Greetings from Boston!
As the program enters its final days, participants have completed Stage 2, Who Is God?, and begun Stage 3: Who Is My Neighbor?
Throughout the week, CrossRoaders have continued exploring big questions through their Scripture and Theology courses with Fr. George Parsenios and Dr. Jim Skedros, and through staff-led sessions, including Faith and Science, Sanctification of Time & Money, and Suffering. These sessions have sparked thoughtful discussions and given participants plenty to think about as they consider how faith shapes everyday life.
As part of Stage 3, participants are being challenged to look beyond themselves and pay attention to the people around them. Early this morning, the group traveled to Cambridge and Harvard Square for an experience focused on meeting their neighbors. In small groups, participants spent time talking with people from a variety of backgrounds, including those experiencing homelessness. They listened to stories, shared meals, and practiced being fully present with others. For many, it was one of the most memorable experiences of the program.
The past few days have also included visits to Greek, Romanian, and OCA parishes throughout the Boston area, along with daily prayers and services on campus. Participants have spent plenty of time together—in lectures, small groups, meals, parish visits, and excursions to Boston Common and Faneuil Hall—and the friendships that began on arrival day continue to grow stronger.
As we head into our final days, it’s exciting to see how much the group has grown. Participants are asking deeper questions, engaging more confidently in discussions, and making the most of every opportunity CrossRoad has to offer.
We also wanted to share a resource for parents. Our Executive Director, Dr. Ann Bezzerides, whose own son attended CrossRoad, knows that coming home from a program like this can be an adjustment. To help families navigate that transition, she joined George Papageorge, a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and Director of the Family Wellness Ministry of the Metropolis of San Francisco, for a conversation about what parents can expect when their CrossRoader returns home and how to continue the conversations that began during the program.
We encourage you to watch the “Welcoming Them Home” recording, available through this link. We’d love to hear whether you find it helpful.
As always, don’t forget to check out the latest photos on Flickr. We’ll be back soon with one final update as CrossRoad Boston 2 comes to a close.