Shadeland End of Camp Celebration and Slava 2019

On Saturday August 3, 2019, honoring the Venerable Mother Angelina of Krushedol, the campers of Shadeland Camp celebrated the Shadeland Patronal Feast—Slava.

The Hierarchical Divine Liturgy was celebrated by His Grace Bishop Irinej, with concelebration of diocesan clergy. The choir of campers with their angelic voices beautified the service by singing responses. Over the past several years, the campers and their teachers have shown their great diligence in practicing various liturgical compositions, and do so with inherent ease in a short period of time, "that with gratitude in their hearts they may sing to God" (Col. ‪3:16‬).

Throughout the homily, Bishop Irinej stressed to the campers that faith in God is actually faith in the reality that God is the Creator, Who has created only that which is good. "Evil is the result of ‘rebellion against God’," added Bishop Irinej. Bishop Irinej demonstrated to the youth that the Gospel, on whose pages are written the events of the Resurrection, and faith in Christ's Resurrection is the foundation of our lives, and is therefore how our lives are measured. Without that discernment, "we can be dead, although alive". On the other hand, through the Resurrection, “those that are dead become alive”.

Taking the opportunity to converse with the youths about modern day challenges, Bishop Irinej touched on the internet and both its positive and negative fruits. "The internet is a wonderful tool", said His Grace Irinej, "but can severely harm people”. For that reason, it is vital that you do not allow "any device or machine to take control of your lives". For this reason, the role of the camp at Shadeland is extremely important. From its foundation, it was a great blessing for the Serbian people, who lived within the territory of Eastern America, as well as others throughout the North American continent. “Through this complex”, said Bishop Irinej, “our Holy Church offers the unselfish sacrifice of her priests and diligent labors of those that unceasingly care for the needs of the children, offering every child, without exception, that which is necessary for healthy spiritual development.”

At the end of the sermon, Bishop Irinej asked all the gathered children to convey their experience at camp to their friends, and to tell them: "You must come to Shadeland"!

Toward the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy, the festal bread was blessed and cut, followed by a Memorial Service (pomen) for the innocent victims of the Military Operation "Storm" (Oluja) in the Republic of Croatia.

After the Agape Meal, the campers offered a beautiful cultural arts program. The end of the camp season was highlighted with song, dance, and tears. The good will of many volunteers was evident in the flawless program, and resulted in many happy children (with many hugs) and proud parents. As is always the case, we see that the best fruits of our labor are those that come from our work with youth. It is vital to recognize the value of the camp, so that we we might properly support the growth of this complex. At camp, children are to familiarize themselves with their faith and culture, and form everlasting friendships. Perhaps this is why this year's camp season drew a record number of children, and in turn, we hope for the blessings of continued growth in the coming years.

Source: easterndiocese.org