Saturday, February 22
4:00 PM ✞Michael Hubiack – his wife Louise Hubiack
Sunday, February 23 SUNDAY OF CHEESEFARE
8:30 AM God’s Blessing and Good Health for all parishioners.
Wednesday, February 26
4;00 PM Liturgy of the PRESANCTIFIED GIFTS
Saturday, February 29 Good’s Blessings for good health
4:00 PM Father Stephen Saffron
Sunday, March 1 FIRST SUNDAY OF THE GREAT FAST
8:30AM God’s Blessing and Good Health for all parishioners
4:00 PM Deanery Stations of the Cross at SS Peter & Paul UCC, Wilkes-Barre, PA
The Purpose of the Great Fast
Although our time has brought with it many changes in church practice and discipline, and the Second Vatican Council fathers have relaxed the rules for fasting, including the Great Fast, Nevertheless, the Forty Days Fast still has significance for our spiritual life. For various reasons, today we may be unable to fast in the same way as we did in our youth; yet even today we are obliged to fast – that is, we are obliged to refrain from sin, and from giving in to our evil inclinations. We are also obliged to pray and to practice virtue and good deeds. In reality then, the most important goal of the Great Fast is our spiritual renewal.
Fast from judging others;
Feast on seeing the best in people.
Fast from emphasis on differences;
Feast on the unity of life.
Fast from despair;
Feast on hope.
Fast from thoughts of illness;
Feast on the healing power of God.
Fast from words that destroy;
Feast on phrases that are encouraging.
Fast from discontent;
Feast on gratitude.
Fast from anger;
Feast on patience.
Fast from being negative;
Feast on being positive.
Fast from worry;
Feast on trust.
Fast from complaining;
Feast on appreciation.
Fast from hostility;
Feast on peacemaking.
Fast from bitterness;
Feast on forgiveness.
Fast from constant activity;
Feast on slowing down.
Fast from disrespect;
Feast on recognizing the sacred in all life.
Fast from self-concern;
Feast on compassion for others.
~Author Unknown~
Un-forgiveness
Nothing is as painful,
As un-forgiveness to the soul;
A heart that’s torn asunder,
With forgiveness becomes whole.
A single kind word spoken
Means more than countless words;
The three words, “I forgive you,”
Are all that need be heard.
To a soul that has been wounded,
Like a healing, cooling balm;
Forgiveness soothes and comforts,
Till at last the soul is calm.
For the soul that seeks forgiveness,
When forgiveness can’t be found;
It struggles vainly everyday,
To hear that simple sound.
The power in those three kind words,
Can heal a heart that’s broken;
But that heart cannot begin to heal,
As long as words remain unspoken.
Compassion in its purest sense,
Reside in those three words;
The three words, “I forgive you,”
Are all that need be heard
SUNDAY OF CHEESEFARE
FEBRUARY 23, 2020
FORGIVENESS SUNDAY
THE CEREMONY OF FORGIVENESS
CHEESEFARE SUNDAY
In ancient times in Eastern monasteries a beautiful custom existed in which the rite of mutual forgiveness on Cheesefare Sunday was performed. This rite of forgiveness was carried out in the evening, following a modest repast. All the monks in the presence of the faithful asked pardon of one another for past offences, then embraced, and gave each other the kiss of peace. The faithful did the same among themselves. In some places, while this rite of forgiveness was being carried out, the stichera of the Pasch (Resurrection) was sung: “Today the sacred Pasch has been shown forth to us…” The last stichera ends with an appeal for mutual forgiveness: “and let us embrace one another and say: ‘Brethren’ even to those who hate us, and let us forgive all things…” The singing of the sticheras of the Pasch (Resurrection) was to signify that just as during the season of Pasch or Eastertide, so now at the threshold of the Great Fast we should mutually ask pardon for offences for the sake of Christ who fasted, suffered, and rose for our sake.
This very moving rite of forgiveness was still observed at the Kievan Pecherska Lavra until the Communists took over the government. Here also, the monks first had a meager pre-Lenten repast, after which all superiors and monks donned their mantles and proceeded to the church. All the superiors of the Lavra, from the highest to the lowest, stood side by side in the middle of the church and the whole monastic community, consisting of several hundred members, one by one approached the superiors, then kneeling, they kissed each other three times while saying, “Forgive me, Father,” or Forgive me Brother.” During this time, the choir sang the stichera taken from the solemn Vespers of Cheesefare Sunday: “Adam sat opposite paradise bewailing his nakedness…” After the completing of the ceremony, all present departed in silence.
Truly, these four pre-Lenten Sundays have a deep significance for our spiritual life. For whoever beats his breast as did the Publican and learns humility from his example; whoever learns from the parable of the Prodigal Son to trust in God’s mercy; whoever on Meatfare Sunday, after meditation on the Terrible Judgment, is seized with fear of God’s justice, which fell so severely upon our First Parents, as we have seen in the service of Cheesefare Sunday – for him that fast will not be so terrible. Rather, he will understand that it is necessary for his heart and soul. He will willingly fast and make
Prostrations, knowing that fasting and sorrow for sins can best prepare him for the feast of the Resurrection of our Lord.
SANCTUARY LIGHT: The Sanctuary Light NO REQUEST
PYSANKY WORKSHOP: Ss. Cyril and Methodius Ukrainian Catholic Church, Olyphant, PA will be offering the Ukrainian Pysanky Egg Workshop for beginners. The Tradition of the pysanky and passing on the knowledge is ongoing at St. Cyrils for over 10 years of classes. This event is held at St. Cyril’s Hall, 207 River Street, Olyphant. Dates available are Sunday, March 1, and Sunday, March 15, 2020, This BEGINNERS class will start at 2:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. (2 HOURS) at $20.00 per person (Includes all the supplies). Space is limited and reservations are needed. Call today Mrs. Sonia Masla. Call Tammy Maslar Budnovitch after 5:00 p.m.
PIGGIE DINNER: Saints Peter & Paul Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, Wilkes- Barre will hold a take-out Piggie / Holubtsi Dinner this Sunday, February 23rd, 2020. 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 Piggies (meat stuffed cabbage), mashed potatoes, vegetable, bread and butter and dessert. Dinners will be $12.00 for adults and $7.00 for children (12 and under). Walk-Ins Welcome but Reservations are encouraged.
Hoagie Sale St. Nicholas in Glen Lyon, Thursday March 5th, 11 am to 5pm. Vegetable soup and turkey or Italian hoagie and bake sale. $6.00 for hoage and $6.00 for a quart of soup. Order by calling Debbie by Sunday March 1st.
Forgiveness is a wonderful way to lift yourself up and it is the best way to encourage yourself and others to do better.
Lord, grant me greater understanding and wisdom so that I can move past my problems into a new day.
SS Peter & Paul Ukrainian Catholic Church 