SEVENTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
September 20, 2026
Saturday, September 19 SEVENTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
4:00 PM John Ostrum- Louise Hubiak
Sunday, September 20 SEVENTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
8:30 AM God’s Blessings & Good Health for All Parishioners
Saturday, September 26 EIGHTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
4:00 PM God’s Blessings & Good Health for All Parishioners
Sunday, September 27 EIGHTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
8:30 AM Olga Morgenfruh- St. Vladimir’s Parishioners
ASK FATHER A QUESTION? This past Monday was Exaltation of the Holy Cross, Father, what is the significance of the two thieves that were crucified with Christ? The answer comes from Practical Theology, by Peter Kreeft, published by Ignatious Press 2014, 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.
MOVIE: As fall looms ahead and the days get shorter & cooler…… WHY not have another movie afternoon at Transfiguration of Our Lord Church? The movie A SECRET. No flying monkeys though! Children are welcome. THE MOVIE DAY IS Sunday, October 11 after Divine Liturgy.
Divine Providence by St. John of Tobolsk
What is Providence? It is one of the basic characteristics of God – to see all that is going on, was going on, and will be going on in the future as though it is the present, and to have omnipotent concern for safeguarding all creation and wisely managing all its manifestations. St. John Damascene describes it thus: “Providence is Divine will which maintains everything and wisely rules over everything.”…..
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.
CONCEPTION OF JOHN THE BAPTIST (September 23)
This came to pass fifteen months before the birth of Christ, after the vision of the Angel that Zacharias, the father of the Forerunner, saw in the Temple while he executed the priest’s office in the order of his course during the feast of the Tabernacles, as tradition bears witness. In this vision, the Archangel Gabriel appeared to Zacharias and said to him, “Thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elizabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John” (Luke 1:13). Knowing that Elizabeth was barren, and that both he and she were elderly, Zacharias did not believe what the Angel told him, although he had before him the example of Abraham and Sarah, of Hannah, mother of the Prophet Samuel, and of other barren women in Israel who gave birth by the power of God. Hence, he was condemned by the Archangel to remain speechless until the fulfilment of these words in their season, which also came to pass (Luke 1:7-24).
The Altar Candles are requested by David Youells IMO Mary Ann Youells for the month of September.
The is no request for the Sanctuary Light this week.
WOMEN’S SOCIETY RUMMAGE SALE: The Women’s Society is holding a Rummage Sale (soup and baked goods will also be sold) October 2nd and 3rd at the church hall. A Basket Raffle for Humanitarian Aid to Ukraine will also be held. Help is needed to assure this fundraiser is successful. Here are some ways you can help. – donate gently used household items – make a basket for the raffle
– bake goods are needed on the two days of the sale – come and support the sale!!
ALTAR CANDLES & SANCTUARY LIGHT: There are many weeks available for sanctuary lights and months for the altar candles. The lists are in the back of the church. They are a special way to remember our dearly departed loved ones or for special intentions.
“PASTIE SALE. Saints Peter & Paul, Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, North Wilkes-Barre is taking orders for Pasties for pick-up on Saturday, September 26th, 2026. 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!”
LONGBRANCH, NJ: Father will be on retreat from September 28- October 1.
Father a Question? I know that you publish many the Book of Psalms (one at a time) in the bulletin….. Who wrote them? Why do they alternate, some joyous and some not? Some I understand and some are confusing? For nearly three thousand years, every situation in a Jew’s life has been reflected in the chapters of the [Psalms]. This was the Book of which the [Lord], said to King David, “One day of your songs and praises is more precious to Me then the thousands of offerings that will be offered by your son Solomon.” In illness and in strife, in triumph and in success, the Jew turns to his [Book of Psalms] and lets David become the harp upon which his own emotions sing or weep. Small wonder that when the Chofetz Chaim, as an old man was presented with his mother’s ancient Book of Psalms, it’s pages swollen with her tears, he was overcome with emotion. The opening paragraph of The Artscroll Tehilliam, publishers preface letter by Rabbi Zlotowitz. Page vii.
The psalms were written by King David and they were prayed daily by Jesus Christ. All Jews from the time of the temple and until today pray the psalms every single day. A faithful Jew will read the psalms daily, for each of the thirty days of the month there is a prescribed reading. On the first day of the month, the faithful Jew will go back to the beginning and start with Psalm One all over again. The reason you see the alternating emotions of joy and weeping is because David, in writing the poetry of the psalms, was expressing the emotions he was feeling. David’s emotions were more than merely personal, but expressing the emotions of the whole nation. These emotions are also true for us as well, because David recognized that this was a spiritual battle fought constantly between David and Devil. The Devil would do anything and use anyone to lead astray anyone and everyone possible from God and worship of God. So when God’s enemies attacked, David wept. When the nation of Israel, was successful against her enemies in faith to God, David and the nation rejoiced. The reason you re-read them every month, even though the words don’t change, our present-day situation changes and God is speaking to us in our present time. The reason some are confusing, is perhaps, it is not speaking to our heart in our present situation or you are unaware of the historical situation David is referring to in that particular psalm. You might not be aware, but the temple service was full of prayers from the psalms. That is the origin of the Divine Liturgy and the Roman Catholic Mass. Jesus Christ fulfills the psalms.
Next week’s Question : Catholics are followers of Christ- Jesus and the Apostles are Jews, Father I am a little confused. Can you clarify this for me?
“The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever.” –Isaiah 40:8
