During August 16-20, 2021 a Summer Camp for Children “Vacation with God: The Seven Sacraments” was held at the Basilian Spirituality Center in Jenkintown, PA. The camp was organized and sponsored by St. Sophia Religious Association of Ukrainian Catholics, Inc. and the Sisters of the Order of Saint Basil the Great. Some 30 children aged 6-13 from various parts of the Philadelphia area participated in the event.
The organizers worked on the topic with the idea of the Holy Sacraments of the Church. The sacraments are signs, that is, words and deeds established by Jesus to bestow special graces on those who receive them in faith. Through the sacraments, Jesus is present in a special way among the faithful: “Therefore I am with you always, to the end of the age” (Mt 28:20).
The Catholic Church recognizes the seven Holy Sacraments.
- Baptism.
- Anointing.
- The Eucharist.
- Repentance.
- Anointing.
- The priesthood.
- The matrimony.
The camp’s program was created with the goal of molding the spiritual and cultural heritage of the Ukrainian people. The children enjoyed catechism classes, songs, dances, crafts, embroidery, and games. The program was coordinated by Iryna Ivankovych, President of St. Sophia Religious Association, and conducted by Sisters of St. Basil the Great: Sr. Olha Mykhayliuk, and Sr. Rose Ann, Sr. Lydia Sawka, Sr. Teodora Kopyn, with the help of many young volunteers. Divine Liturgies for the participants of the camp were celebrated by: Fr. John Ciurpita and Fr. Ruslan Borovyy.
This is the fourth joint initiative of St. Sophia Religious Association of Ukrainian Catholics, Inc. and the Sisters of the Order of St. Basil the Great in the field of spiritual education of the young Ukrainians in the USA.
St. Sophia Press Bureau