December 21, 2025
DIVINE LITURGY for PHILLIPS FAST(11/15-12/25)
Saturday, December 20 TWENTY EIGHTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
4:00 PM Ed Schwartz- Ann Beshada
Sunday, December 21 TWENTY SEVENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
8:30 AM God’s Blessings & Good Health for All Parishioners
Wednesday, December 24 VIGIL OF CHRISTMAS- CHRISTMAS EVE
4:00 PM John Phillips- brother, Peter Phillips
Thursday, December 25 CHRISTMAS DAY
8:30 AM God’s Blessings & Good Health for All Parishioners
Friday, December 26 SYNAXIS OF THE MOTHER OF GOD
8:30 AM Peter, Anna & John Phillips-Peter Phillips
Saturday, December 27 TWENTY EIGHTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
4:00 PM UOlga Morgenfruh- June Meyers
Sunday, December 28 TWENTY EIGHTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
8:30 AM God’s Blessings & Good Health for All Parishioners
The Altar Candles for the month of December are given by the Youells Family in loving memory of Mary Ann Youells.
The Sanctuary Light for this week is requested by Rosemarie Kachinko IMO all the deceased Kachinko family members.
CHURCH ENVELOPES: Church envelopes are in the vestibule to be picked up. PLEASE do not use any until after January 1, 2026.
THANK YOU!: Thank you to everyone who came last week and helped decorate and clean the church.
THE ENGLOT SISTERS CHRISTMAS CD: You can now listen to the Englot Sisters CD “An American Ukrainian Christmas “on YouTube and Spotify. [ CD’s are also still available for purchase- you can find them in the back of the church for a freewill donation.] To locate the account on You Tube search by “THE ENGLOT SISTERS” and it will bring up the account. (Joanne & Christine are parishioners of Transfiguration of Our Lord Church. They sing with their sister, Mary a selection of Ukrainian Christmas Carols.)
Petitions & Prayers for Our Parishioners: Jewel Johnstone, John Ostrum,Donna Winsock, Sonia Dempsey, Catherine Halloway, Charles Hallaway, Paul Hoover & James Bencho. Keep them in your prayers. If anyone would like to be included in the prayer list drop a note in the basket, email the church or text Michalene Ostrum at 570-704-7079.
PYROHY SALE: Transfiguration of Our Lord Church is having a potato pyrohy sale. The cost is $12.00 per dozen. Contact the church rectory or call Lisa at 570-574-1016.
FATHER A QUESTION? Father, is Epiphany and Theophany the same Feast Day? Epiphany and Theophany are two different feasts that are celebrated on the same day. One Holy Day and two events are remembered on that day. The Western Church (Roman Catholic) emphasizes the manifestation of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles (Magi or Three Kings) and they do recognize the baptism of Jesus Christ on the same day- the Western Church calls it Epiphany from the Greek {to reveal}. The Eastern Church (Ukrainian Church is one of the Eastern Churches) emphasizes the baptism of the “Adult” Jesus Christ in the Jordan River at the beginning of his ministry and the three kings are remembered –the Eastern Church calls this Feast Day Theophany, from the Greek {to show us God}.
Who are the Fore-Fathers and the Fathers of the church that we are remembering these two Sundays before Christmas? In short, the Holy Fore-Fathers, also called Patriarchs, are the Saints of the first period of the Old Testament prior to the law being given to Moses. These are Saints such as Abel, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph and Melchisedek who served God. The Holy Fathers are those Saints of the Old Testament mostly after the law is given to Moses and who had an earthly relation to the origin of Christ’s birth. These are the great Saints and Prophets who prophesied the coming of the Messiah. Such as Joshua, King David and Isaiah. We remember them because, by honoring them, Holy Church reminds us of their faithfulness to God who is always watching over them, and us, who keep his Law and serve Him.
CHRISTMAS SING-ALONG: “YOU ARE INVITED to join Saints Peter & Paul Ukrainian Greek Catholic Parish for their 31st Annual Christmas Carol Sing Along in the church at 635 North River Street in Wilkes-Barre, Sunday, December 28th, 2025 starting at 2:00p.m. Join in the singing of some very sacred, joyful and inspiring Christmas Carols. Afterwards, please join us in the lower church hall for a Christmas Fellowship Social. Please bring a friend or family member, and share the joy of Christmas with them, as we all welcome the Newborn Son of God into our hearts and homes.
BOOK(S) OF THE MONTH FOR DECEMBER:
ST. EPHREM THE SYRIAN
Hymns on Paradise
ISBN: 978-0881410761
Christ is coming…Are you ready?
DID YOU GO TO CONFESSION? SET ASIDE TIME TO PRAY…. PLAN TO ATTEND SERVICES? TEACH YOUR CHILDREN & GRANDCHILDREN ABOUT CHRIST?? There’s still time.
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 in this world, as is Your Will. 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.
SS Peter & Paul Ukrainian Catholic Church 