SUNDAY OF MEAT – FARE JANUARY 31, 2016

29 01 2016

Saturday, Jan. 30
4:00 PM ✞ David Trimmel by wife Irine Quirion

Sunday, Jan. 31 SUNDAY OF MEAT – FARE
8:30 AM God’s Blessings and Good Health for all Parishioners

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Tuesday, Feb. 2 ENCOUNTER OF OUR LORD WITH SIMEON & Anna
9:00 AM BLESSING OF CANDLES ANOINTING OF
HOLY OIL – MYROVANIA
God’s Blessings and Good Health for all Parishioners

Saturday, Feb. 6 ✞ David Trimmel by wife Irine Quirion
4:00 PM Prayer of Forgiveness

Sunday, Feb. 7 CHEESEFARE SUNDAY
8:30 AM God’s Blessings and Good Health for all Parishioners
Prayer of Forgiveness

DIVINE LITURGIES ARE AVAILABLE FOR YOUR REQUEST ON SATURDAYS OR SUNDAYS.
BLESSING OF CANDLES: If you have your own candles to be blessed bring them to the Liturgy Tuesday, February 2nd, if you need candles they will be available to you for the donation required.

SATURDAY, JANUARY 30 IS THE FIRST ALL SOULS SATURDAY
Although the Church remembers the souls of the departed faithful in her daily prayers and services, nevertheless, like a good Mother, she still assigns special days in the Liturgical Year on which she commemorates and prays for them. These days are called Souls’ Days or Memorial days.
All-Souls Saturdays
On Saturday, God rested after He created the world and Jesus Christ rested in the tomb, after having accomplished the salvation of the world; hence, Saturday became the symbol of eternal rest and happiness in God. For this reason, the Church dedicates Saturday to all the souls, who have gone into eternity, but have not yet entered into eternal rest with the Blessed in heaven

Comfort to Those Who Mourn
So many people imagine that death cruelly separates us from our loved ones. Even pious people are led to believe this great and sad mistake. When our loved ones die, they do not leave us. They remain. They do not go to some dark and distant place. They simply begin their eternity. We do not see them because we are still in the darkness of the world. But their spiritual eyes, filled with the light of heaven, are always watching us as they wait for the day when we shall share their perfect joy. We are all born for heaven and one by one we end this life to begin our life of happiness.
We should reflect upon this beautiful truth and find it the greatest and surest comfort in time of mourning. A firm faith in the real and continual presence of our loved ones has brought the conviction and consolation that death had not destroyed them, nor carried them away. Rather it has given them life! A life with power to know fully and to love perfectly. With this new life and new power our loved ones are always present to us, knowing and loving us more than ever before.
The tears that dampen our eyes in times of mourning are tears of homesickness, tears of longing for our loved ones. But it is we who are away from home, not they. And only because this heavenly home is invisible to our worldly eyes, we cannot see them so near us. Yet, they are with us, lovingly and tenderly waiting for the day when we, too, will enter the doorway of our eternal home. No. death is not a separation. It is a preparation for eternal union with those we love, in the peace and joy of heaven
Prayer for the Souls in Purgatory
My Jesus, by the sorrows You suffered in Your agony in the Garden, in Your scourging and crowning with thorns, on the way to Calvary, in Your crucifixion and death, have mercy on the souls in purgatory, and especially on those that are most forsaken; deliver them from the terrible torments they endure; call them and admit them to Your most sweet embrace in paradise. Amen.

Wisdom of Winter
Snow falls gently,
White blankets the earth,
Yet in the silence
I hear songs of rebirth.

Surely these grounds
Summer’s glory will bear,
Soon the colorful blossoms
Of Springtime to wear.

Clothed now in white,
In bright purity,
The earth waits eagerly
To embrace her beauty.

God’s perfect wisdom
Shines amidst the snowfall;
He is Maker of seasons,
Yes, one and all.

Perfect patterns we see
Outside and within;
For the Lord brings glory
Once He cleanses from sin.

Dead to our sin,
Robed in radiant white,
So must we be
Before we feel His delight.

So let us celebrate now
This season of snow,
For His wisdom in winter
God does clearly show.

Praise You, O Lord,
God of wisdom and love;
Snowflakes are Your kisses
From Heaven above.
SANCTUARY LIGHT: The Sanctuary light is requested to burn this week, Jan. 30 – Feb. 6, by Ann Beshada in memory of her husband Andrew Beshada.

YEARLY STATEMENT: If you need your yearly personal statement for 2015, please request it by placing you name in the collection or contact Ann Beshada.

LUC BUS TRIP: Saturday, May 21, 2016, North Anthracite Council of the League of Ukrainian Catholics is sponsoring a bus trip to the annual St. George Ukrainian Street Festival in New York City’s Lower East Side of Manhattan and to Brighton Beach [Little Odessa], Brooklyn. Participants are also welcome to do their own thing for part of the day if they so wish. The 55 passenger bus will depart from Edwardsville’s St. Vladimir Church, 70 Zerby Avenue at 8:30am and from Scranton’s St. Vladimir Church, 428 North Seventh Avenue at 9:15am. Departure for home directly from Brighton Beach will be at 9:00pm. Cost is $40.00 per person. Full nonrefundable advance payment reserves a seat. For reservations contact either Paul Ewasko or Andrew Jamula. Check to be made out to North Anthracite Council of LUC. Early reservations are recommended as the bus is expected to fill quickly

PIZZA & SOUP SALE: ST. MICHAEL’S BC CHURCH, 205 N. Main St. Pittston, Pa. 18640 is having a Pizza & Soup Sale for Lent. They will offer Old Forge Style Baked ($12) or Unbaked ($10). Add $1 extra for onions. Each week will be a soup of the week at $8.00 per qt. Pre-order by Tues. Feb. 10 for Ash Wednesday or by Thursday – Pick up will be from 4-7pm on Ash Wednesday and the following Friday’s during Lent. Soup of the week is Homemade (Manhatten) Clam Chowder. All proceeds will benefit the Church..





SUNDAY OF THE PRODIGAL SON JANuary 24, 2016

25 01 2016

Saturday, Jan. 23
4:00 PM ✞David Trimmel by wife Irine Quirien.

Sunday, Jan. 24 SUNDAY OF THE PRODIGAL SON
8:30 AM God’s Blessings and Good Health for all Parishioners

Friday, Jan. 29 THREE HOLY HERARCHS
9:00 AM God’s Blessings and Good Health for all Parishioners

Saturday, Jan. 30
4:00 PM ✞ David Trimmel by wife Irine Quirien

Sunday, Jan. 31 SUNDAY OF MEATFARE
8:30 AM God’s Blessings and Good Health for all Parishioners

SOROKOUSTY: During the Lenten season on Fridays after the Stations of the Cross, Sorokousty service will follow. Envelopes are in your box for you to fill in for the request of having loved ones prayed for during this service. Please deposit the envelopes in the collection for the list to be prepared for this prayerful occasion.

Divine Liturgy: A request for a Divine Liturgy is available for Saturdays or Sundays. You may request one for the health of someone, in honor of anyone or for the deceased of your loved one. Envelopes are available in the vestibule for this offering.

THE RULE OF FINDING EASTER
Easter Day, upon which all movable feasts depend, is the first Sunday after the Full Moon. The date of Easter was determined by the council of Nicaea in 325. It must be celebrated on Sunday. This Sunday must come between March 21st and April 25th, after the March equinox which is fixed invariably in the calendar on the 21st of March, although the real Full Moon can happen before the 21st of March.
If this Full Moon comes on a Sunday, Easter Day is the Sunday after. This was done in order to avoid having Easter coincide with the Jewish Passover.
Since Easter must be celebrated after the 21st of March, it cannot fall earlier than March 22nd, or later than April 25th.
Sometimes the Full Moon arrives on the 19th or the 20th of March; then Easter must be celebrated after the Full Moon of April. This April Full Moon falls at the latest on the 18th of April or 29 days afte4r the 20th of March. If in this case the 18th of April is Sunday, Easter must be celebrated on the following Sunday, or the 25th of April. Hence Easter Sunday cannot come earlier than the 22nd of March or later than the 25th of April.
 This ingeniously complicated method was invented by astronomer Lilius. It is entirely independent of astronomical tables, and thus all mistakes arising from the inevitable errors of tables or the uncertainty of observation are avoided and Easter is determined without the possibility of a mistake.
Some parishes follow both the Gregorian and the Julian Calendars, but in recent years more and more parishes are embracing the Gregorian calendar. The change of the Calendar does not affect any change of our Rite. The church services and our customs can be equally held according to both calendars.

SANCTUARY LIGHT: The Sanctuary Light is requested to burn the week of January 23-30 by Arlene Jones in memory of her parents Thomas & Anna Jones.

Piggie/Holubtsi Dinner: Saints Peter & Paul Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, Wilkes- Barre will hold a take-out Piggy/Holubtsi Dinner on Sunday, February 7th, 2016. Dinners may be picked up between 11:30 am and 2:00 pm at the Parish School Hall, corner of North River and West Chestnut Streets, Wilkes-Barre.  Dinner includes Piggy’s (meat stuffed cabbage), mashed potatoes, vegetable, bread and butter and dessert. Dinners will be $11.00 for adults and $5.00 for children (12 and under).  Walk-Ins Welcome but Reservations are encouraged, call (570)829-3051.

Myasopusna: Sunday, January 31, 2016, Transfiguration of Our Lord, will sponsor their annual Myasopusna (Meatfare) dinner from noon to 3:30 PM at Transfiguration of Our Lord Church Hall, Bliss & Center Street, Nanticoke, PA. Dinner Tickets are $15. (the day of) or $13 before Jan. 23. Doors open at 12 noon. Dinner is served 12:30 –1:30 PM, followed by entertainment.

NATIVITY: Our thanks to the men and women who volunteered their services to dismantle the Nativity Scene. When enough help is provided the job gets done properly. God’s blessing to those who devote the time spent for this project.





SUNDAY OF PUBLICAN AND THE PHARISEE JANUARY 17, 2016

15 01 2016

Saturday, Jan. 16 God’s blessing for Good Health on sisters and brother, Rita
4:00 PM Rentko, Marie Lindsey and Paul Kachinko – by Ron &
Rosemarie Kachinko

Sunday, Jan. 17 SUNDAY OF THE PUBLICAN & THE PHARISEE
8:30 AM God’s Blessings and Good Health for all Parishioners
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Saturday, January 23
4:00 PM ✞David Trimmel by wife Irene Quirien.

Sunday, January 24 SUNDAY OF THE PRODIGAL SON
8:30 AM God’s Blessings and Good Health for all Parishioners

Thank you from Metropolitan Stefan Soroka: My heartfelt thanks to Fr. Popyk and to the parishioners of Ss. Peter and Paul Ukrainian Catholic Church in Plymouth for your thoughtful and generous remembrance of me at Christmas.  I pray for you in gratitude. A Blessed and Happy New Year to all!
+ Stefan Soroka
This gift of $150 was presented to Metropolitan Soroka at the affair for priests and their families in December.

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The four Sundays (Sunday of the Pharisee and Publican,
Sunday of the Prodigal Son, Sunday of Meat-Fare and
Sunday of Cheese-Fare) form a pre-Lenten period,
preparing us for the Lenten season.

SANCTUARY LIGHT: The Sanctuary Light is requested to burn the week of
Jan. 16-23 by Mary Oshirak & Family in memory of Theodore Oshirak.

SECOND COLLECTION: A SECOND COLLECTION WILL BE TAKEN AGAIN THE WEEK-END of JAN. 30/31 FOR THE DONATIONS TO THE CHANCERY DEFICIT. YOUR GENEROUS CONTRIBUTIONS WILL BE APPRECIATED.

NATIVITY: Our Nativity Scene will be dismantled this Sunday, January 17th starting at 1:00 PM. Your help is needed with this project – please come and lend a hand.

BLESSING OF HOMES: You may still have Father bless your home. If you would like to have your home blessed please call Father Popyk at 735-2262 – Cell Phone 609-372-7161or place your name and address and phone number in the collection

A UKRAINIAN CULTURAL CELEBRATION: SUNDAY, JANUARY 31, 2016 NOON TO 3:30 PM Transfiguration of Our Lord Church Hall, Bliss & Center Street, Nanticoke, PA. Ukrainian Dance, Music & Song, Kazka Ukrainian Folk Ensemble, St. Mary’s Traditional Ukrainian Dancers, The Holy Year Choir, Dr. Richard Barno, Director. Pysanky, GERDANY (Beadwork), Embroidery, gift items, Homemade Ukrainian Dinner Haluptsi, Kovbasa, Varenyky (pyrohy), Kapusta, Black Bread & Dessert. (Borscht, Ukrainian and other beverages available for purchase). Dinner Tickets – $15. (the day of) $13 before Jan. 23. Doors open at 12 noon; Dinner service begins with Otche Nash (Our Father) at 12:30, served 12:30 –1:30 PM, followed by entertainment.





SUNDAY AFTER THE THEOPHANY JANUARY 10, 2016

12 01 2016

Saturday, Jan. 9
4:00 PM ✞Anna Soppeck – Daughter Dolores & Paul Hoover

Sunday, Jan. 10 SUNDAY AFTER THE THEOPHANY
8:30 AM God’s Blessings and Good Health for all Parishioners

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Thursday, Jan. 14
9:00 AM ✞David Trimmell – Wife Irene Quirion

Saturday, Jan. 16 God’s blessing for Good Health on sisters and brother, Rita
4:00 PM Rentko, Marie Lindsey and Paul Kachinko – by Ron & Rosemarie Kachinko

Sunday, Jan. 17 SUNDAY OF THE PUBLICAN AND THE PHARISEE
8:30 AM God’s Blessings and Good Health for all Parishioners

What is Prayer?

 Prayer is doxology, praise, thanksgiving, confession, supplication and intercession to God. “When I prayed I was new,” wrote a great theologian of Christian antiquity, “but when I stopped praying I became old.” Prayer is the way to renewal and spiritual life. Prayer is aliveness to God.
Prayer is strength, refreshment, and joy. Through the grace of God and our disciplined efforts prayer lifts us up from our isolation to a conscious, loving communion with God in which everything is experienced in a new light. Prayer becomes a personal dialogue with God, a spiritual breathing of the soul, a foretaste of the bliss of God’s kingdom.
 How is one to pray? Only the Holy Spirit can guide us to pray as we should. Just as a child learns to walk by walking, one can best learn to pray by praying, trusting in the help of God. Put your whole soul into your prayer. Think about the meaning of every word you pray. Make it your own personal prayer. Be persistent in prayer. Do not yield to carelessness or neglect. Strengthen your prayer through a lively faith in the Lord, a spirit of forgiveness toward others, and genuine Christian living.
 As we pray deeply within our hearts we grow in prayer. By the grace of God we suddenly catch a glimpse of the miracle of the presence of the Holy Spirit working within us. At first it is only a spark but later it becomes a flame freeing and energizing our whole being, provided we do nothing to grieve the Holy Spirit; and if we do sin we repent of our sin immediately and ask for God’s forgiveness. To experience the fire of God’s holy love, to give it space within us to do its cleansing and healing work as a breath of the Holy Spirit, and to use it as light and power for daily living — such are the goals as well as the fruits of true prayer.

Prayers go up, Blessings come down.

Lord I have no idea what’s going to happen in this New Year but all I pray is that you will guide me, and help me! Please help me to look to you always, and through everything that I do, May I bring praise and glory to Your name, I thank you Lord for another year. Amen.

SANCTUARY LIGHT: The Sanctuary Light is requested to burn this week January 9 – 16 by Anna Horensky for God’s Blessings and Good Health on her brother Frank Maceiko.

OUR PARISH FAMILY SUPPER: Many thanks to all who participated in the Holy Supper celebrated for the Ukrainian Christmas. The food was good and thanks to those who made all the delicious dishes, the singing of Carols was wonderful and filled everyone with the spirit. The donations given to help with the cost was also greatly appreciated. Thanks again for all the faithful who attended and enjoyed the day.

CHANCERY DEFICIT: The collection for the Chancery campaign to Confront the Deficit last week amounted to $2180 thanks to our generous donators. God’s blessing on you and your family.

BUILDING FUND: Our thanks to Gary Pstak for his donation of $100 to our Building/Improvement Fund in memory of many member of the Pstak Family.

PRAYERS: Please remember in your prayers all who are in need of God’s help. Remember those in nursing facilities, hospital and at home, all the sick and the suffering.

BLESSINGS OF HOMES: Anyone interested in having their home blessed, please submit your name, address and phone number in the collection basket, sign in vestibule or contact Father Popyk.





SUNDAY BEFORE THE THEOPHANY JANUARY 3, 2016

12 01 2016

Saturday, Jan. 2 BLESSING OF WATER
4:00 PM ✞David Trimmell – Wife Irene Quirion

Sunday, Jan. 3 SUNDAY BEFORE THE THEOPHANY
8:30 AM God’s Blessings and Good Health for all Parishioners

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Wednesday, Jan. 6 THE HOLY THEOPHANY –
8:30 AM Anointing of Holy Oil and Myrovania
God’s Blessings and Good Health for all Parishioners
Saturday, Jan. 8
4:00 PM ✞Anna Soppeck – Daughter Dolores & Paul Hoover

Sunday, Jan. 9 SUNDAY AFTER THE THEOPHANY
8:30 AM God’s Blessings and Good Health for all Parishioners

SANCTUARY LIGHT: The Sanctuary Light is requested to burn this week January 2 – 9 by Dolores & Mike Sinko in memory of John & Helen Kurkoski

BLESSING OF HOLY WATER: The blessing of Holy water will be held this Saturday after the 4:00 PM Divine Liturgy.

BLESSINGS OF HOMES: Anyone interested in having their home blessed after the Blessing of Water please submit your name, address and phone number in the collection basket or contact Father Popyk at 735-2262 or his cell phone 609-372-7161.

LOTTERY REPORT: Mike Sinko reported the Lottery Ticket sales for the month of November. Tickets sold – $5000, winnings Payed Out $1650, Expenses: $95. Total Profit $3255.