NEWS AND EVENTS - Friday, November 7, 2014

EASTERN DIOCESE CLERGY SEMINAR - GRIEF MATTERS!

Shadeland, PA - His Grace Bishop Dr. MITROPHAN scheduled the Annual Diocesan Clergy Seminar at the Most Holy Mother of God Monastery, Springboro, Pennsylvania for November 3-4, 2014.

The monastery church was used for Vespers on Monday evening and for the Matins and Hierarchical Divine Liturgy on Tuesday morning. The facilities of St. Sava Camp, Shadeland were used for sleeping , meals and the seminar.

Eight priests and a protodeacon served with His Grace at the Divine Liturgy. Attending priests and the Episcopal Secretary sang the responses. In addition to His Grace, twenty-eight clergy and the Episcopal Secretary participated in the seminar

The speaker for the seminar was Holy Torbic, MSW, Program Director for the Tides Program in State College, Pennsylvania. The title of her engaging presentation was: “Grief Matters.”

Mrs. Torbic spoke at length and with great detail about the grief process. She told of her experiences in learning about grief from the youths and adults her program has served. The speaker cited the importance of listening, learning from and being present with those who grieving. She described the individual nature of grieving for each person and varied time involved in grieving. Mrs. Torbic drew from her personal and professional experiences to illustrate the points in her talk. She addressed at length the topic of suicides. Her talk addressed warning signs and the lack there of for individuals committing suicide. The talk included suggestions for clergy to use in helping individuals, families and friends in the grief process. Extensive discussion took place as clergy spoke from their experiences and gave vivid examples.

Dealing with grief is of vital importance in parish life as parishioners turn to the parish priest for help. Clergy participating said the seminar was of value. Some priests stated intentions to utilize the speaker further regarding their particular parishes.

His Grace Bishop Dr. MITROPHAN is committed to continuing education seminars for the Diocesan clergy. His Grace has consistently scheduled seminars during His Episcopacy in the Eastern American Diocese of the Serbian Orthodox Church.

The Eastern Region Federation of the Circle of Serbian Sisters readily prepares the meals for the seminars each year. The consistent effort of the KSS Federation for the benefit of Shadeland Camp and these seminars is greatly appreciated.

Federation President Millie Radovick, past KSS President Olga Dimitrijevic, and KSS members Angeline Stojanovich and Marija Kordesich worked for the benefit of the seminar. Shadeland Caretaker Scott Felix prepared the buildings for the seminar.

The celebration of the Divine Liturgy of clergy together with the Diocesan Bishop and the holding of these seminars is of value to the Diocese. Thank God for this beneficial gathering.

Father Rodney Torbic