Maronite Catholic youths treated to day in Uniontown
St. George Maronite Catholic Church showed off the beauty of the area and the generosity of its congregation this summer when it welcomed members of the 2009 National Maronite Youth Retreat to a day in Uniontown. “It was an absolutely great experience,” said Joanne John, a church member who acted as liaison between the church and the retreat, which was held at Antiochian Village in Ligonier. “The whole church worked together. Something like that brings a parish together and helps them feel pride in our church. It brought a lot of recognition to the area.”
The retreat took place over six days in July in Westmoreland County, attracting youths from as far away as Texas. Eleven members from St. George took part in the retreat, including Brandy Risha, youth advisor; her sister Danielle Risha, Emilee Madison, Abby Rozgony, Mallory Sanner, Sarah Rogers, Deanna Naicker, Anna Howard, Elias Nahhas, Patrick Nahhas and Matthew Macar.
John explained Maronite Catholic youths meet every year but it’s been a long time since the organization was in Ligonier and this is the first time that St. George acted as a host.
But it’s a gesture the church considers very important.
The Rev. Tony Akoury, pastor of St. George, said of the youths, “They are the heart of the church.”
St. George welcomed the members for one day as they left the retreat center in Ligonier after breakfast on July 24 then headed to Mount St. Macrina. Once in Uniontown, they listened to a presentation on “Healing Our Roots” and participated in a reconciliation service during which time they nailed their sins to a cross.
“They could write anything they wanted on a shape of a heart and take a nail and hammer it into the cross,” said John. “+It was impressive.”
After a barbecue picnic provided by St. George Church, the youths enjoyed the beautiful grounds at Mount St. Macrina, taking a tour of the shrines where a priest would explain the significance of each stop.
“At every shrine, they prayed for someone,” said John.
The retreat members then headed to St. George Church where they were treated to dinner. They then participated in a healing prayer service with the theme “Sealed with Love” that included anointing with holy oil. John reported the youths brought the cross covered in hearts from Mount St. Macrina to St. George and placed it on the altar for the service.
The youths also had time for fun after this service, which was followed by a dance and outdoor volleyball games with refreshments that included a tiki bar with smoothies, cookies and fudge.
The retreat always brings a lot of joy to the St. George youths who participate.
“We’re the only Maronite church around here and it makes our kids so happy to be able to participate with other Maronite youths from across the United States,” said John. “They know now they’re not the only ones who participate in the Maronite faith.”
John also talked about how everyone enjoyed being together and the pleasure it was to see the youths on the church grounds. The retreat youths brought a lot of joy to all the members of St. George Church.
“The whole parish participated in this and did so much that I don’t know how to thank them all,” said John. “One thing about this parish – they’d do anything for their youths.”