“Christian perfection consists in union with God by the practice of virtue; it requires love of God and our neighbor and detachment of the heart from the things of this world.”
– My Catholic Faith, Bishop Morrow
– My Catholic Faith, Bishop Morrow
.: July 14th – First Day :.
Setting Up Camp
“Then Solomon and all the assembly with him went to the high place which was at Gibeon, for God’s tent of meeting was there, which Moses the servant of the Lord had made in the wilderness.”
– 2 Chronicles 1:3
“The steps of the altar shall face east.” – Ezechiel 43:17
.: July 15th – Day Two :.
Relay Races
Vasco Núñez de Balboa
. . . or just Balboa.
Dodge Ball – It looks easy, but it isn’t.
.: July 16th – Day Three :.
Archery and Shooting
“When a strong man, fully armed, guards his own house, his possessions are in peace.”
– Luke 11:21
.: July 18th – Day Five :.
Team Building and building the spirit of Fraternity
Push ups and drills before breakfast. “We sleep and dream that life is beauty; we awake and find that it is also duty.” – The Man of God by Very Rev. Charles J. Callan, O.P., S.T.M.
.: July 19th – Last Day of Camp :.
“Put you on the armour of God, that you may be able to stand against the deceits of the devil. Stand therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of justice, and your feet shod with the readiness of the gospel of peace: In all things taking up the shield of faith, with which you may be able to quench all the fiery darts of the most wicked one. And take unto you the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, that is, the word of God.” – Ephesians 6:11-17
“Prayerful attention each morning to offer the works of the day to God will make the whole day a pleasing prayer.” – The Man of God by Very Rev. Charles J. Callan, O.P., S.T.M.
Benedicamus Domino in aeternum!
JMJ
Thanks for sharing, Jessica! So nice to see everyone having a good time in the great outdoors!
Enjoyed the photos very much; especially those of Fr. Gordon. Love and miss him.
God bless, Carrie
2014-08-28 03:02:57
Love, love, love the pics. Though I think my fav two are the priests with guns and the boys at Mass:):)
2014-08-28 06:03:57
Please tell me more about this camp! It looks awesome! Is this a local parish activity or something else? How wonderful for all those boys.
2014-08-28 09:27:19
That looks so wonderful!! Why, oh why, oh why can't we live closer!!! I have four boys and would love this for them…Maybe we'll have to create one out here!
2014-08-28 11:01:53
Yes please tell me what program they follow… Would love to start one here, too!
2014-08-28 11:56:19
Soo wonderful! I hope my son gets to attend one of these camps when he is older! Is one of those seminarians James Gillenkirk? His family lives around the corner from us and we attend the same FSSP parish. His sister, Caroline, is such a blessing to me. Often helping me with the kids…babysitting or holding the baby for me while I tend to the others etc. They are a wonderful family. All the Gordon brothers look quite different from each other don't they??
2014-08-28 14:36:29
Thanks Erin! They are actually still seminarians at the Fraternity of St. Peter, studying for the priesthood! We have another picture (taken right before the one in this post of them smiling) with serious faces. Love it!!
2014-08-28 15:05:21
I'm glad you enjoyed seeing the pictures! I was so happy that my husband agreed to take along the camera. I loved seeing all the pictures too! It was such a blessing for our boys to be able to attend the camp and see their uncle again.
2014-08-28 15:07:35
Yes, it was put on by my husband's brother for his parish and he extended an invitation to our children! The girls camp was the following week but it just didn't work out for our girls to go this year. I really hope they have an opportunity to attend sometime in the future.
2014-08-28 15:13:45
I'll have to ask the boys, but I believe that the schedule was very similar to that of Camp St. Peter at Custer State Park in the Black Hills of South Dakota, and Camp St. Isaac Jogues in Pennsylvania. Four seminarians came out from the FSSP to help with this camp.
2014-08-28 15:37:23
Yes! The boys loved meeting Mr. Gillenkirk! 🙂
2014-08-28 15:40:28
I know what you mean! I wish we had a camp like this (and an FSSP parish!) in our area. We keep praying! I'm so glad my husband was able to take time off work to make the long drive with the boys so they could go this year. I hope you'll be able to find something similar for your boys!
2014-08-28 15:45:57
I just asked the boys and here is a general schedule from memory:
06:00 AM – Rise & Angelus
06:15 – Morning prayers, Confessions & Meditation before Mass
07:00 – Holy Sacrifice of the Mass 08:00 – Breakfast & clean-up
08:30 – Morning Program including Games (Talks/DodgeBall/Archery or Shooting/Frisbee/Soccer
12:00 PM – Angelus & Lunch
12:30 – Afternoon program (Talks/Archery or Shooting/Outdoor Games)
2:00 – Talk/Catechism
3:00 – Chaplet of Divine Mercy
3:30 – Saint of the Day; Team Building Exercises
4:30 – Rosary
5:00 – Dinner
5:30 – Campfire, Smore's
6:00 – Angelus
7:00 – Evening program (Ask Father; Games like Capture the Flag and *Communist Church)
*My boys came back and taught all their friends this game when we went camping. They love it!
9:30 – Evening prayers & lights out
2014-08-28 15:37:53
What a blessing!
2014-08-28 16:25:38
Awesome. What a blessing (especially for those not blessed with family members who are priests) for the boys to interact in such a way with priests and seminarians.
2014-08-28 18:33:24
Even though we have family members who are priests, it isn't often that our boys actually get to see them! The last time our older boys saw one of their uncles, prior to this trip to attend camp, was when one of them flew into town for only about 24 hours to baptize our youngest and give the girls their First Holy Communion in January of 2012… They always travel to their parents (understandably) for their annual vacation which is a 2-3 day drive from here. 🙁 One of the disappointing things about my miscarriage was that we wouldn't be needing another baptism! (It's the only time they visit!) We are praying praying praying for the opportunity to move to an area with an FSSP parish or that we are able to get one in our area.
2014-08-28 19:23:15
What a wonderful experience for all of those boys! I'm very proud of your brother-in-law for organizing that camp. God bless him and the others who helped make it a success. The world could sure use a lot more men like that! 🙂
2014-08-28 19:56:28
Love all of the quotes and how you weave everything together. Praise God for all He accomplishes through your delightful family. God's continued blessing on those gentlemen!!!
2014-08-28 21:17:15
Come to Scranton!!!! Ohhh we would so love to have you at St. Michael's!
2014-08-29 02:08:57
Wow, your husband took some great photos! My oldest was so happy to be able to participate in Camp St. Joseph once again this year. I am happy that your boys got an opportunity to do so. Your brother-in-law and all of the seminarians make a wonderful impression on the children. I can see the fruits of participating in the camp. Thank you for including all of the quotes. I hope that your prayers are answered. May God bless you and your family!
2014-09-01 23:48:41