SS Peter & Paul Ukrainian Catholic Church

DECEMBER 17, 2023

Saturday, Dec. 16 ~ 4:00 PM  ✞Peter Phillips – son Peter Phillips

Sunday, Dec. 17 ~ 8:30 AM        SUNDAY OF THE FOREFATHERS

God’s Blessings and Good Health for all Parishioners

SUNDAY BEFORE CHRISTMAS – 

                                    SUNDAY OF THE ANCESTORS  

Saturday, Dec. 23 ~ 4:00 PM        ✞ John Phillips – brother Peter Phillips

Sunday, Dec. 24 – 8:30 AM SUNDAY BEFORE CHRISTMAS – 

                                    SUNDAY OF THE ANCESTORS  

           God’s Blessings and Good Health for all Parishioners

Many things are possible for the person who has hope.

 Even more is possible for the person who has faith.

 And still more is possible for the person who knows how to love. 

But everything is possible for the person who practices all three .

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Christmas Peace

In the heart of the Christ Child

Sparks the love we all can share

With the peace the world is yearning 

In its own vast heart to bear.

May the love He designs to give us

Fill our world with peace anew

As that grace sent from the Father

Like a warm refreshing dew.

May the peace brought by the angels

As they sing the glorious refrain

Fill our world and hearts with gladness

As we welcome Christ again.

Sr. Judith Piszyk, OSBM

A Touching Christmas Story

  I hurried into the local department store to grab some last minute Christmas gifts. I looked at all the people and grumbled to myself. I would be in here forever and I just had so much to do. Christmas was beginning to become such a drag. I kinda wished that I could just sleep through Christmas. But I hurried the best I could through all the people to the toy department. Once again I kind of mumbled to myself at the prices of all these toys. And wondered if the grandkids would even play with them. 

   I found myself in the doll aisle. Out of the corner of my eye I saw a little boy about 5 holding a lovely doll. He kept touching her hair and he held her so gently. I could not seem to help myself. I just kept looking over at the little boy and wondered whom the doll was for. I watched him turn to a woman and he called his aunt by name and said, “Are you sure I don’t have enough money” She replied a bit impatiently, “You know that you don’t have enough money for it. The aunt told the little boy not to go anywhere that she had to go get some other things and would be back in a few minutes. And then she left the aisle. The boy continued to hold the doll. 

  After a bit I asked the boy whom the doll was for. He said, “It is the doll my sister wanted so badly for Christmas. She just knew that Santa would bring it.” I told him that maybe Santa was going to bring it. He said “No, Santa can’t go where my sister is…I have to give the doll to my Momma to take to her”. I asked him where his sister was. 

  He looked at me with the saddest eyes and said, “She has gone to be with Jesus”. My Daddy says that Momma is going to have to go be with her. My heart nearly stopped beating. Then the boy looked at me again and said, “I told my Daddy to tell Momma not to go yet. I told him to tell her to wait till I got back from the store”. Then he asked me if I wanted to see his picture. I told him I would love to. He pulled out some pictures he’d had taken at the front of the store. He said “I want my Momma to take this with her so she don’t ever forget me.” “I love my Momma so very much and I wish she did not have to leave me”. “But Daddy says she will need to be with my sister.” 

  I saw that the little boy had lowered his head and had grown so very quiet. While he was not looking I reached into my purse and pulled out a handful of bills. I asked the little boy, “Shall we count that money one more time?” He grew excited and said, “Yes, I just know it has to be enough”. So I slipped my money in with his and we began to count it. 

Of course it was plenty for the doll. He softly said, “Thank you Jesus for giving me enough money.” Then the boy said “I just asked Jesus to give me enough money to buy this doll so Momma can take it with her to give to my sister.” “And he heard my prayer, but he gave me enough to buy the doll and a rose for my Momma.” “She loves white roses so very much”. 

   In a few minutes the aunt came back and I wheeled my cart away. I could not keep from thinking about the little boy as I finished my shopping in a totally different spirit than when I had started. And I kept remembering a story I had seen in the newspaper several days earlier about a drunk driver hitting a car and killing a little girl and the Mother was in serious condition. The family was deciding on rather to remove the life support. Now surely this little boy did not belong with that story. 

   Two days later I read in the paper where the family had disconnected the life support and the young woman had died. I could not forget the little boy and just kept wondering if the two were somehow connected. Later that day, I could not help myself and I went out and bought some white roses and took them to the funeral home where the young woman was. And there she was holding a lovely white rose, the beautiful doll, and the picture of the little boy in the store. 

   I left there in tears, my life changed forever. The love that little boy had for his little sister and his mother was overwhelming. And in a split second a drunk driver had ripped the life of that little boy to pieces. “We make a living by what we get; we make a life by what we give.”
  Submitted by:  John London

SANCTUARY LIGHT: The Sanctuary light is requested to burn this week Dec. 16 – 23 in memory of Mary Ann Youells by her husband David Youells.

SYMPATHY: We extend our sincere sympathy to the family of Vera Hubick who was called to her eternal rest. Eternal Memory.  Vichnaya Pamyat!

BUILDING FUND: Our thanks for the donations received from Carole Kosek and M/M John Ostrum to the Parish Building Fund in memory of Vera Hubick. 

Your donations are greatly appreciated. 

NATIVITY SET UP: The men and women will be setting up the Nativity Set on this Sunday, Dec. 17 at 1:00 PM. Help is needed for this project. Please try to lend a hand. 

DECEMBER 3, 2023

Saturday, Dec. 2

       4:00 PM   ✞Ann Phillips – son Peter Phillips          

Sunday, Dec. 3         TWENTY SEVENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST

       8:30 AM                God’s Blessings and Good Health for all Parishioner

Wednesday, Dec. 6 ST. NICHOLAS OF MYRA ARCHBISHOP

       0:30 AM      Myrovonia – (Anointing with Holy Oil)

✞Charles Drazba – Mary Oshirak

Saturday, Dec.9 MATERNITY OF HOLY ANNA

8:30 AM Myrovonia – (Anointing with Holy Oil)

✞Olympia Pasicznyk – Ss. Peter & Paul Women’s Society

Saturday, Dec. 9            

        4:00 PM                 God’s Blessings and Good Health for all Parishioners 

Sunday, Dec.10                SUNDAY OF THE FOREFATHERS

          8:30 AM               ✞John Phillips – brother Peter Phillips

        ☸☸☸☸☸☸☸

                                                       TRANSFIGURATION OF OUR LORD

Saturday 6:00 PM – Sunday 10:30 AM

  Nothing is ever quite as bad as it seems.  Call on God and then practice expectancy and optimism and things will turn out better than you expect.  Lord, thank You for tomorrow.

The Train of Life

Life is like a journey on a train…with its stations… with changes of routes…and with accidents!
At birth we boarded the train and met our parents; and we believed that they would always travel at our side. However, at some station our parents and loved ones will step down from the train, leaving us on this journey with ourselves and the fellow passengers. As time goes by, other people will board the train; and they will be significant, i.e. our siblings, relatives, friends, children, and even the loves of our life. Many will step down and leave a permanent vacuum. Others will go so unnoticed that we don’t realize that they vacated their seats! 

This train ride will be full of joy, sorrow, dreams, expectations, hellos, goodbyes, and farewells. Success consists of having a good relationship with the other passengers…requiring that we give the best of ourselves.

The mystery to everyone is: We do not know at which station we ourselves will be called to step down. So, we must live in the best way possible – love, forgive, and offer the best of who we are. It is important to do this because when the time comes for us to step down and leave our seat empty — we should leave behind beautiful memories for those who will continue to travel on the train of life.

I wish yours to be a joyful journey on the train of life and salvation. Reap success and
give lots of love.
More importantly, thank God for the journey!
Lastly, I thank you for being one of the special passengers on my train!

THE FEAST OF THE CONCEPTION OF ST. ANN

December 9 

The feast of the Conception of St. Ann in ancient times was known by several different names. One of the oldest is “The Annunciation of the Conception of the Holy Mother of God”. In the constitution of feasts, Emperor Manuel Comnen calls this feast the “Conception of the Most Holy Mother of God.” The Slavonic Typicons generally refer to it as the “Conception of Blessed Ann” or “The Conception of Holy Ann, when she conceived the Most Holy Mother of God.” 

In our Ukrainian Catholic Church the Synod of Lviv gave this feast the official title “The Immaculate Conception of the Most Pure Virgin Mary”. However, the Roman revision of our liturgical books restored the pristine title of the feast – “The Conception of Holy Anna, when She conceived the Most Holy Mother of God.”

The main theme of the liturgy of this feast was the miraculous event when Anna conceived the Most Holy Mother of God. This liturgy describes the grief and distress Joachim and Anna experienced because of their childlessness, and presents the fervent pray of Anna: “O Lord God of the heavenly Powers, “prays St. Ann, “You know the shame of childlessness, therefore, heal the pain of my heart and make this barren one fruitful…In response to her fervent supplication, an angel appears and announces the conception of the Most Pure Virgin Mary. “Your supplication,” says the angel, “has reached the Lord. Do not be sad, and cease weeping, for you shall become a fruitful olive tree, bringing forth a young shoot – a wonderful maiden, who will bring forth a flower – the Christ in the flesh, who will grant great mercy to the world.” 

Her parents rejoice over the wonderful news of this conception of the Most Holy Mother of God; the prophets rejoice; heaven and earth rejoice. The Church calls upon the Old and New Testaments to join in the rejoicing: “Come, people of all classes and ages, let us celebrate with the Angels the all-glorious conception of the Mother of God; patriarchs sing praises to the Mother of the King of all; you, prophets, praise her whom you preached; you, forefathers, praise your descendant – the Mother of God; you aged, praise the ancestor of God; you, faithful, praise the root of your faith; you, priests, praise the all-holy temple of God; you, choirs of saints, praise the cause of your assembly; you, armies of angels, praise the Mother of the Lord of all creation, and Savior of our souls.

Today we celebrate her immaculate conception whereas nine months later, minus one day, on the 8^th of September she appears among us in her glorious Nativity. 

SANCTUARY LIGHT: No request.

ALTAR CANDLES: The Altar Candles are requested to burn for the Month of December by Rose Marie Kachinko in memory of Ron Kachinko,.  

NOVEMBER 19, 2023

Saturday, Nov. 18  

 4:00 PM   ✞Charles Drazba – Drazba Family

Sunday, Nov. 19   TWENTY FIFTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST 

            8:30 AM           God’s Blessings and Good Health for all Parishioners

Tuesday, Nov. 21        ENTRANCE OF THE MOTHER OF GOD 

                                       ANOINTIG WITH HOLY OIL – MYROVANIA

  8:30 AM   ✞Fr. Henrique Fragelli – Fragelli and Becker Families

Thursday, Nov. 23      THANKSGIVING DAY

            9:00 AM       at Transfiguration of Our Lord, Nanticoke

Saturday, Nov. 25      

          4:00 PM           ✞Donald Magill –Anna Magill

Sunday, Nov. 26           TWENTY SIXTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST

            8:30 AM              God’s Blessings and Good Health for all Parishioners

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TRANSFIGURATION OF OUR LORD

                                   Saturday 6:00 PM ~ Sunday 10:30 AM

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Letting the past invade the present

robs you of the opportunity 

to fully seize upon the present

St. Phillip’s Fast
For Ukrainian Greek Catholics, the Fast in preparation for Jesus’s Birth has begun. It is called the St. Phillips Fast, because it begins the day after the Feast of St. Phillip the Apostle (November 14th). The Western Church’s Advent has as its source the same source as this fast, but instead it is the days of December. To prepare to meet our Lord and Savior on His birth, we are called to fast and do penance. We can Sanctify this time by spending time in His word, fasting, praying and being of service to those that need help (alms giving).  It is a wonderful time to remember the less fortunate, for Jesus Himself came to us in poverty.
I believe it is important whether you be either Western or Eastern Catholic to be mindful to use this time to prayerfully prepare for our Lord’s birth. It is too easy to get lost in all the baking and shopping that is done to prepare for this Holy Day, and loose sight of the “Reason for the Season”. Whether you are an Eastern or Western Catholic, may you have a blessed preparatory period for Our Lord’s birth.

On this Day of Thanksgiving Prayer

On this Day of Thanksgiving, may God rest your heart and mind, may He bless you and your family, and may He continue to extend His blessings upon our nation, guiding us by His Word. May He grant us patience and perseverance in the unexpected turns and tests of our age. May He impress upon us the spirit of our forefathers, their soul-deep craving for salvation, freedom, expressed with courage and wisdom, as we meet the challenges of our day.
Let us pray to Our Heavenly Father with true thankfulness not just today, but every day, not only in our triumphs, but also in our trials by acknowledging our utter dependence on Him to supply our wants and needs, for in Him we live and move and have our being. Even self-reliance is, at its root, reliance on Him.

Heavenly Father, on Thanksgiving Day
We bow our hearts to You and pray.
We give You thanks for all You’ve done
Especially for the gift of salvation in Jesus, Your Son.
For beauty in nature, Your glory we see
For joy and health, friends and family,
For daily provision, Your mercy and care
These are the blessings You graciously share.
So today we offer this response of praise
With a promise to follow You all of our days

HAPPY & BLESSED

THANKSGIVING

 At Thanksgiving we tend to think of turkey,
With dressing, gravy and other fine food.
We want to watch football and visit friends.
Nothing wrong with that. All of this is good.

But is this what Thanksgiving is about?
Have we ever just looked at the word?
Thanksgiving strongly suggests giving thanks,
Not just celebrating and carving up the bird.

The Lord says, “Give thanks to the Lord”.
He is good. He has blessed us. He is great!
Okay now. Let’s bow in His presence.
Let’s give thanks, not just celebrate the date.

Give thanks to the Lord for He is good
For His mercy endures forever Psalm 106:1

A THANKSGIVING PRAYER

Be thankful for family and friends

For all the bounty that God sends

Be thankful for the love and care

That delicious turkey for all to share

Be thankful not just for today 

But for each day God sends our way.

SANCTUARY LIGHT: The Sanctuary Light is requested to burn the week of November 18 – 25 by Becky Molecavage in memory of Dimitri Bencho.

RUMMAGE SALE: The Women’s Society wishes to thank all those who donated sale items, food and baked Desserts, Baskets, etc. for the success of the Rummage Sale. The two dates that the sale ran earned $7,544.56. The Basket Raffle amounted to $865. Bills must be paid.  It is a lot of work and most of it was done by the dedication of the Women’s Society women who worked diligently many hours. Nice job well done. The meeting held this past week reported the income and was voted to have $1000 sent to the Humanitarian Fund in Ukraine and $1000 toward the heating (energy bills) for the church and Hall. All the proceeds of the finances in the Women’s Society are used to purchase items when in need of for the Church and Hall. 

NOVEMBER 5, 2023

Saturday, Nov. 4 

4:00 PM         ✞Rita Rentko – Nelson & Donna Warren 

Sunday, Nov. 5         TWENTY THIRD SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST

8:30 AM         God’s Blessings and Good Health for all Parishioners

Wednesday, Nov. 8 Feast of St. Michael the Archangel and all

Angels Anointing with Holy Oil – Myrovania

8:30 AM God’s Blessings and Good Health for all Parishioners

Thursday, Nov. 9^th   ✞ Lani Anderson – Monique Bowman

8:30 AM

Saturday, Nov. 11 Twenty-Fourth Sunday After Pentecost

4:00 PM ✞Bernie Kachinko – Maryanne Kachinko Family

Sunday, Nov. 12         Twenty-Fourth Sunday After Pentecost

            8:30 AM           God’s Blessings and Good Health for all Parishioners

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TRANSFIGURATION OF OUR LORD, Nanticoke, PA

Saturday 6:00 PM – Sunday 10:30 AM

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Time to change your clocks.

Standard time begins

2:00 AM Sunday, Nov. 5^th 

The King’s Highway

Once a king had a great highway built for the members of his kingdom. After it was completed, but before it was opened to the public, the king decided to have a contest. He invited as many as desired to participate. Their challenge was to see who could travel the highway the best. 

On the day of the contest the people came. Some of them had fine chariots; some had fine clothing, fine hairdos, or great food. Some young men came in their running clothes and ran along the highway. People traveled the highway all day, but each one, when he arrived at the end, complained to the king that there was a large pile of rocks and debris left on the road at one spot and this got in their way and hindered their travel. 

At the end of the day, a lone traveler crossed the finish line warily and walked over to the king. He was tired and dirty, but he addressed the king with great respect and handed him a bag of gold and he explained, “I stopped along the way to clear a pile of rocks and debris that was blocking the road.  This bag of gold was under it all.  I want you to return it to its rightful owner.” 

     The king replied, “You are the rightful owner.” 

He replied, “Oh no, this is not mine. I’ve never known such money.” 

“Oh yes,” said the king, “you’ve earned this gold, for you won my contest. He who travels the road best is he who makes the road smoother for those who will follow.”
Author Unknown

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Live with gratitude for all that you are and all that you have because often what looks good on the outside is not really what it seems. 

Lord, remind me to spend a few moments each day appreciating my life and becoming aware of how good it really is.

SANCTUARY LIGHT: No request.

ALTAR CANDLES: The Altar Candles is requested to burn for the Month of November by Mary Ann Kachinko and family  in memory of Bernard Kachinko, Sr.  

CHILDREN’S ROSARY: Reported by Ali Schappert, November 7^th – Catechism Lesson

November 11^th 3:20 Rosary.

OCTOBER 29, 2023

Saturday, Oct. 28  

           4:00 PM God’s Blessings and Good Health for all Parishioners

Sunday, Oct. 29   TWENTY SECOND SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST 

            8:30 AM           ✞Mildred Kane – Udiski Family

Saturday, Nov. 4 

             4:00 PM    ✞Rita Rentko – Nelson & Donna Warren

Sunday, Nov. 5          TWENTY THIRD SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST

             8:30 AM              God’s Blessings and Good Health for all Parishioners

☸☸☸☸☸☸☸☸☸☸☸

TRANSFIGURATION OF OUR LORD

                          Saturday 6:00 PM ~ Sunday 10:30 AM

Time to change our clocks next week 

                       Sunday, Nov. 5 at 2:00 AM                        

 We fall back to Standard time. 

Most of the United States begins Daylight Saving Time at 2:00 a.m. on the second Sunday in March and reverts to standard time on the first Sunday in November. 

In the U.S., each time zone switches at a different time.

This has been in the bulletin before but thought you would enjoy it again.

SANCTUARY LIGHT:  No Request.

TURKEY DINNER:  ANNUAL TURKEY-FEST DINNER– Saints Peter and Paul Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church will host their annual Turkey Fest Dinner as a take-out only event on Saturday, November 4^th in the school hall on the corner of West Chestnut and North River Streets in Wilkes-Barre.  Pick-ups will be from 12:00 (noon) to 4:00pm.  The event will feature our traditional turkey dinner and basket raffle.  Dinners will be $15.00 for adults and $9.00 for children.  Walk-in customers will be welcomed, but reservations are strongly encouraged.  Tell your friends and family.  Non-perishable food items will be collected for donation to a local food pantry.

RUMMAGE SALE: The recent Rummage Sale was successful and our thanks to all who helped in any way to make this possible. 

PRAYERS: Request for your prayers is for those in nursing facilities, hospitals and at home.

SEVENTH ECUMENICAL COUNCIL

OCTOBER 15, 2023

Saturday, Oct. 14  

4:00 PM ✞Annetta Rudeski – John & Jaclyn Rudeski

Sunday, October 15

8:30AM – SUNDAY OF THE FATHERS OF THE 7^TH ECUMENICAL COUNCIL

           God’s Blessings and Good Health for all Parishioners  

Saturday, Oct. 21

4:00 PM God’s Blessings and Good Health for all Parishioners

    Sunday, Oct. 22 TWENTY FIRST SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST

8:30 AM Juli Molecavage, God’s blessings and good health – Rebecca Molecavage

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TRANSFIGURATION OF OUR LORD Saturday 6:00 PM: Sunday 10:30 AM

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Yearning For Serenity In Your Life? Pray The Holy Rosary

We are all yearning for a little serenity in our lives and none other than Jesus is the provider of this elusive state in life. 

Start meditating on the life of Jesus, and you will find that serenity. 

Basically all the Rosary prayer is, is a meditation on the life of Jesus, which are called Rosary Mysteries. 

By praying the Rosary every day you will find peace amid this busy, worrisome world. 

1- Thou shalt not worry, for worrying is the most unproductive of all human activities

2- Thou shalt not be afraid, for most things we fear never come to pass

3- Thou shalt not cross bridges before thou comes to them

4- Thou shalt not handle but one problem at a time, leaving the others to The Lord until their proper time

5- Thou shalt not take troubles to bed, for they make poor bedfellows

6- Thou shalt not try to carry the problems of the world on your shoulders, for only One hath a back that strong

7- Thou shalt be a good listener, for God often speaks through the mouths of others

8- Thou shalt not try to relive yesterday, for good or ill, it is gone forever. Live and rejoice in today

9- Thou shalt dismiss feelings of frustration, for they are rooted in self-pity and interfere with positive action

10- Thou shalt count thy blessings, never overlooking the smallest, for our biggest blessings are often composed of our smaller ones

THE DAILY ROSARY

            The Rosary is the easiest form of prayer. At the same time the Rosary is a most excellent prayer because it is composed of the Our Father, the Hail Mary and the Glory be to the Father, …  Besides these beautiful and sublime prayers, which compose the Rosary, a short meditation – which constitutes the heart of the Rosary – is added before or during each decade. The Rosary unites in itself mental and oral prayer because we pray and meditate at the same time. The Rosary is the most beautiful flower that, in the course of the centuries, sprang forth from the devotion to the great Mother of Our Savior. This prayer is now a most popular among the Children of Mary. In the past it has proved a powerful weapon against heresies, as instrument of social reform, and a form of petition most acceptable to God. 

The doctrinal content of the mysteries contemplated in the recital of the Rosary is very important. Jesus and Mary dominate the chain of events. They are central persons in each mystery. They were united in the Incarnation and Redemption, and now are together in eternal life. 

By contemplating the mysteries of our faith, we are incited to imitate Jesus, Mary and the saints, and the Rosary becomes an important school of Christian perfection because it leads us to focus on the cross and salvation – the Son of God on the Cross and His Immaculate Mother.

The Rosary is essentially a prayer to the Holy Trinity through Our Blessed Lady. It is not Mariolatry because Jesus is not forgotten in its recital. Mary speaks to her Children when they say the Rosary. She speaks a language all can understand, for the Rosary is, outside the official Liturgy and other church services, the most widely used public prayer. It is not reserved to any class of people. Illiterate as well as learned men equally recite it. The Pope, Bishops, priests, religious and nuns say it.

Our Blessed Lady encouraged the recital of the Rosary on several occasions, especially during her apparitions at Lourdes and Fatima. The Rosary is a powerful means of warding off demons, leads us to salvation, a source of consolation, a powerful defense against temptations, a sign of eternal ordering, a spiritual mine of innumerable blessings and supernatural benefits and the best means of honoring the Mother of Perpetual Help. The Saints say that we place a beautiful crown on the forehead of our heavenly Queen when we recite the Rosary. It is, therefore, no wonder, that the Blessed Virgin Mary is so generous to those who honor her with the daily Rosary. 

The Church granted five-year indulgence for the recitation of the Rosary; if said with others, ten years. The Church enriched the Rosary with so many indulgences to encourage the faithful to recite it and to make it their daily prayer in honor of the Mother of God.

SANCTUARY LIGHT: A new chart is available for your requests. Many openings are now ready for you to have your requests for an occasion, a memory or thanksgivings. Each Week is a donation of $15 and burns for the week. 

ALTAR CANDLES: The new chart is also available for the monthly candles that burns during all services during the month requested. A donation of $40 is requested for the Altar Candles. 

The Altar Candles request for the month of October was made by Rosemarie Kachinko in memory of Ronald Kachinko.

RUMMAGE SALE: If you did not have the opportunity to shop last week at the Rummage Sale, you have that chance next weekend. Friday, Oct. 20th 9am -4pm. Saturday, Oct. 21st 9am, – 2pm and Sunday, Oct. 22nd 9am–1pm. BAG DAY. Many good items are available for you to browse through. The Raffle Basket will still be available for you to have a chance at winning one of the Beautiful Baskets on display. The tickets are 11 for $5. Come try your luck. All proceeds from the Basket Raffle will be sent to the Humanitarian relief in Ukraine.

Soup and Sale: St Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Church, Glen Lyon is holding a Vegetable soup and Hoagie Sale.  Offered are Turkey, Ham & Cheese, and Italian Hoagies for sale along with a bake sale on Thursday, October 19, 2923. From 11 am to 4 pm in the church hall. The cost of each hoagie is $8 and a quart of soup is $8. Call Debbie at 570-736-6908 by Sunday October 15^th. A Basket Raffle is also available, all proceeds will be donated to the Ukraine Humanitarian Relief Fund. 

AFTER PENTECOST

OCTOBER 8, 2023 

Do You Like Going to Church?

Many people like to go to church.  King David, an avid churchgoer, said, “Let us go to the House of the Lord” (Psalm 121 (122)).   Others, however, will visit the church very seldom.  Not having found satisfaction in the attendance of church services they always look for excuses not to attend. The reasons people give for attending church are varied.  Some attend church because of a feeling of being compelled by parents or their peers.  Some seek the approval of friends or worldly rewards.  For example, they may feel that they do God some kind of favor by attending Church and, therefore, they expect a reward from God for their attendance at church. Habit or a desire to be part of some group, or organization, play a big part in attendance. Still, others go to church purely out of how they feel at a certain moment or how they are disposed at that moment.  Come Saturday, Sunday, or any holiday, they will always question themselves, “Should I not go to church, or should I go to church?” 
          The answer to this will always be based on how happy or sad they feel at that moment. To truly be happy in attending church we should consider those factors that make us happy, enthusiastic, and enjoy visiting other people and their homes. As a general rule we like visiting those that in some way bring spiritual, intellectual, or physical enrichment to our daily lives. It is anticipation on our part of time well spent. As we learn more about each other our friendship grows stronger and we want to visit each other more.
           Therefore, if we think of God as totally enriching us in our daily lives we will be happy to visit Him in His house.  But, on the other hand, if we feel that we don’t need Him because we are completely capable of providing for ourselves and, in addition, we fear Him due to lack of knowledge of Him, we will avoid Him even more. As we grow in knowledge of all the good that God does for us, we will thank Him personally; moreover, we would publicly share the knowledge of the goodness that He has done for us (through Evangelization, teaching people about God).  So, although we sometimes feel that the service is too long, the words are not understood, or the proceedings complicated, we happily go to the House of God because we love Him and want to express our thanks to Him.

SANCTUARY LIGHT: No Request this week.

RUMMAGAE SALE: The Women’s Society wishes to thank all those who donated items, money, raffle baskets or food to the Rummage Sale. If you did not have a chance to shop, the sale will be held again Friday, Oct. 20th 9am -4pm. Saturday, Oct. 21st 9a, – 2pm and Sunday, Oct. 22nd 9am–1pm. The Basket Raffle will be conducted at the second sale also.  

WOMEN’S SOCIETY MEETING: The regular monthly meeting of the Women’s Society will be held at the preparation of Piggy’s to be sold at the second Rummage Sale.  All members are asked to please try to help with this project. New members are always welcome.  Come join and be a part of your Church organization.

PASTIE SALE: Saints Peter & Paul, Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, North Wilkes-Barre is taking orders for Pasties for pick-up on Saturday, October 14^th, 2023.  Our Pasties are made with seasoned ground beef and potatoes wrapped in a pie crust pastry and are available with or without onions.  Pasties are $9.00 each and Gravy is available for $1.00 for an 8 oz. cup.  Call (570) 829-3051 to place your order.  (Please specify with or without onions.)  Pick-up from 2:00 to 4:00pm in our School Hall, corner of North River and West Chestnut Streets, Wilkes-Barre.  Remember, when Baba cooks… everybody’s happy!”

EIGHTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST

sunday, OCTOBER 1, 2023

Saturday, September 30   PROTECTION OF THE MOTHER OF GOD

                            4:00 PM                  Anointing with Holy Oil (Myrovania)

 ✞ Michael Kowalick – Hanover Twp. Lions Club

Sunday, October 1     PROTECTION OF THE MOTHER OF GOD

8:30AM      EIGHTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST 

Anointing with Holy Oil (Myrovania)

                                          God’s Blessing and Good Health on all parishioners.

Thursday, October 5           

10:00 AM                 ✞Charles Drazba Jr. – The Drazba Family  

Saturday, October 7  

4:00 PM ✞Catherine Dulski – Mary Shandra

Sunday, October 8 

8:30AM NINETEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST

                                           God’s Blessing and Good Health on all parishioners

❖❖❖❖❖❖

Transfiguration of Our Lord Weekend Liturgies:

Saturday 6:00 PM – Sunday 10:30 AM

SEPTEMBER 24, 2023

Saturday, September 23 – 4:00 PM

✞Annetta Rudeski – Dave, Carol & Ann Stull

Sunday, September 24– 8:30AM 

SEVENTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST

God’s Blessings and Good Health for all Parishioners  

Baptism of Talia Lada

Wednesday, September 27 – 9:30 AM 

✞Charles Drazba – The Drazba Family 

Friday, September 29 – 10:00 AM 

✞Mary Ann Youells 

PROTECTION OF THE MOTHER OF GOD

EIGHTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST 

Saturday, September 30 – 4:00 PM

✞Michael Kowalick – Hanover Twp. Lions Club          

        Anointing with Holy Oil (Myrovania)

Sunday, October 1 – 8:30AM 

Anointing with Holy Oil (Myrovania)

NINTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST

     God’s Blessings and Good Health for all Parishioners  

             ✠✠✠✠✠✠✠✠✠✠✠✠✠

TRANSFIGURATION OF OUR LORD

Saturday – 6:00 PM   Sunday 10:30 AM

THE CONCEPTION OF ST JOHN THE BAPTIST

September 23^rd 

Among all the saints whom the Church venerates, St. John the Baptist holds a unique place. There are three people in the Church whom has a feast honoring their Conception, Nativity and Death, John the Baptist, Mary the Theotokos (God-Bearer) and Jesus. The great esteem he enjoys in the Eastern Church is evident from the fact that during the Church Year as many as six feasts are celebrated in his honor: The feasts of his Conception, Nativity, Beheading (death), the First, Second, Third and Fourth Finding of his Head, and the Synaxis following the feast of the Theophany. 

Among all holy persons of the Old Testament, St. John the Baptist is especially outstanding, because he stands on the border of two testaments: the Old and the New. He is the lastprophet and opens the door to the Apostles. He is  prophet and the Forerunner of Christ, a Baptizer and a martyr. 

Before he was born, an angel of the Lord informed his father Zachary, “He shall be great before the Lord.” (Luke 1,15) And indeed, he was great for his holy life, authentic teaching, and heroic death. Jesus Christ himself acclaimed him as, ”a burning and shining light.” (John 5,35).

The life of John the Baptist was an unbroken chain of sacrifice and penance. He preached to the people what they needed to hear: a Baptism of Repentance, the Nearness of the Kingdom of God, the Presence among them of Jesus, Their Messiah and Savior.  John baptized Jesus in the river Jordan, pointing Him out as the “Lamb of God.” (John 1,36)

SEPTEMBER 17, 2023

Saturday, Sept. 16 

             4:00 PM  God’s Blessing on the marriage of 

                                    Carolyn Mahon and Nathan Walcott – Anna Magill

Sunday, Sept.17 SUNDAY AFTER THE EXALTATION OF THE CROSS

8:30AM God’s Blessing and Good Health on all parishioners

Saturday, Sept. 23

 4:00 PM  ✞Annetta Rudeski – Dave, Carol & Ann Stull

Sunday, Sept. 24 SEVENTEETH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST

8:30AM    God’s Blessing and Good Health on all parishioners

Baptism of Talia Lada – God’s blessings for Talia

❖❖❖❖❖❖❖❖❖

Transfiguration of Our Lord Weekend Liturgies: 

Saturday 6:00 PM – Sunday 10:30 AM

THE LORD LISTENS

The Lord doesn’t listen just to the strong, or to only the brave and the wise;
But He seeks out the needy, and broken and poor, and those who have tears in their eyes.
He loves all His saints who give praise to His Name, and all those who are faithful and just,
But He also loves sinners who call on His Name, and He longs for their faith and their trust.
He patiently calls all the lost ones to come and drink from the fountain of life.
He’ll forgive every sin, and He’ll heal every wound, 

and give peace midst all troubles and strife.
For He knows every heart, and He hears every cry, and He always is there when we call,
He’ll provide all our needs from His boundless supply, 

When we love Him, and give Him our all.

When I Whine

Today, upon a bus, I saw a girl with golden hair

I looked at her and sighed and wished I was as fair.

When suddenly she rose to leave,

I saw her hobble down the aisle.

She had one leg and used a crutch

But as she passed, she passed a smile.

Oh, God, forgive me when I whine

I have 2 legs, the world is mine.

I stopped to buy some candy

The lad who sold it had such charm

I talked with him a while; he seemed so very glad

If I were late, it’d do no harm.

And as I left, he said to me,

“I thank you, you’ve been so kind.

It’s nice to talk with folks like you.

You see,” he said, “I’m blind.”

Oh, God, forgive me when I whine.

I have 2 eyes, the world is mine.

~~~

Later while walking down the street,

I saw a child with eyes of blue

He stood and watched the others play

He did not know what to do.

I stopped a moment and then I said,

“Why don’t you join the others, dear?”

He looked ahead without a word.

And then I knew, he couldn’t hear.

Oh, God, forgive me when I whine.

I have 2 ears, the world is mine.

~~~

With feet to take me where I’d go.

With eyes to see the sunset’s glow.

With ears to hear what I would know.

Oh, God, forgive me when I whine.

I’ve been blessed indeed, The world is mine.

We have soooooo  much to be thankful for!!!

THE CROSS

The Mystery of the Cross-is the Mystery of Mysteries. How can the Source of Life die, the Creator of all be annihilated and exclaim, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” This is the kenosis of the Son of God, who emptied Himself, took the form of a servant and became obedient unto death, even to the death of the Cross. The human mind, which is accustomed to asking why, is completely lost. The Mystery of the Cross-is the Mystery of Atonement and wonder: “Let every creature remain silent and adore.” For the message of the Cross is complete absurdity for those who are heading to ruin, but to those who are experiencing salvation, it is the Power of God.” (1 Cor. 1:18). If we ask why, the only answer we receive is that of St. John, “God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, so that whoever believes in Him may not perish, but have eternal life.” (Jn. 3:16). Up until the sixth century, Christians were forbidden to depict Christ on the Cross, because the Cross was the punish­ment of slaves. The first time it appeared was through some Syrian monks living in Narbonne, France, and from whence it spread. 

No one is exempt from the cross; not even the Blessed Virgin, who carried her cross from Christ’s conception and then birth in Bethlehem to Golgotha, where she stood at her Son’s side, as He hung on the Cross. The closer we are to Christ, the heavier is our cross for, as St. Paul says, “Those whom He foreknew, He predestined to share the Image of His Son, so that the Son might be the first-born of many brothers.” (Rom. 8:29)

Bows and Blessings:We bow and make the sign of the cross many times during the Liturgy as a sign of our faith and the receiving and accepting of God’s blessings. 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 or leave the church.

SANCTUARY LIGHT:  There is no request this week for the Sanctuary Light.

BUILDING FUND: Our thanks for the donations received to the Building Fund:

Valerie Fleming in memory of Charles Drazba and Catherine Dulski, also

Mary Ann Kachinko & Donna Warren in memory of Charles Drazba. Your donations are greatly appreciated. 

RUMMAGE – Just a reminder –  The Parish Women’s Society will be sponsoring a Rummage Sale Friday & Saturday, October  6^th 9am – 4pm, October 7^th 9am – 2pm. The Basket Raffle will be available and the proceeds from this sale will be donated to Ukraine.  If you are planning on donating a basket for this cause, please inform one of the Women’s Club members.  The First sale will also be having a Homemade Soup and Haluski sale. A bake sale is also available at this time and we are asking for your help on this matter. Baked goods of your choice will be appreciated.  

CEMETERY: A lot of damage has happened in our cemetery due to the storms. Branches and trees are down and the cost to get this taken care of is very expensive. We appreciate those who use their collection envelopes to help fray the cost of the care. If you have loved ones and family interned in our cemetery it would be great to have a few more donations. One cut alone cost us $1200. Your help is in need. Thank you.

PRESENTATION: This Sunday September 17^th following the Divine Liturgy in Nanticoke there will be a presentation on the upcoming Synod in Rome and a second presentation on the Apparition of Our Blessed Lady, the Ever-Virgin Mary, to the children in Fatima and what both of these mean for us in the Church.  12:30 pm, The first talk is:  The Synodal Process; the Evaporation of the Catholic Church from the Eyes of the Faithful.   1:45 pm, The second talk is:  The Fatima Message is More Prevalent Now Than Ever Before.