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.