The Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church teaches her faithful that “Penitential fasting practices, repentance and abstinence that aim to satisfy the sins committed and to achieve the highest level of perfection is the oldest tradition in the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church” (CCEO: 882, §1). Recall, the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church maintains that “Abstention from meat and meat products is to be observed on all Fridays of the year except for compact weeks, patronal feasts and the twelve major feasts” (CCEO: 882, §4).
Definitions: Abstinence means that we do not eat a certain type of food, for example meat and oil, or any other foods that have that as an ingredient.
Fasting means that we eat less food. A general rule is that for a day of fast, the amount of food of the main meal is less than the other two meals combined.
Those exempt from fasting and abstinence are:
Children under the age of 14; Adults over the age of 60; those who are gravely ill, pregnant women, post-partum mothers, breast-feeding mothers, travellers (if travel time exceeds 8 hours), those engaged in heavy labor, those who eat from the table of others, the poor who live from charity.
On December 24, the Vigil of the Nativity, there is an abstention from meat, dairy and eggs, and foods that contain these ingredients. When we arrive at the Nativity on December 25, until January 4, there is no fasting or abstinence.
We keep the Philip’s Fast because we believe that doing so it can help us to better understand and appreciate all of God’s saving plan for each of us.
At the Divine Liturgy you will notice that the priest will wear dark vestments as the norm for this penitential season with exception of Saturdays, Sundays and first class feasts.
Further reading: The Winter Pascha (St. Vladimir’s Seminary Press) by Thomas Hopko.
11. 2017 CHRISTMAS BAZAARS
The Ukrainian Heritage Center’s Christmas Bazaar will be held on Saturday, December 10, Sunday, December 11, Saturday, December 16 and Sunday, December 17 in the church hall from 9:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m.. This offers you an excellent opportunity to purchase, at very reasonable prices, the Ukrainian gifts and cards (for Christmas and other special occasions) that you would like to give to family members, friends, co-workers or teachers of your children. We are also seeking volunteer sales associates that can help process the purchases that people make. If you can help during one of the times indicated earlier in this note, please call Carl R. Harvey at 203-389-6076. Your assistance will be greatly appreciated. You will be giving much needed support to sustain the operation of you Heritage Center.
The Ukrainian Women’s League of New Haven, Branch 108 will be holding their annual Christmas Bazaar on Sunday, December 10, Saturday, December16 and Sunday, December 17, after each Divine Liturgy, 10 a.m. till 1:00 p.m. Baked goods and kutia will also be available. Donations of Ukrainian or holiday items would be greatly welcome. For more information, contact Anna Salemme 203-934-6520 or Larissa Swartwout 203-248-9767.
12. ANNUAL STAMFORD CHARITIES APPEAL: Please don’t forget to donate for the Charities Appeal. Please make your check payable to the Diocese of Stamford. Do not send them to Stamford. We need to get proper credit for our parish’s pledge. We sincerely ask all parishioners to make a generous contribution.
13. Kovbasa and Kapusta Dinners Available: The Knights of Columbus Council have made (kovbasa) baked and fried, with cabbage. The kovbasa has been specially ordered from Lasowiak’s. It is their “REGULAR” kielbasa. The price for the kovbasa meals are $12.00 each. The price for kapusta only is $7.00 for 2 pounds. Cash or check payable to the “KofC Council 16253.” Pickup after Divine Liturgy in the church hall.