Saturday, March 24 – 4:00 PM Blessing of Palms & Willow Branches
Myrovania Anointing with Holy Oil
✞Ronald Kachinko – Rebecca Molecavage
Sunday, March 25 – 8:30 AM PALM SUNDAY Blessing of Palms & Willow Branches Myrovania Anointing with Holy Oil
God’s Blessings and Good Health for all Parishioners
Thursday, March 29 HOLY THURSDAY – 3:00 PM Matins of the Passion of Our Lord – READING OF THE 12 GOSPELS
Friday, March 30 – 1:00 PM – Vespers– Procession – Entombment of Jesus Christ
Saturday, March 31 HOLY SATURDAY
1:00 PM Blessing of Easter Food Baskets
6:00 PM Resurrection Matins / Procession /
Easter Divine Liturgy – Myrovania – Anointing of Holy Oil
Sunday, April 1 – 11:00 AM EASTER SUNDAY – RESURRECTION OF OUR LORD EASTER DIVINE LITURGY Blessing of Artos and blessing of Easter food Myravania Anointing with Holy Oil
God’s Blessings and Good Health for all Parishioners
Transfiguration of Our Lord
Holy Thursday – 6:30PM – Good Friday – 5:30PM –
Saturday 3:00 PM Blessing of Easter Basket Food. Easter Sunday –
7:00 AM – Resurrection Matins, Procession Divine Liturgy
SIGN UP SHEET IS IN THE VESTIBULE FOR ADORATION OF THE GRAVE.PLEASE TRY TO SPEND AN HOUR WITH THE LORD
WE NEED THE MEN OF THE PARISH TO SIGN UP FOR HOLY THURSDAY EVENING, PROCESSION ON GOOD FRIDAY And RESURRECTION PROCESSION. YOUR HELP IN DOING THIS WILL BE GREATLY APPRECIATED.
SATURDAY OF LAZARUS
Jesus Christ wrought many miracles during His lifetime but none is so deep in its effects and as a sign of abundance as the resurrection of Lazarus.
This miracle marks the apex of Christ’s self-revelation. The magnitude of this miracle and the publicity attending it were the immediate causes of Christ’s triumphal entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday.
May this great and wonderful miracle of the resurrection of Lazarus strengthen also our faith and hope, in the divinity of Christ, and in our own resurrection. That same Christ, who raised the four-day dead Lazarus, in His own time, will raise us also to a life of eternal happiness. Jesus assured us of this when He said: “I am the Resurrection and Life. Whoever believes in me, even though he dies, shall LIVE!”
PALM SUNDAY
The festival of the triumphant entry of Jesus Christ into Jerusalem is one of the oldest feast days in the Eastern Church.
In our liturgical books this day is called, “Sunday of the Palms”, “Flowery or Blossom Sunday”, “Flower or Blossom-bearing Sunday”. Our people call this Sunday the “Sunday of Pussy-Willows or Willow Sunday.” All these names are associated with the custom of blessing and distributing palms on that day in church. Because no palm or olive trees grow in our country, we have the custom of using willow branches, a tree that is the first to blossom in the spring.
The spiritual meaning of Palm Sunday
The Jews wanted to see their messiah in power and glory. Accordingly, Jesus Christ, by raising Lazarus from the dead and by His triumphal entry into Jerusalem, gave them clear proof of His power and glory. When He entered Jerusalem, all the city was thrown into commotion saying: “Who is this?” But the crowds kept on saying: “This is Jesus the prophet from Nazareth of Galilee.’”
The honor given to Christ lasted for only a brief moment, for His betrayal by Judas, His rejection by the people, His condemnation by the Jewish leaders, His passion, the way of the cross and crucifixion followed in quick succession. These very same people who, on Sunday cried out, “Hosanna”, within a few days would be crying out: “Crucify Him.”
Palm Sunday teaches us the instability of worldly glory and the vanity of earthly happiness. Joy and sadness here on earth are two inseparable sisters. Therefore, if we wish one day to have a share in the triumph of Christ in heaven, we must first undergo a Passion Week and a Golgotha with Him here on earth. Only then, will we be able, like Him, to enter into everlasting triumph, joy and resurrection.
SANCTUARY LIGHT: NO REQUEST.
HOLY WEEK – Please remember that help is needed to participate in the Holy Week services. Holy Thursday, 3:00 PM, Good Friday, 1:00 PM and Resurrection Services Holy Saturday, 6:00 PM. Help will be needed to set up the grave after the Holy Thursday services. Try to lend a helping hand. Sign up sheet is in the vestibule for Adoration. Time to spend with God. Give an hour of your time for HIM.
DONATION: Our sincere thanks for the donation of $665 for the payment of the water heater replaced weeks ago. To the anonymous donor, your gift is greatly appreciated. May God’s blessings be with you always.
SVIACHENE: The Joint Parish Sviachene (Easter Dinner) will be held Sunday, April 15, 2018 in Transfiguration of Our Lord Hall serving at 1:00 PM. Tickets are available. The cost is $12 for adults, children 10 and under free. Please, if you plan to attend this dinner, purchase your tickets early so the preparations can be made. The two parishes, SS Peter & Paul and Transfiguration will sponsor this affair to have the Parish Families come together and share with the Easter blessings and good food. Gifts for the Chinese Auction are needed. Your donations of gift items will be greatly appreciated. Save the date to attend this Church function, bring your family and friends
THANKS: Our thanks to those who donated and brought the Willow branches and all who helped tie the Palm & Branches. Your help is always appreciative. We also would like to thank all the women and men who came out to lend their time to clean the church. God’s blessing to all.
LUC MEETING: The North Anthracite Council of the League of Ukrainian Catholics will meet at 6:00pm, Thursday, April 12, 2018 at Grotto Pizza, 36 Gateway Shopping Center, Edwardsville/Kingston PA. Agenda items will include the schedule for spring and summer meetings and the upcoming October National Convention in Amherst/Buffalo, New York.
Building Fund: Many thanks for the donation received in memory of Michael Hubiack by Norman Price.
Anointing of the Sick on Holy Wednesday
The general Anointing of the Sick is done for all baptized Christians present at the Liturgy of Presanctified Gifts. If there are two blessings, the first blessings is done at the end of The Litany of Peace and the second is after the Litany of Supplication. If more than one priest is present the people should be anointed by each of the priests present, up to seven priests in total. The Prayer of Anointing is said first for all present, then each is anointed on the forehead, cheeks and palm of the hands with the formula, “The servant of God is anointed for the healing of soul and body, for the forgiveness of sins and life everlasting.” Then the Gospel Book is imposed by holding it open in front of the congregation, while saying the prayer,
”O Holy King, compassionate and most merciful, look down from heaven and, with your powerful right hand anoint your sick servants with holy oil. Forgive them their sins and grant them health to both body and soul, that with love and gratitude they may glorify You.“
This is the one time each year that this Mystery (Sacrament) is provided to all the faithful in attendance and forgives all sins so that even one who has not “gone to confession” is now freed from sin and if the person remains free from sin, is free to receive of the Eucharist, the Holy Body and Blood of Christ.
SS Peter & Paul Ukrainian Catholic Church 