It was our privilege to have as our guest retreat conductor Mother Melania of the Community of Saint Barbara Orthodox Monastery located in Santa Paula, California. She recieved permission from her Abbess, Mother Victoria, (who has also conducted one of our Parish Retreats) and that of our Bishop JOSEPH last year.
The title she gave to her presentation was "A Lenten Plan - Fasting, Prayer and Almsgiving". She guided us through her thoughts on the importance of preparation for the coming Holy Feast of Pascha, touching on each of these three points in three meditations separated by periods of silence and reflection.
Mother Melania has written several series of children's books, "The Twelve Great Feasts for Children", and "The Three-Day Pacsha", and the first two books in the "Old Testament Stories for Children" series.
We were very fortunate to have this engaging and enlightened speaker give our Lenten Retreat; hopefully Mother will return at some future retreat.