UKRAINIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH OF THE USA
CONSISTORY OFFICE OF PUBLIC RELATIONS
PRESS RELEASE

Church School Camp at Sts. Peter and Paul in Palos Park, IL
By Rev. Fr. Vasyl Sendeha

The children who participated at Sts. Peter and Paul Church School Camp described their experience with one simple word, “Awesome.” “Awesome and we should do it again,” “awesome and we should have it a day or so longer.” That was nice to hear for the organizers of the Camp Janet Milton and Pani Matka Olena Sendeha, who has prepared and lead the annual Church School Camp. At the end it not just worked out, it turned to be a great time of fun and learning about God and the Church. Since summer time is here and Sundays School is over, kids of the parish enjoyed each other’s company by praying together, going on outings, baking prosphoras, doing crafts, learning and just having fun.

Kids had a blast making their own prosphoras with Fr. Vasyl to take home as well as making a batch to be used for the next Sunday Divine Liturgy Service. The new talents were discovered, when kids designed their own T-shirts with the message of Christ. It was fun to make them; it was even more fun to wear them the next day. The theme of the Camp was Sts. Peter and Paul and their zealousness in proclaiming God’s Word. Kids learned how Paul was not afraid to preach the Gospel, even thou he was threatened multiple times.

The decorated T-shirts with words Jesus Christ, Peace and love were proudly worn by the kids at the outing to downtown Chicago for a tour of the cathedrals. Archimadrite Pankratiy, pastor of St. Volodymyr Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral in Chciago, IL welcomed the children to the cathedral, a mother church for the local parishes of the Chicago Deanery as well as the eparchial seat of the Western Eparchy of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA.

The surprise caught everyone in awe, when Bishop Daniel suddenly walked out of the sanctuary as kids were visiting St. Volodymyr Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral in Chicago, IL. That was a truly a treat of the day, when his Grace Himself showed the Cathedral around and assisted kids in venerating the replica of Holy Icon of Mother of God of Pochaiv.

The days of fun ended with a custom water balloon throw and ice cream. Everyone left for home with great memories of a time spent together with friends from the parish church.