Category: News

Parish announcements this week

Christ is risen!

This week vigil light is offered to God’s glory by Margaret and Stuart Maybury in memory of Rudolph and Helen Brezicki.

The next Parish Council meeting will be held on TOMORROW, Monday, May 6, at 6:00 in the Holy Name Room.

The next Knights of Columbus meeting will be held on TOMORROW, Monday, May 6, at 7:00 in the Holy Name Room.

The Knights of Columbus will be sponsoring a Mother’s Day breakfast on Sunday, May 12, 2019 after the 9:00 a.m. Divine Liturgy. We extend an invitation to all mothers of our parish to stop in for breakfast, so that we may honor you.

The traditional Easter parish “SVIACHENE” will be held TODAY following the Divine Liturgy. We will celebrate only one (1) Divine Liturgy at 10:30 a.m. We will be running a raffle. If you would like to donate any items to be raffled, please bring them to our church hall on Sunday, May 5. Tickets are $25.00 for adults, $10.00 for youth from 12 to 18. Free for altar boys, and under 12. Also we ask you to donate healthy and homemade cakes for desert. We trust that all parishioners will join this parish gathering and through their presence attest to cherishing in our hearts a love for one another which builds our PARISH FAMILY.

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. Paul Zalonski (of our parish) will drive the donations to the Homeless Shelter in Waterbury.

The Knights of Columbus have available for sale a freshly cooked batch of 2 quarter-pound tasty recipe kovbasa and cabbage meals for $10.00 each or a 2 lb. vegetable only mix for just $6.00. These meals may be purchased in the church hall, please see Walter Ushchak.

Olga Iastrubchak will be offering private dance classes for children ages 3-18. Classes will be held on Saturdays at 1:00 pm the St Michael’s church hall. For more information please contact Olya at (203) 400-4467 or email: olgaiastrubchak@gmail.com

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Easter Sviachene May 5, 2019

The traditional Easter parish “SVIACHENE” will be held on May 5, following the 10:30 Divine Liturgy. We will celebrate only one Divine Liturgy this Sunday.

We will be running a raffle. If you would like to donate any items to be raffled, please bring them to our church hall on Wednesday evening at setup or before “Sviachene” on Sunday, May 5.

Tickets are $25.00 for adults, $10.00 for youth from 12 to 18. Free for altar boys, and under 12.

Remember if you can donate homemade cakes for deserts, please do so. Fresh and healthy!

Melanie Struk fell asleep in the Lord

Melanie Horn Struk, 94, of North Haven, passed away peacefully on Monday, April 15, 2019. She was a longtime member of St. Michael the Archangel Ukrainian Catholic Church.

Our condolences go to Peter and Victoria Struk as we also pray for her husband Peter and daughter Anna who predeceased Melanie.

A funeral service will be conducted in the North Haven Funeral Home, 36 Washington Avenue on Thursday morning at 10:30.

Melanie’s full obituary may be read here.

May Melanie’s memory be eternal.

Parish announcements

Christ is risen!

This week vigil light is offered to God’s great glory by Margaret and Stuart Maybury in memory of +Vera Walnycky.

Asleep in the Lord: Melanie Struk fell asleep in the Lord. Please remember her in your prayers. Eternal Memory!

The traditional Easter parish “SVIACHENE” will be held on May 5, following the Divine Liturgy. We will celebrate only One Divine Liturgy at 10:30 a.m. We will be running a raffle. If you would like to donate any items to be raffled, please bring them to our church hall on Sundays before our “Sviachene” or on Sunday, May 5. Tickets are $25.00 for adults, $10.00 for youth from 12 to 18. Free for altar boys, and under 12. Also we ask you to donate cakes for desert. We trust that all parishioners will join this parish gathering and through their presence attest to cherishing in our hearts a love for one another which builds our PARISH FAMILY.

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 the Homeless Shelter in Waterbury.

The Knights of Columbus Have available for sale a freshly cooked batch of 2 quarter pound of tasty recipe kovbasa and cabbage meals for $10.00 each or a 2lb. vegetable only mix for just $6.00. These meals may be purchased in the church hall, please see Walter Ushchak.

The organizational meeting of the newly formed Facilities Maintenance Team of St. Michael’s Ukrainian Catholic Church took place on Friday evening, January 18. The schedule of work sessions was also established for the entire year so that plans can be developed for doing all the projects and arrangements made for the purchase of required supplies and equipment. The usual time frame for the work sessions will run from 6:30 to about 9:30 p.m.. There will be occasions when it is necessary to work later than 9:30 to complete some of the projects.All parishioners who would like to become part of the team should leave your contact information with Fr. Iura after the Divine Liturgy. Forms for providing your contact information can be found in the vestibule of the church.

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Pussy Willow Sunday

Today is Palm Sunday for those that celebrate on the Gregorian calendar. But for Ukrainians that celebrate today or on April 21st by the Julian calendar this day is called Pussy Willow Sunday or Verbna Nedila [or Flowery Sunday].

Palm trees don’t grow in Ukraine so in the Ukrainian Christian tradition, it was replaced by a willow, a plant, which blooms in early spring and symbolizes the beginning of a new life. It is likely that origins of this custom are ancient, and probably precede the acceptance of Christianity in Ukraine.

On this day pussy-willow branches are blessed in church. After Palm Sunday services, it was customary for Ukrainians to tap each other with the blessed pussy willow branches. In pagan times, it is said that this tapping transferred living energy from the willow plant (which was a goddess totem) to the person being tapped. Children, particularly, would be tapped, so they would grow big, strong and healthy. Tapping of friends with the pussy willow branches was actually a wish for good health, wealth and happiness. The people tap one another with these branches repeating the wish below.

The blessed willow branches were then taken home. Some of the blessed pussy willow branches were placed above the holy pictures in the home, to protect the household from evil spirits. These branches would replace the branches that had been placed the previous year. The branches which were taken down were carefully burned; a few would be used to light the stove to bake this year’s pasky.

Some of the branches were planted by the father or oldest son. If they took root, it meant a marriage for the daughter of son of the family. Often they would be planted near the family’s well, to keep evils spirits away from it, and to make the water healthy and good tasting.

Blessed branches were used to drive the cattle to pasture for the first time on St. George’s Day, and then the father or eldest son would lightly tap the cattle with them to ensure good health and fecundity. Branches would be used to ward off storms, and thrown into fires to help put them out. A branch or two would be placed in the coffin with the deceased, to protect them from demons.

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Parish announcements this week

Christ is in our midst!

This week the vigil light is offered God’s glory by Margaret and Stuart Maybury in memory of Pauline Kurylo.

A special THANKS to Rudolph Brezicki for donating the beautiful pussywillows for today’s Palm Sunday.

Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts will be celebrated on Wednesday, April 17 at 7:00 p.m. Please come and join in this beautiful tradition of our Church.

Olga Iastrubchak will be offering private dance classes for children ages 3-18. Classes will be held on Saturdays at 1:00 p.m. in St Michael’s church hall. For more information please contact Olga at (203) 400-4467 or email her at olgaiastrubchak@gmail.com

The Knights of Columbus have available for sale a freshly cooked batch of 2 quarter pound tasty recipe kovbasa and cabbage meals for $10.00 each or a 2lb. vegetable only mix for just $6.00. These meals may be purchased in the church hall, please see Walter Ushchak.

The traditional Easter parish “SVIACHENE” will be held on May 5, following the Divine Liturgy. We will celebrate only one (1) Divine Liturgy at 10:30 a.m. We will be running a raffle. If you would like to donate any items to be raffled, please bring them to our church hall on Sundays before our “Sviachene” or on Sunday, May 5. Tickets are $25.00 for adults, $10.00 for youth from 12 to 18. Free for altar boys, and under 12. Also we ask you to donate cakes for desert. We trust that all parishioners will join this parish gathering and through their presence attest to cherishing in our hearts a love for one another which builds our PARISH FAMILY.

The world-renowned Kyiv Chamber Choir returns to perform a Hartford concert at 7:30 p.m. on Monday, May 20, at St. John’s Episcopal Church, 679 Farmington Avenue, West Hartford. Tickets are available at Ukrainian National Home (860-296-5702) or online at www.universe.com or you may call Platinum Concerts International, toll-free, at 1-877-232-9835 and at the door. For concert information, go to www.platinumconcerts.com This is a are opportunity to hear one of the world’s great choirs share ‘hidden treasures, from 1,000 years of Ukrainian sacred and folk music.

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Parish announcements this week

Christ is in our midst!

VIGIL LIGHT: This week vigil light is offered to God’s glory in memory of Frances Dmyterko requested by the Family.

SESTRECHI: the next meeting will be held today after the 9:00 Divine Liturgy.

CANCELLATION: Due to scheduling conflicts, the April 8th Parish Council meeting and the KofC meeting are cancelled. The next scheduled meeting dates will be announced.

LITURGY OF THE PRESANCTIFIED GIFTS will be on Friday, April 12 at 7:00 p.m.

Our next PYROHY PROJECT will be Saturday, April 13. We need your help on Friday to peel potatoes and especially on Saturday to make Pyrohy (varynyky). Please come and help. See Walter Ushchak for more information.

Olga Iastrubchak will be offering private dance classes for children ages 3-18. Classes will be held on Saturdays at 1:00 p.m. the St Michael’s church hall. For more information please contact Olya at 203-400-4467 or email olgaiastrubchak@gmail.com

Kovbasa and Cabbage Meals: The Knights of Columbus Have available for sale a freshly cooked batch of 2 quarter pound secret, tasty recipe kovbasa and cabbage meals for $10.00 each or a 2lb. vegetable only mix for just $6.00. These meals may be purchased in the Church Hall, please see Walter Ushchak.

Knights of Columbus raffle tickets are being sold in the church hall after each Divine Liturgy. 1st Prize is $5,000.00!!! The tickets are $10.00 each. Please see Michael or Mary Muryn to purchase your tickets.

SVIACHENE: The traditional Easter parish “SVIACHENE” will be held on May 5, following the one (1) Divine Liturgy. We will celebrate only One Divine Liturgy at 10:30 a.m. We will be running a raffle. If you would like to donate any items to be raffled, please bring them to our church hall on Sundays before our “Sviachene” or on Sunday, May 5. Tickets are $25.00 for adults, $10.00 for youth from 12 to 18. Free for altar boys, and under 12. Also we ask you to donate cakes for desert. We trust that all parishioners will join this parish gathering and through their presence attest to cherishing in our hearts a love for one another which builds our PARISH FAMILY.

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George Weigel to speak in New Haven

A lecture will be given this Monday, April 8 at 7:00 pm by author George Weigel from the Ethics and Public Policy Center, on his new book The Fragility of Order, Catholic Reflections on Turbulent Times (2018). This includes Ukraine as part of the lecture. This event will take place at St. Mary’s Parish, 5 Hillhouse Parish, New Haven. A reception will follow.

You may register at the Thomistic Institute.

George Weigel has been a great advocate for the work and life of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church. Recently, he wrote an appreciative essay on Archbishop Borys Gudziak that can be read here.

All meetings at the Parish on this day have been canceled to allow parishioners to take advantage of this unusual opportunity.

Helping the poor-a work of charity

Helping the poor —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).

Parish announcements this week

Christ is in our midst!

This week the vigil light is offered to God’s glory in memory of all deceased of Waselik family. by members of the family.

The Divine Liturgy of Presanctified Gifts (compiled by St Gregory the Great) will be celebrated on Friday, April 5 at 7:00 p.m. Please come and join in this beautiful tradition of our Church.

Sestrechi will next meet on Sunday, April 7, after the 9:00 a.m. Divine Liturgy. The meeting will be held in the church hall Classroom 1.

The next Parish Council meeting will be held on Monday, April 8, at 6:00 p.m. in the Holy Name Room. All council members, organization representatives and interested parishioners are invited.

The next meeting of Knights of Columbus Blessed Metropolitan Andrey Sheptytsky Ukrainian Council will be held on Monday, April 8, 7:00 p.m. in the Holy Name Room. All men of the parish are invited to attend.

The traditional Easter parish “SVIACHENE” will be held on May 5, following the Divine Liturgy. We will celebrate only one (1) Divine Liturgy at 10:30 a.m. We will be running a raffle. If you would like to donate any items to be raffled, please bring them to our church hall on Sundays before our “Sviachene” or on Sunday, May 5. Tickets are $25.00 for adults, $10.00 for youth from 12 to 18. Free for altar boys, and under 12. Also, we ask you to donate homemade cakes for desert. We trust that all parishioners will join this parish gathering and through their presence attest to cherishing in our hearts a love for one another which builds our parish family.

Our next PYROHY PROJECT will be Saturday, April 13. We need your help on Friday to peel potatoes and especially on Saturday to make pyrohy (varynyky). Please come and help. See Walter Ushchak for more information.

The Knights of Columbus Have available for sale a freshly cooked batch of 2 1/4 lb. secret, tasty recipe Kovbasa and Cabbage meals for $10.00 each or a 2 lb. vegetable only mix for just $6.00. These meals may be purchased in the church hall, please see Walter Ushchak

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