A House not made with hands at the 39th Annual Eastern Diocese Youth Retreat 94 youth, adults and clergy from 11 parishes across the Eastern Diocese gathered at Camp Howe in Goshen, Massachusetts for our 39th annual Youth Retreat during one of the most beautiful and comfortable weeks of the summer! 73 were full time participants and 21 were daily participants. The retreat began with a prayer service on Sunday, August 19, 2012. The theme for the retreat was A House Not Made With Hands After the American, PNCC and youth retreat flags were raised everyone gathered on the basketball court for the opening session lead by Fr. Rob Nemkovich. During this session the youth learned the theme song for the retreat House Not Made With Hands, appreciation is given to Michael Sittard for accompanying us on the keyboard. Fr. Rob reviewed the camp rules and gave an overview of the retreat program. The youth got to know each other a bit better with a few ice breakers. They were teamed up for a scavenger hunt, tooth pick relay and a skittles game to help them get to know other retreat participants. Sunday night was camp reunion night. Previous campers shared various memories of our Youth Retreats through the years. Fr. Calvo led the youth in evening prayer. The younger kids went to bed and the older youth enjoyed time around the camp fire. Monday began with the celebration of Holy Mass celebrated by our youth chaplain Fr. Rob Nemkovich. During the Mass Jason Fairclough was remembered in prayer (it was nine years ago that he lost his life as he traveled home from our youth retreat). After breakfast, the first session on Noah s Ark was given by Bishop-Elect Stanley Bilinski (our PNCC National Youth Chaplain). Bishop-Elect solicited some help from a neighbor to Camp Howe - Bill Cosby - who shared his version of the actual conversation between God and Noah. Following the session, the youth colored their 2012 Youth Retreat Pillow Cases. This year the youth all signed a special pillow case for Fr. Sr. Soltysiak who was still recovering from his battle between his knee and the pavement. (Although a watermelon was present at Camp Page 1
Howe to the joy of all - it was not smashed but eaten - sorry Fr. Jr. Sr. Joe). Next, Bishop Paul gave his session on the tabernacle. He began by having the youth in the field with string showing the actual size of the wilderness tabernacle. The Bishop went into unbelievable detail giving information to the youth from A to Z of the building of the tabernacle, what it contained as well as how it was moved. After our camp lunch our participants enjoyed an afternoon of free time. There were many who ventured up the 45 foot high climbing wall great job to so many who made the wall look like climbing a ladder. There was time for swimming, canoeing, kayaking, climbing and jumping off space mountain, archery, arts and crafts, foursquare and much more. The annual football game was held and ended with a 63 to 49 victory by Michael s Bombers (Westfield) over Eric s Hilltoppers (Fall River). Mike Zarek and his world famous country store was opened for business immediately following dinner and the lines were as long as always this year! The Temple was the next session that was delivered by Fr. Henryk Wos. Fr. Henryk emphasized how the people showed their worship and reverence to God by the use of temples throughout the history of the world. Fr. Wos ended by illustrating the temples we have erected to God in our Eastern Diocese. The Massachusetts State Police arrived at Camp Howe to talk to youth about the dangers of drug and alcohol use and abuse by so many in today s society. Many stories were told and several questions answered. The Police Officers reminded them that no one wants to grow up and be an addict and thus encouraged them to make good choices when asked to use and abuse drugs and alcohol. They ended with a vivid demonstration of an arrest when Todd (the muscle) threw Fr. Randy to the ground and led him away in hand cuffs as we all roared. Tom Zarek led our campers in some quiet time of star gazing. The sky was just beautiful - as all enjoy the creation of our God - the Father in heaven. Following evening prayer lead by Fr. Henry Wos, the youth enjoyed time around the camp fire. Tuesday began with morning prayer celebrated by Fr. Sr. Sr. Joe Krusienski. Fr. Randolph Rudolph Joshua Calvo presented his session on the prophets. Fr. Randy taught the youth that concerning our faith and worship of God - it is not about magic but it is about the mystery. The prophets warned the people not to just go through the motions of worship and Page 2
not be genuine in living your faith He applied this to us today and our attendance at Holy Mass. The outstanding Camp Howe staff led Team Building activities with our retreat participants teaching them the importance of working together and trusting one another to achieve certain goals. The afternoon was once again spent with free time and the youth enjoying the high ropes course at Camp Howe. There was also time for swimming, canoeing, kayaking, archery, arts and crafts, four-square and much more. Bishop Paul made it up the high ropes but unfortunately with just 6 of our younger campers watching no photos were taken to be included here. Fr. Michal Gitner presented his session on Jesus Christ. Fr. Gitner showed a clip of Jesus cleansing the temple and related that to the temple of His Body. He also had the baptism of Jesus reenacted where Eric got completely drenched. The youth were reminded of their responsibilities that stem from their baptism into Christ and Fr. Michal prayed that the light of Christ would always guide them in the way of the Gospel. A Bible search activity followed where the youth were challenged to find the words in the Bible that made the verse for our theme - A House Not Made With Hands The youth then enjoyed the movie Jesus - The Revolutionary. This movie highlighted the life, ministry, teachings, healings, miracles and the passion, death and Resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Page 3
Bishop-Elect Bilinski led the group in our annual Candlelight Service out in the middle of the field under the starlight. All could feel the presence and power of the Spirit during this sacred time. After our prayer and meditation, the youth enjoyed time at the campfire and there was more star gazing as well. Wednesday began with Fr. Randy celebrating Morning Prayer. The morning session on St. Paul was given by Fr. Sr. Sr. Joe Krusienski. Fr. Sr. dressed up in costume, spoke about the life of St. Paul and challenged the youth to do the best they could to live and spread the good news of Jesus Christ through our Holy Polish National Catholic Church. Following this session our youth piled into cars and the bus and went off to a rock climbing gym. The youth had a great time climbing walls ranging from 15 feet to nearly 50. Bishop Paul, Fr. Randy and Fr. Rob could be seen climbing the short wall our younger more in shape campers made it up the much high and harder walls. Following a good hour of climbing they returned to camp just in time for lunch. The afternoon was spent in free time where the high ropes, swimming, canoeing, kayaking, archery, arts and crafts and four-square were bustling. The afternoon saw an emergency rescue by Camp Howe lifeguards as yet again the camp canoes mysteriously overturned. Fr. Rob, in the middle of the may lay, made sure no one was hurt. The annual kick ball game saw Fr. Randy s team crushed a second year in a row 15 to 1. After homemade Pizza, Fr. Rob presented his session on the Church. A reenactment of Pentecost occurred as well as a visual reading of St. Paul s definition of the Church. Fr. Rob taught the youth this song about the Church - that we are all a part of the house not made with hands: I am the Church, you are the Church, we are the Church together. All who follow Jesus all around the world, yes, we re the Church together. Next each cabin gave a presentation to the rest of the campers on the retreat theme. Some of these were fabulous and the youth through various skits created by them showed the great understanding of what they learned during the week about the importance of being a part of A House Not Made With Hands. Although Boys 4 & 5 were lost in the stars, Jacob s Ladder came from Girls Howe and Boy s cabin 11 was the best skit as they decided to highlight each session from the week giving something they learned and a funny moment too. They went into great detail with Ryan Bucko from the enormous amount of information they received on the vesture worn by the Jewish Temple Priests. The 2012 Camp Spirit Award that is given each year in memory of Jason Fairclough remembering his camp spirit and looking out for others was awarded to Michael Sittard from St. Joseph s in Westfield.. His name will be added to the plaque and remembered at future Youth Retreats. Page 4
On the final evening of camp we had our annual Bonn fire. The camp Howe staff did a great job with skits, songs and stories. The Moose and other camp songs were quite a hit. Fr. Calvo did not catch on fire this year and Fr. Rob won the acting award of falling out of a plane! Holy Mass of the day began Thursday and was celebrated by Bishop Paul Sobiechowski. Bishop Paul, during his sermon, asked the youth when they return home to share their faith with their friends and invite others to Church with them.. After breakfast and camp clean up, everyone gathered for our closing session, led by our youth chaplain, Fr. Rob Nemkovich. He thanked all the youth for attending, all the chaperones, session presenters and activity leaders for their work for the youth of our diocese. Fr. Calvo thanked Fr. Rob for his work as Youth Chaplain and told the participants that Fr. Rob has attended all 39 Eastern Diocese Youth Retreats. Thanks are given to Bishop Paul, the session presenters, our activity coordinators Joanne Oliveira and Maryann Zarek, our country store manager Mike Zarek, to Janice Dzialo for a great job on the backdrop, Donna Sittard as camp nurse (who did perform a few minor operations) and to all the chaperones who gave of their time to make Youth Retreat 2012 an outstanding success!! The retreat ended with a prayer service and the lowering of the American, PNCC and Eastern Diocese Youth Retreat flags. We are excited to announce that Youth Retreat 2013 will again be held at Camp Howe in Goshen, Massachusetts in August of 2013. Until then, May God bless and guide you all and may we live our lives following God s Holy Word so that one day we will have a place in that house not made with hands. As a reminder to our Youth - our Winter Youth Gathering is tentatively scheduled for December 28th. Please look for future information on our diocesan website and from your local pastor. God bless and we look forward to seeing you all again at our 40th Annual Diocesan Youth Retreat next August!!! Page 5