Ukraine, World War III and Pope Francis’ roadmap for the church

In America magazine, the U.S. periodical published by the Jesuits, there is an article by Father Tomáš Halík, “Ukraine, World War III and Pope Francis’ roadmap for the church.” Halík is a professor of sociology at Charles University, Prague.

The article has an interesting thesis and worth the time reading. However, the author’s note of Pope Francis’ contribution lacks. Not because of the author but because of the Pope.

One take-away:

“If the West is now unwilling or unable to help Ukraine sufficiently to stop Russian aggression and defend its national independence, if the West sacrifices Ukraine on the basis of the false illusion that this will save world peace—as happened in the case of Czechoslovakia on the threshold of World War II—then this will be an encouragement not only for further Russian expansion, but for all dictators and aggressors around the world.”

Divine Liturgy for the coming week

Christ is risen!

Sunday, 5/15, Sunday of the Samaritan Woman —Moleben to the Mother of God
9:00 a.m. God’s blessing and health for Richard and Lisa Swartwout requested by Stefania Sadiwsky
10:30 a.m. For the people of the parish

Epistle: Acts 11:19-26 and 29-30
Gospel: John 4:5-42, Tone 5

Monday, 5/16, Our Venerable Father Theodore
9:00 a.m. +Edward Kuchar requested by Emilia Iwaniw

Tuesday, 5/17, Holy Apostles Andronicus and other apostles
9:00 a.m. +Maria Sowa requested by Bohdan Sowa

Wednesday, 5/18, Holy Martyrs Theodotus and other martyrs
9:00 a.m. No scheduled intention for the Divine Liturgy

Thursday, 5/19, Holy Bishop Martyr Patrick
9:00 a.m. No scheduled intention for the Divine Liturgy

Friday, 5/20, Holy Martyr Thaleleus
9:00 a.m. No scheduled intention for the Divine Liturgy

Saturday, 5/21, Constantine and Helen equal to apostles
9:00 a.m. No scheduled intention for the Divine Liturgy

Sunday, 5/22, Sunday of the Man Born Blind —Moleben to the Mother of God
9:00 a.m. Special Intention
10:30 a.m. For the people of the parish

Epistle: Acts 16:16-34
Gospel: John 4:5-42, Tone 5

Parish announcements

Sunday of the Samaritan Woman

Christ is risen!

This week vigil light is offered by Godenciuc family in memory of deceased heroes of Ukraine.

Sestretsi will have corporate communion and a meeting in the church hall TODAY, May 15, after the 9:00 am Divine Liturgy

STAMFORD CHARITIES APPEAL: Please don’t forget to donate for Charities Appeal. The forms are designed for each family of our parish. Attached to the form is an envelope into which you can place your contribution. The form along with your contribution, we ask you to enclose in the envelope and place it in the collection basket during church services. Please make check payable to the Byzantine Rite Eparchy of Stamford. DO NOT MAIL THIS FORM TO THE CHANCERY OFFICE. We sincerely ask all parishioners to make generous contributions.

We will be making Pyrohy (Varenyky) on Saturday, May 21. We need your help on Friday to peel potatoes and more help on Saturday, May 21 to make Pyrohy.

Dear parishioners and guests, after each Divine Liturgy, coffee and hard rolls are available in the church hall.

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.

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.

For sale: borsht $5.00 one container, $9.00 two containers, $12.00 three containers. Meat balls and macaroni $8.00 per container.

Saints Cyril and Methodius

Today is the feast of our Holy Fathers Cyril and Methodius, equals-to-the-Apostles and teachers of the Slavs.

It is thanks to Ss. Cyril and Methodius’ missionary efforts and zeal for the Gospel, they brought the Christian faith in the Slavonic tongue to our ancestors in AD 863.

With the Church we sing:

O Cyril and Methodius, inspired by God,
You became equal to the Apostles by your life.
Since you were teachers of the Slavs,
Intercede with the Master of all
That He may strengthen all Orthodox peoples in the True Faith,
And that He may grant peace to the world
And great mercy to our souls. (Troparion for the feast)

Let us hold in gratitude their memory and pray for their intercession.

Let us pray for the seminary that bears the names of these saints in Pittsburgh.

Ukrainian Relief Project Collection UPDATE May 6

I am writing to you to update you on the task ahead of us in responding to the needs of those adversely affected by the Ukrainian War now in its 72nd day.

Updates are posted on the St Michael the Archangel parish website (https://stmichaelukrainian.org) and Facebook group (@stmichaelnewhaven)

Herewith is the CURRENT and ONLY list of supplies & medical equipment we are collecting for the Ukrainian Relief Project New Haven to be sent to Ukraine. Regrettably, items not on the list cannot be accepted.

Medical Supplies List May 3 2022

As you know from the US economy, we are facing money issues. That is, money is urgently needed to cover the costs of shipping these items to Ukraine.

We are in need of your generosity in both medical items AND financial means for transportation.

Checks payable to: UAV Post 33
Memo Line: Ukrainian Soldier Welfare Fund
Mailing Address: Ukrainian American Veterans Post 33, PO Box 972, Orange, CT 06477

Online giving can be done at the link on the St Michael parish website: https://stmichaelukrainian.org

PLEASE NOTE: The collection center at St Michael the Archangel Church Hall will be reopening on Saturday, May 28, 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m.

Thank you for your generosity and concern for our Ukrainian brothers and sisters under great siege.

PAX,

Paul Zalonski

Holy and Just Job

Today we commemorate the holy and just Job, the Long-Suffering, a man of admirable patience in the land of Uz, who was “simple and upright, fearing God and avoiding evil.” (Job 1:1)

If you are suffering and need a friend in Heaven, the sainted Job is your understanding man of faith, hope, trust and patience. God hears and answers all our prayers. And the sometimes we must accept that sometimes the answer is “no.”