Saturday, Mar. 23 VENERATION OF THE HOLY CROSS
4:00 PM ✞William McMillian – Our Lady of Guadalupe,
Knights of Columbus
Sunday, March 24 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, PA
Monday, Mar. 25 Feast of the Annunciation
Myrovania – Anointing with Holy Oil
8:30 AM ✞ Ronald Kachinko – Larry Tomko Family
Wednesday, Mar. 27
4:00 PM Liturgy of the Presanctified Gift
Friday, Mar. 29 Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts at Transfiguration of Our Lord,
4:00 PM Nanticoke, PA
Saturday, March 30 PLEAS NOTICE THE TIME CHANGE FOR
THIS LITURGY
3:00 PM ✞Andrew Patrylak – Wife Clara Patrykaj and Family
Sunday, March 31 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
March 31. 4:00 PM -– Transfiguration of Our Lord, Nanticoke, PA
April 7. 4:00 PM – St. Vladimir’s, Edwardsville, PA
Easter is the most important Holy day on the Christian Calendar and has been observed from the earliest days of the Church. Easter is a “movable feast: and does not have a fixed date; however, it is always on a Sunday.
Would you believe that the date of Easter is related to the full Moon? Specifically, Easter is celebrated on the first Sunday after the Paschal full Moon on or just after the vernal equinox.
For simplicity, the equinox is fixed on March 21 (set by the Church although astronomically it falls on the 20th or 21st). The paschal full Moon always falls on the 14th day of a lunar month; because ancient calculations made in AD325) did not take into account certain lunar motions, it may differ from the actual full Moon date by a day or so.
Easter always falls on a Sunday by between March 22 and April 25.
Easter Sunday celebrates Christ’s Resurrection, following crucifixion. It is the beginning of Bright Week, Paschal Week, were every day is a day of Resurrection. Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter Sunday, as well as the beginning of the Easter season of the liturgical year.
Christ’s Resurrection is The Triumph over sin and the gift of filial adoption into His family, our acceptance of the free gift of Salvation.
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 40 days, 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 reminds 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 make no mention of the Cross as being a symbol of suffering, penance, or humiliation, but rather emphasizes 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.
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.
To arouse ourselves to a greater veneration and love for the Holy Cross, let us frequently call to mind those profound thoughts expressed by the great venerator of the Holy Cross, St. Ephrem the Syrian in the following hymn:
The Cross is – the resurrection of the dead.
The Cross is – the hope of Christians.
The Cross is – the staff of the lame.
The Cross is – the consolation of the poor.
The Cross is – the dethronement of the proud.
The Cross is – the hope of the hopeless.
The Cross is – the helm of those who sail.
The Cross is – the harbor of the storm-tossed.
The Cross is – the father of orphans.
The Cross is – the comfort of the afflicted
The Cross is – the protector of youth.
The Cross is – the glory of men.
The Cross is – the crown of the aged.
The Cross is – the purity of virgins.
The Cross is – the bread of the hungry and
the fountain of the thirsty.
…Therefore, let us make the sign of this Life-Giving Cross on our forehead, lips and breast…Let us not leave the Cross even for on hour, even for one moment, and let us not do anything without it, but whether we are going to sleep, or getting up; on land, sailing the sea, or crossing rivers, we should adorn all the members of our body with the sign of the Life-Giving Cross.”
SANCTUARY LIGHT: The Sanctuary Light is requested to burn the week of
March 23 – 30 by Ann Beshada for a Special Intention.
LITURGY TIME CHANGE: The Divine Liturgy for next Saturday, March 30th will be celebrated at 3:00 PM instead of the usual 4:00 PM because of the parish Hockey game outing.
FELLOWSHIP: Our thanks to all who made the fellowship after the Stations of The Cross enjoyable. Your help in setting up, cooking, baking, donations and cleaning up is greatly appreciated. Fr. Walter is proud of the reception you offered. God Bless you!
LOTTERY TICKETS: The Lottery tickets are available for the month of May. Please try to do your part by purchasing tickets and if you are able to sell some take a few to sell. Your help is very important for this project.
Willow Branches: If you have Willow Branches you can bring them to the hall and they will be placed in the cool basement. Easter is April 21st this year. Palm & branches will be tied together on Thursday, April 11th at 2:00 PM for Palm Sunday and setting up of the grave on Thursday, April 18th after the services. Help is needed for these projects. Please lend a hand in your church functions.
SS Peter & Paul Ukrainian Catholic Church 