Diocese of Toledo, other Dioceses End PLC Season with a Bang on July 4th

Bishop Mark and Jamie FarrFor the Dioceses of Toledo, Ottawa, Charleston and New York, and Los Angeles and Eagle River, the Fourth of July holiday weekend ushered in the long-planned for Parish Life Conferences. With the Creative Festivals, liturgical worship, fellowship, and special speakers as the reward, the faithful of each diocese traveled long distances to convene over the holiday weekend. The Cathedral of St. George in Perrysburg, Ohio hosted the Diocese of Toledo faithful at the Hilton Garden Inn, where the teens participated in a community project, and attendees gained insights through the talks given by the special speaker, St. Vladimir's Seminary professor Dr. Albert Rossi. As an additional treat, M*A*S*H actor Jamie Farr was in Toledo for a golf tournament and he made a special appearance at the Saturday night banquet. He welcomed the faithful to his hometown, and his home parish, and did a short standup comedy routine. Afterwards, many of the PLC attendees enjoyed chatting with him and having their photos taken with him.

In Tucson, Arizona, the Diocese of Los Angeles and the West met at the JW Marriott Starr Pass Resort and Spa, thanks to the hard working parishioners of Fr. Philip Nixon's parish, Holy Resurrection. Attendees were also able to sign up for day tours to two sacred Arizona sites, St. Anthony's and St. Paisius' Monasteries.

In the meantime, Diocese of Ottawa Antiochian Orthodox converged on the beautiful city of Montreal at the Hotel Omni Mont-Royal. The diocesan youth participated in the talent show, “Across the Universe Talent Show and Dance.” Sunday, the Divine Liturgy was broadcast live via internet by Radio Sawt El Rab.

The Dioceses of Charleston and New York were hosted by St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church of Allentown, Pennsylvania at the Holiday Inn Conference Center, with original events such as the Iron Pigs Baseball Game and the Arab American Comedy Show, featuring Dean Obeidallah.