Christ is among us!

This week vigil light is offered to God by Katia and Andrew Bamber in memory of John Muzyka

Thank you to Mr. Rudpolh Brezicki and the Brezicki Family for their donation of pussy willows to our parish.

Easter Baskets will be blessed on Saturday, April 11.

This blessing will be live streamed via Facebook at 4:00 PM and will also be posted on the parish website. Parishioners will be able to sprinkle their baskets with holy water while Fr. Iura does this virtual blessing.

Those parishioners who do not have access to the internet and wish to have their baskets blessed may come to the church parking lot at 4:15 PM or 6:00 PM and Fr. Iura will bless your Easter Baskets while you remain in your vehicles.

Please do not bring your baskets into the church or the church hall.
Thank you for your understanding.

The CT State Ukrainian Day will have the 1st meeting of the Committee tentatively scheduled for April 26th, 3:00 p.m. in Ansonia at SS. Peter and Paul Ukrainian Catholic Church. This meeting is subject to change as conditions warrant.

Memorandum of the bishops of the Ukrainian Catholic Church in the United States of America regarding of the COVID-19 pandemic

Public Services

1. All weekday and Sunday services will be celebrated temporarily without the participation of the assembly of the faithful. Our clergy will continue to celebrate and pray for you and with you vicariously. We will celebrate the Divine Liturgies and other services in behalf of and for all of you, especially for the sick and the healthcare providers. We will beseech the Lord for wise and prudent decisions on the part of government and medical authorities. We will pray for the eternal repose of the deceased. We are obligating our priests to be steadfast in prayer for their flock. Be as Moses, who raised his hands in prayer so that whole people of God could prevail over the enemy (cf. Ex 17, 11-12).
2. Our churches will remain open for private prayer at designated times. We ask the pastors to guarantee the safety and frequent disinfection of our churches.
3. We renew and confirm the dispensation from the obligation to participate in Sunday services. At the same time, we ask you to pray as a Domestic Church (as a family or household unit) on Sundays and on Holy Days. We suggest making use of the ZhyveTV and internet resources of your eparchy or parish. Read prayerfully the Holy Scriptures, reflect upon the source and meaning of your life, on God’s love and salvific action on our behalf.
4. We encourage you to make best use of the quarantine time, which coincides with Great Lent, for personal prayer, reading the Word of God, and building a more profound relationship with Our Lord, our neighbors and in our families.
5. We ask that all the Lenten practices — e.g., missions and spiritual exercises — be held with the aid of the internet and other means of social communication.

Sacraments and Sacramentals

1. We kindly ask that you postpone, in consultation with your pastor, the Sacraments of Christian initiation (Baptism and Chrismation) and Matrimony.
2. The faithful can avail themselves of the Sacrament of Repentance (Confession) in church, taking all necessary precautions for social distancing.
3. In cases of grave illness or danger of death, priests are obligated to administer the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick, while assuring safety for all involved.
4. Priests will celebrate funerals with the participation only of the immediate family members of the deсeased, according to local regulations regarding public assemblies.

Practical advice

1. Dear priests, religious, sisters and brothers! If you feel sick, we urge you to stay at home, call your doctor, and obey all medical and civil regulations.
2. We encourage our pastors to maintain personal contact with their faithful, especially with the elderly and sick by phone and via social media. Our priestly ministry continues without ceasing.
3. Confessions are to take place in the open, not in a confessional. Safety of the penitent and priest must be assured.
4. Frequently sanitize with disinfectant whatever people tend to touch in the churches: pews, door handles, etc.
5. During private prayer in church, maintain a safe distance from each other (6 feet or 2 meters).
6. Venerate icons and the Cross by bowing your head and with a sign of the cross or by prostrations. Do not kiss icons or the Cross.
7. Comply with the guidelines and prescriptions of governmental authorities (town, county, state, federal) regarding public gatherings and personal safety.

These norms are effective immediately after being published on Wednesday, March 19, 2020. We carefully follow developments, consult experts and will update our norms and regulations according to new information and circumstances. 

Christ is among us!

This week vigil light is offered to God’s glory by Natalyia and Roman Sokhan in memory of Yaroslava Kalynec.

Asleep in the Lord: Lew Markiw. Please remember him in your prayers. Eternal Memory! 

Due to the coronavirus epidemic, there will be no Knights of Columbus meetings until further notice.

Due to the coronavirus epidemic, the 1st meeting of the CT State Ukrainian Day has been rescheduled to April 26th, 3:00 p.m. in Ansonia at SS. Peter and Paul Ukrainian Catholic Church.

Memorandum of the bishops of the Ukrainian Catholic Church in the United States of America regarding of the COVID-19 pandemic

Public Services

1. All weekday and Sunday services will be celebrated temporarily without the participation of the assembly of the faithful. Our clergy will continue to celebrate and pray for you and with you vicariously. We will celebrate the Divine Liturgies and other services in behalf of and for all of you, especially for the sick and the healthcare providers. We will beseech the Lord for wise and prudent decisions on the part of government and medical authorities. We will pray for the eternal repose of the deceased. We are obligating our priests to be steadfast in prayer for their flock. Be as Moses, who raised his hands in prayer so that whole people of God could prevail over the enemy (cf. Ex 17, 11-12).
2. Our churches will remain open for private prayer at designated times. We ask the pastors to guarantee the safety and frequent disinfection of our churches.
3. We renew and confirm the dispensation from the obligation to participate in Sunday services. At the same time, we ask you to pray as a Domestic Church (as a family or household unit) on Sundays and on Holy Days. We suggest making use of the ZhyveTV and internet resources of your eparchy or parish. Read prayerfully the Holy Scriptures, reflect upon the source and meaning of your life, on God’s love and salvific action on our behalf.
4. We encourage you to make best use of the quarantine time, which coincides with Great Lent, for personal prayer, reading the Word of God, and building a more profound relationship with Our Lord, our neighbors and in our families.
5. We ask that all the Lenten practices — e.g., missions and spiritual exercises — be held with the aid of the internet and other means of social communication.

Sacraments and Sacramentals

1. We kindly ask that you postpone, in consultation with your pastor, the Sacraments of Christian initiation (Baptism and Chrismation) and Matrimony.
2. The faithful can avail themselves of the Sacrament of Repentance (Confession) in church, taking all necessary precautions for social distancing.
3. In cases of grave illness or danger of death, priests are obligated to administer the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick, while assuring safety for all involved.
4. Priests will celebrate funerals with the participation only of the immediate family members of the deсeased, according to local regulations regarding public assemblies.

Practical advice

1. Dear priests, religious, sisters and brothers! If you feel sick, we urge you to stay at home, call your doctor, and obey all medical and civil regulations.
2. We encourage our pastors to maintain personal contact with their faithful, especially with the elderly and sick by phone and via social media. Our priestly ministry continues without ceasing.
3. Confessions are to take place in the open, not in a confessional. Safety of the penitent and priest must be assured.
4. Frequently sanitize with disinfectant whatever people tend to touch in the churches: pews, door handles, etc.
5. During private prayer in church, maintain a safe distance from each other (6 feet or 2 meters).
6. Venerate icons and the Cross by bowing your head and with a sign of the cross or by prostrations. Do not kiss icons or the Cross.
7. Comply with the guidelines and prescriptions of governmental authorities (town, county, state, federal) regarding public gatherings and personal safety.

These norms are effective immediately after being published on Wednesday, March 19, 2020. We carefully follow developments, consult experts and will update our norms and regulations according to new information and circumstances. 

Joshua J. Brezicki, 31, fell asleep in the Lord on Saturday, March 7, 2020, as a result of injuries sustained in a car accident. He was a parishioner of St. Michael’s where he also served at the altar.

The funeral services:

Visiting hours will be Friday, March 13 from 4:00 to 8:00pm at the North Haven Funeral Home with the Panachyda service at 6:00pm.
The Funeral Liturgy on Saturday, March 14, at 10:00am at St. Michael’s Ukrainian Catholic Church

Joshua’s obituary may be read here.

Let us pray for the peaceful repose of Joshua’s soul, for beloved wife, Tiffany and son Joshua J. Brezicki, Jr., and his family.

May Our Lady, the Holy Theotokos and all the saints assist Joshua before the Throne of Mercy.

May Joshua’s memory be eternal.

Christ is among us!

This week vigil light is offered to God by by Katia and Andrew Bamber in memory of +Orest Dubno.

Liturgy of Pre-sanctified Gifts will be celebrated on Friday, March 6 at 7:00 PM. Please come and join in this beautiful tradition of our Church.

The next meeting of Knights of Columbus Blessed Metropolitan Andrey Sheptytsky Ukrainian Council will be held on Wednesday, March 4 at 7:00 p.m. in the Holy Name Room. All men of the parish are invited to attend.

Sestrechi will resume their monthly meetings, beginning next week on Sunday, March 8, in Classroom 1 after the 9:00 a.m. Divine Liturgy.

Pysanky Lecture on Sunday, March 15, 2 p.m. at The Knights of Columbus Museum in New Haven, Fr. Paul Luniw will present a lecture on Pysanky – Ukrainian Easter Eggs. He will explain the history of Pysanky and the process by which they are created. Come and see as he shares examples of his magnificent artwork.

Ukrainian Easter Egg Workshop (Pysanka) will be held on Sunday, March 29, in the church hall from 1:00 to 3:30 p.m. It is open to youth and adults, but children must be accompanied by an adult. Bring your children and grandchildren to learn their beautiful heritage. Free to parish youth and Ridna Shkola students. Charge for class is $10.00 to others. See flyer for details or call Gloria Horbaty (203)-269-5909 for information. Sponsored by: UNWLA-Branch 108, the Heritage Center and the CT Ukrainian American Historical Society.

EPARCHIAL SOBOR 2020 will take place on March 28, at Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of Stamford, 161 Glenbrook Rd., Stamford, CT. The theme for the upcoming VII Session of the Patriarchal Sobor of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church to held this summer is”Immigration/Migration, Settlements and Unity”. Each parish will send three lay parish delegates in representing parish community. For more information call rectory office.

Sorokousty will be celebrated on All Souls’ Saturdays, March 7th, March 14th, March 21st, May 30th. 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!

The Ukrainian National Association Branch 414 New Haven will hold their 17th Annual Easter Egg Hunt on Sunday, April 5, after the second Divine Liturgy on the church grounds. Young U N A members, Ridna Shkola students and New Haven area Ukrainian youth are invited to participate. For more information contact Gloria Horbaty (203)269-5909, Branch Financial Secretary.

ICON SUNDAY – THE TRIUMPH OF ORTHODOXY

“Let us venerate the holy icons of Christ; of the all-pure Virgin and the saints,
whether depicted on walls, on wooden panels or on holy vessels,
rejecting the impious teachings of the heretics.”

The Sunday of Orthodoxy or the Triumph of Orthodoxy is celebrated on the First Sunday of Great Lent in the Byzantine Rite Eastern Catholic Churches, commemorating the memory of the final defeat of iconoclasm and the restoration of icons to the churches.

The Seventh Ecumenical Council, held in Nicea, Asia Minor in 787 AD, centered around the use of icons in the Church and the controversy between the iconoclasts and iconophiles. The iconoclasts were suspicious of religious art; they demanded that the Church rid itself of such art and that it be destroyed or broken (as the name “iconoclast” implies). The iconophiles believed that icons served to preserve the doctrinal teachings of the Church; they considered icons to be man’s dynamic way of expressing the Divine through art and beauty.

Christ is among us!

Fr. Iura Godenciuc will be away for short vacation. In case of emergency, you may call Fr. Paul Luniw (860) 583-7588 or Fr. Stepan Yanovski

This week’s vigil light is offered to God’s glory by Larissa and Svitlana in memory of Anya Rohmer-Hanson (Mykytey).

The February meeting of Knights of Columbus Blessed Metropolitan Andrey Sheptytsky Ukrainian Council has been cancelled. The next regularly scheduled meeting will resume in March.

Thank you to the Ukrainian National Women’s League of America, Branch 108, for the wonderful Prosphora they provided for our parish. The event was truly outstanding and special thanks go to all those who helped to make the event a success.

The yearly Hall Roof Repair report for 2019 is now in the vestibule of our church. Please take a copy and review the 2019 updates. Thank you.

Sorokousty —All Souls Saturdays will be celebrated on February 15th, March 7th, March 14th, March 21st, and May 30th. 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. Eternal memory.

Плекання духовної єдності Христової Церкви та сприяння єдності всіх християн (екуменізм) Із Пастирського листа Блаженнішого Святослава…

ПЛЕКАННЯ І СЛУЖІННЯ ЄДНОСТІ

Діяння святих апостолів показують глибоку єдність, яка існувала між члена- ми першої спільноти Христових учнів: «Громада вірних мала одне серце й одну душу, і ні один не називав своїм щось з того, що кому належало, але все в них було спільне» (4, 32). Цей духовний стан першої християнської спільноти можна виразити словом «сопричастя/кінонія», що вказує на єдність, згоду та співжиття. Бути Церквою – це перебувати в сопричасті Святого Духа, в благодаті Господа Ісуса і в любові Бога-Отця. Єдність Церкви є, такими чином, іконою єдності осіб Пресвятої Трійці. Ця єдність проявляється на різних рівнях: на рівні Вселенської і помісної Церкви, єпархії та окремої парафії. Трапляється, що через нашу неміч і гріховність ми не віддзеркалюємо цієї єдності. Будучи свідомими цього, всі ми маємо цінувати і плекати її, зберігаючи повне сопричастя з наступником апостола Петра – Святішим Отцем, з ієрархією нашої Церкви, з місцевими

єпископами та душпастирями, які діють від їхнього імені. Парафія є спільнотою спільнот. У ній існують різні молитовні групи, братства та молодіжні організації. Всі вони покликані укріплювати єдність і любов між членами парафіяльної спільноти. Підтримуючи одні одних молитвою, обміню- ючись Божими дарами та співпрацюючи в дусі Христового служіння, зможемо втілювати у життя синодальну програму «Святість об’єднаного люду Божого». Ми не можемо бути байдужими до того, що діти Володимирового Хрещення

нині поділені й відчужені між собою. Христос на Тайній вечері молився до Отця Небесного за своїх учнів, «щоб усі були одно» (Йо. 1 , 21). У світлі цих Христових слів нині бажаю щиро попросити вас усіх: молімося за єдність Церкви, молімося за поєднання усіх Церков київської традиції, а насамперед, у дусі Христової любові намагаймося уникати будь-яких висловів чи дій, які могли б завдати шкоди нашим братам і сестрам у Христі чи образити їх. Хоч часом ми самі стаємо об’єктами наруги і утисків, не піддаваймося спокусі відповідати злом на зло. Для нас нехай стане заповітом молитва Христа за своїх кривдників і повчання апостола народів: «Не дозволь, щоб зло тебе перемогло, але перемагай зло добром» (Рим. 12, 21).

The Flowers of the Month for February are Iris and Violet. These flowers suggest loyalty and faithfulness. The three upright pedals of an iris bloom can indicate courage, faith and wisdom, or friendship, hope and compliments.

Christ is among us!

This week’s vigil light is offered to God’s glory by Dionizia Brochinsky in memory of Dmyto Palazij.

The Ukrainian National Women’s League of America Branch 108 New Haven and St. Michael Parish will be preparing a Prosphora, a traditional Ukrainian Christmas meal, TODAY. We will have only one (1) bi-lingual Divine Liturgy at 10:30 a.m. Tickets are $20.00 for adults, free for students Ridna Shkola and altar boys. We will be running a raffle. Please donate items for raffle and cakes for desert. You can buy tickets after each Divine Liturgy in the church hall or contact Anna Salemme 203-934-6520, or purchase tickets at SUMA credit Union.

House Blessings began on January 8th. If anyone would like to have their homes blessed, please fill out the form already provided and either drop it in the collection basket or return it to Fr. Iura or call the rectory. Thank you.

The next Financial Committee meeting will be held on Tuesday, January 21, at 6:00 p.m. in the Holy Name Room. All Financial Committee members and interested parishioners are invited.

The Knights of Columbus offers congratulations to all those members who participated in the second “Exemplification of Charity, Unity and Fraternity”  3rd. Degree Ceremony at the KofC Museum, last Monday evening.

Sorokousty —All Souls Saturdays will be celebrated on February 15th, March 7th, March 14th, March 21st, and May 30th. 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. Eternal memory.

Week of Prayer for Christian Unity: January 18-25, 2020 is the annual observance to pray for unity among Christians. The theme chosen for 2020 is “They Showed Us Unusual Kindness”(cf. Acts 28:2). Throughout 2020, join Christians everywhere in praying “that they may all be one” joining our prayer with that of the Lord Jesus Christ. Let us pray for Christian unity today, and in the days to come. For more information go to: www.geii.org

Dear Parishioners, as you can see, the Roof Repair Fund now totals $37,975.00. Thanks to your generosity, we are steadily nearing our goal of $40,000.00. Please continue with your generous donations to this restricted fund. A complete report will be issued shortly.

Adult Faith Formation

Jesus asked him, “What do you want me to do for you?” He replied, “Lord, please let me see.” Jesus told him, “Receive your sight; your faith has healed you.”

(Luke 18: 41-42)

GREGORY THE THEOLOGIAN

Our father among the saints Gregory the Theologian was a great father and teacher of the Church. With Sts. Basil the Great and John Chrysostom, he is numbered among the Three Holy Hierarchs. St. Gregory is also known as one of the Cappadocian Fathers.

Gregory was born in 329 in Arianzus, a village near Nazianzus in the district of Cappadocia in what is now Turkey. He first studied in Caesarea of Palestine, then in Alexandria and finally in Athens.  As he was sailing from Alexandria to Athens, a violent sea storm put in peril his life and his salvation. With tears and fervor he begged God to spare him, vowing to dedicate his entire being to Him, and the tempest subsided. At Athens St. Gregory was joined by St. Basil the Great and their acquaintanceship grew into a lifelong brotherly love. 

After their studies at Athens, Gregory became Basil’s fellow ascetic, living the monastic life together in the hermitages of Pontus. His father ordained him presbyter of the Church of Nazianzus, and St. Basil consecrated him Bishop of Sasima, in the archdiocese of Caesarea.

Christ is among us!

This week’s vigil light is offered to God’s glory by Katia and Andrew Bamber in memory of Zenon Luciw.

Bernadette Aitro (Gawron) fell asleep in the Lord. Please remember her in your prayers. ETERNAL MEMORY!

Thank you! Dear Parishioners, as you can see, the Roof Repair Fund now totals $37,975.00. Thanks to your generosity, we are steadily nearing our goal of $40,000.00. Please continue with your generous donations to this restricted fund. A complete report will be issued shortly.

HOUSE BLESSINGS: Began on January 8th. If anyone would like to have their homes blessed, please fill out the form already provided and either drop it in the collection basket or return it to Fr. Iura. Thank you.

The Ukrainian National Women’s League of America Branch 108 New Haven and St. Michael Parish will be preparing a Prosphora, a traditional Ukrainian Christmas meal, on Sunday, January 19, after the only one (1) Divine Liturgy at 10:30 a.m. Tickets are $20.00 for adults, free for students Ridna Shkola and altar boys. We will be running a raffle. Please donate items for raffle and cakes for desert. You can buy tickets after each Divine Liturgy in the church hall or contact Anna Salemme 203-934-6520, or purchase tickets at SUMA credit Union.

Sorokousty —All Souls Saturdays will be celebrated on February 15th, March 7th, March 14th, March 21st, and May 30th. 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.

Adult Faith Formation

“Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29)

Blessing of the Water and the Sanctification of Homes

Your manifestation in the world is made today, and Your light is seen shining upon us. We fully realize who You are and therefore we sing to You: “You are the Inaccessible Light, and You have made Yourself known to us.” (Kondak, Feast of the Theophany of Our Lord)

Among the various petitions mentioned in the ceremony during the blessing of the water is the sanctification of homes. With this the Church imposes a duty and obligation upon the priests to bless the homes of the faithful entrusted to their pastoral care at the beginning of the New Year. Theologically speaking, the blessing of homes constitutes an invocative blessing, meaning that by his prayer and by the sprinkling of Holy Water, the priest invokes God’s protection upon the home and those living in it. As our souls, so also our homes become tainted by the sins of those living in them and, consequently, lose God’s protective power. Every year, then, at the Feast of Theophany, they should be blessed again to secure for them God’s blessings and protection. Just as the faithful cleanse their soul of sin at least ONCE A YEAR, and the church is blessed with the newly blessed water every year, so should the homes of the faithful be yearly blessed to invoke God’s blessings and protection on it and its inhabitants. As we renew the insurance on our home every year, so we should renew our insurance of God’s protection and his blessings, which is of greater importance and more effective. As we welcome our priest during the holy season of Theophany to bless our homes, let us be mindful that he is bringing to us the “blessing of Jordan,” and that unless God protects and blesses our home, we “labor in vain.” (Ps. 127:1)

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