metropolitan stefan’s meditation for the third … · march 19, 2017. 2. third sunday of the...

VOL. 78 - No. 05 ENGLISH VERSIONMARCH 19, 2017

Highlights inside this issue:

Pope Francis: ‘Consult the Bible as often as your cellphone.’- Pg. 28

Official Publication of the Ukrainian Catholic Archeparchy of Philadelphia

METROPOLITAN STEFAN’S MEDITATION FOR THE THIRD SUNDAY OF GREAT FAST

The mid-point of our Great Fast journey calls us to venerate the Holy Cross in a special way as it lays adorned on the tetrapod or small altar in our Churches. We bow and kiss the cross with deep reverence. It is a profound act of humility. Meditating on the significance of the cross, the instrument of Christ’s death and resurrection, confronts any feelings of superiority or attitudes of entitlement. Jesus Christ’s supreme gift, freely given, offers freedom from the bondage of sin. We hear the striking words of Jesus, “Whoever wishes to follow me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross and follow me” (Mt: 16:24).

We are continually refreshed with this challenge to deny our own preferences in favor of that which is pleasing to God and to God’s creation. When you and I bless ourselves with the sign of the cross, we affirm our faith in the deepest mysteries of our faith, namely the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, and the saving work of Christ on the cross. Blessing ourselves with the sign of the cross is a very intimate affirmation of our faith. Tradition says that when we Eastern Catholics touch the right shoulder

first, we are reminded of the two thieves who were crucified alongside Jesus. The thief on the right was the “good thief” who professed faith in Christ and whom Christ promised “This day you will be with me in paradise” (Lk 23:43). Next time you cross yourself, ensure that it reflects your profound humility before God, and your expectant faith in your salvation in Jesus Christ. St. John of Damascus teaches: “For wherever the sign shall be there also be He”.

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THIRD SUNDAY OF THE GREAT FAST - MARCH 19, 2017The Ukrainian Catholic Church designates the Third Sunday of the Great Fast as a day, indeed an entire week, to venerate the Holy Life-Giving Cross of our Lord God and Savior, Jesus Christ. Lest we the faithful true believers grow weary during the Great Fast, our eyes turn to the cross of Christ as the victory over the powers of sin, death, and evil. It is through the cross of Christ that we are saved.

Christ endured the passion and death for our sake. All did not end there on Calvary. For three days later the Lord arose as He Himself foretold. Death could not hold down the Author of Life, the Lord God. For one whole week the cross, nicely decorated with flowers, is placed on the tetrapod for the faithful to kiss and venerate. God so loved the world that He sent His only-begotten Son to save us from sin. Jesus as perfect God and perfect man satisfied the penalty (punishment) for sin. He became liken to us in all things except for sin. The totally sinless one became the Suffering Servant of Yahweh (God) as described by the prophet Isaiah. “He was spurned and avoided by

men, a man of suffering, accustomed to infirmity. One of those from whom men hide their faces, spurned, and we held him in no esteem. Yet it was our infirmities He bore, our sufferings He endured... Because of His affliction, He shall see the light in fullness of days... Because He surrendered Himself to death and was counted among the wicked, He shall take away the sins of many and win pardon for their offenses. (Isaiah 53) The love of the Lord is not a selfish one, but rather self-giving - willing to sacrifice. He did the good deed even at a price - the supreme offering of His life on the cross. He endured the bitter Passion. He would rather suffer and die than to go against the will of His Heavenly Father. He had given an example for all of us to follow. In a word, His entire life was that of SELF-SACRIFICIAL LOVE. Compassionate, loving and kind was the Lord His entire life. He was especially close to the lowly of this world: the sick, the infirm, the needy. He spoke the Word of God, but did more than that, He lived the Word. He put the Word of

God into action, And so too are we to do. They (others in the world) will know we are Christians, true believers, authentic followers of Christ, by letting our light shine before men through the goodness of our deeds. Jesus the Christ is the Living Word, the Saving Word. His Saving Word has united us. We are all children of the one Heavenly Father. We all have become brothers and sisters in Christ. Jesus is our brother and tells us that we are no longer slaves, but calls us by a new name “friends.” “No greater love can a man have than to lay down his life for his friends.”

”I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.”

Jesus teaches us that there is no room for jealousy nor envy in one’s personal life. We are not to care only about oneself, but to be sensitive to the needs of others, especially those in dire need, even the so-called “least of our brethren.” Each and every one of us

is of great importance. In the eyes of our Maker, we all have a unique mission to fulfill. We are called to build up the Body of Christ – the Church - here on earth. We are to continue Christ’s mission of salvation in the here and now. We are to work to establish the Kingdom of God here on earth. How we live now will help determine our eternal life – with or without Christ the Lord God.

His resurrection is a pledge, a promise that one day we too shall rise to live with God forever in heaven, We live in the hope of resurrected life where there is no more pain, suffering nor sighing. We have the blessed assurance that when the Lord returns in His Father’s glory with all the angels He will not forsake nor fail to remember our every good deed and repay us accordingly. May we ever praise His holy name and sing out in festive tone: “We bow in humble adoration before Your cross, O Christ, and glorify Your holy resurrection.”

Rev. D. George Worschak

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Basilian Volunteer Program

HistoryFor more than twenty years, Sister Mary Bernarda Arkatin, OSBM, a member of the Order of the Sisters of Saint Basil the Great, Jesus Lover of Humanity Province, initiated summer journeys of goodwill to the needy, orphaned and handicapped of Ukraine. Bearing gifts (material, financial, etc.) and treats as well as compassion and love, Sister became a frequent and welcomed visitor as she traveled from site to site, from institution to hospital, to orphanages and to campsites.

Basilian Volunteer ProgramAfter Sister Bernarda retired at 90 years of age, the Sisters decided to continue the humanitarian work and handed the baton to Sister Ann Laszok and Sister Joann Sosler to continue the tradition of humanitarian aid to Ukraine. The program is called the Basilian Volunteer Program.

In 2012, Sister Ann with three young women volunteers joined Sister Bernarda on her humanitarian mission. During their two week mission, the group

visited “Emmaus Oselia," a homeless shelter that has a community of about 30 people; the Village of Zalochin where Sister Servants of Mary Immaculate have a foster home for 9 children and Brother Ivan’s foster home for mentally challenged persons. The group then met with the six children living at a foster home in Sambir, which is run by the Sister Servants of Mary Immaculate. They also visited Sambir's psychiatric institute for children, which currently housed 76 children. The next stop was Cunovudnomu where the Sisters of the Order of Saint Basil the Great operate a foster home; the group drove to Ivano-Frankivsk to visit a government run infant orphanage, run by a local doctor, with 30 infants. At St. Nicholas Village of Mercy, a model orphanage run by the Incarnate Word Sisters the group played with 50 children up to age 12. From there the group went to Zalucha Children's Institute, a psychiatric institution for children, which has improved a hundredfold in recent years and houses about 70 children that range from totally disabled

to mildly afflicted with Downs syndrome. They also visited Pohon, a psychiatric institute for adults which houses about 70 people. Then it was on to Yaremche, a town in the Carpathian mountains, which boasts two summer camps predominantly for orphans founded by Father Swischuk from the Chicago Eparchy. The final destination was a school in Ivano-Frankivsk that is run by the Sisters of the Order of Saint Basil the Great. For more information see: http://www.stbasils.com/Events/Orphanage2012.html

In 2013, along with four young women volunteers, Sisters Ann and Joann

visited St. Nicholas Village, run by the Sisters of the Incarnate Word; Synovidne, a foster home administered by the Basilian Sisters; an adult psychiatric center in Pohoniv; Bukovo near Starei Sambir, with 70 residents of the Children’s Psychiatric Institute. The “missionaries” then traveled to Zaporizhia in Eastern Ukraine. Here they were greeted and guided by Nazar Kraivskyi, Director of The Rays of Light Social Center which offers educational and developmental, consultative, professional and vocational training to orphaned or abandoned children and young

For more than twenty years, Sister Mary Bernarda Arkatin, OSBM, initiated summer journeys of goodwill to the needy, orphaned and handicapped of Ukraine.

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adults. Nazar guided us to several orphanages where we spent time with the children doing crafts and gifting them with toys and clothing. For more information see: http://www.stbasils.com/Events/UkMission2014.html

In 2014, the unrest in the eastern sector of Ukraine forced the Sisters to cancel their plans to travel to Ukraine but a donation was sent to the Sisters of Holy Trinity Province to hold a summer camp.

In 2015, because many people feared that the war in eastern Ukraine was not safe to travel, only two male volunteers joined Sisters Ann and Joann on their mission trip to Ukraine. The previous year the Sisters had decided to organize a one week English camp for orphans and local children. In collaboration with seven Sisters and seminarians of Ukraine, the four Americans held a week long Berlitz-style English camp for 48 children with classes in reading, grammar, phonics and writing. Following the English camp, the team then went on their usual visits

to seven orphanages, halfway houses, adult and children’s psychiatric institutions, homeless shelters, etc. engaging with about 200 children and adults. For more information see: http://www.stbasils.com/Events/UKmission2015.html

In 2016, due to the popularity of the English camp in 2015, Sister Ann was asked to organize four English camps in four different regions of Ukraine: Lviv, Mukachevo,Ivano-Frankivs’k and Zhytomyr. Accompanying Sisters Ann and Joann for three weeks were fifteen volunteers from three different Eparchies and five different States: seven were from St. Josaphat Eparchy; seven from the Archeparchy of Philadelphia, and one person from the St. Nicholas Eparchy of Chicago. Many in Ukraine added to the success of the mission. These were drivers who transported the group, those who coordinated and organized the on-site councilors, the Sisters of Holy Trinity Province who provided the room and board. Over 200 children attended the four camps

with participation of six orphans from Eastern Ukraine who traveled to the Rudno camp with their councilor. Over 300 persons visited by a team of seven who accompanied Sister Ann to orphanages, halfway houses, adult and children’s psychiatric institutions and homeless shelters. Videos produced by Michael Haritan, one of our volunteers who is a professional photographer can be viewed on http://www.s tbas i l s .com/Events/UkMission2016.html

Volunteer Application ProcessVolunteers are asked to apply. If accepted,

volunteers provide their own airfare to Lviv where they are met by the Sisters. The Sisters provide room, board and transportation within Ukraine during the three weeks of ministry.

Information: For an application and additional information for Come and Serve with the Sisters in Ukraine contact Sister Ann Laszok OSBM [email protected] or 412-260-1607. Anyone wishing to help financially can contact Sister Dorothy Ann Busowski, OSBM “Sisters of St. Basil the Great” at 710 Fox Chase Rd. Jenkintown, PA 19046

(continued from previous page)Basilian Volunteer Program

Sisters Ann and Joann on their mission trip to Ukraine.

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Ascension Manor in Philadelphia is seeking a Maintenance Technician

Ascension Manor is seeking a qualified candidate for a Full Time Entry Level Maintenance Technician. A Maintenance Technician must be able to perform basic plumbing, electrical, painting and appliance repairs. Prior completion of college or equivalent trade related courses and the ability to speak multiple languages are a plus. Resumes can be faxed to (215)922-3735. EOE

“RESURRECTION: MUSIC FROM THE UKRAINIAN SACRED CHORAL TRADITION”

All are cordially invited to a sacred music concert, “Resurrection: Music from the Ukrainian Sacred Choral Tradition” to be held on Friday, April 21, 7:00 PM at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, 830 N. Franklin Street, Philadelphia, PA 19123.

This concert will feature over 50 professional and amateur singers from Canada, Ukraine and the United States and will led by one of the leading choral directors in North America, Michael Zaugg of Pro Coro Canada. This extraordinary performance is

part of a concert series that will showcase the CD recording of a Resurrectional Divine Liturgy composed by Fr. John Sembrat OSBM and other timeless music specific to our Paschal services including music from renowned Ukrainian composers such as Bortniansky, Vedel, and Hurko.

The combined male chorus will feature singers from the following ensembles:• Pro Coro Canada• Boyan Ensemble of Kyiv• Chorus of the Armed Forces of Ukraine• National Philharmonic of Ukraine• Homin Municipal Choir of Lviv• Vydubychi Church Choir of Kyiv• Ukrainian Bandurist Chorus of North America• Axios Men's Ensemble of Edmonton• Ukrainian Male Chorus of EdmontonMore information about the recording, concert series and tickets, including video and audio highlights, can be found on the website www.resurrectionalliturgy.comTickets can be purchased locally at the Ukrainian Educational & Cultural Center, 700 N. Cedar Road, Jenkintown, PA 19046 (215-663-1166).

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Genesis Readings for Third and Fourth Week of the Great FastGen. 7:6-9, Gen. 8:4:21 Gen.9:18-10:1, Gen.12:1-7

The Stories of Noah and Abraham Are Recounted in the Genesis Readings in the Presanctified Liturgies

In the readings from the Book of Genesis during the Presanctified Liturgies of the third and fourth weeks of the Great Fast, the stories of two figures who had a special covenant relationship with God are recounted—the stories of Noah and Abraham.

When the Lord saw the wickedness upon the land, he decided to destroy his creation, all human beings, as well as the animals, the birds and all crawling things. However, Noah found favor with the Lord.

The Lord instructed Noah to build an ark of gopherwood and to take his family and pairs of clean and unclean animals and birds of the air unto the ark where they will find salvation from the Great Flood the Lord was to unleash upon the earth.

In the ark, Noah, his family and the living creatures he took therein, found salvation. In the nave or ark of the church, like Noah, we also come to find salvation.

At the end of the flood and once the earth dried, God instructed Noah to leave the ark with his family and animals. The first act of Noah upon the land was to build an altar to the Lord, and he offered burnt offerings from every clean animal and clean bird.

God blessed Noah and his sons and said to them “Be fertile then, and multiply; abound on earth and subdue it” similar to the command he had previously given to Adam and Eve, “Be fertile and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it.”

God established a covenant with Noah and every living creature and the sign of the covenant was the rainbow. God told Noah, “This is the sign of the covenant I have established between me and every mortal being that is on the earth.”

In Chapter 12 of the Book of Genesis, God said to Abram: “Go forth from your land, your relatives, and from your father’s house to

a land that I will show you. I will make of you a great nation and I will bless you.”

Abram and his wife Sarai and his brother’s son Lot left Haran and settled in the land of Canaan. The Lord appeared to Abram and said “To your descendants I will give this land.”

Upon arriving in Canaan, Abram built an altar there to the Lord.

Both Noah and Abram responded to the salvation received from God by building an altar to the Lord.

Isn’t that how many of our grandparents and

great grandparents from Ukraine responded when they arrived in America? They wanted to have their spiritual home, their church. And from those pioneering immigrant groups, in the villages, towns and cities where they settled in America, they built their “Heaven on earth”, their churches and their altars to the Lord, to give thanks to Almighty God for the salvation they received from Him for bringing them to a new land.

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Lenten Vespers in Wilmington, Delaware

On Sunday, March 5 at 4 p.m. Lenten Vespers were sung in Saint Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Church, Wilmington, Delaware. Father Volodymyr Klanichka, pastor of the parish, was the main celebrant. Father Paul Makar, pastor of St. Michael's Church in Cherry Hill, NJ, was the guest homilist.

During his sermon, Father Paul remarked, " Too often, we see the Great Fast, Holy Lent, as a burdensome time, where we HAVE to give up meat on Fridays, we HAVE to increase our giving to the Church, we HAVE to go to confession, ad nauseum. Lent, it seems, is boring drudge work. I say that it seems this way because the whole point of Lent, the Great Fast, is CHANGE. This change that is demanded of us

is a total change of our very person. This change is what the Greeks called "metanoia", a deep conversion of heart. The Fast is a season of repentance that not only helps prepare us for the coming Resurrection of Christ, but it is a time when we are expected to really look deeply at ourselves, to see ourselves for who we really are, and ask God to send His Holy Spirit upon us in order

to change us for the better, to configure us to Christ, to give us the grace to acquire the Holy Spirit and restore the unstained B a p t i s m a l garment of salvation that was granted to us."

After the services refreshments were serve in the parish social hall.

During the Great Fast, the faithful of the parishes of the Philadelphia Deanery are invited and encouraged to participate in Lenten Vespers which are held in a different church each Sunday of Lent.

The Philadelphia Deanery remaining schedule of services for this Great Fast is:

Sunday, March 19th Fox Chase, Holy Trinity Chapel, Sisters of St. Basil the Great

Sunday, March 26th Philadelphia, Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception

Sunday, April 2nd Jenkintown, Pa. St. Michael's Church.

The Lenten Vespers begin at 4:00 p.m. Visiting clergy are available for the Holy Mystery of Reconciliation before the services, hearing confessions beginning at 3:30 p.m. During the services, a visiting priest also gives a sermon. The Lenten Vespers are coordinated by Rev. Msgr. Peter Waslo, Dean and the clergy of the Philadelphia Deanery. It is hoped that the faithful from throughout the area attend these services on Sundays during this prayerful time of the Great Fast, not only for the spiritual enrichment provided during these services but also to meet other parishioners that are part of the Philadelphia Deanery.

Fr. Paul Makar

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2017 South Anthracite Deanery Lenten Confession Schedule

During the Great Fast, the priests of the South Anthracite Deanery visit neighboring churches to offer the Holy Mystery of Penance. It provides an excellent opportunity for the faithful to receive the Holy Mystery of Reconciliation as they spiritually prepare for the celebration of Pascha.

The following is the visiting priests’ confession schedule for the parishes of the South Anthracite Deanery. Confessions will be heard on the listed dates from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. All Catholic faithful are invited to receive

the grace of forgiveness through confession by entering the door of the confessional, the true Door of Mercy.

Monday, April 3Assumption of the BVM Ukrainian Catholic ChurchCentralia, Pa.

Ss. Peter & Paul Ukrainian Catholic ChurchMt. Carmel, Pa.

Nativity BVM Ukrainian Catholic ChurchMiddleport, Pa.

Transfiguration of Our Lord Ukrainian Catholic Church

Shamokin, Pa.

Tuesday, April 4St. John the Baptist Ukrainian Catholic ChurchMaizeville, Pa.

Protection of the Mother of God Ukrainian Catholic ChurchMarion Heights, Pa.

St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic ChurchMinersville, Pa.

St. Michael Ukrainian Catholic ChurchShenandoah, Pa.

Thursday, April 6St. Michael Ukrainian

Catholic ChurchHazleton, Pa.

Protection of the Mother of God Ukrainian Catholic ChurchMcAdoo, Pa.

St. Michael Ukrainian Catholic ChurchFrackville, Pa.

St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic ChurchSt. Clair, Pa.

Confessions are heard from 6:00 PM until 7:00 PM in each parish .

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Sunday Devotions Schedule during the Great Fast in the Parishes of the South Anthracite Deanery

During this Lenten season, the faithful of the South Anthracite Protopresbytery of the Ukrainian Catholic Archeparchy of Philadelphia will continue the decades-old tradition of gathering for Lenten devotions on Sunday afternoons in the churches of the deanery. During the services, the host pastor will also give a sermon.

The Lenten devotions begin each Sunday at 3 p.m. and are coordinated by the Protopresbyter Very Rev. Michael Hutsko and the clergy of the South Anthracite Deanery. After the services, a cake and coffee social is held in the respective parish halls. The proceeds from the weekly collection benefit the St. Josaphat Ukrainian Catholic Seminary in Washington, D.C.

3rd Sunday of the Great Fast, March 19 at 3 p.m. St. Michael’s Church, Frackville, Pa. 4th Sunday of the Great Fast, March 26 at 3 p.m. Ss. Peter and Paul Church, Mt. Carmel, Pa. 5th Sunday of the Great Fast, April 2 at 3 p.m. St. Michael’s Church, Hazleton, Pa.

Flowery (Palm) Sunday, April 9 at 3 p.m. St. Nicholas Church, Minersville, Pa.

LEAGUE OF UKRAINIAN CATHOLICS OF AMERICA

Annual Lenten Retreat Schedule

ST. MARY’S VILLA RETREAT CENTER, SLOATSBURG, NY

MARCH 31, APRIL 1, 2, 2017 RETREAT DIRECTOR: ARCHMANDRITE GEORGE APPLEYARD

THEME FOR RETREAT:

“ THE EXODUS - THEN AND NOW ”

FRIDAY: ARRIVAL 7:30 Opening Remarks - Introduction CONFERENCE I Akathist Prayer Service to the Mother of God SATURDAY: FIFTH SATURDAY OF THE GREAT FAST—AKATHISTOS SATURDAY 7:45 Morning Prayers 8:00 Breakfast 9:15 CONFERENCE II 11:00 Divine Liturgy - Homily 12:30 Lunch 2:00 CONFERENCE III Confessions 5:30 Dinner 6:30 Anointing for Healing Service Confessions or Private Conference 8:30 CONFERENCE IV SUNDAY: FIFTH SUNDAY OF THE GREAT FAST— MARY OF EGYPT 7:45 Morning Prayers 8:00 Breakfast 9:00 CONFERENCE V 10:00 Divine Liturgy - Homily 12:00 Lunch Departure

Every Friday in March, 2017

3/3 – 3/10 – 3/17 – 3/24 – 3/31

5pm til 7:30 pm

Please join us at

Nativity B.V.M. Ukrainian Catholic Church Hall

211 Grace Street

Reading, PA 19611

Call 610-376-0586 for more info

Not your ordinary fish fry. Menu changes weekly.

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March 1, 15, 22, 29, and April 5In the Byzantine Chapel (crypt level)

Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception400 Michigan Avenue, NE

Washington, DC 20017Sponsored by St. Josaphat Ukrainian Catholic Seminary

Wednesdays5:00 PM

During the season of the Great Lent, the ancient discipline did not permit joyous and triumphant celebrations, such as the Divine Liturgy, and so the Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts was introduced. It is a special service, a combination ofof Vespers and Communion and is traditionally celebrated on Wednesdays and Fridays of the six weeks of the Great Lent, and during the beginning of Holy Week.Please join us in prayer this Lent!

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Save the Date MARCH 19 FEAST OF ST. JOSEPH CELEBRATING 75 YEARS OF ST. JOSEPH ADULT CARE HOME - 11:00 AM SLOATSBURG, NY APRIL 1ST SYMPOSIUM ON BISHOP SOTER ORTYNSKY, OSBM SPONSORED BY SHEVCHENKO SOCIETY. MANOR COLLEGE, JENKINTOWN, PA 2-5 PM APRIL 9TH PALM SUNDAY – DISTRIBUTION OF BLESSED PUSSY WILLOWS IN PARISHES, FAITHFUL ANOINTED. APRIL 14TH GOOD FRIDAY – A MUST TO PARTICIPATE AND VENERATE EXPOSITION OF HOLY SHROUD IN PARISHES APRIL 16TH EASTER (GREGORIAN AND JULIAN CALENDARS) RESURRECTION MATINS AND DIVINE LITURGY – YOU DARE NOT MISS! APRIL 21ST CONCERT – MUSIC FROM THE UKRAINIAN SACRED CHORAL TRADITION A COMBINED MALE CHORUS OF 50 SINGERS OF CHOIRS FROM UKRAINE, CANADA AND USA. 7:00 PM - UKRAINIAN CATHOLIC CATHEDRAL OF IMMACULATE CONCEPTION, PHILADELPHIA APRIL 23RD HIERARCHICAL DIVINE LITURGY AND BLESSING OF NEWLY INSTALLED ELEVATOR AND NEW SIGN AT UKRAINIAN CATHOLIC CHURCH OF ANNUNCIATION OF BLESSED VIRGIN MARY, MELROSE PARK, PA. APRIL 25-27TH SPRING CLERGY CONFERENCE, UKRAINIAN CATHOLIC ARCHEPARCHY OF PHILADELPHIA MAY 14TH MOTHER’S DAY. OFFERING THANKSGIVING FOR YOUR MOTHER IN PRAYER AT CHURCH MAY 21ST 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF PRIESTHOOD OF VERY REV. MSGR. RONALD POPIVCHAK, SS. PETER & PAUL UKRAINIAN CATHOLIC CHURCH, BRIDGEPORT, PA 12:00 NOON. JUNE 18th FATHER’S DAY. OFFERING THANKSGIVING FOR YOUR FATHER IN PRAYER AT CHURCH JULY 30TH ANNUAL SEMINARY UKRAINIAN DAYS AT MINERSVILLE, PA AUGUST 13TH ANNUAL PILGRIMAGE OF DORMITION OF BLESSED VIRGIN MARY, SLOATSBURG, NY, SPONSORED BY SISTERS SERVANTS OF MARY IMMACULATE AUGUST 19, 20TH UKRAINIAN FESTIVAL AT UKRAINIAN HOMESTEAD, LEHIGHTON, PA

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Save the Date

“Baked Haddock” Fish Dinner at Olyphant, PA

The 6th annual Meatless Meal for LENT “BAKED HADDOCK” FISH DINNER" Sponsored by Ss. Cyril & Methodius Ukrainian Catholic Church, Olyphant, Pa. will be held on FRIDAY April 7th, 2017 from 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. At the REGAL ROOM (Ballroom/side entrance) 216 Lackawanna Avenue, Olyphant, PA.

Tickets are $13.00 per dinner. Sit Down or Take Out!! Baked haddock, potato, vegetable, cole slaw, roll and dessert. Call 570-383-9487 for Reservations.

*Deadline for pre-sold Tickets at $13.00 is Monday, April 3, 2017*LIMITED amount of Dinners will be available at the Door $15.00

Website; stcyrils.weconnect.com Rev. Nestor Iwasiw,Pastor (570)-489-2271

AUGUST 27TH 2ND ANNUAL PILGRIMAGE AT ASSUMPTION OF BVM UKRAINIAN CATHOLIC CHURCH, CENTRALIA, PA AUGUST 27TH UKRAINIAN FESTIVAL AT TRYZUB, HORSHAM, PA SEPTEMBER 18-21ST UKRAINIAN CATHOLIC CLERGY OF PHILADELPHIA RETREAT, LONG BRANCH, NJ OCTOBER 1ST ARCHIEPARCHIAL PILGRIMAGE OF FEAST OF PROTECTION OF MOTHER OF GOD, MONASTERY GROUNDS OF ORDER OF SISTERS OF ST. BASIL, FOX CHASE, PA DIVINE LITURGY AT 11:00 AM; MOLEBEN AT 4:00 PM OCTOBER 15TH MOLEBEN, ANOINTING FOR HEALING AND VENERATION OF HOLY RELICS OF BLESSED JOSAPHATA HORDASHEVSKA, SSMI, CELEBRATION OF 125TH ANNIVERSARY OF FOUNDING OF SISTERS SERVANTS OF MARY IMMACULATE. 3:00 PM - UKRAINIAN CATHOLIC CATHEDRAL OF IMMACULATE CONCEPTION, PHILADELPHIA, PA NOVEMBER 12TH HIERARCHICAL DIVINE LITURGY CELEBRATING 400TH ANNIVERSARY OF FOUNDING OF ORDER OF BASILIAN FATHERS OF ST. JOSAPHAT, 80 YEARS OF MINISTRY IN USA AND 150TH ANNIVERSARY OF CANONIZATION OF BISHOP MARTYR JOSAPHAT, OSBM. 10:00 AM – WARREN, MI. DECEMBER 25TH CHRISTMAS – NATIVITY OF OUR LORD AND SAVIOR, JESUS CHRIST YOUR PRAYERFUL PARTICIPATION IN LITURGY IS YOUR BEST GIFT TO JESUS, TO YOURSELF AND TO OTHERS!

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Vatican Authorized Replica of Famed Shroud of Turin Will Be on Exhibit March 16 through March 28 at

Ukrainian Catholic Church in Reading

Reading, Pa. - A Vatican-authorized full-sized replica of the Shroud of Turin will be on display at the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Ukrainian Catholic Church, 504 Summit Avenue in the Millmont section of Reading beginning Thursday, March 16. The Shroud will be available for viewing and veneration every day until Tuesday, March 28 from 12 noon to 7:00 p.m., which includes services every weekday at 6:30 p.m. Divine Liturgies are held on Saturdays at 5 p.m. and on Sundays at 9 a.m. and 10:45 a.m.

On Thursday, March 16 at 6:30 p.m. Rev. Archpriest Daniel Troyan will make a presentation on the history of the Shroud of Turin and the faithful will pray the Akathist Prayer Service to the Passion of Jesus Christ.

Very Rev. Andriy Rabiy, pastor of the Nativity of the BVM parish, extends an invitation to all to visit the church and view this full sized Replica of the Shroud of Turin.

" It is an honor for our

Reading parish to host this exhibit, but most importantly it is an opportunity for Christians and all people of faith in the region to experience this unique religious

replica of the relic, which many believe to be the actual burial cloth of Jesus Christ," Father Rabiy commented. Metropolitan-Archbishop

Stefan Soroka procured this 9th Vatican sanctioned replica of the Turin Shroud, which


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measures 14.3 feet by 3.7 feet in 2010 for the Philadelphia Ukrainian Catholic Archeparchy of Philadelphia.

The Shroud of Turin is the most analyzed artifact in the world yet remains a mystery. The 14-foot long linen cloth that has been in Turin Italy for over 400 years and bears the faint front and back image of a 5’10” bearded, crucified man with apparent wounds and bloodstains that match the crucifixion account as recorded in the Bible. Millions of people over the centuries have believed it to be the actual burial shroud of Jesus of Nazareth. The historical trail of the Shroud trails back through Italy, France, Asia Minor (modern day Turkey) and may have originated in the Middle East according to botanical evidence. A team of 24 scientists in 1981 concluded that it was not the work of an artist. They found no visible trace of pigment, paint or dye or other artistic substances on the

cloth. Other discoveries have defied explanation such as why the image shows up as a positive image in a photographic negative. The image also contains 3-D or distance information indicating the cloth must have wrapped a human form at the time the image was created. The blood is AB positive with human DNA. Skeptics have mounted numerous attempts to show how a medieval artist could have produced the image but all have been inadequate to fully explain how the mysterious image was formed. The image is so superficial it only penetrates the top micro-fibers to the depth of a single bacterium. In addition there is no image under the blood, meaning the blood was on the cloth before the image. No attempt at replicating the image has resolved these two key attributes. If the cloth indeed wrapped a corpse, there are no stains of decomposition.

According to a Catholic News Service story

concerning the exhibition of the original Shroud of Turin in 2015, “The church supports scientific research concerning the shroud and its possible age and origins, which continues to see heated debate, but it has itself never officially ruled on the shroud’s authenticity.

“Instead, the church invites the faithful to reflect on shroud’s image as a way to grasp the kind of suffering Jesus endured during his passion and death, and the love for humanity that sacrifice entailed.”

Archbishop Cesare Nosiglia of Turin, papal custodian of the shroud, said in his homily during the unveiling of the Turin exhibit in 2015, “We have put ourselves in the wake of generations of pilgrims” who come to contemplate the shroud and “it will do us good to feel like we are drops in the river that has run through the centuries of a humanity in need of God.”

“As it was for countless pilgrims over the centuries, the shroud continues to be an

invitation to reflect on Jesus’ incarnation, death and resurrection,” he said, which in turn inspires and calls people to reach out to others in need. “The shroud invites us to never let ourselves be beaten down by evil, but to overcome it with good,” he said.

For more information contact: Very Rev. Andriy Rabiy, Pastor; Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Ukrainian Catholic Church;504 Summit AvenueReading, Pa. 19611(610) 376-0586email: [email protected]

Vatican Authorized Replica of Famed Shroud of Turin Will Be on Exhibit March 16 through March 28 at

Ukrainian Catholic Church in Reading

Camera negative image of the face

on the replica of the Shroud of Turin

MARCH 19, 2017 15

You are invited to an exhibit of a Vatican authorized replica of

THE SHROUD OF TURIN

Blessed by Pope Benedict XVI Touched to the actual Shroud of Turin in Turin, Italy

March 31 – April 6, 2017 At Holy Trinity Ukrainian Catholic Church

16631 New Hampshire Avenue, Silver Spring, MD 20905

Exhibit opens on Friday, March 31, 2017, 11:00 a.m. With an Akafist to the Passion of Jesus Christ (Ukrainian).

EXHIBIT HOURS

Friday, March 31, 2017 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. And 5 p.m. – 8 p.m.

Saturday, April 1, 2017 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.

Sunday, April 2, 2017 2 p.m. – 6 p.m.

Monday, April 3 thru Thursday, April 6, 2017

11 a.m. – 2 p.m. 5 p.m. – 8 p.m.

PRESENTATION and EXPLANATION OF THE SHROUD

Daily at 12 noon and 6 p.m.

DIVINE LITURGIES Friday, March 31, 2017 – Liturgy of Presanctified Gifts at 7:00 p.m. (Ukrainian)

Sunday, April 2, 2017 – Divine Liturgy at 11:30 a.m. (Ukrainian)

The public is welcome! For Group scheduling, please call 301-421-1739. The church is handicap accessible.

MARCH 19, 2017 16

St. Stephen Ukrainian Catholic Church in Toms River, NJ Honors Taras Shevchenko

On Sunday, February 26th, 2017, St. Stephen Ukrainian Catholic Church in Toms River, NJ, sponsored a concert honoring Ukraine’s greatest poet and national hero, Taras Shevchenko. Rev. Volodymyr Popyk welcomed an audience of parishioners and guests to the anniversary celebration of Taras Shevchenko’s birth, and thanked everyone for attending this special event, especially in light of the challenging situation taking place in Ukraine. The concert started with a presentation by Rev. Popyk on the life and meaning of Taras Shevchenko to all Ukrainians.

The children of St. Stephen’s Saturday Ukrainian School, dressed in Ukrainian attire and under the guidance of teacher, Maria Ivanus did an inspiring presentation of the personal side of Taras Shevchenko. With the narrations by teacher and teacher’s aide, Liliya Zaytseva, the children recited poems and songs of Shevchenko.

Reverend Popyk then welcomed to the center stage, the Church Choir Ensemble directed by Yurij Shevchuk. With a standing audience, all joined in singing the Ukrainian National Anthem, Ще не Вмерла Україна (“Ukraine Has Not Perished.” ) and Заповіт (“Testament”), a poem that enjoys the status second only to Ukraine’s National Anthem, and was sung when the Anthem was banned from the public use. Also, the audience was treated to two more of Taras Shevchenko’s songs: Думи Мої (“My Thoughts”), Реве та Стогне (“The Wide

Dnipro Roars.”), and ending with Ой у Лyзі Червона Калина (“In the Meadow the Guelder-rose Droops”)

To the delight of everyone, The Children’s Dance Ensemble, under the direction of Nadiya Lemega, performed several dances! The children were fabulous!

Three parishioners Anna Turdio, Olha Piatka and Maria Sokolovska shared beautiful, moving thoughts and poems with the audience.

In conclusion, Yurij Shevchuk, accompanied by his guitar, sang a

lovely rendition of Така її Доля (“Such is Her Fate”).

Rev. Popyk closed the program by thanking all for the their participation and appealed to all Ukrainians to be proud of their heritage, to share it with the next generation and to pray for our beloved Ukraine. All sang “Mnohaya Lita”.

MARCH 19, 2017 17

Ukrainian church serves up a hearty meal of friendship; SS. Peter & Paul parishioners serve up a lunch of laughs

By Sarah DeSantisTHE NEWS-ITEMThursday, March 9, 2017

MOUNT CARMEL , PA— A free lunch at SS. Peter & Paul Ukrainian Catholic Church aims to satiate more than hunger.

Volunteers with the soup and sandwich meal, held from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. every second and fourth Wednesday in the church basement, said they hope people of all ages, incomes and backgrounds come to enjoy a hot meal and good conversation.

“There’s a lot of elderly people in our community who are eating alone,” said Trina Bartel, a parishioner and volunteer. “We’re here to spread that social contact.”

About 20 people turned up Wednesday, the second time the meal was held. The Rev. Michael Hutsko, pastor of SS. Peter & Paul, said the parish hopes many more come out

for future lunches.

“We would love to have this hall filled,” he said.

Hutsko said the idea for the lunch arose after he realized there was a need in the community of both a hot meal and a place for socialization. When he suggested it to some parishioners, they reacted enthusiastically.

He considers the soup and sandwich meal a complement to the Mount Carmel Area Food Bank, which provides people in need with meals they can prepare at home.

“We wanted to do something that gave them a chance to have a conversation,” he said. “To nourish not only bodies but spirit.”

Funds for the lunches are raised through a loose change collection taken at a liturgy held the last week of each month.

“Our parishioners have been extremely responsive and generous with their donations,” he said.

Parishioners have also been eager to share their homemade soup recipes. He said the meal would change each lunch, with sandwiches alternating between turkey and ham and a different parishioner selected to make a soup.

The March 22 meal is expected to be turkey sandwiches and vegetable soup.

Prospective attendees are welcome to walk right into the church basement, located at the intersection of

North Beech Street and West Avenue. Hutsko said there are no income or age limitations.

“This is a non-judgmental meal,” he said. “Anyone is welcome.”

h t t p : / / w w w .n e w s i t e m . c o m /news/2017-03-09/Today’s_Top_Stories/Ukrainian_church_serves_up_a_hearty_meal_of_friend.html

Photo: Volunteers with S.S. Peter & Paul Ukrainian Catholic Church, Mount Carmel, arrange ham sandwiches and chips on plates Wednesday afternoon. The church hosts a free soup and sandwich lunch from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the second and fourth Wednesday of each month. Pictured, from left, are Abbie Timmins, Gerry Zvoncheck and Ed Cuff Jr.


MARCH 19, 2017 18

MARCH 19, 2017 19


Basilian Fathers


Відділ в Філядельфії Philadelphia Chapter

“MARTYRDOM REDEFINED”

SYMPOSIUM ON THE 100TH ANNIVERSARY

BISHOP STEPHEN SOTER ORTYNSKY, OSBMFIRST BISHOP OF UKRAINIAN CATHOLICS IN THE U.S. (1907-16)

Saturday, April 1, 20172:00 - 5:00 pm

Registration - 1:30 - 2:00 pm

Manor College Basileiad Library700 Fox Chase Road, Jenkintown, PA 19046

Speakers

• AndrijV.R.Szul,Ph.D.,J.D.

• MostRev.BasilH.Losten,Bishop

Emeritus,D.D.,LLD(Hon.)

• VeryRev.IvanKaszczak,Ph.D.

• SisterAnnLaszok,OSBM,M.A.

• AlexanderLushnycky,Ph.D.

of the passing of

MARCH 19, 2017 21


Speakers VERY REV. IVAN KASZCZAK, M.A., M.Ed, Ph.D., a Ukrainian Catholic Priest since 1985, is Pastor of Holy

Trinity Church in Kerhonkson, NY and St. John the Baptist Church in Hunter, NY. He is the author of a book

about Bishop Ortynsky (2016), in addition to three others, including one about Metropolitan Andrey Sheptytsky

(published in Ukrainian in 2003, and in English in 2013), the EDUCATION OF UKRAINIAN GREEK CATHOLIC

CLERGY IN THE U.S. (English edition in 2005, and Ukrainian in 2006), and editor of HISTORY OF THE UKRAINIAN

CATHOLIC CHURCH IN THE U.S. (2017). Formerly, Vice Rector, Academic Dean and a Professor at St. Basil

College-Seminary, Stamford, CT, he also has served on the faculty of Sacred Heart University, Fairfield, CT, and

lectured at the U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado. Fr. Ivan is a Lt. Colonel and Chaplain, U.S. Air Force (ret.).

REV. SISTER ANN LASZOK, OSBM, M.A., a Manor College Alumna, former Professor and Dean (1975-88),

currently, is Religious Education Director (1988 to present) for the St. Josaphat Eparchy in Parma, OH, where she

has produced a number of catechetical books and videos, spearheaded the GENERATIONS OF FAITH FOR

BYZANTINE CHURCHES program, and organized the Basilian Volunteer Outreach Mission in Ukraine for needy

and orphaned children. Currently, Sr. Ann serves as a Provincial Councillor, Order of St. Basil the Great in the

U.S. (2010 - ), and is a Member of the Patriarchal Catechetical Commission of Ukraine in Kyiv (2002 - ), and the

Association of Eastern Catholic Eparchial Directors (1977 - ).

MOST REV. BASIL H. LOSTEN, D.D., S.T.L., LLD. (Hon.), Bishop-Emeritus, Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of

Stamford, CT, formerly, Auxiliary Bishop of the Ukrainian Catholic Archeparchy of Philadelphia. For many

years, Bishop Losten has held key leadership roles in the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, and in the world-

wide Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church.

ALEXANDER LUSHNYCKY, M.A., Ph.D. Educator, Historian of Immigration in the U.S., Co-editor,

ENCYCLOPEDIA OF UKRAINIAN DIASPORA (published by the Shevchenko Scientific Society in the U.S.), since

1976 has authored and edited twenty-three books on Ukrainian Immigration to the U.S., and is a long-time

Associated Researcher at the University of Minnesota Immigration History Research Center in Minneapolis, and

the Ukrainian Museum and Library of the Stamford, CT Eparchy. One of his specialty areas is the history of the

Ukrainian Press in the U.S. Dr. Lushnycky formerly served as Principal of the Ukrainian Heritage School in

Philadelphia (1990–2003), currently, serves as President of the Philadelphia Chapter of the Shevchenko Scientific

Society in the U.S., and is a member of the Ukrainian Advisory Board at Manor College.

ANDRIJ V.R. SZUL, M.M., Ph.D., J.D. A Professor of Law and Humanities at the Ukrainian Free Univ. in

Munich, previously, was a Law Professor at the State Univ. of NY, Pennsylvania State Univ., St. John’s Univ.

College of Business, and of English and Music at Manor College; has served as a NY State Administrative Law

Judge, Nassau County (NY) Child Abuse Prosecutor in Family Court, and General Counsel to the Chairman of

the 7th Committee (Legal) of the Security Council of the U.N. in NY. Dr. Szul is First Vice President of the

Philadelphia Chapter of the Shevchenko Scientific Society in the U.S., and a member of the Ukrainian Advisory

Board at Manor College.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

SHEVCHENKO SCIENTIFIC SOCIETY – PHILADELPHIA CHAPTER 7911 Whitewood Rd, Elkins Park, PA 19027 www.Shevchenko.org

Martyrom Redefined

MARCH 19, 2017 22

“Lenten Food & Clothing Collection for the Needy” - Now through April 15th Holy Myrrh-Bearers Eastern Catholic Church is holding its “Lenten Food & Clothing Collection” for the needy in the community from now through Saturday, April 15th. Anyone wishing to donate any

News from Swarthmore, PAcanned or boxed, non-perishable food items or used clothing in good, wearable condition should bring them to the Church on any Saturday between 4:00 pm. and 6:00 pm. or on Sunday between 9:00 am and noon or use the convenient drop-off box at the entrance to the Educational Center anytime during the

week. We are located at 900 Fairview Road in Swarthmore/Ridley Township. Please help us help, if you can!

“Easter Kielbasa, Paska Bread and Other Easter Foods Now Available” – Orders Now Being Taken!

We are back with offering two traditional Easter-favorite foods – Kielbasa and Paska bread, as well as Lamb Butters and Hrin (Red Beets and Horseradish). Holy Myrrh-Bearers Church, 900 Fairview Road in Swarthmore/Ridley Township, is offering mouth-watering, high quality kielbasa for the unbelievably low price of only $12.00 per ring or 4 links for $10.00. As a special treat, we are also baking the traditional Paska Easter Bread for only $12.00 a loaf along with Lamb Butters at $4.00 .each and Hrin (redbeats and horseradish) for $10.00 per quart or $6.00 per pint. To place your orders, please email us at [email protected] or call (610) 544-1215. Orders for everything, but Paska bread, will be available for pickup on Friday, April 7, 2017 between 12:00 Noon and 5:00 PM. Paska Bread pickup will be on Saturday, April 15, 2017 between 12:00 Noon and 5:00 PM. Please place your orders early since high demand and our desire to fully satisfy all orders may require us to limit quantities and stop taking orders.


The Pantocrator in the Golden-domed Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception

The golden-domed Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception has an exterior highlighted with a 100 feet in diameter central dome covered with ¼ inch square Venetian tile made of 22 karat gold fused in glass.

However, equally impressive is the interior of the dome, which has a mosaic of the Christ Pantocrator (Christ, the Almighty Ruler). The dome seemingly rests on 32 stained glass windows, depicting the coats of arms of regions of the Ukrainian lands, and the popes, bishops and religious orders who contributed to the growth of the Ukrainian Catholic Church in the

United States.

Not only is the Pantocrator a dominant image in the interior of the dome of the Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral in

Philadelphia, many parish churches also have the Pantocrator as a dominant icon of Jesus Christ in the interior ceiling above the nave.

The image of Christ Pantocrator was one of the first images of Christ developed in the Early Christian Church and remains a central icon of Eastern Christianity. In the half-length image, Christ holds the New Testament in his left hand and makes the gesture of teaching or of blessing with his right.

The most common translation of Pantocrator is "Almighty"

or "All-powerful." In this understanding, Pantocrator is a compound word formed from the Greek wordsfor all and power. This is often understood in terms of potential power; i.e., ability to do anything, omnipotence.

Another, more literal translation is "Ruler of All" or, less literally, "Sustainer of the World". In this understanding, Pantocrator is a compound word formed from the Greek for "all" and the verb meaning "To accomplish

MARCH 19, 2017 24


something" or "to sustain something" This translation speaks more to God's actual power; i.e., God does everything (as opposed to God can do everything).

The oldest known surviving example of the icon of Christ Pantocrator is from the sixth or seventh century, and survived the period of destruction of images during the Iconoclastic disputes that twice racked the Eastern church, from 726 to 787 and from 814 to 842, by being preserved in the remote desert of the Sinai, in Saint Catherine's Monastery. The end of the Iconclast controversy is commemorated on the 1st Sunday of the Great Fast, the Sunday of Orthodoxy.

The icon where Christ has an open book is often referred to as "Christ the Teacher", a variant of the Pantocrator. Christ is bearded, his brown hair centrally parted, and his head is surrounded by a halo. The icon is usually shown against a gold background comparable to the gilded grounds of mosaic depictions of the Christian emperors.

Often, the name of Christ is written on each side of the halo, as IC and XC. Christ's fingers are depicted in a pose that represents the letters IC, X and C, thereby making the Christogram ICXC (for "Jesus Christ"). In many depictions, Christ has a cruciform halo inscribed with the letters depicting the words "He Who Is".

In the Christ Pantocrator in the interior of the central dome of the Philadelphia Cathedral, Christ is holding an open book in his left hand with the Greek letters Alpha and Omega. The term Alpha and Omega comes from the phrase "I am the alpha and the omega" an appellation of Jesus in the Book of Revelation (verses 1:8, 21:6, and 22:13). The letters IC and XC, for Jesus Christ, are on each side of the image. In the halo, the letters for the words “He Who Is” are depicted in the halo. His fingers of the right hand depict the letters IC XC and C, representing the Christogram for Jesus Christ.

Jesus Christ inner

garment is red, representing His divinity. The outer garment is blue, which represents humanity, since Almighty God as Jesus Christ, took on human nature with His divine nature.In Christ Our Pascha, the Catechism of the Ukrainian Catholic Church, it states “God reveals himself to humanity not only as Creator and Almighty Ruler (Pantocrator) of the world but also as Father and Saviour of his people. The history of humankind is a sacred history inasmuch as God himself appears and acts within it. God realizes his plan of salvation within history by deeds and words, which have an inner unity. The deeds wrought by God manifest and confirm

The Pantocrator in the Golden-domed Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception

the teaching expressed through his words, while the words proclaim the deeds and clarify the mystery contained in them. The fullness of truth about God and the salvation of humanity are made clear to us in Christ, who simultaneously is the mediator and the fullness of all Revelation.” Note 23.

When we fix our gaze upon the icon of the Pantocrator, whether in our Cathedral or in our churches, we should always be reminded that God is the Creator and Almighty Ruler of the world and the Father and Savior of his people.

(to be continued)

MARCH 19, 2017 25

The Vibrant Parish – a place to Encounter the Living Christ Working Group is holding meetings at the Patriarchal

Center in Lviv, Ukraine.

March 14, 2017

Under the direction of Most Rev. Ken Nowakowski, head of the Working Group, members met to analyze the implementation process of the Vibrant Parish program in the eparchies and parishes of the Ukrainian Catholic Church worldwide. Among the topics discussed were Mission Days materials, Patriarchal Commissions and Departments strategic planning 2020, Diakonia in the Life of the Church activities, and analysis of the Statistical Data in the Ukrainian Catholic Church.

http://stjosaphateparchy.com/vibrant-parish-working-group-meeting-in-lviv-ukraine/

March 12-16, 2017 - Bishop Bohdan Danylo, Parma Eparchy, is pictured center with Bishop Ken Nowakowski

at a Vibrant Parish meeting in Ukraine. (Photo: stjosaphateparchy.com)

Bishop Bohdan Danylo, Parma Eparchy, at the Pontifical Divine Liturgy at Ss Peter and Paul in Lviv, Ukraine on

March 12, 2017.

(Photos: Bishop Danylo’s Facebook Page)

MARCH 19, 2017 26

March 13, 2017

The Youth Commission in Ukraine started Parish Youth Association conferences for clergy ministering among our youth. Bishop Danylo, head of the Patriarchal Commission for Clergy encouraged youth ministers to promote and encourage priestly and monastic vocations among our youth.

http://stjosaphateparchy.com/bishop-bohdan-took-part-in-the-youth-commission-meeting-in-lviv-ukraine/

Bishops Bohdan Danylo, Ken Nowakowski and Father Andrew Onuferko met with priests involved in youth ministry.

His Beatitude Sviatoslav wished all the Ukrainians that the thought of emigration will be last one from the possible

options of finding themselvesTuesday, 07 March 2017 Let the thought about permanent living abroad be the last option of all, which you consider in your life. Such a wish was expressed by the Father and Head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church during the live interactive program "Open Church" on the topic "Emigration" on "Live TV" on March, 3, 2017, addressing those

Ukrainians, who think of the emigration.

"I would like us to see, – said the Primate, – our better future not somewhere abroad but in our own land, and that we built such a country which could guarantee to us the right to employment, education, and created the necessary conditions for our full self-realization."

His Beatitude Sviatoslav recalled the words of St. John Paul II to the youth, which he said during the meeting with the young people in Ukraine in 2001: "Ukraine needs you, don't leave her, don't hurry to live abroad, build your life and your future here.""Even when looking for a better future, when going abroad, please always think about your Motherland, pray for

her, care about her," called the Head of the UGCC.

The UGCC Department of Information ht tp://news.ugcc.ua/en/news/his_beatitude_s v i a t o s l a v _w i s h e d _a l l _ t h e_u k ra i n i a n s _that_the_thought_of_emigration_will_be_last_one_from_the_possible_op t i on s_o f_ f i nd i ng_themselves_78912.html


His Beatitude Sviatoslav on the first Sunday of Lent: "Without prayer there is no real position"

Monday, 06 March 2017 We live in a time of Lent. This is the time a unique opportunity when the Church invites us to experience a personal encounter with the living Christ. This was stressed by the Father and the Head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, His Beatitude Sviatoslav, during a sermon to the faithful on the first Sunday of Lent March 5, 2017 in the Patriarchal Cathedral of the Resurrection of Christ in Kiev.

The preacher said that on the first Sunday of Lent we hear the reading of the Gospel of St. John, where we feel the freshness of the faith of the early Apostolic Church. We hear about the meeting of three people to Jesus Christ ... The content of today's Gospel just for us to understand who is

Christ. Christ is the one who allows a person to meet the living God.

"Come and see." "These words - said the Primate - and today draws the Universal Apostolic Church to every person. I think that each of us is often similar to Bartholomew, who is looking ... Everyone, people of good will seeking to know the truth, seeking justice, peace, love, all that we call real happiness. But all this can be found only when we personally meet the living God, the Son of the living God. "

According to the preacher of the word of God, now everyone has the opportunity to experience the very unique meeting, which invites us to Christ ‘s Church. "We live in a time of Lent. This is the time of unique opportunity when

the Church invites us to experience a personal encounter with the living Christ. The first condition for such a meeting, and the way how to survive is prayer. We know that without prayer there is no real position. Prayer is time for personal dialogue between me and God, to whom I speak, and the moment when I meet a holy God " The Head of our church asks the faithful to reflect upon this.

"Come and see." "These words - said the preacher - a special opening in this first Sunday of Lent, which is called the Sunday of orthodoxy. It was still set in the first millennium to mark the victory over the iconoclasm of the Church of Christ. In this struggle, Christ Church defended the opportunity to meet the living God for us today. Opportunity in the church community,

not just hear about God, not just hear about his word, but to see him in holy icons. So today the gift of Christ's Church is to proudly have bohoodkrovennyh icons."

"My wish for each of you was that Lent be a way through meeting the living God. Let this be your everyday road you are always looking for above all, his uniform, his desire. I would like to have the gift of meeting with Him. In our church we do everything so that it took place ". This the patriarch wished all the faithful and people of good will.

Source:http://ktds.org.uahttp://news.ugcc.ua/en/news/head_of_ugcc_on_the_f i rs t_sunday_of_lent_without_prayer_t h e r e _ i s _ n o _ r e a l _position_78872.html

Pope Francis begins Lenten Spiritual Exercises (Lenten Retreat)

March 5, 2017

(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis and members of the Vatican Curia travelled on Sunday afternoon to the "Casa del Divin Maestro,” a

retreat centre in Ariccia, located in the Alban hills just outside Rome. They are taking part in the week-long Curial Spiritual Exercises.

The Pope himself

reminded the faithful of his annual retreat after praying the Angelus in St Peter’s Square and asked them for prayers for himself and for his collaborators.

Each day will include moments of prayer, meditation, and Eucharistic adoration.

At the heart of this year’s

MARCH 19, 2017 28


meditations is the theme of the Passion, the Death and the Resurrection of Christ according to the Gospel of Matthew.

The spiritual exercises will be led by Franciscan Friar Giulio Michelini.

The exercises are traditionally conducted during the first week of Lent, and as always, all the Pope’s audiences, including Wednesday’s General Audience, are suspended.

The participants will return to the Vatican on Friday.

Pope Francis begins Lenten Spiritual Exercises (Lenten Retreat)

Photo: RadioVatican

Pope Francis: ‘Consult the Bible as often as your cellphone.’

March 5, 2017 (Vatican Radio) Pope Francis on Sunday called on Christians to consult the Bible with the same frequency as they might consult their cellphones for messages.

Speaking to the crowds gathered in St. Peter's Square following his weekly Angelus blessing, the Pope urged those present to give the Bible the same place in their daily life as cellphones and asked: “What would happen if we turned back when we forget it, if we opened it more times a day, if we read the message of God contained in the Bible the

way we read messages on our cellphones?”

The Bible, he explained, contains the Word of God, the most effective tool in fighting evil and keeping us close to God. Clearly, Francis said, the comparison between the Bible and the cellphone is paradoxical, but it induces us to reflect.

“If we always carried God’s Word in our hearts, no temptation would distance us from the Father, and no obstacle would take us off the path towards good” he said.

He pointed out that in this first Sunday of Lent,

the Gospel of Matthew tells of Jesus’s forty days in the desert and of how he was tempted by the devil.

With his temptations, the Pope said, Satan wanted to divert Jesus from the path of obedience and humbleness – because he knew that this was the way to conquer evil – and he wanted him to take the false shortcut towards glory and success.

“But the devil’s poisonous darts are all ‘blocked’ by Jesus with the shield provided by God’s Word” he said, pointing out that Jesus never uses His own words but

only God’s Word, and thus, filled with the force of the Holy Spirit, He victoriously crosses the desert.

Pope Francis invited all Christians to follow in Jesus’ footsteps during the forty days of Lent and to confront the spiritual battle against evil with the strength of God’s Word.

“That’s why, he said, it is necessary to become familiar with the Bible: read it often, reflect upon it, assimilate it. The Bible contains the Word of God which is always topical and effective” he


http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2017/03/05/pope_francis_begins_lenten_spiritual_exercises/1296744

MARCH 19, 2017 29

said.

Inviting the faithful to carry a pocket-sized Gospel all the time, the

Pope Francis: ‘Consult the Bible as often as your cellphone.’(continued from previous page)

Pope concluded with the words: “Don’t forget what would happen if we treated the Bible as we treat our cellphone,

always with us, always close to us!” http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2017/03/05/

pope_francis_‘consult_t h e _ b i b l e _ a s _o f t e n _ a s _ y o u r _cellphone’/1296709

Pope: Conversion - learning to do good with deeds, not words

March 14, 2017

(Vatican Radio) Avoiding evil, learning to do good, and allowing yourself to be carried forward by the Lord: this is the path of Lenten conversion stated Pope Francis in his homily at the morning Mass at the Casa Santa Marta. It is a conversion, the Pope said, that is manifested not with words, but with “concrete things.”

The Pope’s attempt to trace out the lines of Lenten conversion took its starting point from the words of the Prophet Isaiah from the day’s First Reading. Avoiding evil and learning to do good – the heart of Isaiah’s exhortation – are stages along this path. “Each one of us, every day, does something ugly.” The Bible, in fact, says that even “the most holy people sin seven times a day.”

Avoiding evil and learning to do good is a journey

The problem, the Pope said, lies in not getting into the habit of “living in ugly things” and avoiding those things that “poison the soul,” that make it small. And then we have to learn to do good:

“It’s not easy to do good: we must learn it, always. And He teaches us. But: Learn. Like children. Along the path of life, of the Christian life one learns every day. You have to learn every day to do something, to be better than the day before. To learn. Avoiding evil and learning to do good: this is the rule of conversion. Because being converted doesn’t come from a fairy who converts us with a magic wand: No! It’s a journey. It’s a journey of avoiding and of learning.”

You learn to do good with concrete actions, not with words

And so one needs courage, to learn to avoid evil; and humility to

learn to do good, which is expressed in concrete actions:“He, the Lord, names three concrete things, but there are many: seek justice, relieve the oppressed, give orphans justice, defend the cause of the widow… but concrete things. You learn to do good with concrete things, not with words. With deeds… For this reason Jesus, in the Gospel we have heard, rebukes this ruling class of the people of Israel, because ‘they talk and don’t act,’ they don’t know concreteness. And if there is no concreteness, there can be no conversion.”

Lift yourself up with the help of the Lord with humility, and we will be forgiven

The First Reading then continues with the invitation from the Lord: “Come [It: ‘su’ – arise], let us reason together.” “Arise” – a beautiful word, Pope

Francis said, a word that Jesus addressed to the paralytics, to the daughter of Jairus, as well as to the son of the widow of Naim. And God gives us a hand to help us up. And He is humble, He lowers Himself so much to say, “Come, let us reason together.” Pope Francis emphasized how God helps us: “Walking together with us to help us, to explain things to us, to take us by the hand.” The Lord is able “to do this miracle” – that is, “to change us” – not overnight, but on a journey:

“An invitation to conversion, avoid evil, learn to do good… ‘Come, arise, come to me, let us reason together, and let us go forward.’ But [you might say] I have so many sins…’ ‘But don’t worry’ [God responds]. ‘If your sins should be like



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scarlet, they will become white as snow.’ And this is the path of Lenten conversion. Simple. It is the Father who speaks, it is the Father who loves us, who really loves us. And who accompanies us on this path of conversion.

Pope: Conversion - learning to do good with deeds, not words

Only He asks us to be humble. Jesus says to the rulers: ‘He who exalts himself will be humbled; and he who humbles himself will be exalted’.”

Francis concluded his homily by recalling the

stages along the path of Lenten conversion: avoiding evil, learning to do good, getting up and going with Him. And then, he said, “our sins will all be forgiven.”

http://en.radiovaticana.

va/news/2017/03/14/pope_conve r s ion_ -_learning_to_do_good_w i t h _ d e e d s , _ n o t _words/1298514

Total aid of the Initiative “Pope for Ukraine” amounts to 16 million euros: stage II is coming

13 March 2017

The first stage of humanitarian Initiative “Pope for Ukraine” to help the victims of military operations; today received the support of about 200 thousand people.

It was reported to Obozrevatel which cited the press service of the Initiative “Pope for Ukraine.”

As reported, now in the Donbas “gray zone” the humanitarian Initiative launched by Pope Francis is being implemented. In response to his call, on April 24, 2016, all Roman Catholic churches in Europe held a fundraiser for victims of war, regardless of religion, ethnicity or political views. Later, the pontiff donated from the personal fund the amount of 5 million euros

for this purpose. The total amount of aid was about 16 million euros.

According to the press secretary of the Initiative “Pope for Ukraine” Olena Kulygina, humanitarian aid had reached almost all the towns along the demarcation line in Donbas. The total number of persons covered by the assistance is nearly 200 thousand people. “The action covers about 70,000 most vulnerable families – large families, single-parent families, low-income mothers with newborn children, about 80,000 children and 40,000 retirees. 90 thousand people have received or will soon receive the aid – medicines, including those for cancer patients and patients with hepatitis C, as well as means of personal hygiene. About 100 thousand people were provided with food.

Works on warming and repair of housing were carried out for around 10 thousand people – we purchased stoves and wood, repaired windows,” Olena says.

According to Bishop John Sobilo, Head of the Initiative’s Special Technical Committee, dealing with the acceptance of applications and the distribution of aid, the course of action is controlled by the State Secretariat of the Vatican and the Pontifical Council “Cor Unum” through the Apostolic Nunciature (Vatican Embassy) in Ukraine.

The bishop also says that Pope Francis does not distinguish between people living on both sides of the boundary line – the aid is intended to all people in need. Priority is given to people with

the most urgent needs, children, pensioners, single people and people with disabilities. In addition, “everyone is getting the aid – Orthodox, Protestants, Muslims and atheists,” he stressed.

According to Olena Kulygina, the second stage of the campaign is in the course of preparation: humanitarian needs of the “gray zone” are being studied, appropriate monitoring, checking and approval are being conducted.

h t t p s : / / r i s u . o rg . ua/en/ i nde x /a l l _ news/community/religion_and_society/66347

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Happy Birthday!

Ç Äíåì íàðîäæåííÿ!

April 1: Rev. Deacon Mr. Theophil StaruchApril 7: Rev. Petro Zvarych

April 7: Rev. Deacon Mr. Paul SpottsApril 14: Rev. Taras Svirchuk, C.S.s.R.

April 28: Rev. Ihor Royik

May the Good Lord Continue to Guide You and Shower You with His Great Blessings. Mnohaya Lita!

Íåõàé Äîáðèé Ãîñïîäü Òðèìàº Âàñ ó Ñâî¿é Îï³ö³ òà Ùåäðî Áëàãîñëîâèòü Âàñ. Ìíîãàÿ Ë³òà!

Congratulations on your Anniversary of Priesthood!

Â³òàºìî ç Ð³÷íèöåþ Ñâÿùåíñòâà!

April 7: Rev. Taras Svirchuk, C.S.s.R. (11th Anniversary)April 10: Rev. Roman Dubitsky (52nd Anniversary)

April 10: Rev. Edward Levandusky (52nd Anniversary)April 10: Rev. Uriy Markewych (52nd Anniversary)

April 14: Rev. Volodymyr Klanichka (16th Anniversary)April 14: Rev. T. Frank Patrylak (55th Anniversary)April 19: Rev. Evhen Moniuk (25th Anniversary)April 27: Rev. Wasyl Bunik (24th Anniversary)

May God Grant You Many Happy and Blessed Years of Service in the Vineyard of Our Lord!

Íåõàé Áîã Îáäàðóº Áàãàòüìà Áëàãîñëîâåííèìè Ðîêàìè Ñëóæ³ííÿ â Ãîñïîäíüîìó Âèíîãðàäíèêó!

April 2017 - Êâ³òíÿ 2017

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