Members of the ACYOA Central Council traveled across the Eastern Diocese during the season of Lent, to lead three regional day-long retreats for ACYOA Seniors and young adults. More than 70 participants came together among all three locations to explore this year’s theme: “Made in His Image.”
The retreats took place on two Saturdays—March 8 and 22—and were facilitated by ACYOA Central Council members in partnership with a host parish in each region: St. Gregory the Illuminator Church in Chicago, IL; St. James Church in Watertown, MA; and St. Leon Church in Fair Lawn, NJ. The clergy of each host parish—respectively Fr. Andreas Garabedian, Fr. Arakel Aljalian, and Fr. Diran Bohajian—and the local youth gave the visiting retreat participants a warm welcome.
To lead the sessions, Central Council members utilized a “Lenten Retreat Guidebook” created expressly for and by the ACYOA, in collaboration with Jennifer Morris of the Diocese’s Department of Youth and Young Adult Ministries. Each gathering began and ended with worship, and included Bible study, a hands-on art activity, small group discussions, and chances for the participants to get to know each other.
“The Diocese’s Lenten retreats are an opportunity for youth to have meaningful discussions that bring us closer to God—and to make new friends in the process,” said Jennifer Morris. “We’re grateful to the host parishes and clergy of the three regions for their participation and support.”
To view photos from this year’s ACYOA Lenten retreats, click here.