Issue Number 62, March 2005 Return to Sunrise Index

Winter Camp of Scout Troop "Pegasus 1860" January 2005

By Scoutmaster Denis Bondaryev

We've often mentioned the importance of working with boys in Russia. Most marriages end in divorce, and boys grow up with their mothers and grandmothers. Because of one-child families, they are sometimes the only child. The result is that many boys do not know their fathers, and have no "masculine" formation. So having boy scouts is just a natural for this situation, and we are grateful that at last we have a scoutmaster and are making first steps toward establishing scouts throughout our territory. This is a report on their recent winter camp. Come join them! -ed.]

After the success of our first scout camp this past summer, it was time for the first winter camp. Thanks to Fr Dominic Kim, Pastor of the Arsenyev Parish of the Nativity, 14 boys from Vladivostok, Romanovka and Ussurysk spent four wonderful days 400 miles away from their hometowns in the most cold and wild region of our state--in the heart of Ussurysk taiga, the dwelling place of Amur tigers. Although we didn't live outdoors (the temperature was a forbidding: -15F) we did have a chance to be bitten by the local frost right away upon our arrival in Arsenyev and during our immediate hike to the top of the highest mountain in the vicinity of the city - the "Observer's Peak." An old fashioned one room log cabin with a woodstove, a well, and "restrooms outside" became our base for the next four days.

The City of Arsenyev is one of the major Russian manufacturers of military high-tech equipment, including the famous "Black Shark" attack helicopters. We tried to get a tour around the actual factory which builds these monsters, but because of the 10-day Federal New Year's vacation, the factory was closed. We made a city tour by foot. "Arsenyev" is the last name of a legendary Russian officer, who, back in the 19th century, was commissioned to survey and to map the unknown lands of the Russian Far East. He was the one who established many frontier towns including this town named in his honor.

Not all of us had the experience of climbing a half-mile high mountain through a snowy wilderness so we split in two parties and, carrying the necessities and cardboard, began to ascend. One party took a serpentine road that made their trip twice as long. The other took a shortcut. Thanks to a pair of walky-talkies, we were able to keep in touch all the way. The higher we went, the harder it was to breathe. In three hours both parties met at the top - tired but happy to observe the magnificent view below and a ski slope that goes down to the foot of the mountain. Some of us slide down the ski slope on the cardboards, anticipating hot dogs and hot tea in the café, and some of us just walked down the hill enjoying the trip. Once we got back to the base, lunch was eaten in a blink of an eye! The afternoon was devoted to studying the history of the Russian flag and its symbolism. At dusk two parties began to patrol the perimeter of the base - one checking the other for preparedness. Every day we had regular prayers and readings from the Gospel in our daily routine. Here are some other highlights:

January 5: We got up, had a quick breakfast and marched to one of the ski resorts in the taiga. No one was complaining about the fact we had to sleep in sleeping bags right on the floor. There we rented skies and took a 1.5 mile route--not too long for most of us who had never skied before. It was lots of fun with uncountable flip-flops, teamwork, and a couple of broken skis. We were all eager to come back the next day to try the 5 mile route! In the afternoon we did an obstacle course with fireworks and prizes. At night the temperature dropped down to -22F, but we still had patrols outside until 1: 00 AM. Hot tea and snacks were unlimited.

Resting in the snow.

January 6: It was hard to get up. We were all sore from yesterday's rendezvous with jumping out of the trees and bushes. But to live in a house like the one we had takes some hard work: chopping logs, making sure we have water, maintaining the fire in the stove, washing dishes and other routine matters. That was our morning exercise to keep us warm and fit. This day we took the 5 mile route on skis. After such an effort a barbecue in the woods was "a must". We made it a competition to see who could make a fire on the snow. In the afternoon we built a snowslide for the kids of the Arsenyev parish. We painted it with cheerful colors: "Do a good deed every day!" And again we had the night patrol to thwart unexpected attacks of "intruders," including possible tigers, wild pigs, and bears.

The infamous "night patrol" In the woods with tigers! The tiger's favorite foods are dogs and wild pigs, but they have been known to attack people.

January 7: Last day at the base. We were all pretty tired. A wrestling competition took place in the afternoon, and then we cleaned up the base and the premises, had the last meeting, and took a midnight train back to Vladivostok. The trip back was not to be in the comfort of a bus. We got to Arsenyev by a train with stiff wooden benches in the car. It was a surprise for many of us to have to sleep for 5-6 hours sitting on those benches and being awakened every hour by exiting and entering passengers. It was again something for us to cope with and to endure.

Getting orders from the scoutmaster Denis.

We are planning to get together again in the spring, somewhere on the islands of Peter The Great Bay in the Sea of Japan. How would you like to join us? God bless all our sponsors!

News Notes

by V Rev Myron Effing, C.J.D.

Babba Gelia (Gelia Yakovlevna Zenkova) (94) died on February19, and her funeral mass was celebrated by the new pastor of Nakodka, Father Bartholomew Szost on February 24. "Babba" is a title of respect given to elderly women in Russia. Babba Gelia was one of the "wonders of the Far East", a colorful figure with a long history of stories to tell the present generation. She was the very first Nakhodka parishioner, coming two hours early for the very first mass in order not to miss it!. One of the joys of her old age was the time when the parish decided that the then-new Bishop Joseph Werth would have dinner at her house, a log cabin on the edge of the city with a traditional Russian wood stove. Fr Myron promised her that the pope would be coming next, but he reneged on his promise. She became blind after her 90th birthday, but then she underwent cataract surgery and recovered her sight. It was she who said that God appeared to her in a dream and promised her a golden goblet in heaven because she kept her Catholic faith through all the terrible years. Her family was from Latvia, but she was born in Siberia near Krasnyarsk (Red Bank). She kept a photo of her childhood parish church in her old prayerbook which she carefully saved and used throughout her life for daily prayer, even during the worst of Communist times. She remembered the day in her childhood when the Communists shot her pastor and the Orthodox priest together. Eternal rest grant to her, O Lord. Pray for us, Babba Gelia! Babba Gelia surrounded by friends and family.

Here is a photo of the new class of catechists we have been training to work in all the parishes here in Primorye. They've finished most of their academic work for this year, and will soon take their exams. Students are from Vladivostok, Ussurysk, Nakhodka, and Lesozovodsk. Most are already helping in their parishes, from catechists to boy scout leaders. Teachers have been myself, Fr Daniel, our theologian Cyril Voitzel, Evangelization Director Yuri Byelozorov, Internet Catechist Viktor Anisimov, and Children's Catechist Marina Malinina.

Vicky Trevillyan came from our sister parish of St Joseph in Modesto, California, for a month of service and spiritual renewal. She soon found that we had ooddles of clothing and vestments that had been waiting for someone to mend and sew and patch. Big snow storms sometimes kept her back from volunteering with the orphans of Children's Hospital #3, but she had plenty of work to keep her busy. Thanks for your help, Vicky! Vicky Trevillyan at the sewing machine.

Mrs Travillyan made the Advent Wreath this year.

On January 15 there was a report on Russian TV in which the experts admitted that family values have not been stressed in Russia for half a century, and they lamented the outrageous divorce rates, sickening abortion rates, the amount of orphans, and the extent of drug abuse. Perhaps society is beginning to awaken gradually, and we've probably have some effect on that with our Women's Support Centers and our work in schools and parishes. We want to continue this work which helps to cure society and at the same time saves the lost and the abandoned. The Women's Support Centers are usually running at about a $13,000 debt. More donations for this important work would be welcome! Thank you for helping us to continue.

"Sisters in Jesus the Lord" received a big plug on local Catholic Radio in St Paul, Minnesota. Sr Julia and Sr Maria Stella were interviewed on Friday, February 18th about the Milk and Fruit Program for the orphans at Baby Hospital #3 in Vladivostok. They are raising money so that the orphans there will have a steady supply of milk and fruit. The program is coordinated in Russia by Sr Olga. It was begun after American adoptive parents complained that their newly adopted children had rickets. Also, Sr Julia, when she visited the orphanage, also saw the deficiencies in the children's diet. Now the children are much healthier, not just because of the "milk and fruit," but because food resources containing more vitamins, especially A and D, are used, and because more volunteers are available to take the 60+ children out into the sunlight and for exercise. The orphanage is understaffed. If you could interest some group in your parish to contribute to the "Milk and Fruit Program," the sisters would be happy to send you a CD of their radio interview free of charge. Please write to info@cjd.cc or "Sisters in Jesus the Lord" (see address under contact information). Or be a volunteer and come to help the children yourself!

Fr Dan received a kind gift from Bishop Pickel of Saratov, Russia. It seems that one of Bishop Pickel's benefactors offered to pay for a tour of the Holy Land for all priests who have worked in Russia for ten years. Fr Dan and I have worked 13 years already, so Fr Dan went to the Holy Land in February. I expect to be able to go in May. Fr Daniel had been taking my place during my convalescence which was quite a load, especially considering that he also had to help me with meals and my other personal needs. So he needed a break. He reports that it was a real spiritual retreat for him.

On February 23 I had a wonderful opportunity to speak at St Paul Seminary in St Paul, MN to the upperclassmen. They were very interested, and so I can hope that in the future more priests in Minnesota will be interested and knowledgeable about our mission work. Several expressed the interest to come and visit Vladivostok in the near future. Let's hope it happens. Last fall I spoke to the Wichita, Kansas seminarians, and they are also very interested.

An ultrasound machine donated for our Women's Support Centers! Every city where we have a Center needs such a machine. Many clinics in the US are now upgrading to new "4-D" machines, so older machines are worth "zilch" on the market, but they will be great in Russia! We are still looking for more of them, and expect that they will allow us to save many more lives of infants in the womb. We will have to ship them to Russia, so there will be a cost, even if the machines are donated.

	Summer programs in Vladivostok--This is the way it looks for now:
	Pilgrimage on Foot: June 23-30 from Ussurysk to Arsenyev.
	Pilgrimage by bicycle: July 3-12 Lesozovodsk to Vladivostok
	Far Eastern Catholic Youth Conference: July 24-30 Blagoveschensk
	Boy Scout Camp: August 7-14
	Family Retreat: August 7-14 Sodgorod
	Girls' Camp: August 14-20 Sodgorod American travelers will attend some of these events. Want to join us?

Last year's mission conference was a huge success, and benefactor asked to meet again in 2005. Sandra Sonnen, Mission Coordinator, announced the dates: October 21-22-23, 2005, in St Paul, Minnesota. It is expected that Fr Daniel will give talks this year, and we have some other ideas to make it a good conference. Please accept our invitation to join us in St Paul and mark your calendar! Travel and living arrangements, and costs, will be announced in subsequent Sunrises.

For my birthday on February 7 the children made a "fold-out" image of the altar and sanctuary of our church. I was happy to see that they depicted Fr Daniel as fatter than I! Also, they pictured Fr Sebastian in the habit of a canon. It is always easier to see the "mistakes" than the good things. Thanks, kids! God bless you! You did a good job!  Larisa Kalaninchenko is holding the kid's production.

Mary Mother of God Mission Society - Automatic Withdrawal Plan

We are pleased to offer you a new service - the Automatic Withdrawal Plan. Now you can have your donation deducted automatically from your checking or savings account. And you won't have to change your present banking relationship to take advantage of this service.

The Automatic Withdrawal donation plan will help you in several ways: * It saves time - fewer checks to write. * No lost or misplaced statements * It saves postage * It's easy to sign up for, easy to cancel

Here's how the Automatic Withdrawal Plan works: You authorize regularly scheduled donations to be made from your checking account. Then, just sit back and relax. Your donations will be made automatically on or near the first of the month. And proof of donation will appear on your statement. The authority you give to charge your account will remain in effect until you notify us in writing to terminate the authorization. To take advantage of this service, complete the attached authorization form and return it to us.

All you need to do is: 1. Mark the box before "type of account" to indicate whether your donation will be deducted from your checking or savings account. 2. Fill in your name, financial institution name and location and date. 3. Attach a voided check for verification of all financial institution information. If you are unable to attach the voided check, please fill in your account number and routing number. NOTE: Be sure to sign the form!

AUTHORIZATION FOR AUTOMATIC WITHDRAWAL

I authorize Mary Mother of God Mission Society to initiate electronic debit entries to my: ? checking account ? savings account for donation of (type of donation, such as general donation, women's centers, building fund etc.) ______________________. Amount I wish to have donated every month $_____________________. I acknowledge that the origination of ACH transactions to my account must comply with the provisions of U.S. law. This authority will remain in effect until I have cancelled it in writing.

Date________________________

Financial Institution Name (Please Print)_______________________________________

Account Number at Financial Institution________________________________________

Financial Institution Routing/Transit Number____________________________________

Financial Institution City and State____________________________________________

Signature____________________________________

PLEASE KEEP A COPY OF THE AUTHORIZATION FOR YOUR RECORDS

Living Trusts For Future Donations to Mary Mother of God Mission Society

Are you interested in donating to Mary Mother of God Mission Society, but now is not the right timing? If you answered yes, then creating a living trust might be something you would like to consider.

A living trust is a legal document created during a person's lifetime, which is much like a will but with certain advantages that are not available with wills. Upon a person's death or disability a spouse, child or Trustee or a trust company takes over and carries out that person's wishes as expressed in their written estate plan. With a Living Trust this is done without putting the family through the trauma and delayed expense of Probate.

An estate planner--a lawyer--is necessary, but the results are excellent and cost effective. It truly gives one the opportunity to be a good steward of the gifts God has given us during our lifetime.

If you are interested in Living Trusts you may contact Mark Henry, JD, Stewardship Planning Group llc, PO Box 2864, 25 Easy Street Suite A, Carefree, AZ 85377 or call (480) 423-5632

Kids to Kids Update. . .

Kids to Kids is introducing a new T-shirt, which is a gift to any K2K member who helps to fundraise. For larger groups such as schools and churches a donation of $3.00 is gladly accepted.

From the development desk...

Dear Vladivostok Mission supporter,

	A volunteer helper has started a prayer ministry for Fr Myron, our parishes in Russia and all of Russia called "Armchair Missionaries" Might you commit 30 seconds a day to pray the prayer? It is on the back of the icons that we send out with our "thank you" letters. Or you may email Micki at amdb@aol.com or write to her at our office.
	We are looking for a teacher(s) to develop lesson plans on the Vladivostok Mission. Grades K-2, Grades 3-6 Grades 7-9 Grades 10-12. The history of the mission in Vladivostok covers geography, world history, politics, Church history. We have lots of information for you. We would offer it on the web as well as when we speak or attend conferences.
	We are desperately looking for more office space in St Paul. Got any ideas?
	We can now automatically deduct a monthly donation from your bank account if you like. See the ad on page six.

God love you and your family,

Sandra Sonnen