Preparation for Theophany

Eve of Theophany on January 5th

In preparation for the Feast of the Theophany of Our Lord, the Eve of the Feast, which is Thursday, January 5th, is a day of fasting/strict abstinence for all Byzantine Catholics.

All feasts have a period of time of preparation which calls us to prayer with fasting and/abstinence.

Great Compline will be prayed on Thursday at 6:00 p.m. in Church. Join us.

Parish announcements

Christ is born!

Happy New Year! Abundant blessings for you in 2023!

This week vigil light is offered by Larisa Kernychna in memory of Hanna and Michael Harasemiv.

Schedule for January 7, Christmas according to the Julian Calendar: 9:50 a.m. —Great Compline with Lytia AND at 10:30 a.m. the Divine Liturgy.

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.

Our parish will be preparing a Prosphora, a traditional Ukrainian Christmas meal on Sunday, January 15, 2023 after the Divine Liturgy that will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Tickets are $30.00 for adults, $10.00 for youth from 14 to 18. Free for children Ridna Shkola and altar boys. Luba Dubno, Margaret Maybury and Svitlana Nakonechnyj are selling tickets. We will be running a raffle. No tickets will be sale at the door.

Sorokooutsy (All Souls Saturdays) will be celebrated on Saturdays, February 18, March 4, 11, 18 and May 27. Please take a book found at 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!

Tantsi/Ukrainian Folk Dancing for older kids, 6 and up, will start on Friday, January 20, 2023 with a parent meeting at pm with Stephanie Tomaszewsky, instructor and in partnership with Artistic Director Orlando Pagan. Classes will start on January 27. If it snows we will have Parent Meeting on 1/27 and classes will start the week after that. All parents and students should attend. Any questions will be answered that night. Please contact Halia Lodynsky by text if you have any questions at 203-494-6278.

Children aged 8-12 will be accepted to the School. The nursery school has 3 groups as follows: ages 2-3 years of age – the youngest group; ages 3-5 years of age –the middle group; ages 5-6 years of age –preschool/ oldest group. This year we plan to offer Ukrainian dance instruction under the director of Mr. Orlando Pagan for children 7 years and older. Details noted in the bulletin note just above. For further information please contact School Director Halia Lodynska 203-494-6278 or Nursery School Director Natalia Dankevych 203-901-7168.

Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI reposes in the Lord

His Holiness, Pope Emeritus, Benedict XVI has fallen asleep in the Lord today after a long life and a distinguished life of service.

“With sorrow I inform you that the Pope Emeritus, Benedict XVI, passed away today at 9:34 in the Mater Ecclesiae Monastery in the Vatican. Further information will be provided as soon as possible.”

Statement of Matteo Bruni
Director of the Holy See Press Office

Archbishop Georg Gaenswein writes: “Papa emerito said to me and to all those who accompanied him in his last hours, “Please pray for me!” –I would like to pass on this request of the Pope Emeritus to all those whom his death touches. For myself, his death means a great and personal loss. I am deeply grateful and at the same time very sad.”

Let us pray.

O God of all spiritual and corporeal be­ings,
You trampled death, broke the power
of Satan and granted life to the whole world.

Now, O Lord, grant also rest to the soul of
Your departed servant Benedict XVI in a place of light,
freshness, and peace, where there is no
pain, sorrow, or mourning.

As a gracious God and loving mankind, forgive him
every transgression committed by him
in word, deed, or thought, since there is no
man alive who has not sinned. You alone
are without sin and Your justice is everlast­ing
justice, and Your word is always the truth.

For You are the resurrection, the life and
the rest of Your departed Benedict, O
Christ our God, and we render glory to You,
together with Your Eternal Father, and Your
most Holy, gracious, and life-giving Spirit,
now and ever and forever. Amen.

(Attributed to St. John Chrysostom)

Parish announcements

Christ is born! Glorify Him!
Merry Christmas!

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

Schedule for January 7, Christmas according to the Julian Calendar: 9:50 a.m. —Great Compline with Lytia AND at 10:30 a.m. the Divine Liturgy.

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.

Our parish will be preparing a Prosphora, a traditional Ukrainian Christmas meal on Sunday, January 15, 2023 after the Divine Liturgy that will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Tickets are $30.00 for adults, $10.00 for youth from 14 to 18. Free for children Ridna Shkola and altar boys. Luba Dubno, Margaret Maybury and Svitlana Nakonechnyj are selling tickets. We will be running a raffle. No tickets will be sale at the door.

Sorokooutsy (All Souls Saturdays) will be celebrated on Saturdays, February 18, March 4, 11, 18 and May 27. Please take a book found at 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!

Tantsi/Ukrainian Folk Dancing for older kids, 6 and up, will start on Friday, January 20, 2023 with a parent meeting at pm with Stephanie Tomaszewsky, instructor and in partnership with Artistic Director Orlando Pagan. Classes will start on January 27. If it snows we will have Parent Meeting on 1/27 and classes will start the week after that. All parents and students should attend. Any questions will be answered that night. Please contact Halia Lodynsky by text if you have any questions at 203-494-6278.

Children aged 8-12 will be accepted to the School. The nursery school has 3 groups as follows: ages 2-3 years of age – the youngest group; ages 3-5 years of age –the middle group; ages 5-6 years of age –preschool/ oldest group. This year we plan to offer Ukrainian dance instruction under the director of Mr. Orlando Pagan for children 7 years and older. Details noted in the bulletin note just above. For further information please contact School Director Halia Lodynska 203-494-6278 or Nursery School Director Natalia Dankevych 203-901-7168.

Are we moving to a common date for Christmas and Easter?

Metropolitan Sviatoslav and Metropolitan Epiphany met to exchange with each other Christmas greetings and to discuss matters of ecclesial life of mutual importance. The Church leaders paid special attention to the agreement on the reform of the church liturgical calendar, which is increasingly critical before Christmas and Easter holy days. After the discussion, it was proposed to create a joint working group that will take a comprehensive study of the issue. This working group would have to draw up specific proposals for the Presidents and Synods of both Churches in the context of preparations to mark the 1700th anniversary of the First Ecumenical Cathedral, held at Nicea in AD 325.

Pray for the work on the liturgical calendar and the move toward a common date of Christmas and Easter.

Parish announcements

Christ is among us!

This week vigil light is offered by Halia Lodynsky in memory of Stefan Jurczak.

Schedule for January 1, 2023, 10:45 a.m. Lytia and Blessing of Bread, 11:00 a.m. Divine Liturgy. A toast to the New Year in the church hall.

Our parish will be preparing a 2023 Prosphora, a traditional Ukrainian Christmas meal on Sunday, January 15, after the Divine Liturgy that will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Tickets are $30.00 for adults, $10.00 for youth from 14 to 18. Free for children Ridna Shkola and altar boys. Luba Dubno, Margaret Maybury and Svitlana Nakonechnyj are selling tickets. We will be running a raffle. No tickets will be sale at the door.

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.

Please don’t forget to make a donation to the Eparchy’s Charity Appeal. Please make check payable to the Byzantine Rite Eparchy of Stamford. DO NOT MAIL THIS FORM OR CHECK TO THE CHANCERY OFFICE BUT TURN IT IN AT THE PARISH. We sincerely ask all parishioners to make a generous contribution.

Children aged 8-12 will be accepted to the School. The nursery school has 3 groups as follows: ages 2-3 years of age – the youngest group; ages 3-5 years of age –the middle group; ages 5-6 years of age –preschool/ oldest group. This year we plan to offer Ukrainian dance instruction under the director of Mr. Orlando Pagan for children 7 years and older. Details to follow. For further information please contact School Director Halia Lodynska 203-494-6278 or Nursery School Director Natalia Dankevych 203-901-7168.

KIDS HELPING UKRAINE STICKERS: Our New Haven Ridna Shkola is doing a Fundraiser called, KIDS HELPING UKRAINE. The stickers (two styles) are $1.00 per sticker and if you can contribute more it will be appreciated. All donations will go to provide medical supplies and care for those wounded in this terrible war started by Russia. If you any questions contact Halia Lodynsky 203-494-6278 or Volodymyr Dumalskyy.

Stuart F. Maybury fell asleep in the Lord

The parish is sad to announce that Stuart F. Maybury Jr., 82, of Northford, fell asleep in the Lord peacefully on Wednesday, November 30, 2022. He was the beloved of Margaret Brezicki-Maybury.

The full obituary for Stu may be read here.

The funeral rites for Stu are:

The visiting hours will be Wednesday morning, Dec. 7th at The Havens Family North Haven Funeral Home, 36 Washington Avenue from 9:00 to 11:00 with a Panachyda service at 10:00. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated in St. Michael’s Ukrainian Catholic Church, 569 George Street, New Haven at 11:30. Interment will follow in All Saints Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Animal Haven, Inc., 89 Mill Road, North Haven CT 06473 or Trout Unlimited, 1300 North 17th Street, Suite 500, Arlington, VA 22209-3801 or St. Michael’s Ukrainian Catholic Church or a charity of one’s choice.

Let us pray for Stu and for the consolation of Margaret and the children.

May Mary, the Great Mother of God, St Michael the Archangel and all the saints and angels assist Stu and the Maybury family.

May Stu’s memory be eternal!

Parish announcements

Christ is among us!

This week vigil light is offered by Halia Lodynsky in memory of Stefan Jurczak.

On November 30th, Stuart Maybury fell asleep in the Lord. Please remember him in your prayers. Eternal Memory!

If you would like to receive the Mysteries (sacraments) of Confession, Holy Communion or prayer of the sick at your house or nursing home, please call the rectory at (203) 865-0388.

Schedule for December, 2022:

December 11, One Divine Liturgy 10:30 A.M.
December 18. One Divine Liturgy 10:30 A.M.
December 25, 9:50 God with us, 10:30 A.M. Divine Liturgy;
January 1, 10:45 Lytij and Blessing of Bread, 11:00 Divine Liturgy.

We will be making Pyrohy (varenyky) for regular orders on December 17. We need your help on Friday to peel potatoes and Saturday to make pierogis. Please come and help.

UNWLA Branch 108 will be taking pre-orders for kolachi (Christmas braided bread). Please call Anna Salemme at (203) 934-6520 to order or text (203) 506-1818 or email ans51@sbcglobal.net by December 12.The kolachi will be available for pick up on Saturday, December 17. Kutia will also be available on the 17th and at the Christmas bazaar on December 11. Profits will benefit the UNWLA”Keep Ukraine Warm” campaign.

We invite you to our Christmas Bazaar, which will take place on Sunday, December 11:00 from 12:00 to 4:00 P.M. The proceeds are supported to help the Ukrainian army and civilians affected by Russian aggression. You can buy jewelry, souvenirs, candles, handmade ornaments as well as pastries and homemade food. For more information call (347)523-1226.

Children aged 8-12 will be accepted to the School. The nursery school has 3 groups as follows: ages 2-3 years of age – the youngest group; ages 3-5 years of age –the middle group; ages 5-6 years of age –preschool/ oldest group. This year we plan to offer Ukrainian dance instruction under the director of Mr. Orlando Pagan for children 7 years and older. Details to follow. For further information please contact School Director Halia Lodynska (203) 494-6278 or Nursery School Director Natalia Dankevych (203) 901-7168.

Claudio Gugerotti returns to the Vatican

The Holy Father nominated today the Prefect for the Dicastery for Eastern Churches, Archbishop Claudio Gugerotti, until now Nuncio to Great Britain, and previous Nuncio to Ukraine.

Archbishop Gugerotti, 67, has an earned doctorate from the Pontifical Oriental Institute (PIO) in Rome and a former student and colleague of the late Archimandrite Robert F. Taft, S.J. Gugerotti is a specialist in Armenian Liturgy and theology. He’s been a priest for 40 years and a bishop for 20, he’s from the Verona Diocese. He begins his new ministry in January 2023.

He’s a TERRIFIC choice to replace Cardinal Sandri!!!! Sandri, 79, (his birthday was just on November 18) and a native of Buenas Aires, has served at the Prefect of this disaster since 2007.

May God grant His Excellency many healthy and fruitful years!