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| HOSTED BY SAINT JOHN'S ABBEY AND UNIVERSITY |
| Collegeville, Minnesota |
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| June 21, 2000 |
| Our last full day at Saint John's! (What a sad thought...) |
| Today our schedule was adjusted because Dr. Theimer wants to throw a big party for us at his house on the edge of campus. (See pictures below.) |
| We started the day with a session on "Christian Dating and the Vocation to Marriage" presented by Jim and Maureen O'Tremba. This young couple has one young child, and both of them are graduates of Saint John's School of Theology. Jim was studying to be a priest for a time, and Maureen was a Benedictine sister for a few years, but then they discerned their vocation to Christian married life. The O'Tremba's presented the high ideals of Christian chastity, and the teachings of the Catholic church on sexuality and marriage, in a very positive and loving way. As always, we had many questions and comments, and the session went overtime because of our high level of interest. This session was very inspiring! |
| Then we went on a pilgrimmage to the Stella Maris ("Star of the Sea") Chapel of Our Lady on the other side of the lake. We recited the Rosary there (glorious mysteries for Wednesday) and then hiked back. |
 
Praying the Rosary at Stella Maris chapel. |
 In an outburst of Marian piety, Chris and Thomasina realize that they really like this idea of going on a pilgrimmage. |
| After lunch we had our last religion class with Deacon Bobertz. He talked about personal prayer, and he also treated reconciliation to prepare us for the upcoming penance service. |
| Fr. Anthony presided at the penance service, and six Benedictine priests were available for those of us who wanted to go to private confession (most all of us did). As the "Song of Praise" at the end we sang "Give Praise and Thanks" by Jane Marshall, complete with tambourine. It's great being part of a congregation that can sing in four-part harmony! |
| Well, it's been a lot of religion today (which is OK too)...but finally it lightened up. After some rehearsal with Dr. Theimer (including posing for the photographer), we were taken out to his place for a cook-out party. He has a nice house on wooded land. Here are some pictures of the great time we had. |
 John is happy to help load the food for the cookout. |
 Counselor Chris Jacobson brings out the brats and burgers. |
 Singing around the piano with counselor Kevin O'Brien. |
 Our chief is also a chef--Dr. Theimer at the grill. |
 Come and get it! Dinner is ready. |
 The talent show begins. |
 The audience is in rapt attention. |
 Grant and Jeff got choice seats for the show. |
 Counselor Kevin O'Brien doing a jazzed up solo version of "Ego Sum Panis Vivus," and the ladies go wild. |
 The audience loves it. |
 The entire NCYC staff (from left to right): Jeanne Kohr, Jill Coleman, Chris Jacobson (back), Kevin O'Brien (front), Cynthia Rapacke, Nick Pawlowski, Fr. Anthony Ruff, OSB, Michelle Plombon, Dr. Axel Theimer. |
 John says that this is so much fun it hurts...or is he trying to remember mathematical pi out to 100 decimal points? Alejandro and Jeff say, "Let the dance go on." |
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 David Letterman seated on the left, and duelling guitars. |
 The evening ended around the bonfire. Dr. Theimer sang some traditional Austrian songs that are sung at end of day. |
 Then, gathered around the fire, arm in arm, we all sang from memory the antiphon of Compline, "Protect us Lord as we stay awake, watch over us as we sleep, that awake we may keep watch with Christ, and asleep rest in his peace." Teary farewells were exchanged...soon the NCYC will draw to a close. |
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