August 10, 2025 A. D.
Saturday, August 9 NINTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
Post Feast of Transfiguration of Our Lord
4:00 PM Donald Magil- wife, Anna Magil
Sunday, August 10 NINTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
Post Feast of Transfiguration of Our Lord
8:30 AM God’s Blessings & Good Health for All Parishioners
Friday, August 15 DORMITION OF OUR BLESSED LADY-THEOTOKOS
Blessing of Flowers-Myrovania
8:30 AM God’s Blessings & Good Health for John & Lara Tucker
-Becker Family
Saturday, August 16 EIGHTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
4:00 PM Irene Frisbie- Anna Magil
Sunday, August 17 EIGHTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
8:30 AM God’s Blessings & Good Health for All Parishioners
PHYSICAL POSTURES AS SYMBOLS OF PRAYER
While visiting a Ukrainian Catholic Church in San Franscico, a visitor noticed there are no chairs. He asked the priest why they did not provide more comfort for their worshippers. The priest replied, “There are only two positions that a man ought to assume when he is in the presence of God. One is on his knees saying, ‘Lord, be merciful to me, the sinner,’ and the other is on his feet, ‘Lord, here I am, send me.’” There are more than just 2 positions for the Ukrainian Catholic, as we shall see. For, when the Ukrainian Catholic prays the whole person takes part in the worship and the various physical postures of the body have a liturgical significance as expressions of worship. We know Him with our mind; we love Him with our heart; we confess and glorify Him with our tongue; we serve Him with our hands; we obey Him with our feet by fleeing from sin into the waiting hands of Jesus. Bishop Ignatius writes, “Prayer is called ‘of the mind,’ when it is recited by the mind with profound attention . . . prayer is called ‘of the heart,’ when it is recited by the mind united with the heart, when the mind descends into the heart, and sends up the prayer in it’s depths. Prayer is called ‘of the soul,’ when it comes from the whole soul, with the participation of the body itself — when it is offered by the whole being . . .“ Thus, when we pray, the whole person prays; mind, heart, soul and body. Theophan the Recluse speaks of various degrees of prayer of which bodily prayer is the first degree, consisting of reading, standing and making prostrations. There are those who believe that the position of the body makes no difference in prayer. They seem to forget what the Catholic Church always remembers, i.e., that whatever the body does affects the soul. For example, when your mind is too tired to concentrate in the right way, your body position can get you in the proper frame of mind. That’s the time, for example, when one should kneel. The posture of the body will send a powerful message to the mind. Our bodies, then, must be part of any approach to God because everything is expressed through our human nature. Some of the Church Fathers say that if the body is not praying, the whole person is not praying. God is truly worshiped with one’s whole being. Mind, heart, soul and body are to seek union with God. . .
Saint John Climacus wrote concerning the influence of the body’s posture on prayer:
“The Lord understood that the virtue of the soul is shaped by our outward behavior. He therefore took a towel and showed us how to walk the road of humility (cf. John 13:4). The soul indeed is molded by the doings of the body, conforming to and taking shape from what it does, “— “Ladder of Divine Ascent” (Saint John Climacus) n.b. This is reference to Jesus washing of His Apostle’s feet on that one Holy Thursday.
The Altar Candles for the month of August are requested by Helene Sirak IMO of her son Michael B Sirak
The Sanctuary Light for this week is requested by Michaelene Ostrum in honor of her mother Helene Sirak’s 97th birthday.
DORMITION FAST: The traditional rule for the Dormition Fast is a strict abstinence from August 1 to 14, with the usual mitigations (wine and oil) for Saturday and Sunday and the Feast of the Transfiguration (August 6). It is, therefore, observed as the Great Fast. The observance of this fast is voluntary. Please remember that on Friday, August 15th we will be Blessing Flowers.
WOMEN’S SOCIETY RUMMAGE SALE: The Women’s Society is collecting items for the annual rummage sale that will be held in October. Household items and gently used clothing can be dropped off at the church hall, or contact Anna Magil at 570-239-9263.
AIR CONDITIONING REPLACEMENT: We are pleased to report that the hall’s air conditioning has been repaired this past week. We continue to accept donations to help cover the $5700 repair expense. Thank you to those who have donated generously for the air conditioning.
BIRTHDAY WISHES: Birthday wishes to Paul Hoover, Helene Sirak and Mary Oshirak who all celebrate birthdays this month. God’s blessings and good health! Mnohaya Lita!
LABOR DAY WEEKEND
ONE DAY FOOD FESTIVAL
& FLEA MARKET
Saturday, AUGUST 31
11:00am-4:00pm
Transfiguration of Our Lord Parish, 240 Center St., Nanticoke is holding a One-Day Ethnic Food Festival on Saturday, August 30.
Home-Made Pierogi, Haluski,
Pigs-in-the Blanket, Potato Pancakes,
Clam Chowder, Borsch,
Hot Dogs & Wimpies & Bake Sale
APPETITES ARE WANTED!! TELL YOUR NEIGHBORS!
CAN YOU HEAR THE POLKA MUSIC PLAYING???????
BOOK(S) OF THE MONTH FOR AUGUST:
Nihilism, Father Seraphim Rose
ISBN: 1887904069
HUMILITY RULES: St. Benedict’s Guide to Genuine Self-Esteem
Ignatius Press, by J. Augustine Wetta, O.S.B., Monk of St. Louis Abbey
ISBN: 978-1-62164-14
SS Peter & Paul Ukrainian Catholic Church 