SS Peter & Paul Ukrainian Catholic Church

Saturday, Sept. 26
4:00 PM ✞ All deceased members of the Woman’s Society

Sunday, Sept. 27 EIGHTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
8:30 AM God’s Blessings and Good Health on all parishioners

Thursday, Oct. 1 PROTECTION OF THE MOTHER OF GOD
9:00 AM Anointing of Holy Oil – Myrovania
Petitions to the Mother of God
God’s Blessings and Good Health on all parishioners.

Saturday, Oct. 3
4:00 PM ✞Mary Ann Sawka – Thomas Sawka, Sr.
PETITIONS TO THE MOTHER OF GOD

Sunday, Oct.. 4 NINETEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
8:30 AM God’s Blessing and Good Health on all parishioners.
PETITIONS TO THE MOTHER OF GOD
PRAYERS: Please remember in your prayers all the sick of the parish, their families and friends. Those in nursing homes, hospitals and at home.

The Bible: More up-to-date than tomorrow’s newspaper!
The Bible is the best of all books, for it is the word of God and 
teaches us the way to be happy in this world and in the next. Continue 
therefore to read it and to regulate your life by its precepts. I believe the Bible is the best gift God has ever given to man. All the good from the Savior of the world is communicated to us through this book.
–President Abraham Lincoln

SANCTUARY LIGHT: The Sanctuary Light is requested to burn for this week Sept. 26 – Oct. 3 b y The Halloway Family in memory of Josie Halloway.

RUMMAGE SALE: Now is the time to get things together that you don’t want or need and contribute them to the Rummage Sale to be held in October 9, 10, 11, 2015 in the Church Hall. The Women’s Society is asking all our good bakers and dessert makers to contribute to the Bake Sale if at all possible. Your help will be greatly appreciated.

ALTAR WINE: We wish to thank an anonymous donor for the purchase of a case of Altar Wine (used for the Holy Communion) at the cost of $60. May God bless you with good health.

MUSIC, MUSIC, MUSIC: On Sunday, November 1, 2015 at 3:00 PM in our parish SS Peter and Paul Ukrainian Catholic Church, the Ekumen Chorale, well-known for eastern European music sung without accompaniment, will perform. All are welcome.

PRO-LIFE BANQUET: Father Frank Pavone, National Director for Priests for Life, will be the Keynote Speaker for this year’s Pro-Life Banquet, Monday, 6 PM, October 19, 2015, at Genetti’s Convention Center, E. Market Street, Wilkes-Barre, PA. There will be reserved seating, tables of 10.Tickets are $35.00 and will not be sold at the door. Reservations must be confirmed by October 7th by contacting the Pro-Life Center, 31 Hanover St., Wilkes-Barre, Pa 18702 (570-326-1819).

PASTIE SALE:  Saints Peter & Paul, Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, North Wilkes-Barre is taking orders for Pasties for pick-up on Saturday, October 3, 2015.  Our Pasties are made with seasoned ground beef and potatoes wrapped in a pie crust pastry and are available with or without onions.  Pasties are $5.00 each and Gravy is available for $1.00 for an 8 oz. cup.  Call (570)829-3051 to place your order.  (Please specify with or without onions.)  Pick-up from 1:30 to 3:30pm in our School Hall, corner of North River and West Chestnut Streets, Wilkes-Barre.  Remember, when Baba cooks… everybody’s happy!

Saturday, Sept. 19 – 4:00 PM
Peace in Ukraine – Father Popyk intention

Sunday, Sept. 20 – 8:30AM
SEVENTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
God’s Blessing and Good Health for all parishioners.

Thursday, Sept. 24 – 9:00 AM
For all the souls in Purgatory
Saturday, Sept 26 – 4:00 PM
All deceased members of the Woman’s Society

Sunday, Sept. 27- 8:30AM
EIGHTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
God’s Blessing and Good Health for all parishioners.

Divine Liturgies are available for your intentions. Please use the envelopes in the vestibule or call Father for your request.

SHOP FOR THE HOLIDAY’S CRAFT SALE Saturday, November 7th, 2015   9:00 AM -3:00 PM at SS Cyril & Methodius Ukrainian Catholic Church 706 Warren St, Berwick PA  18603. Variety of craft items, ethnic food, bake sale. Contact number:  570 759 2824 after 5:00PM

SAVE THE DATE: Oct.3rd The Eastern PA Chapter of the Carpatho-Rusyn Society will present a discussion on Carpatho-Rusyn history, traditions and life in the northern coalfields of PA at St. Michael’s BB Church, Pittston, Pa. from 9am to 3pm. This is a free event but registration is requested. Please call 570-654-4564 or  stmichaelsbcc@outlook.com. Featured speakers Dr. Michele Parvensky (9am – 10:30am); Richard Custer (10:45 – 12:15pm) and Dr. Peter Yasenchak (1:30pm – 2:45pm). Light refreshments and light lunch will be available.

A PRAYER

Dear Lord, we pray for our families, friends and our enemies
We ask for your guidance for all of our men and women who
serve to keep countries free

Not only America, but many other countries seek peace as well
We pray Lord to remove the hatred from our world, 
it serves no purpose

In your teachings Lord, 
you said to turn the other cheek.
That is hard when people are dying for peace,
dying to keep their Countries free

We humbly ask your guidance for our President,
and all government officials serving

We pray for the sick and feeble,
they truly need our prayers
Please keep our children safe for future generations
We pray for all peoples of our planet,
for all are worthy of Christ’s love

We also pray for knowledge, as many missionaries have,
and do Carry your message of love
Please Bless All who read this prayer dear Father

SANCTUARY LIGHT: The Sanctuary Light is requested to burn this week Sept. 19– 26 by Michael & Dolores Sinko in memory of mother Helen Kurkowki.

TRANSFIGURATION OF OUR LORD: The Holy Year Choir of Transfiguration of Our Lord UCC will celebrate their 40th Anniversary this Sunday, September 20th at 10:30 AM. All the Faithful are invited to join in this celebration.

RUMMAGE SALE: If you have any items to contribute to the Rummage sale, please bring them to the church or call any member of the Women’s Society. Any household items in good condition are accepted for the sale. Clothing will be accepted if they are in wearable condition and clean but not too old. Now is the time to get things together that you don’t want or need and contribute them to the sale to be held in October 9, 10, 11, 2015 in the Church Hall. The Women’s Society is asking all our good bakers and dessert makers to contribute to the Bake Sale if at all possible. Your help will be greatly appreciated.

TREE REMOVAL: Our thanks to Charles & Catherine Halloway for their donation of $100 to fray the cost of the maintenance job of tree removal from the back of the church and hall.. The cost was reasonable at $100 and was maintained by Bruce Drozda – Tree Topper. If you have trees to be removed etc. contact Bruce for the job at 570-288-1565. .
EKUMEN CHORALE: Our church will host the Ekumen Chorale performing sacred musical works of Hyklailo Verbytsky on Sunday, November 1, 2015 at 3:00 PM. Free will offering. The Chorale concerts are offered with no charge.

Saturday, Sept. 12 – 4:00 PM
Service for the Exaltation of the Holy Cross
✞William Kloap – Wife Florence Kloap & Family

Sunday, Sept. 13 – 8:30AM
SIXTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
God’s Blessing and Good Health for all parishioners.

Saturday, Sept 19 – 4:00 PM
PEACE IN UKRAINE – FATHER POPYK INTENTION

Sunday, Sept. 20- 8:30AM
SEVENTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
God’s Blessing and Good Health for all parishioners.
Divine Liturgies are available for your intentions. Please use the envelopes in the vestibule or call Father for your request.
OUR LITURGICAL YEAR
PART 11
The Liturgical Year is so arranged that its central place is occupied by our Divine Savior; around him are gathered all the angels and saints. In the decree of the Second Vatican Council on the “Constitution of the Liturgy” we read: “Holy Mother Church is conscious that she must celebrate the saving work of her divine Spouse by devoutly recalling it on certain days throughout the year. Every week, on the day which she has called the Lord’s Day, she keeps the memory of the Lord’s resurrection, which she also celebrates once a year, together with His blessed passion, in the most solemn festival of Easter. Within a cycle of a year, moreover, she unfolds the whole mystery of Christ, from the incarnation and birth until the ascension, the day of Pentecost, and the expectation of blessed hope and the coming of the Lord.”
The Most Pure Virgin Mary, who has been accorded the most prominent place after Christ in the work of redemption, also stands nearest to Christ in the Liturgical Year. This is evident in the various feasts in honor of the Mother of God. The decree on the “Constitution on the Liturgy” declares that: “In celebrating this annual cycle of Christ’s mysteries, holy Church honors with special love the Blessed Mary, Mother of God, who jointed by an inseparable bond to the saving work of her Son. In her, the Church holds up and admires the most excellent fruit of the redemption, and joyfully contemplates, as in a faultless image that which she herself desires and hopes wholly to be.”
Around the persons of our Lord Jesus Christ and His most holy Mother we see the grand choir of the Church Triumphant in heaven that is, all the saints of the Old and New Testaments: “The Church,” says the same Council “has also included in the annual cycle days devoted to the memory of the martyrs and the other saints. Raised up to perfection by the manifold graces of God and already in possession of eternal salvation, they sing God’s perfect praise in heaven and offer prayers for us.”
Holy Church, like a good Mother, also commemorates during the Liturgical Year her children who have departed into eternity, and who are in purgatory. For this reason, she has designated certain special days, called “Souls Days”, on which she offers prayers and special memorial services for the faithful departed. “Finally in the various seasons of the year and according to her traditional discipline, the Church completes the formation of the faithful by means of pious practices for soul and body, by instruction, prayer, and works of penance and of mercy.”
In summary, our Liturgical Year is a mighty hymn of honor and glory to God, in which the threefold Church takes part – the Church Triumphant in heaven, the Church Suffering in purgatory, and the Church Militant on earth. Like a colorful rainbow our Liturgical Year joins earth to heaven, and enlightens, purifies, sanctifies and lifts us up to God.

SANCTUARY LIGHT: The Sanctuary Light is requested to burn this week Sept. 12– 19 by the Halloway Family in memory of Nicholas Halloway.

FLOWERS: Our thanks for the donation of flowers this week: 1 Bouquet requested by James Bruce Fromel in memory of his father James Bruce and 1 Bouquet requested by Mrs. Florence Kloap & Family in memory of her husband William Kloap.

RUMMAGE SALE: If you have any items to contribute to the Rummage sale, please bring them to the church or call any member of the Women’s Society. Any household items in good condition are accepted for the sale. Clothing will be accepted if they are in wearable condition and clean but not too old. Now is the time to get things together that you don’t want or need and contribute them to the sale to be held in October 9, 10, 11, 2015 in the Church Hall. The Women’s Society is asking all our good bakers and dessert makers to contribute to the Bake Sale if at all possible. Your help will be greatly appreciate.

TREE REMOVAL: A maintenance job of tree removal was accomplished from the back of the church, where the furnace and air condition is located and the back of the hall where the location of the furnace and air condition. These areas where over grown with trees and weeds. The cost was reasonable at $100 and was maintained by Bruce Drozda – Tree Topper. If you have trees to be removed etc. contact Bruce for the job at 570-288-1565. Any donations toward this cost will be appreciated.

ST. NICHOLAS BYZANTINE CATHOLIC CHURCH, 320 Vine Street, Old Forge, Pa. is having a gigantic FLEA MARKET on Saturday Sept. 19th from 8am to 4pm and Sunday, Sept. 20th  from 10am to 4pm. They will also have a BAKE SALE and various foods and refreshments. Come rain or shine, we are indoors!!!

CLERGY RETREAT: Father Popyk will be attending the Clergy Retreat this week from September 14 to the 17.

SHOP FOR THE HOLIDAY’S CRAFT SALE Saturday, November 7th, 2015   9:00 AM -3:00 PM at SS Cyril & Methodius Ukrainian Catholic Church 706 Warren St,

Saturday, Sept. 5 – 4:00 PM
God’s Blessing for Good Health for Mary – Family

Sunday, Sept. 6 – 8:30 AM
FIFTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
God’s Blessings and Good Health for all Parishioners

Tuesday, Sept. 8 – 9:00 AM
BIRTH OF THE MOTHR OF GOD
Anointing of Holy Oil – Myrovania
God’s Blessings and Good Health for all Parishioners

Thursday, Sept. 10 – 9:00 AM
Michael & Anna Kachinko, Sr. – Kachinko Family

Saturday, Sept. 12 – 4:00 PM
Service for the Exaltation of the Holy Cross
✞William Kloap – Wife Florence Kloap & Family

Sunday, Sept. 13 – 8:30AM
SIXTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
God’s Blessing and Good Health for all parishioners.

OUR LITURGICAL YEAR
PART 1

Our Eastern Rite is a priceless heritage and treasure of the Eastern Church and our Ukrainian people. It is noted for the venerable antiquity, its profound content, its mysticism, symbolism, and magnificent liturgical ceremonies. Developed by the greatest and most gifted of the faithful of the Eastern Church of different ages, countries and peoples, it has been sanctified by the prayers, tears, and sacrifices of the saints, as well as by the blood of martyrs. Our Rite, a faithful reflection of our holy faith, beautifully harmonizes with the soul, mentality and character of our people.
An integral part of our Rite and its most beautiful expression is the Liturgical Year. It resembles a grand panorama in which we find painted in radiant and vivid colors the whole history of man’s redemption. During the Liturgical Year we have the opportunity to meditate upon and relive the glorious mysteries and events in the life of Jesus Christ and his most Holy Mother. It places before us, for our admiration and imitation, the heroic deeds and virtues of an immense throng of saints, martyrs and holy people. The Liturgical Year calls us to experience days of spiritual joy, jubilation and triumph as well as days of fasting, penance and holy sorrow for our sins.
What is the Liturgical Year
We call the Liturgical Year the ecclesiastical or Church Year, because it contains the Church Calendar, which in some respects is similar to and in others differs from the civil calendar. In the Eastern Church the Church Year differs from the civil calendar in that it does not begin the New Year with the first of January as does the civil year, but begins it with the first day of September, which is called the Beginning of the Indiction. This means that the whole cycle of our Church Year begins with the first of September and ends with the thirty first of the following August.
The beginning of the Indiction – A Church Feast
The first day of September was designated as the beginning of the Church Year, or as it was called in the Church Calendar, the beginning of the “New Year”, it assumed a religious character and became a feast of the Church, i. e., a day which had its own special liturgical service. On this day our Church commemorates the day on which Christ entered the synagogue in Nazareth and read from the scrolls the words of the prophet Isaiah: “The Spirit of the Lord has been given me, for He anointed me…to proclaim the Lord’s year of favor.” (Luke 2, 18-19) No reliable evidence exists to indicate when the beginning of the Indiction became a feast of the Church; we do know, however, that it already existed in the eighth century.
Part 11 next week

Life is not the way it’s supposed to be, it’s the way it is.
The way you cope with it is what makes the difference.
And when you cope with it by choosing to see everything as a blessing,
every single thing,
then life comes very close to being the way it’s supposed to be.
May you always recognize the blessing.
Monday Wash Day   
Lord, help me wash away all my selfishness and vanity, so I may serve you with perfect humility through the week ahead. 
Tuesday  Ironing Day   
Dear Lord, help me iron out all the wrinkles of prejudice I have collected through the years so that I may see the beauty in others. 
Wednesday Mending Day   
O God, help me mend my ways so I will not set a bad example for others.
Thursday Cleaning Day  
Lord Jesus, help me to dust out all the many faults I have been hiding in the secret corners of my heart. 
Friday Shopping Day  
O God, give me the grace to shop wisely so I may purchase eternal happiness for myself and all others in need of love. 
Saturday Cooking Day  
Help me, my Savior, to brew a big kettle of brotherly love and serve it with clean, sweet bread of human kindness. 
Sunday The Lord’s Day     
O God, I have prepared my house for you. Please come into my heart so I may spend the day and the rest of my life in your presence.
****************************************************
‘Be kinder than necessary,
for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle.’

SANCTUARY LIGHT: The Sanctuary Light is requested to burn this week Sept. 5 – 13 by Anonymous for God’s blessings all the Ukrainian People.

ALTAR CANDLES: The Altar Candles are requested to burn for all service in the month of September by Geri Kolotelo in memory of her parents Louis & Anna Kolotelo.

WOMEN’S SOCIETY: The Parish Women’s Society will meet Tuesday, September 8th in the Church Hall at 6:30 PM. This is the fisrst meeting after a summer break. All members please attende as the Rummage sale is to be finalized.

RUMMAGE SALE: If you have any items to contribute to the Rummage sale, please bring them to the church or call any member of the Women’s Society. Any household items in good condition are accepted for the sale. Clothing will be accepted if they are in wearable condition and clean but no too old. Now is the time to get things together that you don’t want or need and contribute them to the sale to be held in October 2015.

CLERY RETREAT: Father Popyk will be attending the Clergy Retreat next week from September 14 to the 17.

SHOP FOR THE HOLIDAY’S CRAFT SALE Saturday, November 7th, 2015   9:00 AM -3:00 PM at SS Cyril & Methodius Ukrainian Catholic Church 706 Warren St, Berwick PA  18603. Variety of craft items, ethnic food, bake sale.