SS Peter & Paul Ukrainian Catholic Church

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

CHRISTMAS EVE – 4:00 PM – Great Compline – Litia Service
Z Namy Boh 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)
✞Ann Phillips – Son Peter Phillips
Merry Christmas!

Monday, Dec. 26 SYNOXIS OF THE MOTHER OF GOD
11:00 AM ✞All Deceased Mothers & Fathers of the Parish

Tuesday, Dec. 27 ST. STEPHEN, PROTOMARTYR
9:00 AM ✞Peter Phillips – Son Peter Phillps

Thursday, Dec. 29
9:00 AM ✞John Phillips – Brother Peter Phillips

Saturday, Dec. 31
4:00 PM ✞John Finley Jr.– Anna Magill
Sunday, Jan. 1 SUNDAY BEFORE THE THEOPHANY
CIRCUMCISION OF OUR LORD
8:30 AM God’s Blessings and Good Health for all Parishioners

For God so loved the world He sent His only begotten Son into the world.
John 3:16

UKRAINIAN CHRISTMAS – Plans for having our Ukrainian Holy Supper is for Sunday, January 8th. Father and the Parish council suggested having this supper on Sunday, January 8th at 1:00 or 2:00 PM so that more parishioners could attend. This affair will be celebrated if we have enough people interested in attending. A sign-up sheet is in the vestibule if you plan to attend. If we do not have enough people interested the affair will be cancelled. So please sign the sheet in the vestibule and the dish you wish to bring as this is a cover dish and the church will supply the Fish and Pyrohys. This supper is all meatless.

SANCTUARY LIGHT: The Sanctuary light is requested to burn this week Dec. 24 – 31 by Ann Beshada in memory of her mother Mary Conniff.

NATIVITY: Our thanks to those who came out to help set up the Nativity last Sunday. A few men and women and one non parishioner was there to make this scene so beautiful. May God bless them for their generous hours to their church.

LOTTERY SALES: Mike Sinko gave his report on the sale of the November Lottery tickets. 1000 tickets were sold giving a net of $5000. Paid out to winners is $1700., expenses amounted to $95., leaving a profit of $3205. Thanks to all who sold and purchased the tickets for this fund raiser.

Saturday, Dec. 17
4:00 PM ✞Michael Sirak ~ M/M John & Michaelene Ostrum

Sunday, Dec. 18 SUNDAY BEFORE CHRISTMAS – HOLY ANCESSTORS
8:30 AM God’s Blessings and Good Health for all Parishioners

Thursday, Dec. 22
9:00 AM ✞John Phillips – Brother Peter Phillips

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

Sunday, December 25 ~ Christmas Day –NATIVITY OF OUR LORD – 8:30 AM
Divine Liturgy – Anointing of Holy Oil and Myrovania
✞Ann Phillips – Son Peter Phillips

Monday, Dec. 26 SYNOXIS OF THE MOTHER OF GOD
11:00 AM ✞All Deceased Mothers & Fathers of the Parish

Tuesday, Dec. 27 ST. STEPHEN, PROTOMARTYR
9:00 AM ✞John Phillips – Brother Peter Phillips

Thursday, Dec. 29
9:00 AM ✞Peter Phillips- Son Peter Phillps

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 enters the world as an infant and does not cease to be God. “And the Word was made flesh and dwelt amongst us” – says St. John the Evangelist. Christ’s nativity is the cradle of our faith. Only faith is able to accept this unfathomable mystery, understand it and adore it.
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 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…

”UKRAINIAN CHRISTMAS – Plans for having our Ukrainian Holy Supper is for Sunday, January 8th. Father and the Parish council suggested having this supper on Sunday, January 8th at 1:00 or 2:00 PM so that more parishioners could attend. This affair will be celebrated if we have enough people interested in attending. A sign-up sheet is in the vestibule if you plan to attend. If we do not have enough people interested the affair will be cancelled. So please sign the sheet in the vestibule and the dish you wish to bring as this is a cover dish and the church will supply the Fish and Pyrohys. This supper is all meatless.

NATIVITY SET UP: This Sunday, December 18th all who is available plan 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 1:00 PM.

SANCTUARY LIGHT: The Sanctuary light is requested to burn this week Dec. 17 – 24 by the Halloway Family in memory of all the deceased members of the Halloway Family.

BIRTHDAY GREETINGS: Happy Birthday to our youngest Parish Family member Jude Michael Schappert who celebrated his First Birthday on Friday, Dec. 16th. God’s Blessing on Jude for many more happy, healthy years.

WELCOME NEW PARISHIONERS: We are glad to welcome two new parishioners to our Parish Family, Jodi B and James Gursey.

Saturday, Dec. 10 ~ 4:00 PM God’s Blessings for Good Health for Anna Bosack –
Mr. & Mrs. Bernie Kosek

Sunday, Dec. 11 ~ 8:30 AM SUNDAY OF THE HOLY FOREFATHERS
God’s Blessings and Good Health for all Parishioners

Thursday, Dec. 15 ~ 9:00 AM ✞John Phillips – Brother Peter Phillips

Saturday, Dec. 17 ~ 4:00 PM Good Health for Sally Halloway Blount –
Halloway Family

Sunday, Dec. 18 ~ 8:30AM SUNDAY BEFORE CHRISTMAS
OF THE HOLY ANCESSTORS
God’s Blessings and Good Health for all Parishioners

Schedule for Christmas
Saturday, December 24 ~ Christmas Eve – 4:00 PM
Compline Litia Service – Divine Liturgy – Anointing of Holy Oil and Myravania
God’s Blessings and Good Health for all Parishioners
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Sunday, December 25 ~ Christmas Day – 8:30 AM
Divine Liturgy – Anointing of Holy Oil and Myravania
God’s Blessings and Good Health for all Parishioners

Merry Christmas
The greeting we know in English comes to us from Brittany in the Middle Ages.  The word “merry” from that time means ‘powerful, or mighty.  Sort of changes the meaning of Robin Hood and his merry men, doesn’t it? 
The word Christmas came to Brittany through Rome from Alexandria/Egypt.  Christ clearly comes from the Greek Kristos as Greek was the international language.  The second half of the word, ‘mas’ comes from indigenous Egyptians as ‘mas’ [NOT pronounced ‘mass’ but ‘mahs’], well ‘mas’ means day of birth, or nativity of.  So Christmas means “The Nativity of Christ” and Merry means “powerful’ or ‘mighty’.  So now you can see the greeting is telling us to have a powerful, mighty or a strongly meaningful celebration of the day of the nativity of the Lord and God and Savior Jesus Christ.
Father I get so upset when I see Merry X-mas, or Happy Holidays, or Season’s Greetings!
Did you know that the use of X-mas too comes from the early Church?  Kristos in Greek is written Χριοτός so that the abbreviation as common in the church for Christ was to use the capital letter chi, the first letter in the title Christ in Greek, Kristos as transliterated into English but again written in Geek it is “Χριοτός.”  So Christ is in X-mas, only one need to understand Early Christianity.

On Happy Holidays, do you know that the word “holidays” comes from “holy days”?  The greeting is actually Happy Holy Days.  When you get your new church calendar stop and take a look at how many Holy Days we have between the Nativity of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on the 25th of December and the Encounter of Our Lord with Simeon and Anna on the 2nd of February, the end of the Christmas Season, and you will grasp that this greeting originated within the Church and that Season’s Greetings coincides with this multiplicity of Holy Days.
Christ is Born!  Glorify Him!
Christ is Baptized in the Jordan!  Indeed He is baptized!
Christ is among us!  Indeed He is (among us)!
Are some of “our church’s” season’s greetings.
So now, when someone speaks up about “X”-mas or says “ex-mas,” you can speak up to them that it is Kristos-mas from the Church Greek in an abbreviated form and NOT an “X” from the Latin alphabet used in English.  It is the Greek letter “chi” not the English letter “x” [eks].  Or when someone says, “Happy Holidays” you can respond to them “Yes, Happy Holy Days to you.”  Or when someone says, “Season’s Greetings” offer them in reply a , “Christ is Born!”  Use these opportunities to speak up about your church and it’s traditions to enlighten the world we live in. May you be blessed with a Merry Kristosmas Season!
Christ is Born!
Glorify Him!
SANCTUARY LIGHT: The Sanctuary light is requested to burn this week Dec. 10 – 17 by Ron & Rosemarie Kachinko in memory of their daughter Sandra Elko.

WOMEN’S SOCIETY: The Parish Women’s Society will hold their annual Christmas Party this Sunday, Dec. 11th at 1:30 PM. All members are invited to attend and there will be a visit from Santa.

CHURCH: The women will clean the church for Christmas on Wednesday, Dec. 14th at 10:00 AM. Help is needed in this project and would be appreciated if anyone who is able to come to give a hand. It’s a big job but with a lot of help it is done in a few hours. Men, you are also invited to lend a helpful hand. The Nativity Scene will be set up on Sunday, Dec. 18th at 1:00 PM. Help is much in need for this project. Please try to come and help to make our parish a festive occasion. Thank you.

Father Walter wishes to present “The Star of Bethlehem” movie next Saturday, December 17th at 2:00 PM. The Movie is about 1 hr. and Divine Liturgy is at 4:00 PM. Refreshments will be served after the movie event. Please try to attend this beautiful presentation for the Christmas Holiday. If you did not sign for your attendance please sign the sheet on the Tedipod if you plan to attend. A little desserts are always welcome.

Saturday, Dec. 3
4:00 PM ✞Michael Sirak – Wife Helene Sirak & Michaelene Ostrum

Sunday, Dec. 4 TWENTY NINTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
8:30 AM God’s Blessings and Good Health for all Parishioners

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Tuesday, Dec. 6 Nicolas of Myra Archbishop
Anointing of Holy Oil – Myrovania
8:30 AM ✞Fr. Nicholas Kostiuk – Ron and RoseMarie Kachinko and Family

Thursday, Dec. 8 NO Divine Liturgy
Friday, Dec.9 MATURNITY OF HOLY ANNA
8:30 AM ✞John & Mildred Starzec – Ron & Rose Marie Kachinko

Saturday, Dec.10
4:00 PM God’s Blessings for Good Health for Anna Bosack –
Mr. & Mrs. Bernie Kosek

Sunday, Dec. 11 SUNDAY OF THE FOREFATHERS
8:30 AM God’s Blessings and Good Health for all Parishioners

Remember in your prayers Joseph Onderko a patient at Little Flower Manor. Anna Bosack has been transferred to Tiffany Court, Edwardsville, PA.

SANCTUARY LIGHT: The Sanctuary Light is requested to burn the week of Dec. 3 – 10 by Paul & Dolores Hoover in memory of Theodore Soppeck.

ALTAR CANDLES: The Altar Candles are requested to burn for all services in the month of December by Albert Piston in memory of his parents Jennie & Michael Piston.

PYROHY PROJECT: The Parish Pyrohy project was a success thanks to all the faithful who came out to help with this project. 412 dozen was purchased. We thank all who donated monetary, food and baked desserts for this fund raiser. The work is tiring but the rewards are great, all seemed to have an enjoyable day.

WOMEN’S SOCIETY: The annual Christmas Party for the Parish Women’s Society will be held on Sunday, December 11th 1:30 PM at the Church Hall. Santa will pay a visit and a good time will be had for all.

LOTTERY: The last of the winners are listed for the month of November. We wish to thank Mike & Dolores for their job well done in handling this fund-raiser. We do thank all who purchased tickets and to all the sellers who helped to make this a success.

Father Walter wishes to present “The Star of Bethlehem” movie on Saturday, December 17th at 2:00 PM. The Movie is about 1 hrs. and Divine Liturgy is at 4:00 PM. Refreshments will be served after the movie event. Please try to attend this beautiful presentation for the Christmas Holiday. Sign in if you plan to attend.

Conception by St. Anne WHEN SHE CONCEIVED the Most Holy MOTHER OF GOD
December 9TH
Against all hope, the bonds of barrenness are loosed. For, God has hearkened unto Joachim and Anna clearly promising that they would bear a godly maiden. He who commanded the angel to cry out to her, “Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with you,” will be born of her, the infinite One Himself, becoming man.
According to the ancient tradition of the Church, since Saint Anna, the Ancestor of God, was barren, she and her husband Joachim remained without children until old age. Therefore, sorrowing over their childlessness, they besought God with a promise that, if He were to grant them the fruit of the womb, they would offer their offspring to Him as a gift. And God, hearkening to their supplication, informed them through an Angel concerning the birth of the Virgin. And thus, through God’s promise, Anna conceived according to the laws of nature, and was deemed worthy to become the mother of the Mother of our Lord.
The early church and our church has always celebrated the feast day on the 9th of December.  It is others who have changed.  The entire Church in prior time always celebrated the conception, birth and death of three people.  They are: John the Baptizer, Mary the Theotokos and Jesus Christ.  All the Church, East and West celebrated these Feast Days on the following days:  The Conception of John the Baptizer is celebrated on the 23rd of September and the Birth of John the Baptizer is celebrated on the 24th of June.  The Maternity of Anna, i.e. Mary being conceived in the womb, is celebrated on the 9th of December and The Birth of the Theotokos; i.e Birth Giver, Mary, is celebrated on the 8th of September.  The Feast of the Annunciation of the Theotokos, i.e Gabriel announcing to Mary that she will be the birthgiver of the Son of God, is celebrated on the 25th of March and the Feast Day of the Natavity of the Son of God is the 25th of December.  Now when you look at the time span of each you will see for John the Baptist this is 9 months PLUS 1 day, for Mary this is 9 months MINUS 1 day and for Christ this is a PERFECT  9 months.  So that the feast days of the saints stand on both sides of Christ and direct us to the path of righteousness, Christ, saying to us, “Follow Him.  He is God and will show us the path to salvation.”
The one western church, the Roman Catholics, changed this and now celebrate these feasts all at 9 months, 9 months and 9 months.  Further, if we had a more full iconstas we would find on either side of Christ the Good Ruler an icon of Mary and on the other side an icon of John the Baptist.  Here again, one on the right and one on the left directing us to the middle, the Son of God, the path of righteousness for which to follow. 

Saturday, Nov. 26
4:00 PM Stella Skirut – Michaelene Ostrum

Sunday, Nov. 27 TWENTY EIGHTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
8:30 AM God’s Blessings and Good Health for all Parishioners
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Thursday, Dec. 1
9:00 AM God’s Blessings on all Parishioners
Saturday, Dec. 3
4:00 PM Michael Sirak – Wife Helene Sirak & Michaelene Ostrum

Sunday, Dec.4 TWENTY NINTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
8:30 AM God’s Blessings and Good Health for all Parishioners

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Father Walter wishes to present “The Star of Bethlehem” movie on Saturday, December 17th at 2:00 PM. The Movie is about 1 ½ hrs. and Divine Liturgy is at 4:00 PM. Refreshments will be served after the movie event. Please try to attend this beautiful presentation for the Christmas Holiday.

SS Peter and Paul Ukrainian Catholic Church, Wilkes-Barre, PA invites you to join their Parish for the Annual Christmas Carol Sing Along on Sunday, December 11th at 2:00 PM. Fellowship will follow in the lower Church Hall.
Recite this prayer 15 times a day starting on the Feast of St. Andrew, November 30th until Christmas to pray for your petition.
BLESSED BE THE HOUR AND THE 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 VOUCH-SAFE TO HEAR MY PRAYER AND GRANT MY DESIRES THROUGH THE MERITS OF OUR SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST AND OF HIS BLESSED MOTHER. AMEN.


The Feast Day of 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 greater. 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 disciple of Christ. Next, Andrew brought his brother Simon (St. Peter) to Jesus and Jesus received him, too, as His disciple. 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. It is The Star of Bethlehem movie and refreshments, Saturday the 17th of December, 2 pm.believed that after Our Lord ascended into Heaven, St. Andrew went to Greece to preach the gospel. It is said he was put to death on a cross, 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.

SANCTUARY LIGHT: A mistake was in last week bulletin for the Sanctuary Light. The date of Nov. 19 – 26 was requested by Albert Ferkel in memory of his parents Catherine & Albert Ferkel. This week Nov. 26 – Dec. 3 is requested by Anna Magill in memory of Donald Magill.

FLOWERS: Our thanks to Geri Kolotelo for 1 Bouquet of flowers this week in memory of her mother Anna Kolotelo and to Anna Magill for her donation of 1 Bouquet of flowers in memory of Donald Magill.

PYROHY PROJECT: Monday, November 28th at 10:00 AM is the preparation of the potatoes, etc. Tuesday, November 29th the Pyrohy orders will begin at 8:00 AM and pick up for orders is any time after 10:30 AM. We are in much need of help and if you never came before now is the time to give a helping hand which will be greatly appreciated and contributing to your Church.

ALTAR CANDLES: A new chart is available for the monthly candles that burn at all services for a month. The Donation is $40 and your intention will be remembered either for a loved one, an occasion, good health or any other intention you may have to request.

2017 ENVELOPES: Your 2017 Church envelopes are available in the vestibule. If you can distribute to anyone who is unable to attend services please try to take them to those people. Your contributions are what keep our Parish going. Try to use all the envelopes to help with the expenses of operation. Thank you.

Saturday, Nov. 19
4:00 PM Sandy Elko – Ron & Rosemarie Kachinko

Sunday, Nov. 20 TWENTY SIXTH SUDAY AFTER PENTECOST
8:30 AM God’s Blessings and Good Health for all Parishioners

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Monday, Nov. 21 ENTRANCE OF THE THEOTOKOS
9:00 AM Anointing of Holy Oil – Myrovania
Andrew Beshada – Ann Beshada

Thursday, Nov. 24 Thanksgiving Divine Liturgy,
9:00 AM Nicholas Glogowski – Daughter Anna Koprowski
Saturday, Nov. 26
4:00 PM Stella Skirut – Michaelene Ostrum

Sunday, Nov. 27

TWENTY EIGHTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
8:30 AM God’s Blessings and Good Health for all Parishioners

SANCTUARY LIGHT: The Sanctuary Light is requested to burn this week
Nov. 19-26 by Vera Hubick in memory of her husband Peter Hubick.

PYROHY PROJECT: The Pyrohy project will be held Monday, November 28 at 10:00 AM to prepare the potatoes, etc. and Tuesday, November 29 to complete the orders. All the help we can get is important so please, if at all possible come and lend a hand. Pick up orders will be Tuesday, Nov. 29 after 11:00 AM.

BUILDING FUND: We sincerely thank Michael & Helen Kowalick for their donation of $100 in memory of Pricilla Kowalick.

Saturday, Nov. 12
4:00 PM ✞ Pricilla Kowalick – Michael & Helen Kowalick

Sunday, Nov. 13 TWENTY SIXTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
8:30 AM God’s Blessings and Good Health for all Parishioners

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Thursday, Nov. 17
9:00 AM ✞Francis Kuczeriawa – Father Walter Pasicznyk

Saturday, Nov. 19
4:00 PM ✞Sandy Elko – Ron & Rosemarie Kachinko

Sunday, Nov. 20 TWENTY SEVENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
8:30 AM God’s Blessings and Good Health for all Parishioners

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The Preparatory Season for the Nativity of Our Lord – The Phillipian Fast– Phillip’s Fast, Nativity Fast, Byzantine Advent – terms designating the 40 day preparation period before the Christmas / Theophany season.  It begins at sundown on November 14th (when the Church begins a new day) and concludes at Christmas. Please remember to – Pray, Fast, live well, and give alms during this time.

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 warily 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

Who do you say that I am?
Meditations for the Pre-Christmas Fast, Christmas, and Theophany
“But you”, He said, “Who do you say that I am?” Then Simon Peter spoke up, “You are the Christ,” he said, “the Son of the living God.” Matthew 16:15,16
“Who do you say that I am?” Was there ever such a penetrating question? Our answer to this question reveals not only who we think Christ is, but also who we are. Many of those who first heard Jesus ask this question were men and women of the Law. This is why they thought Jesus only a prophet. But Simon Peter could truly see Jesus for Who He Is. In his answer Peter revealed himself to be a man of God.
What of our answers to the question of Jesus? What do our answers say about us? Are we men  filled with the Holy Spirit? One of the most ancient titles Christians give themselves was “Christ-bearers.” From the very first we have been aware that we are called “to bear the mysteries of God,” to bear Christ to the world. As we prepare to greet Christ in His Nativity and His Baptism in the Jordan, we should look to our life. Do we bear Christ in all of our life, or only in those parts of our life we consider “religious” or “spiritual”?
The pre-Nativity fast is often called “Phillip’s Fast” because it begins on the day after the feast of St. Phillip.  The fast was introduced to prepare the Church for a worthy celebration of the great and holy day of the Birth of Christ. The regulations for the fast were far more lenient than the Great Fast before Pascha.  Only Monday, Wednesday, and Friday were days of strict fasting without meat, dairy products or oil (in Slavic countries).  On Sundays fish was permitted.  Laymen were at first permitted to eat fish on other days, too, until the monastic rigoristic influence prevailed.  It is interesting to observe that the famous 12th century Byzantine canonist Balsamon expressed the opinion that it would be enough if laymen fasted only one week before Christmas.  In 1958 a modern Greek author, Christos M. Enislides, welcomes Balsamon’s suggestion and believes that the best solution would be for the Church at large to abstain from meat and dairy products for 33 days.  During the last seven days of the fast everybody should observe the strict fast.

SANCTUARY LIGHT: The Sanctuary Light is requested to burn the week of Nov. 12– 19 by Vera Hubick in memory of her husband Peter Hubick.

FLOWERS: Our thanks for the bouquets of flowers this week: 1 Bouquet donated by Ron & Rosemarie Kachinko in memory of their daughter Sandra Elko and 1 Bouquet donated by Becky Molecavage in memory of her father Dimitri Bencho.

CEMETERY FUND: We wish to thank Michael Shipula for his donation of $100 to our Parish Cemetery Fund in memory of his parents Anthony & Phyloretta Shipula.

BIRTHDAY GREETINGS: We wish to extend our Best Wishes to Anna Bosack who celebrated her 94th Birthday on Monday, November 14th and to Helen Youelles who will celebrate her 97th Birthday on November 29th. Many more Happy, Healthy Years. Mnohya Lita!

WOMEN’S SOCIETY: The Rummage sale was a huge success thanks to all who contributed to the sale. The Net received was $4200 and bills are to be paid. Many thanks. to all the Bakers, the help and all who participated in this sale,

PYROHI PROJECT: Please place your order if you did not do so. The amount of Pyrohys to be prepared is limited to 400 dozen. The cut off for orders is Nov. 23rd. Pyrohys will be $7 a doz. and the date for pick up is Tuesday, November 29th after 11:00 AM. Preparation will begin on Monday, November 28th at 10:00 AM and the filling of orders on Tuesday, November 29th at 8:00 AM. REMEMBER, HELP IS NEEDED TO DO THIS PROJECT. TRY TO COME AND DO YOUR PART.

Saturday, Nov. 5
4:00 PM ✞Bernie Kachinko – Wife Mary Ann and Family

Sunday, Nov. 6 TWENTY FIFTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
8:30 AM God’s Blessings and Good Health for all Parishioners
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Monday, Nov. 7 Feast of St. Michael and all the Saints
6:00 PM In Honor of All Our Military – Potsko Family Myrovania – Blessing of Holy Oil
All of the Clergy are to attend the 75th Anniversary year of the Seminary in
Washington, DC on this Feast Day, November 8th.
Our Divine Liturgy will be celebrated on Monday, November 7th at 6:00 PM Both SS Peter & Paul and Transfiguration of Our Lord will attend this Liturgy at SS Peter & Paul Ukrainian Catholic Church.
Saturday, Nov. 12
4:00 PM ✞Pricilla Kowalick – Michael & Helen Kowalick

Sunday, Nov. 13 TWENTY SIXTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
8:30 AM God’s Blessings and Good Health for all Parishioners

TURKEY BINGO at St Mary’s Byzantine Catholic Church, 700 Oak St. in Taylor will be held on Sunday, November 13th, at 1:00 PM. Admission is $3.00. Extra Bingo
Cards – $2.00. There will be food and beverages available as well as baking goods. Doors open at 12 Noon. Bingo starts at 1:00 PM . Phone: 570-457-3042.

SANCTUARY LIGHT: The Sanctuary Light is requested to burn this week November 5 – 12 by Becky Molecavage in memory of her father Dimitri Bencho.

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

FLOWERS: Our thanks to Mary Ann Kachinko and Family for their donation of Flowers this week in memory of Bernard Kachinko, Sr. Birthday in heaven.

WOMEN’S SOCIETY: The regular monthly meeting of the Parish Women’s Society will meet Tuesday, November 8th in the Church Hall at 6:30 PM.

PYROHY PROJECT: The Pyrohy Project will be held on Monday, November 28 and Tuesday, November 29. Hopefully we will have enough help to produce this great food. PLEASE, if you could possibly give a hand to come and help – DO SO. We could use all the help that is available. The Pyrohy’s will sell for $7 a dozen and the orders will be limited to 400 d0zen.

Donation: Our thanks for the donation of a case of Altar Wine used for Holy Communion by an Anonymous parishioner at the cost of $60.25.

HOAGIE SALE: St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Church, 153 E. Main St., Glen Lyon, PA is holding a Turkey and Italian Hoagie and Bake Sale on Thursday, November 17, 2016 from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM in the church hall. Orders can be placed by November 13th.

CRAFT SALE: SS Cyril and Methodius Ukrainian Catholic Church, Warren St. and First Ave, Berwick, PA is sponsoring a Craft Sale on Saturday, November 5, 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Lunch is available. Take outs start at 12:00 noon. For information contact Janine Everett.

BRUNCH: A brunch will be held at St. Michaels Ukrainian Orthodox Church, Scranton, PA – Sunday November 13, 2016 at 12:00 Noon. Ham, Eggs, Potatoes, Kielbasa, Roll, Fruit cup, Danish and Beverages. Adults $10.00 Children $5.00. RSVP by Thursday, November 3, 2016.

Annual Harvest Dinner: St. Vladimir Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, 428 North Seventh Avenue, Scranton PA is sponsoring a Harvest Dinner Sunday, November 20, 2016 – 12:30pm in St. Vladimir Parish Center – Roast beef, mashed potatoes, gravy, hot vegetables, dinner rolls, dessert, coffee, tea and beverages. Adults $13.00; Students 6 to 12 years $8.00; no charge for children age 5 and under Advance reservations close Sunday, November 13 – no tickets sold at the door.Take-outs available – must pick up promptly between 11:30am and 12:00 noon. Tickets will be available for a Basket of Cheer raffle and a 50/50 drawing.
For reservations contact Dorothy Fleck

Saturday, Oct. 29
4:00 PM ✞John & Mildred Starzec – Ron & Rosemarie Kachinko

Sunday, Oct. 30 TWENTY FOURTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
8:30 AM God’s Blessings and Good Health for all Parishioners
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Thursday, Nov. 3
8:30 God’s Blessings and Good Health for all Parishioners

Saturday, Nov. 5
4:00 PM ✞Bernie Kachinko – Wife Mary Ann Kachinko & Family

Sunday, Nov. 6 TWENTY FIFTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
8:30 AM God’s Blessings and Good Health for all Parishioners

THE GREAT MARTYR ST. DEMETRIUS
October 26th
St. Demetrius is one of the Great Martyrs upon whom the Church bestowed the title of Great Martyr and Myroblyte (Myrrh-exuding One because, from his relics, myrrh was said to have exuded). His memory is kept by the Eastern Church on the 26th of October and by the Western Church on the 8th of October.
St. Demetrius lived in the second half of the third century in the city of Salonika (from the Greek name Thessalonica), where his father was a high imperial official. After the death of his father, Emperor Maximian made him the proconsul of Salonika. From childhood, St. Demetrius was brought up in the Christian faith. Although he occupied a high office, he professed his faith openly. For this reason the Emperor Maximian ordered him to be cast into prison. While in prison, he blessed his companion Nestor for battle against the emperor’s champion gladiator, Lius. Holding the Cross in his hand, St. Nestor confronted Lius, overcame, and killed him. The emperor, having heard that Demetrius had blessed Nestor before his combat with Lius, sent soldiers to the prison where they speared Demetrius to death. This occurred in the year 306. The Eastern Church celebrates the memory of St. Nestor on the day following the feast of St. Demetrius.
The Lord glorified the heroic faith of St. Demetrius not only by numerous miracles after his death, but also by preserving his body incorrupt and letting fragrant myrrh exude from his relics. When about a hundred years after his death, his tom was opened, his body was found to be incorrupt, and they were cured by the fragrant oil which dripped from his bones.
The main purpose for the celebration of the feasts of the holy Martyrs is to meditate and admire their heroic profession of holy faith, and to learn from them to love our faith, cherish it, practice it and courageously profess it. The external profession of faith is the mark of a good and practicing Christian. A good Christian never hides his faith, is not ashamed of it, does not deny it, barter with it, or change it, but openly and bravely professes it by word and deed. Christ demands such faith from every one of us. Jesus Himself said: “Therefore, everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge him before my Father in heaven, But whoever disowns me before men, I in turn will disown him before my Father in Heaven.”
Holy Church wishes and strongly recommends that we not only imitate the Saints, but also have recourse to them in matters of soul and body. It hoes without saying that the Lord God gladly hears the requests of those who, for His sake, shed their blood and offered up their lives for Him.

SANCTUARY LIGHT: The Sanctuary Light is requested to burn this week Oct. 29-30 by Anonymous for Good Health for Ron Kachinko.

PYROHY PROJECT: Have you signed up to help with the Pyrohy Project. Hopefully we will get enough help to do this project. Your help is needed so please if you can help with this project for your church sign up in the vestibule. There is a job for everyone some light some heavy. Try to give it a try. You will be glad you did. The date planned for this project is November 28/29.

RUMMAGE SALE: The Sale last week was a great success and many items are still available. New merchandise is still needed for the next sale to be held on Friday and Saturday, November 4th and 5th. If you have any items to donate to this sale please bring them to the church next week end. We are asking again for our good bakers to donate for the Bake Sale for this upcoming weekend. Also Piggies will be available for your purchase of $2 each. If you are interested in ordering Piggies please list your name and amount of order in the vestibule. Your help in these projects are greatly appreciated.

ANNUAL TURKEY-FEST: Saints Peter and Paul Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, will host their annual Turkey Fest on Saturday, November 5th from 2 to 7 pm in their school hall on the corner of North River and West Chestnut Streets in Wilkes-Barre.  This event features a traditional turkey dinner, festival games, raffle and a basket auction.  Dinners will be $11.00 for adults and $7.00 for children.  Eat-In or Take-out.  Walk-Ins are welcome, but reservations are encouraged.  Call to make a reservation.  Non-perishable food items will be collected for donation to a local food pantry.  Receive a ticket for each item donated for our special food drive raffle.

Saturday, Oct. 22
4:00 PM ✞Dotty Boesken – Donna & Nelson Warren

Sunday, Oct. 23 TWENTY THIRD SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
8:30 AM God’s Blessings and Good Health for all Parishioners
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Thursday, Oct. 27
8:30 AM ✞Emily Helinski – Ron & Rosemarie Kachinko

Saturday, Oct. 29
4:00 PM ✞John & Mildred Starzec – Ron & Rosemarie Kachinko

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

SANCTUARY LIGHT: The Sanctuary Light is requested to burn this week Oct. 22 – 29 by Paul & Marion Rose for World Peace.

SYMPATHY: We extend our sincere Sympathy to Father Walter for the loss of his Aunt Olga Kuziw. She was laid to rest on Monday, October 17th. May her memory be eternal.

PYROHY PROJECT: In order to have a Pyrohy Project, we must have commitment of who and how much help we can have. Help is definitely needed so please if you can help with this project for your church sign up in the vestibule. There is a job for everyone some light some heavy. Try to give it a try. You will be glad you did. The date planned for this project is November 28-29. Orders will be limited to 400 dozen @ $7 a dozen. Place your order early – sign-up and order sheets are available in the vestibule.

WOMEN’S SOCIETY SALE: Thanks to all the fine parishioners and their families who contributed items for the Rummage Sale. The Sale is still available for your shopping on this Sunday from 1:00 – 3:00 PM. Anna Magill and helpers did a great job in organizing and working very hard to conduct the sale. Our thanks also to the help of all the Women Society workers and a few men for the time and effort they contributed to help make this possible. We also thank those wonderful bakers and dessert makers for their donations.

ANNUAL TURKEY-FEST: Saints Peter and Paul Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church will host their annual Turkey Fest on Saturday, November 5th from 2 to 7 pm in their school hall on the corner of North River and West Chestnut Streets in Wilkes-Barre.  This event features a traditional turkey dinner, festival games, raffle and a basket auction.  Dinners will be $11.00 for adults and $7.00 for children.  Eat-In or Take-out.  Walk-Ins are welcome, but reservations are encouraged.  Call to make a reservation.  Non-perishable food items will be collected for donation to a local food pantry.  Receive a ticket for each item donated for our special food drive raffle.