SS Peter & Paul Ukrainian Catholic Church

Christ is Born!  Glorify Him! Christos Razhdajetsia! Slavite yeho!

CHRISTMAS EVE – 4:0 PM – Great Compline – Z Namy Boh
Litia Service – Divine Liturgy
Anointing with Holy Oil Myrovania
God’s Blessings and Good Health for all Parishioners

Christmas Day – NATIVITY OF OUR LORD – 8:30 AM
Divine Liturgy – Anointing with Holy Oil Myrovania
God’s Blessings and Good Health for all Parishioners

Thursday, Dec. 26 SYNAXIS OF THE MOTHER OF GOD
11:00 PM Ann Phillips – Son Peter Phillips
Divine Liturgy with Myrovania

Friday, Dec. 27 ST. STEPHEN, PROTOMARTYR
7:30 AM Divine Liturgy at Transfiguration of Our Lord, Nanticoke, PA

Saturday, Dec. 28
4:00 PM ✞Peter Phillips – Son Peter Phillips
Sunday, Dec. 29 SUNDAY AFTER CHRISTMAS

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

It is easy to love the people far away.
It is not always easy to love those close to us.
Bring love into our home,
for this is where our love for each other must start.

CHRISTMAS BLESSINGS
Khrystos Razhdayetsia – Christ is Born
Slavyte Yeho – Glorify Him

MAY THE BLESSINGS OF CHRISTMAS –
THE PEACE, JOY AND CHEER,
REMAIN WITH YOU ALWAYS,
EACH DAY IN THE YEAR.

THREE GIFTS
God gave us our greatest gifts,
Not tied in ribbons of blue or red. Gifts designed for our inner one, God gave us life, peace, and His Son.
Sometimes the days get awful long,
We might wonder if we’ve done wrong.
God shows His love in gifts one by one,
God gave us life, peace, and His Son.
God’s other gifts are faith, hope, and love.
Jesus has gone to prepare us a home above.
God’s rest awaits us when our work is done.
God gave us life, peace, and His Son.

Saturday, Dec. 21 SUNDAY BEFORE CHRISTMAS – ANCESTORS
4:00 PM Ihor Pasicznyk – Olympia Pasicznyk
Sunday, Dec. 22 SUNDAY BEFORE CHRISTMAS – ANCESTORS
8:30 AM God’s Blessings and Good Health for all Parishioners

Tuesday, December 24 ~ Christmas Eve – VIGIL OF CHRISTMAS – 4:00 PM
Znamy Boh – Great Compline Litia Service with Divine Liturgy
Anointing with Holy Oil Myrovania
God’s Blessings and Good Health for all Parishioners

Wednesday, December 25 ~ Christmas Day –NATIVITY OF OUR LORD – 8:30 AM
Divine Liturgy – Anointing with Holy Oil and Myrovania
John Phillips from Peter Phillips

Thursday, Dec. 26 SYNOXIS OF THE THEOTOKOS
11:00 PM Ann Phillips – Son Peter Phillips
Divine Liturgy with Myrovania

Friday, Dec. 27 ST. STEPHEN, PROTOMARTYR
7:30 AM Divine Liturgy at Transfiguration of Our Lord, Nanticoke, PA

Saturday, Dec. 28
4:00 PM ✞Peter Phillips – Son Peter Phillips
Sunday, Dec. 29 SUNDAY AFTER CHRISTMAS
8:30 AM God’s Blessings and Good Health for all Parishioners

Transfiguration of Our Lord Saturday DivineLiturgy is 6:00 PM ~
Sunday Divine Liturgy is 10:30 Tuesday, Dec. 24 ~ Christmas Eve 8:00 PM; Wednesday,
Dec. 25 Christmas Day 10:30 AM; Friday, Dec. 27 St. Stephen 7:30 AM

What Christmas should Mean to Us

Christmas is a time for loving,
Holding in our hearts
All the magic and the wonder
That this blessed day imparts
It’s a time for letting bygones
Be just that, and nothing more,
Time for looking back and weighing
All we have been working for.

Christmas is a time for giving
Something more than store-bought goods,
Time for spending peaceful moments,
Walking through the quiet woods.
‘Tis a time for growing closer
While we have the time to spend,
Cherishing the precious moments
With relative or friend.

Christmas is a time for sharing
Hope and joy and sorrow,
Giving what is ours today,
But may not be…tomorrow.
‘Tis a time for recollection,
For the sands of time run fast,
Do not squander golden moments,
Do not grieve for what is past.

There’s a bright star in the heavens,
Over one small cattle stall,
And a Baby in a manger
Who has come to save us all.
And with love beyond all telling,
As He reaches out for us,
This hushed and holy moment is
What Christmas should mean to us.

CHRISTMAS IS LOVE
Christmas is for love. True joy comes from giving. Out of a giving heart people desire to reunite with family and friends and celebrate with tinsel and brightly decorated packages. But mostly, Christmas is for love, for God so Loved the world He sent His only begotten Son. I had not believed this until a small student with a wide-eyed innocence and soft rosy cheeks gave me a wondrous gift one Christmas. Mark was an 11 year old orphan who lived with his aunt, a bitter middle aged woman greatly annoyed with the burden of caring for her dead sister’s son. She never failed to remind young Mark, if it hadn’t been for her generosity, he would be a vagrant, homeless waif. Still, with all the scolding and chilliness at home, he was a sweet and gentle child. I had not noticed Mark particularly until he began staying after class each day (at the risk of arousing his aunt’s anger, I later found) to help me straighten up the room. We did this quietly and comfortably, not speaking much, but enjoying the solitude of that hour of the day. When we did talk, Mark spoke mostly of his mother. Though he was quite small when she died, he remembered a kind, gentle, loving woman, who always spent much time with him. As Christmas drew near however, Mark failed to stay after school each day. I looked forward to his coming, and when the days passed and he continued to scamper hurriedly from the room after class, I stopped him one afternoon and asked why he no longer helped me in the room. I told him how I had missed him, and his large gray eyes lit up eagerly as he replied, “Did you really miss me?” I explained how he had been my best helper. “I was making you a surprise,” he whispered confidentially. “It’s for Christmas.” With that, he became embarrassed and dashed from the room. He didn’t stay after school any more after that. Finally came the last school day before Christmas. Mark crept slowly into the room late that afternoon with his hands concealing something behind his back. “I have your present,” he said timidly when I looked up. “I hope you like it.” He held out his hands, and there lying in his small palms was a tiny wooden box. “Its beautiful, Mark. Is there something in it?” I asked opening the top to look inside. ” “Oh you can’t see what’s in it,” He replied, “and you can’t touch it, or taste it or feel it, but mother always said it makes you feel good all the time, warm on cold nights, and safe when you’re all alone.”
I gazed into the empty box. “What is it Mark,” I asked gently, “that will make me feel so good?” “It’s love,” he whispered softly, “and mother always said it’s best when you give it away.” And he turned and quietly left the room. So now I keep a small box crudely made of scraps of wood on the piano in my living room and only smile as inquiring friends raise quizzical eyebrows when I explain to them that there is love in it. Yes, Christmas is for gaiety, mirth and song, for good and wondrous gifts. But mostly, Christmas is Love.
Author Unknown

The Nativity

Once Upon A Christmastime

Once upon a Christmastime, the angels sang with joy,
To herald the coming of a precious Baby Boy.
Their shouting filled the heavens and shook the mighty earth,
And sent the shepherds searching for the place of His glorious birth.
And when they found the manger and gazed upon His face,
They knelt in adoration in that low and holy place.
Oh, Father, fill me with the love that filled the earth that night,
A love that reaches throughout the world, and fills it with Your light.

THE NATIVITY OF OUR LORD
AN UNFATHOMABLE MYSTERY

The greatest and most profound mystery of the Christian faith is the mystery of the Incarnation of the Son of God. The eternal God becomes a vulnerable infant and does not cease to be God. “And the Word was made flesh and dwelt amongst us” – says St. John the Evangelist. Jesus’s nativity is the cradle of our faith. We are called to reflect on this great and unfathomable mystery, to grow in understanding.
In the first centuries, the holy Fathers of the Eastern Church accepted the mystery of the Incarnation of the Word of God with profound faith and great piety. Enraptured by this mystery, they have nothing but words of wonder for the most wonderful love of God, the sacrifice, humility, and poverty of the newly born Messiah and Savior. Like the holy Fathers, in her Christmas celebrations our Church also joyfully praises and glorifies the mystery of the birth of the divine Son as an infant.
Today, he who is invisible by nature became visible in the flesh for man’s sake; hence, glorifying him, we cry: “Glory to God in the highest and peace on earth to men of good will…”
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Feast of the Holy Fathers

The holy Fathers were the eminent Saints of the Old Testament that had some relation to the earthly origin of Our Lord, Jesus Christ. They lived after the proclamation of the Decalogue by Moses.
Some of them were great Saints, and some besides being Saints were also prophets. The Church honors Moses, Joshua, King David, Susanna, and all the great prophets who foretold the coming of the Messiah.
The feast presents some admirable models of faith and hope from the Old Testament that her faithful may follow them in loving and serving the Savior for Whom the Saints of the Old Testament were waiting.

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May the music of the season bring hope and peace of mind
As you sing familiar carols and pray for all mankind.
May the birthday of our Savior remind you, “God is love!”
As you deck the halls and gaze upon the Christmas Star above.

NATIVITY SET UP: Thank you to all the faithful who came out to set up the Nativity. Help with the Church projects are always appreciative to those who lend their help. The tree is one project set up by Dolores & Mike Sinko and David Youells. Thanks for the beauty of the season.

SANCTUARY LIGHT: The Sanctuary light is requested to burn this week Dec. 21 – 28 by Sonya Dempsey & Family in memory of Frank Dempsey, Sr.

SYMPATHY: We extend our sincere sympathy to the family of Nellie Wdowiak who was called to her eternal rest. May her memory be eternal! Vychnya Pomyat!

ENVELOPES: The 2020 Church envelopes are in the vestibule. Please use your envelopes to be credited in the Church Data Base. Your generous contributions is what will make the Church function and continue to progress. As you know the cost of all utilities are rising and rising and it does take money to furnish the parishioners with heat, air conditioning, water and all the necessities for keeping the Church going. If there is any change of address or telephone please put it on your envelopes so the data can be updated. If you can deliver envelopes to your friends, family or neighbors, please help to distribute them. Thank you. Do not use until the New Year.

Schedule for Christmas
Tuesday, December 24 ~ Christmas Eve – 4:00 PM
Compline Lytia Service – Divine Liturgy – Anointing with Holy Oil Myrovania
God’s Blessings and Good Health for all Parishioners

Wednesday, December 25 ~ Christmas Day – 8:30 AM
Divine Liturgy – Anointing with Holy Oil Myrovania
God’s Blessings and Good Health for all Parishioners

Thursday, December 26 -11:00AM
Synaxis of the Holy Mother of God
Liturgy with Myrovania

Saturday, Dec. 14 ~ 4:00 PM ✞Ronald Kachinko – Rosemarie Kachinko

Sunday, Dec. 15 ~ 8:30 AM SUNDAY OF THE FOREFATHERS
God’s Blessings and Good Health for all Parishioners

Saturday, Dec. 21 ~ 4:00 PM ✞Ihor Pasicznyk – Olympia Pasicznyk

Sunday, Dec. 22 – 8:30 AM SUNDAY BEFORE CHRISTMAS
God’s Blessings and Good Health for all Parishioners

CHRISTMAS EVE

The feast of the Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ is ranked about sixth of the great feasts of our Church. Therefore, holy Church, mindful of the significance of this feast, encourages the faithful to prepare by prayer, fasting and alms giving for this encounter with our Savior.
The festal preparation culminates on the Eve of the Nativity. It is a day of watching, prayer and fasting. Our God from heaven is about to enter our midst; therefore, it was necessary to prepare for his coming worthily. The Holy Eve of the Nativity has not only its own significant services; it is also rich in symbolic customs, some of which go back to pre-Christian times, for Jesus is the New Man, (Adam the old man).
The eve of Christmas brings the Forty Days Philips fast to a close. A strict fast is prescribed for this entire day. The whole family knows that on that day God of heaven will arrive, and therefore, a deeply festal and spiritual mood pervades the home. Our ancestors highly respected and zealously observed the fast of this day until the appearance, of the evening star which marks the New Day.
An old Slavonic Prologue for the 24th of December contains the following spiritual exhortation to the faithful in reference to greeting the feast of the Nativity of Christ: “Take note brethren, that there is a fast on the day before this feast of the Nativity of Christ. Therefore, on this day, at the Sixth Hour (12 o’clock noon), we gather together for prayer, with love; and purity, overcoming anger, purifying worldly desires, and renouncing all evil deeds so that we may be made worthy with pure lips and an undefiled heart to partake of the Body and Blood of the Lord, that same Body and Blood which the Lord took upon Himself and willingly became poor.”

SANCTUARY LIGHT: The Sanctuary light is requested to burn this week Dec. 14 – 21 by Albert Piston in memory of +Arlene Jones.

NATIVITY SET UP: Wednesday, December 18th has been planned to have the Nativity set up. We are asking for all the help we can get to do this beautiful scene. The more help we get the faster it will be accomplished. Please try to be at the church about 11:00 AM.

CHRISTMAS SING ALONG: Saints Peter & Paul Ukrainian Greek Catholic Parish is sponsoring their 26th Annual Christmas Carol Sing Along in the church on North River Street in Wilkes-Barre, this Sunday, December 15, 2019 starting at 2 p.m.  Join in the singing of some very sacred, joyful and inspiring Christmas Carols.  Afterwards, please join us in the lower church hall for a Christmas Fellowship Social.  Please bring a friend or family member, and share the joy of Christmas with them, as we all prepare to welcome the Newborn Son of God into our hearts and homes.

CHRISTMAS FLEA MARKET:  Transfiguration of Our Lord Church, 240 Center Street. Nanticoke will hold their last Christmas Flea Market on Saturday: December 21; from 9AM to 2PM weather permitting.  Come and add to your Christmas decorations or buy “new” ones at a great price!  We have trees, managers, ornaments, lights, etc

BUILDING FUND: Our thanks to Mary Shumbris for her donation to our parish building fund in memory of Rosemary Piston.

Saturday, Dec.6
4:00 PM God’s Blessings and Good Health for all Parishioners

Sunday, Dec. 8 TWENTY SIXTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
8:30 AM God’s Blessing for Helen Youells

Monday, Dec. 9 CONCEPTION OF ST. ANNA
Anointing with Holy Oil – Myrovania
11:00 AM ✞Rose Mary Piston – Stephen & Cathy Piston

Wednesday, Dec. 11
9:00 AM ✞John Phillips – Peter Phillips

Saturday, Dec. 14
4:00 PM ✞Ronald Kachinko – Rosemarie Kachinko

Sunday, Dec. 15 SUNDAY OF THE FOREFATHERS
8:30 AM God’s Blessings and Good Health for all Parishioners

CHUCH ENVELOPES: pLEASE do not use your 2020 Church Envelopes until the first of the year, so that you can be credited for that year. The Envelopes are very expensive to print and the use of the contents of envelopes is your duty as a parishioner. We all know the cost of utilities and the Church is a very expensive house of worship to heat, air, electric, water etc. Only a few of the parishioners are using the extra envelopes, so if at all possible use all your envelopes to support your Church.

SANCTUARY LIGHT: The Sanctuary Light is requested to burn this week Dec. 7 – 14 by Rosemarie Kachinko in memory of Ronald Kachinko.

WOMEN’S SOCIETY: The Women’s Society will celebrate their annual Christmas Party this Sunday at Pasqualies restaurant at 1:30 PM.

NATIVITY: The setup of our beautiful Nativity will be Wednesday, Dec. 18 at 11:00 AM. This is a lot of work and we need the help to do the preparing of the coming of Our Lord. PLEASE try to give a hand in this project, especially the men who are available.

This was the last week for the Lottery tickets. We would like to thank all who helped in any way with this project. Mike & Dolores Sinko did a fine job of managing the project and our thanks to Mike especially for all the traveling he did to different areas to sell the tickets. To all the winners we congratulate you. If you did not win or have a winner our hopes of better luck next time.

Saturday, Nov. 29
4:00 PM ✞Andrew Beshada – Ann Beshada

Sunday, Nov. 30 TWENTY FIFTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
8:30 AM God’s Blessings and Good Health for all Parishioners

Friday, Dec.6 FEAST OF ST. NICHOLAS
9:00 AM ANOINTING WITH HOLY OIL – MYROVANIA
Michael & Ksenia Shaughnessy – Ulana Campbell
Saturday, Dec. 7
4:00 PM God’s Blessings and Good Health for all Parishioners

Sunday, Dec. 8 TWENTY SIXTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
8:30 AM God’s Blessing for Helen Youells

Monday, Dec. 9 Maternity of Saint Anna
11:00 AM

The Feast of St. Nicholas
December 6
The feast of St. Nicholas is celebrated on the 6th day of December.
Pope Nicholas, the first Pope bearing this name – erected a church in Rome in honor of St. Nicholas around the year 860. The Latin Church also celebrates the feast of St. Nicholas on the 6th of December. In France and Germany over two thousand churches are dedicated to his name: an additional four hundred such churches are found in England. He is the most favorite saint in all of Europe, East and West.
St. Nicholas’ memory came to our native Ukraine along with the Christian faith. There are numerous churches in honor of St. Nicholas. The Church of St. Nicholas in Lviv, which dates back to the thirteenth century, is one of the oldest. Our Ukrainian Encyclopedia says the following about the veneration of St. Nicholas among our people: “In a great number of traditions, Nicholas protects people from disasters caused by the elements; mostly he protects those who sail on the sea. Hence, the Black Sea fishermen, when going out to fish, take the icon of St. Nicholas with them. Songs about St. Nicholas are among the earliest examples of Ukrainian poetry and include such popular ones as “O Whoever, whoever loves St. Nicholas…”
In our Church, St. Nicholas not only has two separate feasts in his honor, but every Thursday is also dedicated to his name.
We do not know very much about the life of St. Nicholas. We know for certain that St. Nicholas was a bishop for many years in Myra, a city in the province of Lycia, in Asia Minor (present day Turkey); that he took part in the First Ecumenical Council in 325 at Nicea; and that he died around the year 345. He dedicated his whole life to charitable works of mercy, both corporal and spiritual. Even during his lifetime he was called the father of orphans, widows, sailors, travellers and the poor. Mary miracles were worked by St. Nicholas in his life. After his death, the Lord glorified him with the gift or working miracles, for which he received the title “Great Wonder-worker”.
St. Nicholas saw Jesus Christ in his neighbor and that is why he quickly and generously hastened to help him in every need. The Holy Gospel says that at the Last Judgment the Lord will judge us by our works of love and mercy. Christ assures us of this when He says: “Amen, Amen, I say to you, as long as you did it for one of these, the least of My brethren, you did it to Me”.

St. Andrew
November 30
Andrew, like his brother Simon Peter, was a fisherman. He became a disciple of the great St. John the Baptist, but when John pointed to Jesus and said, “Behold the Lamb of God!” Andrew understood that Jesus was the Messiah. At once! he left John to follow the Divine Master. Jesus knew that Andrew was walking behind him, and turning back, he asked, “What do you seek?” When Andrew answered that he would like to know where Jesus lived, Our Lord replied, “Come and see.” Andrew had been only a little time with Jesus when he realized that this was truly the Messiah.
From then on, he chose to follow Jesus. Andrew was thus the first called of Christ (Eastern Church tradition calls St. Andrew “First Called”. Next, Andrew brought his brother Simon (St. Peter) to Jesus and Jesus received him, too, as His disciple. (John 1: 35-42) At first the two brothers continued to carry on their fishing trade and family affairs, but later, the Lord called them to stay with Him all the time. He promised to make them fishers of men, and this time, they left their nets for good. After Our Lord ascended into Heaven, St. Andrew went to Greece to preach the gospel and the Pope of Constantinople is Successor to St. Andrew. It is said he was put to death on a cross in shape of an “X”, to which he was tied, not nailed. He lived two days in that state of suffering, still preaching to the people who gathered around their beloved Apostle. Two countries have chosen St. Andrew as their patron – Russia and Scotland.

Hail and blessed be the hour and moment in which the Son of God was born of the most pure Virgin Mary, at midnight, in Bethlehem, in piercing cold. In that hour, vouchsafe, O my God! To hear my prayer and grant my desires, through the merits of Our Savior Jesus Christ, and of His Blessed Mother. Amen.
(It is piously believed that whoever recites the above prayer fifteen times a day from the feast of St. Andrew (30th November) until Christmas will obtain the favor that is asked.)

SANCTUARY LIGHT: The Sanctuary Light is requested to burn the week of Nov. 30-Dec. 7 by Becky Molecavage in memory of Dimitri Bencho.

ALTAR CANDLES: The Altar Candles will burn in the month of December at all services in memory of Ronald Kachinko by his wife Rosemarie Kachinko.

CHRISTMAS SING ALONG: YOU ARE INVITED to join Saints Peter & Paul Ukrainian Greek Catholic Parish for their 26th Annual Christmas Carol Sing Along in the church on North River Street in Wilkes-Barre, Sunday, December 15, 2019 starting at 2 p.m.  Join in the singing of some very sacred, joyful and inspiring Christmas Carols.  Afterwards, please join us in the lower church hall for a Christmas Fellowship Social.  Please bring a friend or family member, and share the joy of Christmas with them, as we all prepare to welcome the Newborn Son of God into our hearts and homes.

CHRISTMAS FLEA MARKET:  Transfiguration of Our Lord Church, 240 Center Street. Nanticoke will hold A Christmas Flea Market on Saturday: November 30; December 7; December 14; December 21; from 9AM to 2PM weather permitting.  Come and add to your Christmas decorations or buy “new” ones at a great price!  We have trees, managers, ornaments, lights, etc. 

CHRISTMAS PARTY: Our Women’s Society will celebrate their annual Christmas Party on Sunday, Dec. 8th at Pasqualies Restaurant, Hanover Twp. PA at 1:30 PM. If you are in need of a ride please call one of the members.

Saturday, Nov. 23
4:00 PM ✞Donald Magill – Anna Magill

Sunday, Nov. 24 TWENTY FOURTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
8:30 AM God’s Blessings and Good Health for all Parishioners

Thursday, Nov. 28 THANKSGIVING DAY
9:00 AM IN NANTICOKE, pa AT TRANSFIGURATION OF OUR LORD

Saturday, Nov. 30
4:00 PM ✞Andrew Beshada – Ann Beshada

Sunday, Dec. 1 TWENTY FIFTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
8:30 AM God’s Blessings and Good Health for all Parishioners

The King’s Highway 

Once a king had a great highway built for the members of his kingdom. After it was completed, but before it was opened to the public, the king decided to have a contest. He invited as many as desired to participate. Their challenge was to see who could travel the highway the best.
On the day of the contest the people came. Some of them had fine chariots; some had fine clothing, fine hairdos, or great food. Some young men came in their track clothes and ran along the highway. People traveled the highway all day, but each one, when he arrived at the end, complained to the king that there was a large pile of rocks and debris left on the road at one spot and this got in their way and hindered their travel.
At the end of the day, a lone traveler crossed the finish line wearily and walked over to the king. He was tired and dirty, but he addressed the king with great respect and handed him a bag of gold. he explained, “I stopped along the way to clear a pile of rocks and debris that was blocking the road. This bag of gold was under it all. I want you to return it to its rightful owner.”
The king replied, “You are the rightful owner.”
The traveler replied, “Oh no, this is not mine. I’ve never known such money.”
“Oh yes,” said the king, “you’ve earned this gold, for you won my contest. He who travels the road best is he who makes the road smoother for those who will follow.”

Author Unknown

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Live with gratitude for all that you are and all that you have because often what looks good on the outside is not really what it seems.
Lord, remind me to spend a few moments each day appreciating my life and becoming aware of how good it really is

Our motto should be to begin everything with love for God,
increase in love for Him as that action increases,
and end that act with the truest love for God of which we are capable.

EUCHARIST

Recall a time when you were extremely hungry or thirsty. After your thirst or hunger was satisfied did your desire for food or drink ever return again? Hunger and thirst are natural to us. We readily can identify, not only with the need to satisfy them with food and drink, but know that our longings for them will continue to return.
Christ also recognized this need in us. The experience of hunger gives us a key to understanding why Jesus gives us His body and blood in the Eucharist as a way of satisfying our hunger for Him. Jesus Himself becomes our Nourishment and our Nourisher: the Bread that comes down from heaven and the One Who continues to nourish us so that we may fight the Devil and Evil in our day and enter Heaven.
When we come together for the Divine Liturgy we are taken back to that death and resurrection of Jesus Christ that happened once for all mankind. “As often as you eat this Bread and drink this Cup you proclaim My death and confess My resurrection.” (Liturgy of St. Basil) In the Eucharist the bread is broken and shared, and the cup is emptied. This is a sign that Jesus permitted Himself to be broken and drained for us.
We continue to celebrate and participate in the Divine Liturgy over and over again, that we may grow closer to Christ. Each time we participate in the Liturgy, we receive the person of Christ. We come back again because we love Our Blessed Lord and Savior want to be with Him.
As we return to the Divine Liturgy each Sunday, we also grow our relationship with the Church, the people, also. We are one with these others because we are all sharing the One Who unites us with Himself and with each other. Together we continue to share the Lord.

Jesus calls us to strengthen the life in us by taking Him as our food.
In the Eucharist He gives us Himself as the Nourisher of believers.
When we receive the Eucharist as He commanded, the Life is Him and our Baptismal promise is strengthened and our robe made new.

SANCTUARY LIGHT: The Sanctuary Light is requested the week Nov. 23 – 30 by Geri Kolotelo in memory of Anna Kolotelo.

BIRTHDAY GREETINGS: There is a special Lady in our Parish who will celebrate a very special Birthday on Friday, November 29th. Helen Youells is the Birthday girl who will be 100 years young. May God grant her many more Happy, Healthy years, Mnohya Lita!

Parish Envelopes: The year 2020 envelopes will be ready shortly. If you have any change in address or information, please place such in the collection or call the office.

PRAYERS: Please remember in your prayers all those in nursing facilities, shut in at home or in the hospital.

Saturday, Nov. 16
3:00 PM ✞Thomas Sydnor – Sandra Sydnor

Sunday, Nov. 17 TWENTY THIRD SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
8:30 AM God’s Blessings and Good Health for all Parishioners

Thursday, Nov. 21 Entrance of the Theotokos
Anointing with Holy Oil – Myrovania
9:00 AM Tanya Blanco – Ulana Campbell
God’s Blessings and Good Health

Saturday, Nov. 23
4:00 PM ✞Donald Magill – Anna Magill

Sunday, Nov. 24 TWENTY FOURTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
8:30 AM God’s Blessings and Good Health for all Parishioners

DIVINE LITURGY REQUESTS: If you have a request for a Divine Liturgy, you will please call Father Walter at the rectory in Nanticoke. The number is – 570-735-2262 or his cell phone 202-603-2607. Father has his book for the listings and the Divine Liturgy can be entered as you call. Thank you.

THE HOLY APOSTLE AND EVANGELIST MATTHEW
 Saint Matthew was a young man when Jesus called him. Before this time he was known as “Levi”. One man having two names was not unusual among the Jews. He was the son of Alpheus (Mark 2:14) and was Galilean. St. Matthew was a tax-gatherer for Herod Antipas and therefore despised by the Pharisees (an ancient Jewish sect that emphasized strict interpretation and observance to the Mosaic Law) who hated all ‘publicans’ (those who collected taxes and tolls for the Romans).
 In the holy scriptures we read that St. Matthew not only followed Jesus but provided supper for him at his home along with other tax-gatherers. When the Pharisees saw they asked in protest, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” (Matthew 9:9-11). Jesus replied, “Those who are well do not need a physician, but the sick do. Go and learn the meaning of the words, ‘I desire mercy and sacrifice.’ I did to come to call the righteous but sinners.” (Matthew 9: 12-13).
 Little more is said of St. Matthew’s life in the Gospels. The Apostle Matthew is listed as an Apostle who followed Christ in Galilee and was present at the time of his Passion and witness to his Resurrection. He was also present at Christ’s Ascension and again on Pentecost. He is spoken of ten times in the New Testament. One, in Matthew 9:9 when called to follow Jesus and four more times on the list of the Apostles. The seventh time is he is spoken of is in Luke 6:15 and Mark 3:18. And finally his name is included in Matthew 10:3 and Acts 1:13. Church tradition tells us Matthew preached the Gospel in Egypt and Ethiopia.
Church Tradition teaches that he preached the Good News for many years after Jesus’ death, resurrection and ascension into heaven. The Church tradition says while in Ethiopia St. Matthew was killed before the altar by a soldier of the king he had rebuked.
Spreading the word of the ‘good news’ was a daunting task. There was no form of mass media. The only way of travel was on foot from village to village preaching to a people who were often merely tolerant at best. Yet, St. Matthew was one of the twelve who successfully spread the good word until it has become the single greatest achievement in the history of mankind. Saint Matthew’s place near divinity is amplified by the fact that his written account of Jesus life and ministry is placed first among the known works of the Apostles.
 In his final description of Jesus ‘Commissioning of the Disciples, “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, until the ends of the age,” (Matthew 25: 19-20) Saint Matthew the Apostle and Evangelist wrote his epitaph.
 The Roman Catholic Church celebrates the Feast of St. Matthew on September 21. The Greek Church celebrates on November 16. One symbol of St. Matthew is that of a winged man carrying a lance. Matthew the Evangelist is depicted with an angel with the face of a man on the Holy Doors with the other three Evangelists.

THE LORD LISTENS
The Lord doesn’t listen just to the strong,
Or to only the brave and the wise;
But He seeks out the needy, and broken and poor,
And those who have tears in their eyes.
He loves all His saints who give praise to His Name,
And all those who are faithful and just,
But He also loves sinners who call on His Name,
And He longs for their faith and their trust.
He patiently calls all the lost ones to come
And drink from the fountain of life.
He’ll forgive every sin, and He’ll heal every wound,
And give peace midst all troubles and strife.
For He knows every heart, and He hears every cry,
And He always is there when we call,
He’ll provide all our needs from His boundless supply,
When we love Him, and give Him our all.

SANCTUARY LIGHT: The Sanctuary Light is requested to burn this week Nov. 16– 23 in memory of Peter Hubick by his wife Vera Hubick.

CHURCH CLEANING: Our thanks to the men and women who came together to clear our church last week and the Hall this past week. This is all volunteer services by our parishioners and two of our friends. God’s blessing to those who care and help in the house of the Lord.

FLOWERS: Ketler Florist has been contacted and they are willing to take our orders for flowers ranging from $30 and up – whatever you request. They will deliver free of charge. If you would like a small vase it can be arrange at different prices. Your request for the flowers can be made by signing the chart in the vestibule.

Saturday, Nov. 9
4:00 PM ✞ Priscilla Kowalick – Michael Kowalick

Sunday, Nov. 10 TWENTY SECOND SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
8:30 AM God’s Blessings and Good Health for all Parishioners


PLEASE NOTE

Saturday, Nov. 16 Time change for this Divine Liturgy – Penguins hockey game.
3:00 PM ✞Thomas Sydnor – Sandra Sydnor

Sunday, Nov. 17 TWENTY THIRD SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
8:30 AM God’s Blessings and

Knowing about God and knowing God are very different things. 
Lord, may I recognize Your workings in my life so that I may really know You.

SANCTUARY LIGHT: The Sanctuary Light is requested to burn the week of November 9 – 16 by Rosemarie Kachinko & Family in memory of Sandra
SOBORCHYKY: A Deanery Level Sobor will be held on Saturday, November 16 at Saints Peter & Paul Church in Plymouth. The Archeparchial Sobor theme of “Community and Unity” will continue on the Deanery Level.  Registration will be from 9:30-10:00AM followed by the “Introduction” and break-out into discussion groups. We will break at noon to celebrate the (Liturgy of) The Sixth Hour, followed by lunch. The plan is to close the Soborchyky at 1:00PM. All parishioners are welcome to attend.

WOMEN’S SOCIETY: The regular monthly meeting of the Women’s Society will be held in the church hall on Tuesday, November 12th. The time will be 10:30 AM because after the meeting the cleaning of the Hall will be acquired. All members, please be in attendance.

Saturday, November 2
4:00 PM ✞Sandra Elko – Kachinko Family

Sunday, November 3 TWENTY FIRST SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
8:30 AM God’s Blessings and Good Health for all Parishioners

Friday, Nov. 8 ST. MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL AND ALL SAINTS
9:00 AM ✞Michael Oherko – Oherko Family

Saturday, Nov. 9
4:00 PM ✞Priscilla Kowalick – Michael Kowalick

Sunday, Nov. 10 TWENTY SECOND SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST

St. Michael the Archangel
Feast Day November 8th
St. Michael (Michael means ‘Who is like God’) is the leader of the heavenly hosts and the greatest adversary of Satan. Under his leadership the faithful Angels defeated Lucifer and cast him in to Hell, the chieftain of the rebellious angels. This feast was instituted at the time of Emperor Constantine the Great in the fourth century.
St. Michael became patron of Kiev, capital of the Kievan-Rus Kingdom (now known as Ukraine) since the early days of Christianity in our country.
The Church honors all the angelic choirs on the same day, when it pays a tribute of honor to their leader, St. Michael.

PRAYER TO ST. MICCHAEL

‘Saint Michael the Archangel defend us in battle.
Be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil;
May God rebuke him, we humbly pray;
And do thou, O Prince of the Heavenly Host,
by the power of God,
thrust into hell Satan and all evil spirits
who wander through the world for the ruin of souls.
Amen.’

Continued from last week bulletin- The Divine Liturgy
The Consecration – The priest says silently the prayer before the elevation. The deacon makes the sign of the cross and a bow; then crossing his hands to remind the people that the Divine Liturgy is a mystical representation and renewal of Christ’s sacrifice upon the cross, he lifts up the body and blood of Jesus Christ.
The priest exhorts the people to give thanks to the Blessed Virgin for having born Christ, without Whom the Sacrifice of the Divine Liturgy would not be possible. The people thank the Mother of God for such a great sacrifice as Jesus Christ’s by singing the hymn in her honor. During the hymn the priest says silently the prayers for the living and the dead and recommends to God by name persons for whom he wishes to pray.
The Exclamation: The priest turns to the people and asks God to bless them. The people make the sign of the cross when blessed as a sign of their willingly taking up their own cross. The people sing the “Our Father”, whereby the people prepare their hearts to receive Jesus Christ in Holy Communion.
The priest asks God silently for the grace to receive worthily and to distribute Holy Communion to the faithful, that his personal sins do not stop God’s graces from reaching the people. The priest makes three small bows, saying each time: O God, have mercy on me, a sinner. The priest uncovers the chalice and takes the Great Host to break it, the priest says aloud: Holy things for the holy.
Elevation and breaking of the Ahnets (Lamb of God): The priest places the four divided parts of the Ahnets on the four sides of the paten. He takes the upper part and makes therewith the sign of the cross above the holy chalice and then puts it into the chalice. Thus the Body and the Blood of Jesus Christ are reunited again, recalling the Glorious Resurrection of Our Lord, when His soul re-entered His glorified Body on the day of the resurrection.
Holy Communion – The priest covers the chalice with the purifier, puts the spoon therein, makes a reverent bow, takes the chalice and descending to the Royal Doors exclaims: “Approach with the fear of God and with faith.” The faithful of the Ukrainian Catholic Church follow the original custom of receiving Holy Communion as the Risen Christ, His body re-united with His blood. Holy Communion takes us back in time to the “Last Supper.” After the Communion of the people, the priest places the spoon, in the chalice, covers the chalice with the purifier, and blesses the people. The blessing with the Blessed Sacrament is God blessing all his people, those who were properly disposed and not, as Christ gave to His disciples and apostles before Ascending into heaven.
The priest carries the Holy Gifts to the table of preparation, commemorating the Ascension of Our Lord Jesus Christ, incenses and then returns to the Altar. The people stand during the song of thanksgiving and remain standing up to the end of the Divine Liturgy remembering the Risen Christ. The priest gives the Dismissal Prayer.
SANCTUARY LIGHT: The Sanctuary Light is requested to burn the week of November 2 – 9 by Mary Ann Kachinko in memory of Bernard Kachinko.

ALTAR CANDLES: The Altar Candles will burn at all services for the month of November in memory of Dimitri Bencho requested by daughter Rebecca Molecavage.

WOMEN’S SOCIETY: The regular monthly meeting of the Women’s Society will be held in the church hall on Tuesday, November 12th. The time will be 10:30 AM because after the meeting the cleaning of the Hall will be acquired. All members, please be in attendance. On Wednesday, Nov. 6th 10:30 AM the men and women of the parish will be cleaning the church. If you can possibly come and help in any little way, please join in to accomplish this chore.

Baptism and Chrismation Announcement: On Saturday Nov. 9th Caroline Evans and David Evans will receive the Sacraments of Baptism and Chrismation.  Carline is the daughter of Joseph and Colleen Evans and David is the son of Kathryn and Zachary Evans.

SOBORCHYK: A Deanery Level Sobor will be held on Saturday, November 16 at Saints Peter & Paul Church in Plymouth. The Archeparchial Sobor theme of “Community and Unity” will continue on the Deanery Level.  Registration will be from 9:30-10:00AM followed by the “Introduction” and break-out into discussion groups. We will break at noon to celebrate the (Liturgy of) The Sixth Hour, followed by lunch. The plan is to close the Soborchyk at 1:00PM.

FOOD SALE: St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Church, 153 E. Main St., Glen Lyon, PA is sponsoring a Vegetable Soup, Turkey and Italian Hoagie sale and a bake sale, Thursday, November 14, 2019 from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM in the church hall. The hoagies and a quart of soup are $6.00 each. The orders must be made by November 10, 2019.

Saturday, Oct. 19
4:00 PM ✞Victoria Rogozinska – Olympia Pasicznyk

Sunday, Oct. 20 NINETEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
10:30 AM God’s Blessings and Good Health for all Parishioners

Thursday, Oct. 24
9:00 AM ✞Mary Toma – Catherine Dulski

Saturday, Oct. 26
4:00 PM ✞Bernard Kachinko – Mary Ann Kachinko & Family

Sunday, Oct. 27 TWENTIETH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
10:30 AM God’s Blessings and Good Health for all Parishioners

The Lord Told this Parable: Luke: 16, 19-31
“There was once a rich man, who was clothed in purple and fine linen, and feasted every day. And there was a beggar, called Lazarus, who lay at his gate, covered with sores. And he wished to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man’s table. And dogs came to lick his sores.
Time went on; the beggar died, and
was carried by the angels into Abraham’s Bosom.
The rich man also died and was buried.
And suffering in hell, he lifted up his eyes, and
Saw Abraham far off, and Lazarus in his bosom.
He cried out, “Father Abraham, have
Mercy on me, and send Lazarus to dip the tip
Of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for
I am tormented in this flame!”
But Abraham said, “Child, remember
that you did receive your good fortune in your
life-time, just as Lazarus received ill fortune; so
now he is in the delights, and you in torment. And
besides all this, there is a great abyss fixed between
us and you, so that there is no passing from our
side of it to you, nor crossing over to us from yours.”
He said, “Father, I pray thee send him to my father’s house, for I have brother, to give them a warning, so that they may not come into this place of torment.”
Abraham said to him, “they have Moses and the prophets. Let them listen to them.” But he replied, “No. Father Abraham (they will not listen to Moses), but if a messenger comes to them from the dead, they will repent.”
But he answered him, “If they do not listen to Moses and the prophets, they will not believe, though one should rise from the dead!”

The Nail
As the story goes, they built a new church building and people came from far and wide to see it. They admired its beauty!
Up on the roof, a little nail heard the people praising everything about the lovely structure-except the nail! No one even knew he was there, and he became angry and jealous.
“If I am that insignificant, nobody will miss me if I quit!” So the nail then released its hold, slid down the roof, and fell in the mud.
That night it rained and rained. Soon, the shingle that had no nail blew away, and the roof began to leak. The water streaked the walls and the beautiful murals. The plaster began to fall, the carpet was stained, and the tetrapod was ruined by water. All this because a little nail decided to quit!
But what of the nail? While holding the shingle, it was obscure but it was also useful. Buried in the mud it was just as obscure, but now it was useless and would soon be corroded away to rust!
The moral of the story –
EVERY MEMBER IS IMPORTANT TO THE CHURCH!
You may, like the nail, feel obscure at times, but just like the nail, your absence is felt. When you are not present to praise God, the body of Christ hurts. We are ALL a part of the Lord’s ministry.

SANCTUARY LIGHT: The week of October 19- 26 is requested by Mr. & Mrs. Jack Huff for God’s Blessing of good health for their son Jackson Huff.

RUMMAGE SALE: The Women’s Society wishes to thank anyone who participated in the Rummage Sale last weekend. The Sale was a success with the bake sale, food and rummage. The profit is not totaled but will be reported at a future date. Thank you again for all those who did their share.

HARVEST DINNER: Sponsored by Scranton’s St. Vladimir Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church on Sunday, November 17, 2019 – 12:30pm at St. Vladimir Parish Center – 428 North Seventh Avenue.  Roast beef, mashed potatoes, gravy, hot vegetables, dinner rolls, dessert, coffee, tea and other beverages.  Adults $13.00; Students 6 to 12 years $8.00; no charge for children age 5 and under. Reservations close Monday, November 11 – no tickets sold at the door. Take-outs available only by advance order – must pick up promptly between 11:30am and 12:00 noon. Several door prizes will be awarded along with a Basket of Cheer and Ukrainian tablecloth raffles. For reservations contact Maria Black

LUC Meeting: Father Myron Myronyuk, pastor of Scranton’s St. Vladimir Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, extends a cordial welcome to a beautiful Prayer Service – Moleben for the Canonization of Blessed Andrey Sheptytsky – on Sunday, November 10, 2019 at 2:30pm to be followed by a church sponsored meeting of the North Anthracite Council of the League of Ukrainian Catholics (LUC). Agenda items include: commemorating the 75th anniversary of Blessed Andrey’s passing (November 1, 1944), recent presentation by Rev. Dean Mark Morozowich, aid to the orphan children of Ukraine and fund raising plans including the May 2020 bus trip to New York City. A bountiful reception will follow the meeting. This is a public event to which all parishioners and friends are welcome.