SS Peter & Paul Ukrainian Catholic Church

Saturday, March 14
4:00 PM ✞Anna Dempsey – Dempsey Children

Sunday, March 15 THIRD SUNDAY OF THE GREAT FAST
8:30 AM God’s Blessings and Good Health for all Parishioners
4:00 Deanery Stations of the Cross – St. Nicholas, Glen Lyon, PA

Wednesday, March 18
4:00 PM Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts

Saturday, March 21
4:00 PM ✞Nellie Wdowiak – Irene Pstrak & Sons

Sunday, March 22 FOURTH Sunday OF THE GREAT FAST
8:30 AM God’s Blessings and Good Health for all Parishioners
4:00 PM Deanery Stations of the Cross – Holy Transfiguration

VENERATION OF THE HOLY CROSS
LENT IS THE HALF WAY TO EASTER
Today on the Third Sunday of the Great Fast, we venerate the Holy Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, and we mark the halfway point of Lent. The Cross stands before us today as a reminder of where we are and where we are headed during The Great Fast and the season of growing in holiness prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. By showing us our Crucified Lord Jesus on the Cross today, the Fruit of Eternal Life, the Church announces to us that Holy Week – the week of our Lord’s Passion – is just three weeks away. At the end of the Matins today, the Cross is carried by the priest in procession from the altar to the middle of the church (tetrapod), where the faithful come to kiss and venerate it for the remainder of the week. The following hymn is sung: “To Your Cross O Master, we bow in veneration, and we glorify Your Holy Resurrection!”  (Slavonic: “Krestu Tvoyemu poklanyayemsia, Vladiko, i Svyatoye Voskreseniye Tvoye Slavim!”

THE GLORY OF THE CROSS

Thousands of years have passed since the day,
When my dear Lord died for me; 
For even though I was a mere gleam in His eye,
He knew I would need Calvary.
The pain He endured, the hardships and strife,
Were more than He deserved; 
But Christ made it clear right from the start,
His mission on Earth was to serve.
Though initially welcomed and cheered by the crowds,
The praises soon turned into scorn; 
As they mocked and beat Him so savagely, 
And gave Him a crown of thorns.
He bore the cross upon His back,
Standing in our place; 
Never turning or looking back,
While the tears ran down his face.
Yet it wasn’t the cross, nor was it the scars,
That filled Him with such grief, 
More than this, it was the hearts of those;
Who were hardened in disbelief.
He wept for the lost, the hurting, the blind,
Both present, and yet to be; 
For His only desire both then and now,
Was for His children to truly see.
Shrouded in darkness, not perceiving their Lord,
They watched Him lay down His life; 
While God Himself gave up His Son,
As the ultimate sacrifice.
Today, Christ’s arms are still outstretched,
But no longer upon a tree; 
For each generation that rises up,
He wants to see set free.
Though many hearts are still untouched, 
By what and who He is;

SANCTUARY LIGHT: The Sanctuary light is requested to burn this week March 14 – 21 by Anna Magill in memory of Anna Dempsey by the Dempsey Children.

STATIONS OF THE CROSS: The Deanery Stations of the Cross:
March 22 – 4:00 PM – Transfiguration Of Our Lord, Nanticoke, PA
March 29 – 4:00 PM – St. Vladimir’s, Edwardsville, PA

PUSSY WILLOW BRANCHES: Just a little reminder that Pussy willows will be needed for Palm Sunday, April 5th. They are in bloom in Nanticoke, please check yours.

THANKS: Our thanks to all who participated in the preparation and serving of the Fellowship following the Stations of the Cross last Sunday. We appreciate all the good food, desserts and monetary gifts received to help make the affair a nice occasion. May God’s Blessings be on you.