October 25, 2026
Saturday, October 24 TWENTY-SECOND SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
4:00 PM God’s Blessing & Salvation for Emma Grace Davenport
Baptism, Chrismation & First Communion of Emma Grace Davenport
Sunday, October 25 TWENTY-SECOND SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
8:30 AM God’s Blessings & Good Health for All Parishioners
Saturday, October 31 TWENTY-THIRD SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
4:00 PM God’s Blessings & Good Health for All Parishioners
Sunday, November 1 TWENTY-THIRD SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
8:30 AM Jewel Johnstone- Joseph & Kathy Niznik
Sung Liturgy Given by Parishioners for Father Paul Wolensky
Voices needed.
The Gospel for this Sunday is from the Evangelist Luke (Chapter 16:19-31) which is the 5th Sunday of Luke (aka Sunday After the Cross). It is the parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus where Jesus contrasts the seemingly uncaring rich man and the desperately needy Lazarus. It is the old story of a rich man and poor man. Let us examine the lessons from this gospel: first, wealth did not send the rich man to hell, nor did poverty send the poor man to heaven. Rather it was their relationship to each other and God. Neither wealth nor poverty of themselves can send one to heaven or hell. Rather the decisive matter is how one lives, in wealth or poverty, and how one goes about gaining wealth or protecting oneself against losing it. The rich man would not have gone to hell if love filled his heart for God and his fellow man. The poor man, Lazarus, would not have gone to heaven if his heart had been filled with hate for the uncaring rich man, with resentment about his condition against God. The second lesson from this Parable is that heaven and hell are far more permanent realities than our journey here on earth. We should be concerned, above everything else, with the Kingdom of God and with what He requires. Our short sojourn on this earth, therefore, provides us with the unique opportunity to prepare for our eternal journey in God’s Kingdom. These two lessons and thoughts are the essence of this parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus.
Remembrance Day for the Victims of Holodomor (Stalin imposed Genocide) in Ukraine this year is Saturday, NOVEMBER 28, 2026.
In 1932–1933, a man-made famine, known as the Holodomor, killed 3.3–12 million ethnic Ukrainians in the Soviet Socialist Republic (The Soviet Union), included in a total of 5.5–20 million killed by the broader Soviet famine of 1930–1933. At least 4 million ethnic Ukrainians died as a result of the famine in the USSR.
“Do not let pass any opportunity to pray for anyone, either at his request or at the request of his relatives, friends, of those who esteem him, or of his acquaintances. The Lord looks favorably upon the prayer of our love, and upon our boldness before him. Besides this, prayer for others is very beneficial to the one himself who prays for others; it purifies the heart, strengthens faith and hope in God, and enkindles our love for God and our neighbor. When praying, say thus: ‘Lord, it is possible for Thee to do this or that to this servant of Thine; do this for him, for Thy name is the Merciful Love of Men and the Almighty.’” + St. John of Kronstadt, My Life in Christ
The Dart Test A young lady tells of one of the most valuable lessons she ever learned. Her teacher placed a large target on the wall of the classroom and told the students to draw a picture of someone that they disliked. The students were then given an opportunity to throw darts at the person’s picture on the wall. One student drew a picture of an annoying friend. Another student drew a picture of a teacher who gave given him a failing grade; still another drew her sister, with whom she was angry. The class lined up and began throwing darts. Some of the students threw their darts with such force that their target began ripping apart. The students commented to each other about how good it felt to direct all their anger at the target. “Too bad,” someone said, “we can’t do this for real!” All the other students agreed. Then the teacher removed the target from the wall. Underneath the target was a picture of Jesus. A hush fell over the room as each student viewed the dart-riddled image of Christ. No words were necessary. The students were reminded of something we so often forget: that everyone bears the image of Christ within – even those we dislike. This is why Christ Himself tells us to “love our enemies.” We hear similar words from Jesus “do to others as you would have them do to you.” And, “Be merciful as your Heavenly Father is merciful.” (Luke 6:31, 36)
Petitions & Prayers for Our Parishioners: Donna Winsock, Sonia Dempsey, Catherine Halloway, Charles Hallaway, Louise Hubiack, Frank Udiski, Paul Hoover & James Bencho, Reader John Fedorko. 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.
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.
OCTOBER BOOK: School of Darkness, Bella Dodd. Bella Dodd’s 1954 autobiography School of Darkness was written at the urging of Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen, and it recounts her conversion to Catholicism after a lifetime in the Communist Party, culminating in her baptism by Archbishop Sheen in St. Patrick’s Cathedral, New York.
OUR LADY OF SORROWS
The Seven Sorrows (Dolors*) of Mary:
1) The Prophecy of Simeon (Luke 2:34-35)
2) The Flight into Egypt (Matthew 2:13-21)
3) The Loss of Jesus for Three Days (Luke 2:41-50)
4) The Meeting of Jesus and Mary on the Road to Calvary (John 19:17)
5) The Crucifixion of Jesus (John 19:18-30)
6) Jesus Taken Down from the Cross (John 19:39-40)
7) Jesus Laid in the Tomb (John 19:39-42)
Our Lady revealed to St. Bridget seven particular graces that she would grant those who honored her Sorrows:
1) “I will grant peace to their families.”
2) “They will be enlightened about the divine Mysteries.”
3) “I will console them in their pains and I will accompany them in their work.”
4) “I will give them as much as they ask for as long as it does not oppose the adorable will of my divine Son or the sanctification of their souls.”
5) “I will defend them in their spiritual battles with the infernal enemy and I will protect them at every instant of their lives.”
6) “I will visibly help them at the moment of their death—they will see the face of their mother.”
7) “I have obtained this grace from my divine Son, that those who propagate this devotion to my tears and dolors will be taken directly from this earthly life to eternal happiness, since all their sins will be forgiven, and my Son will be their eternal consolation and joy.”
What Mary Teaches Those Who Suffer
Mary teaches us that grief is not a failure of faith. Tears do not mean that a person has stopped trusting God. Jesus Himself wept. Mary suffered. A faithful heart can be wounded and still remain open to God. She also teaches us not to abandon people during their darkest hours. We may not know what to say beside a hospital bed, after a funeral, or when a family is breaking apart. Sometimes words are too small. Our presence, patience, and prayer may become the greatest gift we can offer. Mary did not stand beneath the Cross because she was strong enough by herself. She stood there because grace held her. The same grace can hold us when we feel that we cannot take another step.
*Dolors; Latin: deep sorrow, intense suffering, heartache or grief.
PYRAMID HEALTHCARE IN DALLAS: Are asking for clothing (gently-used) donations for adult men and women especially as the cold weather approaches. Please call Father Walter at the rectory (570) 735-2262 or leave them in the vestibule. Bibles and Rosaries are also requested.
The Altar Candles for the month of October are requested by Gail and Bobby Miles IMO Randy Yanoshak.
The is no request for the Sanctuary Light this week.
BAPTISMAL ANNOUNCEMENT: On Saturday October 24th at the 4 pm Divine Liturgy, Emma Grace Davenport, the daughter of John and Morgan Davenport, will receive the Rites of initiation; Baptism, Chrismation and Holy Communion.
SYMPATHY: Please remember in your prayers the soul of Rev. Fr. Paul Wolensky who fell asleep in the Lord on Sunday, October 18. May Our Lord grant him rest in the bosom of Abraham, may he be numbered among the saints, and may his memory be eternal; Vichnaya Pamyat. Our deepest sympathies are extended to the Wolensky Family.
WOMEN’S SOCIETY RUMMAGE SALE THANK YOU: The Women’s Society rummage sale ended last Sunday. Our sincere appreciation for all that contributed to this fundraiser.
HOAGIE SALE: LAST DAY TO ORDER: St. Nicholas Church, Glen Lyon, will be holding a Turkey, Ham & Cheese and Italian Hoagie Sale on Saturday, October 31st from 11:00am to 2:00pm. The cost of each hoagie is $8.00 and a quart of vegetable soup is $9.00. Orders can be placed by calling Debbie at 570-736-6908 by Sunday, October 25th. A bake sale will also be held with the soup and hoagie sale. A Basket Raffle is also being held to Benefit Ukraine and the church.
“ANNUAL TURKEY-FEST DINNER: “ANNUAL TURKEY-FEST DINNER- Saints Peter and Paul Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, will host their annual Turkey Fest Dinner as a take-out only event on Saturday, November 7th in their school hall on the corner of West Chestnut and North River Streets in Wilkes-Barre. Pick-ups will be from 12:00(noon) to 4:00pm. The event will feature our traditional turkey dinner and basket raffle. Dinners will be $16.00 for adults and $10.00 for children. Call (570) 829-3051 to make your reservation. Walk-in customers will be welcomed, but reservations are strongly encouraged. Tell your friends and family. Non-perishable food items will be collected for donation to a local food pantry.”
We are happy to report that $731 was made through the basket raffle sale and donations for the Ukrainian Relief Fund.
Raffle Winners
#1 Household Cleaning Supplies Lisa Endress
#2 Wine, Wine & more Wine Anna Magill
#3 Bathroom Glitz Monica Bergen
#4 Christmas Cheer Jessica Cook
#5 Amish Basket Sharon Kinney
#6 Cheers Pat Golden
#7 Fall Theme Donna Bonk
#8 Christmas Denise Klus
#9 Lego & Treats Shelia Dziak
#10 Drone Joe Collins
#11 Vera Bradley Ronna C.
#12 Halloween Cat Hoysen
#13 Christmas Theme Johanna Longenberger
#14 Pasta Maker Marina B
#15 Wegman’s Gift Card Jude Schappert
#16 Christmas tree Hoysen
#17 Football Theme Dallas Pollack
#18 Pysanki Mary Richelmi
#19 Pysanki Ann Marie Finley
#20 Games Anonymous
#21 Snacks & Drinks Brenda K.
#22 Earrings Lyuhov Palashchuk
#23 Wishing Well Jessica Cook
#24 Afghan Jolyn Bartoli
#25 Price Chopper Gift Card Shari Yarnell
Thank You!
