From noon on Saturday, August 2nd until noon on Sunday, August 3rd, St. Mary's Sunday School students joined together for a retreat at the church. This year's theme was dedicated to "The Miracles of Jesus." Approximately 30 youngsters came and enjoyed the full schedule of activities prepared by outgoing Superintendent Rosie Gharadagian and her staff.
The children began by making Get Well Cards for parishioners who were feeling poorly. Activities through the weekend included lessons on Jesus healing the blind, the ten lepers, and the paralyzed man, with crafts and games tied to each lesson. The students completed an obstacle course, made Thank You Journals and bookmarks, and even performed a skit on the Seven Deadly Sins and Virtues.
Der Moushegh took them into the sanctuary for a lesson on Anointing the Sick and the Raising of Lazarus, as well as a tour of the altar and its sacred items. Each child was able to touch things like the poorvar, kushotz, the banner, and the crosses — and Der Moushegh blessed each child by anointing them with the holy muron.
Food was naturally part of the fun — lunch on Saturday, snacks throughout the day, and a delicious chicken and pilaf dinner made and donated by Mrs. Roxy Musurlian. The children also got to make and eat their fill of ghourabia. After some Armenian line dances — the galor bar and the tamzara — and a round of freeze dance, they were finally tired enough to settle in with popcorn and a movie: The Miracles of Jesus.
Bedtime was in the sanctuary, where Der Moushegh led the children in a bedtime prayer. Sunday morning began with breakfast, a nature walk to the Back Bay Nature Center, then back to church for confession and communion.
Big thank-yous go out to all the staff and parent volunteers — and especially to Der Moushegh, whose warmth and dedication make St. Mary a true spiritual home for our children.
Registration and parent meeting for the new Sunday School year began on September 7th, with classes starting September 14th — also the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross. St. Mary welcomes all children from pre-K through high school and is always looking for adult volunteers. Contact new Superintendent Izzy Toumanian at izzytoumanian@socal.rr.com or (714) 596-4456.