The Holy Trinity community welcomed back students from the University of Connecticut Orthodox Christians Fellowship on Sunday, January 25, 2015.   At the conclusion of Divine Liturgy, the students were asked to come forth and accept checks and donations from Treasurer Frank Kaputa totaling $263 which had been offered during UConn OCF Month in November, 2014. Holy Trinity parishioners were encouraged to prayerfully reflect on the importance of the role the students play in our community each year, and to support their ministry on the Storrs campus with a financial gift.

“Several years ago, Mr Andrew Boyd, a former UConn student, reflected on the symbiotic relationship which exists between Holy Trinity and the OCF,” current pastor, Fr Marc Vranes, remembered. “Although each year often brings different students, the impact they have on Holy Trinity is real; it is very tangible. Over the years these students have inspired each of us with their dedication, their passion and zeal.

“Since the early 2000’s, the UConn OCF has been a significant part of our community. Any parish growth that has occurred at Holy Trinity over the past nearly twelve years, and indeed it has been measureable and considerable, had as its inception the regular participation of these young students. In the early years, the students were at the forefront of transforming an aging church community, even one that was closed, into one that was very young and dynamic. The effort the UConn OCF made to sustain life and encourage growth at Holy Trinity cannot be overstated. To this day they continue to shine like a bright star in our community’s midst. “I encourage every church community that is located near a college or university campus to make a connection with its Orthodox students,” Fr Marc said. “Each person in the community will benefit for their mere presence, to say nothing of the various ministries they are active in, such as serving in the altar, singing with the choir, and reading Hours and the epistle.”

The UConn OCF has their own dedicated page on the Holy Trinity website.  Click:  UConn OCF to learn more about them.