Spiritual retreat for the clergy in Kazakhstan

Recently the annual spiritual exercises and working meetings of Greek Catholic priests and sisters who work in Kazakhstan took place in Karaganda. The spiritual retreat for the clergy was led by Fr. Justyn Boyko, Studite, who arrived to Kazakhstan on the invitation of the Apostolic Delegate for the Greek Catholics in Kazakhstan and Central Asia Father Vasyl’ Hovera. Considering that the priests work far away from one another, hundreds of kilometers away, such spiritual meetings during which they can pray together and listen to spiritual teachings is very important, and in recent times they are conducted regularly every year.  After the spiritual exercises Fr. Justyn shared his experience from monastic and pastoral life. In particular, he focused on the themes of pre-matrimonial catechization in the parish, on the various forms of work with youth, and the administration of the parish. At the completion the clergy conducted a work meeting chaired by Fr. Vasyl’ Hovera. At the meeting important affairs of pastoral life were discussed, important current issues were brought up, and solutions for the improvement of pastoral activity among the Greek Catholics in Kazakhstan were considered. On the occasion of the church’s Feast of the Protection Veil of the Mother of God in Karaganda Fr. Justyn Boyko conducted spiritual exercises for the believers.  On the feast day was held the Divine Liturgy which was led by Fr. Vasil’ Hovera in concelebration of Greek Catholic and Roman Catholic priests who came to share the joy of the church’s feast. After the Liturgy the prayer service for our Lady and blessing of water took place. Right after the completion of the divine services in the church, all the faithful and guests were able to have a meal of real Uzbekistani “plov” (national Uzbek’s dish) which was prepared at the parochial house.

Press-service of the UGCC in Kazakhstan