September 21, 2025
Saturday, September 20 SUNDAY AFTER THE EXALTATION OF THE CROSS
4:00 PM Barnett Kurtz- Nancy Marshall
Sunday, September 21 SUNDAY AFTER THE EXALTATION OF THE CROSS
LEAVE TAKING OF THE CROSS
8:30 AM God’s Blessings & Good Health for All Parishioners
Saturday, September 27 SIXTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
4:00 PM God’s Blessings & Good Health for All Parishioners
Sunday, September 28 SIXTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
8:30 AM Irene Frisbie- Klus & Youells Family
SISTERS OF THE ORDER OF ST: BASIL THE GREAT 94th ANNUAL PILGRIMAGE: This year’s 92nd Pilgrimage honoring the Mother of God will be held on Sunday, October 5, 2025 on the grounds of the Motherhouse of the Sisters of St. Basil the Great in Fox Chase Manor. The theme of this year’s Pilgrimage is “Mary, Mother of Hope.”
PRAYER FOR THE PROTECTION OF THE CHURCH
O glorious St. Michael, guardian and defender of the Church of Jesus Christ, come to the assistance of the Church, against which the powers of hell are unchained, guard with especial care her august Head, and obtain that for Him and for us the hour of triumph may speedily arrive. O glorious Archangel St. Michael, watch over us during life, defend us against the assaults of the devil, assist us especially at the hour of death; obtain for us a favorable judgement, and the happiness of beholding God face to face for endless ages. Amen.
REVIVED SOLDIERS OF UKRAINE PRESENTATION: An invitation is extended to the public on Monday, September 29 at 6:30PM on Railroad Street, Room 105 Lock Haven University Campus. Ukraine at War: A Personal Perspective from a severely wounded Ukrainian soldier. For more information contact Dr. Rick Schulze, Retired Professor, Lock Haven, fschulze@comcast.net.
BOOK(S) OF THE MONTH FOR SEPTEMBER:
Angels (and Demons) What do we really know?
by Peter Kreeft
ISBN: 978-0-89870-550-8
The Altar candles for September were requested by Michaelene Ostrum and Helene Skopek-Krygier IMO their mother Helene Sirak.
The Sanctuary Light this week was requested by the Kachinko children in loving memory of their mother, MaryAnn Kachinko.
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. If you are able to help or don’t how you can help, give Anna Magil a call and ask her how you can help her, and the ladies, with the Rummage Sale. There will also be a Basket Raffle and donations of baskets are needed. Any questions, please contact Anna Magil.
APPRECIATION: Our appreciation and thanks to the Women’s Society for the donation of $4,100 towards the remainder of the cost to repair the hall’s air conditioner.
PYROHY SALE: Transfiguration of Our Lord Church is selling potato pyrohy (frozen). The cost is $12.00 per dozen. If you would like to purchase pyrohy please contact the church rectory or call Lisa at 570-574-1016.
“PASTIE SALE. Saints Peter & Paul, Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, North Wilkes-Barre is taking orders for Pasties for pick-up on Saturday, October 4th, 2025. 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!”
ASK FATHER A QUESTION? This past Sunday was Exaltation of the Holy Cross, Father, what is the significance of the two thieves that were crucified with Christ? We see the Church answer in Practical Theology, by Peter Kreeft, published by Ignatious Press 2014 A.D., Page 240, (in summary). Pope Leo I observes: two thieves were crucified, one on His right and one on His left, to set forth by the very appearance of the gibbet (cross), that separation of all men that shall be made in his hour of judgement. And Augustine on John (7:36): The very cross if you mark it well was a judgement–seat; for the judge being set in the midst, the one (thief) who believed was delivered, the other who mocked Him was condemned. This is an example of Divine Providence, God at work even now. Existence and judgements and our choices in this life, while temporary, have eternal consequences. Jesus in the middle of mankind, rightly judges our actions done in our free will as in harmony with His law and love and compassion for others and even ourselves. The most obvious understanding of the two thieves is that the way of the one thief, even to the mockery of Christ, leads to Hell. The way of the second thief, who is repentant of his failing and Christ’s law and love, is the way that leads to salvation. Heaven and Hell, are chosen by us through our actions with our free will, a wonderful and terrifying responsibility given to us. Clearly, Christ is in the center, He is the great divider, “I have not come to bring peace but a sword.” (Matthew 10:34). Jesus even points this out to Pilot on which the irony seems to be lost in Pilot’s mind, (John 19:10-11). Jesus’s position of Judge, as position of all men is physically shown by His being in the center between the two thieves, like the King at the Last Judgement, who has the sheep to His right hand and the goats on His left. (Matthew 25:32). Note well, Jesus is not to the right or left of either thief, but in the middle, one is on His right and one is on His left, we apply this to our public life as well (politics means public living). Does this mean that the most decisive question in the world is what we think of Jesus Christ? No. The most decisive question in the world is what Jesus Christ thinks of us, i.e. me?! Do I choose to honestly follow Christ or am I merely pretending to follow Christ? Am I the repentant, or am I the unrepentant thief mocking Christ? I get to chose which thief I am.
SS Peter & Paul Ukrainian Catholic Church 