May 18, 2025
Saturday, May 17 SUNDAY OF THE SAMARITAN WOMAN
4:00 PM God’s Blessings & Good Health for All Parishioners
Sunday, May 18 SUNDAY OF THE SAMARITAN WOMAN
8:30 AM George & Evelyn Sailus- daughter, Marianne Sailus
Saturday, May 17 SUNDAY OF THE MAN BORN BLIND
4:00 PM Mary Ann Kachinko- Richard & Nancy Guerro
Sunday, May 18 SUNDAY OF THE MAN BORN BLIND
8:30 AM God’s Blessings & Good Health for All Parishioners
ASK FATHER A QUESTION? Father, who is the Samaritan Woman? Does she have a name? And why is she simply called the Samaritan Woman? Church Tradition tells us the Samaritan Woman’s Name is Photina. We remember her on February 26. Her name is not recorded in the Gospels because it is not so important as the lesson of her life. Saint Photina lived in Carthage with her younger son Iosas and fearlessly preached the Gospel there during the time of the Emperor Nero (54-68) who displayed excessive cruelty against Christians. Her eldest son Victor fought bravely in the Roman army, and was appointed as military commander of the city of Attalia (Asia Minor). Later, Nero called him to Italy to arrest and punish Christians. Sebastian, an official in Italy, said to Saint Victor, “I know that you, your mother and your brother, are followers of Christ. As a friend I advise you to submit to the will of the Emperor. If you inform on any Christians, you will receive their wealth. I shall write to your mother and brother, asking them not to preach Christ in public. Let them practice their faith in secret.” Saint Victor replied, “I want to be a preacher of Christianity like my mother and brother.” Sebastian said, “O Victor, we all know what woes await you, your mother and brother.” Then Sebastian suddenly felt a sharp pain in his eyes. He was dumbfounded, and his face was somber. For three days he lay there blind, without uttering a word. On the fourth day he declared, “The God of the Christians is the only true God.” Saint Victor asked why Sebastian had suddenly changed his mind. Sebastian replied, “Because Christ is calling me.” Soon he was baptized, and immediately he regained his sight. After witnessing the miracle Saint Sebastian’s servants were also baptized. Reports of this reached Nero, and he commanded that the Christians be brought to him at Rome. Then the Lord Himself appeared to the confessors and said, “Fear not, for I am with you. Nero, and all who serve him, shall be vanquished.” The Lord said to Saint Victor, “From this day forward, your name will be Photinos, because through you, many will be enlightened and will believe in me.” The Lord then told the Christians to strengthen and encourage Saint Sebastian to persevere until the end. All these things, and even future events, were revealed to Saint Photinḗ. She left Carthage in the company of several Christians and joined the confessors in Rome. In Rome the Emperor ordered the Saints to be brought before him and he asked them whether they truly believed in Christ. All the confessors refused to renounce the Savior. Then Nero ordered that the joints of the martyrs’ fingers be broken. During their torments, the confessors felt no pain, and their hands remained unharmed. Nero ordered that Saints Sebastian, Photinos and Iosḗs be blinded and locked up in prison, and Saint Photinḗ and her five sisters Anatolḗ, Photó, Photida, Paraskevḗ and Kyriakḗ were sent to the imperial court under the supervision of Nero’s daughter Domnina. Saint Photinḗ converted both Domnina and all her servants to Christ. She also converted a sorcerer, who had brought her poisoned food. Three years passed, and Nero sent to the prison for one of his servants, who had been locked up. The messengers reported to him that Saints Sebastian, Photinos and Iosḗs, who had been blinded, had recovered their sight, and that people were visiting them to hear their preaching, and indeed the whole prison had been transformed into a bright and fragrant place where God was glorified. Nero then commanded the Saints to be crucified, and their naked bodies to be beaten with straps. On the fourth day the Emperor sent servants to see whether the martyrs were still alive. But, approaching the place of the tortures, the servants became blind. An Angel of the Lord freed the martyrs from their crosses and healed them. The Saints took pity on the blinded servants, and restored their sight by their prayers to the Lord. Those who were healed came to believe in Christ and were soon baptized. Enraged, Nero prepared the most painful tortures for them and prepared a most painful execution for Saint Photina. Her feet were tied to the tops of two trees which had been bent to the ground. When the ropes were cut the trees sprang upright, tearing the martyr apart. The Emperor ordered the others beheaded. Saint Photina was removed from the well and locked up in prison for twenty days. After this Nero had her brought to him and asked if she would now relent and offer sacrifice to the idols. The courageous Photinrefused mocking him she said, “O most impious of the blind, you profligate and stupid man! Do you think me so deluded that I would consent to renounce my Lord Christ and instead offer sacrifice to idols which are as blind as you are?” After hearing such words, Nero ordered that the martyr be thrown into the well again. There she surrendered her soul to God (+ ca. 66).
Ss. Peter & Paul Church & Transfiguration of Our Lord Church Events…..
ADULT DISCUSSION: There will be an Adult Discussion on the book of the month for May – Aquinas, On Human Nature on Saturday, June 7 and Saturday, June 21st after Liturgy at Transfiguration of Our Lord Church. If you have any questions, related to the book or not – bring them to the class.
SOROKOUSTY SERVICE: The fifth Sorokousty is Saturday, June 7th. First Saturday Divine Liturgy will be at 8:00 am. with Sorokousty following at Transfiguration of Our Lord Church.
MOVIE SUNDAY: The date for Movie is this Sunday, May 18th at Transfiguration of Our Lord Church @12:00(food) PM. Everyone is WELCOME. The movie will be THE CHORUS.
SPRING FLEA MARKET: SUMMER IS READY TO BEGIN!!!! Transfiguration of Our Lord Church will hold it’s SPRING FLEA MARKET on Saturday, May 24 from 9am-2pm in the church hall- at 1:00pm on Saturday everything will be half price. Bag Day will be on Monday Memorial Day, May 26 from noon-2pm. There will be Potato pancakes, pierogies, whimpies, clam chowder, hot dogs while supplies last on Saturday only.
SOROKOUSTY SERVICE: The fifth Sorokousty is Saturday, June 7th. First Saturday Divine Liturgy will be at 8:00 am with Sorokousty following.
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.
PRAYER TO THE MOTHER OF GOD
Mother of Perpetual Help, you have been blessed and favored by God. you became not only the Mother of the Redeemer, but Mother of the redeemed as well. We come to you today as your loving children. Watch over us and take care of us. As you held the child Jesus in your loving arms, so take us in your arms. Be a mother ready at every moment to help us. For God who is mighty has done great things for you, and God’s mercy is from age to age on those who love God. Intercede for us, dear Mother, in obtaining pardon for our sins, love for Jesus, final perseverance, and the grace always to call upon you, Mother of Perpetual Help.
PRAYER TO OUR LADY OF LOURDES
O ever immaculate Virgin, Mother of mercy, health of the sick, refuge of sinners, comfort of the afflicted, you know my wants, my troubles, my sufferings; deign to cast upon me a look of mercy. By appearing in the Grotto of Lourdes, you were pleased to make it a privileged sanctuary, whence you dispense your favors, and already many sufferers have obtained the cure of their infirmities, both spiritual and corporal. I come, therefore, with the most unbounded confidence, to implore your maternal intercession. Obtain, O loving Mother, the grant of my requests. I will endeavor to imitate your virtues, that I may one day share your glory, and bless you in eternity. Amen.
Take Time To Be Kind by Helen Steiner Rice
Kindness is a virtue given by The Lord, It pays dividends in happiness, and joy is it reward….. For, if you practice kindness in all you say and do, The Lord will wrap His kindness around your heart and you…..And wrapped within His kindness you are sheltered and secure, and under His direction your way is safe and sure.
The Sanctuary Light for this week is requested by the Kachinko Children IMO their parents Bernie and Mary Ann Kachinko
The Altar Candles for the month of May were requested by June Meyers IMO her mother Olga Morgenfruh.
THERE SHOULD BE NO KNEELING DURING THE PASCHAL SEASON UNTIL PENTECOST SUNDAY. This regulation is mentioned by the Council of Nicaea, which met in the year 325, and also set the date for Pascha. Our Father, Saint Basil the Great, explains that this symbolizes our personal resurrection as well as our calling to higher, heavenly things.
HOMEBOUND PARISHIONERS: Please contact Father Walter at the Nanticoke Rectory at 570-735-2262 if anyone is homebound and would like to receive Holy Communion.
JUST A NOTE: When submitting a mass intention, please make sure that you write out the intention legibly and if you are writing a check make it out to the Parish priest.
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.
SS Peter & Paul Ukrainian Catholic Church 