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2018 Priest Convocation (4/17/18)

The 2018 Diocesan Priest Convocation took place from Tuesday April 17 to Friday April 20th at Camp Nazareth in Mercer, PA.

Posted photos show scenes from the annual priest gathering.

Updated 4/20/18
The clergy arrived on Tuesday afternoon amidst a snow squall.
Introductions and fellowship in the Camp Lodge.
The Tuesday evening program in the new camp multi-purpose building.
Bishop Gregory offered words of welcome.
Small group discussion facilitated by Fr. Ken Bachofsky
Small group discussion facilitated by Fr. Frank Miloro
Small group discussion facilitated by Fr. Robert Rebeck
Small group discussion facilitated by Fr. Myron Zuder
Small group discussion facilitated by Fr. Michael Miklos.
Small group discussion facilitated by Fr. Michael Zak
Small group discussion facilitated by Fr. Sam Sherry.
Small group discussion.
The clergy engage in informal conversation.
Deep in discussion.
Sharing experiences.
Fr. Robert discusses his formative years which led to his answering the call to the Holy Priesthood.
Fr. John shares his 55 years of pastoral ministry with his group members.
Wednesday began with the celebration of Daily Matins.
Daily Matins
Wednesday Morning Matins Service.
Wednesday Morning Matins Service.
Clergy praying during Matins
Final Blessing at Matins
Bishop Gregory reminded the assembled Clergy that even when there are only a few people in Church that we are surrounded by Angels.
Bishop Gregory encouraged the priests to take time during the day's free time to spend time enjoying the beauty of God's creation on the Camp Grounds.
Breakfast
Bishop Gregory blessing the food.
Fr. Ken
Following Breakfast, Protopresbyter Kenneth Bachofsky led a Scripture Study on the Shepherd Theology of Scripture and Pastoral Theology.
Bishop Gregory began his presentation by describing himself and his personal characteristics.
The priests were asked to list 21 descriptive words or phrases that describes them
In the afternoon, Bishop Gregory gave an excellent presentation titled: "Get Real"
His Grace, then spoke about the need for personal integrity compassion, and concern for the priest's spiritual children.
A lighter moment.
The clergy.
In keeping with Fr. Ken's presentation on The Good Shepherd, the clergy celebrated the Moleben to Christ the Good Shepherd before supper.
Bishop Gregory praying with the clergy.
Fr. Stephen Loposky was the celebrant.
Fr. Edward Pehanich
On Thursday the clergy heard an engaging presentation by Very Rev. Dr. Edward Pehanich on Clinical Pastoral Education.
Archon Steven Laduzinsky gave a presentation to the assembled clergy.
Washington, DC Deanery Meeting
Youngstown Deanery Meeting
PIttsburgh Deanery Meeting
Mid-Atlantic Deanery Meeting
Chicago Deanery Meeting
Tri-State Deanery Meeting
New Jersey Deanery Meeting
The priests celebrated the Moleben to the Mother of God in the presence of the wonderworking icon of the Kardiotessa
Fr. Mark, the guardian of the icon recounted the most recent miracles associated with the icon.
Fr. Mark offers a few words.
Venerating the icon.
A delicious dinner followed the service.
Clergy Dinner.
Clergy Dinner.
Clergy Dinner.
Clergy Dinner.
Clergy Dinner.
Clergy Dinner.
Clergy Dinner.
The Convocation concluded on Friday Morning with the celebration of Divine Liturgy.
The Consistory priests co- celebrated Liturgy with His Grace, Bishop Gregory.
The Great Censing.
The Great Censing.
"Blessed is the Kingdom....."
Bishop Gregory prays at the Throne.
The priests led by Fr David Cochran and Fr. David Mastroberte beautifully sang the responses to Liturgy in the Traditional Carpatho-Rusyn Plain Chant.
At the Altar with His Grace.
Thrice Holy Hymn.
Seminarian Vince Dragonis received the blessing to read the Epistle.
The Censing during the Epistle Reading.
Fr Robert Buczak.
Cherubic Hymn
Bishop Gregory censing the Church during the Cherubic Hymn.
"Forgive me my brothers!"
The Great Entrance.
The Great Entrance.
Exchanging the Kiss of Peace with His Grace.
The Kiss of Peace.
The Creed.
"Let us Lift up our hearts!"
"Let us give thanks to the Lord"
The Anaphora.
"Take and Eat. This is my Body...
"Yours of Your Own we offer to You in behalf of all and for all!"
"Making the change by Your Holy Spirit ..."
Amen! Amen! Amen!
Amen! Amen! Amen!
Hymn to the Virgin.
"The unworthy Hierarch Gregory Receives the Most Precious Body of Our Lord, God and Saviour Jesus Christ"
"The unworthy Hierarch Gregory Receives the Most Precious Blood of Our Lord, God and Saviour Jesus Christ"
The priests receive the Precious Body of Christ.
The Priests like lambs in the green pastures of the Vineyard of our Lord, encircle the Altar table as they prepare to receive the Eucharist from the hands of their "good" Shepherd, Bishop Gregory.
The "PKs" in attendance receive the Body and Blood of Christ.
"O God Save Your People...."
"Let us depart in Peace!"
Fr Frank reads the Prayer at the Ambon.
Fr Miloro led the Panachida Service in memory of Fathers Ronald Hazuda and William George who reposed in the Lord shortly after last year's Priest Convocation.
The Panachida.
Bishop Gregory offered a few words at the end of Liturgy.
"You are my precious Brothers in Christ. While I've only known you five years I feel as if I have known you my entire life. Thank you for the good work you do for our Diocese and our parishes."
Convocation participants and those in attendance at Liturgy with His Grace Bishop Gregory.
Close up of Convocation participants and those in attendance at Liturgy with His Grace Bishop Gregory.