November 21, 2005
Last Monday and Tuesday, November 14-15, 2005, fourteen St. Nersess Alumni"10 clergy and 4 lay men and women in Christian education, youth ministry, and service" convened for a welcome opportunity to explore issues of faith and contemporary church life.
The retreat site chosen for the occasion was the beautiful St. Ignatius Retreat House in Manhasset, NY, and, with its serene and hospitable facilities, was bested only by the bright fall weather (at least for the first day) and the enthusiasm of retreatants.
The idea for such a gathering was conceived at a breakfast alumni reunion, spontaneously organized at last May's Annual Assembly of the Eastern Diocese. As issues were hotly discussed around the table, it was decided that a meeting for Eastern Diocese alums actively serving the Armenian Church would be a great idea for further discussion and refueling.
Last Monday and Tuesday, November 14-15, 2005, fourteen St. Nersess Alumni"10 clergy and 4 lay men and women in Christian education, youth ministry, and service" convened for a welcome opportunity to explore issues of faith and contemporary church life.
The retreat site chosen for the occasion was the beautiful St. Ignatius Retreat House in Manhasset, NY, and, with its serene and hospitable facilities, was bested only by the bright fall weather (at least for the first day) and the enthusiasm of retreatants.
The idea for such a gathering was conceived at a breakfast alumni reunion, spontaneously organized at last May's Annual Assembly of the Eastern Diocese. As issues were hotly discussed around the table, it was decided that a meeting for Eastern Diocese alums actively serving the Armenian Church would be a great idea for further discussion and refueling.
Those who came spanned the geographical map (Midwest, Northeast, Mid-Atlantic) as well as the generation gap members of the classes of 1975 and 2005! As a result, Monday's meeting covered diverse topics and was very productive, finally adjourning for a pleasant dinner on Bayside's Bell Boulevard ("Restaurant Row"), followed by an evening of icebreakers and fellowship, concluding with prayer.
On Tuesday morning, Fr. Jim Hederman of the St. Ignatius Retreat House staff led the group through two basic Ignatian spiritual exercises: active Scripture reading and self-questioning meditation.
On Tuesday morning, Fr. Jim Hederman of the St. Ignatius Retreat House staff led the group through two basic Ignatian spiritual exercises: active Scripture reading and self-questioning meditation.
"As St. Ignatius taught, the goal of our life is to live forever with God. All the things in this world are God's gift to us so that we can know Him more easily, but if any of these gifts become the center of our lives, they displace God and so hinder our growth towards this goal. Everything has the potential of calling forth in us a deeper response to our life in God"
In an introductory exercise, Fr. Jim asked the group to consider how things typically encountered in parish life can work for or against deepening that response, for example, the donation of a jeweled chalice, a failed parish program, or a summer home.
Nancy Basmajian, currently ACYOA Executive Secretary, echoed the sentiments of many when she remarked "How interesting to consider that in the humblest object or moment, God could be drawing us closer."
Nancy Basmajian, currently ACYOA Executive Secretary, echoed the sentiments of many when she remarked "How interesting to consider that in the humblest object or moment, God could be drawing us closer."
Lunch around the ever-gracious St. Ignatius table and a wrap-up meeting afterwards capped another fruitful day.
As alumni increase in number (there are currently an unprecedented 11 students at St. Nersess Seminary), reunions may take a new direction, organized in smaller groups and different geographical areas. "This was a great opportunity to renew relationships, set a course for more collaborative efforts in support of the Seminary and its mission, and recharge our own individual ministries within the Church," noted Fr. Mardiros Chevian, Dean of St. Vartan Cathedral, as he and other alumni were saying their goodbyes.
For St. Nersess alumni of the Eastern Diocese, the next scheduled encounter is the May 2006 Diocesan Assembly in Fair Lawn, NJ.
As alumni increase in number (there are currently an unprecedented 11 students at St. Nersess Seminary), reunions may take a new direction, organized in smaller groups and different geographical areas. "This was a great opportunity to renew relationships, set a course for more collaborative efforts in support of the Seminary and its mission, and recharge our own individual ministries within the Church," noted Fr. Mardiros Chevian, Dean of St. Vartan Cathedral, as he and other alumni were saying their goodbyes.
For St. Nersess alumni of the Eastern Diocese, the next scheduled encounter is the May 2006 Diocesan Assembly in Fair Lawn, NJ.
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