OCF announces 2006 “Real Break” opportunities

BOSTON, MA [OCA Communications] — Registration for the 2006 “Real Break”
programs for Orthodox college students was recently announced by the Orthodox Christian Fellowship here.

The “Real Break” program college students life-changing experiences ministering in Orthodox Christian communities, orphanages, and monasteries during their spring breaks. Teams of 10-15 young adults are being sought to travel to Project Mexico, Hogar Rafael Ayau Orphanage in Guatemala, Raphael House in San Francisco, Holy Monastery of the Twelve Apostles in Greece, and El Salvador to share in the experience of serving others, prayer, fellowship, and fun. A “Real Break” team may also serve an affected disaster area through a Hurricane Relief project in partnership with International Orthodox Christian Charities [IOCC].

Each team will be accompanied by a priest who serves as the team leader and provides opportunities for one-on-one interaction and spiritual growth.

Participants are asked to raise funds for their trips among family, friends, and members of their parishes. The donors become an important part of each participant’s experience as photos and stories are shared with them upon their return.

The dates and locations for 2006 “Real Break” teams are as follow.

  • February 18 - 26 - Twelve Holy Apostles Monastery (Greece)

  • February 25 - March 4 - Project Mexico

  • March 4-11 - Project Mexico, Raphael House (San Francisco)

  • March 11-18 - Hogar Rafael Ayau (Guatemala), Hurricane Relief, El Salvador

  • March 18-25 (26*) - Project Mexico, Twelve Holy Apostles Monastery (Greece*)

  • March 25 - April 1 - Hogar Rafael Ayau (Guatemala)

  • Now in its seventh year, “Real Break” has attracted over 400 participants serving in ten different locations.

    “The program is one of the greatest ways that our college students can put their faith into action,” said the Rev. Mark Leondis, chairman of the OCF executive committee stated. “We feel blessed to have worked with these students and are grateful for their zeal for the faith and love for those who are less fortunate. God has indeed blessed their efforts.”

    To register or to obtain more information visit the OCF web site at www.ocf.net or call OCF toll free at 800-919-1OCF.

    OCF is the official campus ministry effort of the Standing Conference of Canonical Orthodox Bishops in the Americas. It is a pan-Orthodox effort, overseen by an executive committee and aided by a 15 person student advisory board.