Priest calls the tune on retreats

That's because he often uses puppets to make his points during the retreats he gives. He will also break into song and play the violin if the occasion calls for it.

The priest, who has been teaching high school, leading group prayer and giving retreats for 30 years, heads Bethany Ministries, located in the Middleburgh area of Schoharie County. It's named for the town in the New Testament where Mary, Martha and Lazarus lived.

Everyday Gospel

"The members of Bethany Ministries are not members of any religious community," he continued. Rather, they are "individual households of people who may choose to be members of the ministry for several months or years. Some stay for a short time; some stay longer."

The members, who come from different religious traditions, pray in each other's homes; share ministries like preaching the Gospel, and spiritual counseling and mentoring; and open their homes to those who require individual retreat experiences.

Leaders of souls

Recently, Father Chepaitis preached a week-long retreat for women at the Dominican Spiritual Life Center in Niskayuna.

Father Chepaitis focuses on the spiritual life and prayer, using puppets, music and song, different forms of prayer, and spiritual guidance.

Ecumenism

"We are a fluid, dynamic and developing ministry which is just beginning to grow," Father Chepaitis said. He does not want the group to get so big that it loses sight of its focus: to be available on an individual basis as well as for groups and retreats.

"We aren't a big retreat house, just a group of people that want to reach out to the larger community," he concluded.

(Contact Bethany Ministries 827-4699. Visit www.midtel.net/~bethmin.)

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