Category: Mission

Helping the poor – a work of charity

Helping the poor – a work of charity —The Director of the St. Vincent DePaul Homeless Shelter in Waterbury wrote to us requesting assistance in collecting bath soap, tooth brushes, tooth paste, deodorant, Q-tips, men’s underwear for the ministry to the homeless. We will have this collection for the poor through Pentecost (June 9).

These items can be put in the basket at the entrance of the church in the marked box.

Can we follow the example of the Lord who exhorted us to care for the poor? Let us follow the holy example of the Venerable Metropolitan Andrey Sheptytsky who heroically lived a life of Christian virtue with his commitment to the poor. Pray to Venerable Metropolitan Sheptytsky for guidance in living a holy life.

Paul Zalonski (of our parish) will drive the donations to St. Vincent DePaul Mission of Waterbury Homeless Shelter in Waterbury (www.svdpmission.org).

From Evangelicalism to Byzantine Christianity

A recent online interview about a family of Evangelical Christians who came to Byzantine Christianity through a relationship with the pastor of a Kyivan Church in Richmond, British Colombia. Thanks to God’s Grace and the great work of Jesuit Father Richard Soo the parish is growing (with a large number of Chinese people).

The article: “Bridging Protestantism and Eastern Catholic Orthodoxy.”

May the Holy Theotokos and all the saints continue to move hearts and minds to be in relation with Jesus Christ and His Church.

Children United in Prayer

The Stamford Eparchy is hosting an event for children on September 29, “Children United in Prayer.”

This program is being hosted at St Basil’s Seminary, Stamford.

 

 

 

 

 

 

St. Josaphat at 85

On Saturday, 11 November, there was a Divine Liturgy at St. Peter’s Basilica (Rome) over the tomb of St. Josaphat at the Altar of St. Basil the Great, as part of the festivities at St. Josaphat’s Pontifical Ukrainian College commemorating the 85th anniversary of its establishment and the Feast of St. Josaphat the College’s patron.rday, 11 November, there was a Divine Liturgy at St. Peter’s Basilica (Rome) over the tomb of St. Josaphat at the Altar of St. Basil the Great, as part of the festivities at St. Josaphat’s Pontifical Ukrainian College commemorating the 85th anniversary of its establishment and the Feast of St. Josaphat the College’s patron.

The Roman Pontiff, Pope Francis, welcomed the bishops, monks, priests and seminarians from St. Josaphat’s Seminary to celebrate the Seminary’s 85th anniversary. The November 9th was covered by Vatican Radio (with an audio of the event).

May Our Lady of Tenderness continue to bless the work of the Seminary!

Mission Days –Ascension to Pentecost 10

Day 10 – Pentecost Sunday

Read: Gospel of John 7:37–52; 8:12

Prayer. Blessed are Your, O Christ our God who revealed the shermen as most wise by sending them the Holy Spirit; through them You caught the entire world. Loving Master, glory to You. (Troparion for Pentecost)

Missionary tasks.

1. Personal/Family. As we close these Mission Days let us look at the list of gifts and fruits of the Holy Spirit. Let us ask ourselves: what gifts do I see in my family, what fruits have I brought over the past year.

2. Parish. Let us open our eyes to the gifts of the Holy Spirit in our parish community. In planning our parish life let us focus on the fruits of the Holy Spirit we would like to bring forth.

3. Beyond the parish. Let us teach ourselves to see our personal behav- ior and our entire life in the Christian community through the lens of mission: as an opportunity to bear witness to God’s love and goodness before others.

Mission Days –Ascension to Pentecost 9

Day 9 – Saturday

Read: Gospel of John 21:15–25

Prayer. The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup over ows. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever. (Psalm 22(23))

Missionary tasks.

1. Personal/Family. This evening let us especially pray for our pastor or parish administrator and all our clergy, thank God for their ministry.

2. Parish. Let us give special attention to those in our Church who work in missionary territory or are engaged in various chaplaincies. Pastors, try to follow the work of the Pastoral-missionary department of the UGCC and inform our faithful about the life of our Church in those areas where we have no formal ecclesial structure.

3. Beyond the parish. Today-tomorrow let us make a donation to sup- port the missionary activity of our Church and our eparchy.

Mission Days –Ascension to Pentecost 8

Day 8 – Friday

Read: Gospel of John 17:18–24

Prayer. For You, Lord, are the help of the helpless, the hope of those without hope, the Savior of the storm-tossed, the haven of those at sea, the physician of the sick. Be all things to all people, O You Who know each one and their request, each household and its needs. Deliver, O Lord, this city (this village, this monastery), and every city, town and village, from famine, plague, earthquake, flood, fire, sword, foreign invasion and civil war. (Divine Liturgy of St. Basil the Great)

Missionary tasks.

1. Personal/Family. Over the past year how have I done good to a neighbor in need? As a family let us resolve to engage in some form of charitable works once a month for the benefit of someone who lives close and is in need.

2. Parish. Let us frequently inform our parishioners about di erent social ministry initiatives in our parish. Let us keep the community informed about parish members who are in need (especially the elderly who live alone). Let us encourage our parish youth to organize and implement some initiative for the bene t of the needy on the territory of our parish.

3. Beyond the parish. Let us look if among my neighbors there isn’t some individual or family that is in dire need. Let us try to help this person, these persons, with a kind word, with some concrete assistance.