From August 9th to the 15th, the Archeparchy of Pittsburgh will once again hold the ByzanTEEN Camp Rally for teens. The Theme this year is "I am the Vine, you are the branches". The Camp will be held at Camp Nazareth. Further info can be found this week on the archeparchy.org under the Office of Youth and Young Adults.

Teens from around the Archeparchy of Pittsburgh will be gathering at Camp Nazareth for our third ByzanTEEN Rally from Sunday, August 9 to Saturday, August 15, 2009. Your financial assistance will help our young people grasp the Rally theme: “I am the Vine, you are the branches” (John 15:5). The Office of Youth and Young Adults, through fr. Jim Hess, O.Carm., Director of Youth, has established an account to sponsor or help with part of the $325.00 rally fee for teens with financial difficulties. We would also like to encourage the teens from the Southwest to come to the Rally by minimizing their airfare. Lack of funds should not be a reason for a teen’s inability to participate. If you would like to sponsor a teen or help alleviate some of the fee, please make your checks payable to the Archeparchy of Pittsburgh and send them to fr. Jim at the Office of Youth and Young Adults, 66 Riverview Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15214. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Sr. Celeste at (412) 231-4000 Ext. 23. Above all, please pray for the success of our Rally, our young people, and our Youth Ministry movement in our Church.

For parents who want to see what Camp Nazareth is like, I posted a youtube video from our ACROD camping sessions.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iEP3WJ5Is9Y&feature=channel_page

Thanks to Metropolitan Nicholas and Metropolitan Basil for making this possible. Christ is indeed amongst us!

Thank you, DMD

Glory to Jesus Christ!

Attached please find the week long schedule for the ByzanTEEN Rally and Assistance Request Form. I'm hoping that the good folks of the Forum would be willing to help teens participate in this amazing experience by sending donations to the Office of Youth, 66 Riverview Ave. Pittsburgh, PA 15214. To sponsor a great kid is $325 but any help would be most appreciated.

In Christ Jesus,
fr. Jim

ByzanTEEN Rally 2009 will be accepting applications until July 27th. Don't miss out on this amazing experience. Donations to help teens are being accepted by the Office of Youth, 66 Riverview Ave. Pittsburgh, PA 15214. All donations are accepted and needed. Our future church needs YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Glory to Jesus Christ!

Today is the final day to accept applications for the Teen Rally.

Now and forever! What a wonderful experience for all involved. (Hurray for YouTube! Thanks for sharing that.)