Category: News

Appeal of His Beatitude Sviatoslav

Appeal of His Beatitude Sviatoslav to the Sons and Daughters of the Ukrainian People in Ukraine and Abroad, and to all People of Good Will

Tuesday, February 22, 2022

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

The recognition by the president of the Russian Federation of the “independence and sovereignty” of the self-proclaimed LNR and DNR creates serious challenges and threats for the entire international community and for international law, on the basis of which today people and their nations exist and cooperate. Irreparable damage has been done to the very logic of international relations, which are called to safeguard peace and the just order of societies, the supremacy of law, the accountability of state powers, the defence of the human being, human life and natural rights. Today all of humanity has been placed in danger—that the powerful have a right to impose themselves on whomever they wish, with no regard for the rule of law.

In its decision the government of the Russian Federation unilaterally withdrew from a lengthy peace process, tasked with ensuring the restoration of dignified conditions for life on the territories controlled by Russia in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions of Ukraine, for those impacted by Russian military aggression. The war, initiated against our people in 2014, has inflicted deep wounds on many of our fellow citizens: thousands killed, wounded, left in solitude. Yesterday’s step taken by the president of the Russian Federation destroyed foundational principles for a long-term process of restoring peace in Ukraine, created the path for a new wave of military aggression against our state, opened the doors for a full scale military operation against the Ukrainian people.

We consider the defense of our native land, our historical memory and our hope, our God-given right to exist to be the personal responsibility and sacred duty of the citizens of Ukraine. The defence of our Fatherland is our natural right and civic duty. We are strong when we are together. Now has come the time to unite our efforts in order to defend the independence, territorial integrity and sovereignty of the Ukrainian state. The duty and responsibility of all of humanity—to actively work to avert war and protect a just peace.

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All Souls’ Saturdays

Saturday, February 19 is the first of the five All Souls’ Saturdays. We will serve the Divine Liturgy TODAY at 9am.

Prayer for the departed is one of the best acts of charity we can perform. It is also an expression of our faith in the resurrection of the dead.

The Byzantine Church remembers the faithful departed differently than the Latin Church. For example, All Soul’s Saturdays at St Michael’s New Haven are: February 19, March 12, 19, 26 and June 4.

Join us, live and in person only.

Parish announcements

Christ is among us!

This week vigil light is offered by Chris Komondy in memory of Henri Heinrich.

SOROKOUSTY will be celebrated during Lent in All Soul’s Saturdays, February 19, March 12, 19, 26 and June 4. 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!

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.

Parish announcements

Christ is in our midst!

This week vigil light is offered by Mary Ann Mikosky in memory of Eugenia Kozak Harvey.

There will be frozen PYROHY for sale in the church hall for as long as supplies last.

SOROKOUSTY will be celebrated during Lent in All Souls’ Saturdays, February 19, March 12, 19, 26 and June 4. 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!

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.

The Ukrainian School of New Haven

If you have any questions:
Elementary School: Halia Lodynsky at 203-494-6278
Middle School: Volodymyr Dumalskyy at 203-988-2923
Nataliia Dankevych (203) 901-7168.

A nursery school program for children 2-5 years old is currently ongoing.

Instruction will be primarily in Ukrainian language with accommodations for English. Connecticut Covid guidelines will be followed.

Pope calls for Day of Prayer for Peace

Following the Pope’s Sunday Angelus address (23 January 2022), he called us to a day of prayer for peace:

“I am following with concern the increase of tensions that threaten to inflict a new blow to the peace in Ukraine, and call into question the security of the European continent, with wider repercussions. I make a heartfelt appeal to all people of good will, that they may raise prayers to God Almighty, that every political action and initiative may serve human brotherhood, rather than partisan interests. Those who pursue their own interests, to the detriment of others, disregard their human vocation, as we were all created as brothers and sisters. For this reason, and with concern, given the current tensions, I propose that next Wednesday, 26 January be a day of prayer for peace.“

US Ukrainian Catholic Bishops make peace and justice appeal

In letter to the faithful, the US Ukraine Catholic Bishops speak out against the aggression of Russian toward the people of Ukraine. In part the bishops wrote, “God-given human dignity and freedom threaten rulers who seek to dominate others, build empires, enslave, and colonize. Those with the audacity to resist, who dare to move from the fear of totalitarianism to freedom and dignity are mercilessly punished.”

The bishops ask us to “Pray for peace and justice for Ukraine. Be informed. Support the suffering.” Read the entire episcopal missive:

https://ukrarcheparchy.us/archeparchy-news/an-appeal-of-the-ukrainian-catholic-bishops-of-the-united-states?fbclid=IwAR2IAYRJXwq6BwAYyA3wYliK10UaTzVmDssvI7naWWM0i0LLYkBaPDcz0w8

Parish announcements

Christ is among us!

This week vigil light is offered by the Sokhan Family in memory of Yaroslava Kalynec.

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.

St. Michael’s Parish invites you to come to our traditional Ukrainian Christmas PROSFORA on Sunday, January 30, 2022 at noon. The cost is $25 per diner. Tickets may be purchased from January 23 to January 30. This event can be postponed or canceled if the CDC guidelines change.

SOROKOUSTY will be celebrated during Lent in All Souls’ Saturdays, February 19, March 12, 19, 26 and June 4. 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!

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.

Into the Light: Conversations with Sviatoslav Shevchuk

A word from our friend and fellow parishioner, John Burger

Friends, I have good news to share. Yesterday, I signed a contract with Our Sunday Visitor publishing. My book, Into the Light: Conversations with Sviatoslav Shevchuk, will be published in 2023. I am grateful to God for this development, and grateful to all who have helped bring this project to this point.

Into the Light is a book-length interview with His Beatitude Sviatoslav Shevchuk, head and father of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, the largest Eastern Catholic Church in communion with Rome. The first part of the book details His Beatitude’s dramatic story of growing up and studying for the priesthood in the underground Church, when Ukraine was part of the Soviet Union and the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church was illegal. The rest of the book delves into His Beatitude’s thoughts and analyses of issues facing the Church and the larger society today, including secularism, how the digital revolution is affecting young people, the challenges of ecumenism, the need for community and authentic witness, and the value of Catholic Social Teaching for society.

Let me just say that this is a book not just for Ukrainians, not just for Ukrainian Greek Catholics, and not just for Eastern Christians, though I trust those communities will be interested in reading it. I do believe that His Beatitude’s life story, witness, and teachings will have resonance for many people, especially those searching for wisdom in an increasingly fractured and confusing world.