Western Diocese

On Saturday February 17^th the ACYO Central Council proudly hosted the 3^rd Annual ACYO Leadership Conference at the Headquarters of the Western Diocese with 35 young leaders in attendance. The Leadership Conference is opportunity for youth from throughout the Western Diocese to gather and discuss issues of faith and practical leadership techniques in order that they may become more effective leaders in their parishes. The theme of this year’s conference was Vartanantz and what models can be derived from the revered St. Vartan in the context of being leaders in the church. Presentations were made by Mashdots Chobanian, Director of Religious Education Department, as well as the members of St. Gregory Pasadena ACYO, and members of the Central Council.

In the second half of the Conference the participants were broken up in two workgroups determined in the first case by their chapter responsibilities and in the second case by region. While in regional groups they successfully planned joint calendars of events for the first half of 2007 in order to encourage inter-chapter participation. The results are available online at www.acyo-wd.org in the Events section.

His Eminence Abp. Hovnan Derderian closed the Conference with his remarks and thanked the youth for their dedicated involvement in the Church through the ACYO and challenged them to become the strong and faithful leaders of the Church. Following his remarks the Archbishop lead the attendees in the evening hour prayer service. Following the conference many of the participants enjoyed the evening in fellowship.