SS Peter & Paul Ukrainian Catholic Church

Saturday, March 21
4:00 PM ✞Helen Sawka – Peter Petrowski

Sunday, March 22 FIFTH SUNDAY OF THE GREAT FAST
8:30 AM God’s Blessings and Good Health for all Parishioners
4:00 PM DEANERY STATION OF THE CROSS
St. Vladimir’s Edwardsville, PA
This is the last of the Deanery Stations of the Cross

Thursday, March 25 ANNOUNCIATION OF THE BLESSED MOTHER
Holy day of Obligation
God’s Blessings and Good Health for all Parishioners
Myrovania – Anointing of Holy Oil
Friday, March 27
4:00 PM Stations of the Cross – Sorokousty Service

Saturday, March 28 Blessing of Willow branches and Palm
4:00 PM Myrovania – Anointing of Holy Oil

Sunday, March 29 PALM SUNDAY-
Entrance of our lord into Jerusalem
8:30 AM Blessing of Willow branches and Palm
Myrovania – Anointing of Holy Oil
God’s Blessings and Good Health for all Parishioners
St. Mary of Egypt

The Fifth Sunday of Lent recalls the memory of St. Mary of Egypt, the repentant harlot. Mary tells us, first of all, that no amount of sin can keep a person from God if the sinner truly repents. In addition, St. Mary tells us that it is never too late, either in life or in lent, to repent. Christ will gladly receive all who come to Him, even at the last minute of their lives. However, their coming must be in serious and sincere repentanceHOLY WEEK AND EASTER SCHEDULE

Holy Wednesday – April 1 – 9:30 AM Presanctified Divine Liturgy. Confessions

Holy Thursday – April 2 – 4:00 PM Matins of the Passion of Our Lord –

Good Friday – April 3 – 3:00 PM – Vespers – Procession – Entombment of The
Holy Shroud. Confessions

HOLY SATURDAY – April 4 – 1:00 PM Blessing of Easter Food Baskets
7:00 PM – Service at the Grave, RECURRECTION MATINS, Easter Divine Liturgy, Blessing of Artos – Myrovania – Anointing of Holy Oil
Bright Monday – April 6 – 4:30 PM – Divine Liturgy – Myrovania

THE FEAST OF THE ANNUNCIATION OF THE MOST HOLY MOTHER OF GOD

The mystery of the Annunciation has fundamental significance, for with it begin the New Testament and our salvation. Mankind had waited thousands of years for the good new of the Archangel concerning the incarnation of the son of God. Heaven, earth, and the righteous souls in limbo awaited this good news. On this day God fulfilled his promise to send a redeemer, for on this day the “Word was made flesh and dwelt among us.” In a sermon on the Annunciation, attributed to St. John Chrysostom, we read: “Gabriel was sent to reveal the salvation of the world. Gabriel was sent to bring to Adam the promise of his return from slavery to sin. Gabriel was sent to the Virgin, to restore the honor of womanhood. Gabriel was sent to prepare a worthy bridal chamber for the pure Bridegroom. Gabriel was sent to espouse creature with the Creator. Gabriel was sent to the Virgin betrothed to Joseph, but preserved for the Son. The bodiless servant was sent to the pure Virgin. The one who was free from sin was sent to one exempt from corruption. A lamp was sent to point out the Sun of truth. Morning was sent to precede the light of day. Gabriel was sent to announce Him, who is in the bosom of the Father and in the arms of the Mother. Gabriel was sent to announce Him, Who is seated on a throne at God’s right hand and, at the same time, rests in a lowly manger on earth.”
At the moment of the angel’s annunciation, the Son of God begins the first moments of earthly life in the womb of the Most Pure Virgin Mary. From this momentous fact the privileges of Mary – those of divine motherhood and virginity – clearly emanate.
The celebration of the feast of the Annunciation began in the Eastern Church at the end of the fourth or the beginning of the fifth century. At first, both in the East and the West, it was considered a feast of the Lord as is evident from the names by which it was first known: “The Conception of Christ”, “The Annunciation concerning Christ”. “The Beginning of Redemption”, “The Annunciation”, “ The Annunciation of the Angel to Mary”, “The Day of the Salutation”, “The Day or Feast of the Annunciation”.
In the seventh century, the name was formally established for the entire Eastern Church as “The Annunciation of the Most Holy Mother of God”, and it was decreed that this feast be celebrated as a Marian feast.
The date March 25, was selected for this feast because it occurs just nine months before the feast of the Nativity of our Lord on December 25. In addition to this, there existed an ancient tradition that March 25th marked not only the incarnation of the son of God, but also both the creation of the world and the death of Christ on the Cross. The Alexandrian Paschal Chronicle of 624, and also the Paschal Chronicle of Constantinople, from the start of the seventh century, places the feast of the Annunciation on the 25th of March.
SANCTUARY LIGHT: The Sanctuary Light is requested to burn this week, March 21-28 by Michael Kane in memory of James & Carrie Kane.

LOTTERY TICKETS: The month of May is Lottery time. Please try to do your part by purchasing a few tickets and if possible take some to sell to your friends & family.

SVIACHENE: Our Sviachene (Easter Dinner) is for Sunday, April 19, 2015 in our Church Hall at 2:00 PM. Tickets are available. Get your tickets early so plans can be made for the affair. The cost is $15 for adults and $8 for children under 8-12. This is a very nice affair to have our Parishioners and friends spend some time together.

PALM SUNDAY: Palm Sunday is next week and we are in need of Willow Branches. We are asking for help to tie the branches and palm for distribution. Please, if can lend a hand, this will be after the Stations of the Cross on Friday, March 27th. If you bring any branches at this time, please put them at the Hall entrance. Thank you.
Please sign up for the Adoration of the Grave. The schedule is in the vestibule; try to spend at least one hour with Our Lord. Your cooperation is needed and will be greatly appreciated

Saturday, March 14
4:00 PM ✞ Leo Semcheski – (40th Day) John & Nancy Semcheski

Sunday, March 15
8:30 AM FOURTH SUNDAY OF THE GREAT FAST
God’s Blessings and Good Health for all Parishioners
4:00 PM – Deanery Stations of the Cross – Transfiguration of Our Lord, Nanticoke

Friday, Mar. 20
4:00 PM Stations of the Cross – Sorokousty

Saturday, Mar. 21
4:00 PM ✞Helen Sawka – Peter Petrowski

Sunday, Mar. 22 FIFTH SUNDAY OF THE GREAT FAST
MARY OF EGYPT VENERABLE
8:30 AM God’s Blessings and Good Health for all Parishioners

Ukrainian Easter Eggs are beautiful expression of mystery, magic and love. Ukrainian ancestors believed that the Easter Eggs bring good fortune, wealth, health and protection from lightning and fire, possess curative power.

St. John Climacus
On the Fourth Sunday of Great Lent our Church reminds her fasting children that despite their natural weaknesses and passions they can become good Christians and perfect images of the Son of God. She points out the example of St John Climacus (525-605), the saintly abbot of a monastery on Mount Sinai. He became an “angel” in human flesh through fasting and prayer. In following his example the faithful will attain a high degree of Christian perfection.

EASTER

In Christianity, the Easter celebration is held to commemorate the resurrection of Jesus, which Christians believe happened three days after he was buried, having been crucified by Roman authorities just outside of Jerusalem. Easter takes place at the same time as Jewish Passover and, as such, is not a fixed date on the calendar but instead moves around. Because of its connection to Passover, Easter is also sometimes referred to as Pascha, a word that appears in both Latin and Greek but comes from the Hebrew Pesah, or Passover

Setting the Date
Before 325 CE, Christian communities celebrated Easter on a variety of different days of the week, but the Council of Nicea, called together by Emperor Constantine, issued the “Easter Rule” which standardized Easter observance to the first Sunday after the first full moon (known as th paschal moon) on or after the vernal equinox. This “full moon” is not defined in a scientific manner, however – it is an “ecclesiastical full moon” and the “ecclesiastical vernal equinox” is always on March 21st. This means that Easter always occurs on a Sunday between March 22nd and April 25th, signaling the end of the season of Lent.
Traditions
Although Easter is just one day in the liturgical calendar, in reality preparations for Easter take place throughout the 40 days of Lent and it plays a central role in the following 50 days of Pentecost (also known as the Easter season). Thus, Easter can rightly be regarded as the central day in the entire Christian calendar.
Although Easter is probably the oldest Christian celebration aside from the Sabbath, it wasn’t always the same as what people currently think of when they look at Easter services. The earliest known observances, known as Pasch, occurred between the 2nd and 4th centuries. These celebrations commemorated both Jesus’ death and his resurrection at once, whereas these two events have been split up between Good Friday and Easter Sunday today.
Easter is treated not simply as a commemoration of events that occurred at one time in the past. Instead, Easter is regarded as a living symbol of the very nature of Christianity. During Easter, Christians believe that they symbolically pass through death and into a new life (spiritually) in Jesus Christ, just as Jesus passed through death and after three days rose from the dead.

SANCTUARY LIGHT: The Sanctuary Light is requested to burn this week March 14 – 21 by Arlene Jones for Good Health for her sister-in-law.

SVIACHENE: Our Sviachene (Easter Dinner) is being planned for Sunday,
April 19, 2015 – 2:00 PM in our Church Hall. Tickets will be
available soon. We are hoping that most of our parishioners will
attend this affair as it is for the purpose of getting together as a Parish Family. This is a nice affair for our Parish and friends to
spend some time together for food, fun and to enjoy each other.
The cost is $15 for adults and $8 for children 8- 12 under 12, free.
Menu is: Piggies, Ham, Kilbosi , potatoes, vegetable, extras
dessert and beverage. Donations of Gift items for the Chinese
Auction will be greatly appreciated and of course our dessert table donations. Save the date and come.

COUNCIL MEETING: The Parish Council will meet on Friday, March 20th in the Church Hall at 2:00 PM. This meeting will be held before the Stations of the Cross. All members are asked to please attend as meetings have not been held for a few months.

DEANERY STATION OF THE CROSS
4:00 PM each Sunday
Mar. 15 Nanticoke, Transfiguration
Mar. 22 Edwardsville, St. Vladimir

Saturday, Mar. 7
4:00 PM Theodosia Rembish – Joanne Chwieg
VENERATION OF THE HOLY CROSS
Myrovania – Anointing of Holy Oil

Sunday, March 8 THIRD SUNDAY OF THE GREAT FAST
VENERATION OF THE HOLY CROSS
8:30 AM God’s Blessings and Good Health for all Parishioners
Myrovania – Anointing of Holy Oil
4:00 PM Deanery Stations of the Cross – St. Nicholas UCC, Glen Lyon, PA
Friday, Mar. 13
7:00 PM Stations of the Cross – Sorokousty

Saturday, Mar. 14
4:00 PM ✞Leo Semcheski – (40th Day) John & Nancy Semcheski

Sunday, Mar. 15 FOURTH SUNDAY OF THE GREAT FAST
John Climacus Venerable
8:30 AM God’s Blessings and Good Health for all Parishioners

DEANERY STATION OF THE CROSS
4:00 PM each Sunday
Mar. 8 Glen Lyon, St. Nicholas
Mar. 15 Nanticoke, Transfiguration
Mar. 22 Edwardsville, St. Vladimir
Time to Spring Forward
Turn your clocks ahead one hour
Daylight Saving Time begins
2:00 AM Sunday

VENERATION OF THE HOLY CROSS

The season of the Great Fast is a special time for mortification and penance, both internal and external. Because this spiritual struggle lasts a longer time, it often happens that we begin the first days or weeks of fasting with great zeal and resolution, but then gradually we become physically and spiritually exhausted, weakened and discouraged. Holy Church knowing well the weakened and instability of our human nature, places before our eyes the holy Cross in the middle of the fast – an extraordinarily powerful incentive to motivate us to persevere in our spiritual struggle.
On the third Sunday, or mid-Lent, holy Church encourages us to venerate the Cross of our Lord in a very special manner, so that we may be strengthened in spirit. This Sunday, therefore, is called the Sunday of the Veneration of the Holy Cross.
The holy Cross is designed to remind us of God’s infinite love for us, Christ’s suffering for our sake and our obligation to carry our daily cross courageously. Jesus Christ addressed these words to all of us, “If anyone wishes to come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily, and follow me…He who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.” (Luke 9,23 and 14-27).
The services of this Sunday almost make no mention of the Cross as being a symbol of suffering, penance, or humiliation, but rather extol the holy Cross as a symbol of joy, victory and triumph, which are brought to fullness through the glorious Resurrection.
The Sunday of the Veneration of the Holy Cross, indeed, teaches us to understand the great significance the Holy Cross has for us, not only during the Lent, but also throughout our whole life. This Sunday tells us that wherever we find the Cross, there will we find strength, victory, salvation and the pledge of resurrection to eternal life of bliss.

SANCTUARY LIGHT: The Sanctuary Light is requested to burn the week of
March 7 – 14 by the Dempsey Family in memory of Anna Dempsey.

WOMEN’S SOCIETY: The regular monthly meeting of the Women’s Society will meet Tuesday, March 10th, at 6:30 PM. All members are asked to please attend. This is the first meeting after the 3 months of no meetings.

CEMETERY: Our sincere thanks to Mary and Walter Pinaha and Veronica Szewczuk for their donation of $600 to our Parish Cemetery care. Their donation is greatly appreciated and may God grant them good health.

FOOD SALE: St. Nicholas UCC, 153 E. Main St., Glen Lyon is sponsoring a food sale of Vegetable Soup, Halushki and bake sale on Friday, March 13, 2015 from 12 noon to 5:00 PM in the Church Hall. The price of the soup & halushki is $5.00 a quart. Orders can be placed by calling Debbie at 570-736-6908 or Karen at 570- 735-7682 by this Sunday, March 8th.

Saturday, Feb. 28
4:00 PM ✞Gloria Suscavage – Mary & Wayne Thomas

Sunday, March 1 SECOND SUNDAY OF THE GREAT FAST
8:30 AM God’s Blessings and Good Health for all Parishioner
4:00 PM Deanery Stations of the Cross – SS Peter & Paul, U.C.C.
Plymouth, PA

Friday, March 6
4:00 PM Stations of the Cross – Sorokousty Service

Saturday, March 7
4:00 PM ✞Intention for the Souls in Purgatory

Sunday, March 8 THIRD SUNDAY OF THE GREAT FAST
VENERATION OF THE HOLY CROSS
8:30 AM God’s Blessings and Good Health for all Parishioners
4:00 PM Deanery Stations of the Cross – St. Nicholas, Glen Lyon

SANCTUARY LIGHT: No request. Many weeks are opened for requests of the Sanctuary Light.
ALTAR CANDLES: The Altar Candles are requested to burn during all services for the Month of March by Florence Kloap and Family in memory of all deceased members of the Kloap Family.

PRAYERS: Please remember in your prayers all those who are in Nursing Facilities, Hospitals and at home.
PRAYER FOR THE SICK
Father of goodness and love, hear our prayers for the sick members of our community and for all who are in need. Amid mental and physical suffering may they find consolation in your healing presence. Show your mercy as you close wounds, cure illness, make broken bodies whole and free downcast spirits. May these special people find lasting health and deliverance, and so join us in thanking you for all your gifts. We ask this through the Lord Jesus who healed those who believed. Amen.
TIME CHANGE: Remember to turn your clocks forward one hour next Sunday, March 8th at 2:00 AM. This is the beginning of Day Light Saving Time.

DEANERY STATIONS OF THE CROSS 2015 at 4:00 PM each Sunday
Mar. 1 Plymouth, Ss. Peter & Paul
Mar. 8 Glen Lyon, St. Nicholas
Mar. 15 Nanticoke, Transfiguration
Mar. 22 Edwardsville, St. Vladimir