On Saturday, April 1st, 2023, the Suryoyto Women’s Committee held their long-awaited fourth Women’s Cornerstone Retreat at the Mor Aphrem Center in Paramus, NJ. Forty-Eight women gathered for a twelve-hour retreat of spiritual enrichment.
The day began with morning prayers administered by His Eminence Mor Dionysius John Kawak and Very Rev. Joseph Chamoun. The central theme of this year’s retreat was “For I know the thought I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.” (Jeremiah 29:11).
Over twenty volunteers including former attendees of the retreat as well as the Suryoyto Women’s Committee, helped to compose a program that included a Bible Study about the theme taken from Jeremiah 29:11 and about decision making, led by His Eminence as well as spiritual and team building activities that allowed the women to reflect on their relationship with God and connect with the homilies of one of our Syriac Saints, Mor Jacob of Sarug on women. The participants were able to disconnect from their daily lives and connect with their faith and each other in Christian fellowship in a non-judgmental environment.
