May 30, 2026
Saturday, May 30 SUNDAY OF ALL SAINTS
4:00 PM God’s Blessings & Good Health For All Parishioners
Sunday, May 31 SUNDAY OF ALL SAINTS
8:30 AM Jewel Johnstone- Mr. & Mrs. Rossi
Saturday, June 6 SECOND SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
4:00 PM Fred & Olga Yuhas – Michalene Ostrum
Sunday, June 7 SECOND SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
8:30 AM God’s Blessings & Good Health For All Parishioners
SS. PETER AND PAUL FAST
(June 1-June 28)
The Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church fasts before the celebration of the feast of SS. Peter and Paul which is celebrated on the 29th of June. The fast begins Monday following All Saints Sunday and continues until the feast day. This year the fast begins on Monday, June 1st and will end at the Vespers for the Feast Day celebration Sunday evening the 28th of June for a total of 28 days this year. Because the finding of The Resurrection of Our Lord (Easter) varies, so too does the fast period for this minor fast period on our Church Calendar.
Most people do not follow this fast today because bishops have claimed it is not obligatory, but this does not mean that it is not observed. Some Popes have said on occasions that even though the fasts of the Church are not identified as obligatory in every instance, it does not mean that people should not fast. We have the opportunity to enter freely into the fasting periods. One may ask why fast now at the beginning of summer vacation time? Let us say, first, this is not an easy time to fast; but we should remember that fasting is never easy. The very purpose of fasting is to discipline ourselves and this requires hard work and sacrifices. We are always called by God to be in control of our appetites, what most secular society calls “passions” today. We are always to train ourselves to be in control of our appetites rather than letting our bodily and human appetites rule us.
The discipline of fasting leads one to hear and follow God’s Spirit and His Word and then to truly live God’s call. We look for consolation to today’s problems and difficulties and we seek answers in many places. The only true and lasting place to find meaning to the cris that face us is to return to God (repentance); but it is only in silent waiting for God to speak to us through His Spirit that we can find this consolation.
Many of us turn to the world for answers, but it rebuffs us each time. For example, people today teach us to seek personal convenience at all costs, telling us, “If it feels right, do it!” We are not permitted to ask whether what we seek is good for us; our health, our relationship with God or neighbor. “Save time, steps, energy! But this newest and latest item! It will make you happy!” It is easy to see where this emphasis on personal convenience has led us.
Isn’t it strange that many of us are held under the sway of this worldly wisdom more than following God’s Wisdom? Fasting and discipline asked of us by the Church, during this period of preparation for the feast of SS. Peter and Paul, is a teacher to seek out true goods. We can learn how to free ourselves from the sway of convenience by fasting at the beginning of summer. The free avoidance of foods on certain days along with prayer can give us the strength and insights to see what things are really needful for our lives. At a time when prices keep soaring what a helpful insight fasting can be. The wisdom of this world can be met with a spiritual wisdom that can build our character and make us holier in the eyes of God.
For Unfailing Strength
Do not look forward to what may happen tomorrow; the same everlasting Father who cares for you today will take care of you tomorrow and every day. Either He will shield you from suffering, or He will give you unfailing strength to bear it. Be at peace, then. Put aside all anxious thoughts and imaginations, and say continually: “The Lord is my strength and my shield. My heart has trusted in Him and I am helped. He is not only with me but in me, and I in Him.
Petitions & Prayers for Our Parishioners: John Ostrum, Donna Winsock, Sonia Dempsey, Catherine Halloway, Charles Hallaway, Louise Hubiack, Frank Udiski, 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.
ASK FATHER A QUESTION? Father, I am confused- can you please explain to me what the Beatific Vision is? The Beatific Vision is the immediate knowledge and vision of God (the Holy Trinity-Father, Son and Holy Spirit) which the angelic spirits, angels, and the souls of the just see and enjoy in the heaven. N.b. This is the soul alone of the person separated from their body, this is not yet entering eternally into heaven. It is called “vision” to mark this as different from the knowledge of God which man can attain in this life. Is the God the Father portrayed in iconography? Yes and No. Yes in the sense of Rublev’s Icon of the Trinity depicts the three angels who visited Abraham and the colors in the icon tell you which is Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Also, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are depicted in the Icon of Jesus’s baptism in the Jordan. The Son of God, Jesus Christ being baptized, the Holy Spirit in the image of a dove, and God the Father depicted as a breath coming from the clouds. In some iconography a hand coming from the clouds blesses the Son. God the Father is not to be depicted in iconography or statuary as an old man with a white beard according to ancient church law, even though you have seen this it is not supposed to be done. Ancient Church Canons
The Holy Church commemorates Saints every day. However, because there have been God-pleasers who struggled in obscurity and where not revealed to the Holy Church, the church has established a day on which we glorify all those who have pleased God throughout the ages. So that not one might be left unglorified by the Church. The Church established that this be done immediately after the Feast of the Descent of the Holy Spirit, since it is by the grace of the Holy Spirit that all the saints have been made and continue to be made. The grace of the Holy Spirit brings repentance and the forgiveness of sins. It leads one into battle against the passions and lusts. And crowns this labor with purity and passionlessness. And thus a new creature appears, fit for a new heaven and a new earth. Let us be zealous to follow the saints of God. Today’s Gospel reading teaches us how to do this: it demands fearless confession of faith in the Lord and preferential love for Him, the raising of the cross of self-denial and heartfelt renunciation of everything [else]. Let us place a beginning according to these instructions.
-St. Theoophan the Recluse
There are no requests for the Sanctuary Light this week.
Cemetery 2 envelopes $10
PLYMOUTH 250th ANNIVERSARY OF OUR NATION PARADE IN PLYMOUTH: The Auspice of Maria will participate in the parade from; St. Mary’s, St. Stephan’s & St. Vincent’s Catholic Church and welcomes parishioners of Saint Peter & Paul Church to participate. If you are interested please call Nancy Restraino at 570-239-3363. There is a flyer in the back of the church and they will be parking at St. Peter & Paul Church and assembling at the Family Dollar at 10:30 am.
The Borough of Plymouth has asked Parishes to ring their bells at Noon on Saturday, May 30 in celebration of our nation’s 250th Birthday. Any parishioner who is willing to ring the bells, please feel free to come and ring the bells.
FATHER’S DAY REMEMBRANCES: Father’s Day is June 21st, don’t forget to remember your Father at our Father’s Day Divine Liturgy.
WALKING PILGRIMAGE: FOOTSTEPS OF OUR ANCESTORS: Save the date Saturday, June 13. A Seven Mile Walking Pilgrimage from St. Mary’s Church in Mocanaqua through the Pinchot State Forest, Mocanaqua Tract to St. Nicholas Church, Glen Lyon. Divine Liturgy offered and lunch served at the end of the walk. Register by June 6, 2026 at www.tinyurl.com/foapilgrimage26. For more information call/text 570-301-9253 or email foapilgrimage@gmail.com. The faith lives on in Glen Lyon……….
LASAGNA DINNER: Saints Peter & Paul Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, (WB) will hold a Lasagna Dinner on Wednesday, June 10, 2026 in their school hall on the corner of North River and West Chestnut Streets, near the General Hospital Parkade in Wilkes-Barre. This dinner will be Take-Out Only and Pre-Orders are strongly encouraged. Dinners will be $15 and will include; a generous portion of two-meat lasagna, garden salad, bread and dessert. Place your order by calling the School Hall Kitchen (570)
The Fifth Kathisma
The first stasis
Do you seek mercy? Be merciful yourself.
The debts of those who ask for pardon are forgiven. But see that you do not harbor hatred for your brothers when you ask forgiveness of your debts. Prayers that are offered up to God remain behind closed doors if they do not contain love, for only love can open the doors for prayer. If your brother is angry with you, then the Lord is also angry with you. And if you have made peace with your brother below, then you have made peace with the Lord on high. If you receive your brother, then you also receive your Lord. Thus, make peace with the Lord in the person of those who are offended; give Him cause to be glad in the person of those who sorrow; visit Him in the person of those who are infirmed; feed Him in the person of those who hunger. In the person of a weary traveler, prepare a soft bed for Him, wash His feet, seat Him at the head of your table, break your bread and share it with Him, and give Him also your cup. He has already shown His great love for you; He has broken His body for you and given you His blood to drink. – St. Ephreim the Syrian
Psalm 91 NIV- Assurance of God’s Protection
You who live in the shelter of the Most High, who abide in the shadow of the Almighty, will say to the LORD, “My refuge and my fortress; my God, in whom I trust.” For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence; he will cover you with his pinions, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness is a shield and buckler. You will not fear the terror of the night, or the arrow that flies by day, or the pestilence that stalks in darkness, or the destruction that wastes at noonday. A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you. You will only look with your eyes and see the punishment of the wicked. Because you have made the LORD your refuge, the Most High your dwelling place, no evil shall befall you, no scourge come near your tent. For He will command His angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways. On their hands they will bear you up, so that you will not dash your foot against a stone. You will tread on the lion and the adder, the young lion and the serpent you will trample under foot. Those who love me, I will deliver; I will protect those who know my name. When they call to me, I will answer them; I will be with them in trouble, I will rescue them and honor them. With long life I will satisfy them, and show them my salvation.
SS Peter & Paul Ukrainian Catholic Church 