Saturday, March 23 – 4:00 PM Blessing of Palms & Willow Branches
Dave Trimmell – 40th Day – Bob & Joanna Longenberger
Myrovania – Anointing of Holy Oil
Sunday, March 24 – 8:30 AM PALM SUNDAY Myrovania Anointing of Holy Oil
God’s Blessings and Good Health for all Parishioners
Monday, March 25 – 4:00 PM – Holy confession
4:30 PM – ANNUNCIATION OF THE THEOTOKOS
Holy Day – Myrovania – Anointing of Holy Oil
Tuesday, March 26 – 5:30 PM Holy Confession
6:30 PM The Way of the Cross & Sorokousty
Thursday, March 28 HOLY THURSDAY
4:00 PM Holy Confession
5:00 PM Matins of the Holy Passion of Our Lord
Friday, March 29 GOOD FRIDAY
2:00 PM HOLY CONFESSION
3:00 PM Vespers – Procession – Entombment of Jesus Christ
4:30 PM Recitation of the Holy Rosary by the congregation
Saturday, March 30 HOLY SATURDAY
1:00 PM Blessing of Easter Food Baskets
7:00 PM Resurrection Matins / Procession /
Easter Divine Liturgy Blessing of Artos – Myrovania – Anointing of Holy Oil
Sunday, March 31 EASTER SUNDAY – RESURRECTION OF OUR LORD
11:00 AM EASTER DIVINE LITURGY Myravania Anointing of Holy Oil
God’s Blessings and Good Health for all Parishioners
Bright Monday, April 1 – 4:30 PM Frank Dempsey – M/M John Olejnik
Bright Tuesday, April 2 – 4:30 PM Eva Malishchak – John Matusek
Transfiguration of Our Lord
Holy Thursday – 7:30 PM – Good Friday – 5:30 PM –
Saturday, 3:00 PM Blessing of Easter Food Basket. Easter Sunday –
8:00 AM – Resurrection Matins, Procession Divine Liturgy
SATURDAY OF LAZARUS
Jesus Christ wrought many miracles during His lifetime abut none was so rich in its effects as the resurrection of Lazarus.
This miracle marks the apex of Christ’s self-revelation. The magnitude of this miracle and the publicity attending it were the immediate causes of Christ’s triumphal entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday.
May this great and wonderful miracle of the resurrection of Lazarus strengthen also our faith in the divinity of Christ and in our own personal resurrection. That same Christ, who raised the four-day 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 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 one of the oldest feast days in the Eastern Church.
In our liturgical books this day is called, “Sunday of the Palms”, “Flower or Blossom Sunday”, “Flower 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 palm on that day in church. Because no palm or olive trees grow in our country, we have a venerable custom of using 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. According, Jesus Christ, by raising Lazarus from the dead and by His triumphal entry into Jerusalem, gave them clear proof of His power and glory. When He entered Jerusalem, all the city was thrown into commotion saying: “Who is this?” But the crowds kept on saying: “This is Jesus the prophet 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. These very same people who, on Sunday cried out, “Hosanna”, within a few days would be crying 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.
Finally, my brothers, your thoughts should be wholly directed to all that is true, all that deserves respect, all that is honest, pure, admirable, decent, virtuous, or worthy of praise. Live according to what you have learned and accepted what you have heard me say and seen me do. Then will the God of peace be with you.
May the spirit of this holy occasion, the warmth of the season make your heart bloom with joy & happiness, have a blessed Palm Sunday.
SANCTUARY LIGHT: The Sanctuary Light is requested to burn this week March 23 – 30 by Arlene Jones for a Special Intention.
FLOWERS: Our thanks to Bruce Fromel for his donation of one bouquet of flowers this week in memory of his mother Julia Fromel.
NEW TRIPLE CANDLES: The purchase of new Triple Candles used for the Holy Season of Easter was made possible by the memorial contributions made in memory of Frank Dempsey. This is a lovely remembrance of Frank as he was one of the men who held this candle during the reading of the 12 Gospels on Holy Thursday.
HOLY WEEK – Please remember that help is needed to participate in the Holy Week services. Holy Thursday, 5:00 PM, Good Friday, 3:00 PM and Resurrection Services Holy Saturday, 7:00 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.
SVIACHENE: Our Parish Sviachene (Easter Dinner) will be held Sunday, April 21, 2013 in our Church Hall at 2:00 PM. Tickets are available. The cost is $12 for adults and $5 for children under 12. This is a very nice affair to have our Parish Family come together and share with the Easter blessings and good food. Gifts for the Chinese Auction are needed. Your donations of gift items will be greatly appreciated. Save the date to attend this Church function bring your family and friends
THANKS: Our thanks to those who brought the Willow branches and all who helped tie the Palm & Branches. Your help is always appreciative. We also would like to thank the women who came out to lend their time to clean the church. God’s blessing to all.
LUC MEETING: North Anthracite Council – League of Ukrainian Catholics will hold a general meeting on St. Thomas Sunday, April 7, 2013 at 2:00pm at Holy Transfiguration Parish, Hanover Section of Nanticoke. Our clergy and guests are warmly invited and all members are sincerely asked to attend. This will be the first meeting since early December – members are reminded to renew memberships for the current year. For additional information contact: Dorothy Jamula, President at 822-5354; your pastor; or any LUC member of the parish.
SS Peter & Paul Ukrainian Catholic Church 