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OCMC Romanian Camp Mission - Fr. Andrew as Team leader

The Mission to the Romanian Youth Camp began with two days of Training at the Orthodox Mission Center in St. Augustine Florida. The photos show the Team members with members of the OCMC staff.

The Romanian Youth Camp Mission team taken shortly after arrival in Cluj Romania. From Right to Left. Allison - OCA, Debra - OCA, Faith - Antiocian, Chris - Antiocian and Fr. Andrew leader OCA.

This shot was taken at the Camp location in the village of Marisel. This is typical Transylvanian country side. Notice the hay stacks which dot the hillsides.

Between rain storms volleyball was one of the sport activities. The player in the orange shirt was Father Ovidiu who was assigned to preside over the religious education and services.

Time for handicrafts was scheduled each day. Here Allison is teaching some of the female campers how to braid ankle bracelets.

Fr. Andrew with rain jacket is helping Marius with his English. The campers had a chance to practice their English language skills with the mission team.

Bishop Vasily of the Cluj diocese with Fr. Andrew and Fr. Ovidiu. Bishop Vasily oversees the Diocese Youth programs, Campus Ministry as well as humanitarian aid and Alcoholic counseling programs.

Really good food was prepared and served each day. Homemade bread variety of soup and traditional Romanian dishes like Mumalega.

Bishop Vasily with Hieromonks and Fr. Andrew celebrating the Divine Liturgy outside under a pavilion at the Nucula Monastery. Metropolitan Bartholomew was present but not celebrating.

From right to left Fr. Andrew, Metropolitan Bartholomew, Bishop Vasily, Abbot of Nucula Monastery. The photo was taken at a luncheon for the team provided by the monastery.

Bogdan and Faith doing Macrame at the Leghia Children's camp. The was the second camp we went to with 30 children from ages 8 to 15. Bogdan said he learned by English watching cartoons on the Disney channel.

Debra teaching the children how to make God's eyes. This is a native American handicraft.

Chris helping the children.

A two hour hike which turned into a 5/12 hour hike because our leader Radu got lost.

Fr. Andrew and Chris in a typical Romanian farm village. Notice the stick Fr. Andrew is holding. This was given by Chris because he noticed Father Andrew was having trouble hiking.

The children are making tie dyed shirts. Radu, our children camp leader is in the center bending over the table.

Faith reading from a book about the life of St. Herman of Alaska. All saints of America was the theme of the OCMC Mission team. Each day the life of a different saint was presented.

Fr. Andrew developed a close relationship with Dimitri the youngest child at the camp. Dimitri asked Father why did he come to Romania. Father told him he came to Romania "just to meet you."

Graveyard at one of the monasteries.

Group Photo of the OCMC team with Fr. Adrian and his Priotessa Diana at the parish rectory in the town of Ocna-Dej. Allison is standing next to Diana. Fr. Adrian was the assigned priest at the Leghia Camp.

St. Lukes Hosts Annual Blood Drive

This Sunday St. Lukes hosted it's annual blood drive. Here donors are prescreened.

Some of our parishioners dontate blood.

Not to be left out, Father Andrew also gets in the spirit and donates.

Post donation snacks were provided. Our thanks go out to those who gave of themselves for this worthy cause and to our Blood Drive Ministry Leader, Sharon and her helpers.

Feast Of The Transfiguration

The Traditional blessing of Grapes and fruit celebrates the feast of the Transfiguration of our Lord.

The following prayer is read and then the fruit is sprinkled with Holy Water. The prayer thanks the Lord for a plenty full harvest and ask for peace, good health and continued blessings.

PRAYER AT THE PARTAKING OF THE FIRST-FRUITS OF SUMMER

Let us pray to the Lord.

Lord have mercy.

O LORD our God, who in Your great compassion have led us to this season, who have blessed the cycle of the year and have crowned it with fruit bearing; You who in Your great patience have commanded the earth to bring forth for us fruits for nourishment: O adorable Lord, grant that the partaking of the first-fruits and the harvest of summer be unto peace and health and concord for Your servants, and grant to us the plenteous increase of every kind of good thing: For You are the Bestower of goodness, and to You we send up glory, to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

Fourty Years For Lee And Linda

Today following Liturgy a prayer service was held for Lee and Linda honoring their 40th Wedding Anniversary. God Grant Them Many Years.

Children's Sermon For August

With Father Andrew away on his mission to Romania, newly ordained Father Herman celebrated Liturgy and gave the children's sermon. He talked to the children about how beautiful they are as they are made in God's Image.

Next he spoke to them about the Transfiguration and showed them an icon of the feast day.