SS Peter & Paul Ukrainian Catholic Church

APRIL 17, 2022

Saturday, April 16 Resurrection Matins / Procession / Easter Divine Liturgy

6:00 PM Blessing of Artos – Myrovania – Anointing with Holy Oil

.

Sunday, April 17 EASTER SUNDAY – EASTER DIVINE LITURGY

           11:30AM Divine Liturgy-Resurrection of Our Lord 

Bright Monday, April 18 BRIGHT MONDAY – Myrovania 

8:30 AM God’s Blessings and Good Health for all Parishioners

.

Bright Wednesday, April 20. 

9:00 AM Divine Liturgy, Myrovania

.

Saturday, April 23 SUNDAY OF ST. THOMAS 

4:00 PM Distribution of Artos – Myrovania

        ✞Robert Zeroka – given by Toni Hellard

.

Sunday, April 24 SUNDAY OF ST. THOMAS 

8:30 AM            Distribution of Artos Myrovania      

          God’s Blessings and Good Health for all Parishioners

May the resurrection

of our Lord, Jesus Christ,
fill you with joy
this Easter season and always!

SANCTUARY LIGHT: The week of April 16 – 23 is requested by Becky Molecavage in memory of her mother Frances Bencho.

NOTE OF GRATITUDE: Fr Paul Wolensky wishes to express his heartfelt thanks to Fr Walter and all the parishioners for their prayers for his healing, and for their warmth and kindness shown to him since he has been cantoring at the 4 pm Liturgies. 

    Fr. Paul wishes for all of you and your families, a Happy and Blessed Easter for the coming 40 days of Eastertide, as we all celebrate the victory of our Risen Lord over death and evil. Christ is Risen! Indeed He is Risen! Christos Voskres! Voistynu Voskres! 

Why do we stand, and not kneel, from Easter to Pentecost?

In the tradition of the Ukrainian Catholic Church, we stand throughout the whole Liturgy from Easter to Pentecost. Despite the fact that other churches don’t this or “visitors…are surprised” does not change the fact that kneeling is not proper during this time.  In the Ukrainian Catholic Tradition, the action of kneeling and prostrating is a penitential posture. It is the position of a sinner seeking forgiveness. It is NOT a position of adoration (as it is in the West). This is why it is practiced so often in the Lenten season.

   Standing (the proper position of adoration in the Eastern Churches) on the other hand, in the Ukrainian Catholic Tradition, is the position of giving praise and thanks to God in the spirit of joy and happiness. Especially during the Paschal Season (Easter to Pentecost), the time for fasting, is over. It is the time of our salvation for “Christ is Risen!” We express our joy, thanksgiving and adoration for this fact and the fact that we who have “…been baptized into Christ and put on Christ” have also risen with Him.

A Celebration of Jesus’ Resurrection

It was love that nailed you to the cross that day
It was the love of the Father that pathed the way
It was obedience and love that you done the Father’s will
It was the power of resurrection that today you live still
It was you Sweet Jesus that paid the final cost
That whosoever will could have eternal life to not be lost
It is you that offers salvation to impart
It is you that wants to fellowship and live within our heart
It is you that sits at the right hand of the Father now
Watching over a sin sick world of many refusing to bow
Yet you with all your sovereignty knows the beginning to the end
Knowing someday every knee will bow
To You…the Lord of lords and King of kings
For you are the Alpha and The Omega, the beginning and end
The redeemer of the world that washes away our sins
The one that sticks closer to us than any brother
With agape love that can be felt like no other
So as we are here to celebrate the day of your Resurrection
I just want to send up praises for God’s perfect gift of salvation
I love you my Savior with every fiber of my being
As I look forward to the day of your face I will be seeing
I know it won’t be long for I can see the signs
As I anxiously await for my Savior Lord divine
Appearing in the clouds
Glory, honor and praise I give to you for this rebirth
Glory Hallelujah, Christ arose that day
The precious Lamb of God that takes our sins away
Glory Hallelujah, He lives forever more
And he is my Redeemer in whom I trust and adore

THE DAY OF RESURRECTION

april 17, 2022 A. D.

CHRIST IS RISEN!

INDEED, HE IS RISEN!

KRISTOS VOSKRES!

VOISTYNU VOSKRES!

EASTER

Easter reminds us of the glorious resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. Easter, which celebrates Jesus Christ’s resurrection from the dead, is Christianity’s most important holiday. It has been called a moveable feast because it doesn’t fall on a set date each year, as many holydays do. Instead, Christian churches in the West celebrate Easter on the first Sunday following the full moon after the vernal equinox on March 21. Therefore, Easter is observed anywhere between March 22 and April 25 every year

    The exact origins of this religious feast day’s name are unknown. Some sources claim the word Easter is derived from Eostre, a Teutonic goddess of spring and fertility. Other accounts trace Easter to the Latin term hebdomada alba, or white week, an ancient reference to Easter week and the white clothing donned by people who were baptized during that time. Through a translation error, the term later appeared as esostarum in Old High German, which eventually became Easter in English. In Spanish, Easter is known as Pascua; in French, Paques. These words are derived from the Greek and Latin Pascha or Pasch, for Passover. Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection occurred after he went to Jerusalem to celebrate Passover (or Pesach in Hebrew), the Jewish festival commemorating the ancient Israelites’ exodus from slavery in Egypt. Pascha eventually came to mean Easter.

Easter is really an entire season of the Christian church year, as opposed to a single-day observance. Lent, the 40-day period leading up to Easter Sunday, is a time of reflection and penance and represents the 40 days that Jesus spent alone in the wilderness before starting his ministry, a time in which Christians believe he survived various temptations by the devil.. The week preceding Easter is called Holy Week and includes Maundy Thursday, which commemorates Jesus’ last supper with his disciples; Good Friday, which honors the day of his crucifixion; and Holy Saturday, which focuses on the transition between the crucifixion and resurrection. The 50-day period following Easter Sunday is called Eastertide and includes a celebration of Jesus’ ascension into heaven.

XPUCTOC BOCKPEC!

CHRIST IS RISEN!

KRISTOS VOSKRES!

An Easter Prayer

Of all of God’s gifts
Easter shows us our fate
Forgiven we will rise
And pass through Heaven’s gate

This Easter remember
The sacrifice of a Son
And through His resurrection
Eternal life we have won

This Easter I pray
That the love of God
Is resurrected
Reborn, renewed

PALM SUNDAY

APRIL 10, 2022

Saturday & Sunday, Apr. 9/10      Blessing of Palms & Willow Branches  

                                                          Myrovania – Anointing with Holy Oi  

Tuesday, April 12 – 4:00PM          Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts

Thursday, April 14 HOLY THURSDAY

3:00PM Matins of the Holy and Saving Passion of our Lord

Friday, April 15 Good Friday 

  1:00PM Vespers with the Placement of the Holy Shroud. 

Saturday, April 16 HOLY SATURDAY 

1:00 PM Blessing of Easter Food Baskets in parish hall 

Holy Saturday, April 16 Services of Resurrection 

6:00 PM Service at the Grave, Resurrection Matins, Divine Liturgy, 

                                                         Blessing of Artos, Myrovania. 

Blessing of Paschal Food. 

Sunday, April 17 EASTER SUNDAY – EASTER DIVINE LITURGY

           11:30AM Divine Liturgy-Resurrection of Our Lord 

❖❖❖❖

Bright Monday, April 18  8:30 AM   Divine Liturgy, Myrovania. 

Bright Wednesday, April 20    9:00 AM Divine Liturgy, Myrovania. 

Transfiguration of Our Lord

Holy Wednesday, April 13 6:30 PM The Presanctified Liturgy with Anointing,

Confessions.

Holy Thursday, April 14 6:30 PM Matins of the Holy and Saving Passion of our Lord. 

Good Friday, April 15 5:30 PM Vespers with Placement of the Holy Shroud. 

Holy Saturday, April 16 

PASCHA, April 17 7:00AM Service at the Grave, Resurrection Matins, Divine Liturgy, Blessing of Artos, Myrovania 

Lazarus Saturday – day before Palm Sunday

Jesus Christ wrought many miracles none was so rich as the resurrection of Lazarus.

This miracle marks the apex of Christ’s self-revelation as God.  The magnitude of this miracle and the publicity attending it were the immediate cause of Christ’s triumphal entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday.

May this great and wonderful miracle of the resurrection of Lazarus strengthen your faith in the divinity of Christ and in your own resurrection. That same Christ, who raised the four-day dead Lazarus from the dead, in His own time, will raise us also to a life of eternal happiness. He Himself assured us of this when He said: “I am the Resurrection and the Life. Whoever believes in me, even though he die, shall live!”

PALM SUNDAY

The festival of the triumphal entry of Jesus Christ into Jerusalem is among the oldest feast days in the Eastern Church.  

In our liturgical books this day is called, “Sunday of the Palms”, “Flowery or Blossom Sunday”, or “Blossom-bearing Sunday”. Our people call this Sunday the “Sunday of Pussy-Willows or Willow Sunday. All these names are associated with the custom of blessing and distributing palms on that day in church. Because no palm or olive trees grow in Ukraine, we have the venerable custom of using pussy willow branches, a tree that is the first to blossom in the spring.

The spiritual meaning of Palm Sunday

 The Jews wanted to see their messiah in power and glory.  Accordingly, Jesus Christ, by raising Lazarus from the dead gave them clear proof of His divinity, power and glory so they welcome him in triumph into Jerusalem. When He entered Jerusalem the whole city was thrown into commotion saying: “Who is this?” But the crowds kept on saying: “This is Jesus the Savior from Nazareth of Galilee.’”  

The honor given to Christ lasted for only a brief moment, for His betrayal by Judas, His rejection by the people, His condemnation by the Jewish leaders, His passion, the way of the cross and crucifixion followed in quick succession because this Jesus was not the “savior” the people wanted. These very same people who, on Sunday cried out, “Hosanna”, a few days later cry out: “Crucify Him.”

Palm Sunday teaches us the instability of worldly glory and the vanity of earthly happiness. Joy and sadness here on earth are two inseparable sisters. Therefore, if we wish one day to have a share in the triumph of Christ in heaven, we must first undergo a Passion Week and a Golgotha with Him here on earth. Only then, will we be able, like Him, to enter into everlasting triumph, joy and resurrection

THE LAST WORDS OF JESUS

THE FIRST WORD                                        Luke 23:33-34 

     When they came to the place called “The Skull”, they nailed

     Jesus to the cross, and the two criminals, one on His

     right and one on His left. Jesus said, “Forgive them, Father! 

     They do not know what they are doing.” 

Meditation on the First Word

“They do not know what they are doing” 

They do not know?  They …who killed Jesus?

Who is “they”?

It is so easy to name others, to blame others, the Romans, the crowd, Pilate, Herod, Caiaphas, they all played their part and conspired against Jesus, or simply followed orders, to maintain the peace to keep Jesus’ kingdom from infringing on theirs. 

And yet where are we when Jesus’ kingdom infringes on ours? 

On our peace and our order? 

On our comfort, prosperity and our security?

Where are we when the victims of our peace cry for justice? 

When those disenfranchised by our order call for compassion?

When the hungry and the lonely beg us to share our prosperity our security, our power? 

Where are we when Christ is crucified among us? 

Surely He should have raged at the sinners who nailed him to the tree. Surely He should have raged at us for the evil we do, the evil we do both knowing and unknowing.

Yet compassion is there in the first words that He utters.

He intercedes for us before the Father.

Compassion that put Him into his mother’s womb 

Compassion that He offers on the cross. 

Compassion that offers incredible, unbelievable grace.

Compassion that echoes through the centuries to all who participate in the killing of Christ. 

Compassion that cries out from the cross: 

     “Father, forgive them, they do not know what they are doing”

SANCTUARY LIGHT:  The Sanctuary Light is requested to burn this week April 9 – 16 by Mary Ann & David Youells in memory of their daughter Christine Youells.

WOMEN’S SOCIETY: The regular monthly meeting of the Parish Women’s Society will be held Tuesday, April12th in the church hall at 6:00 PM. All members are urged to be present and new members are always welcome. 

HOLY WEEK – Please remember that help is needed to participate in the Holy Week services. Holy Thursday, 3:00 PM, Good Friday, 1:00 PM and Service at the Grave Holy Saturday, 6:00 PM. Help will be needed to set up the grave after the Holy Thursday services. Try to lend a helping hand. Sign up sheet is in the vestibule for Adoration. Time to spend with God. Give an hour of your time for HIM. 

BUILDING FUND:  A donation was received for the memory of Michael Kane by

 Tony & Cheryl Deutsch. Your donation is greatly appreciated.

THANKS:Our thanks to those who brought the Willow branches and all who helped tie the Palm & Branches. Your help is always appreciative. God’s blessing to all. 

ST. VLADIMIR RECTORY UPDATE: The rectory for Saint Vladimir in Edwardsville has been sold and the closing date is scheduled for May 9th.  Saints Peter and Paul Parish is to receive a check to open a checking account for Saint Vladimir Cemetery.

FIFTH SUNDAY OF THE GREAT FAST

MARY OF EGYPT VENERABLE

APRIL 3, 2022

Saturday, April 2

          4:00 PM God’s Blessings and Good Health for all Parishioners

  Sunday, April 3

     8:30AM          FIFTH SUNDAY OF THE GREAT FAST – MARY OF EGYPT

                                  God’s Blessings and Good Health for all Parishioners

Friday, April 8    

4:00 PM Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts

Saturday, April 9

4:00 PM Allison Poullard – Poullard Family

Sunday, April10 PALM SUNDAY

        8:30 AM God’s Blessings and Good Health for all Parishioners

TRANSFIGURATION OF OUR LORD 

Saturday Liturgy is 6:00 PM  – Sunday Liturgy is 10:30 AM 

PRAYER FOR THE UKRAINE

St. Mary of Egypt

The Fifth Sunday of Lent recalls St. Mary of Egypt, the repentant harlot.  An Egyptian by birth, Mary was a frivolous actress. She lived in Alexandria, leading a sinful life. After her conversion she fled into the desert beyond the river Jordan, where she spent the remainder of her life doing penance for her past sins. She reached such a high degree of perfection that she became a beloved disciple of Christ and a model for all penitent sinners. Mary tells us, first of all, that no amount of sin can nor is it ever too late, either in life or in Lent, to repent.  Christ will gladly receive all who come to Him in authentic repentance, even at the last minute of their lives.  However, their coming must be in serious and sincere repentance.

                              PRAYER

 Lord Jesus, For the sake of Your Sorrowful Passion,

help me to lead a holy life and have mercy on all the 

souls who are separated from You. Pardon me from

all my sins by Your sacred wounds and fill me with

the mercy of Your Heart that bled for me on the Cross.

With faith, with hope and with courage, let me be an 

everlasting witness to  Your covenant. Cover me with 

the purity of the Holy Spirit so that I may dwell in the 

light of God’s grace until I take my final breath.

Amen

Recognize the joy that comes from the simple things in life

like a smile, a hug, or a good meal.

Lord, help me think about the good things in my life

and how my life would change without the

FIFTH GREAT FAST SUNDAY

Today is the last Sunday of Lent. Even though there remains one whole week to run the course of these special days of prayer and fasting, the Church, as if impatient to begin Holy Week itself, urges us to anticipate the glorious entrance into Jerusalem. She does this by prescribing Saint Mark’s account of Jesus’ journey to Jerusalem before His passion.  (Mark 10:32-45)

Saint Mark describes how Jesus takes the twelve apostles aside to tell them that He will be betrayed, condemned and put to death, and that He will rise from the dead. At this threshold of Holy Week, we can put ourselves into the very places of those twelve men and allow ourselves to be taken aside by the Savior for a talk in which He explains to each of us the mystery of Redemption.

The apostles were asking Jesus to help them understand at greater depth of what will happen. Two of them, the brothers, James and John, quite ambitiously were looking out for their own glory. Jesus challenged that ambition and explained that true glory lies in serving others. Jesus emphasizes that He Himself is here not to be served but to serve.

We can almost feel the disappointment of James and John and the indignation on the part of the other ten apostles. What we see among the twelve is a good example of self-interest: What’s in it for me?  What’s the pay-off?  What do I get?

This last week of Lent we have the opportunity to exchange places with James and John and the other apostles, to be with the Lord as He approaches Jerusalem.

We, however, have an advantage those twelve men lacked: we know already what lies ahead for Jesus. We know about the spiritual nature of His Kingdom. We can use the next seven days to renew our own efforts at making our lives deeply spiritual too.

Why do we come to Church?  Why do we assemble as Church?  Why will we celebrate the Eucharist once again, and then again, and again and again?

SANCTUARY LIGHT: The Sanctuary Light is requested this week April 1 – 9 by Geri Kolotelo in memory of her mother Anna Kolotelo.

ALTAR CANdles:The Altar Candles will burn in the month of April in memory of Michael Sirak requested by daughter Michaelene Ostrum.

BUILDING FUND:Our thanks for the donations received in memory of Michael Kane: Mary & Bill McGuigan, Susan & Ron Smith, Maurine & Paul Sutton, Mrs. Linda Schwartz, Mr. & Mrs. Bernard Kosek, the Ostrum Family. All the donations to the Building/Improvement Fund are greatly appreciated. 

CHURCH CLEANING:Many thanks to thevolunteers who came out last week to clean the church for the Easter season. Your time and effort are appreciated.

HOLY WEEK: Please remember that help will be needed to participate in the Holy week services. Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and Resurrection Services Holy Saturday. Sign up to spend some time with the Lord at the grave. 

 A sign up sheet is in the vestibule for adoration of the grave. Please try to fill every hour.

PASCHA SCHEDULES 2022 A. D.

Holy Tuesday, April 12 

4:00 PM The Presanctified Liturgy, Confessions. 

Holy Thursday, April 14 

3:00PM Matins of the Holy and Saving Passion of our Lord. 

Good Friday April 15 

1:00PM Vespers with the Placement of the Holy Shroud. 

Holy Saturday – Food Blessing in Hall, 1:00 PM

Holy Saturday, April 16 Services of Resurrection 

6:00 PM Service at the Grave, Resurrection Matins, Divine Liturgy, Blessing of Artos, Myrovania and Blessing of Paschal Food. 

Pascha 

Sunday, April 17 11:30AM Divine Liturgy-Resurrection of Our Lord with Blessing of Paschal Food. 

Bright Monday, April 18 

8:30 AM Divine Liturgy, Myrovania. 

Bright Wednesday, April 7 

9:00 AM Divine Liturgy, Myrovania.

FOURTH SUNDAY OF THE GREAT FAST

MARCH 27, 2022

Saturday, March 26

4:00 PM ✞Sephen Havran – Sandra Sydnor

Sunday, March 27 FOURTH SUNDAY OF THE GREAT FAST

8:30 AM God’s Blessings and Good Health for all Parishioners

✠✠✠✠

Friday, April 1

4:PM Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts

Saturday, April 2

4:00 PM God’s Blessings and Good Health for all Parishioners

Sunday, April 3 FIFTH SUNDAY OF THE GREAT FAST

8:30 AM ✞Michael Kane – Parishioners of Ss. Peter and Paul

3:00 PM Vespers of the Great Fast – Nanticoke

THE FOURTH SUNDAY OF THE GREAT FAST IN THE UKRAINIAN CATHOLIC CHURCH

The Fourth Sunday of Lent is dedicated to St. John Climacus, the author of the work: The Ladder of Divine Ascent.  St. John was an abbot at St. Catherine’s Monastery on Mount Sinai in the sixth century and warns us to be very careful because even bishops can fall from the ladder to heaven and end up in hell.  His work encourages the faithful to persevere in their efforts; for, according to the Lord, only “he who endures to the end will be saved;” (Matthew 24:13).

A Lenten Prayer

O gracious Master, infuse in our hearts the spotless light of Your Divine Wisdom and open the eyes of our mind that we may understand the teachings of Your Gospel. Instill in us also the fear of Your blessed commandments, so that having curbed all carnal desires, we may lead a spiritual life, both thinking and doing everything to please You. For You, O Christ, our God, are the enlightenment of our souls and bodies; and to You we render glory, together with Your eternal Father, and with Your all holy, life-creating Spirit, now and ever, and forever.

SANCTUARY LIGHT:  The Sanctuary Light is requested by Ann Beshada for a Special Intention.

FOOD FESTIVAL: SS Cyril & Methodius Ukrainian Catholic Church, Berwick, PA will sponsor a Food Festival and Bake Sale on Sunday April 3, 2022 at 1:00 PM. Anyone who would like to donate any baked goods, it will be greatly appreciated.  All proceeds will be sent to the Ukraine. 

A Prayer for Ukraine

God of peace and justice,
we pray for the people of Ukraine today.
We pray for peace and the laying down of weapons.
We pray for all those who fear for tomorrow,
that your Spirit of comfort would draw near to them.
We pray for those with power over war or peace,
for wisdom, discernment and compassion to guide their decisions.
Above all, we pray for all your precious children, at risk and in fear,
that you would hold and protect them.
We pray in the name of Jesus, the Prince of Peace.
Amen

Donations for the Ukraine can be sent to: 

St. Vladimir Ukrainian Catholic Church

430 North 7^th Avenue

Scranton, PA 18503

Ukraine Donations

St. Vladimir Ukrainian Catholic Church is continuing the effort to help Ukraine. Please send monetary donations. Fr. Myron and parishioners and volunteers have made a tremendous effort to deliver the huge amount of physical donations that have been received. We can accept and forward first aid type medical supplies. THANK YOU FOR YOUR WONDERFUL OUTPOURING OF LOVE.

THIRD SUNDAY OF THE GREAT FAST

VENERATION OF THE HOLY CROSS 

MARCH 20, 2022

Saturday, Mar. 19

           4:00 PM              ✞Leonard Wujcik– son Leonard Wujcik 

Sunday, March 20 THIRD SUNDAY OF THE GREAT FAST

8:30 AM God’s Blessings and Good Health for all Parishioners                      

Friday, Mar. 25          ANNUNCIATION OF THE MOTHER OF GOD

8:30 AM God’s Blessings and Good Health for all Parishioners                      

Holy Day of Obligation – Anointing with Holy Oil – Myrovoni 

4:00 PM Liturgy of the Presanctified Gift

Saturday, Mar. 26

4:00 PM ✞Sephen Havran – Sandra Sydnor

Sunday, Mar. 27        FOURTH SUNDAY OF THE GREAT FAST

           8:30 AM         God’s Blessings and Good Health for all Parishioners                            

ANNUNCIATION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

March 25^th 

MAJOR HOLY DAY

(Holy Day of Obligation)

This feast was established to commemorate the election of the Blessed Virgin Mary to bear God’s only begotten Son, the second Person of the Blessed Trinity. Mary consented freely to the proposal of the Angel who brought her the happy news in the name of the Blessed Trinity. 

  The Christians should rejoice at the Incarnation of the Divine Word and the elevation of Mary to divine Motherhood, which raises her above the highest rank of the Angels. 

The Feast of the Annunciation was introduced in the early times of Christianity. 

SANCTUARY LIGHT: No Request. 

soup and hoagie Sale: St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Church, 153 East Main St., Glen Lyon, PA is sponsoring a Soup and Hoagie sale Thursday, March 24, 2022 from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM.  Vegetable Soup is $8.00 a quart and Hoagie (Turkey, Ham & Cheese or Italian is $8.00 each. A bake sale will also be held in the church hall during this time. For your orders please call Debbie – 735-6908 by March 20, 2022. 

WELCOME: If joining SS Peter & Paul Ukrainian Catholic Church as a parishioner, you are truly welcome.  Envelopes are available in the back, please take a box and please write your name on the first envelope submitted and we will record your name and envelope number, or please write a note with your name, address, etc. and submit it in the collection basket. We are very happy to have you in our parish.

UKRAINIAN BREAKFAST: Transfiguration of Our Lord Church, 240 Center Street, Nanticoke will hold a “Ukrainian Breakfast” on Saturday, March 26 from 8:00AM to Noon.  The Breakfast will feature Eggs, Sausage & Pyrohy with butter and onions, rolls, & beverage.  Advance tickets are $9.00 (by March 20) and can be purchased by calling 570-735-4654.  Tickets will be available at the door for $10.00.  We will also feature a Bake Sale in conjunction with this fundraiser. 

SECOND SUNDAY OF THE GREAT FAST

MARCH 13, 2022

Saturday, March 12 

4:00 PM ✞Archpriest Daniel Gurovich – Marianne Sailus

Sunday, March 13 SECOND SUNDAY OF THE GREAT FAST

    8:30 AM God’s Blessings and Good Health for all Parishioners 

Wednesday, March 16  

6:30 PM Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts – Nanticoke

Friday, March 18  

4:00 PM Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts

Saturday, March 19

4:00 PM 4:00 PM ✞Leonard Wujcik – son Leonard Wujcik

Sunday, March 20 THIRD SUNDAY OF THE GREAT FAST

VENERATION OF THE CROSS 

      8:30 AM God’s Blessings and Good Health for all Parishioners

TRANSFIGURATION OF OUR LORD

Saturday Liturgy is 6:00 PM Sunday Liturgy is 10:30 AM

Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts  Wednesday 6:30 PM

 Time to Spring Forward Turn

you clocks ahead one hour

Daylight Saving Time begins

2:00 AM Sunday

 SECOND SUNDAY OF THE GREAT FAST

MARCH 13, 2022 A. D.

On this day we celebrate the memory of our holy father Gregory Palamas, 

SANCTUARY LIGHT: The Sanctuary light is requested to burn this week March.12-19 by Michaelene Ostrum in memory of Fred Uhas.

soup and hoagie Sale: St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Church, 153 East Main St., Glen Lyon, PA is sponsoring a Soup and Hoagie sale Thursday, March 24, 2022 from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM.  Vegetable Soup is $8.00 a quart and Hoagie (Turkey, Ham & Cheese or Italian is $8.00 each. A bake sale will also be held in the church hall during this time. For your orders please call Debbie – 570-735-6908 by March 20, 2022. 

WELCOME: If you are joining SS Peter & Paul Ukrainian Catholic Church as a parishioner, welcome.  Please fill out the enrollment form in the back of the church, write a note, or send an Email so your name can be listed in the Parish Rolls and to receive envelopes and so Fr. Walter can contact you.  Please submit it in the collection basket. Again, welcome to the parish!  

UKRAINIAN BREAKFAST: Transfiguration of Our Lord Church, 240 Center Street, Nanticoke will hold a “Ukrainian Breakfast” on Saturday, March 26 from 8:00AM to Noon.  The Breakfast will feature Eggs, Sausage & Pyrohy with butter and onions, rolls, & beverage.  Advance tickets are $9.00 (by March 12) and can be purchased by calling 570-735-4654.  Tickets will be available at the door for $10.00.  We will also feature a Bake Sale in conjunction with this fundraiser. 

O God, save Ukraine! O God, save your children! O God, support, grant victory! O God, bless Ukraine!  Metropolitan Archbiship +Borys Gudziak invites you to make donations to the Humanitarian Aid Fund for Ukraine.  Thank you.  For details:

Metropolia invites to make donations to the Humanitarian Aid Fund for Ukraine

FIRST SUNDAY OF THE GREAT FAST

MARCH 6, 2022

Saturday, Mar. 5        

4:00 PM       ✞Albert Piston – Stephen Piston & Family     

Sunday, March 6                  FIRST SUNDAY OF THE GREAT FAST

8:30 AM                    God’s Blessings and Good Health for all Parishioner

Friday, March 11  

4:00 PM Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts 

Saturday, March 12             

           4:00 PM               ✞ Archpriest Daniel Gurovich – Marianne Sailus        

Sunday, March 13          SECOND SUNDAY OF THE GREAT FAST

8:30 AM            God’s Blessings and Good Health for all Parishioners

Our Ukrainian Catholic Church prescribes that the Liturgy of St. Basil the Great is to be celebrated on all of the Sundays of Great Lent, instead of the Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom, which is usually celebrated throughout the year.  St. Basil’s Liturgy has longer Anaphora prayers than that of St. John Chrysostom Liturgy (which was derived from the Liturgy of St. Basil the Great), and is celebrated ten times during the church year:  the five Sundays of Lent (not Palm Sunday), Holy Thursday, Holy Saturday, Christmas Eve, Epiphany Eve, and on the actual Feast of St. Basil which we celebrate on January 1^st.

THE SUNDAY OF ORTHODOXY

The first Sunday of the Great Fast is called the Sunday of Orthodoxy. What do we mean by “orthodoxy”? The word “orthodoxy” stems from the Greek word “orthodoxia” (orthos=right or straight; doksa=thinking) which signifies the true faith and the true worship of God. We are not speaking here of orthodoxy as we understand it today as being the Orthodox Eastern Church re. Catholic Church, but orthodoxy, as applied to the whole Church of Christ until the Great Schism between the Eastern and West which occurred during the patriarchate of Cerularius, 1054 A.D. The orthodoxy that we celebrate this Sunday is Universal (Catholic) orthodoxy, professed by the entire Church of Christ of the first centuries in the battle against the heresy of Iconoclasm (Gr – eikon=image; klastes=a breaker; – an image breaking heresy). The Sunday of Orthodoxy is a festival for the whole Church, both East and West. It is the festive celebration of the decisive victory over Iconoclasm and other heresies.

The purpose of this feast is to pay solemn public homage and veneration to the holy icons of Jesus Christ, the Blessed Mother of God, and all the Saints. 

The Church of Christ deeply respects and honors the holy icons as it also does holy relics. She places them in church for public veneration and recommends that we venerate them privately in our homes, and wear small icons around our necks in the form of little crosses or medals. 

Veneration of the Holy Icons

Resolutions for Avoiding Misery

Choose to love — rather than hate
Choose to smile — rather than frown
Choose to build — rather than destroy
Choose to persevere — rather than quit
Choose to praise — rather than gossip
Choose to heal — rather than wound
Choose to give — rather than grasp
Choose to act — rather than delay
Choose to forgive — rather than curse
Choose to pray — rather than despair

The three aspects of the Fast

According to Byzantine tradition, the discipline of the fast consists of three parts:

1. Corporal (bodily) fast, by which we refrain from certain foods, drinks and amusements, in order to break the hold that things may have over us. See Fasting.
2. Spiritual or internal fast, by which we seek to turn from any sin, wickedness or evil habits in our lives, so that we may come into God’s presence well-prepared to celebrate our Lord’s Resurrection and our redemption.
3. Spiritual renewal, by which we seek a greater practice of the virtues, a deeper life of prayer, repentance for our sins, and a greater conversion (metanoia) of heart, which manifests itself in good works. All of these are oriented to a deeper union with God – theosis.

SANCTUARY LIGHT: NO REQUEST.

A new chart for the requests for the Sanctuary Light is available. The Light will burn for the week at the request of a donation of $15, for the intention of your chose. May it we in honor of someone, in memory of l loved one or any occasion. This is a prayerful way to remember a loved one. Sign up for your intentions.

WOMEN’S SOCIETY:The Parish Women’s Society will meet for the first time after the long winter on Tuesday, March 8^th at 6:00 PM in the church hall. President Anna Magill will preside with many subjects to discuss for the future months. All members are urged to attend and new members are always welcome. Please come and join your parish fellowship.

CATHERINE MCAULEY CENTER: A thank you from the Center for our donation they received:

Dear Friends: Your generous donation for the Plymouth Shelter will help to make this gift possible for the women and children experiencing homelessness served by the Catherine McAuley Center.  Please know that the impact of your gift will be visible in the lives transformed by your generosity, and we are deeply grateful.

FUND DRIVE FOR UKRAINE: Inquiring about places that are collecting for this cause. 

FROM THE OFFICE OF THE CHANCELLOR IN PHILADELPHIA:

Please keep the parishioners of St. Vladimir Church in Edwardsville in your prayers as the parish was officially merged with SS. Peter & Paul in Plymouth. May their faith be strengthened and may they be welcomed as they transition to their new spiritual home. 

Please pray for soul of our brother + Archpriest Daniel Gurovich, who passed away Thursday night March 2^nd. May he find rest in the bosom of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

With the saints O Lord, give eternal rest.

CHEESEFARE SUNDAY 

February 27, 2022

Saturday, Feb. 26

           4:00 PM              Michael Kane, Many happy years, God’s blessings  

Sunday, Feb. 27      

    9:00 AM           God’s Blessings and Good Health for all Parishioners                            

3:00 PM   Forgiveness Vespers – Transfiguration of Our Lord

Friday, Mar. 4

4:00 PM Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts    

Saturday, Mar. 5

4:00 PM ✞Albert Piston – Stephen Piston & Family

Sunday, Mar. 6         FIRST SUNDAY OF THE GREAT FAST

           8:30 AM         God’s Blessings and Good Health for all Parishioners                            

LENT:  Lent begins at sundown on Sunday February 27th, which is the beginning of Monday Liturgically (in Church life).  Monday is a day of strict fast.  We abstain from all meat and dairy, for those who are able to fast thusly.  Please keep in mind that Fridays during Lent are a fast from meat, and you should also abstain from meat on Wednesdays.  For those able to attend the Forgiveness Vespers, Monday begins at the singing of “O Joyful Light.”

 According to Byzantine tradition, the Lenten discipline consists of three separate parts:

The Great Fast

Fast is one of the oldest and most venerable practices in the Church, which came to us through an uninterrupted tradition (St Basil, Horn on Fast I, S). The Great Fast can be described as a forty-day period of prayer, penance, and spiritual exercises in preparation for the proper celebration of the Feasts of Feasts, Our Lords Resurrection. 

The Great Fast, as we know it, is the result of a complicated organic development, not all stages of which have been sufficiently explained. It seems that up to the second century, the Church knew only a very short fast (a day or two) before the Pasch. During the third century the pre-paschal fast was extended to the entire week known to us as the Passion or Holy Week. The first mention of the Forty Days Fast is made in the fifth canon of the Council of Nicaea (325 A.D.). From that time, the Forty Days Fast is discussed by many Church Fathers, and St. Athanasius (d. 373 A.D.) does not hesitate to say: “Anyone who neglects to observe the Forty Days Fast is not worthy to celebrate the Easter Festival’ (cf. Festal Letters XIX, 9)

The Synod of Laodicaea (about 360 A.D.) imposed the strict obligation of fasting for forty days before Easter for the first time. By the end of the fourth century, the Great Fast, known to the Greeks as the “Tessaracoste” (The Forty Days) and the Romans as ‘Quadragesima”, was generally observed by the entire Church.

Originally, the forty-day period was computed from Good Friday, the day the Pasch of Crucifixion was celebrated, and then extended to six weeks. In Constantinople, when they transferred the solemn Baptism from Easter to the Saturday of Lazarus, the Lenten season of preparation also had to be anticipated by one week. Thus, according to the Byzantine practice, the Great Fast began seven weeks before Easter and ended on the Friday before the Saturday of Lazarus. At the Vespers of Lazarus we sing: “We have concluded the beneficial Forty Days (Lent) and we implore You, O Lover of Mankind, make us see the Holy Week of Your Passion and praise Your work (of redemption).” Liturgically, then, the Great Fast ends on the Friday before the Saturday of Lazarus and is exactly forty days long.

In the Western Church, Holy Week was included in the Lenten season and the Lenten season was of six-week duration. But later, when the Sundays in Lent were exempt from fasting in the West, Lent became only thirty-six days long. This situation was remedied in the seventh century by adding four more days of fasting at the beginning of the Lenten season with the first day of Lent on Ash Wednesday. This is the reason for the difference in the first day of Lent between the Byzantine Rite and the Roman Rite.

SANCTUARY LIGHT:  No Request.

ST. VLADIMIR’S UKRAINIAN CHURCH: The final Divine Liturgy in St. Vladimir’s Church, Edwardsville, PA will be celebrated this Sunday, February 27, 2022 A.D. at 10:30 AM.  Sorry to say the church will be merged with Saints Peter and Paul in Plymouth from this date. Parishioners of St. Vladimir’s Parish are instructed by our Metropolitan Archbishop Borys that they are directed to SS Peter & Paul Ukrainian Catholic Church where all the parish records of St. Vladamir will be kept and Ss. Peter and Paul will also take care of St. Vladamir’s Cemetary.  We joyfully welcome all the parishioners from St. Vladamir during a heartfelt moment in your life.  

PYSANKY CLASS: Ss. Cyril’s and Methodius Ukrainian Catholic Church, Olyphant, PA will be continuing with the tradition of making Ukrainian Pysanky in time for Easter 2022.  Classes will be held at the Parish Hall at 207 River Street, Olyphant with free parking.  The beginner’s classes will be taught by Tammy Budnovitch (for over 10 years at St. Cyril’s) on Sunday, March 6th, and Sunday, March 27th starting from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.All supplies and eggs will be included at the cost of $25.00 per person per class. Classes are limited in size!!!!   Mask are optional Contact  Tammy Budnovitch at 570-766-1919.  Please, leave a message.

LITURGIES:  Please keep in mind that there are no liturgies during the week in the Lenten Season in the Ukrainian Catholic Church.  The Liturgy of the Pre-Sanctified Gifts will be in held on Wednesdays at 6:30PM at Transfiguration of Our Lord Church and on Fridays at 4:00 PM at Saint Peter & Paul Church in Plymouth.  If there should be the need for a funeral during The Great Fast, the service during this 40 days is the Funeral Service, The Sorokousty will be celebrated.

SUNDAY OF THE PRODIGAL SON

FEBRUARY 13, 2022

Saturday, Feb. 12

4:00 PM Carole Mergo Samson – Bonnie Dwyer

Sunday, Feb. 13 SUNDAY OF THE PRODIGAL SON

8:30 AM God’s Blessings and Good Health for all Parishioners

       Saturday, Feb. 19 

4:00 PM       ✞Albert Ferkel – Evans Family 

        Sunday, Feb. 20       SUNDAY OF MEATFARE

8:30 AM         God’s Blessings and Good Health for all Parishioners

SANCTUARY LIGHT:TheSanctuary Light is requested this week Feb. 12 – 19 by Ann Beshada in memory of her mother Mary Conniff.

 HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY

Valentine’s Day, also called Saint Valentine’s Day or the Feast of Saint Valentine, is celebrated annually on February 14. It originated as a Christian feast day honoring one or two early Christian martyrs named Saint Valentine and, through later folk traditions, has become a significant cultural, religious, and commercial celebration of romance and love in many regions of the world. 

The Feast of Saint Valentine was established by Pope Gelasius I in AD 496 to be celebrated on February 14 in honor of Saint Valentine of Rome, who died on that date in AD 269. The day became associated with romantic love in the 14th and 15th centuries when notions of courtly love flourished, apparently by association with the “lovebirds” of early spring. In 18th-century England, it grew into an occasion in which couples expressed their love for each other by presenting flowers, offering confectionery, and sending greeting cards (known as “valentines”). Valentine’s Day symbols that are used today include the heart-shaped outline, doves, and the figure of the winged Cupid. Since the 19th century, handwritten valentines have given way to mass-produced greeting cards. In Italy, Saint Valentine’s Keys are given to lovers “as a romantic symbol and an invitation to unlock the giver’s heart”, as well as to children to ward off epilepsy (called Saint Valentine’s Malady). 

Saint Valentine’s Day is not a public holiday in any country, although it is an official feast day in the Anglican Communionand the Lutheran Church. Many parts of the Eastern Orthodox Church also celebrate Saint Valentine’s Day on July 6 in honor of Roman presbyter Saint Valentine, and on July 30 in honor of Hieromartyr Valentine, the Bishop of Interamna (modern Terni). 

UNDAY OF THE PUBLICAN AND PHARISEE

FEBRUARY 6, 2022

Saturday, February 5         

             4:00 PM                Dorothy Pstrak Wujcik – son Leonard Wujcik 

Sunday, February 6                SUNDAY OF THE PUBLICAN AND PHARISEE

            8:30 AM         God’s Blessings and Good Health for all Parishioners

Saturday, February 12 Carole Mergo Samson – Bonnie Dwyer Samson

            4:00 PM

Sunday, February 13           SUNDAY OF THE PRODIGAL SON

           8:30 AM                      God’s Blessings and Good Health for all Parishioners  

Welcome: Our parish family welcomes Mr.& Mrs. Jerald (Marian) Skomsky  It is a pleasure to welcome new parishioners. Pray and be at home with all the parishioners.