. The boys also have to prepare a skit for the attending, I would highly suggest making the effort.