Saturday, August 1 TENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
4:00 PM God’s Blessing & Good Health for All Parishioners
Sunday, August 2 TENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
8:30 AM Olha Zherebetska – Mariya Palashchuk
Thursday, August 6 TRANSFIGURATION OF OUR LORD
8:30 AM God’s Blessing & Good Health for All Parishioners
Blessing of Fruit(Myrovania)
Saturday, August 8 ELEVENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
4:00 PM God’s Blessing & Good Health for All Parishioners Sunday, August 9 ELEVENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
8:30 AM God’s Blessing & Good Health for Jordan & Quinby Finch
-Owen Family
ASK FATHER A QUESTION? Father, what is the Antimension? A little background for you, you have probably seen or heard about a priest having a white cloth-which is the minimum necessary to have on an impromptu altar. An example you have commonly heard about or seen in pictures is during World War II or Korea, using the hood of a jeep or a tailgate of a truck or a large boulder as the impromptu altar and you can see the Antimension laying on it. The Roman Catholic practice for an altar is a stone. The Roman Catholic priest at time of war would have had to carry a large stone with him and this is not practical. Roman Catholic bishops permitted their priests serving as chaplains in the army to us an Antimension which is part of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church practice in lieu of carrying around a stone for an altar. These Antimensions were blessed by the Roman Catholic Bishop for the Roman Catholic priests. A little piece of history you might find interesting. (or not.)
The Antimension is a rectangular silk or linen cloth, (white or slightly tan in color), with the Icon of Christ lying in the Tomb and the instruments of His Passion (crucifixion). The instruments of Christ’s passion are the spear, the Cross, sponge on a reed, and the crown of thorns. In the corners are the four evangelists, a Holy relic is sewn into the cloth, by which we are reminded that in the early Church the Divine Liturgy was celebrated over the tomb of a (Martyr). The Antimension is permanently on the Holy Altar under the Gospel Book in all Ukrainian Greek Catholic Churches. At the opening of the Liturgy, the priest makes the sign of the cross with the Gospel the Book over the Antimension. When the priest intones, “Blessed is the Kingdom of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, now and forever and ever. Amen.”
Likewise, after communion, when the priest intones, “For You are Our sanctification and we give glory to You, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, now and forever and ever. Amen.” Now after the reading of the Gospel, when the priest puts the LOGOS, (Jesus Christ- the Word of God, the Book of Gospels), on the altar upright in front of the Tabernacle, he is preparing the altar space where the Antimension has been laying folded in three’s, to be unfolded after the Homily as the Liturgy continues in preparation for the Great Entrance with the Gifts which will become the Body and Blood of Christ which will be placed and consecrated on the unfolded Antimension. This same cloth was used by the Bishop during the consecration of the Holy Altar of the Church and it bears the Bishop’s signature. It is deemed necessary for the celebration of the Divine Liturgy and indicated that the priest acts under the proper authority of and in union with his Bishop. There are no “independent” churches or priests in the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church. When a new Bishop is enthroned, the Antimension will be replaced with a new Antimension with the current Bishop’s signature.
Without the Antimension is there is no Divine Liturgy. Please keep in mind that the Antimension remains on the Holy Altar and most parishioners never see it and are not allowed to touch it. The Antimension is NOT the cloth covering the communion cup. (I did have to explain this to a parishioner.)
UKRAINIAN INDEPENDENCE FOLK FESTIVAL: On Sun., Aug. 23, at 12:00 PM, the Ukrainian American Sport Center Tryzub(County Line and Lower State Rds., Horsham, PA) invites you to the Ukrainian Independence Folk Festival 2026. Commencing at 1:30 PM, , a BBQ and cool refreshments for all ages will be plentiful. Admission: $20; Free for children to age 14. Info: 267-664-3857; info@tryzub.org; www.tryzub.org. $2 of each paid admission goes to Humanitarian Relief in Ukraine. Review the website for possible offsite parking instructions.
WHY COOK WEDNESDAYS!: “Saints Peter & Paul Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church will hold the 3rd and last of their Why Cook Wednesday Dinners for the Summer with a Ukrainian Festival Food, Take-Out Dinner on Wednesday, August 12th. Order from a menu of festival foods including; a Holubtsi Dinner with 2 piggies, 3 pyrohy and green beans for $12.00, a Kovbasa Dinner with Kielbasa & Sauerkraut, Hard Roll and 3 Pyrohy for $10.00, Pagash – 3 Cuts for $6.00 or a whole tray of 12 for $22.00, Pyrohy – 6 for $6.00 or a dozen frozen for $10, Cabbage and Noodles for $4.00 a pint, and Piggie 6-Packs for $18.00. Desserts available at our bake sale. Pick-Ups from 4:00 to 7:00pm in their school hall on the corner of North River and West Chestnut Streets, near the General Hospital Parkade in Wilkes-Barre. Take-Out Only and Pre-Orders are strongly encouraged. Place your order by calling the School Hall Kitchen (570) 829-3051. Tickets will also be sold for a Basket Raffle. Remember…When Baba Cooks, Everybody’s Happy!”
ASK FATHER A QUESTION? Why do we bless flowers for the Feast of the Dormition of Our Blessed Lady? The historic origin of the custom seems to have been from the blessing of first fruits of olives by the Patriarch of Constantinople. The Slavic Church titles this a “Blessing of Herbs,” and the intention of the prayers seems to be the blessing of herbs (and spices) that were used for medicinal purposes in the summer heat which is conducive to many infectious diseases, which is apparent from the reading of the prayers. In more recent times, the tradition concerning the death of the Theotokos, that flowers were discovered in her empty tomb after her body was taken into heaven, this has influenced this office and it has largely become a blessing of flowers.
St Isaac the Syrian says we should:
• Pray with attention – so that we can have a true encounter with God
• Pray with humility – because this sort of prayer goes straight to God’s ear
• Pray with affection and tears – with joy and
thanksgiving, but also with true repentance and purity.
• Pray with patience and ardor – ‘to deny oneself’ is
courageously to persevere in prayer.
• Pray from the depths of the heart – even if we pray
using ‘the words of another’ they should be uttered as if
they are our own. St. Isaac says this is especially true of the Psalms.
• Pray with faith and absolute trust in God – because He knows our life
Prayer to Our Lady during Times of Personal Illness
Blessed Mother, through the countless miracles attributed to your intercession, you have evidenced a generous and compassionate heart and a great love for the sick. Be with me during this time of ill health, and accompany me as I face sickness and infirmity.
Help me to experience God’s healing power through your prayers, as well as my own. Lead me to unite myself to the Cross of Jesus Christ, so that this suffering brings spiritual benefit to me and to others. May my bearing the cross of illness here on earth, prepare me for the eternal joys of perfect happiness and fullness of life with God forever in heaven. Amen.
The Altar Candles were requested by Michaelene Ostrum IMO her mother Helene Sirak and her brother Michael B Sirak.
The Sanctuary Light is requested by Michaelene Ostrum IMO her brother Michael B Sirak.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!: Birthday wishes to David Youells (Aug 1st), Paul Hoover (Aug 3rd) and Mary Oshirak (Aug 15th) who are celebrating their birthdays. God grant them many years of good health.
WOMEN’S SOCIETY CLOTHES & BOOK SALE: The Women’s Society will be holding a Clothes and Book sale on Friday July 31st from 9-4 and Saturday Aug 1st from 9-2. If you know of a business that can display this announcement, please take a flyer from in the back of the church. Your help in getting this information out to the public is greatly appreciated.
LABOR DAY FOOD FESTIVAL:
Transfiguration of Our Lord Church is holding a one day Food Festival on Saturday, September 5th from 11-4pm. Homemade Pyrohy, Haluski, Potato Pancakes, Clam Chowder, and Sausage sandwitches. Can you hear the polka music playing!! Save the date.
Psalm 18 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever. Let Israel say: “His love endures forever.” Let the house of Aaron say: “His love endures forever.” Let those who fear the Lord say: “His love endures forever.” When hard pressed, I cried to the Lord; he brought me into a spacious place. The Lord is with me; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me? The Lord is with me; he is my helper. I look in triumph on my enemies. It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in humans. It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in princes. All the nations surrounded me, but in the name of the Lord I cut them down. They surrounded me on every side, but in the name of the Lord I cut them down. They swarmed around me like bees, but they were consumed as quickly as burning thorns; in the name of the Lord I cut them down. I was pushed back and about to fall, but the Lord helped me. The Lord is my strength and my defense; he has become my salvation. Shouts of joy and victory resound in the tents of the righteous: “The Lord’s right hand has done mighty things! The Lord’s right hand is lifted high; the Lord’s right hand has done mighty things!” I will not die but live, and will proclaim what the Lord has done. The Lord has chastened me severely, but he has not given me over to death. Open for me the gates of the righteous; I will enter and give thanks to the Lord. This is the gate of the Lord through which the righteous may enter. I will give you thanks, for you answered me; you have become my salvation. The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; the Lord has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes. The Lord has done it this very day; let us rejoice today and be glad. Lord, save us! Lord, grant us success! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. From the house of the Lord we bless you. The Lord is God, and he has made his light shine on us. With boughs in hand, join in the festal procession up to the horns of the altar. You are my God, and I will praise you; you are my God, and I will exalt you. Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.
“If anyone does not wish to have Mary Immaculate for his Mother, he will not have Christ for his Brother.” -Saint Maximilian Kolbe
Quotes from St. Francis de Sales:
Have patience with all things – but first with yourself. Never confuse your mistakes with your value as a human being. You are perfectly valuable, creative, worthwhile person simply because you exist. And no amount of triumphs or tribulations can ever change that.
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.’
Faith is like a bright ray of sun light. It enables us to see God in all things as well as all things in God.
SS Peter & Paul Ukrainian Catholic Church 