Jenni's Journal Miraculous Gift of Christ At this time of year we are bombarded with messages of peace and goodwill from every shop window and TV ad, but how often do we really stop and reflect on the true meaning of the Christmas season and bring it into our daily life throughout the year? Below is a picture of the dynamic team that I am blessed to work with throughout the year. I thought I would take this opportunity to share with you who we are and what we each of us are responsible for here at the Diocesan Center. 
Pictured left to right:
Giving Thanks In just a few days, I will be heading home to Michigan for a short vacation over the Thanksgiving weekend. This is the time of year that I love to be surrounded by family and friends. I wish this period and feeling of thanksgiving stayed with me throughout the year, but too many times I forget to take the time and appreciate everything that I am blessed with each and every day. I fail to reflect on the struggles I have been faced with and the great lessons I have learned from them. I forget to stop and truly be grateful for the people that I am surrounded by each day and what each individual brings into my life collectively. I hope that this month’s HYE-mail reminds each of you to take some time and reflect on all of the blessings you have to be grateful for each and every day. I pray that this year I will be able to keep the thanksgiving season with me throughout the year, and thank God for everything He has offered me. Oorakh Kohapanootian or! October 2006 Fall Has Come For me, October is the month when I know fall has arrived, and that winter isn't too far behind. For some of us, it is the month that ACYOA Juniors gather together during Columbus Day Weekend for some sports, fun and fellowship. Earlier this month, close to 180 participants gathered from 18 different parishes gathered in Cambridge, MA, for the ACYOA Juniors Sports Weekend. Want to learn more and see photos? Click here. For others, this is the month we dress up in costumes, go trick-or-treating and yell boo to try and scare our friends. Whatever the month of October is for you, I hope that you take a few minutes to sit down at your MAC or PC and read through HYE-mail. Take some time to learn about what else is celebrated by Christians as we leave October and head into November, and don't forget to stay warm. Here are some photos: 
We begin our walk after a short prayer service. 
One of the six marchers talks to Nancy Basmajian, ACYOA Executive Secretary and Fr. Mardiros Chevian, Dean of the Cathedral before we begin our walk. 
Pedestrians stop to read our signs in Times Square. September 2006 Start of a New Season Summer has come and gone and the chill of autumn is in the air. It is hard to believe that three months have passed since the last HYE-mail. You might have thought that I had forgotten about you, but I didn't. Over the past three months I worked diligently in partnership with the Hye Camp Director, V. Rev. Fr. Aren Jebejian, and the St. Vartan Camp Director, Rev. Fr. Krikor A. Sabounjian, to prepare and deliver an exciting camp season. This summer I had the opportunity to work with more than 400 campers, 130 staff, and at least 50 volunteers from around the Diocese.
Now that the summer has come to an end I am looking forward to my upcoming visits to various parishes. I will work with your local ACYOA chapters and provide resources for youth advisors. So, if you see me around in your parish, please come on up and say "Hi!" Here are some photos from my summer: 
Hye Camp Director, V. Rev. Fr. Aren Jebejian, and St. Vartan Camp Director, Rev. Fr. Krikor A. Sabounjian, pose with me at a meeting prior to the camp season. 
Over 200 campers and staff gathered for the one-week Midwest Hye Camp. 
Posing with some campers and staff from Hye Camp during Capture the Flag, Red vs. Blue. 
The breathtaking scenery of the Ararat Center, home to St. Vartan Camp in Greenville, NY. 
Teen girls participate in the Fourth of July Parade during Session A of St. Vartan Camp. 
Teen boys take center stage during Session B's Talent Show. 
Some of the award recipients during the Closing Ceremony of Session C. Click here for more photos from both summer camps. Summer is Coming The end of May is here and that means many of you are getting ready for the end of the school year and thinking about your well-deserved summer vacation. The camp season is nearing for both Hye Camp and St. Vartan Camp. It is not too late to register to be a camper, CIT, or staff member. Please check our website for more information or e-mail me. This weekend I will be traveling to Providence, RI, to attend the ACYOA (Seniors) National General Assembly and Sports Weekend, as well as spend some time in Watertown, MA for the ACYOA (Juniors) Hye M'rtsoom. I am looking forward to being at St. James all day Saturday with the ACYOA Juniors at the gym. I'll have gifts for any of you who come up and introduce yourselves (or if I know you already, just stop by and say hi)! On Sunday evening I will return to Watertown for their final dance and to present some special awards on behalf of the ACYOA Central Council. I will be sure to inform you of this year's recipients in the June issue of HYE-mail. Here are some recent photos for you. 
Bethanie Mangigian, 16, of the St. John Church of Southfield, MI, speaks at the Diocesan Assembly. 
Young Armenians gathered during the Diocesan Assembly in New Jersey. Lent and Easter Celebrations April has been a great month! During this Lenten season I have enjoyed bringing ACYOA Juniors, together for a time of reflection, fellowship, and fun. This year we spent our time together exploring the question, "What Influences Today's Teen Culture?" The four retreats and lock-ins were sponsored and led by Youth Outreach, and involved 72 young people between the ages of 13-18 from 13 different parishes. In the March HYE-mail, I wrote about the New Jersey and New England Regional Retreats. This month we had two more to finish up our Lenten Retreat series. Daron Bolat, our intern at the Diocesan Department of Youth and Education, led a regional lock-in for ACYOA Jrs. at the St. Gregory the Illuminator Church in Chicago, IL, on April 1. Then the following weekend, I finished up the series in my home parish of St. John Armenian Church in Southfield, MI. I led the Detroit ACYOA Juniors in a retreat and lock-in beginning Friday evening and concluding Saturday afternoon (4/7-4/8). On Palm Sunday, I had the opportunity to witness the parish's new ACYOA Seniors Board installation and to speak with parishioners at a luncheon hosted by the ACYOA. It was a great weekend, but I enjoyed returning to New York City and getting back to work on camp preparations. pLast week, I enjoyed worshipping at the Cathedral throughout Holy Week and seeing the pews full. I pray that each of you had a blessed Easter holiday surrounded by family and friends. Here are some photos from the past couple weeks. 
Participants of the Retreat and Lock-in pose for a group photo after morning service. 
Their pastor, Fr. Garabed Kochakian speaks to the participants Saturday morning.  p
I am leading a discussion with the ACYOA Juniors on what influences their everyday choices. 
Fr. Garabed blesses an ACYOA Seniors Board member Sunday morning during the Installation Service.  p
Srpazan Khajag Barsamian expresses his appreciation to the members of the Yerez Dance Ensemble after their performance on Easter Sunday at a special luncheon. 
The Primate joins worshippers on the plaza to release 12 doves after Badarak on Easter Sunday. Camp and Lent Preparations for the upcoming camp season continue to keep me busy. If you haven't registered yet, please do so. Sessions are filling up quickly, and I don't want you to miss out on an awesome summer camp experience. If you know of anyone interested in becoming a CIT or staff member at either Hye Camp or St. Vartan Camp, please have them contact me to request an application or click here to visit our website. During this Lenten season I have enjoyed bringing ACYOA Jrs, together for a time of reflection, fellowship and fun. This year we spent our time together exploring the question, "What Influences Today's Teen Culture?" Young people from throughout New Jersey were invited to gather on Saturday (3/4) for a day-long retreat hosted by the St. Mary Church of Livingston, NJ. Last weekend, the New England Regional ACYOA Jrs. Retreat took place (3/17-3/19) near Concord, NH. Twenty-seven participants spent the weekend together away from the noise of the outside world and spent some time in silence, trying to listen to God. The last of the Lenten retreat series will take place in Southfield, MI with the Detroit ACYOA Jrs. for a retreat and lock-in beginning Friday evening and concluding Saturday afternoon (4/7-4/8). Well, that's all for now. Please feel free to contact me if I can be of any help to you and your local ACYOA. Here are some photos from my recent visits to our parishes. 
The ACYOA Juniors who attended the New Jersey area retreat. 
Daron Bolat from the Diocesan Department of Youth and Education, guides a retreat participant, showing her the way even though she can't see it to illustrate that Jesus is the way. 
Here I am talking with the participants in New Jersy about the choices teens are faced with everyday. It was a very interesting discussion! 
Here I am with the paticipants in the New England ACYOA Jrs. Retreat during our Outdoor Adventure in the woods. What an awesome experiance for all of us! 
During the retreat in New Hampshire, we bonded so well as a group we burst into a spontaneous group hug. 
Here are all us us at the New England retreat in the chapel following service. We held the retreat in a Greek Orthodox center, it was very unique. Getting Ready for Camp Believe it or not, January and February have been busy months for me. Most of my time has been spent on summer camp preparations. That's right! It's only February and we have already spent lots of time thinking about camp, and how to make it the best possible experience for all of the campers, CITs and staff. This week, brochures for St. Vartan Camp were mailed out to all past campers, clergy, Parish Council Chairs, Diocesan Delegates, Youth Advisers, and Sunday School and Armenian School Superintendents. If you don't receive a brochure, but would like to, please send me an e-mail and I will send you one right away. You can also click here for an application and information on St. Vartan Camp. I will be sure to share information about Hye Camp with you as soon as it is ready. Until then, let last year's friendships and memories stay fresh in your minds and hearts. Here's some photos from my photo album: 
After a day-long retreat in Fair Lawn, NJ, this past December. Lots of productive discussions.  Some friends I meet with during a trip to Cleveland in December. 
During our "lock-in" in Cleveland, we went on a Supermarket Sweep. When we got there, we read a Bible passage to give us clues and donated all of our purchases to a local food bank. 
In Charlotte, this December I met with a very wonderful group of young people. Such a vibrant new parish. 
Just a few of the young people I got to meet at the newly built St. Sarkis Church in Charlotte, NC. 
Bishop Vicken and I had a great time talking to and getting to know the young parishioners in Atlanta, GA. Return to the top of the page.
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