Category: News

Pope calls for Day of Prayer for Peace

Following the Pope’s Sunday Angelus address (23 January 2022), he called us to a day of prayer for peace:

“I am following with concern the increase of tensions that threaten to inflict a new blow to the peace in Ukraine, and call into question the security of the European continent, with wider repercussions. I make a heartfelt appeal to all people of good will, that they may raise prayers to God Almighty, that every political action and initiative may serve human brotherhood, rather than partisan interests. Those who pursue their own interests, to the detriment of others, disregard their human vocation, as we were all created as brothers and sisters. For this reason, and with concern, given the current tensions, I propose that next Wednesday, 26 January be a day of prayer for peace.“

US Ukrainian Catholic Bishops make peace and justice appeal

In letter to the faithful, the US Ukraine Catholic Bishops speak out against the aggression of Russian toward the people of Ukraine. In part the bishops wrote, “God-given human dignity and freedom threaten rulers who seek to dominate others, build empires, enslave, and colonize. Those with the audacity to resist, who dare to move from the fear of totalitarianism to freedom and dignity are mercilessly punished.”

The bishops ask us to “Pray for peace and justice for Ukraine. Be informed. Support the suffering.” Read the entire episcopal missive:

 Pray for peace and justice for Ukraine

Parish announcements

Christ is among us!

This week vigil light is offered by the Sokhan Family in memory of Yaroslava Kalynec.

If you would like to have a Confession, Holy Communion or prayer of the sick at your house or nursing home, please call the rectory at 203-865-0388.

St. Michael’s Parish invites you to come to our traditional Ukrainian Christmas PROSFORA on Sunday, January 30, 2022 at noon. The cost is $25 per diner. Tickets may be purchased from January 23 to January 30. This event can be postponed or canceled if the CDC guidelines change.

SOROKOUSTY will be celebrated during Lent in All Souls’ Saturdays, February 19, March 12, 19, 26 and June 4. Please take a book found in the entrance of the church, fill it out, place it in envelope, and drop it in the collection basket. Let us remember all our loved ones who have gone to their heavenly reward. Eternal Memory!

A container is in our church vestibule for non-perishable food. This collection will be taken every week or twice per month. Father Iura will distribute the food to those in need. Thank you for your generosity.

Into the Light: Conversations with Sviatoslav Shevchuk

A word from our friend and fellow parishioner, John Burger

Friends, I have good news to share. Yesterday, I signed a contract with Our Sunday Visitor publishing. My book, Into the Light: Conversations with Sviatoslav Shevchuk, will be published in 2023. I am grateful to God for this development, and grateful to all who have helped bring this project to this point.

Into the Light is a book-length interview with His Beatitude Sviatoslav Shevchuk, head and father of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, the largest Eastern Catholic Church in communion with Rome. The first part of the book details His Beatitude’s dramatic story of growing up and studying for the priesthood in the underground Church, when Ukraine was part of the Soviet Union and the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church was illegal. The rest of the book delves into His Beatitude’s thoughts and analyses of issues facing the Church and the larger society today, including secularism, how the digital revolution is affecting young people, the challenges of ecumenism, the need for community and authentic witness, and the value of Catholic Social Teaching for society.

Let me just say that this is a book not just for Ukrainians, not just for Ukrainian Greek Catholics, and not just for Eastern Christians, though I trust those communities will be interested in reading it. I do believe that His Beatitude’s life story, witness, and teachings will have resonance for many people, especially those searching for wisdom in an increasingly fractured and confusing world.

Parish announcements

Christ is among us!

This week vigil light is offered by Dumalskyy Family in memory of Hanna Dumalska.

Osyp Danko fell asleep in the Lord. Please remember him in your prayers. Eternal Memory!

We would like to thank our parishioners who have supported our efforts this past year. Through our recent sale of kolaci and kutia we were able to send $250 to the UNWLA emergency fund Oxygen for Life for hospitalized Covid patients in Ukraine. With all my sisters Soiuzanky we wish all of you God’s blessings and a happy and healthy new year.
UNWLA Branch #108 New Haven

If you would like to have a Confession, Holy Communion or prayer of the sick at your house or nursing home, please call the rectory at 203-865-0388.

St. Michael’s Parish invites you to come to our traditional Ukrainian Christmas PROSFORA on Sunday, January 23, 2022 at noon. The cost is $25 per diner. Tickets may be purchased from January 10 to January 20. This event can be postponed or canceled if the CDC guidelines change.

A container is in our church vestibule for non-perishable food. This collection will be taken every week or twice per month. Father Iura will distribute the food to those in need. Thank you for your generosity.

SOROKOUSTY will be celebrated during Great Lent in All Souls’ Saturdays, February 19, March 12, 19, 26. In the Easter season on June 4. Please take a book found in the entrance of the church, fill it out, place it in envelope, and drop it in the collection basket. Let us remember all our loved ones who have gone to their heavenly reward. Eternal Memory!

PLEASE TAKE NOTE: the numerical assigned donation envelope boxes are in the back of the church for you to pick up as well as the 2022 calendars

UKRAINIAN SCHOOL REOPENS: The Ukrainian School of New Haven is pleased to inform you that The New School Year 2021-2022 has begun. Registration is pen to all children. If you have any questions for students of Elementary School please contact Halia Lodynsky at 203-494-6278. For students Middle School call Volodymyr Dumalskyy at 203-988-2923. A nursery school program for children 2-5 years old is currently ongoing. Instruction will be primarily in Ukrainian language with accommodations for English. Connecticut Covid guidelines will be followed. For further information please call Nataliia Dankevych 203- 901-7168.

The 8th Day of Christmas

Happy New Year, Blessings for 2022!

Today the Church honors the 8th day of the Nativity, the circumcision of the Lord. The ritual also includes the naming of the child –Jesus. It is also a day on which we consider our own incorporation into the Church through Baptism. In both cases, today is a day celebrate our being made anew in Christ.

For the Christian, baptism has replaced circumcision as the entrance into the life of the church. Colossians 2:11-12 witnesses to this: “In him you were also circumcised with a circumcision not administered by hand, by stripping off the carnal body, with the circumcision of Christ. You were buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the power of God, who raised him from the dead.” One of the reasons for this, though not the only one, is that now Gentiles were entering the Church.

St. Paul says, “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free person, there is not male and female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. (Galatians 3:28) Even in the Scripture, it was decided that Gentiles did not need to be circumcised. Circumcision was a limited entrance, it could only be for males. However, both circumcision and baptism did require a change of heart, a true repentance, a turning to the Lord. The prophet Jeremiah preached, “Be circumcised for the Lord, remove the foreskins of your hearts” (4:4).

This was echoed in the New Testament by St. Paul, “One is not a Jew outwardly. True circumcision is not outward, in the flesh. Rather, one is a Jew inwardly, and circumcision is of the heart, in the spirit, not the letter; his praise is not from human beings but from God” (Romans 2:28-29).

Circumcision was done of the eighth day, it was the beginning of a new creation, for God created the world in six days and rested on the seventh, the new creation begins on the eighth day. For the Christian, baptism, too, is the beginning of a new creation: “you should put away the old self of your former way of life, corrupted through deceitful desires, and be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and put on the new self, created in God’s way in righteousness and holiness of truth” (Ephesians 4:22-24). The Feast of the Circumcision, then, is in the middle of our passage from the Birth of the Lord to his Baptism in the Jordan. It is a time to renew our hearts, and begin to live in Christ.

Meditation by Archpriest David Petras

Octave Day of Christmas

Happy New Year’s!

On January 1, at 11:00 a.m. the Divine Liturgy will be served for the feast of the Circumcision of the Lord. Following the Liturgy we will gather in the church hall for a glass of champagne –as is our parish custom.

The Blessing of Homes 2022

The Blessing of Homes following the feast of Holy Theophany is a sacred time for us. Father Iura is now scheduling this time-honored Ukrainian tradition. Blessings will begin on January 8 and will call in-advance to inform as to the time of his visit.

Parish announcements

Christ is born! Glorify Him!

This week vigil light is offered by Barbara and Patrick Bagley in memory of Michael Lipcan.

A note from the pastor

With the upcoming Holidays of New Year 2022 and Epiphany our best wishes to our Bishop His Excellency Paul Chomnycky, Parishioners, Trustees, book keeper, Choir Director and members of the church choir, Church Organizations and all Ukrainian and American organizations in our parish, all benefactors and members of our parish that every day donate their time, work and money for good of our Church.

May the new born our Lord Jesus Christ bless our parish.

Fr. Iura Godenciuc and family

If you would like to have a Confession, Holy Communion or prayer of the sick at your house or nursing home, please call the rectory at 203-865-0388.

The Blessing of Homes following the feast of Holy Theophany is a sacred time for us. Father Iura is now scheduling this time-honored Ukrainian tradition. Blessings will begin on January 8 and will call in-advance to inform as to the time of his visit.

A container is in our church vestibule for non-perishable food. This collection will be taken every week or twice per month. Father Iura will distribute the food to those in need. Thank you for your generosity.

All donations and contribution must be received by December 26 to be recorded for 2021.

UKRAINIAN SCHOOL REOPENS: The Ukrainian School of New Haven is pleased to inform you that The New School Year 2021-2022 has begun. Registration is Open to all children. If you have any questions for students of Elementary School please contact Halia Lodynsky at 203-494-6278. For students Middle School call Volodymyr Dumalskyy at 203-988-2923. A nursery school program for children 2-5 years old is currently ongoing. Instruction will be primarily in Ukrainian language with accommodations for English. Connecticut Covid guidelines will be followed. For further information please call Nataliia Dankevych 203- 901-7168.

STAMFORD CHARITIES APPEAL REMINDER: Please don`t forget to donate for the Charities Appeal. Please make check payable to the Byzantine Rite Eparchy of Stamford. PLEASE DO NOT MAIL THIS FORM TO THE CHANCERY OFFICE. Please turn it in at the Parish. We sincerely ask all parishioners to make generous contributions.