National Association of Melkite Youth

Big News about N.A.M.Y.

From Fr. Tom Steinmetz,

National N.A.M.Y. Director

I am delighted to announce that the National N.A.M.Y. Conference will take place on June 29-July 3, at the University of San Diego, 5998 Alcaia Park, San Diego, CA. You can visit their website at www.sandiego.edu. The cost of the conference is $100 for double/triple occupancy rooms. Single rooms are available for $160.

If you ask any of our young Melkites that have attended past conferences, they will tell you what a wonderful time they had there. The experience of laughing, loving, learning, and praying together is powerfully enriching. Lifetime friendships (and even a few marriages) have come from people meeting at these conferences. So, if you are a N.A.M.Y. member who has never been to the national conference – what are you waiting for?

Formal portrait of priest in white garment

Last year’s conference was held at Barry University and was hosted by Exarch Gabriel Ghanoum, B.S.O., and St. Jude’s Melkite Church in Miami. I want to thank them for all of their help and hospitality and in particular for their generosity. St. Jude’s church donated the entire cost of the conference last year, helping us keep costs down this year for what would otherwise be a very expensive conference.

The theme is this year’s conference is "If You Want To Walk On Water, You Have To Get Out Of The Boat." This theme reminds us that we are called to live our faith, not just know about it.

On April 1, 2008, all of the necessary registration forms and consent forms for attending the N.A.M.Y. will be available on this site.

I look forward to being with everyone at the conference again this year. Please remember to pray for all of the advisors and for our youth – they truly are the future of our church!

Fr. Thomas Steinmetz

National NAMY Director

The National Association of Melkite Youth (NAMY) is created to provide a common forum and activities for all youth 13-18 years of age within the Eparchy of Newton. The organization is to initiate, coordinate and implement religious, social, educational and humanitarian programs designed to promote the involvement of its membership in the Christian Faith and Melkite tradition.

1. To enjoin upon its membership a complete devotion to the Christian Faith and the Melkite tradition, discipline and worship.

2. To deepen the spiritual lives of its membership through frequent individual and corporate reception of the sacraments of Penance and Holy Communion.

4. To support the Ecclesiastical authorities, Parishes, and Parish committees within the Eparchy.

5. To take an active part in the support of a learned priesthood for the Eparchy.

6. To aid programs of education for the study of doctrines, dogma, music, liturgies, art, and architecture of the Christian Faith and the Melkite tradition.

8. To participate actively in a program of Christian fellowship, especially with youth of other Eastern Christian activities.

9. To coordinate and direct NAMY activities and programs, especially at the Annual Melkite Convention.

10. To promote the activities of NAMY through a well-planned program of public relations.

11. To develop the physical well-being of its membership through NMAY sponsored inter0church athletic activities.

13. To promote and sponsor a complete program of parish involvement as a means for developing a fuller spiritual life for all faithful members of the Eparchy,

14. The Eparch shall be the final authority on all matters pertaining to the activities of the Youth organization. He appoints a National director (priest or deacon). The National director, after consultation with the Eparch shall choose regional spiritual advisors and coordinators to assist with matters pertaining to NAMY.

Updated 05/02/2008