Saturday, February 15 SUNDAY OF THE PRODIGAL SON
4:00 PM God’s Blessings and Good Health for all Parishioners
Sunday, February 16 SUNDAY OF THE PRODIGAL SON
8:30 AM ✞Patricia Williams – Youells Family
Saturday, February 22 SUNDAY OF MEATFARE
4:00 PM God’s Blessings and Good Health for all Parishioners
Sunday, February 23 SUNDAY OF MEATFARE
8:30 AM ✞Michael Hubiack- Louise Hubiack
1st Sorokousty Saturday- February 22 at 8:00 AM at Transfiguration of Our Lord Church
Sorokousty is for St. Peter & Paul Church(Plymouth), St. Vladimir Church
& Transfiguration of Our Lord Church
✠☼✠☼✠☼✠☼✠☼✠☼✠
REMINDER: Major Archbishop Sviatoslav Schevchuk is in North America for the Synod of Bishops and is in Philadelphia February 15th and 16th; and Washington, D.C. February 18th. See the flyers in the vestibule, The Way or Archeparchial Website for more information.
LENT: Remember, the first day of Lent is a day of fast from Meat and Dairy Products. Lent begins with Forgiveness Vespers, Sunday, March 2nd at 3:00 PM at Transfiguration of Our Lord Church. The first full day of Lent will begin on Monday, March 3rd. The Liturgy of the Pre-Sanctified Gifts at Ss. Peter & Paul Church will be on Fridays at 5:00pm and at Transfiguration of Our Lord Church on Wednesdays at 6:30pm.
THE FIVE SATURDAYS OF THE DECEASED (SOROKUSTY): The Church Typikon designates the five Sorokousty/ Saturdays of the Deceased for 2025 as February 22nd; March 15th, March 22nd, March 29th and June 7th. It is a tradition of our Holy Church to commemorate the memories of our beloved deceased at Matins of the Deceased (Parastas) on these five Saturdays of the year. There is an envelope in your box for Sorokousty. Or write a note and put it in the basket.
LITURGICAL INTENTIONS: Please keep in mind that there are no weekday liturgies during Lent. Please note that during Lent if there is a Funeral, there will be no Divine Liturgy with that service. If you want to add a Divine Liturgy, a special Liturgy can be done on Saturday morning.
PRAYERS: Please remember in your prayers all who are in need of God’s help. Remember those in the nursing facilities, hospital and at home, all the sick and the suffering. Please say a special prayer for all of our nation’s soldiers and their families at home and abroad.
SING-CON 2025: Save the date if interested. The date for SING-CON 2025 is October 23-26, 2025 at the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Ukrainian Catholic Church in Perth Amboy, NJ. SING-CON is seminar on learning and practicing our Church’s Chants, i.e. hymns and liturgies in song.
ASK FATHER A QUESTION? Father, in the Communion Prayer we pray, “ I will not tell the mystery to Your enemies, . . .” I’m confused, aren’t we supposed to convert our enemies? The reason you are feeling confused is because you forget, or are not aware, that our prayer life is scriptural, i.e. the liturgy and our whole lives and answers to our problems can all be found in the Holy Scriptures, i.e. the books of the bible. If we are careful we will live like the saints destined for heaven and if we are dismissive of God’s will we will live like the evildoers destined for hell. What we are praying with the words “I will not tell the mystery to Your enemies,” is that I will not pretend to be your follower and friend only to stab you in the back the moment you don’t provide me with what I want the way I want it like Judas did, i.e. I will not repeat the sin of Judas. I will not tell devils how to attack you. Of course we are supposed to evangelize (convert) all people. Certain people don’t want to be converted but the “enemy” is not people, even though there are people whom quite literally worship the devils in hell. We need to make a distinction between the devils in hell, people while they are sinners who are working their best to be holy, those whom might not believe or understand God and think within themselves that they are good, and evildoers whom make no attempt, or do not desire to, follow God and His law. To the devils and the willful evildoers we dot betray Jesus Christ nor do we tell of the Mysteries even though with the people we do try to educate them and convert them. If and AFTER they convert then we teach Jesus’ Mysteries, i.e. the Sacraments for if we tell them of God’s mysteries they will use them for evil, not for good. Your question brings up an interesting point of answered on page 38 of Fr. Schmeman’s ‘Great Lent,’ “THE HOLY SCRIPTURES” the prayer of the Church is always biblical –i.e. expressed in the language, images, and symbols of the Holy Scriptures. If the Bible contains the Divine Revelation to man, it is also man’s inspired response to that Revelation and thus the pattern and the content of man’s prayer, praise, and adoration. For example, thousands of years have passes since the Psalms were composed; yet when man needs to express repentance, the shock of his entire being at the challenge of divine, mercy, he still finds the only adequate expression the penitential Psalm beginning, “Have mercy on me, O God!” Every imaginable situation of man before God, the world, and other men, from the overwhelming joy of God’s presence to the abysmal despair of man’s exile, sin, and alienation has found its perfect expression in this unique Book which, for this reason has always constituted the daily nourishment of the church, the means of her worship and self-edification. During [The Great Fast] the biblical dimension of worship is given increased emphasis. . . “ One can say the forty days of Lent are, our worldly journey toward heaven.
Prayer For Peace in Ukraine
Heavenly Father, Your Son taught us “Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called the sons of God.” We fervently pray in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, that you inspire men to become peacemakers. May mankind seek reconciliation and peace as is Your Will in this world. May tranquility be restored to all nations and especially Ukraine. God, Our Father, we beseech You to comfort the suffering, heal the wounded, and accept the souls of the dearly departed into Your heavenly kingdom. May the Most Holy Mother of God extend Her Mantle of Protection over Ukraine and the whole world. May each of us always live our lives as instruments of Your peace, in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
MYOSOPUSNA 2025: Transfiguration of Our Lord Church is pleased to announce that dinner tickets are now available for the Annual Myasopusna Festival, held at the church’s banquet hall, 240 Center Street, Nanticoke, on Sunday, February 23, from noon to 4 pm. The Myasopusna (Meatfare) Festival is the parish’s pre-lenten celebration, preceding the Great Fast. Dinner (a platter of holuptsi, kobasi, pyrohy, borscht, black bread and butter, and a homemade dessert) will be served from 12:30 to 2:00 pm, followed by live Ukrainian dance performances by Kazka and Saint Mary’s Ukrainian Dancers. A variety of Ukrainian crafts will be on display and for sale. Dinner tickets are $25 and must be purchased in advance, no tickets will be sold at the door. Tickets can be purchased by calling Helen (735-4654) and leave a message or Lisa (574-1016).
UKRAINIAN PYSANKY CLASSES: Classes are being offered by St. Cyril’s Church in Olyphant. March 2nd and March 16th, with two classes each day: 12:00 noon and 3:00 p.m. Students will learn about this beautiful Ukrainian tradition. The cost is $25 per person, with supplies included. Class size is limited, and registration is required. Contact: Tammy Budnovitch 570-766-1919 to register for this parish fundraiser held at St. Cyril’s Parish Hall, 207 River St., Olyphant.
PSALM 127
The Happy Home of the Just
Blessed are all who fear the Lord, who walk in his ways. You shall eat of your hand’s labor: Blessed are you, and it shall be well with you. Your wife shall be like a fruitful vine In the recesses of your house. Your sons, like olive shoots around your table. Behold, in this way shall be blessed the man who fears the Lord. May the Lord bless you out of Sion; And may you see the prosperity of Jerusalem all the days of your life. May you see your children’s children. Peace be upon Israel.
The Altar Candles for February are requested by the Kachinko Family IMO Michael Kachinko Sr and Anna Kachinko.
The Sanctuary Light for this week is requested Michaelene Ostrum IMO Fred Uhas.
BAPTISM: Joseph Wyatt Evans will be Baptized, Christened, and receive First Holy Communion on Saturday, March 1st at the 4:00PM Divine Liturgy. Joseph is the son of Joseph and Colleen Evans.
FLEA MARKET & PARISH SALE: The Women’s Society is holding a rummage, soup and bake sale March 14,15 & 16.
PARISH FORMS: The Parish is updating our Parishioner Forms, we are asking All Parishioners to take a form and complete it, even if your information has not changed. The forms are in the vestibule. There will be a folder you can put it in on the table.
SS Peter & Paul Ukrainian Catholic Church 