aturday, Sept. 7 – 4:00 PM
SUNDAY BEFORE THE EXALTATION OF THE CROSS
✞Christine Youells – Father Walter
Sunday, Sept. 8 – 8:30AM
SUNDAY BEFORE THE EXALTATION OF THE CROSS
God’s Blessing and Good Health on all parishioners
Saturday, Sept. 14 – 9:00 AM
ExAltation of the HOLY Cross
Anointing with Oil – Myrovania
All Parishioners Living and Deceased
Saturday, Sept. 14 – 4:00 PM
SUNDAY AFTER THE EXALTATION OF THE CROSS
✞Leonard Karabon – Rosemarie Kachinko
Sunday, Sept. 15 – 8:30AM
SUNDAY AFTER THE EXALTATION OF THE CROSS
God’s Blessing and Good Health on all parishioners
❖❖❖❖❖❖❖❖❖❖❖❖❖❖❖❖❖❖❖❖❖
Transfiguration of Our Lord Weekend Liturgies:
Saturday 6:00 PM – Sunday 10:30 AM
THE NATIVITY OF THE MOST HOLY MOTHER OF GOD
One of the great feast days we celebrate at the beginning of the Liturgical Year is the fest of the Nativity of the most Holy Mother of God (Theotokos). This Feast is a joyful and significant feast day. It is joyful because it is the birthday of the Mother of God, the Queen of Heaven and earth. It is significant because it places before our eyes the great truth of our holy faith concerning the Divine Motherhood of the most Pure Virgin Mary, from whom “shone forth the Sun of Justice, Christ our God.”
The Gospel records very few incidents in the life of the most Pure Virgin Mary. It says nothing about her nativity, her parentage, her childhood or youth, or her holy assumption into heaven.
The chief source of information on the life of the most Holy Mother of God is the Apocryphal book written around the year 170-180 called Proto-evangelium of James. This book presented the basis for the institution of such feasts as the Conception of St. Anna, the Nativity of the most Holy Mother of God, the Presentation in the Temple, and the feasts honoring Joachim and Anna, the parents of Mary.
In the Proto-evangelium of James we learn that the most Pure Virgin Mary was descended on her father’s side from the royal house of David, and on her mother’s side from the priestly line of Aaron. Her parents lived in Nazareth and were fairly well off. They were also distinguished for the great holiness of their lives and their great love of God and neighbor. Joachim was accustomed to dividing the fruits of his labor into three parts; one part he gave to God as sacrifice, the second part he distributed among the poor, and the third part he kept for himself. Their one great sorrow was that they had no children. Among the Jews, childlessness was looked upon not only as an absence of God’s blessing, but as a punishment from God. Joachim and Anna had to suffer much. Therefore, it is not surprising that they should unceasingly implore God for a child. This was the main purpose of all their prayers, fasting, and alms. Finally, the Lord God blessed them in their old age with a child who was destined to become the Mother of God.
The birth of Mary was a singular source of joy for her parents – Joachim and Anna, for heaven, for earth, and for all creations. Various Fathers of the Church have stressed the spiritual joy occasioned by this feast of the Nativity of the Mother of God.
ST. PETER AT THE PEARLY GATES
Forrest Gump dies and goes to Heaven. St. Peter meets him at the Pearly Gates. The gates are closed, however, and Forrest approaches the gatekeeper.
St. Peter says, “Well, Forrest, it’s certainly good to see you. We have heard so many good things about you. I must inform you that the place is filling up fast, and we’ve been giving an entrance quiz for everyone. The tests are short, but you need to pass before you can get into Heaven. Forrest responds, “It sure is good to be here, St. Peter. I was looking forward to this. Nobody ever told me about any entrance exam. Sure hope the test ain’t too hard; Life was a big enough test as it was.
St. Peter goes on, “I know, Forrest, but the test is only three questions: — What days of the week begin with the letter T?– How many seconds are there in a year?– What is God’s first name?”
Forrest goes away to think the questions over. He returns later and goes up to St. Peter to try to answer the exam questions. St. Peter waves him up and says, “Now that you have had a chance to think the questions over, tell me your answers.”
Forrest says, “Well, the first one how many days of the week begin with the letter ‘T?” “Shucks, that one’s easy. That’d be Today and Tomorrow.”
The Saint’s eyes open wide and he exclaims “Forrest! That’s not what I was thinking, but…you do have a point though, and I guess I didn’t specify, so I will give you credit for that answer.” “How about the next one?” “How many seconds in a year?”
“Now that one’s harder” says Forrest, “but I thought and thought about that and I guess the only answer can be twelve.”
Astounded, St. Peter says “Twelve! Twelve! Forrest, how in Heaven’s name could you come up with twelve seconds in a year?” Forest says “Aw, come on, St. Peter, there’s gotta be twelve, January second, February second, March second . . .”
“Hold it” interrupts St. Peter. “I see where you’re going with it, I guess I see your point, though that wasn’t quite what I had in mind, but I’ll give you credit for that one too. Let’s go on with the next and final question. Can you tell me God’s first name?”
Forrest replied, “Andy.”
When St. Peter asked how in the world he came up with the name Andy? Forrest replied, “You know, St. Peter, that song we sing in church: “Andy walks with me, Andy talks with me.”
The lesson: THERE IS ALWAYS ANOTHER POINT OF VIEW, and just because another person doesn’t see things the same way or understand the same way that you do, does not mean that it’s wrong.
Glory to Jesus Christ! —- Glory Forever!
Slava Isusu Khrystu! —- Slava Na Viky!
Ultimate security does not come from relying on things or people,
but from relying on God.
Lord, I place my trust in You.
Bless me and keep me in Your loving care.
Hints for Participating in the Liturgy
The following are some comments that may be helpful in participating in today’s Liturgy.
Incense: We use incense as a sign of reverence for the sacred place and the sacredness of the people who are made in God’s image and as a sign of preparing for something important about to happen. It is our prayer ascending like the smoke of incense before the throne of God. When the priest incenses, people simply bow their heads only. You do not bless yourself.
Gospel Book: A gold-covered Gospel Book is resting on the altar because it IS Jesus Christ, truly present, in His hearing we are His followers. This message is God With Us. We must to be attentive!
Bows and Blessings: We bow and make the sign of the cross many times during the Liturgy as a sign of our faith and we willing accept of God’s blessings and take up our cross and Jesus took up His. As a rule we bow slightly and bless ourselves every time we mention the persons of the Trinity by name or the priest blesses the congregation. We also bow and sign ourselves whenever we enter, cross the middle of the church or leave the Church.
Singing: One of the great beauties of the Liturgy as celebrated in the Eastern Churches is the congregational singing. The melodies are not difficult and are easy to learn. So, we encourage you to sing out to the Lord! He who sings, prays twice! !
Altar Bread: Our altar bread is made with yeast and therefore has a thickness to it. At the beginning of the Liturgy, the priest will cut a loaf of specially baked altar bread and prepare cubed particular that will be used for the distribution of Holy Communion.
Holy Communion: The consecrated body of Christ is placed into the chalice just before Communion time. A small particle of Christ is placed with the spoon and given to the communicant just as an infant is fed by a parent. If you wish to receive Holy Communion, come forward to the priest and quietly state your first name. Then open your mouth wide, tilt your head back slightly, and keep your tongue in your mouth. Do NOT say “Amen” as the priest says the entire prayer for the communicant. The priest will bring the spoon to your mouth and will gently place the Eucharist into it. Wait for the priest to bring his hand away from your face. Then close your mouth and return to your place.
Holy Anointing: On the Major Feast Days which include Litya, the blessing of the wheat, wine, oil and bread at the end of Vespers, the priest will anoint the congregation with the blessed oil as a sign of Jesus Christ’s cleansing us and our unity as His followers.
SANCTUARY LIGHT: The Sanctuary Light is requested to burn this week September 7-14 by Geri Kolotelo in memory of Louis Kolotelo.
WOMEN’S SOCIETY: The Women’s Society will hold their regular monthly meeting on Tuesday, September 10th in the Church Hall at 6:30 PM. All members are urged to please attend this meeting. New members are always welcome. Help will be needed to set up the October Rummage Sale and plan for the food and bake sale.
RUMMAGE SALE: The Women’s Society will sponsor the annual Rummage Sale Friday, October 11 and Saturday, October 12. Items are accepted for the sale that are in good condition and food and a bake sale will be on the agenda. Help is needed for the bake sale. All you good dessert makers are being asked to donate your fine produces.
HOLY DAY: The Exaltation of the Holy Cross is a solemn feast day. The Divine Liturgy will be celebrated on Saturday, Sept. 14th at AM. The regular Sunday Divine Liturgy will be celebrated at the usual time of 4:00 PM.
SS Peter & Paul Ukrainian Catholic Church 